Content about Microsoft

REDMOND, Wash. — Crossmark has launched a self-service data portal that it said would deliver business insights in real time to manufacturer and retail clients in the consumer goods industry.

The portal, which uses the Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Workhouse, provides sales and marketing channels with access to real-time market data, allowing them to analyze and take advantage of market trends faster than before, the company said.

A funny thing happened on the way to the cash register. A coveted diabetic shopper intent on saving money saw promotions that resonated with value. She was hooked.

On this trip, promotions influenced her to expand her basket from just insulin to related care items, foot cream and a sugar-free treat. It was as if the retailer and suppliers completely understood her daily regimen, lifestyle, shopping behaviors, willingness to spend and purchase triggers. Indeed, they did.

How? They mastered the process of promotion optimization.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Blood-pressure kiosks have become a ubiquitous site in retail pharmacies across the country, but like pharmacy automation and technology as a whole, they’re continuing to advance and offer new features.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. About one month after announcing its movie rental milestone, Redbox reportedly also is offering video game enthusiasts the chance to rent games from its kiosks.

Redbox offers video game rentals for such systems as Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation PS2 and PS3, and Microsoft Xbox 360. The price to rent the video games currently is $2 per day, according to published reports.

DENVER The use of at-home blood pressure monitors and Web-based reporting tools that connect clinicians and patients via the Internet appears to significantly improve patients’ ability to manage their high blood pressure to healthy levels, according to research from Kaiser Permanente released Friday.