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GOWANDA - Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) is interested in New York's untapped potential, literally.
"New York's the home to more than 280 million maple trees with tapping potential according to the great researchers at Cornell University," Schumer said in a conference call Wednesday. "It's no wonder that the sugar maple's our official state tree."
With the Farm Bill coming up for in 2012, Schumer announced he will be introducing The Maple Tap Act to be included in the bill.
"I'm introducing legislation, it's called the Maple Tap Act, that provides the United States Department of Agriculture grants of up to $20 million a year to states that create programs to encourage individual land owners to open up their trees to maple tapping," Schumer said. "How did we choose these ideas? Because they've worked in Canada. This is how Canada greatly expanded its maple production, by doing just this. The much needed grants are a new addition to the legislation making this bill a bigger boost to the industry and to New York's economy."
According to Schumer, while New York state has more maple trees than Canada, our neighbor to the north controls 85 percent of the maple syrup worldwide and produce 20 times more maple syrup than New York. One of the reasons is that New York maple farmers are currently tapping fewer than 1 percent of the state's maple trees.
"It doesn't have to be that way because New York has nearly 200 million more potential taps than all of Canada," Schumer said. "Right now, according to the Cornell analysis, more than $82 million in potential revenue is stuck in the trees across the state just waiting to be let out. This $12 million annual industry could grow to $93 million a year which would boost rural economic development throughout New York State and all we need to do is tap more of our trees."
According to Schumer, one of the largest impediments to increasing production of maple syrup is that 68 percent of tapable trees are on private land, creating a barrier to maple farmers.
"Demand for maple syrup both here and abroad is far outpacing supply," Schumer said. "It's driving prices to record levels. Maple syrup's become extremely popular. New York is well positioned to seize this piping hot economic opportunity, creating buckets of new jobs along the way. ... I'm focused like a laser on finding creative ways to help upstate New York realize our economic potential and create jobs cause the upstate voters have said jobs is number one."
For Paul Lesefske, owner of the Maple Glen Sugar House in Gowanda, this act could help help almost double the amount of taps he currently has.
"It definitely would benefit somebody like myself and I've been for it since day one.," Lesefske said. "So, if it all comes together, that would be great."
All of the 4,000 taps that feed Maple Glen are on private property already. With money from the proposed grants, Lesefske said he would consider looking at a 10 to 15 mile radius around Gowanda for more property owners willing to let him tap their maple trees.
"It all depends on how much the larger land owners would consider taking advantage of that and allowing us to lease their particular property," he said. "I'm against logging, but when a logger comes in to log a particular wood lot off and it happens to be primarily maples, I'm not gonna see those trees ever again in my lifetime - to reach maturity, to be able to go in and tap those trees. We need, hopefully, some landowners that will take advantage of this and say, 'No, I don't wanna cut the trees, I wanna save 'em and use 'em for the sap production.'"
At MRC Farms - Pure Maple Products in Sinclairville, co-owner Ken Morley said if he had the opportunity to use grant money to tap more trees, he probably would.
"I don't think I have any objections to it," Morley said. "Probably we would have to upgrade a little bit on our evaporator. It wouldn't be major. There's additions you can put on an evaporator to get to that point."
Currently MRC Farms uses a vacuum tubing system and has 2,700 taps on its property and an additional 4,000 taps on leased property.
"The sap lines we do during the winter," Morley said. "We all have full time jobs and we do it on the weekends. The last two winters, one wood we bought, we did the whole thing - that's the 2,700 taps - and this past winter we rebuilt a whole woods - tore the whole system out and put a new system in. To do another woods, say somebody came up to us and said, 'Hey we've got this fantastic woods, you wanna come look at it?' ... we (would) spend next winter putting taps in that and getting that ready."
"They say money doesn't grow on trees, but apparently it does grow inside them," Schumer said. "And I love maple syrup. ... As I read this to you, I'm thinking of a nice stack of pancakes with maple syrup coming down the sides. But alas, it is not here. All I have is this paper.
"So simply put, I believe New York can become the global leader in the maple industry and we have a plan to make it happen," Schumer said.
Comments on this article may be sent to firstname.lastname@example.org
A region by region breakdown of potential revenue from untapped maple trees in New York State:
Western New York - 21 million potential new taps, $6 million in revenue
Southern Tier - 70 million potential taps, $22 million in revenue
Capital Region - 35 million potential new taps, $10 million in revenue
Rochester, Finger Lakes Region - 11.6 million potential new taps, $3 million in revenue
Central New York - 45 million potential new taps, $13 million in revenue
Hudson Valley - 26 million potential new taps, $8.7 million in revenue
North Country - 70 million potential new taps, $19 million in revenue

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LORDSTOWN, Ohio — Lordstown Motors and Camping world announced a partnership on Tuesday that would bring electric vehicle technology to the RV industry.
Lordstown Motors CEO Steve Burns and Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis made the announcement in a press conference Tuesday afternoon. At the outset of the partnership, Camping World will provide the service infrastructure for electric vehicles, and down the road the two companies will work together to eventually produce a fully electric motorhome.
Currently, according to Lemonis, Camping World's service infrastructure includes 170 locations across the United States. After receiving training from Lordstown Motors technicians, Lemonis says the plan is to, "be able to provide service in a mock environment by June," and hopefully prototypes by summer 2021. "I would hope that a 2022 model would have electrification in it," Lemonis said.
The production of the battery pack for towable units alone, according to Burns is bringing a total of 1,500 jobs at the plant by the end of 2021, in addition to production for the Endurance truck. "The end goal," Burns said, "is to have more people working in here than GM had in its heyday."
It is quite a lofty goal for the scrappy rookie in the electric vehicle industry. Lordstown Motors moved into the former GM assembly plant after it was shuttered in 2019, when the last Chevy Cruze rolled off of the assembly line. In 2017, GM employed as many as 4,500 autoworkers, a workforce that had dwindled to 1,400 when the plant closed last year.
You can watch the full press conference in the video below:
More coverage of Lordstown Motors:
- Lordstown Motors partners with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow
- Lordstown Motors shows off 2021 Endurance truck to President Trump at White House; GALLERY
- Lordstown Motors receives 40,000 preorders on first all-electric pickup truck
- Vice President Mike Pence visits Lordstown Motors as company unveils all-electric pickup truck
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text: NORTHWEST Ultrexx is making its move -- to Florida Ultrexx Corp. of Seattle said yesterday that it acquired Brightstream Corp., a privately held company in Orlando, Fla., in a stock deal of undisclosed value April 23. Clifford Johnston, the president and sole employee of Ultrexx Corp., said the company will rename itself IP Matrix Corp., move to Orlando, make Brightstream Corp. a wholly owned subsidiary and change its mission. Ultrexx developed artificial-intelligence software called CrXpert, which failed for lack of marketing, Johnston said. With resuscitation in mind, he bought up the holdings of the company, which existed under various names and in various locations, including Salt Lake City, since 1984. Brightstream makes software for the burgeoning voice-over-Internet Protocol market, which IP Matrix will now market. "I think that technology has a future," Johnston said. Snippet ... Craig McCaw, the Eastside multibillionaire who founded McCaw Cellular, through an investment company he controls has bought shares worth $36.4 million in Microcell Telecommunications Inc., a Montreal-based cellular carrier. NATIONAL Online music download service started by Sony Sony Corp. entered the burgeoning digital-music market yesterday, introducing an online music download service that the electronics and media conglomerate is banking also will generate sales for its line of portable audio players. The service, dubbed Sony Connect, offers more than 500,000 tracks from artists on major and independent labels. Like Napster 2.0 and the iTunes Music Store from Apple Computer Inc., Sony Connect sells individual tracks starting at 99 cents and full album downloads beginning at $9.99. Qwest has $310 million loss in first quarter Qwest Communications International Inc. reported a first-quarter loss of $310 million, blaming a 3.9 percent drop in revenue partly on fewer local telephone service sales and a delayed introduction of its nationwide wireless service. The loss announced yesterday amounted to 17 cents a share for the January-March period, in contrast to a profit of $152 million, or 9 cents a share, a year earlier. The year-ago results included $66 million from discontinued operations. Revenue totaled $3.48 billion, down from $3.62 billion a year ago. Qwest said, however, that the pace of the revenue decline is smaller than the 5.6 percent drop in the fourth quarter of 2003 compared with a year earlier. Although the Denver-based company reported record growth in DSL and long-distance service, its new wireless service launch was delayed until March.


