Press Releases

The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy to host December Symposium:

"Unpacking Customer Satisfaction:

The Role of Customer Complaints

Across Industries and Agencies"

Friday, December 4th

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Georgetown University

Fisher Colloquium, Rafik B. Hariri Building

Please join economists, government representatives, and industry leaders to address consumer complaints in the airline, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications industries and across workplace practices. Questions that will be addressed include:

What are the types of complaints that industries and government agencies face?

How active are government agencies in the complaint process?

Are government agencies effective in addressing and rectifying customer complaints?

Do firms and agencies have customer complaint processes in place?

To RSVP, please e-mail Andrea Salvatore at ams287@georgetown.edu. For the updated agenda, please visit the website.

About Us

The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy is a non-partisan research center whose mission is to engage scholars, business people and policymakers in relevant inquiries and dialogue to impact key business, economic and public policy issues confronting American and international businesses today. Housed at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, the Georgetown Center was created in 2002 to encourage thoughtful discussion and to document and disseminate knowledge on a range of issues in the public interest.

http://cbpp.georgetown.edu

    Source: The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy

MIAMI, Dec. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A fascinating tapestry of captivating poetry and wonderfully illustrated images awaits readers as author Melissa Irene Eights spellbinds them with her rich art journal collection, Saint Martin Is My Home.

Saint Martin is a thirty-seven square mile island in the West Indies. It is divided into two sides. The two sides are the Dutch side, which is sixteen square miles, and the French side, which is twenty-one square miles. The capital of Dutch Saint Maarten is Philipsburg, and the capital of French Saint Martin is Marigot. Saint Martin Is My Home is a rhythmic poem and prose with dazzling images artistically illustrated by Orlando Eights in black-and-white graphics.

An impressive anthology, Eights wrote this book in the hope that other cultures would be informed of the important and historical sites of the lovely Saint Martin. For more information on Saint Martin Is My Home, log on to www.Xlibris.com.

About the Author

Melissa Irene Eights has published two children's books, poetry, and short stories. The human services professional, caretaker, and educator introduces some important sites and brings refreshment to those who are still around to tell the tales of old.

            Saint Martin Is My Home * by Melissa Irene Eights
                  Publication Date: November 19, 2009
            Picture Book; $21.99; 26 pages; 978-1-4415-9755-7
       Picture Book Hardcover; $31.99; 26 pages; 978-1-4415-9756-4

Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7479. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7876.

For more information, contact Xlibris at (888) 795-4274 or on the web at www.Xlibris.com.

CONTACT:  Xlibris
          Marketing Services
          (888) 795-4274 x. 7876
          MarketingServices@Xlibris.com

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Goldman Sachs Electronic Trading (GSET) announced today the release of the latest version of REDIPlus, Goldman Sachs' award-winning execution management system. Version 9.1 features significant enhancements to options and futures trading as well as portfolio trading, and also introduces flexible solutions for clients using the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL(R) service.

"Version 9.1 is the latest release in our long history of innovative execution management solutions for traders," said Rishi Nangalia, Managing Director and global head of GSET Business Development. "We continue to focus on global execution strategies and workspace usability to meet the diverse needs of our clients."

Key features of 9.1:

    --  Clients have the ability to streamline their desktop workflow by
        launching Bloomberg screens from REDIPlus. Clients who utilize both
        applications on the same PC will be able to click within REDIPlus and
        select from a menu of functions on the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service.
        REDIPlus users can also create custom "hotkeys" that can be clicked to
        open up a particular screen or access a particular function on the
        BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service.
    --  Options traders can take advantage of the introduction of a TWAP
        (Time-Weighted Average Price) algorithm, which complements the existing
        nine advanced options strategies available in REDIPlus. TWAP leverages
        the previously-launched "Strike" order type to minimize market impact
        while accessing liquidity.
    --  Additional functionality includes Active Limit Options Analytic
        Charting, a REDIPlus chart that displays a real-time graphical
        representation of a Volatility or Delta Adjusted order limit price and
        executions relative to the current market.
    --  Clients trading futures now have the ability to submit futures calendar
        spread orders from an order management system (OMS) via FIX. Strategy
        orders received via FIX can then be worked using all of the existing
        REDIPlus trading functionality, including algorithms. Executed orders
        are "dropped" back into the customer's order management system for post
        trade processing.
    --  Customers trading US and Canadian shares can access the SIGMA
        inter-listed router, which simultaneously scans US and Canadian market
        venues and routes orders to the market where there is the best
        opportunity for optimal execution.
    --  Clients trading portfolios of stocks will be able to measure the
        performance of their list against historical benchmarks. This
        enhancement to performance analysis of portfolios is offered in addition
        to previously available intra-day performance benchmarks, such as bid,
        ask, last, open, and prior close.

"REDIPlus' enhanced user-friendly interface and absolute flexibility help clients achieve their execution goals, whether they utilize algorithmic strategies for US listed options or trade portfolios of stocks across the European markets," said Nangalia.

About REDIPlus and Goldman Sachs

The REDIPlus trading platform allows clients to trade equities, options, futures, foreign exchange and synthetics from a single application. Clients can use REDIPlus to access Goldman Sachs algorithmic strategies in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. Additionally, clients can user REDIPlus to route orders through our SIGMA smart router and post orders directly to the SIGMA X crossing network. Clients trading portfolios of securities benefit from integrated portfolio and spread trading functionality and an embedded suite of pre-, during, and post-trade analytics.

Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing, L.P., through the GSET platform, provides clients with the necessary tools to manage their trades across asset classes and global markets. Clients access our products via FIX or via REDIPlus.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities and investment management services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centers around the world.

    Source: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

BOSTON, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/02/09 -- Today, Merida announced the three winners of their Tufted Rug Design Contest. The winners are Kelsey Arbona, Massiel Grullon, and Alland Torchon. The three designers, who are youth apprentices in Artists For Humanity's (AFH) graphic design program, will each receive a 5'x8' tufted area rug based on their winning design; each design will be developed and manufactured in Merida's Fall River, MA weaving facility for launch in early 2010; and Merida will make a $5,000 donation to AFH to support their innovative art apprenticeship programs.

The contest, which was announced in early October, challenged AFH's young artists to design sustainable textiles for Merida's tufted area rug line, which is made from 100% New Zealand Wool in Fall River, MA. For inspiration, the participants were asked to think about what sustainability means to them as young people and as designers.

The final submissions were evaluated by a select panel of interior, graphic, and product designers who support the missions of both Merida and AFH. The designs were scored on a number of criteria, including clear expression of the contest's sustainability theme, originality, color and style trends, and marketability.

"Merida and AFH represent leaders in innovation, connectivity to community and bringing art and design to the younger generation," said contest judge Denise Korn of Korn Design. "I believe in these organizations and we are lucky to have them here in Boston!"

Merida, a designer of sustainable natural fiber textiles, and AFH, a nonprofit that works with teens to provide paid employment in the arts, developed the rug design contest out of both organizations' desire to combine the creativity and enthusiasm of the young AFH designers with Merida's expertise in sustainable textile design to create beautiful, inspiring products with a compelling story.

"We have found amazing synergy with Artists For Humanity in our shared passions of art, design, sustainability, and social responsibility," said Catherine Connolly, CEO of Merida. "I am truly impressed to see the maturity and creativity these talented young people have displayed in their designs."

Susan Rodgerson, AFH executive and artistic director, said, "AFH is thrilled to be partnering with Merida and giving our youth a real-world experience. This collaboration reinforces AFH's mission to bridge economic, racial and social divisions by providing underserved youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts."

The three winners and their designs will be showcased at "For the Love of Art," AFH's annual Holiday Open house on December 15 from 3:00 pm - 7:00 p.m., and the winning rugs will be sold through Merida's new e-commerce web site, MeridaHome.com starting in early 2010.

