STCR

PCI in Review

2012-01-25T09:45:00.002-05:00

The number of customerdata breaches has reportedly decreased from over 350 Million in 2008 to lessthan 4 million in 2010 according to Verizon Communications research. Visa Inc. along with the PCI Councilinstituted programs to encourage more usage of EMV (chip and pinpad orsmartcard) with incentives to reduce PCI compliance fees if they metimplementation deadlines.
Visa issued its own study showing that in 2010 there was alarger percentage of payment service
providers that were improving their PCI compliance.

In January 2011 Version 2.0 of PCI DSS and PA-DSS became effective.
In February 2011 the PCI Council announced newly enhanced educational offerings.
In March 2011 the PCI Council strengthened approved scanning vendor programs with a new PCI DSS training program.
In June PCI Council announced that PCI Awareness online training is now available as well as virtualization guidelines for PCI compliance.
In August 2011 the PCI Council released guidelines for the tokenization security process as well as PCI wireless guidelines.
In September PCI Council published requirements for using advanced, E2E (end to end), and encryption to limit PCI scope.
In October 2011 after stating they would no longer approve any mobile application as PCI certified, they announced that they would offer testing for encryption used in new mobile devices that manufacturers were developing or that merchants had in use.
In November 2011 the PCI council announced that special interest groups would be involved in studying online and cloud computing security in 2012 to establish new security compliance standards.

PCI will continue to grow and evolve. If you have not started addressing PCI inyour business there is no better time than now to begin. Make it your New Year’s resolution to reachout for assistance and protect yourself as soon as possible. Contact an STCR Representative for moreinformation at (607) 757-0181.

Update on GS1

2012-01-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

In recent weeks manufacturer coupons with the GS1DataBar, as the only bar code, have entered the marketplace. Retailers will being seeing these coupons inlarger numbers in the weeks and months to come. The expectation is that most retailers are able to process them at thecheckout. The National GrocersAssociation found that just 55% of independent grocers were prepared to handlethe DataBar at the checkout, with another 10% expected to be ready in the firsthalf of 2012.

The Joint Industry Coupon Committee (JICC), themulti-association industry group that sets coupon policies, originally setJanuary 2010 as the voluntary launch date of DataBar-only coupons without theUPC-A. However, it became clear thatmany retailers were still not prepared, so the issuing of the DataBar-onlycoupons was postponed until the end of 2011 or the first quarter of 2012.

In the coming months and years, GS1 Member Organizationswill continue to work with their retailer communities to determine when GS1 DataBarwill be used in open trade on any items between 2012 and 2014. At this point, 2014 is the date when GS1DataBar can be used globally in any open trade on any product.

To be ready for GS1 DataBar, your POS system needs to havethe scanning hardware and the POS software, including your back officeapplication, that maintain the POS item files capable of reading and processingthis format. If you need to know if yourPOS system is ready, please contact an STCR Representative at (607) 757-0181.

Enterprise-Class Security

2012-01-11T16:36:00.000-05:00

It’s not necessary for asmaller company to skimp on security. SonicWALLdelivers state-of-the-art, comprehensive security that is both affordable andeasy to implement. Too little securitycan be worse than no security at all, and the small business that simplyimplements any minimal firewall and forgets it, often has a false sense ofsecurity and more often than not, falls victim to unexpected attack. SonicWALL’s TZ line of Internet Security Appliances,designed for the SMB market, deliver enterprise-class security at a smallbusiness price.

Layered Protection

TheSonicWALL TZ family of appliances are total security platforms that offerlayered protection. Ideally suited forthe SMB market, the TZ line features a compact form factor and an easy-to-useinterface. Its sheer power transcendsits small size, and users are able to enjoy true layered security withintegrated gateway anti-virus, anti-spyware and intrusion prevention forreal-time protection against a wide array of threats. The SonicOS operating system, standard on theTZ family of appliances, gives small business users a streamlined web-basedGUI, easy-to-use configuration and management tools, and wizards to guide youthrough the configuration process. Bothwired and wireless appliances are available to meet every possibleconfiguration requirement.

Securecontent management

Content-basedthreats are a constant problem for businesses of any size, and SMBs arevulnerable to the same types of attacks that the largest enterprises face. Secure content management keeps your networkfree from harmful content. As part ofthis protection, e-mail security alsokeeps your e-mail inboxes free from virus-laden e-mails, SPAM and phishingattacks through a combination of technologies that improve response time andensure full protection—all the while delivering superior performance and nodelays.

Continuousdata protection

SonicWALL®Continuous Data Protection (CDP) Series offers the only complete end-to-endbackup and recovery solution for SMBs. Anideal replacement for tape-based systems, CDP provides foolproof, intuitive,continual protection. Policy-driven CDPis transparent to the end-user, ensuring that data, applications and systemsare reliably protected. Because mostrecovery involves a single file, CDP’s self-directed restore by the end-userhelps meet service levels while reducing burden on IT support. SonicWALL CDPtakes the complexity out of safeguarding your data by automating tedious tasksto provide a true low-touch solution. CDPprovides flexible Offsite Data Backup, Site-to-Site Data Backup, LocalArchiving and Bare Metal Recovery with SonicWALL Universal Restore options toaddress any disaster recovery scenario.

Access to STCR's Premier Help Desk is Easy

2012-01-04T08:50:00.001-05:00

We understand our clients' business and the missioncritical role the solutions we provide perform. Recognizing this, STCR has been offering easy access to 24x7x365 supportfor decades.

We maintain a team staffed with a highly qualified seasonedRetail Systems Analysts who are constantly updating their skills with ongoingproduct training. We are always onstand-by to provide immediate assistance. As an IBM Premier Business Partner we consistently demonstrate a provencapability to deliver knowledgeable technical support; ensuring positiveoutcomes and achieving one of the highest customer satisfaction rates.

With an active Help Deskmaintenance agreement in place access to our technical support team is only aphone call away. You can reach usanytime at 800-776-6576. With a quickcall you are speaking to a live person who gathers some basic information. This initiates an issue ticket that isassigned to a team member who starts promptly assisting you. We appreciate the importance of gettingtimely answers and resolutions in a busy supermarket environment and alwayswork quickly to meet those needs.

We also understand not every situation requires immediateassistance and people welcome convenient alternatives to submitting supportrequests. With this in mind we launchedthe STCR Online Help Desk webportal, enabling our customers to open a new incident as well as review thestatus and history of previous incidents. Email is yet another option to begin the process. We use an industry leading call tracking systemto monitor all calls. It supportsprocess automation to escalate and ensure follow up.

In an effort to constantly improve our support services everycustomer has an opportunity to let us know how we are doing by participating inour ‘Satisfaction Call Back’ process. We know our systems and thatsupport is critical to our customers' operation. We take an active interest in soliciting thisvital feedback. Of course everyone lovesto hear how great they're doing, but more importantly we value the insightsthat help us improve our service delivery and always move quickly to correctany reported concerns.

STCR knows very well our clients' businesses depend on thesesystems and our support. It has alwaysbeen our mission to deliver exceptional service and proven solutions. We are constantly striving to achieve thehighest level of customer satisfaction. Discover the difference we can bring and let us help take care of yourbusiness. We're just a phone call away.

Customer Loyalty - SMS

2011-12-28T08:15:00.002-05:00

SMS Store Management Suite has a new LoyaltyServer available, designed to enhance the customer loyalty offering for customersrunning SMS in a multi store environment. The Loyalty server provides the ability to manage up to 35 separateloyalty rewards programs simultaneously across all stores within a chain. Points are issued and redeemed within a singleSQL Database that each store accesses in real time.

The system supports both card based loyalty and card-lessloyalty. For example a reward can besetup based on single sale criteria, without a card swiped within the sale; thesystem will store the reward and generate a unique single use rewardissuance. This reward will be printed onthe bottom of the receipt and available for redemption in any store, validatedagainst the central database.

The new Loyalty Server can also be configured to manageinternal Gift Card sales and redemptions.

For more information contact your STCR representative at(607) 757-0181.

The New IBM Self-Checkout

2011-12-22T08:16:00.002-05:00

IBM's Latest Self Checkout software update

STCR has recently completed training and is selling and installing IBM'slatest software solution for enhanced self-checkout which IBM calls CHEC (IBMCheckout Environment for Consumer-Service V6.5). Included in this latest release of thesoftware are the following enhancements:

·      SeveralCash handling enhancements leading to higher lane availability
·      NewCash Tracking and Reporting enhancements
·      UserInterface enhancements which include the ability to allow a shopper to use anaccessibility mode which makes access to the SCO easier for customers withdisabilities
·      Newicons for each major button which are easily recognizable by all worldwideusers
·      Modifiedthe implementation of the "CLOSED" screen to provide more flexibilityand allows lane to open more quickly
·      CHEC6.5 is the prerequisite software level required to run the new IBM SelfCheckout System 6

Alsoavailable is the above mentioned newly released IBM SCO hardware called System6 which has its own enhancements.

·      Enhancedmodularity
·      Smallerfootprint
·      Availabilityof optional bill and/or coin recycling
·      Standardhigh-capacity coin hopper for easier refills
·      Intuitiveuser experience with follow me LED lighting and 100% above-the-counterconsumer interaction
·      Supports the CHEC accessibility mode
·      Front-end serviceability

http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/rep_ca/5/897/ENUS211-005/ENUS211-005.PDF

http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/rep_ca/4/897/ENUS111-004/ENUS111-004.PDF

STCR Welcomes Elm City Market

2011-12-08T13:39:00.001-05:00

Elm City Market basedin New Haven, CT opened its doors to the public this month. Elm City is a member-owned market that has apassion for local and regional products. The Market was designedwith a mission of creating a highly-efficient,sustainable and healthy grocery store for years to come. The decision to go green was based on ahealthy, efficient store creates an ideal environment for members, shoppers,employees and most importantly, the produce and products contained within. The end result has been beautifully executed,contributing to the first LEED® ND Platinum certified project in the country. Throughout construction, nearly 90% of allwaste was diverted from landfills by recycling waste. The majority of equipment within the store islocal, recycled and refurbished to meet the Market’s quality and energyefficiency standards.

The store has been designed to harbor a strong connectionbetween the indoor and outdoor spaces, encouraging the market and patrons toexpand outdoors, engaging the neighborhood with access from three streets,outdoor café seating, outdoor produce and merchandising.

Finishes are low-VOC, formaldehyde-free, recycled andrenewable and sourced locally where possible. One such feature element is reclaimedBerkshire barn wood utilized for checkout stands, display cases, accent ceilingwork and signage backdrops. An abundanceof natural light fills the store while not increasing heat through ahigh-performance window wall system. Thissaves on lighting and cooling energy, while also creating a vibrant streetscapefor pedestrians.

The electricity, heat and hot water to the store will beprovided by renewable energy via an on-site 400 KW

fuel cell, increasing the store’s delivered energyefficiency from the standard 30% from grid power to 90%. The refrigeration systems within the Marketare of the highest efficiency possible and selected for their ongoing greenoperation. The refrigeration equipmentis 30% more efficient than standard, a huge energy saver considering a grocerymarket typically expends 60% of its total energy on refrigeration. The refrigeration equipment will tie directlyinto an energy recovery system, allowing all waste heat to be re-used withinthe building, not exhausted to the atmosphere. Additionally the refrigerant from the systemis re-used to preheat the domestic hot water for the Market. Both measures lower the store’s need fornatural gas heating. The back-up heater is a 96% efficient condensing gas waterheater.

The kitchen exhaust air ties directly into an energyrecovery wheel, allowing the same air for exhaust to be used for the Market’sventilation. Exhaust and ventilationare controlled via a three zone variable volume system connected to CO2 andtemperature sensors, so the system is only run when necessary. The Market’s high-efficiency water sourceheat-pumps use approximately 30% less energy for cooling compared to thestandard split system design.

Lighting controls modulate light output in stages usingphoto-eyes located in zones throughout the entire Market. The abundance ofnatural light in the store during the day will allow the Market to save onlighting energy. The lighting systems are also fully dimmable and controlled byoccupancy sensors. Track lightingthroughout the store is LED. Additionally all refrigerated cases are lit viaLEDs, saving lighting and cooling energy.

The market installed the IBM SurePOS 300 Cash Registers fromSTCR. IBM’s planet-friendly technology savespower, lowers heat and reduces noise while increasing reliability.

Pin Pad Issues

2011-11-30T11:34:00.001-05:00

When experiencing anissue with your PIN pad device, one of the first things a help desk technicianwill have you do is swap the PIN pad with a known working one. This is one of the easiest ways to pinpointexactly which part is failing. If theissue follows the PIN pad to a different register, it can easily be determinedthat the problem is with that PIN pad. Ifit stays at the register, then swapping the PIN pad cable out will determine ifthe issue is with the cable or the register. This way it can easily and accurately ensure the failing element iscorrectly identified, minimizing down time due to improper diagnosis. Many times the reason a PIN pad is not workingproperly is due to a loose cable connection. Swapping it out will correct the issue becauseyou reseat the connections, resolving the issue.

Another suggestion is to have a spare PIN pad and a PIN padcable. This will not only save timeswapping out the PIN pad, but also will restrict any downtime to the oneaffected lane instead of taking down an additional lane. Another big advantage of having a spare is ifit is determined to be an issue with the PIN pad or cable, you can use yourspare until a replacement PIN pad or cable is sent to your store, againeliminating costly downtimes. If youdecide to keep a spare unit available, you should always swap out anyreplacement units once received from the processor with a known working unit toensure the replacement also works. Thiswill also guarantee the spare unit should work when needed as well.

PCI Update

2011-11-25T09:01:00.001-05:00

There is good news forthose of you waiting to hear about where the PCISecurity Standards Council (PCI SSC) stands on P2PE (point-to-pointencryption). As part of the standardsupdate to 3.1 released on October 14,2011 the council has updatedits pin transaction security program to include changes that will addressencryption for data other than pin numbers. The changes in this update are effective immediately superseding theversion 3.0 standards. The full documentis located at the PCI Councils website here: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/documents/P2PE_Hardware_Solution_%20Requirements_Initial_Release.pdf

Appendix A of this document contains the worksheet todetermine eligibility to reduce your PCI scope.

What had not been clearlydefined before has now been defined for manufactures to comply with PCIrequirements for devices and encryption beyond the normal pin pads and pinnumbers. This new information will applyto mobile devices as well.

Please note there is language that specifically states that the end toend encryption does not take the merchant totally out of scope for PCIcompliance, however this is a very big step forward.

Link to the announcement: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pdfs/pr_111014_pts_v3-1.pdf

BUILDING A LOYAL WORKFORCE

2011-11-16T15:29:00.001-05:00

Building a Loyal Small Business Workforce
Successful small businesses use strategies to attract,satisfy and build a loyal, high-performing customer base. These same strategies can be used to attract,satisfy and build a loyal, high-performing workforce. Working in tandem, these two dynamics willproduce strong business performance. Thefollowing five strategies will help you build a loyal workforce.

Make surecompensation plans are competitive.

Small businesses that pay below-market salaries or give theperception of paying below-market salaries risk losing their workers tocompanies that pay more or give the perception of paying more for the same workvalue.

Monster research indicates that salary is the number onefactor that employees consider as they evaluate new job opportunities. Therefore, small business must align theircompensation plans to be competitive in their market and remove any employee orpotential employee perception that a misalignment exists.

Target the righthire.

Attract and retain workers that will appreciate and valueyour small business company culture. Monsterresearch shows that about one-third of the workforce prefers working in a smallbusiness culture.

Top reasons those workers give for valuing a small businesswork environment include: being part of a “family”, feeling more valuable as aworker, being treated as an individual, making a bigger impact and gettingopportunities to learn by doing a variety of roles. Small businesses can promote these workplacevalues to attract new workers and build employee loyalty.

Communicate a strongand attractive employer brand

Small businesses should build and promote an employee brandthat readily communicates its values to attract the right workers. Reinforcing such values to current employeeshelps build employee loyalty as well.

Monster research indicates that 68 percent of the workforcewould consider a new job to obtain improved work culture and leadership. By growing an awareness of your employee brandas one that embraces the values these workers are seeking, a small businesswill attract and keep the right workers who favor similar values.

Continually fill apipeline of prospects

With a vast majority of the workforce ready to pursue a newjob, it is probable that small businesses will lose workers as the economyexpands and new job opportunities grow. Small businesses need to create a talentpipeline that continuously attracts new talent and the right talent for itsworkforce

Strive to keep your“A” workers

As a small business you are dependent on the key workers whodeliver your business performance. Theseare your “A” players. These are theworkers whose loyalty is most valuable and perhaps, critical, to your smallbusiness.

Consider your workforce and identify those workers who aredelivering the majority of business value. Next, ensure that your employee loyaltystrategies—those strategies you design to emotionally engage a worker—arefocused on your “A” team.

Magellan 8500XT Scanner Scale

2011-11-09T12:55:00.000-05:00

HighPerformance In-Counter Scanner and Scanner/Scale. The Magellan 8500Xt scanner/scales are theculmination of recent developments by Datalogic Scanning in high-performancefixed position scanning for the Retail Industry. No other bar code scanner designed for high volumeretail performs better, has better reliability or has the combination offeatures that translate into a measurable Return on Investment (ROI) than theMagellan 8500Xt products.

The Magellan 8500Xt scanner/scale inherits the Magellanbrand’s renowned reputation for performance and reliability that has madeMagellan the number one high performance retail scanner brand in the world. Magellan Scale Technology, Datalogic Scanning’snew factory certified weighing system, virtually eliminates additional costs associatedwith integration. Scale-settling times(less than 500 milliseconds) are the fastest in the industry, improvingthroughput on priced-by-weight items. ADual Interval Scale model legally weighs smaller, high-priced items forincreased revenue.

The Magellan 8500Xt scanner/scale addresses produce shrinkat the POS with the patented All-Weighs® scale platter that allows cashiers to weighlong or bulky produce without touching a non-weighing surface. Optional Checkpoint® and Sensormatic®integrated EAS antennas reduce shrink at the POS by requiring a good readbefore deactivating an EAS tag. Datamanagement is essential for managing POS operations. A new label editing feature enables easypre-formatting of data before delivery to the POS. Value Added Features are reporting tools thatallow data from the scanner to be used to improve throughput and managemaintenance. Special EAS reporting featuresprovide immediate feedback and the ability to track EAS tagging compliance on aper-item basis.

The Magellan 8500Xt scanners/scales are the world’s numberone retail scanner in performance, reliability and high value differentiatedfeatures.

