T UCH J2 WINTER NEWSLETTER 2015
IT NEWS BUSINESS
J2 onsite @ Sydney University
Education What to consider when changing POS hardware Technical Lifecycle Asset Management New product KOBA tablet
^
J2RETAILSYSTEMS.COM.AU
WELCOME I often get asked the question as to what I think the future is for POS technology. My crystal ball needs a clean so I am not confident to predict what the future holds but I am certain about a few things. Integrated touch terminals have a strong role in the future of POS terminals. Mobile devices such as tablets will be integrated into POS systems. A shift towards the Cloud will impact the style of technology used. One of the most common remarks we receive at J2 is how we offer different solutions than other POS providers. When I stand back and take a look at our current portfolio of products it becomes very apparent that we do have a wide range of solutions. We have both the Yuno and Sango terminals that offer cutting edge style. We have the J2 225 that has a unique articulating arm and small footprint that allows for flexible positioning of the terminal. We also have conventional terminals such as the J2 680 but even within these product segments we have options to enable the best match of solution to applications. Our design teams are always working on new solutions to take advantage of the latest computer technology and to enhance the POS experience with the highest performance and most reliable POS terminals on the market. In coming months we will be releasing some new products to further expand our range which we look forward to. If you have been reading our newsletter for a while you might think that I sound like a broken record when I say that our sales have been strong. The simple fact is that both globally and within Australia the J2 Aures sales are growing. As an example, the Aures Group has moved 8,000 units of the new Yuno terminal with more sales every day. Locally our sales in 2015 are up 80% when compared to the same time last year. What this means for our customers is that J2 is a strong business that will be around for many years to come. We thank all of our customers for joining us on our journey and wish you all the best. Yours sincerely, Phil Wild
NEWS DAVID FERGUSON JOINS J2 J2 has recently welcomed long time POS industry guru, David Ferguson, to the team. David is regarded as one of Australia’s leading POS hardware experts that has an excellent reputation for servicing customers. He also has worked with many of the J2 staff in the past so has easily integrated into the J2 way of life. Based in Melbourne, David will be assisting in growing sales of J2 terminals and assisting customers. David can be contacted directly via email on davef@j2rs.com.
YUNO TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM J2’s latest stylish POS terminal, the Yuno, is quickly becoming a big hit around the world. One large worlwide retailer has already planned to install 4,000 terminals whilst here in Australia sales have been growing with the general consensus that the Yuno is one of the most stylish terminals on the market. In a market where changes in POS terminal design is slow, the Yuno is making waves with its blend of great looks and performance.
J2 RECOGNISED WITH SUBWAY SERVICE AWARD Fast food retailer, Subway, recently awarded J2 with their highest service award, the 2015 IPCA Services Award. This prestigious award saw J2 evaluated against all suppliers to Subway including food and associated suppliers. IPCA Service Award is presented to a company that has been instrumental in assisting with the development and roll out of new technology which would be implemented at the restaurant level to assist franchisees with store level operations and also their profitability. “This award is a great pat on the back for our staff who over the years have created a strong service culture at J2.”, said J2 General Manager Phil Wild. The number of stores choosing the J2 680 touch terminal has been constantly growing and with the recognition granted to J2 by Subway it is expected that this growth will continue into the future.
IPCA Category Manager, Zarah Jamil, presenting the award to J2’s Phil Wild.
J2RETAILSYSTEMS.COM.AU
WINTER 2015
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Aures KOBA Tablet Tablets are growing in popularity for POS users and now Aures has launched their first tablet, the KOBA. The KOBA is a ruggedised tablet designed for hospitality, retail and store management. Available in 7” and 10” display, the KOBA is designed and built to be an enterprise grade mobile POS solution.
Two sizes. Two different stand options.
