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Harness the power of connection to thrive in a high-inflation, post-COVID reality Today’s economic climate makes many pre-pandemic business practices obsolete While creating unprecedented opportunities, technology also brings unique challenges Element can cut through complexity to perfectly tailor POS solutions for your business As businesses pour momentum into 2023, we are facing a whole new set of challenges, many of which are centred around the RBA’s cash rate, soaring inflation and skyrocketing costs of living. Now more than ever, the revolution in online cooperation -- originally spawned by the necessity to survive the pandemic -- is equipping us with the tools we need to conquer the adversity of our harsh economic climate. Connected commerce is here to stay It’s worth reiterating a point we’ve made before: today’s market paradigms mean businesses that work together thrive in ways that make hostile competition a waste of resources. While this might have once seemed like an idealistic New Age dream, our technology has evolved so dramatically that we are blessed with new opportunities for collaboration that simply never existed before. These include pathways for sharing commercial wisdom and experience, and the creation of online communities that can pool their resources to benefit the industry as a whole. While we face new pressures today -- largely related to the cost of living -- we are also armed with the advantages that include working remotely and sharing ideas through virtual meetings. So even though the going is tough at the moment, we have the means to overcome the obstacles we face. Option paralysis: a very real first-world problem A key aspect of Element’s Better Together program is to support mutually beneficial connections among distribution partners and end users. Partly as a result of COVID, businesses now have a robust infrastructure that facilitates harmonious collaboration, and all parties can gain from this collaboration. But inevitably, the power of technology comes with its own unique challenges. While we might have a solid grasp of the platforms that support networking and online communication, deciding on the right point of sale management system is a complex process. There are so many variables involved that the best POS system for one business is not going to perform anywhere near as effectively in a different setting. As one very simple example, a front-of-house hospitality POS system for a staff journey experience will never deliver the customer-centric retail experience of a self service kiosk. In other situations, such as price considerations, comparing upfront capital outlay to the cost of a product’s full end-to-end life cycle can reveal a dramatic difference in financial investment between one solution and another. Navigating the digital landscape What would it mean for your business to have a trusted advisor who can cut through the marketing spiel and empower you to make informed decisions about your retail POS system? At Element, we carefully investigate the customer journeys and workflows specific to every partner we work with, regardless of whether the vertical involved is industrial, medical, retail or hospitality. Our core values of design, quality and purpose compel us to explore every factor relevant to the technology ecosystem best aligned with your requirements, notably including the right price point. In one situation, you might need to be running the latest POS software or enterprise management applications, so a state-of-the-art processor becomes an essential consideration. In a different use-case scenario, it might become evident that the practical requirements do not call for this level of processing power, but unit cost is a major priority for the business. In the second instance, we might explore the suitability of a unit such as the Element CA250W, which offers exceptional value for its price point. In a medical setting, ‘fit for purpose’ might mean peripherals that are fully washable, while an industrial environment might necessitate a panel PC that can withstand exposure to hazardous environments. Whether you’re evaluating the benefits of an Intel J6412 processor in the Element CA850 or looking to choose a handheld barcode scanner for the right scanning application, it is this level of conversation you can expect from our partner community. Even the idioms of ‘knowledge is power’ and ‘unity is strength’ are Better Together -- and this combined approach is how we can all cultivate a commercial environment in which everyone succeeds.

Why 16:9 is more relevant than ever at the busiest time of year for retailers and other merchants? Retail is not the only industry to benefit from the ‘silly season’ Ensure your POS platform doesn’t bottleneck your sales Software providers need to catch up with 16:9 As soon as Halloween has floated away in all its ghoulish wonder, the retail environment goes into overdrive for the lead-up to Christmas. Sales statistics reflect what all retailers are well aware of: from Black Friday all the way through to January is consistently the most frenetic time of year for retail sales. But what is known as the ‘silly season’ for consumers couldn’t be more serious for businesses whose turnover skyrockets during this period. Where there are shoppers, there are opportunities Retail is only one of the industries that thrives on the huge throughput of eager consumers at the pointy end of the year. The crowds of Christmas shoppers bustling their way through malls and retail precincts inevitably need somewhere to grab their lunch while on their Santa-inspired mission. This leads to a flow-on effect to food courts and takeaway outlets, not to mention standalone restaurants. The increase in Christmas party activity also represents boom time for a variety of related businesses. From venues serving alcohol to beauty salons committed to helping people to look their best at this time of year, the ability to maximise profits hinges on fast, efficient and reliable transactions. The customers are there, and they are keen to spend: what is the best way for you to capitalise that? How to make the most of the pre-Christmas rush The best possible POS platform is more relevant than ever at this time of year: you need to be ready to handle that onslaught of sales. With such a hive of activity going on in the retail sphere, consumers are simply not going to have the patience to transact at a location where they see a long queue at the till. The advent of 16:9 high-definition POS systems gives retailers and other businesses unprecedented transaction power. With the option of bigger buttons, or more options onscreen to choose from, sales staff equipped with 16:9 terminals are two steps ahead of their counterparts struggling to manage the increased throughput on older, clunkier 4:3 devices. Can your software handle the pressure? As LCD panel and touchscreen manufacturers shift their focus to the 16:9 aspect ratio, and demand for this format increases, so does the availability of hardware options. The price, meanwhile, becomes more affordable than ever before. Conversely, as demand for 4:3 terminals dwindles, they become more expensive and difficult to obtain. This is where you need to ask the question: is your software provider keeping up with this evolution? Once again, your success as a seller of goods or services hinges on an intuitive layout and optimised content-to-chrome ratio that allows your staff to provide better service to customers. If your software isn’t designed to match your hardware, this will also cause a bottleneck in your ability to reap the rewards of high-volume sales. Where demand arises, supply will follow. A business that relies on POS devices in the last mile will consistently achieve better sales with scalable software that can make the most of the increased screen real estate and higher resolution of 16:9 terminals. This is the reason why you, as a merchant, have the power to ‘vote with your feet’ and put pressure on software vendors and resellers to provide more options tailored to maximising your sales. View our current range of Element 16:9 POS terminal solutions below:

How Element can support you with cutting-edge POS hardware at inflation-defying prices Intel can’t hold back the inevitable increase in processor prices any longer Element can help you sidestep the effects of this in the short term Be ready for Christmas by equipping yourself with cutting-edge POS hardware now Inflation is one of those certainties that falls into a similar category as death and taxes. So finding a loophole or exception that eases the pressure of price rises on your business -- especially at the most intense time of year for retail -- can make a huge difference. It’s common knowledge that Intel is increasing prices on its CPUs. For some time, the company has been attempting to amortise the effects of inflation and soaring costs of raw materials to ensure cost stability and reduce downstream impact. However, change cannot be staved off any longer, and in July, Intel announced it would implement price rises across its range of products, including chipsets, processors and motherboards, in Q4 of 2022. Shelter from the economic price storm? Intel’s response to market forces is by no means an isolated incident. Inflation is pushing prices up all over the country, from groceries to rental costs; the Australian dollar is crashing, and this in turn cranks up the cost of net imports. But there is good news that contrasts with this troubling backdrop of financial crisis. At Element, we have been working for more than a year to anticipate how we will be able to help our partners weather the economic storm that has been brewing. Thanks to the ‘just in case’ model we have been utilising, we now have significant holdings of cutting-edge stock available for our retail and hospitality partners. Retail cycle vs economic cycle As the economic cycle is going through a phase of severe inflation, the annual retail cycle is also accelerating to the fever pitch of the Christmas/New Year period. Element has prepared for exactly this kind of scenario with stock on shelves right now of slimline 16:9 POS products featuring 11th-gen processors. These can empower you to transact at the speed of life during the busiest period of the year. We’ve said it before, but it is worth emphasising again that our priorities are centred around promoting a conscious, connected business model in which resources are pooled and advantages are mutual. In response to the hostile economic climate, our community of solution partners is pulling together and developing meaningful ways we can help one another to thrive, even as the effects of inflation run rampant. If ever there was a time to ensure continuity of your POS retail equipment, it’s now -- and through the Better Together program, Element can support you with the latest hardware. Contact us, or our distributor, Sektor, to discover how we can put together a pricing package that will be a welcome relief for your business in today’s harsh reality. But don’t delay, because this is the last wave of tomorrow’s terminals we will be able to supply at yesterday’s prices.

Conscious business is not a New Age ideal but an efficient way of adapting to modern reality Redirecting resources from competition to cooperation results in better outcomes for all Product showcase: bundles that make life easier for your business The concept of conscious business might sound a bit utopian and idealistic to some, but for others, it represents a natural and logical coming of age in light of today’s realities. We live in a world that allows us to be connected like never before, where the clear-cut lines of yesterday’s business dogmatism no longer apply to dynamic and rapidly evolving ways of living, working and transacting. For those familiar with the term, ‘conscious business’ is often associated with responsible ways of operating that do not have an adverse impact on humanity. But it’s a very high-level overview -- and for those already working from this starting point in terms of resource management, what does it mean in the context of functional business practices? Better together At Element, taking a conscious approach means working as industry advocates and business leaders, establishing and supporting an ecosystem of solution partners who empower one another to grow. It’s more than just a hip New Age-y catchphrase: conscious business means moving away from insular thinking and strictly transactional relationships, and instead developing a culture of collaboration. The world is not built on simplistic patterns of ‘buy, sell, move on’. Instead, as an increasing body of experiential evidence suggests, groups that partner together put better solutions together, and this is just as true in business as it is in the community as a whole. Prioritising connection and mutual support between businesses is a path to better outcomes for everyone involved. There is more than enough demand to go around -- in fact, as the world readjusts to the aftermath of COVID, the supply chain is still overwhelmed in ways it has never been before. So it stands to reason that a new way of navigating this unfamiliar commercial landscape is needed: and when we embrace networking, when we pool our resources and share lead generation, the benefits filter through to all stakeholders. Strength in unity There is no single business that can do everything on its own; it really does take that metaphorical village to raise a child. From raw components for manufacturing to every link along the supply chain, an intricate interdependence between companies is the cornerstone of survival. But how we approach the concept of conscious, connected business determines the extent to which we can all thrive. A product that is meticulously designed for the market, built to exacting standards of quality and fit for purpose, is only the beginning. You also need a partner community: a specialist who understands the merchant experience, experts in the customer experience and representatives of the staff experience. And collaboration between these like-minded individuals is what it takes to get a remarkable and innovative solution out to market. Bundle of joy This month, we’re not focusing on individual products but on the bundles we can assemble for you. Even when we’re talking about physical hardware, Element is committed to the initiative of being better together. We’re offering a diverse variety of promotional deals and specials on a range of different product sets, each suited to a specific vertical: just to give you an example of what’s available, we’ve put together bundles for healthcare, retail and hospitality. Contact Element or get in touch with our distributor, Sektor, to find out how we can craft a bundle that offers significant savings while also being tailored to your specific business ecosystem. And join our Better Together program to discover for yourself how connected business practices can supercharge your problem solving, transform the benefits you gain from partnerships, take efficiency to new heights, and empower you to pool resources for mutual success. Individually, many of us succeed -- but as a united industry, we triumph.

