Star of the Show

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At KIOSK EUROPE EXPO 2011, Star Micronics exhibited its range of packaged and modular specialist kiosk printing solutions.
 
The company’s printers are currently used by a number of worldwide companies including Vodafone and Whitbread’s Premier Inn, international supermarkets such as Coop Switzerland, and international courier delivery companies including Schenker.
 
The company states that their experience has resulted in a wide range of both flexible packaged and open frame printing solutions for kiosks. Certain system integrators have typically shied away from incorporating packaged printers into kiosks but this type of printer is now no longer just the preserve of the retail outlet. It is increasingly being integrated into low volume, high value kiosk applications.
 
The company believes that it is primarily the simplicity and ease of use of this type of printer that is driving its greater use today. Packaged printers are easier to install, service, maintain and replace, and also offer the same level of performace and reliability today as an open frame printer. The packaged printer also offers additional features in terms of software tools. The company claims that it is the advanced functionality of these printers that adds real value to a kiosk.
 
The company has recently developed a number of new hardware and software innovations for the kiosk industry, which it showcased at KIOSK EUROPE EXPO 2011.
 
Reducing costs and environmental damage are key priorities for many and the company has responded to these needs.
 
The new FVP10 is a multifunctional drawer-style front-loading ‘shelf’ system providing ‘drop-in and print’ paper loading. Simple line manipulation allows the length of a receipt to be reduced by up to 25% without reducing the font size. Automatic software allows the user to reduce receipts from the standard 80mm width by up to 67% horizontally and 50% vertically, so that a receipt can be printed on 58mm paper, while at the same time adjusting length.
 
Whether using standard 80mm wide paper or 112mm wide paper the documents created will be printed exactly as they are displayed, meaning the printer can be used for any application that is designed for A4 printers. By replacing an A4 laser printer, significant cost savings in terms of consumable costs can be achieved as well as environmental benefits through reduced CO2 emissions and reduced power consumption.
 
Star has also developed a number of customer firmware and software tools. These include remote firmware update capability. All of the company’s latest thermal printers can be sent firmware updates remotely, updating new resident printer features, new barcode types etc. Power loss is a common issue for kiosks in some environments, but the company’s selectable auto recovery feature ensures that the printer resumes operation no matter at what point the power is lost during the printer cycle.
 
Star printers are also able to provide accurate status reports that verify when and whether a ticket has actually been printed, taken or retracted. The company states that this is a particularly valuable facility for a wide range of kiosk applications.
 
Finally, the company promises operating platform support, building on the relationships it has developed with Microsoft and Apple, as well as the UPOS committee. Star drivers support industry standards from Windows 7 to Linux or POS.NET. The company is also prepared to share certain source code samples for those kiosk builders who prefer to communicate directly with the printer’s port.
 
Simon Martin, Director and General Manager, Star Micronics EMEA, summed up, “With over thirty years experience in the kiosk industry and an unrivalled reputation for reliability, Star continues to develop high performance kiosk printing solutions. These offer the very latest in POS printer design as well as a wealth of software tools to provide intelligent solutions to suit a wide variety of environments and budgets.”