Versatility is the key with the KOBA starting with the choice of operating systems that can be utilised. Operating system choices are Windows 8.1 with Bing, Windows 8.01 Pro and Android OS. This versatility offers systems integrators with the choice to run the operating solution best suited to their software and provides the user with a seamless transition to tablet. The ruggedness of the KOBA is a standout starting with the internal mechanical structure and finished with the rubber body armour. In fact the KOBA has been drop tested from 1.2m and survived intact. The rubber sealing offers an IP54 rating making it suitable for even the most messy work environments. POS specific features make this tablet a standout. A built in MSR and NFC reader come standard and options include an Smart Card reader and 2D barcode scanner, allowing for customisation to suit your needs. On the rear of the device is a hand strap making one hand operation simple. A choice of a slimline or articulated arm cradle is available allowing the KOBA to be used as a conventional touch terminal. Battery life has always been an issue for tablets in enterprise environments but this is easily catered for with the KOBA having a replaceable long life battery. The battery is accessed via the rear of the device utilising a tool-less latch. The battery can be charged via a simple cradle that connects to a USB port.
Landscape or portrait operation Integrated barcode scanner. with a handstrap foir ease fo use.
KOBA 7” Processor
Intel Atom Quad Core 1.0 GHz Processor
System memory Flash memory LCD size Resolution Wireless LAN Bluetooth
KOBA 10” 1GB / 2GB / 4GB
8GB / 16GB / 32GB eMMC 7”
10”
1280 x 800
1920 x 1200
802.11 a/b/g/n, 2.5G / 5G Hz 4.0+LE, Class 2
NFC
1
Micro SD Socket
1
Audio
1 x 1W speaker
2x 1W speaker
Sensor
G-sensor, Ambient Light Sensor
Vibrator
Built-in vibrator motor
Camera
5MP (rear side)
MSR Handstrap
3 Tracks 1
IC card reader
Smart IC card reader (optional)
With two screen size choices, rugged design and flexibility in operating system, the KOBA is a versatile tablet for the enterprise user.
Scanner
2D barcode Scanner (optional)
USB port
Mini-USB 2.0 x 1
Battery
8000 mAh, 3.7V, 29.6 Wh *2
To find out more contact J2 Retail Systems.
Power adaptor
10W / 5V
What to consider when changing POS hardware For a variety of reasons it is inevitable that at some point in time you will need to update your POS hardware. When this time comes, you will be faced with many questions that must be answered. No doubt the decision as to what hardware to purchase is at the top of your agenda but for those seeking to maximise their total cost of ownership of their installation, a more in depth approach is advised. What to consider Without doubt the first step is to determine your hardware requirements. This will involve an assessment of your software requirements taking into consideration current and future needs as well as connectivity for peripherals, reliability requirements, store layout and style, counter design, form factor of hardware (all-in-one, modular or tablet), lifecycle of hardware, pricing and support required. Those in more rugged environments, such as in hospitality where hardware is subjected to frequent spills and grime, may have differing requirements to general retail so these must be considered. With a criteria for hardware developed you can now effectively source and test equipment against your requirements in an accurate way. Hardware evaluation Your environment and POS software requirements will often determine which hardware is best suited to your business. It is for this reason that J2 offer a range of solutions in order to cater for the variety of environments.
By this stage you should have developed your criteria which can be given to your POS hardware provider who can then offer you the solution that best suits. For peace of mind, testing the equipment can minimise the risk of having any issues and if your POS provider has done their job correctly, then you should have the right solution to test. Software requirements POS software is the reason why we have hardware so it is imperative that you match hardware to the software needs. Matching hardware to your software does not only mean that you select hardware to meet the minimum specifications of the hardware but ensuring that as software advances over the life of the hardware that it will be suitable to effectively operate the software. Everyone loves fast computers but they come at an increased price so you may be able to save yourself a little if your POS software does not require super high speed processing. Many POS terminals nowadays offer Solid State Drives as they provide a performance advantage and are very
reliable thanks to having no moveable parts. The downside is their storage capacity is lower so it is important to ensure that you will have enough hard drive space to cater for the needs of your store over the useable life of the POS equipment. A good tip is to consult your POS software provider for some direction as to what specification of hardware you will require to effectively run the software. Ask J2 for help The team at J2 are POS professionals that have assisted thousands of installations. You’ll be surprised how much we can help you in selecting the right hardware as well as providing the services to ensure you maximise your return on your POS investment. Our assistance extends beyond the terminals we supply to encompass all peripherals including receipt printers, barcode scanners, customer displays and more. Give the team at J2 a call to find out more about the services we can provide or to provide expert guidance when selecting your next POS hardware solutions.
