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.
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.
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.
Laptopshop’s online refurbishment drives customers to site
Laptopshop have introduced a selection of new products, increased their staff levels and further invested into the company, to become a leading provider of specialist technology products through an online medium. Successfully trading online since 1998, Laptopshop features over 40,000 products at near trade prices and have partnerships with industry leaders such as Sony, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Siemen’s, Acer, HP Compaq, IBM, Asus and Samsung.
They don’t hide behind their technology and expect customers to know what it’s all about. Instead they actively encourage customers to ring the sales team for advice on any of their products. This is why there phone number is displayed on every single page of our website, ensuring you are buying from a top quality site with no hidden agendas.
Quality customer service
With a specially trained sales team onboard, Laptopshop provide excellent customer service and great value for money. Laptopshop offer their customers the very latest technology; secure online shopping available 24 hours a day, complete with next day nation-wide delivery. Here at Laptopshop, there is a wide range of customers, ranging from private buyers to schools, hospitals, local government, charities, large corporations and small businesses often with many customers coming back because the service has been so great.
So much to choose at Laptopshop.co.uk
Laptops in today’s world are essential for both business and social surroundings. With so many features and applications on offer, finding the perfect laptop to suit your needs and requirements can often become a daunting task. Then there is the problem of cost, and whether you can actually afford a top-of-the-range laptop at a reasonable budget.
Knowing where to look and who to trust is a good start and www.laptopshop.co.uk is the perfect place to stop, browse and purchase your laptop. Laptopshop feature a range of new and refurbished laptops, including Notebooks from top manufacturers including Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer, HP Compaq, Samsung, Fujitsu, Siemen, Asus and many more.
Their refurbished laptops are restored and standardized by their own in-house technicians who ensure that all refurbished laptops are put through rigorous 21 point quality check before being offered for sale. In fact, they are so confident in the quality of their refurbished laptops that they provide a full years warranty completely FREE of charge. The site also features an array of accessories, including memory cards, laptop bags and USB’s to complete your perfect laptop package.
Top products currently available
Laptopshop are currently stocking Tablet PC’s perfect for working quickly and ideal for both in the office and at home. The Tablet PC’s Pen allows you to take nots on the fly, represent your work with diagrams fast and operate Applications as naturally as you would write a letter with a pen. Tablet PC’s can be bought online from top manufacturers such as Fujitsu, Siemens Tablet PC’s, Panasonic Tablet PC’s and Toshiba Tablet PC’s.
Have your life at your fingertips with the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). The UMPC is perfect for when you are always on the move and need something that can keep up with you. You can stay connected, entertained and organised anywhere you mobile lifestyle takes you, with this compact, portable and powerful new comparison.
Looking for the perfect laptop for you
It is important when looking for a laptop you consider the main requirements you will need it to fulfill. For instance if you are going to be using a lot of programmes at one time, you will need to consider the power of the laptop and the available RAM (memory) in the Laptop. A good idea would be to choose a laptop with a dual-core processor to enable you and your software to work faster.
Photographs, videos, and large documents can take up a lot of room on your hard drive, so it is essential you choose a laptop which can accommodate for all of this data. To do this, you need to look at how many Gigabytes you may need. Generally most people are happy with 80 gigabytes.
If you are simply using it for email purposes, you can relax the amount of storage you need which will decrease the cost. Finally look at how you will be using your laptop. Many laptops come with a widescreen display, but make sure you choose a size which will benefit you. A small screen is fine for smaller functions like email, but photo editing generally requires a larger screen. If you are looking to use your laptop for entertainment purposes, such as watching films, you need to consider whether it features high definition optical drives known as Blue Ray and HD-DVD.
If you will be using online social networking sites, like MSN Messenger or Skype, it might be a good idea to look at laptops with a built in Webcam (video camera). With so much on offer don’t waste anymore time in thinking about what you need, go ahead and buy your perfect laptop at Laptop.co.uk.
FreeAgent Central secures funds for expansion
FreeAgent Central
FreeAgent Central has secured its first round of funding, positioning the company for rapid expansion as it embarks on an aggressive growth strategy.
The independent software company, pioneering online accounting specifically for small businesses and freelancers, has received an undisclosed amount of investment from private and angel investors including serial entrepreneur Christoph Janz, founder of Pageflakes and an early investor in Zendesk, another highly successful SaaS player. This comes after a hugely competitive start to the year with a sustained 40% increase in users every month during the first quarter.