Physical retail outlets have enjoyed a resurgence of foot traffic post-lockdown Protect the longevity of your investment by choosing futureproof hardware Product showcase: CA850 POS terminal Tony Robbins, arguably the world’s best-known success coach, is famed for identifying opportunities no matter how grim a situation might seem. So it’s no surprise that he has written about businesses that thrive in a recession -- and if recent economic trends are anything to go by, it would seem ‘recession-proof’ businesses are COVID-proof, as well. People are not going to stop needing groceries and healthcare, and especially when times are tough, items such as sweets and alcohol are in hot demand. After all, as Mr Robbins has noted, we are wired to “seek pleasure and avoid pain”. But what does this have to do with the retail landscape? E-commerce’s flash in the pan As the pandemic gripped the world in a series of lockdowns, the vast majority of retail shifted to the online space. In the wake of this upsurge, leaders in e-commerce speculated that the proportion of money spent online would stay at least five years ahead of the curve relative to transactions in physical retail outlets. Unfortunately for them, the gamble did not pay off. As Tobias Lütke, CEO of Shopify, wrote on 26 July: “What we see now is the mix reverting to roughly where pre-COVID data would have suggested it should be at this point.” But fortunately for retail, it appears that this is because human nature makes us crave the customer experience of physically visiting a sales environment. Riding the retail wave While precise statistics are not readily available, people are visibly flocking to retail outlets and shopping centres. It’s an understandable reaction -- now that we are free to indulge our desires to get out and about, and engage in a more normal lifestyle, we are doing so with great enthusiasm. This sets the scene for new retail stores to be opening despite inflation, rising pressure from the cost of living, and labour expenses. But as the number of retailers increases, so does the need for new POS terminals. And if you’re an existing outlet seeing an upswing in customers, what do you do when your POS terminal breaks down? At Element, embracing the ‘just in case’ supply model (as opposed to ‘just in time’) means we have been able to continue supplying stock with the latest chipsets as needed. Choosing cutting-edge technology allows you to sidestep the ramifications of using processors that were launched seven or more years ago. Heated debate The biggest issue that causes problems in electronics, IT equipment and POS devices is heat: as heat increases, the mean time between failures decreases. A POS terminal using a desktop processor that draws 35-50W of power naturally generates more heat -- so while the terminal might have a solid and robust appearance, it actually has more potential for points of failure than an Element terminal that runs on 10W or 15W. This improves the reliability and longevity of terminals equipped with 11th-generation processors, but another significant concern is that legacy chipsets won’t support migration to Windows 11. As foot traffic to retail increases, how are you going to ensure that the POS infrastructure you establish today stays relevant and functional in the future? Invest in tomorrow Despite the seemingly constant messages of doom and gloom from headlines focusing on recession, inflation, cost of living and tech layoffs, the subject of futureproofing is more topical than ever. People will still go out regularly to enjoy a beer at the pub, a meal at a restaurant, or to browse at their local shopping centre. We want a break from the problems of life, and recession-proof businesses offer us the relief we need from the daily grind. Rehashing the solutions of yesterday is not going to futureproof your business. Take the time to think about what your plan is going to be over the next few years, and ask yourself: what is going to support your software? What will provide your retail business with the transactional power it needs to thrive? And most importantly: what will ensure the best possible customer experience? Terminal velocity In a previous blog post, we briefly touched on the CA850 from the angle of comparing it to another POS terminal developed for a significantly different design brief. Now that feeds and speeds are crucial subjects of discussion, there will be no sharing of the spotlight: at this time of subtle renaissance for the retail sphere, the CA850 is the terminal of the moment. Starting with its aesthetics and build quality, featuring an edge profile of just 7mm, the CA850 is the thinnest POS terminal available. Its sleek, futuristic appearance makes it a sophisticated architectural feature of your retail space, not just a functional one. Its high screen-to-body ratio,meanwhile, gives it a minimal footprint on the counter, leaving you plenty of room to do business. But its greatest power is the Intel J6412 processor within, which outperforms seventh-generation i5 and i3 units. Capable of supporting Windows 11, and running off 10W for low-heat operation, the CA850 is a perfect example of futureproof technology. Plus, it’s compatible with a full suite of peripherals such as an NFC reader, MSR and even a fingerprint reader to ensure your staff find it effortless to operate. Offering a next-level retail experience for your customers, it is yet another epitome of design, quality and purpose.

