The Heatwave begins
This week forecasters predict that we could experience some of the hottest days of the summer so far and said there is a 60% chance of temperatures reaching 32C (89.6F). The Met Office has issued a "heat health" warning for this week.
The Department of Health have advised staying in the shade during the hottest parts of the day, avoiding strenuous activities and to stay hydrated by drinking plenty. Children and the elderly are most at risk. Air conditioning fans at home are a good way to keep cool and having ice lollipops in is another way to keep fluid levels up. As we are not use to such hot weather lasting for so long, it is important to follow the advice on offer. Too much sun can lead to health complaints, some short term such as dehydration and heat stroke. But these can easily be avoided by looking after yourself in the sun.
NetVoucherCodes provides a massive selection of retailers that can help you prepare yourself and your family for the hot weather. There are retailers covering sun cream, sun-hats, fans, aftersun, sunglasses, summer clothing and footwear. These products can be essential in ensuring you stay safe in the sun. You don't have to sepnd a fortune either, as many retailers on www.netvouchercodes.co.uk have offers, vouchers and Summer Sales currently on at present, some as much as 70% off!
Here is just a small selection of the retailers available on www.netvouchercodes.co.uk; Boots.com, Sunglasses UK, AirConDirect, Miss Selfridge, Simply Beach, New Look, Born2BeCool, Kids Shoe Factory, Debenhams, D&A Designer Sunglasses, Schuh and Superdrug.
So for all your summer sun needs, remember to visit NetVoucherCodes for special offers, deals and discount codes.
For more information contact Joanne Jones : pr@netvouchercodes.co.uk
Sizzle Media Take Manchester Web Design by Storm
With heritage and expertise that dates back to the mid-‘90s internet boom, Sizzle Media can quite rightly lay claim to being one of Manchester’s leading multi-service digital agencies.
The award-winning company’s roots are based in web design and that remains a key offering today with many customers utilising Sizzle’s superb skills in tandem with their price plan of an initial payment followed by the remainder spread across twelve months in easy low-cost instalments.
Every site created through this system comes with a year’s worth of premium quality, UK-based web hosting and a free domain name, ensuring that you can get your completed site up-and-running as soon as possible.
But Sizzle certainly aren’t a one-trick pony with a dedicated team for all your business needs, including graphic designers, copywriters, marketing experts and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) specialists.
Over the last four years, Sizzle’s branding and marketing teams have helped one of their clients, Indian Ocean Restaurant, pick up no less than 15 industry awards, including the much-coveted ‘Best in the North’ at Be Inspired Business Awards 2008.
Get in touch with Sizzle Media, web design Manchester, to find out how they can help your business.
Will the New Aflite Affiliate Network Be Good for Affiliates As Well As Small Business?
Aflite is the new affiliate network built for new and small online businesses due for launch early July. The broader selection of new, unique and innovative merchants delivers attractive propositions for affiliates to market.
The Aflite.co.uk network has been designed for accessibility to small and new businesses to start affiliate marketing. But, does it make sense for affiliates to join?
Affiliates want the following from their network and its merchants:
- Assurance of payment
Aflite provide tools to ensure affiliates can analyse the quality of a merchant. The API (Application Programming Interface) gives affiliates the power to run live checks on merchants before displaying a merchant on their website.Calculations based on historic data produce a quality score of a merchant. This information is passed to the affiliate for their own assesment. - High commission rates
Due to Aflite’s billing model, 100% of commission is paid to affiliates. Aflite charge merchants on their credit top ups, freeing up commission for affiliates. - High conversions
Although conversions in some cases may be lower, smaller less well known businesses often pay more commission than the large brands. Combined with Aflite’s billing methods affiliates should see a good return from their chosen merchants. - A good proposition
It’s always good to offer something a bit different. New businesses are often innovative in their approach, providing new business models and services that aren’t typically found from the larger retailers.
Aflite has worked hard to address the issues that face affiliates, striving to be a network profitable for both small businesses and affiliates.
The new network is due for launch in the second week of July 2009, if you have any questions or suggestions for Aflite please checkout their holding page at http://aflite.co.uk for contact details. There are also some benefits in registering your interest early.
IKEA rolls out Protouch kiosks for loyalty scheme
IKEA, the home furnishings giant, has implemented a suite of self service kiosks to improve customer in-store experience. Customers use the self service kiosks to sign up to join the IKEA FAMILY loyalty scheme. IKEA needed a quick, easy and instant way for customers to apply to its IKEA FAMILY loyalty scheme in store and implemented a suite of Xen X5 kiosks as the means to do so.
Studies show that loyalty cards are a vital tool to improve profitability and one of the most cost effective ways to build brand loyalty and improve customer retention. The self-service kiosks offer customers the convenience of signing up in-store and in addition, loyalty scheme customers benefit further by being the first to know of upcoming promotions, sales and events via on screen information targeted solely at them.