Decoding Capability

1D / Linear Codes
Autodiscriminates all standard 1Dcodes including GS1 DataBar™ linear codes

Stacked Codes

GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked
GS1 DataBar Stacked
GS1 DataBar Stacked Omnidirectional

Self-Checkout and Your Customers

2011-11-02T16:20:00.000-04:00

Recent news reports seem to indicate a backlashoccurring with some grocers toward the self-checkout. The primary concern being voiced by thenaysayers has always been the perceived impact it has on the customerservice. Many grocers who have workedhard to establish a strong customer service culture believe the self-checkouterodes that philosophy and eliminates the important contact needed to buildthose important relationships with their customers.

Unfortunately, this mindset is short-sighted and misses themark on what the self-checkout offers store operations to promote theircustomers' satisfaction. What theseoperators fail to realize is that offering the self-checkout option enhancesthe experience by giving the customer a choice. Traditional checkouts will always be preferred by certain segments ofthe population. Other segments willalways select the self-checkout when it's an option. However, there are other segments of peoplethat appreciate choice simply based on the situation; for instance, dependingon their order size, time of day or night, conventional lanes' customervolume/order sizes, etc. When thesemoments present themselves many appreciate the opportunity to choose theirpreference producing higher customer satisfaction.

The other important change the self-checkout facilitates instore operations is affording a shift of staff resources from the front end tothe floor. This is where many importantopportunities for interaction and assistance can be created (or missed); makingcontact, building strong relationships and achieving a very satisfying customerexperience. By training a knowledgeableself-checkout shopper assistant to monitor, assist and intervene as requiredwith multiple self-checkout lanes, you can create a very positive self-checkoutexperience. In addition, it allows thefreed up front-end staff to be re-trained and re-allocated to beJohnny-on-the-spot for the customers on the floor needing help findingsomething, making a decision, offering free samples or any other ideas you caninvent to generate customer contact.

Ultimately, the customer appreciates the choice ofself-checkout and the grocer can appreciate the opportunities it creates togenerate new customer service experiences on floor as well as thefront-end. The self-checkout solutionclearly advances the customer service objectives and will continue to grow as aservice model in many industries and organizations.

EFT Processing

2011-10-27T09:43:00.002-04:00

Soon you may be paying more for your EFT processing.

Perhaps you already knowthat October 1, 2011 was the effective date for the Durbin amendment to takeeffect. This amendment is supposed toreduce your processing costs for debit cards. That was indeed the plan, however since the banks have begun chargingmore fees and stopped supporting rewards programs when customers use theirdebit cards, the customers have begun using more credit cards with a muchhigher fee for processing.

Below is the simplestsummary of the "Durbin Amendment" that can be found on the internet.

Rule #1 – Debit interchange fees are capped at 21 cents per cardtransaction, plus five basis points upon ticket amount, plus one cent for cardissuers who have implemented fraud prevention procedures.

Rule #2 – Debit transactions must be able to be routed through twounaffiliated networks and merchants can designate preferred routing.

Previously implemented rules noted in the Amendment:

• Companies have the right to set a minimum amount ($10.00 or less)for which they will accept credit cards (not debit cards) as payment options.
• Merchants have the option to offer discounts for cash payments, butcannot favor one card over another.

http://www.paymentsnews.com/2011/06/federal-reserve-final-rules-on-durbin-amendment.html

http://www.durbininterchangeamendment.org/

Regulation II - Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing [R-1404]
Comments

http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/index.cfm?doc_id=R-1404&doc_ver=1&ShowAll=Yes

Rules summary

http://www.chargelogic.com/blog/tag/durbin-amendment/

PCI Update

2011-10-19T14:42:00.000-04:00

PCI is always changingand it is the best practice for any merchant that accepts credit card to bevigilant in their efforts to become and stay PCI compliant.

Card brands and the PCI Council are comfortable with theLevel 1 and 2 Merchants compliance level and are going to start focusing onLevel 3 and 4 Merchants. 85% plus of allbreaches are in level 4 Merchants.

In 2010 60% of Losses were due to 3 areas:

·       Lost/StolenDevices
·       Maliciousattacks from third party
·       Theft frominsider, employee/friend

It is important that you don’t fall under the misconceptionthat you can be PCI by a simple step or that because you are a small store youdon’t have to comply. Below are answersto some PCI myths as well as some best practice tips:

1.    PCIapplies to everyone who accepts payment cards even if it just one.
2.    Tokenizationdoes not make you compliant.
3.    Usinga compliant payment application will help facilitate PCI compliance but doesnot make you compliant.
4.    Usinga third party payment process does not exclude you from becomingcompliant. The merchant needs to ensurethe third party is compliant. The Physicaland Information Securities still apply.
5.    Evenif you are a “Mom and Pop” you need to be PCI compliant. 85% of breaches are inLevel 4 Merchants.
6.    Completingthe PCI validation is a critical step to reduce the likelihood of a breach butit is only a periodic measurement. Beingconstantly vigilant is vital.

Merchant Best Practices
·       Buy and use onlyapproved Pin Entry devices at the POS
·       Buy and use onlyPA-DSS validate payment software at the POS and web shopping cart
·       Do not storesensitive are holder data on PCs or on paper
·       Use Firewalls onNetworks and PCs
·       Make surewireless router is password protected and encrypted
·       Use strongpasswords and change default passwords on hardware and software
·       Check Pindevices regularly to be sure there is no rogue software or skimming devices installed
·       Create securitypolices and train your employees
·       Follow the PCIstandard

The Magellan™ 1100i

2011-10-12T13:39:00.000-04:00

The Magellan™ 1100iomnidirectional presentation scanner is a high performing and versatile data collectiontool for a variety of applications. It usesDatalogic Scanning’s latest digital imaging technology to provide intuitive andfast reading performance on 1D and 2D bar codes as well as supporting advancedfeatures like image capture and EAS tag deactivation. A revolutionary External Read Indicator (ERI)allows the Magellan 1100i reader to integrate with other third party RFID or EASsystems for a truly “future-proof” solution. Datalogic’s Illumix™ intelligent illumination technology in the Magellan1100i reader optimizes light levels to automatically capture images and readcodes from mobile phones, PDAs, or computer display screens. Illumix technologyalso provides incredible motion tolerance, far beyond most other 2D scanningsolutions, enabling both sweep and presentation scanning techniques. The Magellan 1100i reader’s compact size makesit the ideal solution for space-constrained environments.

With a precise reading area, it is perfect for hands-free orhandheld scanning and helps reduce accidental misreads of items caused by straylaser scan lines - improving productivity and customer satisfaction. Datalogic Scanning’s patented Green Spot good-readindicator improves user feedback by projecting a visual green spot onto barcodes just read. The additional visualfeedback makes it easy to use in noisy retail applications. The Green Spot can also be used to target asingle code from a group of codes or to position a single code inside thereading area. A comprehensivemulti-interface set and a powerful label-editing feature allows easy integrationinto existing or new host systems. MagellanValue Added Features such as Diagnostics Reporting, Host Download, plus optionalProductivity Index Reporting™ allow management to use data from the scanner to improvethroughput and manage maintenance. Inaddition, each scanner supports Remote Management Systems to streamlineoperations and ongoing support across an enterprise.

The Importance of Maintenance

2011-10-05T09:45:00.001-04:00

As an Independent Grocerwho is always looking to improve your business and cut costs it can be temptingto see your annual maintenanceexpense on your POS system as unnecessary expense. There are many third party service organizationstrolling the market offering plans with a significant cost reduction. Youneed to consider the reasons it is cheaper: the technicians are not trained by themanufacturers therefore not as highly skilled; the quality of replacement partsare not equivalent; there will be a reduced service level and dedication toissue resolution. Using these vendorscan be a costly mistake. So what valuedoes maintenance have for you? Below isa breakdown of the three types of maintenance offered by STCR:

Hardware maintenance:

·      Contract Management
·      Asset Management
·      Remote Diagnostics
·      Call Dispatch and Coordination
·      Call Tracking
·      Call Resolution

Software maintenance:

· Access to software developer support
· Entitled to software level upgrades

Remote Help Desk Support:

· 24x7x365 access via phone internet and email

·      Remote diagnostics
·      Call tracking
·      Call resolution
·      Remote program upgrades
·      Answering 'how to' questions
·      Software personalization changes
·      Some setup and configuration changes
·      Tax table updates
·      Backup verification
·      Disaster recovery
·      Incident reporting
·      Closed call automatic notification
·      Satisfaction follow up call backs
·      Online Help Desk access for to open new callsand review call history

As you see the list is extensive and the added benefit isthe costs are fixed. Without thiscoverage you run the risk of costly excessive down times and service bills onan as needed basis, upgrade software license fees, and all the other intangiblecosts of your system not performing properly. Typical to most service organizations, resources are prioritized formaintenance clients. Don't make themistake and leave your business exposed to these unavoidable situations. Protect your investment and know you arecovered. If you have any questionsregarding STCR maintenance offerings speak to one of our knowledgeable SaleRepresentatives (607) 757-0181.

Protecting Your POS Systems

2011-09-28T16:21:00.000-04:00

In last month’s newsletter, we talked aboutprotecting your data. In this pastmonth, many of us lived through Hurricane Irene and then Tropical Storm Lee andmany of us were greatly impacted by the devastation. While the recovery has begun, it will takequite some time for many people and business to get back to some sort ofnormalcy. In this article, we willrevisit the simple yet important things that retailers could do to protecttheir POS system and minimize the time to recover in the event of devastation.

UPS

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), especially the batterybackup side of the UPS, is critical to keeping your POS system runningsmoothly. During the storm season, thechance of power interruption increases in the form of blackout orbrownout. Blackout is easier to detectbut brownout may not be easily felt. Power fluctuation can also cause a power surge. Any one of these power outage scenarios coulddamage your POS system or any electronic devices that are not protected by asurge protector or UPS. If any of yourPOS system devices are not plugged into an UPS, you should consider purchasingone. If you have UPS’s and do notremember when they was installed or replaced, you should replace them. You don’t want to replace your car batteryafter it dies and you don’t want to wait until any part of your POS systemsustains damage before you install or replace your UPS.

Backup

Your POS system is equipped with backup devices andmedia. There may by automatic filebackups but there is always a removable backup device and media in the form ofexternal hard drive, DVD-RW drive and discs. This should be your daily or weekly routine to make sure your system isbacked up to the removable media. Thiswill allow for the quickest way to restore your system after a hard drivereplacement. Make sure making removablebackup is part of your operational routine, just like counting cashiers andrunning reports.

Venting/Cooling

Take a moment to inspect the surroundings of your POSequipment. All electronic equipment willhave vents for cooling. Take a look tomake sure your POS equipment has room for cooling. Look at the vents and make sure the ventsclear of dusts and are not blocked. Although your IBM POS systems are designed to withstand the toughestcondition in the retail environment, it is still a good practice to help yoursystem running at peak performance.

In the event of an imminent storm approaching, the logicalthing to do is to move your mission critical equipment out of harm’s way. If flooding is possible and moving all theequipment out of the store is not workable, one of the things you could do isto move the equipment to the top of the conveyer belt. However, if flooded, cables, especiallynetwork cables, should be replaced. Remember, the three most important things to do to ensure the leastamount of down time is backup, backup and backup.

PCI Update

2011-09-21T16:57:00.000-04:00

Recently updated guidelines foundon the PCI DSS website.

PCI DSS Wireless Guidelines

There is now information pertainingto Bluetooth devices and rogue wireless access points as well as somerecommended methods for testing and detecting rogue wireless access points perthe PCI DSS 2.0 requirements in part 11.1.
https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pdfs/PCI_DSS_Wireless_Guideline_with_WiFi_and_Bluetooth_082211.pdf

PCI DSS Tokenization Guidelines

The guide contains the followingkey principles related to the use of tokenization and its relationship to PCIDSS:

1. Tokenization solutions do not eliminate the need tomaintain and validate PCI DSS compliance, but they may simplify a merchant’svalidation efforts by reducing the number of system components for which PCIDSS requirements apply.

2. Verifying the effectiveness of a tokenizationimplementation is necessary and includes confirming that PAN is not retrievablefrom any system component removed from the scope of PCI DSS.

3. Tokenization systems and processes must be protectedwith strong security controls and monitoring to ensure the continuedeffectiveness of those controls.

4. Tokenization solutions can vary greatly acrossdifferent implementations, including differences in deployment models,tokenization and de-tokenization methods, technologies, and processes.Merchants considering the use of tokenization should perform a thoroughevaluation and risk analysis to identify and document the uniquecharacteristics of their particular implementation, including all interactionswith payment card data and the particular tokenization systems and processes.

https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/documents/Tokenization_Guidelines_Info_Supplement.pdf

The Datalogic Falcon™ X3

2011-09-14T08:43:00.000-04:00

Datalogic Mobile announces the new Falcon™ X3 with Power³ Technology

Power³ technology gives the new Falcon™ X3 from Datalogic Mobile the power and features to tackle applications required by today’s high speed supply chains.

The new Falcon™ X3 provides real time data capture and communication, assuring accurate inventories and maximizing productivity. Available with either laser scanner or 2D imager, the Falcon™ X3 can be configured to match the needs of any department. Both laser and imager come with Datalogic patented Green Spot good read feedback assuring accuracy. Packaged with Windows CE or Windows Mobile 6.5, the Falcon™ X3 integrates seamlessly with WMS and ERP management systems. Plus, the Falcon™ X3’s Summit Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g radio provides maximized coverage, thanks to a unique diversity antenna system.

Attention to ergonomics is seen throughout the Falcon™ X3. The pistol grip version offers an arched handle and ergonomic trigger, making high frequency scanning operations comfortable throughout the day. The numeric and alphanumeric keyboards are set up placing high use keys at the operator’s fingertips, with a universal numeric phone key layout. The crisp QVGA display and backlit keyboard make it easy to work in dark indoor or extremely bright outdoor environments. The Falcon™ X3 is built rugged, resisting numerous drops from 6 feet, while IP64 level sealing protects the unit from dust and liquids.

Datalogic Mobile’s software and service tools complete the new Falcon™ X3 with preloaded and pre-licensed Wavelink® Avalanche™ and Terminal Emulation. This makes the mobile computer ready to go out of the box for rapid deployment and centralized management. Other software tools included are the Datalogic Desktop, Configuration, and Firmware Utilities to customize and update device configuration.

Data Protection

2011-09-07T16:59:00.000-04:00

As the technology evolves, additional aspects of our daily lives intertwine with electronic devices. Most people use some form of electronic devices daily and interact with them for just about everything they do. These electronic interactions leave a “footprint” of the person using or interacting with and through these devices. That is why the recent emphasis of businesses to protect personally identifiable information of the consumers. These electronic footprints also represent data that could be analyzed to produce valuable information for just about any purpose. Therefore data protection is vital in this increasing electronic world.

So what do you, as a business owner, need to know about data protection? The basic step is to make a backup of your electronic data. The first question for data backups is what to backup and how often? With the advance of data storage devices, it may seem that we can back up anything and everything. That may be true for home and small businesses. However, as your system collects more data and your businesses increases, it may not be the best way to simply backup everything. A few things you should consider. How do you control the ever increasing data that is being backed up? You might want to take into consideration what information is valuable for your reports and analytics. Take some time to come up with a parameter and build your data backup and protection strategy. Another thing to consider is how to contain the increasing need for data storage. The simplest way is to increase the size and the number of storage device. If you do so at the time when your existing storage space is near capacity, you may not have the time to plan for the best strategy. Take time to plan your data storage need for the next few years and re-evaluate the need periodically. This could provide you with a more efficient system that allows for modular growth.

As your data grows, the managing of the process and data analytics could become more time consuming. When possible, consider automation for every process with a way to audit these processes to ensure completion. You also need to consider is the method for system recovery incase failure. It is a good investment for you to test and verify your data recovery process periodically. This will not only validate your recovery process but also the backup process to ensure that when a real system failure occurs, you already have a proven solution for a quick and hassle free recovery.

As data volumes continue to climb, you need to periodically re-evaluate your strategies for providing data protection throughout their organization. New technologies can deliver higher levels of data protection while saving significant administration time and opportunity for human error. You should not set it and forget it especially if everything is automated. You still need to verify and evaluate your processes to ensure that when you need the information or restoration that your procedure and data are sound and valid.

Incentives to Help Grow Your Business

2011-09-01T08:34:00.000-04:00

An incentive encourages a specific course of action by the employees. Use incentives as an effective management and leadership tool. Because of the current economy, you might think that this is a strategy that will break the bank. Sure, money can be involved if you want raises and bonuses as classic incentives. But there are still plenty of ways to incentivize your workers with little or no money involved. Here are some suggestions:

Introduce special holidays. Offer an interesting break from the regular workday if your employees can meet some sort of goal. Casual Friday is cliched and "Hawaiian Shirt Day" is boring. How about "Bring Your Pet to Work Day," "Casino or Bowling Night," "Chili Cook off Day," or something entirely new?

Throw parties. When your team meets a goal, make the last hour or two of the day about hanging out and socializing. Make it into a potluck where everybody brings one food item. This is a great idea to reward your employees without spending a lot of money. If you're willing to spend a small amount of money, pizza is pretty failsafe.

Be receptive. After you've established yourself as someone who uses incentives, watch as your employees come to you to propose their own ideas. If it's a reasonable proposition, take them up on it.

Offer corporate memberships. See what local businesses in the area might be willing to partner with you and give your employees a discount on goods and services. Consider everything from lawn care to sandwich shops. You don't need to chase huge discounts; even a scant 10 percent or 15 percent savings at the register can brighten your employees' day.

Incentives have already been a part of your life whether you realize it or not. Parents give children toys to reward good behavior. Teachers tell students that if they're well-behaved, they can leave class early. An incentive in itself is when you go out of your way to reward excellence in the workplace. Employees will work hard to grab some of that recognition and attention for a job well done. A company that can be productive while having a soundly casual or enjoyable office culture is surely one that's got a lot figured out. Incentives are a great way to figure out what kinds of positive change you can introduce to your workplace.

Signature Capture

2011-08-24T08:06:00.000-04:00

Are your customers still signing receipt tape to record their signatures on credit transactions? With the advancement in pin pad technology, the ability to sign for credit transactions electronically is becoming increasingly more popular.

Electronic signature capture offers many benefits to both you and your customers. Capturing signatures electronically rather than having customers sign on paper saves handling time on every single credit transaction. It may seem minute at first, but with the volume of credit transactions increasing rapidly over the past decade, the handling time adds up quickly. Not only does it save time at the checkout on every single credit transaction, but will also save time and effort should a customer dispute a charge. No more wading through boxes of old receipts looking for a single transaction. This saves you and the customer hassle when you are able to quickly resolve a chargeback situation.
Electronic signature capture is also environmentally friendly. With everything going green, why not credit transactions? This produces less waste and also lowers your expenditure on receipt tape. STCR offers signature capture solutions designed for your system. If you are not currently capturing signatures electronically and are interested, contact your STCR sales representative at (607) 757-0181.