Element’s antimicrobial and washable designs are easier to disinfect A medical setting calls for unique features that benefit both workers and patients COVID has made medical-grade hardware attractive to other verticals besides healthcare When it comes to deploying technology, what’s the most demanding environment you can think of? Outer space will possibly come to mind, but back on planet Earth, medical settings typically stipulate stringent criteria for certification. Input devices must be tough enough to withstand the physical rigours of intensive use, but also, infection control is paramount for healthcare applications. Our commitment to design, quality and purpose motivates us to ensure the best possible customer experience where our POS terminals are concerned. In the same way, our understanding of the unique requirements of medical settings allows us to deliver outstanding solutions, particularly when it comes to eMR (electronic medical records). Germ warfare In the medical environment, a constant battle is being fought against infection. On a scale invisible to the naked eye, human ingenuity is pitted against bacteria -- one of the most ancient forms of life to have evolved -- as well as other microbes such as viruses. The antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles are well-established, and their use in medicine has proven benefits for infection control. So it follows that Element’s medical-grade devices use embedded silver nanotechnology, as well as structural shapes that minimise areas where bacteria can accumulate. Besides being assembled using antimicrobial plastics, Element hardware is designed for easy and effective disinfection. For example, when we describe the ECT-105 keyboard as ‘washable’, we mean it can literally be immersed in a disinfecting solution. Similarly, the design of the ECT-409 medical-grade mouse includes an actively sealed battery canister, giving it an IP68 ingress protection rating which allows it to be cleaned in a dishwasher. Benefits for carers and patients: give them the WOW factor At Element, we are always striving to understand the best-case scenarios associated with the environments where our technology will be used. In a hospital setting, resources are notoriously limited and staff are chronically overstretched -- so improved efficiency for regular processes can make a major difference. One example of purpose-driven, feature-rich design that can streamline a wide range of tasks, such as record-keeping, is the K959 all-in-one touchscreen panel PC. Equally suitable for either a powered or unpowered WOW (workstation on wheels), it features side-mounted hot-swappable batteries that can be easily replaced by caregivers, regardless of how tall an individual staff member is. The fanless unit facilitates near-silent bedside work at night, with an integrated light in its lower edge for tightly focused illumination of the keyboard or work area. But the K959 is not limited to a WOW application, powered or unpowered. Its integrated PSU (power supply unit) means it can be plugged straight into a wall socket anywhere a medical-grade touchscreen PC is needed, whether that’s an operating theatre or dentist’s surgery. It even includes a built-in camera for video consults. Duty of care While infection control has been a central tenet of healthcare since the discovery of microorganisms, the COVID-19 pandemic has put an awareness of transmissibility in the forefront of everyone’s mind. This means that a keyboard which is inherently designed to be easily disinfected may be an attractive option in other verticals. If a keyboard (for example, in a commercial setting) is made available to multiple users, there is a risk that a contagious illness can be transmitted from one person to a subsequent user or affect your health. For an organisation concerned about its duty of care -- whether this is in retail, hospitality, or even a library or school -- the solution may be to provide medical-grade keyboards and mice. In this instance, the purpose for which one class of product is designed can be just as valuable in an altogether different industry. Besides validating the versatility of the design, and the overarching power of its purpose, the ability of a product to traverse different verticals is a testament to its quality. It is also a reminder of why Element is so committed to its three core values -- they are equally relevant in all the industries where our products are used.