Built for freelancers, by freelancers, FreeAgent has engaged with its users since its launch to ensure its software is simple in design, highly intuitive and usable. Most recently the company completed a wholesale redesign of the site's interface and implemented a number of improvements, many of which were suggested by its users.
"Anyone who's founded a startup will recognise the problem: it can be hard to get to grips with the accounting side of things," said Christoph Janz, who joins the board of directors at FreeAgent Central. "The team have created an easy-to-use solution to that problem which I believe will have a big impact on the success of its small business customers."
This funding and future investment will all aid the development of new features including exciting developments in multi-currency accounting, internationalisation and predictive cashflow.
The company has also successfully forged partnerships with some of the UK's largest accounting practices. A leading provider of accountancy services to professional contractors and freelancers, London-based Blevins Franks will now be providing all its clients with a subscription to the FreeAgent service as part of its offering.
Providing FreeAgent software to practices means accountants spend less time number crunching, more time offering accounting advice and giving businesses a lot more transparency in their figures.
Phil Richards from Blevins Franks commented, "After 16 years helping Freelancers and Contractors run their Limited Companies FreeAgent have come up with something really special that enables a contractor to run their own company simply and easily. The last 12 months that we have worked with FreeAgent have been very exciting for us and we look forward to adapting our services as FreeAgent service itself develops more."
Ed Molyneux, CEO of FreeAgent Central comments: "During an economic crisis it is vital small businesses and freelancers have a clear picture of their finances and the ability to control their cashflow.
"With this investment we can continue to improve our service for those in need of easy-to-use financial management tools, and expand quickly to reach even more of those small businesses and freelancers that make up the engine room of the British economy. We're delighted to be welcome Christoph to the team and he's already been able to provide invaluable help."
Unlike accounting packages like Sage and Quickbooks, FreeAgent is web-based, requires no downloads or installation and is accessible from any computer with internet access. Uniquely, it is also able to provide a 'Tax Timeline' - a real-time forecast of tax liabilities and deadlines which help the business owner to avoid tax bill surprises and missed deadlines.
http://www.freeagentcentral.com
Ends
About Christoph Janz
Christoph is a serial entrepreneur with more than twelve years of experience in the software and Internet business. Back in 1997 he co-founded German Internet startup DealPilot, one of the first comparison shopping services, funded by Bertelsmann and later acquired by Shopping.com. In 2005 he co-founded Pageflakes (www.pageflakes.com), a leading personalizable homepage backed by Balderton Capital and recently acquired by LiveUniverse.
Contact Info: Chris Welton :: cat@hottinroof.co.uk :: 01312257880
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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
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Knexus Digital Unveils ‘Mobile Marketing’ Insights
Knexus Digital unveils ‘Mobile Marketing’ insights
Knexus Digital, the digital marketing resource, has launched a Mobile programme to help marketers improve their mobile marketing performance. These insights are tailored to give professionals market intelligence from a strategy and planning perspective, end-to-end campaign management and mobile media optimisation.
The Knexus 2009 programme equips marketers with unique know-how to accelerate the efficiency of their marketing teams and optimize mobile marketing strategy. Knexus Digital’s ‘Mobile Marketing’ expert Jide Sobo’s (Ansible) insights can be accessed live online, on demand via video or downloadable podcasts.
Ashmi Ahluwalia, Knexus Digital Product Manager commented, “Mobile marketing is one of the fastest-growing marketing channels. Knexus Digital provides 24/7 insights on mobile messaging, result-driven mobile campaigns and mobile strategy designed to ensure marketing success for our customers. Our premium content is tailored to deliver more in less time and give marketing teams the knowledge needed to lead in a competitive marketplace.”
Marketers looking to accelerate their mobile marketing performance and stay competitive can get complimentary access to Knexus Digital’s mobile marketing insights here: (http://www.knexusgroup.com/view/685/complimentary/324115)
Please contact Sherlyn Lee for further details at e. sherlyn.lee@knexusgroup.com
About Knexus Digital
Knexus Digital, the digital marketing resource to connect, learn and grow, is a sub division of Knexus. We provide digital marketing learning, intelligence and networking opportunities to the world’s leading brands.