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Hotels offer many services from doing guests’ laundry to delivering food, but not many also offer grooming services for guests. A Silver Spring resident is using his business to change that.
Darius Davie, 31, found his path as a barber while pursuing a career in the music industry for six years as a contractor helping to cultivate artists.
Sometimes while working with those artists, he would provide grooming services.
“I was actually on the road sometimes and I would be cutting [the hair of] some of the artists,” he said. He then realized that “if I really focus on this, it can be something else. I can explore this opportunity.”
Davie started his brand, Groom Guy, about four years ago as a blog that provided grooming and general tips for men, which would accrue to about 1,000 readers weekly. He runs it with his business partner Matthew Sears, 30, who serves as the operations director out of New York.
Davie said he compares grooming to art and the theater, which he studied in high school in New York.
“The idea that you get to draw somebody in with very much a timeless craft, with [an] art form that has a lot of depth to it, the human connection that you have, the social connectivity that’s really strong there, the personal relationship – all of that journey got me into it,” he said. “The technical side of it was learning how to frame looks and styles onto people’s faces.”
The Groom Guy brand started to evolve as Davie wanted to try new things in barber services. “[Groom Guy] has cemented itself into this model of hospitality with this kind of boutique design of a groom guy space,” he said.
The Groom Guy brand really grew early in the coronavirus pandemic as salons were closing, some barbers started switching careers and some brands started to wither, Davie said. It was then that he began looking for a way to create something accessible to people.
A New York native, Davie moved to Montgomery County six years ago after studying the market and to be closer to his now-wife, Christine.
In 2021, Groom Guy opened a pop-up location at Yours Truly hotel in Northwest Washington, D.C., offering services including cutting, beard maintenance and some of the business’s products such as brushes, shampoo and conditioner.
“Yours Truly’s partnership with Groom Guy speaks to the property’s ethos as being a hub for the community — a hangout hotel with a team who values supporting local talent and bringing new experiences to guests,” Tauseen Malik, general manager of Yours Truly DC, said in an email. “Darius’ vision to honor the legacy of barbershops and raise awareness for how they have influenced our city is well-aligned with our passion for programming that immerses our guests in the narrative of Dupont Circle and DC.”
A year later, the business now has a permanent residency in the hotel.
“Many times, people travel and were struggling to find a reliable brand, a brand that they can trust to get their everyday care needs met,” Davie said. “Once we decided, ‘let’s try this hotel model,’ that’s when it really took off.”
Not only can patrons of the Groom Guy receive grooming services, they also can grab the signature drink named after the business at the hotel bar. The Groom Guy, also known as the Barber Boulevardier, is a take on an old-fashioned cocktail.
Davie said it was actually a book called Cutting Along the Color Line: Black Barbers and Barbershops in America by Quincy T. Mills that influenced him to develop the concept of partnering with hotels to offer grooming services rather than open barber shops.
“It was a book that changed my life, about the history of barbers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There was a rise of some prominent barbers across America,” he said. “Essentially, they were really kind of pushing the line on the barber industry as well… . So I’m reading this book, I’m hearing about these prominent barbers and, most importantly, I’m hearing it’s been done. So when I’m reading the book, I kind of used that as my blueprint on top of other global experiences and seeing what’s happening around the world.”
Although Groom Guy currently only has one location, Davie said his goals are to expand to various hotels and “be a premium hospitality brand that ultimately partners with a hotel group and be the one-stop destination for people to get their services, to get their information and to get their product.”
Groom Guy also serves the wedding industry and he and Sears want to launch a Groom Guy product line as well, Davie said.
“We essentially provide wedding services to groomsmen and so we can partner with a number of different hotels on that front,” he said. “That’s a budding new feature, we just launched that service that we’re super excited about.”
Davie also is passionate about bringing his grooming services to the Montgomery County area by expanding his business’ service in more hotels within the county.
“We’re going to need to bring this service to provide a lifeline to the community because, in a lot of ways, Groom Guy and the hair industry has an interesting way of having a circle of connections,” he said. “It’s just how to try to fortify relationships with local companies and then focus on the people from that.”


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Apple agrees to let Parler back on the App Store, citing improved moderation
After removing Parler from the App Store back in January, Apple has reportedly decided to allow the app to come back. According to a new report from CNN, Apple has approved Parler’s latest attempt to return to the App Store follow improvements to the moderation system…
In January, Apple had given Parler 24 hours’ notice to implement a content moderation system or else face removal from the App Store. The company resisted and therefore the app was removed as Apple had promised. Over the last few months, however, Apple had kept the door open to allowing Parler back into the App Store, based on whether it implemented a content moderation system.
The report cites a letter that Apple sent to Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO). In the letter, Apple says that Parler has implemented a system to better detect hate speech and other offensive content:
Apple has approved Parler’s return to the iOS app store following improvements the social media company made to better detect and moderate hate speech and incitement, according to a letter the iPhone maker sent to Congress on Monday.
Apple’s approval of Parler’s latest version comes after it rejected the company’s attempt to return to the App Store last month. At the time, Apple said that Parler had not made “sufficient” changes to warrant re-entry into the App Store.Source
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- UK becomes first country to approve Merck’s “game changer” COVID-19 pill.


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Unisoc expands global market share with new smartphone clients
Unisoc has become a 5G chip supplier for mainstream smartphones like Honor and Realme, making it a major chip designer globally, the Shanghai-based firm said on Thursday.
Its consumer-oriented business is expected to jump 137 percent in 2021 and maintain over 100 percent annual growth in the next years, said Unisoc, which has applied to list on the Shanghai STAR Market.
In 2021, Unisoc became a new chip suppler to Honor and Realme and over 100 existing consumer electronics clients including Hisense, TCL, ZTE and Lenovo. In the near future, Unisoc will take 10 percent of the Chinese smartphone chip market, the company said.
Unisoc has passed its "toughest" time and become a "first-tier" chip firm globally, Chief Executive Chu Qing said in Shanghai.
In the first half, Unisoc grabbed 8.4 percent market share in the global mobile chip sector, compared with 4.8 percent a year ago. It has become one of top five vendors with Qualcomm, Huawei HiSilicon, MediaTek and Samsung, according to researcher Counterpoint.
Huawei is also one of the top five vendors but its share has been seriously affected by the US tech ban. Unisoc seems to have become another Chinese mainland chip designer in the 5G era, industry officials said.
A digitally interconnected world can be called a modern building with channels to a 5G network, while the 5G chip is the foundation to connect all things, Unisoc said.
The rapid uptake of 5G has also fueled Unisoc's business in both the consumer and industrial electronics sectors. It is expanding chip applications to industrial sectors, such as smart logistics, power generation, manufacturing and mining. Besides smartphones, its chips are also used in smart watches for kids, tablet computers and augmented reality glasses
In May 2020, the company finished its latest round of financing for about 5 billion yuan (US$735 million). It has applied to list on the Shanghai STAR Market.


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Smith’s Asks Customers To Bring In Plastic Bags For Recycling
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Smith’s grocery stores invited customers to bring in their plastic shopping bags and other plastics that will eventually be recycled into park benches.
April has been designated Earth Month and to observe that Smith’s encouraged customers to return their thin-filter plastics which include grocery bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, and clean sandwich bags.
The stores will have bins to stuff with the plastics.
“Instead of plastic bags ending up in landfills or littering green spaces, we utilize innovative services to turn the material into plastic lumber for the construction of community benches and other items,” said Aubriana Martindale, Smith’s Corporate Affairs Manager. “Earth Month is a great catalyst for action and awareness. Instead of throwing out plastic shopping bags and other plastic items, we encourage our customers to deposit them in containers located in the vestibules of our stores and help us turn more bags into benches.”
Martindale said customers will get five fuel points for each plastic bag brought for a maximum of 50 points.
A news release said Smith’s recycled 39 million pounds of plastic from its stores last year and has committed to phasing out single-use plastic bags by 2025.
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For more than a decade, Tyler Goodier’s work at Health Canada has focused on the safety of your kids.
As a consumer product safety expert, Tyler works with the manufacturers, retailers and distributors of products such as playpens, toys, car seats and corded window coverings. He has seen the injuries that result from unsafe products, spoken with parents who have lost their children, and worked with industry to make sure Canadians have the information they need to make the best choices for themselves and their families.
When Tyler talks to people about his job, they’re often surprised to hear that corded window coverings are on Health Canada’s radar. Blinds and window coverings that have accessible cords have been on the market for decades and are found in many Canadian homes. While we often don’t give them a second thought, Health Canada has been addressing the hazards associated with corded window coverings since the 1990s. Why? Long accessible blind cords pose a very real strangulation hazard. Over the past 30 years, there has been, on average, just over one death of a child per year in Canada linked to corded window products. This number doesn’t include the many children who have been temporarily or permanently injured from blind cords – the “near-misses” as Tyler calls them – where a parent or caregiver intervened in the nick of time. That’s a scary thought. “One death a year is one death too many, especially when you consider that these deaths are preventable. When you make cords inaccessible, you remove the risk,” says Tyler.
The Consumer Product Safety Directorate at Health Canada and industry have worked together for years to address this risk. At first voluntary standards were developed and later the government made those standards mandatory by including them in Canada’s Corded Window Covering Products Regulations.
“There was just one problem,” says Tyler. “Even when warning labels and safety features such as wall mounts to gather excess blind cords were added to window blinds, the number of children being strangled by cords didn’t go down.”
The data on injuries and deaths was giving a very clear message – there was a need to address the risks associated with corded window coverings in a different way. It is apparent that as long as there are long cords on window coverings that children can see and touch, a hazard exists.
Tyler and his team at Health Canada have been working to understand this problem, study the data, and consider the economic impacts of addressing this risk by making amendments to the Corded Window Covering Products Regulations. The solution: restrict the length of cords and the size of loops that can be created by these cords.
"Health Canada is committed to protecting people from dangerous consumer products. These proposed requirements for corded window coverings will address a persistent risk to children, while still allowing several safe models that are currently on the market to be sold," says Tyler.
Want to find out more about the proposed amendments to the Corded Window Covering Products Regulations? Read about them in Canada Gazette – Part I and share your ideas and comments.


