LogMeIN Remote Connection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.