Billabong selects NGC's e-PLM for Product Lifecycle Management and e-SPS for Global Sourcing and Visibility. NGCs software will be implemented worldwide as a strategic PLM and global sourcing solution for Billabong across all of the company's regions and brands.

"Billabong selected NGC after a detailed and rigorous evaluation of the industry's leading PLM vendors," says Mike Savage, General Manager of Product Development, Billabong International Limited. "We chose NGC based on the functionality and ease of use of their solutions, as well as NGC's deep understanding of the fashion and apparel industries."

IKEA, the home furnishings giant, implements a suite of self-service kiosks to improve customer in-store experience. Customers use the self-service kiosks to sign up to join the IKEA FAMILY loyalty scheme.

IKEA needed a quick, easy and instant way for customers to apply to its IKEA FAMILY loyalty scheme in store and implemented a suite of Xen X5 kiosks. The self-service kiosks offer customers the convenience of signing up in-store and in addition, loyalty scheme customers benefit further by being the first to know of upcoming promotions, sales and events via on screen information targeted solely at them.

"We are very happy with the IKEA FAMILY registration kiosks that are installed in all Belgian IKEA stores," says Tim Schroons, IKEA Belgium. "They allow us to have a much more efficient way of recruiting new IKEA FAMILY members without the presence of a co-worker being required. This versatile solution allows us to recruit new members and have existing members print out a temporary card or update their customer profile in a user friendly way".

Best Buy is moving into the used video game market, with tests in some Austin and Dallas stores. The stores will have kiosks where customers can turn in used video games, have them tested to make sure they work and then receive a voucher redeemable for a gift card.

Barry Judge, the chain's chief marketing officer, disclosed the strategy on his blog but didn't say which stores would participate.

"We'll also be testing the sale of used games in those stores, and some of the kiosks will even rent games and movies," said Judge.

The strategy takes on GameStop Corp., which has dominated the used video game market for years. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. also is testing kiosks that accept used video games.