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Search Tags: veronica robinson
Need a babysitter on short notice? There's a new social network for parents and babysitters that may do the trick.
Former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson is in prison but his corruption conviction continues to cost taxpayers. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development wants Prince George's County to pay back $1 million that was misspent.
The National Sporting Goods Association says in the last decade the number of women who participated in shooting sports increased to more than 5 million, up 51.5 percent from 2001 to 2011.
As the demographics change, the cruising industry changed its itineraries and amenities. Some cruises target children as young as 4.
When "gluten-free" is brought into a conversation it's usually in reference to cupcakes or special menus at restaurants, but now it's hitting children's toy chests.
When you pull up to the pump to fill your tank, do you ever wonder where your gas money goes? If you think the gas station gets your bills, think again.
Alcohol increases the likelihood you'll wake up in the middle of the night.
Time spent looking at cat videos, shopping online and updating Facebook statuses are part of everyday life. But when it intersects with work life - there's a problem.
The little blue pill prescribed for erectile dysfunction may be on its way to helping people shed pounds.
In 2013, travelers can plan to pay more for airfare and hotels, but there are still some travel deals to take advantage of before summer comes.


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Ex-Apple iPod Chief Says The Music Player Was Developed And Shipped Within A Year
The story of the iPod is one that is very important to Apple. It turned the company from one that makes computers that few bought to a massive player in the music industry.
It allowed the iPhone to be made in a few ways, and according to the team’s lead at the time, the iPod went from nothing to shipping in a year.
Tony Fadell was the man behind the iPod and he’s credited with turning it into the phenomenon that it ended up being. While it was Steve Jobs who ran Apple at the time, it was Fadell that was tasked with taking Toshiba’s 1.8-inch hard disk and turning it into something that could play music. It was him who made a thousand songs in your pocket, possible.
Fadell apparently recently told Stipe CEO Patrick Collison that the iPod timeline was very, very truncated. In fact, Collison says that the first week of 2001 saw Fadell contacted by Apple and by the first week of November iPods were in the hands of customers. That’s quite the turnaround.
In fact, when Apple announced the iPod at the end of October, the whole project had only been greenlit for seven months. In that time an iPod team had been set up and manufacturers brought online.


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Welcome to our PYMNTS Summer School 2013 Recaps – a series designed to bring our readers everything they need to know from the faculty, fellows and forward-thinking innovators we’ve assembled at PYMNTS Summer School. Each day, a different PYMNTS.com editor will give you a rundown of the best quotes and most interesting ideas from mobile payments ecosystem experts, as well as reaction from attendees and more.
PYMNTS Summer School officially began on Monday, August 12, at the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with notable appearances by Dekkers Davidson, CEO of Merchant Customer Exchange, and Faisal Masud, the executive vice president at Staples. The event continued on August 13 with exciting talks from Bill Ready, CEO of Braintree, and Daniel Eckert, senior vice president of Walmart.
All of this led up to day three of PYMNTS Summer School: seven hours jam packed with speeches from key executives at major mobile payments players and emerging mobile powerhouses, and of course, closing remarks that reflected on three days of deep dives into the mobile market.
Module 5 – Digital Wallets and Currencies
Karen Webster, CEO, Market Platform Dynamics (MPD), opened the day’s first module on digital wallets and currencies by reminding the PYMNTS Summer School fellows of an important if oft-forgotten influencer in the shopping experience: consumer habits. A key reason why mobile wallets have failed to capture market share, Webster suggested, is that digital wallets aren’t yet leveraging traditional shopping cues to power new digital platforms.
The MPD CEO quickly unveiled a detailed matrix to illustrate hype versus reality in the mobile wallet industry, and she wasn’t afraid to call out the industry for what she called its “tremendous hype.”
This declaration set the stage for Mario Shiliashki, senior vice president and group head of U.S. Emerging Payments at MasterCard, who took a different approach from Webster in his address. Rather than starting with a challenge, he began by injecting some levity into the conversation – showing a YouTube video that illustrated the pain points associated with mobile payments.
Still, it wasn’t long before he was willing to deviate from the expected industry script.
“MasterPass is our version of the digital wallet infrastructure,” Shiliashki told the gathered fellows. “This is not a MasterCard wallet, it’s part of an infrastructure.”
Shiliashki stated that his company is not alone in its user-first approach. In many examples of successful mobile wallets – Uber, Chipotle and Hotel Tonight, to name a few – payments are taking a backseat to features that provide a magical consumer experience, he noted. He instructed fellows to view wallets as part of an omnichannel shopping experience; one where enhancing the ecosystem around the payment mechanism should be the goal.
Merchant Warehouse’s CEO Henry Helgeson, was quick to take on the issue of mobile wallet adoption from another angle.
“The issue isn’t consumer engagement, the issue is how do we connect with the merchants,” Helgeson told the PYMNTS fellows.
Helgeson went on to define the current mobile wallet marketplace as a crowded ecosystem that is posing a challenge to merchants. Mobile wallet providers, Helgeson said, need to convince merchants that they have value, and that means changing the way they think about their point-of-sale systems (POS). The Merchant Warehouse CEO said that check-ins, QR codes, and compound transactions all fundamentally change POS, and because the shift is so large in the minds of business owners, many will be “gun shy” about pulling the trigger on mobile.
Still, Helgeson left the fellows with hope that widespread mobile wallet adoption will come to pass. The CEO said he believes adoption will happen, though it is likely to be a multistep process that takes years.
Live Case Study #3: Foursquare
Jeff Bussgang, Harvard Business Senior Lecturer and Partner at Flybridge Capital, set the tone for his interactive module by rolling up his sleeves and diving into the session’s key question: why is Foursquare successful?
Bussgang attacked the blackboard, prompting fellows for their analysis of Foursquare’s successes, methodology and monetization. It wasn’t long before Bussgang engaged the gathered fellows in an argument that pitted younger attendees and more experienced fellows against one another. Once the company’s failures and successes were thoroughly dissected, Bussgang moved to frame the case study in the context of the event.
“Who would you rather be today,” Bussgang asked. “Head of Level Up, director of Google Wallet or operating partner at Foursquare?”
While we won’t reveal the answer, we will say that the winner wasn’t Foursquare. With this in mind, Jake Furst, Foursquare’s director of monetization partnerships, took the stage to field questions on his company’s past, present and future.
Furst dismissed the claim that his company never thought about monetization, and cited statistics that indicated Foursquare is still a viable competitor in its field. Furst noted that Foursquare tips are growing faster than Yelp reviews, and that he expects the number of the company’s tips to overtake Yelp reviews next year.
MODULE 6: The New Point of Sale and the Transformation of Retail
As with the day’s first module, Webster once again greeted the gathered PYMNTS fellows with remarks that would set the tone for the next session. She defined the transformation of retail as being about how technology is recrafting the relationship between merchants and consumers.
Jon Stine, Cisco’s director of retail and consumer products practice, took the stage first, and quickly commanded the Harvard lecture hall with a booming voice that focused attendees on the bigger picture.
“Mobile is about immediacy,” he said. “[Consumers] don’t love your apps like you do. Apps are secondary to immediacy.”
Stine’s language was meant to drive home an essential point: retailers need to influence decisions not only today, but in a future where mobile screens are increasingly becoming a way of life. A smartphone, he said, “doesn’t offer strategy, it offers tactics.”
While Stine focused on large retailers and even bigger concepts, Ken Paull, CEO of ROAM, illustrated how small merchants have driven the mobile point of sale (mPOS) transition to date, and he predicted that big things are still in store for players in this sector.
“As hot as the mPOS market is, most of the market is still available,” Paull said, citing the fact that 70 percent of the total U.S. market is still available for mobile expansion.
Paull countered Stine’s heavy imagery with facts that drove home his message. For example, he noted that in five years time, the majority of retailers will be using mPOS systems.
PYMNTS fellows weren’t just treated to facts and forecasts in this module, however. Nadia Shouraboura, the CEO of emerging retail player Hointer, brought the session to a close by illustrating how a truly forward-thinking mobile strategy could not only change the customer experience, but cut costs for retailers.
Shouraboura gave real-life examples of how her retail company is bridging the gap between eCommerce and traditional in-store experiences to create a store that’s so easy to manage, one high schooler can run it. The CEO of Hointer said that the future of retail is about making everything self-service and simple, and suggested with her inspiring story that no idea is too far-fetched when retailers think creatively about how mobile can change the shopping experience.
PYMNTS Summer School Commencement Speech
If the goal of the day’s events was to discuss how merchants and consumers are using mobile, the final speaker’s aim was to illustrate how the gathered fellows could get great, forward-thinking mobile products into the hands of customers using unexpected approaches.
“We thought there’d be no better person to give us that insight than Jonah Berger,” Webster said, before introducing the Wharton Business School professor and bestselling author.
Berger touched on a host of unusual topics from Honey Nut Cheerios to cheese-loving pandas to cats who play turntables, all in an effort to encapsulate how an idea can capture the public’s imagination and spark word-of-mouth marketing.
“Good stories are not just good stories, they carry something along for the ride,” Berger said. “Stop selling. Think about what story is going to carry your brand along for the ride.”
Webster returned at the close of the session to encapsulate not only Berger’s lesson, but the lessons from the entire three-day event.
“It’s not about payments, it’s about reinventing the experience of shopping for merchants and consumers,” Webster said. “It’s not about the device… but moving the experience to the cloud so we’re device agnostic and are leveraging the cloud to drive new experiences wherever those devices will be.”
“This is happening now, and mobile is accelerating the pace at which things are happening,” she said. “This is about what you can do today to prepare for tomorrow.”
Top Three Tweets
Feedback From Fellows
“I think that’s PYMNTS.com has introduced a fresh new approach to industry collaboration that dispenses with the sponsorships, the sales pitches and the more canned talking-at approach that not only dominates, but constrains the industry from soliving complex problems. The result is a generation of very real, new understanding amongst the participants. What we get to take away from this is a more refined understanding of the mobile environment and a clearer idea of what it’s going to take to be successful.” – George Danforth, Vice President of Emerging Products at PULSE.
“I appreciated MasterCard’s perspective on digital wallets, and what it would take to for mass adoption. I felt that was very candid and made a lot of sense. I also enjoyed Henry [Helgeson]’s presentation about how the ecosystem works within the payments industry and how various players interact within each other.” – Matt Inan, Director of Business Development and Channel Sales at eMobilePOS.
“What I thought was really good … I came from the ISO world, and I think it’s a forgotten world. I think its great that they brought some awareness around all partners in the ecosystem in the transaction flow. We often get focused on the big guys, but there are a lot of merchants with standalone terminals that we do have to solve for.” – Misty Novich, Senior Group Manager with Strategic Merchants Relations at Discover.


