Press Releases

CHICAGO, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- This year the User Experience Alliance (UXalliance), a global network of leading user research firms, celebrated World Usability Day by unveiling the preliminary findings of the first "Global-Local Monitor" conducted on airline Web sites.

The Global-Local Monitor assesses how well a site is localized or adapted to local language and culture. Localization is based on factors such as the proper use of local languages, character sets, weights and measures, currencies, dates and times, and culturally sensitive imagery. In this case, how well an airline's Web site is localized could measurably impact their customer's ability to complete travel bookings or find important information. Ultimately it impacts brand perception and sales.

The Global-Local Monitor for airlines drew upon the talents and expertise of over 70 user experience professionals from 17 countries across Asia, Europe and the Americas; this is the broadest systematic localization review ever conducted by user experience professionals. The Global-Local airline monitor involved five local user experience experts in each country, each reviewing the ten Web sites on 30 localization criteria.

The ten Web sites surveyed were those shortlisted for the Skytrax Airline of the Year Award, which annually rates airline performance by more than 16 million air travelers.

The UXalliance investigated whether the airlines recognized by their outstanding service in the air also deliver that same outstanding service in their online customer experience to users in various locations around the world.

The findings reveal that, out of the world's ten top-rated airlines, Emirates, Quantas and Qatar Airways rated highest in terms of meeting of the needs of local users around the world. The determining success factors were information in the local language, culturally appropriate character sets, colors schemes and imagery, and well-localized calendar formats. The airlines that rated lowest tended to be less developed or representative of the local markets. The full localization ratings and rankings were as follows:

    Airline           Rating         Rank
    Emirates          7.76           1
    Quantas           7.32           2
    Qatar             7.27           3
    Singapore         7.26           4
    CathayPacific     7.21           5
    NewZealand        7.15           6
    Thai              6.88           7
    Etihad            6.76           8
    Asiana            6.49           9
    Malaysia          6.37           10

Through their extensive experience in global user research, the UXalliance knows that companies that do a great job in localizing their sites have a higher probability of connecting with their customers and maximizing the profitability of their local Web sites. "When facing a global audience, localizing your Web site in all aspects is key to maximizing the user's experience. Translation alone does not equal localization, and ensuring designs that respect cultural awareness is quite important. By not localizing sites, global organizations risk reduced task completion and conversion rates and increased customer support costs," explains Anna Haywood, Senior Consultant at Serco ExperienceLab (UK).

A full detailed report of the "Global-Local Monitor: Top Rated Airlines" study will be available in December on request from aimee@uxalliance.com.

About the UXalliance

The UXalliance has served as a dependable and cost-effective partner to global companies, functioning as a single point of contact to facilitate research requests that go beyond borders since 2005. With over 20 companies, 250 global projects completed to date, 50+ usability labs, and nearly 300 user experience professionals, the UXalliance assures the quality and expertise clients look for in global research projects. Please visit www.UXalliance.com for more information.

    Contact:
    Aimee Reif
    UXalliance Marketing Coordinator
    aimee@uxalliance.com
    T: +1.630.320.3910

SOURCE UXalliance

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Members who choose one of Regence's consumer-directed health plans will soon benefit from a new banking relationship, now that the company has added HealthEquity as a banking partner. Regence selected HealthEquity for its 24/7/365 customer service, its flexible health care financial technology, and its commitment to helping employers and employees build health savings.

HealthEquity combines a suite of integrated online tools that allows for online bill pay for health care, single account administration and investment options that are unmatched in the health care account industry. In addition, HealthEquity will provide a full suite of consumer-directed health account administration including: Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, Limited Purpose FSA and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). This will allow Regence to offer all these products through one vendor, thus simplifying and enhancing the employer and member experience.

"We are proud to partner with an innovative financial institution like HealthEquity to provide our members with the resources and advice they need to make the most of their health savings accounts," said Cary Badger, vice president of Market Development for Regence. "HealthEquity combines an exemplary track record of customer satisfaction and online tools to empower members with the confidence they need to manage their health dollars wisely."

