Technology - September 2005
Retail Owners Institute new and expanded Web site
Temperature/humidity mapping guide for retailers now available
Fortune City Network chooses Pricerunner for comparison shopping solution
Microsoft names Digipos Systems Retail Blade as winner of Global Technology Innovation Award
American Leather’s new site drives traffic
Retail Owners Institute new and expanded Web site
The Retail Owners Institute’s expanded Web site, www.RetailOwner.com, has gone live. The new site has been upgraded with improved navigation, new and enhanced content, organized by retail segment. You will find Benchmark Numbers, Retail Consultants, and POS providers who specialize in your particular segment.
There is an all inclusive library of proven how-to articles on the business of retail and the basics of retail finance, written by Pat Johnson and Dick Outcalt , co-founders of The Retail Owners Institute.
Temperature/humidity mapping guide for retailers now available
Retailers hoping to eliminate environment-related spoilage of inventory can now access a free-of-charge “Temperature and Temperature/Humidity Mapping Guide” from Dickson Company at http://www.dicksonweb.com/article/article_26.php.
Dickson’s “Temperature and Temperature/Humidity Mapping Guide” provides step-by-step instructions on how to create and maintain effective facility mapping programs, including practical advice on how to determine critical mapping points, appropriate sampling rates, data logger selection criteria, and how to approach data analysis, remediation considerations, among other topics.
Fortune City Network chooses Pricerunner for comparison shopping solution
PriceRunner, www.pricerunner.com, the multinational comparison shopping engine of ValueClick, announced a distribution partnership with FortuneCity, one of the world's largest independent Web hosting providers.
Through this agreement, PriceRunner will offer comparison shopping solutions for two of FortuneCity’s properties - FortuneCity.com, which offers web design and hosting, domain names, web logs and email address services, and MyPhotoAlbum.com, which allows members to create personalized online photo albums and print their photos.
PriceRunner will power a co-branded comparison shopping solution for the FortuneCity.com network of sites. FortuneCity members, as well as Web site visitors, will have access to the lowest price on products directly from their FortuneCity web pages.
In addition, PriceRunner will provide product specifications and reviews. PriceRunner will also allow FortuneCity members and consumers to review retail stores’ performance.
For MyPhotoAlbum.com, PriceRunner will offer a solution that enables members to compare prices and product information on photography products directly from their personal online photo albums. Members will be able to compare prices on digital cameras, photo printers, compact cameras and memory cards.
Microsoft names Digipos Systems Retail Blade as winner of Global Technology Innovation Award
The 2005 Microsoft Partner Program Awards recognizes Microsoft Partners that have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions over the past year. With nearly 2,000 entries submitted from around the globe, Microsoft announced DigiPoS Systems "Retail Blade" as its choice for their 2005 Global Technology Innovation Award, Global Partner of the Year.
"The past year has been unparalleled in terms of the level of innovative solutions Microsoft Partners have developed and delivered to our mutual customers," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft. "Those at DigiPoS Systems have set themselves apart from an extremely competitive field, and we applaud them for this well-deserved victory. Their achievement is exemplary of the kind of vision that will help take us beyond the solutions of today to realize the full potential of technology in business."
DigiPoS Systems Retail Blade is the first and only stand-alone "point of service" (POS) system with the benefits of Blade technology. This enables retailers using the Retail Blade to upgrade or repair their systems by sliding out the tray (blade) that is currently in the system, and sliding in a replacement or upgraded blade in literally minutes. This functionality is made available without the need for a technician, change of software, or having to disconnect all the cables and send it back to the manufacturer.
For more information, contact Shayna Miller-Pratt at 866-847-2767 or visit the comapany's Web site at http://www.digipos-systems.com/
American Leather’s new site drives traffic
Dallas-based furniture manufacturer American Leather has boosted its online traffic since its relaunch in May. This follows the launch of an expanded branding and advertising campaign this year, aimed at consumers, which focuses on the company’s new message of “fashion, performance and innovation.”
Still located at www.americanleather.com, the new Web site was designed to portray the company’s new branding message to retailers and end customers, while also providing consumers with an engaging, intuitive and informative site to learn about American Leather products and how to care for leather furniture.
Visitors to the site will find a new search function and an expanded color swatch viewing area to allow consumers a first-hand view of how they can customize their American Leather furniture. The site navigation has also been redesigned so that now visitors roll over the navigation bars and additional information appears, providing a more interactive experience. Products are also prominently featured on the site with both a graphics catalog of silhouetted product shots, and configuration and features information available about each product.
“Since the launch of the new advertising campaign and Web site this spring, site traffic is up about 40 percent and the number of consumers asking questions or requesting more information is up more than 50 percent,” said Benson. “This not only tells us that the site is becoming an increasingly good resource for consumers to learn about the company, but it also allows us to further direct consumers to our retail partners.”
For retailers, a special “Dealer Area” was developed that allows retailers to place orders directly through to the factory, check status of production and delivery of their orders and receive general customer service support. A general “Delivery Status” page is also available that alerts visitors and retailers on estimated shipping and delivery of orders placed, and any product or out-of-stock issues that may be pending in the factory.