Edition Q3.23
BLUESTAR RETAIL & Payment NEWS
Welcome to our Q3 edition of the Retail and Hospitality Newsletter.
Need to reset after the holidays and get up back up to speed with the latest industry news? What better way than to read September’s edition of our Retail and Hospitality Newsletter. Taking centre stage this quarter are BlueStar’s Payment solutions. We’ve got industry insights and current trends from our leading Payment Providers as well as a Podcast from our partner, Tidypay. Our EMEA Payments BDM, Jord Malcorps, also provides an update on what partners can expect from BlueStar in terms of Payment solutions and services.
Whilst there have naturally been fewer BlueStar events over the summer months, we’ve been investing time in training our new team members, and as part of this, we’re really excited to announce the addition of more Business Development resources in the Retail and Hospitality Team; this time in the Nordics! Morten Kruse started with BlueStar Europe on June 1st and will be focused exclusively on developing business in the region for this technology sector under the guidance of Richard Austin. Welcome on board, Morten!
Summer’s coming to an end but you need more than a Newsletter to feel the BlueStar love, then come along to one of our events near you and meet with our team to learn more about our solution and service offering. Check out our events calendar for more information.
Here at BlueStar, we see the ability to offer and support Payment solutions as a key part of our Distribution Value Add Proposition in the future. Please contact your Account Manager at BlueStar if you would like more information.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Country | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
VARTECH |
United States |
San Antonio |
11-12 September |
Paris Retail Week |
France |
Paris |
19-21 September |
Formula Blue Event |
Ireland |
Kildare |
21-September |
The Restaurant Show |
United Kingdom |
London |
2-3 October |
Hospitality Tech |
United Kingdom |
London |
10-11 October |
POS Event |
United Kingdom |
Leicester |
15-November |
POS Event |
Germany |
Frankfurt |
14-November |
Trustech |
France |
Paris |
28-30 November |
Sponsors
Solution Spotlight
Introducing Next-Gen Payment Solutions
In today's fast-paced business landscape, streamlined payment solutions are paramount to delivering exceptional customer experiences. Our innovative suite of payment solutions is designed to cater to diverse business needs, providing unparalleled efficiency and flexibility. Let's explore how these cutting-edge solutions can revolutionize your checkout process and enhance customer satisfaction. If you are interested in any of these solutions, feel free to reach out to your account manager or make a purchase through the BlueStore.
POS Solution
Our cutting-edge POS solution brings together the powerful features of the Elo M50 Android mobile computer(equipped with integrated barcode scanner and NFC), APG ECD330 cash drawer, and Elo 1502L touch display to create a seamless and efficient checkout experience for businesses of all sizes. Designed with versatility in mind, this solution can be used as a fixed point of sale with the M50 docked to the 1502L or as a mobile point of sale to ensure the payment process is streamlined and enhances customer experience for more recurring business.
Mobile Solution
Our state-of-the-art fully mobile POS solution, powered by the Elo M60, redefines payment convenience and flexibility for various business scenarios. Combining a feature-rich 6” touch display, ruggedized design with IP54 and NFC capabilities, this solution accepts all forms of payment. Whether customers have a physical card or contactless via their mobile phone, the M60 Pay has you covered wherever your customers are – in line, at the counter, table-side or in their seat.
Kiosk Solution
Our comprehensive kiosk solution combines the cutting-edge features of the Elo 22” I-Series touchscreen with the versatile Ergonomic Solutions Kiosk, enhanced with DuraTilt and a MultiGrip™ plate that supports all fixed payment devices. This synergy creates a powerful, user-friendly, and customizable self-service experience. This solution is designed to cater to a wide range of applications, from retail and hospitality to information kiosks and interactive displays.
How Consumer Behavior Is Shaping the Future of Payments
Join hosts Jord Malcops and Richard Austin as they dive deep into the dynamic world of payments with special guests Morgan Sellen and Nikolai Ricken from TidyPay, a trusted payments partner.
Listen as we explore the rapidly evolving payments landscape, discussing crucial topics such as technology trends, changing consumer behaviors, and the driving forces behind these transformations. Discover the intriguing impact of Softpos technology and the rise of alternative payment methods, all while considering the unique regional differences in payment preferences.
But that's not all – we take a fascinating peek into Morgan's wallet, which somehow still holds cash in three different currencies! If you're a reseller in the payment industry or simply interested in the future of payments, this podcast is a must-listen.
Stay informed and gain valuable insights into how consumer behavior is shaping the payments sector. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share the knowledge with your colleagues and peers!
Event Summary
TEConnect Recap
Richard Austin
Missed TEConnect? No worries! The event, which took place on Tuesday, 13th June in Birmingham, brought together a dynamic blend of tech visionaries, solution providers, and resellers just like you! This was no ordinary event – it was a revolutionary exploration of partnerships and novel solutions poised to reshape the Retail and Hospitality sectors.
But don't take our word for it. Listen to two insightful interviews from a couple of our participants.
Industry Insights
Remote Key Injection Advantages
Jord Malcorps
BlueStar Distribution is widely recognized as a leading technology distribution company, specializing in delivering cutting-edge technology products and solutions to an array of clients, including resellers, system integrators, independent software vendors (ISVs), and Value-Added Resellers (VARs) within the technology sector. Among the diverse verticals we cater to, one of our key focuses is the point of sale (POS) domain. Recently, we've expanded our presence in this vertical by incorporating payment solutions, enhancing our comprehensive offering.
BlueStar operates as a trade-only distributor, with a specific focus on hardware solutions. We do not engage in the sale of payment-related software; instead, we complement our customers' needs by offering a robust solution known as "merchant fulfillment." Currently, we collaborate with various Android payment brands and are rapidly scaling up our support to meet growing demands.
One of our standout advantages for customers lies in our innovative Remote Key Injection (RKI) capabilities, based in our state-of-the-art DC3 facility in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Security is paramount in this process. Our Value-Added Service (VAS) team has painstakingly devised a secure transmission protocol for keys, with rigorous authentication protocols in place. These measures are instrumental in thwarting unauthorized access and tampering.
Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider utilizing RKI by BlueStar:
- Efficiency: RKI streamlines the process by eliminating the need to physically transport terminals to secure locations for key injection, thus saving valuable time and resources.
- Security: It ensures that payment terminals constantly operate with up-to-date encryption keys, significantly reducing vulnerabilities to fraud and breaches.
- Compliance: Various industries, particularly those handling payment card data, adhere to stringent compliance standards such as PCI DSS. RKI simplifies compliance management, ensuring businesses meet regulatory requirements effortlessly.
Remote Key Injection is an indispensable practice in industries like retail, hospitality, and banking, where payment terminals are widespread. It's especially beneficial when there's a need for swift key updates or when terminals are dispersed across multiple locations. Given BlueStar's extensive presence across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), these services are ideally suited to our operational scope.
For further insights and detailed information on these invaluable services, we encourage you to reach out to your local BlueStar sales representative. Our commitment to being a one-stop shop for our clients is underscored by our constant efforts to enhance and diversify our service offerings.