Regence's partnership with HealthEquity will deliver a unique set of services to help members manage their health savings, including 24/7/365 Live HealthEquity Member Specialists, "free" investment options, and user-friendly online bill pay making it easier for doctors and hospitals in the Regence network to get paid by members with high deductible health plans and also for members to easily reimburse themselves for health care expenses.

"We are excited to partner with Regence on a program that will truly help employers and their employees build health savings," said Steve Neeleman, MD, CEO of HealthEquity. "Regence has had a long-standing commitment to outstanding customer support and service and now combining that commitment with the 24/7/365 coverage of our HealthEquity Member Specialists, we will truly work together to help people better save and spend their health care dollars."

About HealthEquity®, Inc.

HealthEquity helps hundreds of thousands of American families build health savings and the confidence to be savvy health care consumers, all day, every day, with 24/7 live access to healthcare finance specialists, seamless integration with health insurers and employer benefits programs, and a comprehensive set of tools to help our customers save and spend their medical dollars wisely. In addition to HSAs, we offer total account solutions that include VEBA/HRA/FSA and other tax-advantaged health accounts. To open a HealthEquity account, contact your employer, insurer, broker or visit us directly at www.healthequity.com.

About Regence

Regence is the largest health insurer in the Northwest / Intermountain Region, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence serves more than 2.5 million members as Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each health plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is committed to improving the health of our members and our communities, and to transforming our health care system. For more information, please visit www.regence.com or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Regence

DALLAS, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Fall and winter months are quickly approaching, and with them comes an assortment of entertaining opportunities. From Thanksgiving and Christmas to the much anticipated tailgating season, the time is right for snacking. Why not make smarter choices this year and serve something healthier to snack on.

Santa Barbara Bay, makers of best-selling refrigerated deli dips available nationwide, bring consumers new All Natural Greek Yogurt Dips made with Voskos Greek yogurt. Available in five popular flavor varieties, these dips contain twice the protein of traditional yogurt and many active cultures that promote digestive health - making it a snack the whole family, or the whole party, can enjoy.

Santa Barbara Bay 12-ounce containers, available in deli departments for around $5, are offered in Cucumber Dill, Thai Three Pepper, Roasted Red Pepper & Asiago Cheese, Zesty Ranch and Spinach varieties. Each variety is rich and creamy with gourmet flavor and texture. Santa Barbara Bay's Greek Yogurt dips make an ideal addition to appetizer trays, as they are "table-ready" straight from the package. Simply serve with a spread of crackers, vegetables and nuts to keep your guests satisfied. For a less formal atmosphere, take the easy, portable 12-ounce containers to your next tailgate and serve with a variety of chips.

Besides the additional health benefits from replacing the traditional sour cream based dips with Voskos Greek yogurt, these new dips from Santa Barbara Bay boast of lower calories, fat and carbohydrates that cause many to stay away from such dips. The Cucumber Dill variety packs a mere 40 calories per 1-oz. serving, with 3 grams of fat and only 2 grams of carbohydrates. The Thai Three Pepper packs 60 calories per 1-oz. serving, with 4 grams of fat and 3 grams of carbohydrates.

All Natural Greek Yogurt Dips join Santa Barbara Bay's traditional line of premium refrigerated dips, spreads and salads, with popular flavors including Spinach, Artichoke, Chili Con Queso, Raspberry Chipotle, Caramelized Onion and Roasted Garlic, Garden Dill and Cajun Krab Dips. Santa Barbara Bay also introduced a trio of all-natural Parmesan cheese-based dips, branded Parmesanos, with varieties including Zesty Red Pepper, Sun Dried Tomato and Basil, and Original Garlic and Herb. Full product descriptions, featured recipes and distribution information are available online at www.santabarbarabay.com.

