Monthly Archives: November 2016

A year after the US deadline, EMV compliance lags

EMV system compliance has taken longer than many expected due to the complexity of integrating certified hardware with software and processors. Part 1 in a two-part series explores why the transition has taken so long, especially in the unattended retail sector.

Source: www.kioskmarketplace.com

“It does seem like it could be going better on the deployment side,” said Frank Olea, CEO of Olea Kiosks Inc., a kiosk designer and manufacturer. He said the payment processors have to become familiar with EMV-compliant hardware, which takes time.

 

“The retailers all have to change to this technology, so there is a rush on equipment, and there’s a rush on certification,” said Paul Burden, director of software a Meridian Kiosk.

 

“EMV requires communication in both directions [between the processor and the chip card],” said Greg Burch, vice president of strategic development at payment equipment manufacturer Ingenico Group. “The complexities of that are much more than traditional magstripe.”

 

“It’s a more complicated integration,” agreed Rob Chilcoat, president of operations at UCP Inc., an EMV compliance consultant that assists companies with EMV migration. “Every link in the chain has to be certified.”

 

“These smart terminals actually package and encrypt the data before it ever leaves the device, which is a concept called point-to-point encryption,” Chilcoat said. “Combined with Derived Unique Key Per Transaction, that is what ultimately provides the security assurances to the merchants and the kiosk providers that their system won’t ever be the source of a significant breach of customer card data.”

 

 

Microsoft stops selling Windows 7 and Windows 8.1

Out with the old, and in with the new. Microsoft yesterday stopped providing Windows 7 Professional and Windows 8.1 licenses to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including its PC partners and systems builders. This means that, as of today, the only way you can buy a computer running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 is if you can still find one in stock.

Source: venturebeat.com

Driving people like me to the Embedded channel.  Many still buy computers with Windows OS and one of the snafus with Windows 10 for consumers is that automatic updates are mandatory.  

Why retail automation is finally revolutionizing quick service restaurants

Restaurants such as McDonald’s and Panera Bread are leading the charge toward automation in the quick-service food industry, which offers an important example of how the labor market is transforming.

Source: www.zdnet.com

Nice article by ZDNet. “The $15 per hour wage talks spooked a lot of fast food companies and forced them to look at ways to cut head count and augment labor costs,” said Frank Olea, CEO of Los Angeles-based kiosk manufacturer Olea Kiosks. “This technology has been available to restaurants for years, but price was high and labor was cheap. Now it’s getting to the spot where brands can see the ROI.”

Directory Kiosk News – Simon Expands Interactive Digital Directories

Newly enhanced directories create seamless digital experience for shoppers NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Simon, a global leader in retail real estate, is rolling out new, interactive digital directories to nine centers in time for the busy Holiday season with a broader roll out planned for next year. These enhanced, innovative digital directories incorporate the latest… Read More »