J2RETAILSYSTEMS.COM.AU
WINTER 2015
University of Sydney Union
moves forward with J2
University life is diverse and as Australia’s oldest and largest student union, the University of Sydney Union undertakes many tasks to help keep the University of Sydney moving. A non-profit organisation, the University of Sydney Union, add to student life through a broad range of services from overseeing clubs and societies, managing on campus food outlets and operating a university merchandise shop.
The union had just completed building a new merchandise store that managed the busy graduate ceremony requirements and chose to utilise the stylish and compact J2 225 to compliment there new modern look.
As part of their function, 23 venues are managed by the Union with up to 60 POS terminals managed across them. Venues consist of cafes, restaurants, bars, retail and clothing stores as well as external events and pop up stores.
The J2 225 features an articulating arm that allows the monitor to be positioned at any angle from completely flat to upright and slotted in nicely to the allocated desk space and surrounds.
During a busy day the Union can process in excess of 23,000 transactions. It goes without saying that reliable POS hardware is essential to the Union.
The powerhouse J2 680 touch terminal was installed in general retail and hospitality environments. With powered ports coming as standard, the Union was able to tidy POS areas by not having to use additional power supplies for peripherals.
With currently in excess of 16,600 members the University of Sydney Union is a busy organisation working to give students a once-in-a-lifetime university experience.
To support the scanning of 2D barcodes as part of their new marketing promotional activites, integrated scanners that mount directly on the J2 680 terminals were added.
The POS Challenge
The integrated 2D scanners are powered internally from the J2 680 and mount neatly onto the J2 680 monitor. The scanner is able to rotate to allow for varying scan angles and has the added benefit fo being able to scan barcodes off mobile devices.
University environments pose a number of challenges for IT administrators with vast physical areas to manage, a mix of old and new buildings and a heavy workload. Not only does the Union manage permanent venues but also manages pop up stores and events requiring the rapid deployment of POS systems. With ageing POS infrastructure that was becoming expensive to support and hardware out of warranty, management had made the decision to begin evaluating the future direction of the operations POS infrastructure with a tender process established to evaluate the options.
The Union elected to include second displays in some venues to provide transaction information to the customer as well as provide space to promote upcoming events and product promotions. J2 was also asked to provide peripherals such as cash drawers and receipt printers to complement the new hardware investment.
POS requirements were diverse due to the nature of the existing installations and a greater focus on managing promotions through the use of 2D barcodes. The process of finding new POS hardware began with a tender process that evaluated four different vendors with the result being J2 Retail Systems chosen to supply and support the business.
The J2 solution The University of Sydney Union environment posed a number of challenges for POS providers but J2 was able to meet all requirements. Firstly a range of terminals was required to suit different installation requirements. Some environments had tighter space requirements than others so a combination of the high performing J2 680 was chosen as well as the more compact J2 225 touch terminals.
J2RETAILSYSTEMS.COM.AU
WINTER 2015
J2 services sealing the deal With such a large installation, managing the roll out of new hardware needed to be a coordinated affair. J2 was employed to assist in the installation of the new hardware with software being staged prior to delivery onsite. All terminals were configured using the Unions supplied software with terminals run to ensure that they were working as they should prior to delivery onsite.
With terminals in operation since mid-2014, the proven reliability of the J2 terminals has shone through. The added robustness of the J2 terminals has meant that the high dust, food and beverage spill environments have not impacted the effective running of the terminals and have been capable of handling the high spikes in sales processing. The relationship with the University of Sydney Union continues with J2 ready to support the installation throughout its useable life.
Removing old POS hardware is always a challenge but J2 was able to provide a collection and recycling service for the old POS hardware which greatly assisted the Union.
The results Through the evaluation process it became evident to the University of Sydney Union that the J2 solution met the performance criteria of its POS solution with it being noted that the J2 terminals offered the most responsive touch screens and nicest form factor of all terminals evaluated.