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The online conference aimed to gain a clearer picture of the IoT market in Latin America and discuss new business opportunities suitable for local development.
Bogotá, Colombia, April 23, 2021-Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA), a leading global IoT cloud platform, this week concluded its first-ever AI+IoT Business Conference focused on Latin America, held from April 20 to April 22, 2021. Themed “Digital Reinvention · The Path to Smart Business Transformation,” the virtual conference invited more than ten industry veterans from leading organizations and companies to share insights, success stories and outlooks for the IoT industry in Latin America.
Latin America is a promising region for IoT industry development. During the conference, Alejandro Adamowicz, Technology & Strategic Engagement Director of GSMA Latin America, an industry organization for mobile network operators, remarked that “In Latin America, IoT connections will reach 1.2 billion by 2025.”
Tuya Smart entered the Latin American market three years ago, establishing its regional headquarters in Colombia. Since then, Tuya Smart has helped more than 200 local brands enter the IoT industry and today thousands of stores offer smart products powered by Tuya for sale. Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, Tuya’s IoT business in Latin America has continued to grow significantly due to the Company’s commitment to digitalization and IoT. Johnny Lu, General Manager of Tuya in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa remarked at the conference “Everything can be reinvented in the era of IoT. More importantly, everything will be affordable. Smart devices and IoT brings access to the mass market, not just high-end consumers. IoT is very egalitarian. ” Mr. Lu also pointed out that connected smart products and embracing the power of e-commerce are of even more importance now that COVID-19 has accelerated digitalization, and that Latin America is now the fastest-growing region for e-commerce.
Thought leaders from Google, Amazon, GfK, i2GO, Nexxt Solutions, Osoji Robotics, Polymath Ventures, Tecnolite, Taurus, Tecnoshop and others spoke at the conference, with many suggesting that the Latin American market poses both unique opportunities and challenges for IoT. If the regional challenges are addressed correctly and soon, both business and users will benefit from the fast development of IoT throughout Latin America.
The three-day conference featured an expert views panel event with speakers Jeff Immelt, Chairman of Tuya America (Former Chairman and CEO of GE), Dr. Eva Na, CMO of Tuya Smart, and Alejandro Adamowicz, Technology & Strategic Engagement Director, GSMA Latin America. The speakers shared thought-provoking views about the IoT industry. “It’s exciting to see that the innovations we continue to make will help enable a future where everything can be interconnected, with positive outcomes even beyond what we know,” remarked Dr. Na.
To review this conference, please visit: https://www.tuya.com/events/abc/latam
About Tuya Smart
Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA) is a leading global IoT Cloud Platform with a unique, all-in-one offering of cloud + connectivity + app that makes it easy and affordable for brands, retailers, and OEMs to make their products smart. Tuya’s platform has smart-enabled more than 252,000 device SKUs in hundreds of categories worldwide, serving over 262,000 developers globally. Tuya is internationally operated with headquarters in the U.S., Germany, India, Japan, Colombia, and China.


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LCD prices to fall after EU ends tariffs
By Stewart Mitchell
Posted on 13 Jan 2011 at 13:59
Consumers could see lower retail prices for LCD screens and other electronics after the EU agreed to scrap a set of tariffs.
The EU's decision should come into effect by the end of June, and follows a long-running dispute involving a tariff against Taiwanese, Japanese and American manufacturers of LCD monitors, set-top boxes and multi-function printers.
The three countries had gone to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) claiming the tariffs – of between 6% and 14% - were unfair. The EU has now chosen not to contend the issue further.
The WTO had urged the EU to drop the tariffs last year, but setting a date to drop the duty means price reductions are finally on the cards.
“As prices in general are going down anyway it will be hard to say which of the factors had influenced the prices most, nonetheless I expect the decrease to be accelerated,” Miroslav Sykora, a senior analyst at IDC, told PC Pro. “It's a bit premature to state exact projections of its real effect on prices.”
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William Baird slumps after defeat
Shares in William Baird slumped 12% to 45 1/2p as the textiles group lost the latest round in its battle to claim compensation from former customer Marks & Spencer.
The Court of Appeal has upheld an earlier ruling by the High Court, though Baird chief executive David Suddens said the group is considering an appeal to the House of Lords.
Loss of the contract to supply M&S, which had run for 30 years, cost William Baird 4,000 jobs and huge losses.
The hearing was to rule on a judgment by Mr Justice Morison last summer that M&S could not be in breach of contract as it famously does not sign contracts with suppliers. However, the judge ruled that Baird had grounds for a compensation claim on the arcane legal doctrine of estoppel - that the nature of the long-standing relationship between the two parties implied a contract that should not have been broken with such immediacy by M&S.
Baird appealed against the first part of Mr Justice Morison's judgment while M&S appealed on the second part. The judge accepted Baird's argument because of the power M&S wielded in the relationship, in which it took around 50% of Baird's production.
Baird had to allow M&S to be involved closely in the design and manufacture of St Michael garments and had to maintain a manufacturing capacity for products that had a 12-month lead time ahead of the twice-yearly orders for the fashion seasons.
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Free publicity from a verifiable and credible authority is always great if one can justifiably pull it off, and Tesla has been one of the best at cultivating low-cost resources, and spinning out flattering reports for itself.
But the start-up automaker’s most recent press release stating the federal government’s crash testing lets it say the Model S is essentially the safest car ever rated has just been federally rebutted.
In response to Tesla touting an unofficial 5.4 out of 5 stars, the federal agency responsible issued a release with the photo of a Tesla Model S being crash tested frontally into a wall. It reads as follows:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is committed to improving safety on the nation’s roadways and helping motorists make informed decisions about new or used vehicles they are considering purchasing. The agency’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program is designed to provide consumers with information about the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles beyond what is required by Federal standards. One star is the lowest rating; five stars is the highest. More stars equal safer cars. NHTSA does not rate vehicles beyond 5 stars and does not rank or order vehicles within the star rating categories.
The last sentence appears to be a bit of a chide to the over-zealous automaker which saw a public relations opportunity to position its vehicle above all others.
“In addition, the agency has guidelines in place for manufacturers and advertising agencies to follow to ensure that accurate and consistent information is conveyed to the public,” said the rest of NHTSA’s press release.
Thus far, Tesla has not issued a response, but it has in the past guarded its public image to the point of challenging those that impugn its perceived dignity.
We shall see whether it lets this latest rebuke slide, or how it might respond.


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Atlas Roofing Corp. today announced Tracy Cook has joined the company as its new Director of Marketing, overseeing the Shingles & Underlayments and Roof & Wall Insulation Divisions. Cook also will guide Atlas’ overall corporate marketing strategy across the company’s Shingles & Underlayments, Roof & Wall Insulation, Molded Products and Web Technologies divisions. As the first director of marketing to manage multiple divisions under the Atlas brand, she will provide strategic guidance and insight on all marketing efforts, ensuring brand consistency, developing new marketing opportunities and expanding strategic partnerships, including those with 3M Scotchguard and television host Mike Holmes.
“We are thrilled to welcome [Cook] to the marketing leadership team,” said Steve Heaton, vice president, roof & wall insulation division. “We are taking significant strides in our marketing efforts, ensuring the right people and resources are in place to enhance our strengths and further confirm Atlas’ leadership position in the building materials industry.”
Cook joins Atlas with more than 20 years of experience and deep expertise in marketing strategy, customer insights, trend forecasting, brand strategy and management. Prior to joining Atlas, Cook worked for nine years at INVISTA, most recently serving as the Senior Director, Shopper Innovation, as well as previous senior marketing positions with Mohawk Industries and Interface. She graduated with a B.A. in liberal arts from Auburn University and resides in metro Atlanta.
Expansion of Leadership Team: New National Sales Director
In addition to Cook’s appointment as Director of Marketing, Atlas officially announced Stanley Bastek’s promotion to National Sales Director for the Shingles & Underlayments Division. Bastek started his career at Atlas in 2007 and has held several cross-functional sales and marketing positions over the past ten years. In his new role, Bastek will manage national pricing and sales development, contractor engagement programs and distributor relationships.
“This is a very exciting time for Atlas,” said Kirk Villar, vice president, sales and marketing. “These strategic investments to our sales and marketing departments ensure our continued growth and success, allowing us to deliver innovative products to our customers.”
These new appointments are part of Atlas’ continued expansion of its corporate sales and marketing footprint in Atlanta. In addition to the sales and marketing teams, the Atlanta headquarters houses several fundamental departments, including the leadership team for the Shingles & Underlayments, Roof & Wall Insulation, and Tapered Services divisions; pricing, accounting and finance; and human resources. Atlas’ marketing teams recently won multiple industry awards, including the notable Hanley Wood Brand Builder Awards for best product marketing launch and the best B2B marketing event.
With its acquisition of ACH Foam Technologies, Atlas now is the largest producer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam products in North America. The company also continued its role as a leader of environmentally friendly building products with the launch of non-halogenated polyiso roof and wall insulation in June.