All our tech and terminals are designed to be fit for purpose -- but one unit can’t be fit for all purposes Cost considerations should not trump effectiveness when evaluating value for investment The breadth of Element’s product range includes terminals for practically all environments Product showcase: Element 455 vs CA850 Especially in an economy that’s still reeling from the effects of COVID-19, everyone is mindful of the bottom line. At Element, we are able to offer products at an affordable price point, providing excellent value to suit market requirements -- but that value chain can differ greatly from one application to another. In some situations, the issue of cost can override the question of whether a terminal is truly going to be effective for its intended use-case environment. Element’s economical offerings are perfectly suitable for 90% of the market. But for that remaining 10%, it is vitally important for us to competently support our partners and vendors so they understand the limitations of specific platforms, and consider the environments in which they will be deployed. This allows us to deliver the right solution at the right value, without letting budgetary considerations compromise performance expectations. Driving ambition Let’s use different classes of cars as an analogy: both a Land Cruiser and a Yaris are made by Toyota, and both will drive on a road. But while a Land Cruiser thrives in deserts and rainforests alike, it’s not your concrete-jungle runabout. Conversely, a Yaris is right at home in the urban sprawl, but put it in a sprawling natural wilderness and it won’t fare so well. Nobody would expect a Yaris to perform effortlessly in the Gibson Desert, and this mismatch of purpose to environment would not be seen as a reflection on the vehicle’s quality. But when a POS terminal is deployed in a different value chain or application to what it was designed for, misconceptions can sometimes arise about the worthiness of the product -- or even the brand. Realigning experience with expectation Just as one car manufacturer offers various models to meet differing expectations, Element has an incredible breadth of products suitable for practically every vertical, from POS to mining to medicine. And our mission is centred around working with our partners to provide interaction points with technology that result in an outstanding customer experience. In most instances, a best-case scenario is the natural consequence of Element’s investment in design, quality and purpose. But there are also situations when the operator or customer experience proves to be inconsistent with the expected performance of a terminal. Our transparent approach to communicating with our partners allows us to prevent this scenario in most cases. If it does happen -- despite our best efforts -- we work collaboratively and proactively with our partners to identify the reasons behind the inconsistency, and to realign experience with the expectation. The result is an outcome that meets everyone’s needs. Raising the bar For a good example of how environmental factors can influence a unit being fit for purpose, let’s compare the Element 455 with the CA850. The 455 has CPU options of J1900 all the way up to 11th-gen Elkhart Lake J6412, and its touchscreen, mainboard and I/O ports are all included in the head unit. In a hospitality setting such as a bar, there is a high probability of liquid spills -- if the I/O was in the base, there would be a greater potential for liquid ingress. By comparison, the CA850 is designed with a strong emphasis on looks as well as performance. It has a very thin, tablet-like screen, with the I/O and mainboard in the base of the unit. As with the Element 455, it has the option of a J6412 processor and offers the same graphics capabilities, so the same software applications will run on either platform. But when the environmental layer comes into play, other factors must be considered. In its integrated-base configuration, the CA850 is best suited to a setting such as retail or hospitality environments where spills are unlikely. Qualifying the design of the solution is fit for all layers of the purpose -- from environment and aesthetics to feeds and speeds -- will ensure your installed hardware provides a quality experience for users and customers alike. Ultimately, this experience will reflect that your investment in Element has achieved the design, quality and purpose it was intended for.

Our personal investment in the customer experience sets Element apart - The human factor Interaction points with technology are key aspects of the retail landscape How we created a POS environment to enhance customer engagement Product showcase: Self Service Kiosk P-series The cliché about an organisation only being as good as its people is a well-worn classic that warrants a closer look. When thinking about a business, it’s easy to see it as a brand, a slogan, a symbol, possibly a signature product. But where did that signature product come from? Does it live up to its slick marketing campaign? When we talk about design, quality and purpose, these are not simply conversation starters -- they are values we embrace as human beings, they are central to defining our journey. And in the retail world, that journey is all about the customer experience. Lasting impressions Globally, everyone is a consumer -- even a street-food customer in some obscure corner of the world. Everyone deals with point-of-sale interactions, and retail transactions affect everyone’s daily life. Have you ever consciously thought about how you interact with a self-checkout? How would you describe your transaction experience at a favourite retailer? Your point of interaction with technology is usually going to be your last impression of the business that received your money. Retailers engage with their customers in diverse ways -- instore, online, through apps -- and this engagement is vital for enriching the customer journey. The technology interface customers interact with is consistently a cornerstone of their engagement: by shaping their impression of a retailer, it can often have a bearing on the likelihood of loyalty. At Element, we qualify, investigate and align with our partners’ unique needs -- and because we appreciate the value of the customer experience, we deliver nuanced solutions to complex requirements. A passion for fashion For a retailer in a shopping centre, lease is calculated by square metre, so from a store design point of view, this means every centimetre is prime real estate. For a fashion chain, generous counter space is particularly crucial to brand identity: this is where sales staff fold and bag garments while lavishing the customer with attention and making them feel like a VIP. For many people who sell POS hardware, the status quo is to discuss feeds and speeds, and other parameters of the terminals themselves. At Element, we take a more ambitious view -- applying our understanding of what goes on in a retail store, not just from a technology perspective, but in terms of design, visual merchandise, and how these factors integrate into a brand’s overall market strategy. For our fashion partner, we supplied a POS unit that could fold down flat instead of being mounted on a stand, freeing up precious counter space. Alongside that, we