Topaz Signature Capture Pads
November 18, 2009
One of the programmers we work with recently developed a signature capture application that works with the Topaz line of signature capture pads, so we thought it’d be a good idea to list a couple and see where it goes. So far we have the SigLite LCD series available, but could add more in the next few weeks.
What really interests us about these signature capture pads is that Topaz developed a plugin for MS Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat, allowing the captured data to be embedded into files. For businesses trying to limit their use of natural resources, this is a fantastic way to minimize paper (ab)use. I know we often receive contracts for various projects, and they usually require us to print out, sign, and fax the complete file back to the initial sender, essentially making two copies. Being able to add our signature to the PDF and email it back to them not only cuts down on paper usage but speeds up the process tremendously.
POS-X EVO-TM1 Quicklook Video
November 4, 2009
Not one to deprive you of the videos we make, here’s a quickie of the new POS-X EVO-TM1 touchscreen monitor. We got Travis to run this one, primarily because we wanted more videos of him on YouTube.
POS-X’s New EVO Line
October 8, 2009
Our lovely friends at POS-X are working to build a more economical lineup of products, under the EVO product umbrella. These products are not only less expensive, but they’re designed to lower your total cost of ownership through things like lower power usage, greater durability, and more comprehensive coverage. First out the gate are the EVO-TM1 and EVO-TP1, a touchscreen monitor and all-in-one touchscreen computer, respectively.
EVO-TM1
The EVO-TM1 is a 15″ touchscreen monitor, which is what the TM stands for. Not Tiny Man. Or Triumphant Muppet. It’s a pretty solid monitor, with VGA input and a 1024×768 native resolution. It rocks a 5-wire resistive touch screen setup, so it’s pretty accurate for touchscreening and doesn’t have any touching requirements like you get with capacitive or acoustic pulse screens.
You can also pop this badboy off the stand and VESA mount it to whatever you like, such as walls or MMF’s new display pole holder thing.
EVO-TP1
TP does not stand for Toilet Paper, I don’t think. It may stand for Tyrannosaur Parliament, because dinosaurs in wigs sounds awesome. This system rocks an Intel Atom processor rated at 1.6 GHz. That may not seem like a lot of GHz, but Intel made them more efficient, so it’s on par with a P4 2.6 GHz or Celeron 2.8 GHz. It’s also more energy efficient, drawing 65W for the whole setup. Compare that to the 180W-250W for most all-in-ones (alls-in-one?) and you can see some great savings right there.
Unfortunately, the EVO-TP1 can’t get VESA mounted quite yet. The hard drive is located in the base, so you’d have a dangly if you tried to remove the base and wall mount it. Not a good plan aesthetically. However, it sounds like POS-X will have a solid state option soon, putting it all on one small board and further speeding up the system. And then you can have your very own wall mounted computer type thing for not a whole lot of money.
Google Interest-Based Advertising
March 11, 2009
This is absolutely fantastic, and I’m hoping it increases our conversion rate in the long term. Interest-based Advertising, so if I’m reading this right, and I’d like to think I am, you search Google and its affiliates, reading up on say “president nixon”, “blue people”, and “alternate universe”, and you’ll see ads for like Watchmen stuff. Look at me, being quasi-relevant in a post about ad relevance.
Our business is really focused on a specific market anyway, but having ads reinforced based on users’ interests as opposed to one-time searches should help drive quality visitors to our site. And that’s a pretty solid thing in my mind.
Unitech Mobile Printers
July 3, 2008
One of the manufacturers we carry, Unitech, strives to make low-cost solutions for customers. Their mobile computer line, including the PA500 and PA600, have been tremendous in helping a lot of customers who want to go mobile with inventory management but don’t have the cash to cover a Symbol MC70 or Intermec CN3. It also helps that our market development rep at Unitech is a really great guy who checks in from time to time to make sure we’ve got the resources and literature necessary to sell their products.
At the Denver event where I made 50 bucks, they had the general manufacturer showroom, where we, as VARs, get to see what kind of new equipment is coming out and maybe make new contacts at companies we don’t have a close relationship with yet. It’s basically schmoozing while eating appetizers and drinking beer.
Unitech was at the event, and they actually had a couple completely new products to show off that really are great. The MP200 and MP300 are their 2″ and 3″ mobile receipt printers, and they definitely fill a niche that has long been devoid of competition. What sets them apart from the competition is something they’ve done with the PA500 and PA600. Both units ship with the MP200 and MP300 drivers preinstalled, meaning all you have to do is set up the Bluetooth, IrDA, or serial connection between the two devices and you’re set. This creates an incredibly easy to setup solution for a lot of customers who may be hesitant when it comes to driver installation and configuration, and it definitely gives Unitech something that the competition doesn’t.
Unitech ships the units with everything you need to get set up, just like with their mobile computer line, so there is much less of a headache when making the purchase. I really like the care that Unitech puts into making sure the end user can get up and running quickly and easily.