SOURCE Santa Barbara Bay

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RBF Consulting is pleased to announce the addition of two new members of the management team in the Sacramento and Irvine, California Offices. Deana Donohue, PE, has joined the Sacramento Office as an Associate and Project Manager in the firm's Water Resources Group. Robert Reid, PE, CPA has joined the Irvine Office as a Senior Associate in the Water Resources Group.

Ms. Donohue is an experienced civil engineer specializing in the planning and design of potable water, recycled water, and wastewater infrastructure facilities. She has served as the project manager and engineer on several major pipeline design projects, water master-planning projects, and recycled water master planning projects. Hydraulic analysis is one of Ms. Donahue's areas of expertise. Donohue is a Past President of the American Public Works Association, Sacramento Chapter and continues to be actively involved in that Chapter. In addition, she is also the co-author of "Modeling: Combining Theory and Engineering Judgment to Achieve a Reasonable Result" that was created for the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District's Interceptor Master Plan 2000 modeling efforts.

Robert Reid brings 20 years of experience to RBF in the design of water systems, sewer collection systems, pipelines, pump stations, treatment facilities and reservoirs. He has joined the RBF team to develop and manage water/wastewater work - primarily master planning projects throughout the region. He is a past board member and Past President of the Orange County Water Association.

According to Michael P. Rudinica, Executive Vice President of Water Resources, "The addition of Robert and Deana to RBF in California will further strengthen our award-winning water resources team and allow us to further serve our clients and, in turn, the public, in the stewardship of one of California's most precious resources. . .water."

RBF Consulting is ranked one of the nation's leading civil and environmental engineering, planning and surveying firms and is an innovator and leader in water resources nationally and internationally. The firm is celebrating 65 years of sustaining the future, currently serving clients from fifteen offices in the U.S. For additional information visit www.RBF.com.

    Source: RBF Consulting

LONDON, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont received three prestigious Agrow Awards in recognition of innovation and excellence in its agricultural product and technology development efforts.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060620/NYTU080LOGO-b)

"We are honored by the recognition of our work to develop better products for our customers," said James C. Borel, DuPont executive vice president. "Our research and development is driven by innovation to increase productivity for growers worldwide."

DuPont Agriculture & Nutrition was recognized for the following products and technologies:

Most Innovative Chemistry - DuPont(TM) Cyazypyr(TM). The 2009 Agrow Award for "Most Innovative Chemistry" recognized DuPont(TM) Cyazypyr(TM), an outstanding new insect control product that combines excellent control of destructive pests with minimal known impact on beneficial insects and the environment. Pending global regulatory approvals, DuPont anticipates commercial launch of Cyazypyr(TM) insect control products in 2012.

Best Off-Patent Pesticide Strategy - Homogenous Granule Blend Technology. This Agrow Award was given to DuPont for the development of its homogeneous granule blend technology, an accomplishment that has enabled the company to provide its customers with valuable new product blends customized to rapidly changing weed control needs. This new technology has enabled DuPont to continue to offer differentiated products that growers value in an increasingly generic marketplace.

Best Innovation in Non-Crop - DuPont(TM) Acelepryn®. This Agrow Award recognized the introduction of DuPont(TM) Acelepryn® insecticide in the turf and ornamental markets. With a unique balance of great product efficacy and reduced environmental impact, Acelepryn® is helping golf course superintendents and lawn/landscape professionals protect turf and ornamentals from devastating pests such as white grubs.

The Agrow Awards were developed to recognize excellence in the crop protection and production industry. This is the second time the awards have been held since they were established in 2007. Entries were judged using a wide range of criteria and measured against documents and information submitted to an independent judging panel consisting of a group of senior experts from around the world.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.

DuPont Crop Protection serves the global production agriculture industry with leading products for grain and specialty crops, forestry, vegetation management, fruits and vegetables, and also has entered the professional pest control market.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM), Cyazypyr(TM), Rynaxypyr® and Acelepryn® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

SOURCE DuPont