SonicWall Firewall Device

2011-08-17T16:09:00.000-04:00

SonicWALL firewall devices, do I need one and what are they?

Yes you do need a firewall to protect your network. On the PCI DSS website (see link below) step number 1 in the requirements is:

Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data

“Firewalls are computer devices that control computer traffic allowed into and out of a company’s network, as well as traffic into more sensitive areas within a company’s internal network. A firewall examines all network traffic and blocks those transmissions that do not meet the specified security criteria. All systems must be protected from unauthorized access from the Internet, whether entering the system as e-commerce, employees’ Internet-based access through desktop browsers, or employees’ e-mail access. Often, seemingly insignificant paths to and from the Internet can provide unprotected pathways into key systems. Firewalls are a key protection mechanism for any computer network.”

STCR Business Systems, Inc. sells Sonicwall firewall devices to assist you in meeting this requirement. There are two units that we now support. Please contact us at (607) 757-0181 to find out more about upgrading your Sonicwall.

http://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/

Basic Access Controls are Key

2011-08-11T08:17:00.000-04:00

Who has access to your business systems and what do they have access to?

This is hopefully an easy question to answer. If not, then you have an exposure in your company that needs to be addressed quickly. Controlling the specific authorized access to all end users of the systems that run a business is an important principle that needs constant maintenance and monitoring.

Access control is defined as a system which enables an authority to control access to areas and resources in a given physical facility or computer-based information system. This conveys two important points: first, this tells us the systems need to be physically secured and secondly, they need to be electronically secured. Simple measures such as locking the office door and only providing authorized people with a key is a start. The next step is implementing a simple plan and responsible person to manage and maintain all end user credentials and authorizations to meet some basic goals:
1. Developed role-based access levels - what roles need to perform what system tasks.
2. Create unique credentials for each user assigned to a role - no login sharing!
3. Encourage users to use best practices for password protection:

• Always use strong passwords.
• If passwords must be written down on a piece of paper, store the paper in a secure place and destroy it when it is no longer needed.
• Never share passwords with anyone.
• Use different passwords for all user accounts.
• Change passwords immediately if they may have been compromised.
• Be careful about where passwords are saved on computers. Some dialog boxes, such as those for remote access and other telephone connections, present an option to save or remember a password. Selecting this option poses a potential security threat.

4. Remove credentials for any employees leaving employ immediately.

5. Review user access roles routinely and keep updated appropriately.

Instituting and following these basic guidelines will help secure your business systems, minimizing the exposure and opportunity to issues related to unauthorized access. Be proactive and make sure you have these measures in place before you wish you had.

Things to Consider in Designing A Reward Program

2011-08-03T13:52:00.000-04:00

As a POS system service and support provider, we often receive requests from our customers on setting up reward programs. Reward programs could be more effective than other types of promotions because they foster a long-term relationship as compared to coupons or discounts. A good rewards program creates customer loyalty by offering your customers what they need, thus generating value for your customers to keep coming back. Here are some tips on getting the most out of your reward programs.

First, you need to decide the objective of the reward program. Some programs aim to get new customers through referral, others are based on dollars spent or the length of time a customer has been shopping in a store. For retail store that rely on high frequency, you may want to lean toward a program that rewards the number of transactions or dollars spent.

You want the reward program to target the right people, your top 10% frequent shoppers. To know this group, you want to gather information on what they buy, when they buy, how often they buy and what rewards they would value. Data from your POS system along with the right analysis will show you this information. Of course, you do not want to neglect attracting new customers either.

Second, your reward program should offer something that is tangible and a goal that is easy to reach. You should design your data gathering and reporting methodology to get the information from your POS system so you could offer rewards that are meaningful and obtainable to your top customers. When done right, the reward will create excitement among your customers. When they reached the point of redemption, you want to make the redeem process easy.

For any reward program to generate any buzz, you need to reach out to as many customers as possible. Use multiple avenues to spread the word.

Lastly, check out what your competitors are doing. Learn from what they did right and what they missed and work to create your competitive edge.

It is simple for any retailer to offer a reward program. However, with careful planning and the right execution, you could create a reward program that truly generates customer loyalty and attract new customers to help your business grow.

Online Grocery Sales on the Rise

2011-07-28T10:14:00.000-04:00

Since the early days of the Internet, companies have tried to capitalize on online shopping. Some have failed, some have held their own. Nielsen, a leading global research and measurement firm, has recently suggested that annual online grocery sales will double to $25 billion by 2014. Currently, online grocery sales are around $12 billion which is up from about $5 billion in 2006.

Nielsen attributes the growth to the increasing number of the Generation Y, who grew up with and are comfortable with technology. Regardless of the comfort that young people have with the latest technology, Nielsen still believes it will take time for consumers to get used to shopping at online grocery stores. This suggests that online grocery shopping has significantly more potential than $25 billion per year possibly turning into a $100 billion plus industry in a decade or more. Some other key factors contributing to the increase are:

1. Convenience - the growing need for convenience has already transformed the grocery industry
2. Increase in Mobile Applications - 63.2 million of Americans have Smart phone, making online grocery shopping easier and quicker
3. Customization - Digital platform allows online grocers to personalize the shopping experience

The bottom line is that online grocery represents a largely unrealized opportunity, but grocers must work to build awareness and establish the value proposition. The process needs to be easy and convenient, and online grocers must educate shoppers about the benefits in simple terms: buying groceries online saves time and money—two considerations that every shopper is looking for.

PCI and Mobile Payments

2011-07-21T09:32:00.000-04:00

PCI is again making the news as the group that puts together the PCI requirements (PCI Security Standards Council – PCI SSC) has recently decided to delist all mobile payment solutions. This lumps all forms of mobile payment under one heading, including apps that are encrypted payment specific running on locked-down mobile devices and apps that are more open running on standard mobile phones that have been downloaded and installed without vendor supervision.

Right now since there is no standard, it is up to the individual QSA assessors to decide on what they deem as passing for PCI certification and a location that has been certified in the past may or may not pass now if they are using mobile applications.

Vendors of mobile applications mostly have now backed down with their development and sales program because of this change.

The PCI SSC Council is now evaluating mobile payment applications and their supporting environments with the goal to deliver guidance by the end of 2011.

Invest in Training

2011-07-13T09:05:00.000-04:00

The most successful companies have long recognized the value of a well trained staff. Some of the many reasons savvy business owners realize how investing in training will impact the bottom line are:

• Increase job satisfaction and morale among employees
• Increase employee motivation
• Increase efficiencies in processes, resulting in financial gain
• Increase capacity to adopt new technologies and methods
• Increase innovation in strategies and products
• Reduce employee turnover; enhanced company image.

These are just some of the compelling arguments to make ongoing training an organizational goal. Staff training can be on the job where more experienced employees are assigned to train new employees. Cross-training existing employees for various tasks handled by other staff members is also important. This ensures operations are not disrupted when employees leave the company either temporarily or permanently. Sometimes a company does not have the knowledge internally to train staff for various reasons:

• Key person left the company
• Company acquired new technology
• Leverage more feature/function from their current technology.
Regardless of the reason, a prudent owner will recognize the investment value of developing his human resources to actualize increased efficiencies that will ultimately impact the bottom line.

These same principles hold true for independent grocers in this competitive market. As a solutions provider for independent grocers we understand these needs and have developed training programs to assist our customers in this ongoing effort. If you want to make the investment to improve your operation, contact your STCR Sales Representative at (607) 757-0181. They can tell you about what options and programs we can customize to fit your specific needs and then see how it can improve your bottom line.

Are You Ready for Summer

2011-07-06T08:33:00.000-04:00

It’s summer time! Schools are out and the temperatures are rising. While most people look forward to vacations and fun in the sun, a lot of us look forward to staying inside and turning on the AC. Each year the demand of electricity increases with the increase of power-consuming electronic devices. This puts a strain on our power grid and the results are potential power interruption that could affect any electronic device. As the temperatures rise, so does the need to keep your electronic devices operating in cool atmosphere. Here are some good practices to keep your hard-working computers and registers running in optimal condition.

Battery Backup (UPS): If you do not remember when you purchased your current battery backup devices, it is time to replace them. UPS’s are critical equipment to prevent any electrical surge from damaging your electronic devices. A slight electrical disruption could have a big impact on your electronics including networking devices. UPS’s are an inexpensive investment that protects your entire front-end and back-office operation.

System Backup: This is one of the most overlooked tasks in operating a POS system. As with any computerized systems, your POS is not immune to failure. The IBM POS systems have automated backups as well as the ability to provide manual, off-site backup capability. We always recommend that you run manual backup procedures and make removable backups periodically so you are protected from hardware failure.

Systems Environment: The IBM POS system is retail hardened. They are built to withstand the toughest retail environment. Even with that, it is still a good practice to keep the environment of your POS system as clean as possible. Keep in mind not to block air vents around the system and make sure there is sufficient air circulation. Clean vents of built-up dusts and keep in mind the temperature of the room where you place your computers.

These are some of the good practices to do any time of the year. Performing these checks and implementing will help ensure your POS system runs cool all summer long.

The New IBM SCO (Self-Checkout)

2011-06-29T16:12:00.002-04:00

With their newly redesigned Self-Checkout (SCO) System IBM has created a modular concept that will make it easier and more affordable for supermarkets to install. Some of the new features on the SCO are:

• Modular design that allows tremendous flexibility in configuring the front end, now and tomorrow
• Designed to maximize customer throughput
• Units may be separated to deploy distinct "paystation" operations
• Smaller units that allow more free space
• Improved cash management and security with cash recycling and cashless options
• Integrated cash tracking and reporting for each lane with low level alerting
• Ease of use designed around ADA (American Disabilities Act) guidelines
• 100 percent above-the-counter interactions
• Follow me LED lighting to guide the user through the transaction process
• Self-checkout software application validated against PCI Security Standards

When combined with IBM ACE and IBM's CHEC (Checkout Environment for Consumer-Service) software this new totally integrated hardware design provides a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

When considering a self-checkout system be sure to consider these guidelines:

1. Develop well-defined criteria and planned objectives for successful self-checkout
2. Start with a strong management sponsorship and commitment to making SCO work
3. Continuously manage SCO security to balance speed of transaction with security
4. Provide effective coverage of self-checkout lanes with customer friendly associates who can encourage usage, assist customers at the lane, and answer customer questions increasing throughput and increasing customer satisfaction.

For more information on how your store can profit from utilizing the new IBM Self-Checkout please contact STCR at (607) 757-0181.

Food Prices are Cheaper in the City

2011-06-22T16:43:00.000-04:00

For New Yorkers, the high price of groceries is an accepted truth of city life, with everyday shopping trips and cost-of-living indexes confirming the city's costly status. However, one study found that food in New York City is actually cheaper than in other parts of the country.

This study overturns the conventional wisdom that big cities have more expensive groceries than smaller ones. A household that moved from Des Moines to New York and purchased goods from the same type of stores in the two cities would realize a 10% drop in the overall cost of its grocery purchases.

This study compared identical products sold in cities big and small, both at high-end grocery stores and discount retailers. In nearly every case, New York products were cheaper than in places such as Memphis, Indianapolis and Milwaukee.

For city residents who feel their entire paycheck is consumed by food this study seems unbelievable. The reason New York is perceived to be expensive is because there is so much you can spend your money on. The perception of higher costs comes from the vastly expanded food choices available in a major metropolis like New York, which throws off the average prices used in cost-of-living calculations.

Bigger cities also tend to be wealthier than their smaller counterparts, and the grocery-variety gap between New York and Des Moines is filled with many fancy foods that cater to wealthy customers. For example, since New York has more stores selling more varieties of cage-free organic eggs, the average price of eggs that factor into a cost-of-living index appears higher. But when you compare the same products for sale in similar grocery stores in different cities New York and other large cities were found to be cheaper all around when compared with smaller cities. Expensive foods at New York's high-end stores were less pricey than the same products in smaller cities, and inexpensive foods at New York's low-end stores also cost less than their Iowa equivalents.

Leadership in the Work Place

2011-06-15T14:39:00.000-04:00

There are two types of leaders: those who believe that you can motivate people and those who believe that motivation comes from within. When we try to motivate people what we're really doing is encouraging people to act on already-present motivation, ideally in a way that furthers the organization's mission.

How do we do that?

Encourage and Applaud Great Ideas
Open and maintain dialogue about critical areas, such as reasons for fluctuating attendance weekly. Allow idea-sharing in many ways, both formal and informal. Conduct meetings featuring formal presentations with detailed action plans. In addition, accept pitches via e-mai and coax brainstorming and idea-polishing through impromptu conversations.

Don’t Disparage Bad Ideas
When people are encouraged to suggest great ideas, it’s inevitable that they will present good ones and really bad ones as well. To create and maintain an environment that supports innovation and creative thinking, help everyone with ideas independently.

When starting a new project or assignment, even the most enthusiastic and conscientious employees need to understand your direction. Despite the depth of experience and knowledge, people may get stuck at a crossroads. To keep moving forward and keep people engaged, clarify results desired.

Eventually the vision and the steps needed to achieve goals make sense. When people see clearly how certain actions will take them down the desired paths, they take action and make good decisions without hesitation, on their own, by drawing upon their internal stores of motivation.

Specialty Foods Sales on the Rise

2011-06-08T16:18:00.000-04:00

What is Specialty food? “Foods and beverages that exemplify quality and innovation, including artisanal, natural, and local products that are often made by small manufacturers, artisans and entrepreneurs from the U.S. and abroad.”

According to the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s (NASFT) annual State of the Specialty Food Industry 2011, total sales of specialty foods in 2010 were $70.32 billion, with $55.92 billion of sales at retail. Specialty foods represent 13.1 percent of all retail food sales. In the US alone there are about 25,000 Specialty Foods stores.

US consumer spending on specialty foods and beverages, a rose 7.7 percent in 2010 according to a study done by Hoovers. This means that the Specialty Food Industry is on the rise. Specialty Foods are a growing part of the American food scene, driven by new flavors, new products and growing consumer interest.

Many grocers are still confine specialty foods products to a specific area. Try integrating the fresh, organic and natural products with other similar products. This will let the consumer know they have better choices throughout the store. Store entrances and exits are a perfect showcase for these products. Display creative pictures and directional ads as consumers enter a store to create the sense that your store is promoting a variety of specialty foods. Try to avoid items such as gossip magazines, candy, soda and vending machines at the exit of the store. Replace these items with health magazines and cookbooks, fresh juices and healthier snacks.

Turn Your Customer Display into Advertising Space

2011-06-01T11:51:00.000-04:00

Customer displays have come a long way since the days when they only showed two lines of text. Now Customer displays are full screen monitors with text and graphic capabilities. While the customer is watching their scrolling receipt, why not show them some in-store advertising?

You can display your weekly specials, show what point promotions you are offering or list the locations of your other stores. You can choose what order multiple ads will display or even show a short video to your customers. Ads placed on the display, in front of customers allows you to take advantage of extra advertising. You can sell the space to you vendors or local businesses to advertise their promotions or a community event.

To start taking full advantage of your potential adverting space contact STCR Business Systems, Inc. at (607) 757-0181. Don’t have full screen customer displays? STCR can help with that too.

IBM POS Store Solutions

2011-05-26T08:08:00.000-04:00

IBM Retail Store Solutions develops products primarily for point of sale and consumer service devices. These are not office PCs repackaged or customized for retail applications; they are systems specifically designed to meet the unique demands of the real retail world. During industrial design, IBM ensures retail hardening through:

Material selection
IBM insists on high-quality materials, using heavier grades of sheet metal and impact resistant plastics. The plastic they select is UV-resistant to prevent yellowing, which can occur with systems that are exposed to direct sunlight. It is pliant, so it helps resist cracking. Plus, the plastic they use to construct the exterior components of the system (including the monitor and peripherals) meets the highest ratings for flammability resistance. This plastic helps minimize risk, because it is designed to help control the spread of fire in a store, should one occur.

Component selection
IBM uses considerable collective purchasing power to acquire high-quality components. They have an ‘A-list’ of key suppliers and invest heavily in quality assurance programs for these select few suppliers. This allows IBM to select components that are designed to deliver longer life spans under retail conditions. A good example is their connectors, the majority of which are gold-plated to reduce corrosion. Other commercial PC manufacturers use tin-plated connectors that are not as robust for retail environments.

In some situations where IBM was unable to find the proper retail-ready components, they designed them. For example, they have created system boards with a planned life cycle production that is considerably longer than the production run of a typical PC. They do this because most rollouts in retail can take more than six months (the typical PC product life). With their system board, retailers can maintain a single platform throughout an enterprise rollout without having to purchase all the hardware in advance of the installation. If a standard PC system board were used, retailers would probably have to buy all the systems in advance or support up to four discrete hardware platforms
Can your retail systems meet these standards? Are they retail-hardened to deliver reliability from day one? Request a quote today to see how IBM retail solutions can deliver stronger performance and greater value for your business. To learn how an IBM POS can transform your front end operations, please contact STCR Business Systems, Inc. at (607) 757-0181. STCR has been selling, installing and supporting IBM Cash Register Systems for more than 30 years and we have been in business for 44 years. We are an IBM Premier Business Partner with the in-house expertise to install and support IBM Products and train your personnel in the most professional manner.

PCI Compliance

2011-05-18T08:53:00.000-04:00

Being compliant with the PA-DSS guidelines is an ongoing process and grocers need to be ever vigilant. PCI compliance may be difficult to understand. In order to be compliant you need to follow all of the 12 steps in the PCI Data Security Standard. What is the PCI Data Security Standard Requirements? “PCI DSS version 2.0 is the global data security standard that any business of any size must adhere to in order to accept payment cards, and to store, process, and/or transmit cardholder data. It presents common-sense steps that mirror best security practices.”

Here is a list of the main 12 requirements you must follow to be PCI compliant:

Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes
Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel

Here is a link to the actual document, version 2.0: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/documents.php?association=PCI-DSS (you will need to agree to the terms when you first click the link)

PCI is always changing to better protect your customer’s information. Below are some links to help understand PCI.

https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/why_comply.php
https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/merchants/how_to_be_compliant.php

5 Easy Marketing Steps

2011-05-11T09:42:00.000-04:00

Many small-business owners think marketing is something have you have to do every six months or so. But if your marketing is constant and targeted rather than occasional and unfocused, business gets easier. If potential customers have a positive view of your goods, services and reputation before they start shopping, you're that much closer to getting that customer in your door. Marketing is also not tied to a price tag. Marketing is defined only by putting the right message in front of the right person at the right time. Here are 5 ideas for getting your name out there:

1. Take steps to make customers feel special. Customers respond to being recognized, especially in these rush-rush, get-the-lowest-price times.