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Supply chain, in reality, is much more than the supply of physical goods and this calls for robust processes and operations to be able to keep pace with the digitally transformed world.
On the one hand, digital technologies have brought about a fundamental shift in consumer behaviours in recent years but events like the current pandemic crisis have left the world grappling with uncertainties. The supply chain industry is experiencing challenges of its own. The next few years are critical to adopting and managing the challenges these tough times bring with them. The economies across the world have experienced a slowdown and to what extent the supply-chain industry will respond to this is still unfolding. The industry should recognize, anticipate and prepare for challenges when implementing a digital model.
The rate of supply chain digitization so far has been comparatively low. Only a few companies in this domain have been able to unlock the full potential. If technologies are not in place to support operations, the positive impact of digitization will be reversed, thus doing more harm than good. While implementing technology should be the focus area, top-down support will ensure smooth implementation of the supply-chain digitization process. In fact, these technologies can reach as far as small farmers, says Carlo Bravi, an FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) senior economist. “These technologies will eventually come to the small farmers, but by making sure the right conditions are in place, in terms of capacity and infrastructure and so on, we can accelerate that process,” he said.
For the supply chain industry to take advantage of the digital era, the existing models need to be continuously enhanced by creating a balance between traditional systems and emerging technologies taking into consideration end-to-end business strategies and processes. According to a recent survey, technologies including robotics and automation, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, predictive analytics, drones, and driverless vehicles have the potential to exploit digital technologies and bring in a cultural shift in the industry.
Technology vendors and service providers have realized the shortfalls and are now providing an ever-expanding solution that has led to the upsurge of supply chain efficiency.
Predictive analysis tools have made it easier to compile large unstructured data sets to draw insights; tracing the hidden cause of a problem and predicting consumer behaviors and risks to taking the right measures. Right tools have helped managers upskill and put major data-backed decisions in action. Not just at the top level of strategy building, these technologies have helped in a greater way in other departments too.
Robotics and automation have helped in the areas of picking, sorting, inspecting, storing, handling, and classifying products in the warehouses and factories. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, in the next five years, 73% of these operations on the ground may be managed by robots.
Artificial Intelligence has helped ensure greater flexibility and faster delivery of goods. It has also led to better analytics, automating, and monitoring the performance of warehouse management, advanced planning, better deployment of ERP systems, thus making the entire process precise and more tailored to specific needs.
Unmanned vehicles and drones are disrupting the industry like never before leading to improved efficiency. The rate of growth is slow but consistent.
Application of traceability in the supply chain management allows the products to be tracked from source to consumer, connecting all the points in the chain. This helps to keep track of the entire process. Supply chain traceability is thus the process of tracking the provenance and journey of products and their inputs, from the beginning to the end of the supply chain. For companies who want to claim that their products are sustainably sourced and produced, traceability is an opportunity to credibly make and verify claims. SourceTrace’s digital technology platform DATAGREEN includes a solution in supply chain management. This software solution delivers precision tracking of the components of your supply chain from farm to retail, allowing you to plan your harvest schedules in order to meet demand.
Today, digital innovation using cutting-edge technologies have transformed the way supply chains operate at the enterprise level and global level. Collection, compilation, processing of information, and extracting insights to support decision making and automating other processes by reducing redundancies has helped drive operational excellence.
These technologies are still continually evolving.
Bob Wright, executive director at SCALA, a supply chain and logistics management company, explains: “The sales and commercial teams have a key role to play in supporting and contributing to an aligned approach on customer relationship management, order management and demand planning.”
The scope of these technologies is diverse and so are the obstacles that come with it. One of the biggest challenges the companies face is the workforce shortage of skilled manpower. Other challenges include trust and security in new technologies as they require huge investments. Adopting these innovations can be challenging and complex for the organizations but if they do, unlocking greater benefits of improved customer satisfaction awaits.
The global supply chain analytics market is expected to reach $9.88 billion by 2025, according to Grand View Research. As the global economy becomes more conducive to these new technologies, smarter, quicker and real-time insights will be the key to thrive in the industry.
The experts also predict that integration of blockchain with AI, IoT, analytics will create an unimaginable impact in the way supply chains are managed.
To take advantage of these technologies, the need of the hour is to assess, analyze, and expose the challenges from the grassroots level and prepare a transformation roadmap for the next few years.
To begin with, organizations have to
strengthen the business model.
encourage a data-driven culture across the organization.
start automating the processes.
start finding people with the right skill sets and upskilling the existing employees to be able to retain them.
enable all departments from manufacturing to sales to be able to see the vision and future with these emerging technologies to be able to help them be better decision-makers.
Modern technology will not just help to eliminate redundancies, but will also minimize costs in the long-run with better performance, shorter delivery times and improved customer satisfaction among others. A comprehensive vision in-line with transformation roadmap is bound to capture and unlock the full value of digital innovations in supply chain management.
SourceTrace's software solutions have been deployed across 37 countries and 4 continents already. We are on a mission to make agriculture and food systems more sustainable. Get in touch and we will extend our expertise and commitment to you.
Today, at SourceTrace we’re happy to share our moment of pride and fulfillment, having made it as the cover story in the Food and Beverage Tech Review.
Download our new whitepaper
'Traceability in 2020: Global Scenario with a focus on India'


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CNET's Daniel Terdiman wrangles up tech and geek culture in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and more.
The Scientific and Technical Awards honor innovators who have made a significant behind-the-scenes contribution to motion pictures, including the graphics used to created "Shrek."
The former NSA contractor appeared at SXSW Interactive by teleconference. Despite being scheduled at the same time as "Girls" creator Lena Dunham, Snowden drew thousands eager to hear directly from him.
This year, the carrier will outfit a number of dugouts with wireless voice systems. And for the fans in the stands, there'll be expanded wireless 4G coverage.
Few in the public may be familiar with Smith's work, but colleagues say this brilliant engineer's importance to the Mac is akin to what Woz meant to the first Apple computers.
commentary Samsung put on a streamlined, focused show, and needed to get back to basics to move past the disappointment that was the GS4.
007 must return from the dead in Skyfall, which resurrects all that's great about Bond. Check out our spoiler-free review.
New and Noteworthy: eWeek: Office 2007 is "offputting"; Apple debuts holiday-themed Get A Mac ads; more
Nascar hopes to draw fans with a high-tech car and a tighter field than ever. CNET Road Trip 2013 took in the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to see if it works.
More than 1,000 people turn out to Mission Viejo, Calif., for the opening of Microsoft's second retail outlet. The offer of tickets to a pop concert probably helped a bit.
Having just sold his startup to CNN, Zite CEO Mark Johnson plows through a day packed with meetings that all add up, one way or another. CNET is there to witness a day in the work life of a tech exec.


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Virtual & Hybrid Event Industry News Roundup: June 12-18
Here is your weekly roundup of news from the virtual and hybrid event industry from June 12-18, 2021!
Smyle Group acquires gaming events company NJ Live
The deal brings the London-based company, NJ Live into the Smyle Group of companies. This Acquisition offers an opportunity for growth and cross-pollination of ideas, skills, and ideas. Today, the four-time agency of the year, Smyle Group, announces that it has acquired gaming and esports-focused events company NJ Live for an undisclosed sum. The deal is effective immediately and will see both companies capitalize on each other’s strengths as part of a post-pandemic growth strategy. For the full story, click here!
Kendal Calling and Bluedot founders launch training placement for young black, Asian, and minority ethnic promoters
A training placement has been launched for young black, Asian and minority ethnic music promoters. The program which launches later this year is supported by the Youth Music’s incubator fund. The Manchester-based agency is the team behind award-winning festivals Kendal Calling and Bluedot, in addition to cutting-edge electronic music brands, and arts and culture events including Arts By The Sea. For the full story, click here!
New research shows 1 in 2 event planners struggling with the volume of data collected from virtual events
Due to the large amount of data collected from virtual events over the last year, 50 percent of event planners are struggling to keep up. The majority of these companies have stated that they are now collecting more data than ever before. The results also show that 82% of organizers feel that good data practices are going to be critical in running successful hybrid events. For the full story, click here!
Twine announces $3.3m in new funding and “Cyber Cafe” product release
Twine announced $3 million in seed funding. The company that offers networking solutions for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events also announced the launch of its new ‘Cyber Cafe’, which involves a small group networking format. For the full story, click here!
Event Tech Live wows US & Canada
The first Event Tech Live, US & Canada ended last Thursday 10th June. The content kept on shining throughout the event, Top Tech to Embrace to Achieve Effective Gamification and Back to the Future, Perhaps among the sessions, and Canapii winning gold in the coveted Start-Up Competition. Grand Review Research believes that the virtual events industry will grow from $78 billion to $774 billion by the end of 2030 meaning that events such as Event Tech Live are so important in celebrating the biggest and the best of the events industry. For the full story, click here!
Event Industry Associations announces new Diversity and Inclusion hub
Event industry associations, the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), have announced the launch of their new Diversity and Inclusion hub. The hub contains a variety of resources. Signposting articles, podcasts, case studies, blogs, and other materials aim to recognize, value, and promote diversity. The hub tackles inequality as we evolve to a consciously inclusive, welcoming, and progressive industry. For the full story, click here! And there you have it. Your weekly roundup of virtual and hybrid event news for the week of June 12-18. It was an eventful week filled with great ideas and plans for the future of hybrid events. For more blog posts about hybrid events, check out our blog post about Hosting a Hybrid Event For Your Association? Here are 5 Things To Consider.


