GS1 Databar Update

The Joint Industry Coupon Committee, JICC, which includes representatives from Grocery Manufacturers Association, Food Marketing Institute, National Grocers Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores and GS1 US, adopted the "expanded stacked" version of the DataBar, to replace the UPC-A bar code on coupons in 2007.
 
Since 2008, coupons have included both the DataBar and the traditional UPC-A bar code, an interim format intended to ease the transition to DataBar-only coupons.
 
Recently the percentages of GS1 only coupons have risen steadily overtaking the number of dual bar coded coupons. In a recent Sunday newspaper insert 36 of the 54 coupons contained only the GS1 formatted barcode. With this increase your store needs to support this new format or manually enter the coupon amounts.  Being unable to accept these coupons will slow the lines, open the chance for fraud, as well as the chance for increasing errors.  This changeover was originally scheduled for January of 2010 and then rescheduled for January 2011 when several of the parties involved were unable to make the first deadline.  Unofficially the start would have been last July 2011, which also came and went.  Now the number of GS1 only coupons indicates the change is occurring.  Make sure your store can scan these coupons and make use of the technologies that have been developed. Call or email STCR Sales today for assistance in finding if your system is ready!

For a more detailed breakdown of the GS1 barcode format take a look at the STCR Newsletter archives at this link:

http://support.stcr.com/Newsletter/Mar_11_Newsletter.htm#GS1

Good Interview Questions

It’s said that a business is only as good as its people and small business owners recognize how good employees help to make their business successful.  The interview is one of the most important steps in finding good people for your business and asking the right questions will help a small business owner pick the best candidates.

Some questions to ask when interviewing a potential employee:

Give an example of a time you had to make a quick decision or adapt quickly.  In small business responsibilities are shared and the need to make quick decisions and respond quickly to situations is vital to the success of the business.

Give an example of a time when you exceeded expectations.  This question not only allows the candidate to brag about their accomplishments but also allows you to see their approach to problems and thought processes.

How have you demonstrated initiative and a willingness to work in the past?  When you ask this you are really asking the candidate if they can take action whether you are there or not.  Small businesses need people who can step in smoothly and flawlessly in your absence – sometimes this can mean staying late or doing things that aren’t in the job description.

Why should I hire you?  This offers the candidate a chance to discuss talents you might not have thought to ask about and also to show how persuasive they can be.  Small businesses are faced with many situations where they are competing for resources, business, money, or more and the ability to persuade others is a boon to any business.

IBM® SurePOS™ 300 Series Model 350

The IBM® SurePOS™ 300 Series Model 350 is for retailers who need small, versatile point-of-sale systems with advanced technology to drive high-demand store solutions, with the lowest possible risk and cost. Built with unique features such as the Intel™ Celeron™ T3100 mobile processor and solid-state drive options, the new SurePOS™ 300 packs 60% more performance power without additional energy consumption.

The Next-generation technology of the Intel™ Celeron™ T3100 mobile processor enables better high-demand customer service solutions. Solid-state drive options (one or two) offer opportunity to increase reliability and improve performance. The NVRAM option enables 4690 OS V6.31 Enhanced terminal support.

The energy-efficient deep-sleep lanes are ready to use in seconds. Mobile, earth-friendly technology and an 80 PLUS Gold efficient power supply promotes greener business while recyclable packaging helps reduce waste.

By being the smallest IBM POS™ it saves valuable selling space while providing remarkable versatility and flexible choices for placement to compliment the store image and customer experience.

Reprinted from the IBM Web.