Knexus Digital customers get quick, flexible access to the latest digital marketing learning and ideas from leading industry experts, tailored to their needs.
Media inquiries
Sherlyn Lee
Marketing Manager, Knexus Ltd
t. +44 (0) 845 838 5316
e. sherlyn.lee@knexusgroup.com
www.knexusgroup.com
Contact Info: Sherlyn Lee
Marketing Manager, Knexus Ltd
t. +44 (0) 845 838 5316
e. sherlyn.lee@knexusgroup.com
www.knexusgroup.com
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Knexus Digital: Measure your marketing impact!
Knexus Digital: Measure your marketing impact!
Knexus Digital, has launched an Analytics programme to help digital marketers measure the impact of their marketing spend. These insights are tailored to assist marketers with market intelligence, new revenue opportunities and cutting-edge strategies to significantly improve their ROI!
The Knexus 2009 Analytics Programme equips marketers with unique know-how to accelerate digital marketing performance and optimize marketing spend. Knexus Digital’s Analytics expert Andrew Hood’s (Lynchpin) insights can be accessed live online, on demand via video or downloadable podcasts.
Knexus Digital Product Manager Ashmi Ahluwalia commented ‘The measurement and optimization of marketing budgets has never before been more significant. Knexus Digital’s Analytics programme gives marketers a 24/7 resource to optimize their digital strategy in line with their marketing budgets.’
Marketers looking to accelerate their digital marketing performance improve ROI and stay competitive can learn more about Knexus Digital’s Analytics (http://www.knexusgroup.com/webinars/upcoming/filter/web_analytics) programme here (http://www.knexusgroup.com/licenses)!
Please contact Sherlyn Lee for further details at e. sherlyn.lee@knexusgroup.com
About Knexus Digital
Knexus Digital, the digital marketing resource to connect, learn and grow, is a sub division of Knexus. We provide digital marketing learning, intelligence and networking opportunities to the world’s leading brands.
Knexus Digital customers get quick, flexible access to the latest digital marketing learning and ideas from leading industry experts, tailored to their needs.
Contact Info: Media inquiries
Sherlyn Lee
Marketing Manager, Knexus Ltd
t. +44 (0) 845 838 5316
e. sherlyn.lee@knexusgroup.com
www.knexusgroup.com
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DAYDREAM
Daydream
Daydream (www.daydream.co.uk) leading digital asset management (DAM) specialists, have launched a suite of media management components to compliment their FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager platform. Each Open Studio component offers enhanced features devoted to the management of a particular digital media type: video management, print management and image management.
“Although FocusOPEN supports a wide range of media, we recognised that many organisations need more in-depth features to manage specific types of digital assets” explains Ralph Windsor, Managing Director of Daydream. “The Open Studio Media Suite provides specialist facilities and services for managing either video, print or image files. Each Open Studio component can be connected seamlessly into FocusOPEN’s flexible architecture to provide our clients with far better tools for the job in hand.”
The Open Studio Media Suite is the latest upgrade to the FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager platform and can be configured in any combination to meet unique needs. The Video Open Studio provides a suite of web-based video asset management tools, including advanced playback, time-code accurate logging and timeline cataloguing, which, when combined with Daydream’s ultra-high volume content delivery network, are ideal for organisations that need to deliver high-demand video library services.
The Print Open Studio is designed for organisations who need to distribute press-ready print media files, which users can customise in their web browsers, such as regional brochures, adverts or personal stationery. The Image Open Studio delivers a suite of sophisticated web-based image management tools for capture, conversion, editing and manipulation, perfect for all organisations who use or preserve high volumes of photos or illustrations.
“We are confident that the Open Studio Media Suite will greatly enhance our FocusOPEN digital asset management platform and will provide the very exhaustive and specific media management features that our clients and prospects are looking for.” Windsor concludes.
About Daydream
Established in 1995, Daydream is the leading UK vendor of Digital Asset Management and Media Asset Management systems. Over the last 10 years, their FocusOPEN DAM technologies have been implemented by over 30 global organisations including Major League Baseball, WS Atkins, Shell and BNP Paribas. For more information, visit Daydream at www.daydream.co.uk
Contact Info: Emma Tappenden
Daydream, Linton House 164-180 Union St, London, SE1 0LH * press@daydream.co.uk
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