Top The J2 225 was chosen for the Unions merchandise store and was coupled with an Aures ODP 333 receipt printer, cash drawer and cordless Zebra barcode scanner. The J2 225 fits perfectly into the fitout with the ability to articulate the screen from upright to flat. Right Top High architecural style is the order of the day at the Merchandise store at Sydney University. Bottom right J2 terminals are also used in other Sydney University Union outlets including this pop up food outlet.
J2RETAILSYSTEMS.COM.AU
WINTER 2015
EDUCATION
Lifecycle Asset Management The right approach to managing your POS investment With our reliance on IT systems mandatory in business, you can imagine the level of investment made by larger organisations.
Investment in IT infrastructure can easily rack up into the millions for many businesses and with the vast array of hardware in place the challenge of managing the IT assets grows. Just like any other investment, the aim is to maximise the return and this involves keeping your assets working at their optimum as well as ensuring that all assets are being utilised effectively. This concept is called lifecycle asset management. Lifecycle asset management is a holistic view of your IT assets over their useable life. Where the concept of total cost of ownership looks at the total costs of your IT infrastructure over its life, life cycle asset management relates to the
operational aspects of overseeing the investment in IT assets. The ultimate aim for lifecycle asset management is to minimise wastage of assets and maximise the uptime of the equipment. For this to happen there are two main categories of consideration. - Tracking assets usage - Effective support of assets Tracking Assets Tracking assets seems like a simple concept for most but in larger organisations it becomes a challenge. When you think about the amount of IT infrastructure in place including networking equipment, peripherals, computers, software and more you quickly can get a long list of assets owned. A dedicated resource would be required to keep track of the hardware in place and not to mention any changes to the infrastructure base. Poor tracking of assets could lead to duplication of equipment or the underutilisation of existing assets. The results being a reduced return on your investment and increase in costs. The most effective way to manage IT assets is to have a dedicated resource allocated to track the movement of hardware. Outsourcing this function is a cost effective way to achieve this. Not only does it take the fuss out of trying to manage the process from within the organisation but companies such as J2 that supply IT equipment can streamline the tracking of hardware from the source prior to delivery. Outsourcing the tracking of assets to suitable organisations not only allows for an efficient tracking process but they have the systems in place to effectively manage your asset management and provide a quick resource for information on the usage of IT assets in your business. Effective support of assets Maximising the up time of IT systems is a by-product of a number of factors. These factors include: - Selection of the most suitable hardware - Reliability of hardware - Easy of servicing of hardware - Preventative maintenance
outcome is a good one but when you have millions of dollars invested I think you would agree that more care needs to be taken. When we buy a car we have the underlying assumption that we will need to service the car to keep it reliable. IT systems are no different, especially when those assets are of mission critical significance to the business. Most organisations are excellent in choosing the right hardware for their environment when they work closely with their POS provider but sometimes not enough consideration is given to the serviceability of the equipment. If hardware internals are hard to access then it will be more costly for any kind of servicing. J2 pays considerable attention to the serviceability of our terminals at the design phase. Some of the features that J2 employs are solutions such as tool-less access to motherboards, slide out motherboards and utilising Intel VPRO accessibility. All these features allow for easy serviceability of terminals. Through the asset management process you can implement a scheduled maintenance program to minimise the chance of any downtime and the well thought out design of J2 terminals helps this process greatly. Effective support also means being able to support hardware remotely. Intel VPRO technology allows for remote access to the bios of computer terminals to check hardware status independent of the operating system. Such technology allows for easy remote diagnostics that is cost effective and efficient. Onsite support services can work in conjunction with remote diagnostic work to respond to any issues as they arise and also can act as part of a proactive preventative maintenance schedule. Whether your installation is small or large, lifecycle asset management should be an important consideration for your IT asset investments. For more information on how J2 can assist you in managing your IT assets contact the team at J2 Retail Systems.
Most organisations will purchase hardware and hope that the
J2RETAILSYSTEMS.COM.AU
WINTER 2015
Phone: (02) 9584 5222 Email: info@j2retailsystems.com.au
J2RETAILSYSTEMS.COM.AU
Every care has been taken in compiling the contacts of this newsletter, but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. J2 Retail Systems do 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.