T UCH
AURES AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 2017
IT NEWS BUSINESS
THE SWEET TASTE OF STYLE at The Chocolate Box
OPERATING SYSTEMS
THE SOFTWARE THAT MUST BE
GREAT POS COUNTERS THE GUIDE
PRODUCT IN FOCUS IRUGGY TABLET AURES.COM
WELCOME
As I look back at the life of AURES here in Australia it has been a momentous ride on many levels. In 2016 we started the year with a bang as we successfully transitioned from J2 Retail Systems to the AURES brand. In the middle of the year we implemented a new accounting system which has transformed the way we manage our business from receipting goods through to dispatch. During the same period, we added a third warehouse to our premises to increase our stock holding to ensure we can maintain a quick response time to our expanding customer base. We expanded our staff with the addition of 3 new members as well as embarked on an intensive marketing regime to stay in touch with our customers and spread the word more broadly about the great products we have to offer. From a business perspective, AURES Technologies has grown by 20% in the last year. We know alot of hard work has gone into achieving such growth but we can’t deny that the quality and reliability of our products and simple business model is what is driving us forward. Success is a consequence of effort and in 2017 our efforts are focused on consolidating our business and in particular our service. We are thankful to have a great global team supporting us with world best products and a single minded vision to be the best POS hardware provider in the world. I would like to thank all our customers big and small for making AURES a strong business that can continue to deliver the great solutions you have become accustomed to and our staff for keeping our customers satisfaction at their core day in day out. Phil Wild Managing Director
NEWS
AURES WINS BFM AWARD At the latest BFM Awards ceremony in France, AURES won the BFM Export Performance Award. Euler Herms, a global leader in credit insurance and BFM Business, France’s leading business news channel teamed up for the 4th year to present the award that recognises the boldness and performance of French companies abroad. Over 100 French exporters from a range of sectors with sales in excess of 10 million euros competed for the award but AURES was singled out by the judges to win the award.
WEEKEND SUPPORT LAUNCHED When our customers are working, so must we and that is why AURES Technologies has established a weekend support service. This phone support service is manned by AURES staff to ensure the right advice can be given. Weekend phone support is available between the hours of 9am – 5pm. For those with onsite support plans that cover weekend support, our staff will also be able to coordinate repairs with our onsite technicians over the weekend periods. The weekend support team can be also contacted via email on ausupport@aures.com. Our weekend phone support number is 0437 514 566.
ARE YOU CONNECTED? Social media is revolutionising the world and connecting us like never before. We have embraced social media and it has opened new ways for us to communicate with our customers and wider audience over the last year. We have built up a great library of content that is open to all to see. So whether you are a Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube or Twitter fan then connect with AURES Technologies to stay up to date and informed.
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IN FOCUS
iRuggy G10 Tablet Tablets are growing in popularity for POS users and AURES Technologies has got its hands on a new tablet that offers versatility for retail, hospitality, warehouse or field applications. The iRuggy G10 mobile tablet is an enterprise grade device that will operate both Windows and Android operating systems. You may be asking what is the difference between this tablet and others and the answer is simple. The iRuggy G10 features a 10.1” screen and a modular design that allows you to configure the device to suit your specific needs.
The iRuggy feels sturdy in your hand. The rubberised coating aids grip levels.
On the rear of the device are a number of removable covers that allow for a broad range of modules to be added including: • • • • • •
1D/2D optical scanner, with red LED dot aimer. Smart Card (EMV Level 1 & 2) and encrypted MSR Combo. Multi-vendor mPOS integration for Chip & PIN. Capacitive fingerprint reader for secure user authorisation or ID verification. RFID for inventory or badge scanning. Custom ADD-f(x) modules available on request.
The iRuggy has a selectable touch mode that allows you to configure the sensitivity of the touch screen. Whether you are using a stylus, finger or glove you can match the sensitivity of the screen you require. A rear facing 5MP rear camera with flash and front facing 2MP camera with audio and microphone make the tablet suitable for video conferencing.
The tablet can be placed in a cradle to allow for conventional POS terminal use.
Network connectivity is able via WLAN, Bluetooth and NFC communication. Two USB ports are included allowing for connectivity to peripherals as well as an HDMI port. A Micro SD Slot enables increased storage capacity. Rated to IP65 for dust and liquid ingress, the iRuggy is shock-proof, capable of withstanding multiple drops from 1.2 meters. To further add versatility, the tablet can be placed in a desktop cradle for more conventional POS terminal style use. With a hotswappable 8 hours battery, the iRuggy will operate for an entire shift. Contact the team at AURES to find out more.
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Removable covers allow for additional modules to be added to configure the device to your specific needs.
