FCS Global Supports Console's Growth With ShoreTel

FCS Global, the Irish owned worldwide provider of
communications solutions, announces that it is implementing a new
ShoreTel unified communications (UC) system, for suicide prevention and
support charity, Console, as the organisation looks to expand its
services throughout Ireland and the UK.

FCS Global is also announcing today that it has been named as an
Authorised Partner by ShoreTel. FCS can now offer ShoreTel's feature
rich UC solutions to its UK and Ireland customer base. ShoreTel(r) is
the leading provider of brilliantly simple unified communications
platforms, including business phone systems, applications and mobile UC.

Console offers suicide bereavement and prevention services and resources
around Ireland and the UK. All of its free services are delivered by
fully qualified and accredited counsellors, psychotherapists and
psychologists, to those who have been affected by suicide.

As a corporate social responsibility initiative, FCS Global is
implementing the ShoreTel UC solution, on a pro bono basis, to aid
Console's expansion, as the charity is seeking to increase the number of
centres it has around Ireland and the UK, and to improve the helpline
services it provides to the public.

Console had an outdated telephone system in place and as a growing
organisation this was becoming too complex and expensive to maintain.
FCS Global is upgrading its communications infrastructure to a single,
centralised unified communications platform from ShoreTel that will
support the charity's multiple offices from one location.

New offices can be easily added by Console to the ShoreTel platform
without the need for specialist technical knowledge and will ensure all
the centres can continue to collaborate effectively as the charity
grows.

Due to the highly time sensitive nature of the services Console offers,
it is essential that anyone calling its helpline can be put through to
the most appropriate advisor as quickly as possible. With the new
system, Console now has call centre capabilities, enabling callers to be
instantly routed to the relevant person, regardless of where they are
based.

Paul Kelly, CEO and founder of Console said, "As a charity working in
challenging economic times, and against a backdrop of high suicide rates
in Ireland, Console relies heavily on the kindness and support of local
communities and businesses.

"This generous partnership with FCS Global and the installation of the
ShoreTel system will enable Console to streamline operations and aid the
further development of our Centres and 24 hour helpline service in
Ireland and the UK. This will undoubtedly assist us in achieving our
ultimate aim, to reduce the high levels of suicide here in Ireland."

On the back of the new ShoreTel partnership, FCS Global has implemented
ShoreTel's IP phone system with unified communications and contact
centre throughout its own worldwide network.

Ronan Kelly, Business Development Manager, FCS Global commented, "As the
saying goes, 'the proof is in the eating', and having explored
ShoreTel's offering, we decided to install its UC platform throughout
our own network. We have been delighted with the results, making it
easier to recommend the ShoreTel system to our clients, as we are
satisfied customers ourselves.

"As employees, we are encouraged to make FCS Global aware of any
charitable initiatives which may benefit from our services and this is
how we began working with Console. With the ShoreTel UC solution,
Console will have a reliable and superior communications system,
enabling its volunteers to collaborate more effectively and ensure that
any contact from the public can be handled as quickly and efficiently as
possible."

Barry Dillon, regional sales director, ShoreTel added, "We are excited
to be working so closely with FCS Global. It is a company with over
500,000 ports serviced globally, and a worldwide outreach.

"Our partnership will enable FCS to offer ShoreTel UC platforms
initially to its extensive client base in the UK and Ireland, providing
them with sophisticated systems while maintaining an affordable
price-point and user-simplicity."

Launch of the first ever Wi-Fi body scale

Pioneer in health 2.0 since 2009 with the launch of the first ever Wi-Fi body scale, Withings is the leader and the game-changer in connected health. Thanks to its openness and accessible policy for partnerships, Withings places itself at the centre of the world of connected health with significant companies such as RunKeeper, Lose It!, HealthVault, MedHelp…and now Jawbone with its UP application.

Thanks to Withings open API, the number of partnerships has significantly increased this year, particularly with MyFitnessPal and the Balance Rewards program from Walgreens. The hundredth partner to be named is UP by Jawbone which is a connected bracelet with an activity sensor.