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Copyright © 2015
Symantec has released Norton Anti-Virus 8.0.3 via the application\'s built-in LiveUpdate feature. One user reports that the \"NortonAutoProtect\" component has been updated on his system; no official release notes have been made public. Update: Norton Anti-Virus 8.0.3 adds Mac OS X 10.2 support to the virus protection software.
Extensis today announced an update to Suitcase -- its font manager for Mac OS 9/X -- that delivers full Mac OS X 10.2 compatibility. Version 10.1.2 is a free update for registered owners; it does not bring any enhancements -- beyond \"Jaguar\" compatibility -- to the $50 suite.
Verbatim today announced the availability of new 16-24x \"ultra-speed\" re-writable CDs. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Verbatim\'s parent company, developed a new recording technology called \"Advanced-SERL\" (Advanced Super Eutectic Recording Layer), which makes the high-speed recording possible. With the 24x re-writable discs, Macintosh and PC users will be able to record entire 650MB CDs in about three minutes.
Trinfinity software has released Seagull Video Player v2.2 for Mac OS 9 & X, its application for creating video playlists. The update allows users to start playing from anywhere in a playlist and to reorder a playlist by dragging videos to new positions; the price is $20. [Classic, OS X]
The Serial Keeper 3.0 is a $10 serial number storage application. Numerous improvements have been added, including a Developer Database and enhanced usability. [Classic, OS X]
The final version of WebEx for Mac OS X will be available tomorrow, along with the following deal: a onetime set-up fee of only $1000 with 4 seats/ports for $200 per seat per month, one free month of service and 4 additional seats/ports for the first 3 months. The offer expires tomorrow at 5PM PST.
MacResQ has announced a new PowerBook G3 screen repair program. The new service offers PowerBook G3 owners an affordable way to replace scarred screen polarizers, as opposed to buying a new screen entirely. \"The marks result from the LCD screen coming into contact with the PowerBook\'s keyboard when the lid is closed. Oil from the user\'s fingertips transfers from the keyboard to the screen, leaving the unsightly marks.\" The service is $300 and includes overnight pickup and delivery and the new PowerPad screen protector to prevent further problems.
Netscape 7.0 is a significant update to Netscape Communications\' free mainstream Web browser, email manager and IM client. Version 7.0 introduces several features found in the Mozilla project -- the open-source sister project to Netscape -- such as tabbed browsing. [Classic, Mac OS X]
Constrictor 2.2 is a screen shot utility for Mac OS X. The $10 application is now a smaller size, features bug fixes and more. 11 different localizations are available, including English and Japanese.
We\'ve added links and downloads for a new wireless driver, a Windows keyboard utility, and updated HP Deskjet printer drives to our Jaguar Special Report. Yesterday we added links to FAXstf, Thursby\'s DAVE 4.0, and other compatibility reports.
MacPlus reports that Steve Jobs will announce the first European Apple Store in Paris near the Champs Elysées at Apple Expo Paris, which takes place September 10-14th.
Mail Forward 2.3 is a $15 shareware e-mail forwarding application for Microsoft Hotmail, Yahoo web mail, and standard POP mail accounts. It now includes support for forwarding for Yahoo web mail accounts and adds improved online help, which is now viewable via the Apple Help Viewer. A beta version for OS X is also available. [Classic, OSX]
Dr. Bott today announced that its VGA Extractor for ADC is compatible with the Radeon 9000 Pro, NVIDIA GeForce4 MX, and NVIDIA GeForce4 Titanium video cards that ship in the new dual processor Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) and also announced that that the device is compatible with Mac OS 10.2 \"Jaguar\". The $35 driver-less device allows the ADC port on these cards to drive a standard analog display.
Gefen today announced its upgraded ex-tend-it USB Switcher, a cross-platform switch that offers access to two computers from a single analogy monitor, USB Keyboard, and mouse. The $300 unit now uses new SMT technology that allows for a slimmer, more streamlined look and feel. As a result, the unit requires just one rack level and is able to better fit in most professional user workstations.
Panic and The Iconfactory have unveiled CandyBar, an \"easy, safe, and surprisingly fun way to customize the icons of many MacOS X icons, including toolbar, folders and the trash can. CandyBar transforms the MacOS X user experience through a simple drag and drop interface, which is logically grouped into icon categories.\" It is $13 shareware.
Lexamrk has announced the Lexmark Z55se Color Jetprinter, which will replace the Z55 Color Jetprinter. It offers print resolution of 4800 x 1200 dots per inch (dpi) on photo paper, inkjet paper and transparencies as well as 4800 x 600 dpi on plain paper. Other features include print speeds of up to 17 ppm in black and up to 13 ppm in color, three picoliter microfine color drop size, USB and parallel connectivity, and Windows/Mac/Linux compatibility. It is $130 and available immediately.
Now AAPL Stock: 94.27 ( -0.72 )
HBO Now has 800,000 subscribers
The CEO of HBO, Richard Plepler has confirmed that the online streaming HBO service, HBO Now, has 800,000 subscribers. When criticized for the seemingly low number, Plepler noted that the still nascent service was bound to Apple exclusivity during the fifth season of Game of Thrones. Plepler declared during the Time Warner quarterly earnings conference call marketing for the online-only offering would be enhanced in 2016. While HBO Now's critics are slamming the low numbers, the service must also compete against itself on cable, in addition to Netflix and other streaming services. http://on.recode.net/1QWoLHe
Unsafe IoT called threat to humanity
US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told two different Senate committees yesterday that the Internet of Things posed a clear and present danger, and could be weaponized by governments. Before the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Clapper declared that insecure IoT "will bring new security vulnerabilities" and "will connect tens of billions of new physical devices that could be exploited" by those wishing to perpetrate violence or eavesdrop on the populace of the world. http://bit.ly/23Xvcky
Apple public betas for iOS 9.3, OS X 10.11.4
Following Monday's release of betas for the iOS and OS X, Apple has unveiled public betas for both operating systems. The iOS 9.3 beta includes all of the previously reported enhancements for education customers, along with Wi-Fi calling for Verizon iPhone owners, and a carrier update for T-Mobile users. The OS X 10.11.4 third beta includes enhancements to Twitter URL opening, Live Photo viewing and sharing, and Evernote note importation into Notes.
Google given NHTSA SDS waivers
In contrast to the California Department of Motor Vehicle's approach, the US National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed that it is declaring the software in autonomous cars is the legal driver of a so-equipped vehicle. In a letter to Google, the NHTSA says that it "will interpret 'driver' in the context of Google's described motor vehicle design as referring to the SDS [self-driving system], and not to any of the vehicle occupants." Other matters, such as legally-required rear-view mirrors for occupied vehicles has yet to be determined. However, regulations specifying the "driver" need no longer be interpreted as meaning a person behind the wheel, as the agency writes that self-driving cars "will not have a 'driver' in the traditional sense that vehicles have had drivers during the last more than one hundred years" http://1.usa.gov/1QrAGtR
Dropshare 4 for Mac now available
Dropshare 4 for Mac has shipped, introducing support for uploading files and screenshots to Amazon S3 API-compliant services, like DreamObjects and OpenStack. The update also introduces a new popup design, an in-app editor for custom landing pages, an improved upload history window, and security improvements when using SSH connections. The paid upgrade costs $25, though it is free for customers who bought the previous version this year and half-price for those who acquired version 3 of the app last year. http://bit.ly/1XixV3q
Google starting phase-out of Flash ads
Search engine and advertising giant Google will shortly no longer accept Adobe Flash-created ads for its AdWords network. Starting June 30, ads in the once-ubiquitous format will no longer be accepted. Additionally, after January 2, 2017, the network will no longer serve Flash-based advertisements, and the network will be completely HTML 5 based. http://bit.ly/1PNx1uc
Sonos now works with Apple Music
Wireless music system manufacturer Sonos has announced that its systems worldwide will gain compatibility for streaming the paid Apple Music subscription service starting today, February 10. "Music fans worldwide will have access to Apple Music features like For You, New, Radio, and My Music, and will also be able to stream the entire Apple Music catalog through Sonos smart speakers tuned for great sound in every room of their homes," the company said in an email to journalists. Apple Music's streaming service costs $10 per month, with a free three-month trial. http://bit.ly/1Wdi2Ko


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The corona pandemic and the associated switch to homework also causes delays in the operations at Bethesda. HowPC GamesNreports, due to the limited test capacities, the release of the big update Fallout 76: Wastelanders and the planned release of theSteam versionpostpone the online role-playing game that has been much scolded at the start.
However, the delay is limited: Instead of April 7, Wastelanders and the Steam version are now released on April 14. If you want more information about the Wastelanders update, you willherefound it.
Wastelanders release updatepic.twitter.com/h5Rxn359r4
– Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios)March 26, 2020
Most recent video: Wasterlanders Bethesda Game Days 2020 – Gameplay Preview