Tim Schroons of IKEA Belgium said, "We are very happy with the IKEA FAMILY registration kiosks that are installed in all Belgian IKEA stores. They allow us to have a much more efficient way of recruiting new IKEA FAMILY members without the presence of a co-worker being required. This versatile solution allows us to recruit new members and have existing members print out a temporary card or update their customer profile in a user friendly way".
Quant Marketing created the concept for the kiosk solution during its marketing-led IT projects in 2008 and selected Protouch as its hardware partner.
They are made from Protouch’s Xen X5 kiosk with 19” touch screens, 80mm receipt printers, keyboards and look great in store with full cover branded laminates and bright orange paint work.
Tom Quarry, managing director of Protouch comments: “We are really excited to be involved in Quants’s kiosk solution for IKEA. It is great to see our touch screen kiosks working so well within the project by improving IKEA’s operations and enhancing in-store experience for its customers”.
18 kiosks are currently in use across 6 Belgian stores with a potential rollout to further IKEA stores in Europe.
The Xen X5
The award-winning X5 is the star of the Xen kiosks after winning the Retail Systems Awards 2008 EPoS innovation of the year. Its smart blend of form, function and price has provided a leader for the EPoS market and shows the way for evolving retail environments.
Designed for easy upgrading and available with a number of additional options the EPoS solution it doesn’t stop as an EPoS unit though; many additional features can be added to the X5 to turn it into a ticket collection, customer loyalty or a home delivery system. And, with its extended back the internal parts can be fitted without it losing its slim profile.
Its steel, strong body and vandal resistant powder coat finish are scratch resistant and easy to clean. It can be branded with a customised vinyl logo or full colour graphic covering front and/or back and additionally finished to specific RAL colour. And, if the self service kiosk has no permanent location you can use its custom-made flight case to transport to its next spot.
For more information please contact:
Amanda Wallace at a.wallace@protouch.co.uk.
Notes to the editor
At Protouch we’re all about touch screens; every piece of hardware we sell or rent has one. In fact we’re touch screen people pure and simple.
We roll out touch screen kiosks, monitors & PCs, EPoS systems and large format digital signage across all industries and each one can be specially made to a brief. We think it’s this dedication that’s made us the no.1 supplier of touch screens and kiosks in the UK, because we don’t just sell, we evolve.
Every product and service we offer is there to provide our customers and the industry with the right solution at the right time. We can do everything from in store payment, ordering, product look up, receipt / ticket printing, RFID, Bluetooth, branding and much more.
Our products have optimised the sales and services of clients such as Specsavers, Sports World, Ikea and Kiddicare and currently we are trialling kiosks for several other high profile companies which will lead to further substantial roll outs.
In 2008 we won ‘EPoS innovation of the year’ for our revolutionary in store kiosk solution at the Retail Systems Awards 2008; were awarded ISO 9001 certification in recognition of our high standard of Quality Management Systems and relocated our manufacturing site and offices to a purpose built 22 000ft² facility in Camberley, Surrey.
Cineworld rolls out Protouch kiosks
Cineworld, the 2nd largest multiplex cinema chain in the UK, has installed Protouch’s Xen X5 and X4 self service kiosks into a number of its UK cinemas.
The self service kiosks are to be used for both Cineworld’s Unlimited film programme and for ticket collection.
Cineworld installed the Xen X5 self service kiosks into five of its cinema sites which include Glasgow, West India Queys and Cheltenham in late 2008. They are used in the cinema’s main foyer for Cineworld’s Unlimited film programme that entitles visitors to watch any film, any day, any time and at any Cineworld Cinema from just £13.50 a month.
Cinemagoers simply sign up to the programme by entering their details into the self service kiosk. From this an A4 receipt with a photo of the member on is then printed out, which they can use as identification until their membership card arrives in the post.
In the six months that the self service kiosks have been operating, they have shown impressive results, increasing membership by 100 new members per week. Due to the success, Cineworld plan to install the Xen X5 kiosk into all of its cinemas, selling the Unlimited programme.
John Anderson Cineworld’s Marketing Co-ordinator said, “The Unlimited program is a large and important part of Cineworlds business and distinguishes them from every other cinema company in the UK and Protouch’s X5 kiosk is helping advance the programme.”
On the back of the success of the X5s, Cineworld has greatly expanded its kiosk operations and is now rolling out 34 of our new Xen X4 kiosks into 13 of its UK cinema sites.
The X4s will be used by cinema goers for ticket purchase and collection and will run as either wall or floor mounted kiosks using the latest Chasis Printer technology for printing ticket receipts. Collectively the kiosks have brought down ticket purchase handling and paper costs and are particularly beneficial for managing customer data.