For additional photos, a list of the judges, quotes and/or interviews, please contact ckabat@meridameridian.com.

About Merida Meridian

Merida Meridian is a design-driven company, passionate about creating innovative and fashionable floor coverings that help solve interior design challenges. Inspired by the textures and aesthetics of natural fibers, Merida uniquely customizes its products through sizing, colors and patterns and a selection of over 300 different edge finishes. Merida area rugs can be created in sizes and shapes to fit most room décors. We are committed to a tradition of integrating the finest quality natural fibers with innovative textile design and floor covering style. Merida is headquartered in Boston, Mass., maintains a manufacturing facility in Fall River, Mass. and partners with leading manufacturers and suppliers around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.meridameridian.com.

About Artists For Humanity

Artists For Humanity's mission is to bridge economic, racial and social divisions by providing under-served youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts. AFH has been providing design services since 1991. The organization's unique creative products and services capture the voice, vision and virtuosity of Boston's youth artists. Visit the AFH website for more information www.afhboston.com.

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine

Press Contact:
Carrie Kabat
617-239-7446
Email Contact

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Excel4apps, a provider of best-in-class Excel based reporting and budget loading software for Oracle and SAP, today announced the release of GL Wand 1.10 for SAP. GL Wand for SAP is an innovative Excel based tool that streamlines reporting for finance departments that run SAP Financials. As part of the SAP PartnerEdge Program, Excel4apps works closely with SAP to develop and certify the technical integration of GL Wand with SAP software. GL Wand augments SAP by helping users access and analyze live financial information more productively through a familiar Excel front end.

"GL Wand for SAP extends the same benefits to SAP users that customers of GL Wand for Oracle have appreciated for years, including more efficient finance reporting, shorter monthly closes and fasters refreshes directly from ERP system data," said Michele Buson, Director and Co-Founder of Excel4apps. "Our development team of chartered accountants and experienced SAP users has created an entirely new code base for this version of GL Wand that is tailored exclusively for SAP, and initial SAP users cite the product as indispensable for expedited analysis and ad hoc reporting."

GL Wand links directly with SAP, without the need for a data warehouse or additional hardware, as with other reporting tools. Installed within minutes and easy to use, it requires little support from information technology staff for support and programming. Report creation is easily accomplished by accountants and other financial users with minimal training, and reports can drill down into line items and individual cells within SAP data.

"Our very first month-end on SAP was only made possible by migrating the trial version of GL Wand into production," said Simon Taylor, Finance Manager for Sphere Healthcare, a large-scale pharmaceutical contract manufacturer based in Australia. "We recognized the instant value of GL Wand and immediately issued a purchase order for the software to IQX, our reseller."

GL Wand also enforces SAP authorizations, as opposed to those of a separate data warehouse, for unparalleled data security.

"GL Wand's integration architecture is based on SAP's connector for Microsoft .NET v2.01, which allows users to log onto SAP via GL Wand and read requested financial data as SAP authorizations allow," said Grant Peterson, Product Manager, GL Wand for SAP. "The architecture protects data from unauthorized access while producing highly auditable reports."

As a participant in the SAP PartnerEdge program, Excel4apps develops integrated applications that extend, complement and add value to SAP solutions, thereby helping mutual customers more successfully meet business needs and drive strong results. GL Wand 1.10 for SAP is available for free trial and download at http://www.excel4apps.com/sap.

About Excel4apps

Excel4apps is a provider of best-in-class Excel based reporting and budget loading software for Oracle and SAP. Its award winning GL Wand and Budget Wand products help Oracle and SAP financial professionals save time by delivering accurate and secure information in the familiar Excel environment. The company serves a broad range of industries, including financial services, education, utilities, insurance, hospitality, manufacturing and engineering. All products are available for immediate download and free trial, installing in minutes with no data warehouse and no additional hardware, setup or security configuration needed. Excel4apps maintains offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates and South Africa. More information is available at www.excel4apps.com.

SOURCE Excel4apps