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Zarif Mahmud: Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, a government agency, said that due to the increase in the value of the dollar, the price of imported goods will be about 30 percent higher this year. However, another organization of the government, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), says that before fasting, the price of imported goods is 59 percent higher than last year. However, ginger is being sold at a maximum price of 111 percent.
And the traders say, if LC complications in imports are not removed, the price of goods will increase during Ramadan.
Meanwhile, in such a situation, folds of thought have started falling on the forehead of the buyer. They say that the prices of all kinds of products increase when fasting comes. That is being done this time too. However, compared to last year, the prices of all types of products have doubled to triple this time. But the income did not increase.
Recently, the National Directorate of Consumer Protection organized a meeting to stabilize the supply and price of essential commodities. Deputy Director of Tariff Commission on increasing the price of imported goods in the meeting. Mahmudul Hasan said that due to the increase in the value of the dollar, the price of imported goods will be about 30 percent higher this time. Such a situation will prevail in the country even if the price of the product does not increase in the international market. It will not increase more.
But a review of TCB’s price list yesterday showed that imported garlic was selling at 63.64 per cent higher per kg during the year. Imported dry chillies are being sold at 63.93 per cent higher per kg. Besides, imported ginger is selling at the highest rate of 111.11 percent, cumin 94.44 percent, clove 39.53 percent, powdered milk 40 percent, sugar 50.33 percent, anchor dal 47.96 percent per kg. And gram is being sold at a higher price of 16.67 percent per kg. 59 percent higher on average.
When asked to know, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) President Golam Rahman said that the price of all kinds of products is higher this year than last year. There are some logical reasons for that too. But there are irrational reasons too. Among them is the tendency of traders to make excessive profits. When fasting comes, they create instability in the market. Two months before the start of fasting, the price of goods increases. He did that this time too. By holding the customer hostage, they have started looting huge profits. It seems that the increase in the price of goods during this fasting period will make the buyer hungry.
According to TCB sources, imported ginger is being sold at Tk 280 per kg in the market, which was sold at Tk 120 before fasting at the same time last year. Imported garlic is being sold at Tk 200 per kg, which was sold at Tk 120 at the same time last year. Dry chillies are being sold at Tk 550 per kg, which was Tk 350 earlier. Turmeric was sold at Tk 200 per kg, which was Tk 180 earlier. Cumin, which was sold at Tk 420 per kg before fasting last year, is now being sold at Tk 750.
Cinnamon is being sold at Tk 450 per kg at Tk 380. Cloves which were sold at Tk 1150 are currently selling at Tk 1600. Last year before fasting, packed milk powder was sold at Tk 620-680 per kg. But currently selling at 820-900 taka. Sugar sold at Tk 78 per kg is now selling at Tk 120. Anchor dal was sold at Tk 75 per kg, which was Tk 50 earlier. Chickpeas were sold at Tk 90 per kg, which was Tk 80 at the same time last year.
Dulal comes to Karwan Bazar to buy daily products said that all sellers in the market are the same. They are cutting the pockets of the customer. Now the prices of all kinds of products are on fire in the market. Such a situation has been prevailing for a long time in fasting. As the month of Ramadan approaches, the price of goods will continue to rise. But our income will not increase. So, it seems that you have to struggle to buy products during fasting. Therefore, market supervision should be strengthened from now on. Dishonest sellers should be punished.
Retailers said, we are not responsible for increasing the price of products. We have to buy products at higher prices. Bringing it at a higher price and selling it to the buyer at a higher price. Importers are increasing the price which is increasing. Manipulation is what they do.
The product importers of the capital’s Shyambazar said that if the LC is not normalized in the import of ginger-garlic, the price will increase further. The value of the dollar has gone up a lot. LC can’t be opened in bank. It’s too complicated. In this situation, in view of the upcoming month of Ramadan, we should remove the LC complications and increase the import of goods by withdrawing the duty. If products cannot be imported from now then the price of products will increase during Ramadan.
Nazer Hossain, the vice president of Cab, said that the businessmen always come up with different excuses to increase the prices. Once said, the dollar is a problem. Again, he said, the Ukraine-Russia war situation is increasing the price. Now again the LC problem is brought up as an excuse. He said that the daily necessities required for Ramadan have already been LC. Because LC has to be done two to three months before product arrival. Accordingly, the goods required for Ramadan have already arrived at the port.
When asked to know, Manzoor Mohammad Shahriar, director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, a market monitoring organization, told that the market monitoring is continuing in the upcoming month of Ramadan. It will be strengthened. Every year during Ramadan, the market becomes unstable due to some unscrupulous traders. The consumer department will take a strict stand against these dishonest traders in the upcoming month of Ramadan.
Mahfuj Emran : Petrobangla has started making losses at an alarming rate in the energy sec…


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Georgians complain solar sales reps misled them over tax credit
TEMPLE, Ga. – Powering your home with the sun doesn’t come cheap.
To help lower the costs of home solar energy, Congress approved a significant 26% tax credit – money you get back directly on your taxes.
But a FOX 5 I-Team hidden camera investigation showed how some companies mistakenly let customers think they’re eligible. And by the time they learn the truth, it’s too late to cancel.
“I hate a liar,” complains Charles Schwable. “Looks like you were taken to the cleaners.”
Last year, the 60-year-old disabled veteran searched online for information about solar energy. An ad appeared for Solar Titan USA in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Solar home customers can recoup 26% of the installation cost as a tax credit the following year. Only problem: you have to pay so much in federal taxes.
A sales rep visited the home in Schwable’s Temple, Georgia, and explained how solar power would lower his electric bill.
“He told me he guaranteed it would be cut 90%,” Schwable recalled. “Then he jumped into the tax incentive.”
This is a federal tax incentive that allows homeowners to recoup 26% of the total cost of installing solar panels and other equipment when they file their taxes the following year.
Schwable therefore committed, agreeing to spend $71,500, funded over 20 years. The tax credit would bring the price down to $52,910.
But he said he would quickly learn two frustrating lessons: his system wasn’t saving him 90% on his electricity bill.
And he wasn’t entitled to any of that 26% tax credit. You only get this money if you pay at least that much in federal taxes.
Schwable has no taxable income.
“They know I was a disabled veteran,” he said.
Amie Tatro said she and her husband, a disabled veteran, would never have agreed to buy a $91,000 solar home system if she knew they didn’t qualify for the federal tax credit. They don’t.
The same thing happened to Amie and Nathan Tatro in La Fayette. When they agreed to pay Power Home Solar $91,000, they say the seller promised they would get that full tax credit — over $23,000 — to reduce the cost.
“They’re wrong,” Amie said. “My husband is a disabled veteran. We are not taxed.”
But much like Schwable, the Tatros only discovered they were ineligible when it was too late to cancel their contract.
Both have signed contracts that warn that the tax credit is not guaranteed. Amie and Nathan had it on page 7.
The warning was on page 8 of a 27-page package Schwable received.
They all insist that it was never clearly explained.
The FOX 5 I-Team asked Amie if they would still have purchased the system if they knew they weren’t eligible for the tax credit.
“Absolutely not,” she insisted.
Could they really be confused about the tax credit rules?
This Power Home Solar senior account manager cheated our grower about the federal tax credit. The company said he was later fired.
We invited the two companies to a house equipped with hidden cameras to hear what each was saying about the solar tax credit.
Home solar power:
Sales Rep: Now the only qualification you need is to pay federal taxes.
Sales Rep: Do you pay federal income tax?
Us: I am on disability.
Salesperson: So you still file your taxes at the end of the year?
Sales Rep: Are they withdrawing federal tax?
Sales Rep: That’s all that matters.
That’s not all that matters. In order to keep a low monthly payment, companies like Power Home Solar require you to pay the full tax credit to the finance company within the first 18 months.
But remember, you can only get this full credit if you pay that much in federal taxes that year.
Power Home Solar agreed to cancel Tatro’s contract and withdraw its system due to “pretty significant miscommunication” from its sales representative.
“They don’t explain it precisely,” complains Amie. “They just tell you it’s a guarantee, something you’re going to get.”
Power Home Solar says they have fired our salesperson and due to other complaints across the country they are now implementing new systems to monitor sales staff to ensure they are telling customers the truth.
The company – now called Pink Energy – will also extend the cancellation period from three to seven days.
And he agreed to remove Tatro’s system for free, cancel their contract, and refund any payments they’ve already made.
Our undercover producer also told Solar Titan USA that she was on disability. The sales representative never warned her that this could make her ineligible for the tax credit.
“They give you a check for that amount of money because it’s overkill,” he explained. “The 26% off on top.”
Charles Schwable seems to be stuck with the deal he made with Solar Titan USA, even though he said he was led to believe he would get the tax credit.
A spokesperson for Solar Titan USA wrote “we are not tax experts and cannot argue who is eligible and who is not.”
The company believes there are enough disclaimers in their contract – and that of the finance company – to protect their customers, even if the sales pitch may have been far too sunny.


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Microsoft posted a 3.7% drop in profit as sales of the company's new Windows 8 operating system, designed to help it adjust to an era of smartphones and tablets, got off to a slow start.
Obama nominated former federal prosecutor Mary Jo White to lead the SEC, a move that could signal tougher policing of Wall Street. Richard Cordray was tapped to continue at the consumer watchdog.
U.S. air-safety investigators said they remain stumped by the sequence of events that caused a battery fire inside a parked Boeing Dreamliner.
Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman is expected to take a second straight annual pay cut for 2012, as the firm continues to struggle.
The Dow industrials rose 46 points for a fifth-straight session of gains, but a 12% drop in Apple's shares weighed on other benchmarks.
Bristol-Myers agreed to pay $80 million to settle cases involving 15 patients killed or hurt during testing of an experimental hepatitis C drug.
Las Vegas Sands has stopped executing international money transfers for high rollers and is strengthening anti-money-laundering efforts.
Spain's unemployment rate reached a record 26%, the latest sign of deepening recession even as investors flock to the country's bonds.
Business activity rebounded in Germany at the start of 2013 but sank in France and other parts of the euro zone.
A flap over a potential bailout for Cyprus is fueling anxieties that the nation could become the next flash point in the euro-zone crisis.
The iPhone ended the year with a blowout quarter in the U.S. market, but there are signs Apple may have to do more to persuade shoppers to buy its priciest models.
Samsung said its fourth-quarter profit rose 76% to a record on strong smartphone sales and higher margins in its chip business.
Nokia is scrapping its dividend for the first time in 20 years to strengthen its cash position, despite a return to profit in the fourth quarter.
CFTC Commissioner Jill Sommers is resigning, a move that has the potential to slow the finalization of rules stemming from Dodd-Frank.
Former hedge-fund manager Doug Whitman was sentenced to two years in prison after his conviction on insider-trading charges.
Starbucks's profit jumped 13%, propelled by higher sales in the U.S. and even China, where others have stumbled.