Protouch are currently Europe’s number one manufacturer and distributor of touch screen equipment, touch screen monitors and digital signage. Their award-winning Xen X5 is the star of the Xen kiosk range after winning the Retail Systems Awards 2008 EPoS innovation of the year.
Its smart blend of form, function and price has provided a leader for the EPoS market and shows the way for evolving retail environments.
How the Xen X5 can work for you
Designed for easy upgrading and available with a number of additional options the Xen X5 doesn’t stop as an touch screen EPoS unit.
Many additional features can be added to the X5 to turn it into a ticket collection, customer loyalty or a home delivery system. And, with its extended back, the internal parts can be fitted without it losing its slim profile. Its steel, strong body and vandal resistant powder coat finish are scratch resistant and easy to clean.
It can be branded with a customised vinyl logo or full colour graphic covering front and/or back and additionally finished to specific RAL colour. And, if the kiosk has no permanent location you can use its custom-made flight case to transport to its next spot.
Flexibility with the Xen X4
The Xen X4 is a wall mountable version of the award winning Xen X5 kiosk. The design of the Xen X4 fits conveniently against an indoor wall or can be neatly mounted onto a custom made floor stand.
The Xen X4 can be manipulated for all business matters, including adding chip and pin and receipt printer making it ideal for busy retail environments such as cinemas or train stations. Alternatively, it can also be used as an information point either wall or floor mounted to maintain a uniform feel within a client’s environment.
For more information please contact: Amanda Wallace at a.wallace@protouch.co.uk.
END
Notes to the editor
At Protouch we’re all about touch screens; every piece of hardware we sell or rent has one. In fact we’re touch screen people pure and simple.
We roll out touch screen kiosks, monitors & PCs, EPoS systems and large format digital signage across all industries and each one can be specially made to a brief. We think it’s this dedication that’s made us the no.1 supplier of touch screens and kiosks in the UK, because we don’t just sell, we evolve.
Every product and service we offer is there to provide our customers and the industry with the right solution at the right time. We can do everything from in store payment, ordering, product look up, receipt / ticket printing, RFID, Bluetooth, branding and much more.
Our products have optimised the sales and services of clients such as Specsavers, Sports World, Ikea and Kiddicare and currently we are trialling kiosks for several other high profile companies which will lead to further substantial roll outs.
In 2008 we won ‘EPoS innovation of the year’ for our revolutionary in store kiosk solution at the Retail Systems Awards 2008; were awarded ISO 9001 certification in recognition of our high standard of Quality Management Systems and relocated our manufacturing site and offices to a purpose built 22 000ft² facility in Camberley, Surrey.
Shoplaptop survey reveals people are taking their laptops to bed
A recent study has found that many people who own a laptop are browsing the web in their pyjamas for more than six hours a week. The survey conducted by Credant Technologies found that more than half of UK workers take their laptop or other mobile devices to bed and use them before they go to sleep.
Credant Technologies, a data protection company, surveyed 300 workers to uncover patterns of laptops use and security implications and 57 per cent of those said that they spend at least six hours a week doing work on their laptops from their bed before they go to sleep.
Most of them said that their companions found the habit “very annoying” and 8 per cent of the offenders admitted spending more time on mobile devices than talking to their partners each night.
Forty-four per cent of the respondents said they store important work documents on their mobile devices and 54 per cent of those devices lacked encryption. One-fifth of the respondents acknowledged using wireless networks that aren’t secure while they work in bed.
VP at Credant, Michael Callahan, said, “This survey confirms that there is a growing population that is no longer restricted by working hours or confined to the office building itself. "People are mobile and will work anywhere -- even in bed. Therefore, when sensitive and valuable data is being held on these devices and they get lost, it can have pretty detrimental and far-reaching consequences to both the worker and their employer."
The survey also revealed that eighty-seven percent of respondents favour connecting to the Internet via wireless networks while in bed. Forty-seven percent said they connect to wireless networks in hotels without thinking about security.
Credant advised the 4 per cent of respondents who said the last thing they do before going to sleep is to check their e-mail messages and complete work to "take a long, hard look at their gadget-obsessed lives."
The company also advised encryption of data stored on mobile devices, the use of strong passwords, awareness of all points of connection, turning off unsecured Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, and leaving the laptops behind at bedtime. With so many people turning to the comfort of their laptops before bed, Shoplaptop.co.uk can offer their customers over 350 individual laptops at a wide of prices for you to choose from.
Shop Laptop feature only the best laptop deals on the market. With laptop deals from the likes of Dell, Asus and Toshiba, Shop Laptop has the most comprehensive selection of laptops on the Internet.
Customers can select from a variety of offers such as cheap laptops, mini laptops, and free laptops with mobile broadband. Shop Laptop pride themselves on the ability that they do not list deals based on commissions or financial incentives and that all deals listed are purely for customer gain and satisfaction.