2. Develop an electronic mailing list. Most grocers have a weekly sale flier, but why not try an e-mail marketing newsletter. It is a cheap and easy way to stay in front of your customer. Just be sure that signing up for the e-newsletter is quick and easy by adding the link to your website or adding the address for the e-newsletter to your weekly sales flier.

3. Take part in community events. Join in some of your community events. This will put you in the position of getting to know a lot of people and also show you care about what goes on in your neighborhood.

4. Become an online expert. Using the internet is a cheap and easy way to reach thousands of potential customers. Utilize free services such as Facebook and Twitter. You can also have a website created for a nominal fee.

5. Don't let customers slip away. It costs a lot less to retain a disgruntled or inactive customer than to acquire a new one. Make an effort to reel them back in. If you customer hasn’t been in your store in some time, send a personalized e-mail and/or an incentive to get them back through your door.

THE DATALOGIC Skorpio™

2011-05-04T08:34:00.000-04:00

ERGONOMIC AND RELIABLE: The Datalogic Skorpio™ is a rugged mobile computer particularly suitable for mobile commerce solutions in the retail environment both on store shelves and in the stock room. Thanks to one of the best ergonomics ever seen on the market, Datalogic Skorpio™ reduces operator fatigue with no compromise in terms of reliability and robustness, resisting harsh environments, multiple drops, strong shocks and repetitive tumbles.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION: Its wireless communication capabilities (Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11b/g) enable fast transactions and complete interaction with information systems including the newest RF security protocols such as WPA™ and WPA2™. Moreover, Cisco Compatible Extensions CCX V4 certification permits all the advantages offered by the Cisco WLAN infrastructure to be exploited.

“GREEN SPOT” FEEDBACK: The Datalogic Skorpio™ offers the unique feature of integrated data capture technology combined with “green spot” feedback (Datalogic patent), providing a”good read” green dot directly on the code, where the operator usually tends to be looking.

USER-FRIENDLY: The Datalogic Skorpio™ large high visibility color graphic display with touch screen helps users work more efficiently, while the practical 38-key “alpha & numeric” keypad and the new simplified 28-key numeric keypad allows data, codes and descriptions to be input very quickly.

To learn how the Datalogic Skorpio Hand Held can transform your operations, please contact STCR Business Systems, Inc. at (607) 757-0181.

Network Security: Wired and Wireless

2011-04-27T08:10:00.000-04:00

A business needs to be able to safely access the internet, while at the same time allow authorized users access to company data. Firewalls, anti-virus software, email filters and the like can be used to reduce the introduction of malicious software and unauthorized access from outside and inside the company. One of the most important decisions for any company is the type of network structure to use, wired or wireless. Cost, reliability and security top the list of considerations. Traditionally, wired networks have been deemed more secure than wireless configurations. This view is rapidly becoming obsolete with the development and implementation of better authentication and encryption standards for wireless technology.

Both the wired and wireless options have the same goals: ensure that information confidentiality and integrity is maintained, allow only authorized access and to detect and prevent intrusions. The original standard for wireless networking was flawed, giving rise to the view that the technology was not a safe option. Prior to 2002, the standard adopted for wireless LANs by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) was WEP - Wired Equivalent Privacy. This standard was found to be inadequate for meeting necessary security requirements. With WEP, data is protected using RC4 encryption; user authentication determined by a pre-shared key. The key could be cracked, allowing data to be modified and otherwise compromised. These issues were addressed by the IEEE. In 2002, the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) was introduced, and in 2004 the IEEE adopted WPA2 as the new standard. WPA2 uses the AES encryption algorithm. AES is considered extremely secure and is approved for military use. Additionally, two methods for authentication are employed including RADIUS, a security option used in wired networks. WPA2 is the basis for setting up a secure wireless LAN.

Most companies do not implement wired-only or wireless-only networks. A combination of both strategies comprise a typical network. The wireless option is more popular than ever. Hand-held scanners, price-checkers, as well as devices recently available as wireless - such as printers, are standard equipment. While no network can have absolute security, properly implement wireless segments of a network can be just as secure as the wired segment.

Is your wireless equipment up-to-date? Contact STCR at (607) 757-0181 for information on access points, hand-scanners and more.

WIC EBT

2011-04-20T12:48:00.003-04:00

By now you have either heard of or in some states you are now processing, WIC EBT. What is WIC EBT? It stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer for Women, Infants and Children. This will eventually replace the paper vouchers which are now in use. There are two forms that will be used:

Online: Using a card with a magnetic stripe which needs a live connection to the processing host functioning much like a credit card transaction.

Smart Card: Which communicates to information stored on a card containing memory which connects directly to the POS terminal and then batch processes the data to the host at a later time. Each state is allowed to choose one of the two methods for processing the WIC EBT.

This map from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website shows the status of each state’s implementation for WIC EBT. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/EBT/wicebt.htm

Will Tax Reform Effect your Business

2011-04-14T08:08:00.000-04:00

Many tax experts suggest the following approach to tax reform: Cut high statutory rates in return for eliminating many loopholes and deductions. Given high federal deficits, they have indicated that corporate tax reform would have to be revenue-neutral, shifting the tax burden from those paying a lot to those paying a little, while not lowering the total amount of tax paid by corporations.

Owners of small C corporations should be wary. They would be prime targets to pay more tax if this approach moves forward because they pay the lowest effective tax rate under the current system. To ensure that corporate tax reform is revenue neutral, reformers would likely target deductions and loopholes that many small corporations use.

Few would disagree that our corporate tax system is flawed and should be fixed. Our statutory corporate tax rates have been higher than in every other developed country except Japan and will soon be the highest in the world. At the same time, the amount of taxes corporations actually pay is uneven. Because of a multitude of deductions and loopholes, many companies pay less than the statutory rate. The New York Times reported that 115 companies among the biggest public companies listed on the Standard and Poor's 500-stock index paid federal and other taxes amounting to less than 20 percent of income from 2006 through 2010, while 39 paid under 10 percent.

Experts believe that fixing our corporate tax system would benefit Americans. Eliminating loopholes and deductions in return for lower rates would make it easier for corporations to forecast their taxes. In addition, businesses would become less leveraged because their incentive to take on debt would be reduced. They would also spend less on accountants and lawyers to reduce tax payments and more on productive ways to generate profits. Finally, lowering tax rates would keep many domestic businesses from going overseas while attracting foreign businesses to the U.S.

Private Label Goods

2011-04-06T14:59:00.000-04:00

As private label companies continue to introduce better-for-you products and more attractive packaging, they have experienced sales growth in recent years that aren’t likely to decrease in the near future.

Private-label grocery brands have come a long way since their modest beginnings in the late 1970s. Along the way, private-label brands appeared to have shed much of their budget stigma. According to a recently released Nielson report, cash-strapped families looking to cut their food costs have been increasingly avoiding well-known brands for their slightly cheaper counterparts. Private-label brands accounted for 17.4% of the total U.S. dollar share of food products last year, up from 15.2% in 2006, Nielsen says.

More than two-thirds of those who participated in Nielsen's U.S. survey said they thought private-label goods had the same or better quality than name brands. And just 10% said such products weren't suitable when quality matters, although 17% indicated that private-label brands have cheap-looking packaging. The few packaging and quality concerns are unlikely to discourage customers in the future. More than 9 in 10 Americans surveyed by Nielsen said they would continue buying private-label brands regardless of the economy.

The economy in the last few years has decidedly boosted private-label purchases, but the rise in the popularity of store brands actually began back in the early 2000s when the economy was very strong. Store-brand products, which make up a $90 billion industry in the US, now account for almost 30% of the total servings of food products sold.

Use Exception Reporting to Fight Shrink

2011-03-31T08:33:00.000-04:00

Leveraging your POS system's exception reporting to run a tight ship is just one of the valuable tools that are often never fully developed by store operations. The benefits are many fold and should be explored and customized to your business. It's an ongoing effort to analyze and retool practices and processes to fight shrink by quickly identifying impropriety and product pricing issues as well as fine tune performance metrics and training.

The purpose is for monitoring, analysis, reporting and decision-making. Personalizing the various data capture settings to your environment enables management with timely, accurate, relevant, actionable information to audit and control the POS operations. It allows for management to standardize and evaluate performance expectations. If requirements are not being met a report can be reviewed with the employee to decide on appropriate action to re-train, re-assign or terminate as needed. They can also be used to identify top performers and goal achievements to promote quality and productivity. The important point is it provides a consistent fact based method for performance appraisal. More importantly these techniques can help address employee based shrink revealing impropriety via theft, sweet-hearting or simple unreported pricing issues.

Using these tools to shrink the shrink and grow a well-trained performance oriented team will promote business goals and drive the bottom line in the right direction. STCR provides POS solutions and services to assist with these critical efforts. Are you getting the results you need? Take a look at what features you could be using to incorporate these best practices into your business operations. If you’re not sure where to begin, call your STCR Sales Representative at (607) 757-0181.

About GS1 Barcodes

2011-03-23T16:05:00.000-04:00

You have probably seen or heard about any one of several new barcode formats called GS1. The most prevalent being the little produce stickers which are GS1 Databar Stacked and Omnidirectional plus PLU and the new GS1 Databar Expanded Stacked barcodes on manufacturer coupons. See examples to the left.

First let's examine the produce sticker. It has the PLU clearly identified for compatibility with today's process then it has the GS1 barcode that contains a 14 digit number. In the US and Canada that number is made up of two leading zeros, the company prefix which can be 6 to 10 digits, the companies item reference code which is 2 to 5 digits (note this can be the universal product code or any other number the company decides on) with leading zeros to fill to position 13 and then the check digit. Like this - 00 123456 04011 3
Detailed at the GS1.org website below.

Now let's examine the example coupon above. It has both the UPC type 5 coupon barcode and the new GS1 Expanded stacked barcode. Above the new barcode portion is the companies prefix (0037000) and the offer code (010752) in human readable format. Embedded in the databar portion are the application identifier, primary GS1 company prefix, the offer code, primary purchase family code, primary purchase requirement, the save value and optionally the secondary purchase requirement, secondary purchase GS1 company prefix and the secondary purchase family code.

Detailed at this website -
http://www.barcode-us.com/coupon/dataBarCoupon.html

Your particular POS application needs to be set up to read and use these barcodes. In the case of the produce stickers the entire decoded number will need to be added to your item file to scan and ring up that item. In the case of the new coupon databar barcode your application will need to be able to understand the data fields and translate the offer code and value to an amount that will be discounted as a coupon amount.

For further research here are some useful links:
Here is a link to the GS1 US/Canada website: http://www.gs1us.org

Building Trusted Relationships

2011-03-16T15:25:00.000-04:00

There have been many factors contributing to the recent state of the economy, one of the largest being relationships in the banking industry. Lending between banks and from bank to consumers has slowed down drastically. The reason most often cited by financial journalists is counterparty risk - the breakdown of trust between various parties in the financial system. Lending institutions lost trust in consumers who were struggling or could not pay their mortgages. Consumers lost trust in their financial institutions to provide them with sound advice and financial instruments.

As more businesses are moving toward an online presence and into the mobile arena, a new era has evolved where trust has become the critical component of a company’s brand. Consumers want to know that a business brand can safeguard their online identity and privacy. They want to know that the brand will do as advertised. According to financial statistics from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), there were 336,655 total complaints filed with IC3 between January and December of 2009.

More and more businesses are recognizing the importance of data security, which directly translates to consumer trust. Building and maintaining consumer trust is a key factor in online and brick-and-mortar business models. In order to build trust with the consumers, businesses must apply the same principle with its employees and its business vendors and partners. This will ensure that every part of the business is functioning like a well-oiled machine with the goal of increasing the brand’s bottom-line. In an online survey, 88% of the online shoppers said that protection of their personal data was their top concern. A study published in April 2010, researchers at UC Berkley and University of Pennsylvania found that people in all walks of life and all age groups have made the protection of their personal information a high priority. Among the findings, 88% of people of all ages said they have refused to give out information to a business because they felt that it was too personal or unnecessary.

As a retailer, meeting PCI DSS (Data Security Standard) is one of the necessary steps to build consumer trust. With your entire business practice following the PCI DSS, you greatly reduce the chance of any breach and thus safeguard any consumer personal and financial information. As the technology evolves, so does this standard. This makes it increasingly challenging for businesses to keep and maintain data security standards. This is an inevitable and critical part of the business operation to continue, maintain, and build consumer trust.

What are you Doing to Develop Loyal Customers?

2011-03-16T15:24:00.000-04:00

What's the secret to developing a reliable lasting relationship with your customers?

Providing quality goods coupled with a high level of customer service is always a good recipe for generating repeat business, but what else should you be doing to develop a customer's loyal?

Every grocer struggles with this challenge and the answer is it's all about the relationship. And what are the cornerstones of any successful, lasting relationship, trust and communication. Trust is built and maintained over time with consistent quality goods and services. The communication, on the other hand, can be a little trickier to master. Beyond staff training and weekly ads, how and what do you communicate to your customers. This is where developing and implementing a preferred customer program tailored to your clientele and targeting specific buying habits can be invaluable. Launching a preferred customer card program can seem daunting. You can start simply rewarding enrollment in the program and offering item discounts to all members. This will get the ball rolling allowing you to begin tracking purchasing habits and getting to know your customers in a whole new way. From there you can institute specific rewards programs and target customers with receipt messages and mailings that connect in a personal way. With routine analysis of the collected customer data you can create new rewards programs, targeted marketing campaigns and direct mailing initiatives. By evaluating the success and redesigning you gain further insight into what makes your customers tick and consequently communicate that you’re listening to them and appreciate their patronage.

These efforts have proven effective across many industries and help take the relationship with your customers to a new level. This in turn will not only incent a loyal following but can also lead to a buzz on the street. This is when the magic begins and your business grows. If you're interested in learning more about preferred customer solutions contact STCR at (607) 757-0181.

How to Capitalize on Your Business Name

2011-03-02T16:41:00.000-05:00

How much time and money did you spend identifying the name of your business? Did the name just come to you or did you enlist the help of others? Did you go back and forth before deciding? However it was determined, the process of choosing the name has likely come and gone.

Do you really know what your brand name is saying about your business? Potential customers will likely hear the name before they hear anything else. Below are a few methods small business owners have used to choose a business name:

1. Familial. Some of the world’s best companies started with a grandfather name. Simply by taking the name of the original founder, a business led by experience is created. Chances are by using a grandfather name you may have a strong personality at the head of the company. This person is likely the voice of the company and will give people a personal connection to the business. More business opportunities will be created as potential customers are able to relate to this individual.

2. Logical. Logic is a useful and often underrated way to name a business. The biggest benefit of using logic is the immediate connection to the business felt by anyone who hears the company name. Use every chance you can to remind people about your business name. Put it on the side of your company car, promote in the media, or assist local charities. Repeat the name often on your website. The more you establish your business name, the more customers will be drawn to you.

3. Localized. By using a specific location in the name of your business, you have highlighted the fact that your location is a key reason customers will visit you. Much of the value you can gain from this comes from utilizing smart ways to reach out to potential customers that are already close to your location.

4. Random. For some businesses, having a unique name is the most important element, as it can help you stand out and be memorable. If you have a distinctive name, chances are you also have created a logo or visual of that name to be recognizable in your industry. Consistency is a very big part of your business. Use it on all your printed materials, repeat it often and integrate the name into everything that you do.

PCI Related News – Card Skimming

2011-02-23T08:47:00.000-05:00

Something that is not mentioned as much these days is the fact that some of the earliest credit card number thefts involved different methods of modifying the credit card pin pad units. With changes to the pinpad units, the number of incidents of this type of card number theft has dramatically declined. There are several things that you should do to prevent credit card skimming from occurring at your location.

The most likely targets of this type of attack are self-service, unmanned, unused and exterior payment terminals. Criminals will attempt to steal, modify and replace the terminals during less busy periods then return to swap the terminals to harvest the recorded credit card information. Newer methods have been to swap the terminals once with a modified unit that can send or even wirelessly transmit the card data to locations outside of the store. This all makes knowing what units you have in use, including serial numbers of those units, important so that you will be able to spot any changes. The newer pin pad devices are designed to alert you of any tampering as well.

Other methods of attack are to place readers or cameras at the point of pin number entry; a low tech method has even been to shoulder surf as the customer enters their pin number.

Recommended methods to prevent these types of fraud include using physical security, bolt the units to the counter for example, make sure you have current equipment designed to prevent or alert of tampering and train your staff to monitor and notice suspicious activity or pin pad devices that have been removed or replaced.

Here is a link with pictures and more information regarding this topic: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pdfs/skimming_prevention_form.pdf

LogMeIN Remote Connection

2011-02-16T15:41:00.000-05:00

In today’s world protecting and securing company’s data is considered to be of the highest importance. Most businesses rely heavily on their point-of-sale systems, requiring them to run at peak performance in order to optimize business productivity. IT professionals use strategies for accessing company systems to address issues, provide maintenance and keep equipment performing and operating efficiently. If a remote access solution, several questions arise. How secure is secure is your connection? Who has access to your machine? Are you aware of the security encryption level of you current product? Is your data at risk?

There are many remote connection options available. LogMeIn Pro is an excellent choice, with its security level, system monitoring abilities and notification responses. As with many remote solutions, security is the main focus for users of these products. It was the focus for the design of LogMeIn, which is why it utilizes an AES 256-bit encryption; the same security trusted by online banks. This will ensure that the data transfer from one machine to the next is as secure as online banking transactions.

LogMeIn is always searching for new and inventive ways to create a secure environment. Updates to the program to keep it a secure and compliant with PCI guidelines, users are sent notifications of these updates. LogMeIn provides monitoring and notification on systems which it is running. Logging of events and systems changes aide in supporting and improving system performance. LogMeIn can also send notifications of access, noteworthy events on any machine, as well as send alerts directly through e-mail for proper attention and prevention.

Choosing the right solution for your business is critical for its continued success. The ability for your support team to monitor and access your point-of-sale systems at those business critical times is a value that cannot be matched. LogMeIn offers these solutions and peace-of-mind with remote access solutions. For more detailed information on how this solution will work with current business practices, please contact STCR at (607) 757-0181 and experience the benefits first hand.

New Small Business Loans

2011-02-09T16:35:00.000-05:00

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced two new lending initiatives aimed at getting modest loans under $250,000 to small businesses quickly and efficiently: Applications are now only two pages long and can be approved in anywhere from “minutes” to ten days. Greater access to credit should help spur small businesses to grow and hire, giving the economy a boost.

Although credit availability has eased since the global financial crisis, banks have been slow to lend to small businesses. According to a New York Federal Reserve report released in October, more than three-quarters of small businesses that applied for a loan during the first half of 2010 received “some” or “none” of the credit they desired.