provided an under-bench mounted printer, and solved the issue of cable management with a cordless scanner that was also stowed under the countertop when not in use. This way, staff could place clothes on the counter when making a sale and focus on engaging the customer, folding their new garments for them and placing them in an attractive bag -- all part of the luxury retail experience. There was no cumbersome IT equipment between the salesperson and the customer to detract from the look and feel of the retailer’s store -- it didn’t encroach on their brand. Modular by design The COVID world has changed everything, including people’s preferences for how they transact. Retailers still need to engage their customers, and as the pandemic has made people more wary of face-to-face interaction, the response has been to give customers more choices about their points of interaction. Self-checkouts have been a standard fixture in supermarkets for years now, and the paradigm is also becoming a popular option for fast food outlets. But there is an increasing call to use self service kiosks across much more of the retail world. For these reasons, Element has developed the Self Service Kiosk P-series, based around either a 21.5in or 27in head unit that supports Windows or Android. Modular by design, the same head unit can be installed into a wall mount if the retailer requires an unobtrusive option, or positioned on a back-to-back stand in a QSR (quick service restaurant) setting. It can be stood on a counter or it can be part of a full supermarket setup, incorporating a scanner scale and security scale, and these are just a few of the options available. In practical terms, this means our partners can invest in a single ecosystem of a head unit to suit an incredibly diverse range of applications. Their software can be tested and run on it, a standard operating environment can be established, and then -- thanks to its modular design -- it can be incorporated into practically any retailer’s use-case environment to help them enhance the customer engagement journey. That customer engagement is, and always will be, the human factor at the heart of the retail experience. And the technology that represents the point of interaction must support a smooth and effortless transaction no matter what setting it fits into, keeping the customer journey free of stumbling blocks.

How the beating heart of our company ethos shapes our business practices and values Design. Quality. Purpose. Let’s break down what these actually mean for us One of Element’s core roles is supporting the industry Product showcase: He27x hybrid POS Think about brands that have dominated the world -- Apple, Nike, Tesla, to name just three -- and some of the features they have in common. Impeccable design, exceptional quality and uncompromising fit for purpose are three characteristics that will likely spring to mind, and it’s no coincidence that these values comprise Element’s mission statement. In the 21st century, we would not expect many people to simply accept our assertions at face value. That’s why at Element, we take the initiative to be transparent and accountable as well -- because we can justify exactly how we embody design, quality and purpose. The three pillars that underpin what we do First and foremost, thoughtful design is the driver for a product that succeeds. We are not talking simply about aesthetics, but also the features that solve key problems for the customer, as well as making it a pleasure to use. In the technology space, Element considers how suitable a design is for the industry -- and most importantly, for the user experience. This is why we put such a high priority on identifying products designed to enhance that experience. In practice, this means consulting industry experts, collaborating with and listening to our partners, and scouring all corners of the globe for emerging industry trends. Most importantly, we seek feedback from retailers and partners to understand what constitutes successful design for their needs. Before we commit to our products, they are subjected to a rigorous R&D process, allowing us to determine and ensure they will meet our expectations for quality. It is not enough for a given item to shine chiefly through the OOBE (out of box experience) -- we are committed to the full end-to-end life cycle of our technology solutions. Assuming the POS terminal is high-quality and well-designed, the third imperative is that it must be fit for purpose. From ranges that are intentionally optimised for a low-end price point to robust terminals with long life cycles at the pinnacle of durability: consistently rolling out quality items designed for purpose is our path to earning recognition in the marketplace. No business is an island In many sectors of that marketplace, individual businesses and the industry as a whole are better served through a collaborative approach than by simply trying to tear down the competition. Many of our conversations at Element revolve around a detailed exploration of what our partners’ and customers’ requirements are. It is imperative for us to have a dependable understanding of what outcomes they are hoping to achieve, and ultimately what experience they are hoping to deliver. Moving with the times The people we work with rely on us to competently evaluate the best solution for their requirements, and if Element is not the right fit, then it serves nobody to suggest otherwise. Without detracting from the quality we offer, we accept and acknowledge that other companies also offer quality solutions, and that there are important points of difference between our offerings and theirs. Ultimately, while Element’s first priority is supporting businesses through fit-for-purpose products, we are also aligned with being an active participant in the greater POS terminal landscape. The power of clientelling As retailers increasingly recognise the value of providing more technology interaction points for customers, many are investing in shifting the fixed POS paradigm and mobilising their POS. This supports the art of ‘clientelling’ -- where sales personnel move from behind the counter and engage customers, using a mobile device to build a basket in a consultative way. Naturally, a POS terminal will also be needed -- and Element’s He27x hybrid POS represents the best of both worlds. Based on an 11.6in or 13.3in Windows platform, it is mounted on a locking magnetic stand to which you can connect all your existing peripherals. But unlike traditional mounting systems for tablets -- which lose connectivity when they are removed from a stand or a dock -- the He27x features optional USB-over-IP. This cutting-edge, market-leading feature allows it to stay wirelessly connected to peripherals even when detached from the base unit. Designed to suit multiple applications, the hybrid POS represents a unique level of ROI. This single device serves the purpose of a mobile POS and tablet, as well as a fixed POS when locked, but maintains full connectivity to peripherals at all times -- even while roaming. Its lightweight, ergonomic form factor, the dependability of its construction, and how perfectly it fulfils the dual functions of mobile device and stationary POS, all make it an embodiment of Element’s values: design, quality, purpose.