TECHNICAL
Operating Systems. The software that must be. We all know that operating systems are necessary for any computer to function but when it comes to POS solutions what are our choices and where is it all heading? For those that have worked or implemented POS solutions over the years, you would have been through a raft of Operating Systems dating back to the MS-DOS days. We can’t deny that advancements in Operating Systems have made life easier for us all but what are the considerations that POS providers and users need to consider? With OSX, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android systems, choices are still vast but by far and away the most popular Operating System for POS is Windows based solutions. Yes, there are some POS Solutions designed for Apple Mac products but their suitability for retail applications is limited and therefore not widely used leaving Windows based solutions to be the dominant platform of choice. Challenges for the solution provider When software is developed, coders must consider the platform that is available to them to build on. Not only must they consider their own code base operating environment but that of the hardware that will be used. For example, if the latest Windows 10 operating system is chosen as the coding platform but the receipt printers used do not have a compatible driver, then a weak link is created in the POS chain.
POS hardware working with computer equipment. As Operating Systems develop, there are often changes required for hardware drivers. Hardware providers need to stay abreast of the changes to ensure seamless operating between Operating Systems. Thankfully the POS industry has worked towards standardising driver protocols to reduce the need for ongoing changes as operating systems are updated. Challenges for POS users A POS system is a business solution that must be reliable throughout its life. Being reliable means ensuring the operating environment is stable. Not only must the user consider the Operating System requirements that their POS vendor demands but also whether that operating system will be supportable throughout the life of the solution. We recently saw Microsoft cease support of their Windows XP platform. Thankfully Microsoft do have a long term view of their operating system support but you need to consider your timing. If selecting an operating system that is midway through its life, then towards the end of the life of your hardware you may have some support issues down the track. Operating System developments
Therefore, the latest and greatest Windows operating system may not be the most suitable to implement.
Operating Systems continue to develop to meet the needs of the technology that is available at a particular time.
Coders need to consider the road map of Operating Systems to ensure that they are building on a platform that can be supported and not dramatically changed that may result in POS software recoding.
In this day and age of the connected user, most operating system enhancements focus on functionality that is not particularly useful in POS applications.
Challenges for Hardware providers Drivers are an essential part of keeping
the latest and greatest operating systems may not be greatly beneficial. From a POS hardware perspective, we have seen many changes in Operating Systems with the current crop of Windows 7 and Windows 10 solutions producing excellent results. Windows 10 is showing a slight speed advantage. We have also experienced very easy transition between operating systems that has made our job easier. You may have heard of some Windows Operating Systems that have been given the tag “POS Ready�. These operating systems are claimed to be optimised for POS applications. We find that the differences are very minimal and more relate to licensing of Operating Systems for POS use than anything else. Performance wise we do not experience any noticeable differences with AURES hardware. Consult your software vendor Your software vendor is your first port of call when determining which operating system to choose as AURES hardware is capable of working with a broad range of operating systems. They will guide you as to what they believe is the best choice for their software. With the era of Cloud Based solutions dawning in the POS industry, the need for direct matching of operating systems may be reduced. Just as the world continues to spin so too does the development of operating systems but the principals of which system to use in your POS installations will stay consistent. For more information on operating systems speak to the AURES technical team.
The Operating System requirements of a POS solution are actually very simple when compared to general consumer applications such as gaming. Therefore,
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FEATURE
Chocolate. Just one simple word conjures images of tasty goodness and puts smiles on people’s faces. When it comes to boutique, quality chocolate, retail business, The Chocolate Box is at the top of the bunch.
THE SWEET TASTE OF
STYLE AND CHOCOLATE
A Melbourne chocolate institution, and now expanding to other states, the Chocolate Box harks back to the days of handmade chocolates. Established in 1958 by Rose and Richard Adler in the leafy suburb of Camberwell, the business manufactured handmade chocolates on site to be sold on the same day via the front of house retail shop. The European styled chocolates comprising of coated creams, nut clusters, hard toffees and hand-dipped jellies and fruits became a hit and the business grew. Fast forward to today and the business is still family owned and run by the founder’s siblings Gary and Marion. Under their direction, the Chocolate Box has transformed with the times into a modern, boutique chocolate business whilst maintaining the core values founded by their parents. With currently eight stores located in Melbourne and Sydney, the Chocolate Box has it sights set on expansion.
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FEATURE The POS Dilemma
The SANGO solution
The Chocolate Box has been a great POS user since the year 2000.
When The Chocolate Box knocked on AURES’s door, they had a very clear rationale behind the POS hardware they were looking for.
As with most POS solutions, a time comes when an update is required. Whether it be the search for greater functionality, performance or simply old solutions that have become tired and unreliable. A shift to a new cloud based POS software that could easily expand to suit the growing business was adopted and this drove a re-evaluation of the hardware requirements for the Chocolate Box.
Two solutions were offered. The YUNO and the SANGO. Though both were considered as suitable solutions, it was the revolutionary style of the SANGO that won the hearts of the owners.
The business identified a number of key criteria when it came to selecting new POS terminals.