Established in 2003, Shop Laptop provides unbiased and unrivalled advice on the best laptop deals on the market. The site allows users to browse the website for free, knowing that the advice they are receiving is unbiased and that the customer is being put first.
The website also offers a variety of articles and advice across a wide range of queries people have when buying a laptop. Advice about colour, style, makes and features make this site a valid port call when finding the best laptop deal.
Guardian News & Media appoints Lynchpin Analytics
Guardian News & Media (GNM) has retained Lynchpin Analytics to undertake ongoing data analysis of its award-winning website, guardian.co.uk. Lynchpin was initially hired to complete a one-off project but the results have proved so valuable to GNM that the project has been extended long term.
This move by GNM indicates the increasing sophistication and complexity of online analytics. GNM currently uses the Omniture web analytics tool and Lynchpin has been tasked with providing greater insight into how readers arrive at and engage with guardian.co.uk.
Andrew Hood explains: "We are delighted to be working with GNM. They are constantly finding new ways to innovate and engage with their community and it’s a privilege to work on the UK’s most popular newspaper website."
Stephen Dunn, Head of Technology Strategy for Guardian News & Media comments: "Lynchpin has a powerful track record in the analytics sector and we are keen to work with specialists that can deliver results and help us understand our users. The fact that the initial project has been extended is testament to Lynchpin’s work and the value of their expertise."
This news follows a recent announcement of Lynchpin’s first project with HMV and the contract consolidates the company’s position as a major provider of web analytics services for top UK businesses such as M&S Money, Vodafone and Cadbury.
Ambergreen presents a digital marketing masterclass at Internet World
Ambergreen, the pioneering digital marketing agency, will showcase its expertise in a live case study talk for NSPCC at Internet World in London, 28 – 30 April.
Presenting with Avenue A/Razorfish, Ambergreen Head of Search, Ian Duncan will discuss the major challenges and success in the re-design, migration and marketing of content from the NSPCC.org.uk site to the new ChildLine site.
Tasked with developing the site as a platform to engage children and young people who need help and advice, Ambergreen displayed its search marketing prowess with a campaign that ensured high visibility for key search terms including helping to expand the perception of the issues ChildLine deals with.
Playing a key role in a fully synergised campaign, Ambergreen helped push traffic up by 59% and generate a substantial increase in the amount of contacts to ChildLine through the website.
Tino Nombro, MD of Ambergreen says: “This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss a successful campaign with a really important goal. It is the second year in a row we have been invited to talk at Internet World and we are again honoured to be a part of such an important event.”
The presentation will take place in the Mobile, Online Advertising, Affiliate & Search Marketing Seminar Theatre at 1pm on Wednesday 29 April, and Ambergreen will be displaying at stand E2110.
Ends
Live Insights at Knexus Digital
Live Insights at Knexus Digital
March 09, 2009 – London – Knexus Digital, the essential digital marketing resource, will host live insights on ‘lead generation and performance-based marketing’ to help marketers understand where leads come from, how they are generated and the difference between ‘data capture’ and relevant research for lead conversion .This content will deliver the latest insights and market intelligence on lead-generation performance.
The programme is created in conjunction with Knexus Digital expert Justin Rees (Leadpoint) who will deliver insights and take questions live online. The content will also be available On Demand via video and downloadable podcasts.
Ashmi Ahluwalia, Knexus Digital Product Manager commented, "Lead generation is a very powerful tool to develop new business opportunities online as well as a significant performance-based channel to reach targets for marketing teams. Knexus Digital gives marketers a 360 degree approach to lead-sourcing, performance and measurement. These insights will ensure market leadership in the current economic climate"
Marketers looking for compelling insights on lead generation can get a complimentary sample of Knexus Digital's insights here: http://www.knexusgroup.com/view/693/complimentary/613809.
About Knexus Digital
Knexus Digital, the essential digital marketing resource, delivers latest insights and market intelligence to leading global brands. We combine exclusive digital marketing content from leading experts with innovative productivity tools to drive success.
Our rich programme of 450 + latest digital marketing topics is delivered by 25 leading experts to suit the flexible needs of our customers - ranging from 10 minute expert insights online to 120 minute offline networking opportunities. Coupled with this, our powerful tools provide effective networking & collaboration, blogging and reporting capabilities.
In essence, Knexus Digital helps marketing teams acquire new skills and insights to adapt to a fast-changing marketplace. In the face of global competition and shrinking marketing budgets, we provide digital marketing solutions in quick, easy and cost-effective ways.
Media Inquiries
Sherlyn Lee
Marketing Manager, Knexus Ltd
t. +44 (0) 845 838 5316
e. sherlyn.lee@knexusgroup.com
*Use the info above to contact persons regarding this press release*