Widescreen POS terminals with new CPUs can extend your business to the next speed level Element can support your business through 16:9 aspect ratio and stock availability Terminals with 11th-gen CPUs are in stock right now, despite supply chain issues Product longevity is a high priority for us, but so is continual improvement Yes, it’s true that speed isn’t everything, but if your POS terminal is not equipped with a CPU that can support omni-channel software and the transition to Windows 11, it may end up slowing down your staff and your customers. At Element, we are committed to providing you and your customers with the fastest and most efficient transaction experience available, and we approach that goal via several pathways. With 16:9 POS terminals: we’ve already talked about how the 4:3 format is, amazingly, a relic of late 19th-century filmmaking, and why it is important to get on board with today’s thinner, higher-resolution 16:9 POS terminals. Make sure your software vendor is capable of keeping up with your hardware upgrades, providing omni-channel consistency. By moving from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ supply models: lockdowns, staff shortages and supply chain issues forced many businesses to close their doors, at least temporarily. For those that have survived the latest wave, it is imperative to extract every cent of revenue from the transactions that they CAN make. And that’s where Element can give you the edge, thanks to POS terminals available right now instead of a year away. Why the latest 11th-generation CPUs: Element is evolving with the times, embracing 16:9 and the latest embedded Intel CPUs to support new application or OS requirements at the POS. With a long-term roadmap for these embedded CPUs, Element POS terminals can reliably provide you with the consistency that is essential for continuing a standard operating environment in your retail outlets. It’s also important to mention that by significantly outperforming older hardware, these CPU changes ensure the migration to Windows 11 is effortless, ensuring longevity and dependability. On your marks… PassMark Software compares available CPUs with one another and establishes benchmarking figures based on both internal testing and performance data submitted by the site’s users. The CPU Mark it lists for each processor provides a standard figure for comparison, based on the results of eight different tests averaged together. These tests are designed to accurately indicate how well a CPU will perform, providing a consistent industry benchmark. Element has POS terminals equipped with 11th-gen CPUs available right now, and they offer dramatically higher performance at an equivalent price point. Just to put some hard numbers on the benefits: an 11th-gen Intel Celeron J6412 with a clock speed of 2GHz has been rated at a CPU mark of 4051. This is almost double the performance of an older 2.4GHz Intel Core i3-7100U, benchmarked at 2625 (source: cpubenchmark.net). Selecting hardware to maximise performance obviously goes beyond the CPU alone (think RAM and SSD) – but on that point, sky-high performance is not the only factor to consider. The choice of CPU alone can have an instrumental effect on costs at the scale of a company-wide fit-out, easily running into hundreds of thousands of dollars. The key is to identify the ‘sweet spot’ between the latest high-performance tech that will last you well into the future, and not running up expenses unnecessarily. It’s crucial to be realistic about the high performance you need versus the potentially excessive headroom of multitasking processing power, accelerated graphics and so on. Element can assess your requirements and provide you with objective information, backed by industry metrics, to assist you in determining the best balance of cost versus efficiency for your business. Future-proof your investment Along with the benefits of wide-screen 16:9 terminals, we can now also pass on the advantages of high-performance processors. As with legacy hardware that is still using the 4:3 aspect ratio, remember that the i3-7100U was released in 2016. If you are using a terminal equipped with CPUs that are several generations behind the current class, you will no doubt already be noticing systemic strain. Upgrading to a terminal with a CPU such as the J6412, which hit the market in 2021, means that five years from now, your business will not be depending on hardware that is well over a decade old. We’ve been working hard with our partners to ensure a dependable and transparent supply chain, with products available that are specifically designed to support migration to Windows 11. By offering cutting-edge hardware now, we can reliably expect that these terminals will enjoy functional longevity for at least the next five years. While that longevity is a high priority for us, so is continual evolution, so we always seek feedback to ensure we are delivering what YOU need for your business. We love getting positive reviews – but constructive criticism is useful as well, because it gives us the opportunity to improve the product. We can send this feedback to our partners and to our end users, and ask: “How can we improve the product?” It’s all part of our determination to support your business by providing you with the best possible POS performance for your investment.