There are not many POS terminals that move people like the SANGO. That “wow” factor that we feel when we see something that visually strikes a chord with you is rare in the POS industry but the SANGO is a terminal that achieved this for The Chocolate Box.
The new hardware must be touchscreen based that would make the staff interface with the new POS software more intuitive.
Besides the sleek styling of the SANGO, it offered a strong backbone of functionality to support the change in POS software.
The hardware had to be stylish and add to the attractiveness of the stores.
Being touch enabled met the need to provide a more intuitive POS interface for staff.
Access to terminals for maintenance purposes was essential as well as a terminal that offered a small POS footprint.
From a technical perspective, the performance of the terminal exceeded the requirements but ensures that there is performance in reserve as software requirements grow in the future.
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The Chocolate Box added customer displays to the terminal to allow for customer facing promotions and interaction.
stores, extending their visual merchandising efforts all the way to the POS terminals.
The usual retail peripherals combination have been deployed including a barcode scanner, receipt printer and cash drawer.
A bright future
The all-in-one footprint of the touch terminal has reduced the POS space required as well as made it easier for the terminals to be maintained. No more climbing under the desks to get to POS PC’s to maintain.
With the challenge to keep the POS system simple and more intuitive for staff to use, the AURES SANGO has met all expectations, greatly in part to the shift to a touch enabled terminal.
Above all, The Chocolate Box has built a solid foundation in a cloud based POS solution coupled with the AURES SANGO that can support the growth of the business as it pushes expansion in the coming years.
The SANGO’s striking look feels at home in the Chocolate Box
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EDUCATION
A guide to a great POS counter There’s a lot of talk about mobile computing and its role in POS but, at present, the market is dominated by a traditional counter based systems and for many valid reasons. A counter in a retail environment is the hub of the sale transaction. It is the go to point for seeking help. It provides a structure to processing a sale within your store and provides a space for staff to process and pack a sale. In a world where store design is dominating in
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retail, the humble POS technology is often treated as an afterthought. Style centric shopfitters may be great at designing a store but when it comes to creating the space for POS hardware, we experience many flaws that work against the concept of good practice. With a little thought, you can meet both your style and POS hardware installation requirements.
Installation
counter. Either way, your decision will impact on how you treat your POS hardware installation.
When a new retail store is being established, consideration needs to be made to the installation of the POS hardware.
If maximising your space is key then placing your POS terminal on a pole and peripherals under the counter will give you
More often than not, your POS terminal is placed on top of
maximum merchandising space.
a desk or mounted on a pole but no matter what, there is necessary cabling requirements to power points, networks and POS peripherals that need to be connected. This requires some thought as to how all the components of your system
If keeping a clean, minimalistic styled counter is your goal then
need to be configured.
pole mounting or using a small footprint desktop terminal with peripherals under the counter may be the solution.
If your peripherals are desk mounted you need to consider how to keep the cabling neat and clutter free. If connecting to
No matter your configuration preference, it is important to
peripherals housed under the counter, you need to consider
always remember to keep the air flowing around your POS
where to cut holes in the desk to minimise cable runs whilst
equipment.
also providing easy access for maintenance purposes. Consider that many technicians charge by the hour to install
Serviceability
POS hardware so the more barriers they need to jump through will increase your installation costs.
At some point in time you will need to access or remove POS hardware for maintenance, repair or replacement.
Configuring hardware for reliable performance
Having a store counter that makes it difficult to access hardware will extend your system downtime which impacts
Some designers will strive to hide POS hardware in cabinets
your bottom line.
especially components such as PC’s but this can be fraught with danger.
Keeping your hardware accessible is a great advantage to your business and provides you with the ease to respond to
Heat kills electronic components. When you place a heat
hardware issues quickly. Furthermore, accessible hardware
emitting design like a PC in a cabinet, that cabinet turns into a
often means that the installation is uncluttered and therefore
sauna that slowly cooks electronic components.
conducive to reliable performance.
The moral of the story is to not place electronic components in
You can achieve style and functionality in your POS hardware
spaces that restrict airflow as reliability of the hardware will be
and counter configuration with a little thought. If your shop fitter
compromised.
is not aware of the best POS requirements then a quick phone call to the team at AURES will get them up to speed as to
Merchandising requirements
what to consider. Addressing the POS hardware requirements early in the design phase is critical as making last minute
Depending on the nature of your store, you will either seek
adjustments onsite may produce a less than satisfactory
to maximise or minimise the merchandising space on your
outcome that you will pay the price for in many years to come.
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Ph (02) 9584 5222 Email ausales@aures.com
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Every care has been taken in compiling the contacts of this newsletter, but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. AURES Technology Pty Ltd does not accept any responsibility arising in any way (including negligence) for errors in, or omissions from, the information provided in TOUCH newsletter. All information was correct at the time of print.