Unlike big corporations, which can issue stock, sell bonds or take other measures to raise cash, small businesses are largely at the mercy of banks for financing. Big banks complain that it often doesn't pay for them to spend time and resources administering a small loan. With the SBA's new Small Loan Advantage incentive the paperwork burden is alleviated. Loans submitted electronically will be approved in minutes, according to the SBA. Other applications will be approved within one business day.

A second initiative, called Community Advantage, aims to get SBA-backed loans to underserved communities, such as minority and veteran owned businesses, as well as firms in lower-income or rural areas. The program encourages borrowers to develop a business plan and work with advisors. Applications should be approved within five to ten days. Both programs are expected to be up and running by March 15, 2011.

IBM Retail Hardening

2011-02-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

From Black Friday door busters to moonlight madness sales, your business moves at the speed of your retail systems. Customer satisfaction is tied directly to time spent waiting in line, and when downtime is not an option, the best retail solutions must reliably endure the worst punishment. That’s why IBM subjects their point-of-sale systems to some of the most extreme conditions imaginable.

It’s called “retail-hardening” and IBM sacrifices their systems in the lab to make sure yours can survive the real world. Before they call a product retail-hardened it must endure and pass a series of grueling tests, including:

Electrostatic discharge testing is to demonstrate the ability to withstand static shock, no matter how dry the air or shaggy the carpeting. Tolerance up to 15,000 volts, nearly double the standard for the PC industry.

Thermal dynamics testing, which verifies reliable operation in different climates and temperatures ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to 60°C (140°F).

Spills and drips testing is to verify the ability of seals, gutters and containment systems to protect sensitive electronics from high volume liquid spills such as water and carbonated beverages.

Magnetic susceptibility testing is to ensure that operation will not be disrupted by proximity to the powerful magnetic fields used to activate and deactivate inventory control tags.

Operational vibration testing is to ensure that the components are robust enough to survive near-constant physical interaction for extended periods.

Drop fragility testing in which components must power on after being dropped repeatedly on all six sides from common carry heights ranging from 30 to 36 inches.

Chemical resistance testing is to insure that cleaners, solvents and other harsh substances often found in retail settings cannot penetrate the specially designed seals on IBM touch screen displays.

Lightning strike simulations in which systems must withstand power surges of up to 2,000 volts—the equivalent of a lightning strike just outside the store.

Radio frequency interference testing to ensure that systems can operate reliably near product taggers, scanners, pagers, cell phones and other devices that saturate the retail environment with radio waves.

Can your retail systems meet these standards? Are they retail-hardened to deliver reliability from day one? Request a quote today to see how IBM retail solutions can deliver stronger performance and greater value for your business. To learn how an IBM POS can transform your front end operations, please contact STCR Business Systems, Inc at (607) 757-0181. STCR has been selling, installing and supporting IBM Cash Register Systems for more than 30 years and we have been in business for 43 years. We are an IBM Premier Business Partner with the in-house expertise to install and support IBM Products and train your personnel in the most professional manner.

Grocery Gift Cards for Gifts

2011-01-26T10:21:00.000-05:00

Given the current economic situation there is a consumer shopping trend that is moving toward the giving of essential items. Nothing is more essential than food.

A growing population of consumers are giving the gift of food. It is not fruitcake, eggnog or candies. Instead, growing frugality is moving consumers toward baskets of fruits, kitchen staples and packages of meat. More and more people are demanding grocery gift cards to help their loved ones with the cost of food. During tough economic times, more people cut back on non-essential spending such as dining out, going to the movies, cable/satellite TV, etc. Food, however, is one item that people can not go without. Retailers and industry analysts alike say that gift shopping at the grocery store is growing in popularity. As more grocery stores increase their offering to include non-food items such as DVD, books, household and seasonal items, people are expanding their idea of grocery store providing more than just their meals.

Gift shopping at the supermarket is an attitudinal shift which food retailers are eager to encourage. According to an LA Times report, one California grocer had gift card sales jump as much as 30%. More people view food as a way to express love. This is prompting the revival of the traditional food gift basket as well.

STCR provides POS systems that have fully integrated gift card functionality. If your POS system is not currently taking advantage of selling gift cards, whether it is your store’s gift card or Blackhawk, please contact your STCR sales representative at (607) 757-0181. We will help you take full advantage of this growing trend and help you make the best use of your POS system.

PCI Update

2011-01-20T14:16:00.000-05:00

What may happen as the result of not being PCI?

If cardholder data is stolen you could incur fines, penalties and even termination of the right to accept payment cards! Find out more on the web at: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/why_comply.php

Who do these requirements apply to?

Merchants and service providers that accept, capture, store, transmit or process credit or debit card data. If you are reading this it most likely applies to you.

There are 6 goals or categories with 12 requirements each having several sub-requirements listed in the PCI documentation. Below you will find the 6 categories and the 12 main requirements. This information can also be located at the website for the PCI Security Standards Council which was formed to promote PCI compliance. The council does not enforce the standards; the enforcement is done by the card brands. The requirements outline a minimum level of protection for payment card data and should be recognized as such.

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data

Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

Protect Cardholder Data

Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data

Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs

Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need to know

Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access

Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes.

Maintain an Information Security Policy

Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security for all personnel.

Being compliant with the PA-DSS guidelines is an ongoing process and grocers need to be ever vigilant. You can find up-to-date PA-DSS and PinPad information at http://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/.

Mobile Sales Channel - The Next Frontier

2011-01-12T12:04:00.000-05:00

It seems that an increasing number of people are using web enabled mobile devices. As the supply and demand for mobile applications increases, the more consumers rely on their mobile device to do things that they used to do using traditional methods. As we all know, online retail continues to increase and not surprisingly this trend is emerging in the mobile device arena.

According to a recent survey conducted by Aberdeen Group, the percentage of retailers pursuing a mobile sales strategy has more than doubled in the last two years. The obvious reason is the increase in consumer demand. This survey found that 38 percent of retailers are currently in some stage of mobile retail technology or mobile channel adoption. The same survey done at the end of 2008 showed this number was only at 18 percent.

The advancement of mobile technology with smarter, commerce-ready mobile devices is the driving force for this adoption. Furthermore, the move toward mobile channel caused a change in traditional channel management and marketing strategy. Aberdeen data shows that retailers with an online and mobile channel have had to adjust their marketing strategy to reflect the changed channel behaviors, based on customer preferences.

Data from this report indicates that on average, retailers are currently dedicating 41 percent of their annual marketing spending toward the digital channels (online 34 percent and mobile 7 percent). This report also shows that there are three new major elements of the mobile experience for retailers. Mobile web, which usually features online selections and categories of products for information gathering, product demo and feature comparisons is the top component of a mobile retail technology platform strategy for almost half (49 percent) of retailers surveyed. The second highest preference for 43 percent of the retailers is mobile coupon targeting and delivery, which can be tied into customer loyalty programs. The third most popular component of a mobile retail technology strategy is smart phone platform-specific mobile retail at 37 percent.

Of the various digital marketing strategies, the most successful retailers utilize every avenue available. Tying web presence with social media and mobile application is a powerful way to reach out to the increasingly technologically savvy consumers. As mobile devices become more and more prevalent, this trend will only continue to grow.

Custom Content Marketing

2011-01-05T08:58:00.000-05:00

Grocery store marketing typically consists of weekly specials promoted through ad; displays and customer loyalty programs that may provide product discounts or free gifts for spending a certain dollar amount. According to new data released by Greensboro-based Pace Communications, the U.S. grocery industry has increased the use of social media as part of a plan to gain customer loyalty.

Incorporating custom content into your marketing plan can help separate your store and help you move ahead of the competition. Blogs and social networking can help your marketing efforts, but most supermarkets are using these technologies to simply deliver the same information. Custom content is about giving your shoppers information that they can’t get anywhere else and making that content so appealing that your store becomes known as the best destination.

You are most likely already using custom content. For example a recipe page on your web site. You could take your single page of recipes and expand it into a separate website, one with its own brand identity that attracts people who want more than just weekly discounts. Add content such as general wellness information and seasonal recipes and you now have a branded site that offers shoppers something of lasting value. A web site that customers will turn to again and again and one they will recommend to friends and family. They will appreciate that it comes from you, the same trusted name they depend on to feed their families.

Another option is a magazine for your most loyal shoppers that is full of content created specifically about your stores. Does your meat department offer more antibiotic-free or organic selections than the competition? If so, do your customers know this? A custom magazine is the perfect way to share this information and others like it to further grow loyalty with your shoppers and separate your stores from all the rest.

A custom content strategy aims for the same goal as any other effective marketing plan. What makes custom content different is that it allows for the integration of those other tried-and-true marketing strategies that you already use, such as coupons and seasonal promotions. And no matter how custom content is implemented, results can be tracked, so that you know how well it’s working.

Custom Programming

2010-12-29T08:48:00.000-05:00

Do you need your POS system to do something unique? STCR Business Systems can create custom code to enhance IBM Supermarket, IBM ACE and SMS.

Requests for these types of projects sometimes come to us from your STCR salesperson but most often start at our Support Center. You may call the Support Center looking for a certain report or some functionality that you cannot find in the application, the Support Center analyst performs an initial investigation and finds that the solution is not in the application and then would pass your request to STCR’s Technical Solutions department for further investigation.

The process for creating a solution starts with you, our customer providing a detailed definition of your request. Sometimes it’s as simple as a new report but can be as complex as an entire new procedure or process. STCR will come back to you a number of times during this phase of defining the request as we want to ensure we have a complete understanding of your need before moving forward.

Once we have a full understanding, we will investigate to see if we can provide the enhancement by changing a configuration or personalization. Using what exists in the application is often the least expensive and fastest way to provide that needed change.

If we find that we need to make custom changes to the application, we will design the solution and then present that to you as a mock-up or an outline. We then ask you to approve this solution or tell us what needs to be different. Through this process we come to a mutual understanding of what STCR needs to create.

The next step is for STCR to create a proposal including the cost of the solution. Depending on the type of changes, the cost might include programming, configuration, testing, installation and setup. Some solutions may require STCR personnel to come to the store, others may not.

The final step is the in-store testing and roll-out. This might be as simple as you viewing a new report or as complex as a week long, in-store test. In the end our goal is to provide you with the solution to that unique challenge in the fastest, most efficient manner. For more information please contact STCR at (607) 757-018

IBM SurePOS 500 Series

2010-12-23T08:21:00.000-05:00

The IBM SurePOS 500 Series has a new sleek, slimmer design, cutting edge, infrared touch screen with resistive touch sensitivity, energy-saving deep sleep, tool free design and IBM Light-Path Management, advanced security features and enviro-friendly packaging.

A satisfying store experience helps create Advocates… consumers who have increased spending with their primary retailer by 31% over the last two years.

Now more than ever, consumers are looking for differentiation when choosing their retailers. They expect a higher level of satisfaction—better service, better prices, better quality and convenience. Access to product information and fast, accurate transactions, performed by capable, informed employees are vital to a positive experience and help promote customer loyalty.

1. Infrared touch screen and Light-Path Management on Model 566 only
2. Deep sleep is defined as “suspend to RAM” (random access memory), meaning the power supply is in a reduced power mode
3. The IBM Institute for Business Value Study, IBM Global Services 2008

1. Cutting edge, spill resistant, infrared touch-screen (Model 566 only)
2. Tool free design with back access
3. IBM Light-Path Management (Model 566 only)
4. Biometric fingerprint reader (optional)
5. Cooling tunnel technology
6. Programmable magnetic stripe reader (MSR) (optional)
7. Retail hardened design resists damage in harsh environments
8. Audio speaker (Model 566 only)

To learn how the IBM SurePOS 500 can transform your front end operations, please contact STCR Business Systems, Inc at 1-800-776-6576. STCR has been selling, installing and supporting IBM Cash Register Systems for more than 30 years and has been in business for 43 years. We are an IBM Premier Business Partner, with the in-house expertise to install IBM Products and train your personnel in the most professional manner.

Maintenance on your POS

2010-12-16T10:34:00.000-05:00

As an Independent Grocer always looking to improve your business and cut costs it can be tempting to view your annual maintenance expense on your POS system as unnecessary. This can be a costly mistake. Unfortunately some don't perceive the value of maintenance until it is too late. None would argue the mission critical importance of the POS system. So what value does the maintenance provide you? Below is a breakdown of the three types of maintenance offered by STCR:

1. Hardware maintenance:
• Contract Management
• Asset Management
• Remote Diagnostics
• Call Dispatch and Coordination
• Call Tracking
• Call Resolution

2. Software maintenance:
• Access to software developer support
• Entitled to upgraded software levels (services not included)

3. Remote Help Desk Support:
• 24x7x365 access via phone, internet and email
• Remote diagnostics
• Call tracking
• Call resolution
• Remote program upgrades
• Answering 'how to' questions
• Software personalization changes
• Some setup and configuration changes
• Tax table updates
• Backup verification
• Disaster recovery
• Incident reporting
• Closed call automatic notification
• Satisfaction follow up call backs
• Online Help Desk access to open new calls and review call history

As you see the list is extensive, with the added benefit of fixed costs. Without this coverage you run the likely risk of costly and excessive down times and service bills, on an as-needed basis, upgrade software license fees and all the other intangible costs when your system is not performing properly. Typically, most service organizations prioritize resources for maintenance clients. Don't let your business be exposed to these unavoidable situations. Protect your investment and know that you are covered bumper-to-bumper. If you have any questions regarding STCR maintenance offerings, speak to one of our knowledgeable Sales Representatives at (607) 757-0181.

Customer Service gets Social

2010-11-30T16:13:00.000-05:00

In the world today, the relationship between customer service and social media is becoming more relevant. Networking sites such as Twitter and others allow companies to track what their customers and potential clients are saying about the company. Social networks and blogs are, in effect, a new mainstream medium for word-of-mouth marketing.

Small businesses have the potential to gain valuable market share from their larger competitors on social media-based services, if they are able to respond to questions and concerns quickly and in a way that’s personal, timely and directly helpful. However, if you are a small or growing business, you may not have the additional resources to hire an employee specifically dedicated to monitoring social media outlets. Some ideas to help you make the most of this opportunity include:

1. Identify the social networks you feel will be most valuable to your company. There are the obvious choices, like Twitter and Facebook, but also look through YouTube, Flickr or even on personal blogs. Think about where your clients might give their opinions, good or bad, and check out those sites.

2. Take time each day to make sure potential problems found on social networks are addressed. If they can not be resolved right away, make sure follow up times are set up.

3. You can integrate customer service requests and issues into your sales process or purchase customer relationship management (CRM) software that offers this feature.

In today’s complex social world, understanding that people will talk about your company online whether or not you are monitoring the chatter can be critical to business success. If you ignore this aspect of business you run the risk of developing a bad reputation. Monitoring these avenues and speaking the language of your customer, including listening and responding to conversations on social media networks, can boost your reputation for providing stellar customer service.

PCI AND POINT TO POINT ENCRYPTION (P2PE)

2010-11-17T14:05:00.001-05:00

You have probably read or heard about any one of the P2PE technologies available today. While they may make the job of security easier, Bob Russo, the general manager of the PCI Security Standards Council, sums up his concerns, “It is important to remember there is no silver bullet to securing a payment environment.” and, “Implementing one of these technologies will not automatically make you compliant with the PCI DSS.” Bob goes on to say, “Focus on good security and compliance will follow.”

A recent document https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pdfs/pci_ptp_encryption.pdf posted by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) discusses P2PE and several of the factors to consider when evaluating the technology for your location.

Since P2PE is an immature technology, implementation may result in vendor lock-in; products from one vendor cannot communicate to or be replaced by products from another vendor. Additionally, your credit card processor may only support devices from one vendor and not another.

P2PE solutions will not eliminate the need to maintain and validate PCI DSS compliance, but they may simplify validation efforts by reducing the number of system components to which PCI DSS applies. Any network attachment that is not segmented from the device performing the encryption is still required to be PCI DSS compliant. Bank charge-back data still requires a PCI DSS compliant environment and handling procedures, as well as any imprinted or legacy card data.

Being compliant with the PA-DSS guidelines is an ongoing process and grocers need to be ever vigilant. You can find up-to-date PA-DSS and PinPad information at http://www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

CISCO 100 SERIES OVERVIEW

2010-11-10T09:40:00.002-05:00

Cisco 100 Series Switches deliver powerful network performance and flexibility for small business networks, without complexity. With no installation software and nothing to configure, you get an affordable, reliable network that just works, right out of the box.

Cisco 100 Series Switches offer:

High-performance capabilities: With powerful network performance at an affordable price, you can give your network a boost of speed and capacity to support bandwidth-intensive applications.

Support for advanced technologies: Built-in quality of service (QoS) intelligence on all models helps maintain consistent network performance and keeps your applications running smoothly.

An eco-friendly solution: Optimizes power usage to be energy efficient without compromising performance.

Affordability: Designed specifically for small businesses that need a basic network with automated features that get you up running in minutes.

Peace of mind: All Cisco 100 Series switches are protected for the life of the product by the Cisco Limited Lifetime Hardware Warranty.

Ease of use: Works right out of the box, there's no software to install or configure.

To learn more about network switches and other products and services provided by STCR, please contact STCR Business Systems, Inc at (607) 757-0181. STCR has been selling, installing and supporting IBM Cash Register Systems and network equipment for more than 30 years and we have been in business for 43 years. We are an IBM Premier Business Partner with the in-house expertise to install IBM and a wide variety of electronic products and train your personnel in the most professional manner.

Does your Dairy Department work for you?

2010-11-04T16:54:00.000-04:00

Dairy accounts for 19 percent of an average supermarket’s profit while taking up just 3 percent of store space, according to the Willard Bishop Store Super Study. Dairy generates more than 2.6 times return on space than produce and 6.2 times higher return on space than grocery in general. It’s no surprise that many retailers are looking for ways to reinvent their dairy departments.

Dairy Management (DMI), which supports the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, recently released a guide to help retailers reinvent their dairy departments. The Dairy Department Reinvention Activation Guide is the result of more than three years of research by DMI, Kraft Foods and Dannon. Since 2006, the coalition analyzed 343,000 shopping trips, audited 22,000 retail grocery stores and spoke with 2,500 consumers. With milk penetrating 96 percent of U.S. households and acting as a trip trigger that often leads consumers to the store, putting a focus on dairy can be a great way to increase profitability.

Understanding your shopper’s needs drives store loyalty, which increases shopper perceptions and can lead to increased sales. The best practices outlined in the Dairy Department Reinvention Activation Guide address the feedback from consumers. Comments include that the dairy department was traditionally not an emotional engagement, that they often had difficulty finding items, that they often felt rushed and usually bought the same things week after week. Shoppers’ wishes include making the dairy department easier to shop, personalizing the engagement, leveraging more meaningful merchandising and fostering interaction.

