POS systems

Security lapses at the retail point of sale continue to make news. The latest involves CurrentC, one of Apple's competitors in the hotly contested mobile payment space. In a business news website CNBC.com post on the recent breach, technology reporter Cadie Thompson writes that CurrentC, a mobile payment system backed by the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), "sent out an email...

The volatile issues of payments and payment security have consumers, financial institutions, retailers and security professionals all wondering how to make shopping more secure. Security professionals are admitting that today, when you make a purchase, the way you make that purchase — in person, over the phone, online — can determine just how secure your transaction will be. "One in...

After a brutal winter, pent-up demand has tourism-driven economies, including eating and drinking establishments, anticipating a buoyant summer season. In their web article, "Restaurants To Add More Than Half-Million Summer Jobs," limited-service retail observer QSRMagazine.com (QSRM) is reporting on another factor for restaurant retailer optimism — projected summer job figures. The QSRM report looks at recently released projections by the...

With all the marketing messages from more than 35 different frozen yogurt concepts, it's easy to forget about, you know, actual ice cream. In an article posted on their website, "What's the Scoop On Ice Cream Franchises?," SmallBizTrends.com (SBT) thinks the real dairy deal has plenty of appeal. Given the strong presence Sintel Systems has in the frozen yogurt segment of...

Along with our customers, we're buoyed by news that Americans, having emerged from winter hibernation, have relaxed their purse strings at quick service retailers. In a recent blog post, "Report: Consumer Spending at Quick Serves Grew in April," QSRMagazine.com points to analysis by First Data Corporation which compared year-over-year sales data for April, 2014.  FDC's SpendTrend report tracks same-store POS...

Creating and nurturing customer loyalty is a worthy goal for any business. So what's up with loyalty lately among franchises? In their recent post, "Loyalty Deserves Rewards: Create a Rewards Program That Suits You (And The Customer!)," Franchising.com's Jack Mackey offers a round-up of some of the latest thinking he shared with participants at a discussion group on loyalty. Just...

Payroll giant ADP has released its National Franchise Report which claims that U.S. franchise employment added 25,060 jobs in October — a figure substantially greater than in recent months. We at Sintel found this of particular interest due to the momentum we've witnessed in the retail and restaurant franchise sector, a major area of our point of sale (POS) expertise...

We're guessing that not many froyo franchisers keep their fingers on the pulse of Glamour magazine's dictated "Dos and Don’ts." But then, Glamour doesn't usually cover a subject of such great interest: advice on froyo portion and cost control. So what's the froyo "fashion"? We turn to a recent Glamour.com post entitled "Healthy Eating: The Dos and Don’ts of Frozen...

New York City is a relentless trend-setting megalopolis with many eateries that seem to change their appearance every year or two. We spotted a roundup of hot interior design trends for 2013 in Big Apple restaurants and cafes at NYCeiling.com. High demand for eco-friendliness and sustainability means more green spaces around town. The trend has been around for some time...

Just as we happily share our vast point of sale (POS) experience and expertise with startup owners in order to help them make the best decisions from the very beginning, we at Sintel Systems are happy to share articles and commentary about the retail franchise market. Forbes.com sees five factors that make a difference to influence franchise success. We'll call...

Today's potential franchise entrepreneurs may feel cursed for being incapable of forecasting the future. Is this the right time to make a career change? Is fear keeping your future on hold? As the only full-service POS provider, from software development to our unparalleled ongoing support, we at Sintel Systems see a lot of folks looking to make a mid-life career...

They say there's a time and place for everything. And with retail customer surveys, that time and place is at the point of sale. Gartner, the information technology research company, says retailers who survey customers at the point of sale receive 40% more accurate feedback than if the data is gathered one day later. A point-of-sale survey is typically any...

In a recent post, "'Dexter' Malware Infects South African Restaurants, Costs Banks Millions," the tech news site ArsTechnica.com is reporting that hundreds of thousands of people have probably been affected by the fraud. The malware uploaded contents of the POS terminal's memory, including customers' payment cards' Track 1 and Track 2 data, to servers controlled by the criminals. Dexter gets...

Considering a mid-life career change instead of retirement? Consider franchising, a decision numerous baby boomers have made, which is fueling a franchise boom. Boomer demographics continue to influence the workplace and small business investment. Take as an example a recent blog post at WirelessZONE on baby boomers choosing the "new retirement." WirelessZONE has seen an unabated trend in baby boomers...

As the only full-service POS provider — from software development to franchise incubator to ongoing support — part of Sintel's commitment to our customers and industry is to share high-impact news. Whether you're a first-time franchise hopeful, a small business owner or an established chain, it's always smart to stay on top of legislative and other industry trends. Nation's Restaurant...

At Sintel, we encourage small shop owners to learn from, and begin thinking like, the big guys. Your company may not yet have a Chief Marketing Officers (CMO), but it's never too early to align your POS system with your marketing efforts. In a recent MediaPost News' Marketing Daily blog post titled "Why Your CMO Should Care About the Point...

As the only full-service POS provider, from software development to franchise incubator to ongoing support, part of Sintel's commitment to our customers and industry is to share buzz in the news about the casual chain restaurant landscape. Whether you're a first-time franchise hopeful, a small business owner or an established chain, it's always smart to stay on top of industry...

Chicago's French Market There are few things as unpredictable as Chicago’s weather. In Chicago, there can be many times have you left the house in sandals and at the end of the day wish you wore a pair of boots. The Chicago French Market is the only year-round indoor marketplace in the city. The French Market offers 30 individual specialty...