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Richard Arrowood's success across vintages of varying quality and diverse vineyard sites points to a gifted and resilient winemaker. And his are wines for the long haul, from a vintner who's stayed the course. Wine Spectator's Tim Fish explains.
For the full article, check out the new issue of Wine Spectator, on newsstands July 21, 2015.
To continue reading this page, become a WineSpectator.com member today!
Do you have a Wine Spectator magazine subscription? Save 50% on your Online Membership right now!


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The insurance industry needs to be adaptable to thrive in uncertain times
The past couple of years have brought about tremendous change in nearly every industry across the MENA region. On the global scale, companies that have done well for decades have had to reassess and realign their strategy as consumer trends have evolved, and disruptive technologies have entered the market. Dominating the marketplace and effectively reaching customers has become increasingly challenging across the board; however, what about the insurance industry?
The insurance industry has experienced significant changes, especially in the MENA region. Stagnant economic growth levels, political turmoil, increasing unemployment levels, and Corona are primarily to blame for this market landscape; however, steps are being taken to alleviate these pressures and spur economic growth again. There are also several more factors at play besides the overarching financial situation, and this is what we need to focus more on today:
One of the biggest challenges within the MENA region for the insurance industry is the slow sector development, especially in corporate insurance and risk mitigation sectors. There is a chasm between what companies are demanding and what the industry can currently handle as a whole, particularly when it comes to multinational corporations operating across the region where trade and cross-border risk issues arise. Another significant challenge in the industry is that the retail customer base has evolved, changing what’s expected by providers.
Predicting trends and assessing economic behavior is paramount, moving forward as an industry in the region. Not only will this keep us current, but it will allow us to meet consumer expectations and grow the demand far beyond what it is now.
In the coming years, niche insurance, as well as online purchasing and quoting, is only likely to rise, and insurers must be prepared with the technology to move away from the traditional means of doing business. Opening these channels up to consumers requires significant investment. With few providers in the region going online and even fewer qualified professionals to keep up with new product demand, the market, in its current pace, will not be able to keep pace.
Though there is a fair share of challenges presented to the industry, these challenges also offer opportunities for growth. Due to the widespread shift in demographics and a growing population, there is an increasing number of those interested in risk mitigation through the means of insurance. Two of the main areas of opportunity to pursue the steadily increasing number of potential customers are digitization and the region’s low market penetration.
Studies show that the number of online car insurance sales increased tenfold since 2016 in the UAE and one year alone from 2017–2018, there was a robust 11% increase in internet users in the region. With most MENA countries holding a strong nearly 100% smartphone market penetration, it’s not difficult to see where the market is headed. Entering the digital space is quickly becoming an advantage, and numbers are only expected to rise exponentially in the next few years.
Along with a rapid increase of usage in the digital space, market penetration of insurance is expected to grow by leaps and bounds. In a study conducted throughout the Middle East, it was found that 93% of participants expect stability or an increase in insurance market share this year. In part due to the current low number of competitors, as time goes on, product awareness, coupled with the availability of services, has the potential to create a boom and allow for new enterprises to enter the market space quickly, ultimately increasing demand.
There’s a growing market here, it was once about developing awareness, but now, the weight has shifted from customers to insurers. Either it will rise to meet the demand, or MENA insurers will fall behind, and foreign entities will gain the advantage over the marketplace.
The Lloyd’s Example
Despite the challenges and opportunities, overcoming them and thriving in this new sector environment is possible. An excellent example of resilience and self-reflection can be seen in Lloyd’s of London.
Having been a leading policy provider since 1686, Lloyd’s has stood the test of time and adapted well to the ever-changing market. 2019 was certainly no different as several issues surfaced, chiefly the professionalism of the company and the growth of the market. Upon the realization of these issues, they became a pivot point and have since affected change throughout the structure of the company.
Lloyd’s has always paid close attention to its customers and has continuously led the charge as the industry example when it comes to market adaptation. They have pushed the envelope even further this year with a renewed commitment to growth. Construction of their Product Innovation Center was a chief cornerstone of their mission, creating a space to trail new products made for complex risk. Another main area of improvement and one of the most long-term strategies has been the development of current and local talent. In creating these changes, ROI has increased, and the successful continuity and overall reassurance in the industry.
Based on the current market situation in the Middle East, it’s easy to see that there are some significant gaps. From slow sector development and a changed customer base to missed opportunities in digital and overall market penetration, challenges are beginning to rear their heads at a rapid pace. Fortunately, we can use Lloyd’s example as one of many, to see that it is possible to overcome this current fluctuation and thrive in the MENA region as an industry.
Moving forward as an industry, the hope is that MENA insurers will rise to meet the demand. Not only will this increase economic opportunity but it will ultimately bring sustained growth throughout the region.
To carry this conversation further, join us on our LinkedIn page or email us at email@example.com — We enjoy discussing the latest insurance trends and learn from them so we can provide all our clients the insights they need to protect themselves.


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The Vegas Golden Knights and their local broadcast partner Scripps Sports have launched their new KnightTime+ streaming service to livestream 69 regular season games this upcoming season as the NHL team adapts to the changing regional sports landscape.
Fans can purchase a full-season pass to KnightTime+ for $69.99 or single games for $6.99. The new streaming app can be downloaded on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, and Roku-enabled devices, while a KnightTime+ web version has also been launched.
KnightTime+ will also stream six Golden Knights preseason games and the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs if Vegas makes the postseason after winning last year’s Stanley Cup Finals over the Florida Panthers. All nationally broadcasted Knights games shown through NHL partners ESPN and Turner Sports will not stream on KnightTime+.
Fans must be located within the Knights’ television territory– which spans Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and certain counties in California, Nebraska, and Arizona—to be eligible to watch games through KnightTime+. The service was developed by streaming technology provider ViewLift.
Scripps announced its multi-year local broadcasting deal with the Vegas Golden Knights in May as The E.W. Scripps Company is expanding its presence in the U.S. sports market as competitors falter. Warner Bros. Discovery plans to exit the regional sports network business by the end of this year while Diamond Sports-owned RSNs face bankruptcy.


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South Korea-based Hyundai announced that it has decided to invest 5 billion dollars in the USA by 2025 in order to strengthen its cooperation with the USA in technology.US President Joe Biden met with the Chairman of the Board of the South Korean automotive company Hyundai, Euisun Chung, in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. In a statement made by Hyundai after the meeting, it was stated that it has decided to invest an additional 5 billion dollars in the USA by 2025 to strengthen cooperation with US companies in advanced technology. “Thanks to Hyundai, we are becoming a part of the transforming auto industry and accelerating to deliver the all-electric future to the United States,” US President Biden said in a statement.
Hyundai announced last year that it had decided to invest a total of $7.4 billion in the United States until 2025. With the new decision announced today, the total investment cost to the USA has exceeded 10 billion dollars. Hyundai also announced last Friday that it plans to invest $5.5 billion in Georgia to build electric vehicle (EV) and battery facilities.


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Infor CEO Charles Phillips has made plenty of changes at the ERP (enterprise resource planning) software vendor since taking the top job after a long run as co-president of Oracle, and one of the most significant is a major investment in modern user interface design.
Phillips created an internal design agency called Hook & Loop, which works closely with Infor application development teams. Now he's gone a step further, naming Hook & Loop's director Marc Scibelli to the new post of chief creative officer.
Some 80 people now work at Hook & Loop, up from 15 at the beginning of this year. The unit's name is a nod to the generic term for the easy-to-use fastening technology popularized by Velcro.
"We wanted to empower Marc to do more inside the company," Phillips said in a recent interview. "Software development is a very structured process and the engineers are used to working that way, on very defined schedules."
In contrast, creative types like to seize upon the freshest ideas and are more willing to change course if they believe it will make a project better, according to Phillips. "I need a team that's obsessed with the new things by the day," he said. "We don't want to wait until something's mainstream. We at the size where we can do that and get it into our products quickly."
Scibelli will report to Infor president Duncan Angove, who oversees engineering, support and cloud computing.
Scibelli and his team have already earned the trust and cooperation of Infor developers, Philips said. "Now when they call, people are eager to hear what they have to say." His new role will give Scibelli more "impact and authority," Phillips said.
Infor's new interface, dubbed SoHo, was launched earlier this year. Phillips believes that Infor can shove aside the competition if it can only get prospective customers, particularly end users, to take a look.
"Historically, people who buy [ERP products] didn't have to use it," he said. "As much as possible, we want to get a demo in front of everybody. If any users see our product we have a much higher chance of winning. That's just the opposite of all our competitors. They try to get out of doing a demo."
There's a catch, though, namely that Infor isn't giving its entire back catalog the SoHo treatment. Customers must be on version 10 of Infor's core ERP platform, meaning many members of the installed base will have to upgrade before they can take advantage.
Next month, Infor will launch an upgrade program targeted at these customers that includes standard pricing, data migration tools and other features. It's also geared toward cloud, versus on-premises deployments. "We want to move them directly to the cloud and in the process of that upgrade, get them to that latest release," he said.
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