STCR Welcomes North Coast Co-op

2010-10-27T14:54:00.000-04:00

Since 1973, North Coast Co-op has been a member-owned consumer food cooperative in Northern California operating two full-service grocery stores in Arcata and Eureka. The Co-op has a production bakery and deli serving great food without artificial ingredients. They also use organic or natural ingredients whenever possible.

In March of 2009 the Co-op was recertified as an organic retailer by CCOF, a third party certifying agency. The North Coast Co-op is the first food co-op on the West Coast and the only food retailer in California north of the Bay Area, to be certified organic.

They recently installed STCR’s IBM SMS Integrated Retail Grocery System in both stores along with the SMS host system. With the host system, they centrally manage merchandise pricing and company reporting. As part of the implementation they are also utilizing STCR’s new “Locally Sourced Product” feature. Items that are sourced locally can be flagged in the item file as such. This distinction allows the system to display a separate sub-total and highlights this sub-total on the customers receipt as “Locally Sourced Products Purchased.”

PCI

2010-10-20T16:57:00.000-04:00

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a worldwide information security standard defined by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. The standard was created to help organizations that process credit card transactions minimize fraud. The standard applies to all organizations which process or exchange cardholder information.

The PCI Security Standards Council continues to develop the PCI DSS as needed to ensure that the standard includes any new or modified requirements necessary to remove all security risks. Changes to the standard follow a defined 36-month lifecycle with eight stages, described below.

Stage 1: Standards Published

Stage 2: Standards Effective

Stage 3: Market Implementation

Stage 4: Feedback Begins

Stage 5: Old Standards Retired

Stage 6: Feedback Review

Stage 7: Draft Revisions

Stage 8: Final Review

Each of the stages varies in length with a total of 36 months. Retailers need to be proactive when it comes to PCI and credit card security risks. You can find the most up-to-date PCI information at https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/index.shtml.

GS1 DataBar

2010-10-13T16:42:00.000-04:00

As the June 2011 deadline approaches, compliance for GS1 DataBar Coupon codes appears to be on track. While the initial date was set for January 1, 2010, a shaky economy combined with a limited number of stores that have implemented the technology, have forced the compliance deadline to be extended.

The new barcodes will allow retailers to fight coupon fraud as the embedded serial numbers on the new formatted coupons can be automatically captured at the POS terminal. Coupon verification and limited cashier intervention ensure the correct processing of discounts. DataBar coupon codes can have values up to $999.99 and are not limited to the traditional table of 100 values. Additional information can include product details, embedded expiration dates, as well as retailer specific coupons.

Another benefit of the new barcode format is the standardized promotions built in and available in all supporting POS systems. Executives at major manufacturers say the promotions supported by GS1 codes will be fully functional at the start of 2011. Manufacturers will also be allowed to stop printing UPC codes on coupons. Experts say that UPCs will be phased off of coupons by June 2011, giving retailers a bit of buffer to make upgrades.

With coupon compliance as the first step future applications are not far off. The next readiness deadline of January 1, 2014 will allow the use of GS1 barcodes globally on any product. After coupons the next DataBar application will be labeling for loose produce, replacing the current PLU codes. This will allow tracking of products to the grower that supplied the product and allow more traceability of the products.

Other fresh categories that will follow suit include meats and cheeses, as well as sensitive categories such as health care merchandise.

PCI Update

2010-10-06T15:25:00.000-04:00

PCI is here to stay. Much has and continues to be written about the PCI Standards, as it is constantly evolving and changing. The goal this month is to point out some of the recent changes and to have you re-evaluate your thoughts that “this won't happen to me” or that “I can worry about that later.”

The July 1, 2010 timetable has passed for ensuring that your pin pads are now PED compliant and processing with Triple DES encryption. Hopefully all retailers have done the upgrade to their pin pads; some retailers have found that the needed pin pads are in short supply. The processors have said they do not intend to fine for non-compliance at this time so there is a sort of temporary reprieve. This does not mean that you should not complete this update as well as be compliant with the new rules which will take effect January 2011.

Earlier this year in an article the two year cycle for PCI requirements was discussed. Due to feedback from different organizations, the PCI council has changed the process to three years in order to match other similar processes that are ongoing. This means you may no longer be compliant due to the changes made to the standards. Also as the industry has learned more about the requirements as well as the methods to meet those requirements, it will be very beneficial to work with your card processors and POS vendors to be sure that all is in order today.

Some software versions that were PCI compliant even just last year may no longer be listed as compliant today. This will continue for the foreseeable future, so just one upgrade does not mean you are set forever. Instead you should consider upgrading as often as every other year to stay up to date. Also keep in mind that the software is only part of 1 of the 12 steps which must be reviewed regularly.

The problem of credit card data theft continues. Even with strict adherence to PCI requirements, your business could be next. There are at least two benefits to being PCI compliant, first you are less likely to be victimized and second you have protections in place when you are. Please call us today at (607) 757-0181 for information on our programs that have been reviewed and certified as fully PCI compatible.

https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/index.shtml

What is Social Media?

2010-09-29T16:55:00.000-04:00

What is social media? Wikipedia defines social media as media for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social media uses web-based technologies to transform and broadcast media monologues into social media dialogues. Businesses also refer to social media as consumer-generated media (CGM). Social media utilization is believed to be a driving force in defining the current time period as the Attention Age. A common thread running through all definitions of social media is a blending of technology and social interaction for the co-creation of value.

Some social media web sites are Facebook, MySpace and Twitter just to name a few. As social media becomes a more integral part of people’s lives, its reach and impact grow. Here are some of the recent developments that businesses should know and should take advantage.

One of the most popular social media sites is Facebook. Recently Facebook launched a new feature called Facebook Places which allows Facebook members tell each other where they are, what they are doing and even who they are with. This has a great impact for local merchants and small businesses because they are more likely to be included in the conversation among Facebook users. Facebook also creates a Local Business page for each of the Places that are listed in Facebook Places. When someone “checks in” to your business, it will include a link to the Facebook page for your business in the message that gets sent out to their friends.

So how do you participate? Facebook lets merchants “claim” their pages. If you already have a Facebook page for your business, it will merge with your new Places page. When you claim your page, you will also be able to manage your Place’s information such as address, contact information, business hours, business profiles, pictures, etc. You could also get aggregate information about how your page is used.

The growth of social media is growing at a very fast pace. As a retail merchant, you may want to consider taking advantage of this trend to increase your business’ exposure.

The Shopping List

2010-09-22T11:56:00.000-04:00

A study done by the NPD Groups, the leading global provider of consumer and retail market research information shows that 94% of shoppers prepare a written list before leaving the house and 72% say they never or rarely deviate from it. Of the 25% who do buy on impulse, value is the main motivation, 80% say they do so when they see an item on sale, 67% say they buy when they see items and remember they were needed and 37% say they do so when something looks like a good meal or snack.

For retailers, it's about helping consumers get what they want. About 70% of people shop at multiple locations and stores that can get creative, using list functions on their websites, developing list software, even providing ways they can send their list ahead of time and just pick up the groceries have a better chance of getting those consumers in their store. For grocers, that means marketing to people in their homes is more important, people eat many times a day, but typically shop only once a week. People are looking for recipes and ideas on the Internet, so food websites are really important as well.

While women still tend to do most of the family's food-related work, the whole family contributes to the list: 60% of married and family households pencil in what they want and kids add to lists in 40% of homes. Consumers aren't walking into stores without an agenda that means it's all about how to get consumers into your store.

With the right point-of-sale system you can create customer loyalty, improve customer service and increase your bottom line. For more information on how the IBM point-of-sale system can work for you contact STCR Business Systems at (607) 757-0181.

IBM SurePOS ACE Independent Retailer Package

2010-09-15T12:25:00.000-04:00

Objective

Offer independent retailers a powerful POS solution and technical support—packaged at an affordable price

Solution
The IBM SurePOS ACE Independent Retailer Package

Benefits
Transforms store operations with a complete POS solution to manage transactions and data, help lower costs and stay competitive

Independent retailers face trying times in an ever-tightening economy. They struggle to stay competitive in a world of retail giants with extensive resources and demanding customers, who are more price conscious than ever, yet expect an enhanced shopping experience. IBM understands the challenges independent retailers face and has developed the reliable POS technology to help differentiate your business in innovative ways and reduce the hassles of everyday operations. An Independent Retailer is defined as an enterprise of 100 stores or less who have five lanes or less per store.

The complete POS solution
IBM and STCR Business Systems, Inc. have been providing industry leading point-of-sale solutions for more than 30 years. IBM Retail Store Solutions offers the IBM SurePOS™ ACE (Application Client Server Environment) Independent Retailer Package (AIR) so that independent retailers can have the complete POS solution they need to be competitive at a price that works for their business. IBM and STCR are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and support to independent retailers.

The IBM SurePOS ACE Independent Retailer Package
IBM has utilized decades of retail POS experience in developing the AIR package to be flexible and extendable to meet the needs of dynamic retail environments and continues to make significant annual investment in ACE technology to surpass industry standards and requirements.

The AIR Package is offered in a Premium version, with a dual station printer with MICR. You also have your choice of colors, either Iron Gray or Pearl White/Storm Gray.

To learn how the IBM SurePOS ACE Independent Retailer Package can transform your business, please contact STCR at (607) 757-0181. STCR has been selling, installing and supporting IBM cash register systems for more than 30 years and we have been in business for 43 years. We are an IBM Premier Business Partner with the in-house expertise to install IBM Products and train your personnel in the most professional manner.

Changing Shopping Trends

2010-09-08T15:28:00.001-04:00

During the last two years the vast majority of consumers (92%) have changed their shopping behavior, with 89% indicating they’ve become more resourceful and 84% saying they are more precise when they shop, according to a recent study. Most of these new approaches are based on frugal spending with 65% of consumers feeling like they’re not sacrificing much. In fact, segments accounting for about 80% of shoppers actually consider the changes they’ve made the source of emotional and practical rewards so they have little intention of returning to their old ways, according to researchers.

Many consumers have turned to private labels with three in four (75%) indicating that they’re more open to trying the private labels versus two years ago. Also, eighty-five percent of consumers say they have found several store brands that are just as good as national brands.

“We continue to witness consumers creating a whole new rule book and skill set for shopping that’s based on value, not boasting of brands,” a vice chairman of a leading consumer product practice stated. “Our analysis concludes that personal gratification and a desire to feel smart about what consumers are putting in their shopping carts are trumping brand satisfaction, and that price-consciousness, value-orientation and bargain-hunting will remain prevalent for years to come.”

Debit Card Interchange Fees

2010-09-01T16:39:00.000-04:00

On June 21, 2010 an agreement was reached with key conferees on the Wall Street reform bill regarding the Durbin amendment regulating interchange fees which passed the Senate 64-33.

There are a number of modifications and compromises that were made to the Durbin interchange amendment. Some of those were:

•Discounting between card networks
The Senate-passed amendment provided that card networks could no longer prevent merchants from offering customers a discount to use one card network vs. another (e.g., a discount to use Visa vs. MasterCard), and that this discount would apply in both the credit card and debit card contexts.

This provision has been removed from the amendment. In its place the compromise includes a provision directing the Fed to issue rules preventing card networks from requiring that their debit cards can only be used on one debit card network (thereby ensuring that merchants will have the choice of at least two networks upon which to run debit transactions). This provision also provides additional competition to a previously non-competitive part of the market. It allows merchants to choose the debit network with the lowest cost – the opposite of the current system where merchants are forced to use a specific network with fixed prices.
•Discounting between forms of payment
The Senate-passed amendment provided that card networks cannot prevent merchants from offering a discount for one form of payment vs. another (cash vs. check vs. credit vs. debit). The compromise clarifies that these discounts cannot be offered if the discounts differentiate between card issuers or card networks.
•Setting of maximum/minimum transaction thresholds for use of a credit card
The Senate-passed amendment provided that card networks could not prevent merchants from setting a minimum or maximum dollar amount for payment by credit card.
The compromise provides that such a minimum may not exceed $10, with authority given to the Fed to increase that dollar amount. The compromise also limits the ability to set maximums for payment by credit card to the Federal government and colleges and universities. The compromise further clarifies the Senate language and establishes that a minimum payment not exceeding $10 – matching laws currently on the books in a number of states.

Investing in Training is Profitable

2010-08-25T16:28:00.000-04:00

The most successful companies have long recognized the value of a well trained staff. Some of the many reasons savvy business owners realize how investing in training will impact the bottom line are: increased job satisfaction and morale among employees; increased employee motivation; increased efficiencies in processes, resulting in financial gain; increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods; increased innovation in strategies and products; reduced employee turnover; enhanced company image. These are just some of the compelling arguments to make ongoing training an organizational goal.

Staff training can be on the job where more experienced employees are assigned to train new employees. Cross-training existing employees on the various tasks handled by other staff is also important. This ensures operations are not disrupted when employees leave the company either temporarily or permanently. Sometimes a company does not have the knowledge internally to train staff for various reasons: key person left the company, company acquired new technology, or simply wants to learn how to leverage more feature/function from their current technology. Regardless of the reason, a prudent owner will recognize the investment value of developing his human resources to actualize increased efficiencies that will ultimately impact the bottom line.

These same principles hold true for independent grocers in this competitive market. As a solutions provider for independent grocers we understand these needs and have developed training programs to assist our customers in this on going effort. If you want to make the investment to improve your operation, contact your STCR Sales Representative. They can tell you about what options and programs we can customize to fit your specific needs and then see how it can improve your bottom line.

PCI Update

2010-08-18T16:33:00.000-04:00

The PCI Security Standards Council announced recently that all 3 standards it controls will follow a three year development lifecycle.

The PIN Transaction Security requirements which specify how pin numbers are handled already used the three-year cycle with Version 3.0 coming out earlier this year.

The PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) used a two-year cycle – the current cycle ends in October 2010. The PCI DSS is a set of requirements for protecting card data by way of procedures, policies, networking, software and other areas.

Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) also used a two-year cycle – the current cycle ends in October 2010. The PA-DSS is a set of best practices called the Payment Application Best Practices (PABP). The purpose of the PA-DSS is to help vendors and others build software that protects card data, including mag stripe data, CVV2 and pin numbers.

The reason for going to a three-year cycle is to allow more time for merchants, banks, processors and vendors to implement the standards and meet the requirements. It also allows more time for the council to receive feedback about the standards and to discuss that feedback at community meetings.

The council also continually evaluates new technology and threats, and if needed, makes changes to the standards or provides guidance. Bob Russo, general manager of the council said, “The PCI Security Standards Council relies heavily on feedback from our participating organizations and the PCI community to create standards that strengthen the security of payment card data, and the input we’ve received has been overwhelmingly in favor of lengthening the lifecycle… Moving the revision cycles to three-year periods for all three existing standards ultimately means organizations have additional time to focus on making sure they have the appropriate processes and controls in place to secure cardholder data.”
PCI Security Standards Council home page: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/index.shtml

Are Processing Fees on the Decrease?

2010-08-11T16:24:00.000-04:00

An estimated $48 billion in swipe fees were charged by credit and debit card networks in 2008. If assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin has his way these fees will be on the downslide. In May of this year the US Senate passed an amendment to a banking overhaul legislation that will impose price controls on the debit transactions taken at retail establishments.

The Durbin amendment could save billions of dollars for all types of retailers, from family restaurants, dry cleaners and grocery stores that are increasingly realizing that more and more consumers are making their purchases with debit/credit cards. Retailers have tried to get legislation to control these fees but have run into road blocks along the way.

The amendment would direct the Fed to issue rules to ensure that debit interchange fees are reasonable and proportional to the processing costs incurred. Visa and MasterCard currently charge debit interchange fees of around 1-2% of the transaction amount. These fees are far higher than the actual cost of processing debit transactions, and they mean that small businesses and merchants always get shortchanged when they accept a debit card for a sale.

The amendment also prevents card networks like Visa and MasterCard from penalizing merchants for offering discounts to customers. The amendment would allow sellers to offer discounts for customers to use competing card networks and for customers to pay by cash, check or debit card. The amendment would also allow sellers to choose to decline credit cards for small dollar purchases (because interchange fees often exceed profits on such sales).

Visa and MasterCard have reduced debit interchange rates in other countries while increasing them in the U.S. While Visa and MasterCard continue to raise U.S. interchange rates (which are already the world’s highest), researchers have found that “regulators in other countries have worked with Visa and MasterCard to voluntarily reduce their interchange rates.” Just last month, Visa lowered many European debit rates by 60% while increasing many U.S. debit rates by 30%.

The amendment does not affect credit card interchange fees. Some have argued that the Durbin amendment would reduce credit availability by regulating credit card interchange rates. However, the amendment’s reasonable fee requirement only applies to debit cards.
Stay tuned, it is not a done deal yet. The banking overhaul bill still needs to pass the Senate, and then it must be reconciled with a House bill that does not mention debit card interchange fees. Credit card companies and banking institutions promise to fight the bill.

Is Your Backup Working?

2010-08-04T13:01:00.000-04:00

In the wise words of Ben Franklin ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. A good backup/recovery solution for mission critical systems is an ounce of prevention crucial to any business owner. The pain of a hard drive failure without a good backup could include irrecoverable data loss, having you system down for an unneeded longer amount of time and could prove to be very expensive. Not only is there the obvious expense of the required emergency services, but even more costly is the lost revenue and customers associated with excessive down times.

STCR Business Systems provides a full backup/recovery solution to all our customers but having a solution in place is only the first step. Ensuring it is completing correctly is the second step and should be a high priority for every store. Some solutions are automated but they too need to be inspected. It would be a mistake to assume a backup will be there when needed only to find out, when it’s too late, it’s not. There is no better way to protect your investment and minimize potential down times, due to a hard drive failure, than consistently confirming your backups are completing correctly. This way you can be proactive and call the Help Desk if there are any issues.
If you don’t know if your system(s) are backing up or even how to check, please call STCR’s Help Desk at (607) 757-0181. One of our friendly, professional Retail Systems Analysts will be happy to assist you. Let us help you prevent the costly mistake of not periodically verifying the backup solution is working successfully.

What is Chip and Pin?

2010-07-28T15:49:00.000-04:00

Will smarter credit cards be in our near future? What is Chip and Pin? Chip and Pin is a UK government-backed initiative to implement the EMV (short for Europay, Master Card and Visa) standard for smart payment cards.

EMV has been adopted in virtually every part of the world, including Canada and Mexico, for the storing of payment-card data. The U.S. maintains a vested interest in magnetic stripe based cards and the devices associated with them. Expense is currently the biggest barrier for US implementation along with liability for fraud loss. Criminals already working around the system also figure into the reluctance to bring it to American cardholders.