Hit the ground running when the latest wave subsides, and trading resumes in earnest - POS system Ongoing pandemic-related issues mean havoc for all kinds of businesses We’re seeing a move from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ supply models Element’s stock position means we are uniquely placed to support you COVID is not going away, and one of the ways in which this is painfully evident is through closures of businesses such as restaurants. These establishments simply don’t have enough staff available in order to function -- too many people are either actively unwell or isolating. Throughout this time, for businesses such as these, POS systems are obviously not getting used. But for legacy hardware, the clock doesn’t stop ticking as the use-by date for the 4:3 format creeps ever closer. The same staffing challenges have led to conspicuously empty shelves in supermarkets, not to mention major supply chain problems in a diverse variety of industries. Fishin’ for chips The global chip shortage is a direct result of COVID-19: key factories and manufacturing plants had to be closed down in order to help contain the virus. At the time of writing, the Omicron variant is causing unprecedented levels of infection across Australia, with associated absences from onsite work -- for example, at shipping terminals -- as people are compelled to self-isolate. Meanwhile, demand for semiconductors is greater than ever before, as technologies such as IoT (internet of things), 5g connectivity and electric cars are becoming increasingly desirable. Another major factor is that working from home -- which forced many people to upgrade their hardware -- became an essential part of ‘the new normal’, leading to a spike in sales of computer-related tech. These shortages are not going to start easing until at least the third quarter of 2022, although some experts suggest that supply may not catch up with demand until 2023. This just in This combination of shortages has influenced a shift from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ supply models. With the ‘just in time’ framework, businesses would wait until stock declined to a set threshold before resupplying. Now that unpredictable peaks in demand have become the norm, coupled with inconsistencies in supply, manufacturers and vendors are under pressure for stock to be available ‘just in case’. At Element, we have been working very closely with Sektor, our distribution partner for Australia and New Zealand, to proactively navigate supply droughts. We adopted the ‘just in case’ model more than a year ago, enabling us to stock up on terminals, and we are looking ahead to new technologies -- including a modular POS system designed by Element from the ground up. This allows us to support your business with the right POS hardware to maximise transaction speeds, empowering you to hit the ground running once business resumes in earnest. Ways to survive the pandemic Being in the grip of yet another COVID outbreak puts you in a position of having to do more with less staff and an unreliable supply chain. Squeeze every cent of revenue you can from the business you DO get by making sure you are working with the right supplier and you’ve got the right technology platform, as well as the right software vendor. Faster transaction speeds allow retailers, gyms, hotels and other businesses to minimise queueing and increase customer satisfaction. In an age of Google reviews, can you really afford a slow and clumsy transaction? Improved layout efficiency on a 16:9 screen with higher resolution offers space for more buttons. Factor in support for scalable omnichannel software, and you end up with less layers to click through in order to finalise a sale. More efficient transaction experience reduces stress for staff and impatience for customers. Especially if you’re operating at minimum staffing levels and existing personnel have to work harder than ever, the last thing they need is potential frustration caused by legacy hardware. At Element, we are all too keenly aware of the same old problems that retailers are facing. That’s why we’re here to make the #lastmile a smooth and effortless experience for you, your staff and your customers.

Why is 16.9 so good? A brief history of aspect ratio How to ensure a better checkout experience thanks to widescreen The sales environment has been massively and irreversibly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In Australia, we are fortunate that after the latest lockdowns, life is again returning to "the new normal". As it does, it is more crucial time than ever to stay at the cutting edge of the innovation curve. Walk into any shopping centre, and you'll see major retailers, smaller specialty shops, fast-food outlets and other businesses using 4:3 touchscreens. Why does this format still exist? The 4:3 format is a vestige of electronic evolution. Also defined as 1.33.1, it was invented in 1892 by William Dickson, who was employed by Thomas Edison. Dickson used Eastman Kodak 35mm photographic film to create a rudimentary form of silent movie. Many POS screen manufacturers are still clinging to the 4:3 format: a legacy of a bygone era; what consumers and retailers want now, however, is more screen real estate, thinner screens and higher resolution. Winning trifecta - 16:9 POS Virtually every living room in Australia has woken up to the benefit of 16:9 aspect ratio. Our phones use it, and the screens of our TVs and laptops are pretty much 16:9 all the way. The reason POS terminals are lagging behind is because Industrial Panel PC manufacturers needed to adopt a standard that would ensure consistency across the market. At the time this technology emerged, 4:3 was still very much the dominant aspect ratio. Now that 16:9 is the status quo, it’s time to gear up into the next generation of longevity and futureproof hardware. There are 3 solid, functional reasons why 16:9 gets 5 stars. Screen real estate. Widescreen normally translates to a higher overall pixel count, so you ultimately have more visual space to work with: more images, more graphics, more information to show the operator. More space means more touch points. By the same token, the wider screen also gives you more surface area to add options for input, more buttons, the option of sub-menus or variables… it’s greater power in the hands of the operator. Vertical or horizontal, no problem. The aspect ratio is so close to 2:1 that onscreen content can be rearranged as two squares side-by-side or over-and-under. To be sure, 4:3 still has a place in artistic expression, photography, painting and other media. But as an aspect ratio to support the reality of how we transact in the 21st century, its reign is over. The final mile We only need to look as far as our own disappointing checkout experiences to know what NOT to do at the transaction stage. Element POS can help you avoid such a scenario, by supporting you with information and industry insights that will ease you through the transition to the big game that is widescreen 16:9.