Withings provides a free API which is open to everyone which enables developers to enrich their applications and user experiences by easily integrating the data which is collected. Withings’ approach is to not limit its advice to users and to its own devices (connected body scales, soon to be released Smart Activity Tracker, Smart Blood Pressure Monitor…) This makes Withings a leading brand for all users in the domain of connected health. Regardless of which device or health application people use, the data becomes meaningful when it is displayed on the Withings’ health application – The Health Companion. The fact that they have developed a strategy of open data shows that Withings not only sells accessories but that Withings is the flag-bearer and the voice of an entire movement which revolutionizes lifestyles and the way in which everyone manages their wellbeing.

This is a strategy which pays off because it places Withings at the centre of a large eco-system of partners and enables it to reach over 100 million users across the world!

Cédric Hutchings, CEO and co-founder of Withings: “Our health application integrates 4 essential aspects of wellbeing: weight, sleep, activity, the heart. The revolution is its simplicity from which people can access their vital data. The fast growing number of users of connected health is evidence of the magnitude of this movement.”

Burren app goes live - offering GPS and Google Map Tech

A smartphone application that uses GPS technology and Google Maps to guide tourists around the Burren went live for the first time today.

The first comprehensive mobile application for the world-famous Burren region of counties Clare and Galway has been developed by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark and is now available to download for free by iPhone and Android users.

The mobile app features detailed information on over 100 activities, as well as details of places to eat, accommodation providers, app user discounts to visitor attractions and restaurants, and details of transport options to and around the Burren. The app was launched today by Burren native and frontman for The Stunning and The Walls, Steve Wall.

Commenting on the launch of the first comprehensive app for the Burren, Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Geoparkstated: “This application uses Google Maps and the GPS system in iPhones and other smartphones to allow users find activities or services near their current location. Users are provided with information on transport options, including walking, cycling, car pooling, electric car charging units and public transport to and around the Burren. The app also contains a comprehensive list of accommodation, places to eat, things to do, craft and local producers, petrol stations and post offices.”

Siobhain O’Brien of Burren Ecotourism, an organisation that supported the development of the app, said: “The idea of the app is to inform and encourage visitors to use sustainable travel to get in and around the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. Many of our Burren Ecotourism members offer incentives to visitors who use methods of sustainable travel when visiting their businesses. These incentives are redeemed through a voucher system available on the app. The App also provides a journey planner and car pooling information to encourage locals as well as visitors to think about, and plan, smarter travel options.”

Developed for the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark by Ennis-based Acton BV, the app can be downloaded for free from itunes and google play (search for Burren Geopark). The app has been funded under an Interreg Northern Periphery Programme called Transtourism (www.transtourism.eu). The partnership is developing and implementing solutions for transport services adapted to rural tourism areas in the Northern Periphery of Europe.



For more visit www.burren.ie.

Paymill adds American Express

PAYMILL, the innovative payment service provider in Europe, now enables merchants to accept multiple credit cards. Next to already integrated credit card brands like MasterCard and VISA, PAYMILL offers now American Express, Diners Club and others. Another innovation is the increased number of acceptable transaction and payout currencies. From today on, merchants can accept payments in 120 transaction currencies from their customers all over Europe. Also payouts can be conducted in more than 20 currencies. This reduces the traditional hassle and complexity, as PAYMILL allows merchants to handle and process all cards and currencies in one account from everywhere in Europe.

Next to the currency and card extensions, PAYMILL launched AutoInvoicing as well. Merchants can now add invoicing and merchant notifications on their PAYMILL account. The installation is very simple and straight forward and enables merchants to send out automated invoices to their clients in their company’s corporate identity. This reduces administrative efforts and costs and makes business even more efficient.

Mark Henkel, CEO and co-founder of PAYMILL: “Merchants can already integrate PAYMILL flexibly on their website and their customers do not need to be redirected to other websites to make a payment. However, through our latest product development – the integration of multiple currencies, further credit cards and AutoInvoicing, which all can be handled in one account – we tailor PAYMILL even more to our customers’ needs and make the product as consumer-friendly as possible. This will lead to even fewer customer dropouts and significantly higher conversion rates and makes PAYMILL the easiest online payment solution on the market.”

The intuitive developer friendly API, the rapid on-boarding process, the highest security standards, the broad offer of currencies and the transparent pricing all combined with comprehensive and friendly customer service sets PAYMILL apart from other online payment solutions. PAYMILL - the Red Herring Top 100 Award Winner 2013 (previous winners include Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype etc.) - is the first provider to have brought this simple, user-friendly technical solution to Europe.