Javelin Strategy & Research estimates an EMV roll out across the United States would cost about $8.6 billion including the following:

• POS terminal replacements -- approximately $6.75 billion
• EMV card issuance -- around $1.4 billion
• ATM upgrades -- approximately $500 million
Also to be considered is the fact that the greatest beneficiaries of Chip and Pin are the card issuers with merchants and customers taking the brunt of the losses. The same merchants that will need to pay for most of the upgraded equipment to accept the new devices.

"(Chip and Pin's) main attraction to banks is the 'liability shift,' which is precluded in the U.S. by Regulation E," wrote Ross Anderson, a professor of security engineering at the University of Cambridge, in an e-mail. "This shift means that disputed transactions will be blamed on the customer if a PIN was used and the merchant otherwise. Thus, in theory, the bank would never again be liable.

Such a shift isn't possible in the U.S. because of rules set up under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act of 1978, says Steven J. Murdoch, Ph.D., a security researcher at Cambridge University. This is probably good news for U.S. consumers: Murdoch says that since the standard was fully adopted, it's been next to impossible for British consumers to recover money stolen in fraud.

"The banks get to effectively make up their own rules, and the rule they've chosen is that if your PIN is used, then you must have been negligent about protecting your PIN, therefore you're liable for the fraud," says Murdoch.

With this much uncertainty and these expenses without a return on investment we don't expect Chip and Pin to take over the US soon.

SMALL BUSINESS TAX RELIEF BILL

2010-07-21T14:45:00.000-04:00

The Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act of 2010 will provide tax cuts for small businesses to help them grow and create new jobs. The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act will enhance lending opportunities for small businesses. This legislation is offset by closing some existing tax loopholes.

This bill represents a continuation to spur job creation and improve the quality of life in communities. Small businesses need capital to create jobs and lead economic recovery. The Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act contains important tax cuts and lending opportunities that will help give small business owners the resources and flexibility they need to help their businesses grow.

The bill will increase the capital gains exclusion on investments in small business stock to 100 percent (from 75 percent in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) for qualifying stock acquired after March 15, 2010 and before January 1, 2012.

The bill will also alleviate certain onerous tax penalties on small businesses. Under current law, Section 6707A of the Tax Code imposes a penalty on the failure to disclose a “reportable transaction” on any tax return or information statement. There are six categories of reportable transactions, one of which is a “listed transaction,” a type of transaction identified by the IRS through guidance as a tax avoidance transaction. The penalty for failure to disclose a reportable transaction (other than a listed transaction) on a return is $10,000 in the case of individuals and $50,000 in any other case. For listed transactions, the penalty is $100,000 in the case of individuals and $200,000 in any other case. The bill generally would make the penalty for failing to disclose reportable transactions (including listed transactions) proportionate to the underlying tax savings.

In addition the bill will allow small businesses to deduct up to $20,000 in small business start-up expenses not related to capital or equipment. The bill will also allow non-recourse Small Business Administration loans to qualify for certain exceptions to the at-risk loan rules, allowing business expenditures made under those loans to be deductible against related business income.

Is Your POS Ready for Summer?

2010-07-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

After Memorial Day weekend it’s the unofficial start of the summer season. Most people will take some time away from work for vacation to enjoy time with their families. Before the temperature hits the summer time high, you may want to take a few moments to go over this POS system maintenance checklist to make sure your POS system is ready to handle the summer holiday rushes and the summer heat.

UPS
Checking your UPS, Uninterrupted Power Supply, especially the battery backup side is critical to keep your POS system running smoothly. During summer seasons power consumption is at its highest. This increases the chance of power interruption in the form of blackouts or brownouts. A blackout is easier to detect but a brownout may not be easily felt. Power fluctuation could also cause a power surge. Any one of these power outage scenarios could damage your POS system or any electronic devices that are not protected by a surge protector or UPS. All of your POS system devices should be plugged into a UPS. If you have a UPS and do not remember when it was installed or replaced, you should replace them to ensure your store runs smoothly.

Backup
Your POS system is equipped with backup devices and media. There may be an automatic file backup in place but there is always a removable backup device and media in the form of a DVD-RW drive and discs. Your daily or weekly routine should be making sure your system is backed up to the removable media. This is the quickest way to restore your system after a hard drive replacement. Removable backup should be part of your operational routine, just like counting cashiers and running reports.

Venting/Cooling
Take a moment to inspect the surroundings of your POS equipment. All electronic equipment has vents for cooling. Be sure your POS equipment has room for cooling by looking at the vents to be sure they are clear of dust and are not blocked. Although your IBM POS system is designed to withstand the toughest conditions in the retail environment, periodic cleaning is still a good practice to help your system run at peak performance.

These are just some of the regular maintenance practices that you should do to help prevent any system down time. Other maintenance practices include keeping your scanner/scale glass clean and clear of debris to ensure accurate scanning and weighing.

Your POS system is the mission critical part of your operation. It pays to practice simple maintenance measures to ensure you and your POS systems have a great summer.

Protect your Customer Data

2010-07-07T08:38:00.000-04:00

We live in an age of cyber crime. The incident rates of reported cyber crimes are exploding. One segment of this growing criminal industry is the organized effort to steal customer account data to be sold for fraudulent purposes. The level of sophistication and adaptability of these illicit enterprises is nothing less than astonishing. The cycle of innovation in attack methodologies as the criminals reengineer their processes and develop new tools, keeps the full time security analysts in a constant game of cat and mouse.

As a merchant whose business depends heavily on electronic fund transfers to transact every day (roughly two-thirds of all retail transactions), the security of your POS system needs to be a primary concern. Who is accessing the system? What do they have access to? Are they able to do anything that could potentially compromise your customers’ account data, such as getting on the internet and checking email? These types of activity in a POS environment expose your system to potential malware attacks that can lead to an account data breach. To protect their consumers the Payment Card Industry (PCI) got together and developed a Data Security Standard (DSS) mandating all merchants secure their networks and protect cardholder data. If compromised card data is traced back to a specific merchant’s business, they are responsible to comply and pay for the forensic investigation and remediation to address the breach. Heavy fines can be levied and in a worst case the merchant is kicked off the debit networks: no more electronic fund transfers. Assuming the business survives an investigation with EFT processing intact, the bad public relations and loss of customer confidence itself can be costly to restore.

As a business relying greatly on the ability to process electronic fund transfers, you don’t want to be at risk of having your POS system compromised. All merchants are expected to be in compliance with the PCI DSS. Some of the first steps to accomplishing compliance is protecting your system from intrusions and restricting access to only authorized personnel performing only business operations. Find out who is accessing your systems. What are they doing? Remember, your business may depend on it. To find out more about PCI DSS visit http://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/.

20th ANNUAL RETAIL TECHNOLOGY STUDY

2010-06-30T15:10:00.000-04:00

Gartner Research worked with RIS to conduct a retail study in the first two months of 2010. RIS has been conducting this survey for the last two decades. Some of the highlights of the 2010 study are that customers are in charge. With so much new technology the customers are sharing their retail experience world wide and can be more informed than store associates. With this knowledge 34% of retailers surveyed said they will be focusing on customer satisfaction in the next 18 months.

Another top priority of retailers for the coming year is IT initiatives. 43.8% of retailers surveyed said they will spend more on IT this year than in previous years. The reason for this change is that IT initiatives can help retailers achieve market advantages against competitors while producing measurable gains for cost-containment initiatives. The study shows that 62.8% of retailer’s budgets will be spent on IT and 38% of that on hardware and software.

While only 12% of the retailers in the study showed they were leading edge in their approach to adopting IT, 30% said they were quick adopters. The study shows that 45% of retailers are looking for IT consulting. For the top category, IT

Consulting, where do retailers go for more strategic and broad-based IT services? Among our respondents IBM is the first choice for 53%.

Two different technologies appeared in 1974 that changed the way retailers do business. The first was bar codes; the second was the point of sale system, POS played a much larger role by revolutionizing the ability to automate management and control. The heartbeat of a store today is found in the POS hardware and software. Right now 42% of retailers have up-to-date POS hardware and 36% have up-to-date POS software or they are currently finishing projects already begun. You can read the full study by going to: http://support.stcr.com/Newsletter/RIS_RetailTechStudy_040710.pdf

What is FACTA?

2010-06-23T10:20:00.000-04:00

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 is an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act which allows consumers to request and obtain a free credit report once every twelve months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies and also contains provisions to help reduce identity theft.

The FACT Act contains seven major titles: Identity Theft Prevention and Credit History Restoration, Improvements in Use of and Consumer Access to Credit Information, Enhancing the Accuracy of Consumer Report Information, Limiting the Use and Sharing of Medical Information in the Financial System, Financial Literacy and Education Improvement, Protecting Employee Misconduct Investigations, and Relation to State Laws.

Under the title of Identity Theft Prevention and Credit History Restoration is a section requiring the truncation of credit and debit card numbers. This act prohibits businesses from printing more than 5 digits of any customer's card number or the card expiration date on any receipt provided to the cardholder at the point of sale or transaction. The act did not become effective for three years after its enactment for any cash register manufactured before January 1, 2005 and did not become effective for one year after its enactment for any cash register manufactured after January 1, 2005.

If you are unsure if your system meets any of these guidelines please contact STCR Business Systems at 607-757-0181.

GS1 Databar

2010-06-16T13:27:00.000-04:00

By now most of the retailers are aware of the term GS1 DataBar. However, not everyone is ready to implement this technology.

What is GS1 DataBar? According to GS1.org, GS1 DataBar is a symbology where the symbols can carry more information and identify small items than the current EAN/UPC bar code. GS1 DataBar enables GTIN identification for fresh variable measure and hard-to-mark products like loose produce, jewelry and cosmetics. Additionally, GS1 DataBar can carry GS1 Application Identifiers such as serial numbers, lot numbers and expiration dates, creating solutions to support product authentication and traceability for fresh food products and couponing.

GS1 DataBar is available on many products with the specific focus on fresh products scanned at POS. Retailers who implement this technology can benefit in their fresh food departments with better food safety, quality and shrink control with the available data such as sell-by-date, lot number, country of origin (COO), weight of the product and price over $99.99.

While awareness of the upcoming GS1 DataBar sunrise date for coupons is high among independent retailers, 38% said they will not be ready by the January 2011 date according to an online member survey conducted last month by the National Grocers Association. This January 2011 sunrise date is just for manufacturer coupons. What it means is that starting January 2011, manufacturer coupons will only have GS1 DataBar. The benefits of GS1 DataBar include increased flexibility of coupon face values and purchase requirements, reduced cashier intervention and the opportunity to validate complex offers making it a promotional vehicle.

In the coming months and years, GS1 Member Organizations will continue to work with their retailer communities to determine when GS1 DataBar will be used in open trade on any items between 2010 and 2014. At this point, 2014 is the date when GS1 DataBar can be used globally in any open trade on any product.

To be ready for GS1 DataBar, your POS system needs to have the scanning equipment and the POS software, including your back office application, that maintain the POS item files capable of reading and processing this format. If you need to know if your POS system is ready, please contact your STCR sales representative at (607) 757-0181.

APC BACK-UPS ES 750 VA

2010-06-09T09:18:00.000-04:00

The Back-UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) ES 750 VA includes a highly efficient charging system and modern look together with “green” features designed to minimize environmental impact while still offering the world’s most reliable power protection for computer systems and peripherals. Its new high frequency design means less copper is used which results in a smaller overall size and leads to the use of fewer plastics and less energy to ship it. Advanced features like Master/Controlled outlets that shut off power to printers, scanners and speakers when the computer is not in use saves additional money on electric bills and proves that it is possible to reduce electrical waste and still deliver up to 5 times more efficiency than competitive products.

Features

• Ten surge protected outlets, 5 with battery backup.

• Master/Controlled outlets that conserve energy.

• Included PowerChute® safe system shutdown software.

• Full dataline protection.

By eliminating “phantom loads”, the BE750G can save an additional $28 per year* when compared with competitor’s models, for an average $40 total savings per year on your electric bill.

STCR Business Systems has been selling, installing and supporting electronic equipment for several years. We recommend a UPS Unit for each Controller and POS Terminal in your store. STCR is an IBM Premier Business Partner with the ability to install POS systems and train your personnel in the most professional manner. If you would like to upgrade your current UPS Units or add these safeguards to your installation, contact STCR Business Systems at (607) 757-0181.

STCR Support Center

2010-06-02T14:56:00.000-04:00

Since 1967 STCR Business Systems, Inc. has worked hard to bring independent grocers and specialty food stores top of the line retail systems and award winning support. We provide state of the art hardware and software along with a 24x7x365 National Call center based in the United States. Our team is made up of retail technology experts who undergo continuous training to remain at the forefront of their profession.

STCR uses a state of the art call tracking system to monitor all calls. Our relationship with IBM provides us with the ability to dispatch an IBM local service technician to the customer’s location while working closely with the technician to ensure complete follow up. We also offer a web portal to the help desk system to allow customers to open new calls, key word search and review their call history. We have fully functional lab systems to enable us to test and attempt recreates on reported issues. STCR’s help desk team is available at any time of the day or night to help keep your store running smoothly.

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our support services by giving every customer an opportunity to let us know how we are doing by participating in our ‘Call back’ process. We understand the mission critical nature of the solutions we provide our customers and take pleasure in knowing we are helping them get the fullest return on their investment.

Boarman's Meat Market

2010-05-26T15:18:00.000-04:00

Recently change has come to what is affectionately known by locals as the “Heart of the Heartland”. Boarman’s Meat Market, a fixture in Maryland, has meshed old fashioned, neighborly business ethic with cutting edge POS technology.

Three generations of Boarman’s -- Larry, George II, his wife Terri, their son Georgie III and valued employees continue in the tradition of down home service initiated by family patriarch George L. Boarman I. Since 1955 the Boarman’s have been rendering service with that special touch continuing the tradition from the Mt. Rainier, Maryland, store which opened in 1933, things such as home delivery. Back in the days of the 30's and 40's, the drivers had access to customers' home keys and no one gave it a second thought to finding groceries neatly put away and the house locked backup tight. Today grateful seniors enjoy much the same service. It's not unusual to be greeted with a hug when entering the store or answering your door during a snow storm only to find George II with kerosene in hand and his horse in tow when no one else could get to the house.

It is with such values in mind that the family searched for a new POS system. When it came time, they decided on a vendor who is patient with the process of acclimatizing to new technology. Someone who is available at odd hours when the need arises. Most importantly someone who shares their understanding of how important loyal customers are to the grocery business.
"After researching various POS systems, we were sold on STCR because of their promise of support and service. STCR has lived up to that promise above and beyond. You would think they are your next door neighbor, always available and willing to help. The program was easy to learn and the Help Desk is FANTASTIC. It was reassuring to know that one company handles the entire bundle, not two or three different manufacturers' programs that have been integrated. The equipment is top notch too. We are very pleased with the system and already feel like we have a better handle of our business."
Issues such as GS1 Data Bar, PCI compliance and Triple Des Encryption were left to STCR while the important things like the best Sausage in the area, commitment to old fashioned community values and hugs were left to the experts at Boarman's Meat Market.

Keeping up with PCI

2010-05-19T13:30:00.000-04:00

For the last couple of years there has been a lot of buzz about PCI. PCI stands for the Payment Card Industry. PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a worldwide information security standard defined by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. The standard was created to help organizations that process card payments minimize credit card fraud. The standard applies to all organizations which process or exchange cardholder information.
PCI is an on going process. The PCI Security Standards Council continues to develop the PCI DSS as needed to ensure that the standard includes any new or modified requirements necessary to remove all security risks. Changes to the standard follow a defined 24-month lifecycle with five stages, described below.

Stage 1: Market Implementation
Stage 2: Feedback Begins
Stage 3: Feedback Review and Decision
Stage 4: New Version / Revision and Final Review
Stage 5: Discuss New Version / Revision

Each of the stages varies in length with a total of 24 Months. The next update takes effect on 9/30/2010. Retailers need to be proactive when it comes to PCI and credit card security risks. You can find the most up-to-date PCI information at https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

Is Your Store Secure?

2010-05-12T16:57:00.000-04:00

Security, it’s the buzz word these days and everyone wants to feel secure. Everyone wants security but what does it mean to be secure? For starters, it’s important to make your store secure from intruders. You probably have security systems to prevent intrusion and theft. Beyond the physical security, do you know how secure your POS system and your computer networks are?

You are probably aware that as a store operator who processes credit cards you are required to follow the PCI guideline to protect the personal data of your customers. One of the many things that you have to do is to make sure that your POS software is updated to the level that is compliant. This is probably the most obvious step toward compliancy. However, there are several other areas where you need to pay attention.

If you have Internet connection at your store, you are vulnerable to Internet intrusions. The intrusion could come in many forms such as virus, spyware, etc. There are also more active ways that a hacker could gain access to your computer. The task is to stay ahead of these intrusions and it’s a never ending process.

To secure your network you need to have hardware and software that is designed to limit access to and from your store. A firewall is a solution to protect your system. Firewalls can be hardware solution or software solutions. For example, SonicWall Firewall is a solution that provides a physical connection of your internal network. It segregates your internal network from the public Internet. It has an array of functions and features that protects your internal network. For example, you can limit the Web sites that someone could access; thus, limit the chance of virus or spyware from getting into your computers. It also has the ability to centrally deploy antivirus software to all the Windows PC on the network.
Even with all the technology to protect your system, the best practice is to limit web access to business related traffic only. Just because you use Windows PCs, doesn’t mean you should use them like the Windows PCs you have at home. A good rule of thumb is to “Let your POS system function as they are designed – to run your POS system.” This way you will further limit any chance of intrusion.

As the technology advances, so do the ways that hackers will come up with to try to steal valuable information. This is a never ending battle and you need to keep up with hardware and software technologies that are designed to stay ahead of the crooks. As a POS systems provider, STCR is here to provide the ever changing solution to help you stay up to date. If you have question on whether your network is secure or if your POS software is up to date, please contact us at (607) 757-0181.

Nutritional Value

2010-05-05T15:01:00.001-04:00

The nutritional value of food is a concern for most consumers and they are always looking for ways to decrease spending in food stores while being conscious of what they are feeding their families. In a study done by the NGA (National Grocer Association) the simple ‘desire to be healthy/eat what’s good for us’ came in #1. Some other nutritional concerns that ranked in this survey are:

• Fat content/low fat 13%
• Chemical additives 12%
• Salt/sodium content, less salt 10%
• Freshness, purity and no spoilage 6%

Of the consumers surveyed by the NGA 84% are leaning toward eating more fruits and vegetables and 64% of consumers are trying to consume ‘less junk food/snack food’. A surprising statistic is 33% of consumers in this survey look to their grocery stores to learn about nutritional issues on a regular basis where as 23% look to their doctor. This not only helps grocery stores keep their customers coming back but also gives them the opportunity to increase their customer base.

Loyalty programs can give your customers an incentive to be more nutritionally conscious. The more you know about your customers, the better you can meet their needs and gain their confidence.

MK500 Price Checker

2010-04-28T13:18:00.000-04:00

Price checkers are a very important part of a successful store and are a very important piece to a successful Supermarket. They are known to improve your customer service and the shopping experience. It helps retailers put the power of self-service in every aisle or department for their customers.
Price checkers allow customers, on demand customer service, no matter where they are in the store. People in general do not like asking for help. If a customer has to ask for a price it becomes a hassle and most of the time they will just put that item back. By having a price checker available to your customers, you are giving them the opportunity to check the price of their items at their convenience and they don’t have to take time away from your cashiers.

STCR Business Systems is now selling the new Symbol MK500 price checkers. They are very compact and are very easy to install and use. These machines are very durable so, as a business owner, you don’t have to worry about your customers potentially breaking them. If you are interested in purchasing even one of these units, please call your STCR Business Systems representative at (607)757-0181.

IBM Executive Briefing Center

2010-04-22T08:10:00.000-04:00

STCR had the opportunity to visit IBM’s Executive Briefing Center in Research Triangle Park, NC with one of their customers. The purpose was to learn more about the innovations of IBM Retail Store Solutions (RSS). It was quite the experience for both of us.
A few facts learned are:

• Retail Store Solution established in 1972
• 2 Million + POS shipped and installed
• 65% of the Top Retailers use IBM
• 16 year Leader in POS patent (4,100 patents in 2009)
• 40% of staff has 10+ years with IBM
• 10 year commitment to service and support on products once introduced
• Improvement in EFF increased about 35% which saves about $25/machine a year
Our group was taken on a tour of the RSS Development & Test Lab. We have always known IBM designed their Retail Store Solutions to exceed industry standards and for years we’ve touted this higher standard but this brought things to a whole new perspective.
First, this facility is larger then the inside of Giant Stadium. Half of it is filled with equipment running and diagnosing all of IBM’s Retail Software. All customer issues in the US go through this facility. The other half of this facility is where these machines are put to the physical test. Needless to say this is what really impressed us. It is like a torture chamber for the POS, each part of the system is exposed to various torture devices.

One station had a Touch Screens that had a gallon of water tossed at it while another underwent water boarding (placed under a container that drips gallons of water over it) and still another has a pinball machine like test performed on it to ensure the screen picks up movement. The printers are constantly printing and cutting; printing and cutting to stimulate several years of wear and tear. The terminals are electrically shocked and exposed to extreme temperatures (-40 – 140 degrees). Cash drawers loaded with nuts and bolts were mechanically opened and closed at various points to simulate a cashier’s habits. Dirt was replicated and deposited in machines to simulate years of accumulation and put into a device that accelerates use.

This tour was only an hour of a 2 day trip but what an impression it left. It reinforces our belief that IBM equipment is the best out there and STCR is the right company to bring it to you. If you are interested in visiting the IBM Executive Briefing Center please contact your sales representative at (607) 757-0181 and they will set things in motion.

Discounts and Health Foods

2010-04-15T16:22:00.000-04:00

Reducing the price of healthy foods could place more whole grains, carrots and bananas in shopping carts, even months after the discounts are removed.

As rates of obesity continue to rise in much of the developed world, so does the urgency to improve people's food choices. Researcher Dr. Cliona Ni Mhurchu of the University of Auckland in New Zealand and her team conducted a six-month trial across eight supermarkets to determine the effects of two strategies: price discounts and nutrition education.

A total of 1,104 shoppers were randomized to receive a price discount on healthy foods, tailored nutrition education, a combination of the two or no intervention. Healthy foods were 12.5 percent cheaper for those randomized to receive discounts. Participants in the nutrition education group received monthly packages of food-group-specific information tailored to their shopping history. All supermarket purchases were recorded with handheld barcode scanners.

According to a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, after six months of intervention, participants receiving price discounts bought approximately 1.7 more pounds of healthy food per week compared with those not randomized to pay the lower prices.

This was an 11 percent increase from purchases made prior to the study and included just over a pound more fruits and vegetables per week or about six servings. The total difference dropped to around 0.8 pounds, but remained significant, six months after the study was over. No consistent differences were found between the groups in the amounts of purchased saturated fat or other nutrients.

Study participants were generally more informed and interested in healthy eating than average individuals. Nutrition enthusiast or not everyone likes a bargain. The price reductions may have provided an additional incentive over health to buy healthier foods. Although these reductions didn't change the quantity of unhealthy food purchased, almost two thirds of the additional healthy purchases were fruit and vegetables.

Balancing Daily

2010-04-09T14:59:00.000-04:00

Regardless of the point of sale software you use today, it is very important to balance any external accounts on a daily basis. This applies to all of the electronically processed tenders you handle.

When you ring sales and tender the transactions using electronic tender, the customer’s information is sent to your credit card processor and an approval is normally returned. This amount then logs to the cashiers accounting file. For some of the forms of tender in today's systems the option exists to either sign the slip of paper or sign on the register's pin pad. Then the electronic signature is stored somewhere on the system for later retrieval. In the past the slips of paper would be picked up from the cashier’s accountability and moved to the stores accountability. Now that the electronic record is created some stores automatically move the accountability to the office at the time of the transaction. This does simplify and speed up the process. The down side of doing this is that now the transaction is totally electronic and some stores have taken the POS reports to be the final total for the store. What is forgotten is somehow the same amount of money needs to be deposited into the stores bank account to make the entire transaction complete.

Different POS systems and credit card processors vary with the method to compare what the store has processed and what the processor is giving you credit for. Some POS systems show you a one report comparison; others have a separate web site that reports what credit the processor has given you credit for. Sometimes the reports do not match and this is normally because some transactions were taken off line and should show up as an overage on the next days report.
Finally the most important step of the process is to implement a method that the credit transactions are tracked to make sure the money expected actually makes it all the way to your bank account.

Consumer's Survey

2010-03-31T12:07:00.000-04:00

Competition in the grocery industry has never been greater. In addition to traditional supermarkets, there are now many different types of food stores to choose from. It is estimated that shoppers spend over $500 billion annually on food in all types of food stores. The traditional supermarket lost a great number of their customers to super centers and discount stores. Traditional supermarkets also have seen a decline in how much shoppers spend and how frequently they shop in a particular store.
Most grocers believe that focusing on their primary shoppers and offering products they want to buy, at fair prices and treating these customers with lots of tender, loving care will be the key to successful growth. The NGA (National Grocers Association) researched what is important to the shopper. In the 2010 Consumer Survey Report done by the NGA, 46% of the shoppers surveyed stated they would like to see their primary grocery store improve on price and cost savings. Some of the other items that ranked in this survey are:
41% - More locally grown food
30% - More variety/better assortment/wider choice
22% - More fresh made food
22% - Better customer service/employees

Creating a positive shopping experience and creating the perception of value in the customer's mind, will be the absolute key for traditional supermarkets to succeed in the marketplace. Ideally, retailers need to know who their customers are and what they want.

DSD Receiving

2010-03-24T15:04:00.001-04:00

In follow up to last month’s discussion on DSD some additional recommendations to help improve the process and receive a better ROI on labor invested.

AP Audits
It’s recommended that once a year an AP audit should be performed by a third party. This audit will catch the following:

• Deal pricing front and back loading
• Varying price by location
• Credits paid as bills
• Deals not offered

While you typically give up 50% of the findings, you can use the DSD Audit report to plan and train for the current year to prevent similar findings the next year. This process is a must in order measure the effectiveness of the receiver, buyer and accounting department.

Each year a goal should be set to reduce the findings by the outside auditor. You will know you are effective when the outside auditors don’t want to return because it is unprofitable for them. This is a sign of success.

Deal Pricing and Costs
While a 3rd party DSD audit will identify the issues mentioned, controls need to be established to insure that vendors are not loading in before or after the deal and costs between stores are valid. These functions can be accomplished via accounting, operations and your purchasing department.

• Proper pricing files should be maintained in the DSD system.
• Accounts payable should sort invoices by vendor (periodically if another sorting system is used) and look at pricing for the same item between stores. Sometimes different pricing is acceptable due to different distributors. However, if it is the same vendor, the lower cost between stores should be taken in all stores.
• Operations and merchandising can work together to police deliveries. Look at the ad items in advance. Are vendors loading in before the deal period? Have the store managers talk to drivers and let them know that this behavior is unacceptable. If it continues (besides deducting money from the bill) call the regional manager of the distributor and let them know what the route driver is doing. In short, let them know that you are watching.

Receiving audit
Someone who is not directly involved in the process should perform a periodic audit of receivers and vendors. Do not use your alternate receiver or receiving manager. It is a simple yes no audit and results should be reviewed for any weaknesses.

Security
The back door should be locked during all hours except hours that the door is manned by the receiver. (Please note, if this is an emergency exit, check with your local fire department or building inspector to determine if alarmed panic bars are acceptable.) The back doors should not be left unlocked for smokers or a cool breeze. Trash should be removed in clear trash bags (ideally, a locked compactor would be used with secure access from inside the store.)

SUMMARY
The above are general receiving practices and do not address the additional security required for items such as cigarette and alcohol deliveries. In addition a review of proper pricing and deal reconciliation is contained in a separate document. The above policies, coupled with a periodic operational audit and a 3rd party AP audit, will insure you are protecting your back door and your store operations and assets.

Getting More from your POS

2010-03-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

Remember when your POS system was first installed? There were many things that you and your staff had to learn, such as the basic cashier functions to the back-office accounting and reporting features. There were adjustments that were needed to make the system fit your specific needs. Now that you have had some time using your POS system and your staff is proficient in their daily tasks, we’d like to suggest that you take another look at how you could get more out of your POS system to help improve your business. Most POS system users only use a small portion of the available functions and features. This may be sufficient to run your business but if you are looking for growth in your business or improving your bottom line, it’s worth your time to look at what else your POS system could do for you. Here are some examples and suggestions:

Advertising - It is everywhere. Advertising is on all forms of media and you see it from the time you wake up until you go to sleep. Most POS systems provide the functionality to place advertisement on the customer display. You may have the ability to place and change the pictures displayed on the customer display screen to further help you advertise to your customers in conjunction with the in-store signage.

Promotions - Everyone likes to get a deal. Promotions are great ways to gain new customers and create customer loyalty. However, it may take a little planning and creativity to come up with promos that benefit both you and your customers. We suggest that you don’t make the promo too complicated to understand. After all, the goal is to reward your customers for their loyalty.

Reporting - Arguably, the most valuable part of your system is the information gathered from all the transactions. What could you do with all that data? You could run reports like the basic daily sales and movement reports to comparison sales reports between this year and last year. Other options include reports that could help you with theft prevention and data-mining customer shopping patterns. These are just some functions and features that you could utilize to improve your bottom-line. Other functions and features which may be available include: deli scale management, ad-planning, price optimization and electronic signature capture.

If you would like to learn how you can get more out of your POS system and learn how to use any of the above functions or just want to know if something can be done, please contact STCR Business Systems at (607) 757-0181.

DSD Receiving

2010-03-03T14:58:00.000-05:00

While store margins begin with purchasing and pricing, the true opportunity to protect real dollars begins with the receiving process. It is here, with one of the general staff in your organization, which the asset protection process begins. Because these people are typically non-management and have no stake in the company, it is extremely important to properly train, provide strict procedures to and audit these employees. By following the practices below, you can help to insure that the product cycle starts off correctly. The problems poor receiving can cause range from shrink, health issues with un-maintained damages and a slow front end due to items not on file.

The most important factor to effective receiving is a well-organized receiving area. This organization will prevent confusion and insure all products are adequately checked in, credits are received and vendors are monitored. This well defined receiving area can be accomplished using the following techniques:

Set up two defined areas on the receiving floor
One defined area will be for the vendor whom you are physically receiving. The second area is a staging area for the next vendor who will be received. All other vendors should wait outside of the store for their appropriate turn at delivery. These areas can even be marked by yellow lines painted on the floor of the receiving area.

Set receiving hours
Many times business dictates a wide receiving time. However, a range should be established. The range of hours should be set so there is a qualified receiver at the back door during those hours. This will insure that proper procedures will be followed when product is received.

Note: exceptions will always occur but should not be the standard. For example, if you are awaiting merchandise on sale and the driver is late, you will probably want to make an exception. However, if you are not in direct need, reject the delivery and set the tone for the driver and the company.
Damages and other credits
Assign an area by the receiving door and use old banana boxes or crates for alphabetical separation of vendor’s damages and credits. All products that are damaged or require credits will be neatly separated and containers cleaned if necessary to prevent rodent and other health issues.

Before vendors are received, all credits should be verified and counts made to insure proper credit. Credit should be received at full cost and retail and not a reduced cost and retail from the current weeks pricing, if applicable.

Proper receiving and counting
When the product arrives from the vendor, the product count needs to be verified for accuracy.
Improper Check in: “Hey Joe, I have ten to a layer and 12 trays on the rack.”
Receiver, “Ok go ahead.”
Proper Check in: “Hey Joe, I have ten to a layer and 12 trays on the rack.”
Receiver, “Hang on there, let me count what’s on each tray and check to be sure that it is the right product and quantity.”

Rotate receivers
All of us develop relationships with people over a period of time and we tend to offer favoritism to those we begin to know and trust. Rotation of receivers can identify problem vendors and prevent collusion or fraud.

Vendor violation tracking
Keep a list of each infraction a vendor has; shortages, unauthorized items, etc. Some companies go as far as fining the vendors for each infraction. Keep track of those vendors and more specifically those drivers that have violations. Look for patterns, report drivers and request a new route person or threaten fines if the track record continues. Use this violation list in conjunction with the receiver rotations to discover problem receivers. If receiver “A” never has infractions on a vendor, but receiver “B” always has infractions, you may want to audit receiver “A” from a distance to insure your procedures are being followed. Camera systems can offer a great tool to watch receivers and insure they follow policy when they do not know someone is watching.

Customer Survey

2010-02-24T15:29:00.001-05:00

Everyday retailers think about how to increase their profits. Many of the ideas come from years of researching buying patterns. How often is the consumer asked “what made you buy that?” or “why do you shop at one store over another?”

The NGA (National Grocers Association) has done a consumer survey report covering many topics from where consumers spend most of their money to nutritional concerns. There are many variables in the decision to shop in one store over another. Some of the items that were most important were:

• Store cleanliness - 83%
• High-quality fruits and Vegetables – 90%
• Low Prices – 51%
• High Quality Meats - 76%
• Convenient Location – 36%
• Store Layout – 44%

The survey showed that 85% of the consumers do most of their food shopping in the traditional supermarket/grocery store. 5% shop at mass merchandisers and 3% said they shop at specialty foods store and warehouse clubs.

PCI Deadlines in July 2010

2010-02-18T16:34:00.001-05:00

July 1, 2010 is the deadline for merchants to meet a number of PCI requirements:

* Debit and creit pins must be TDES from the payment terminal.

* All pin pads that are not VISA PED or PCI PED must be removed from service.

* All applications that “Store, Process or transmit cardholder information” must be PA-DSS compliant.

The Payment Card industry data security standard states that Pin entry Devices (PED) must use Triple Data Encryption (TDES). TDES means the pin number entered by the consumer has been encrypted multiple times making it much harder for a hacker to break. The standard also covers the device characteristics and management; how the pin pad is designed, produced, transported and stored.
Visa has said that it will not fine acquirers until July 1, 2012 but acquirers can fine merchants any time after July 1, 2010. A list of approved pin pads can be found here: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/ped/pedapprovallist.html.

If you don’t know if your pin pads meet the requirements it is best to contact your processor to find out and, if necessary, have the pin pads replaced.

PA-DSS

Also July 1 is the Visa deadline for merchants to be using a POS system that meets the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS). This standard was formerly called Payment Application Best Practices (PABP) and is the guideline for software developers to follow in order to build payment applications that are safe. Once a system is validated as being PA-DSS compliant it shows up on a list of approved applications at www.visa.com/pabp. If the POS application in use at your store is not on the list it should be replaced or upgraded. Yes, the version matters if your POS is at a different version than what shows on the list, it may need to be upgraded.

Although the deadlines mentioned above are important milestones on the PCI track PCI compliancy encompasses much more. For more information about PCI and the PCI Security Standards Council visit https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/index.shtml.

Know Your POS

2010-02-10T08:59:00.000-05:00

You may not be a mechanic yet you may be surprised on how much you really know about cars. Why does your car need gas? What does oil do? Tires are good for what? And what does the engine do? You may not be an expert in cars yet you do have a basic understanding of them. The same should be true with your POS system.

Get to know your equipment. Like a car your POS system is made up of different parts that work together to move your business forward.

What does your controller/server do? Your controller/ server processes transaction information for your accounting and reporting. It also handles item maintenance.

What devices create your network? Hubs/switches are the devices that create your network.

How can STCR connect into your store? The answer to this question is usually store specific. STCR offers a range of options for connecting to your store such as LogMeIn and PCAnywhere

How does your store communicate with your credit card processor? STCR supports multiple EFT processors and multiple ways to communicate with them. Satellite or high speed internet are the current popular choices for communication, yet the choice is yours.
A basic understanding of the answers to these questions is the key to keep your business running smoothly. Knowing where your equipment is located is just as important as knowing what it does.

Kosher Food on the Rise

2010-02-04T16:34:00.000-05:00

In an era of concern over food contamination, allergies and the origin of ingredients, the market for kosher food among non-Jewish is setting records. A 2009 Mintel consumer survey shows that the primary reason people buy kosher is for food quality (62%), followed by “general healthfulness” (51%). The third reason is for food safety (34%), which contrasts sharply to the 14% of respondents who claim they buy kosher food because they follow kosher religious rules.

According to the kosher and halal food initiative, a research project at Cornell University, the non-Jewish kosher market has been growing in rapidly since the 1990s. Today, 40 percent of the food sold at grocery stores has a kosher imprint. Due to the large number of products marked as kosher, many customers do not even realize they are purchasing a kosher product. According to Packaged Facts, a research company, kosher spending could reach $260 billion by 2013.

Many major manufacturers are kosher-certified, offering kosher products under popular house-hold brands such Nestle, Coca-Cola, Oreo, Kraft, Lay’s potato chips, Crisco, Lipton and Heinz Ketchup. As the number of companies seeking kosher-certification rises, kosher is becoming the standard for food ingredients. In general, there is demand for a greater diversity of mainstream kosher food products. This year, for the first time, glatt kosher food will be sold at the Super Bowl.