Join Chain Store Age on Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m. (Eastern) for a free Webinar, sponsored by Microsoft, on how to use digital signage solutions to improve customer engagement, improve brand awareness, target specific audiences, and quickly update messages — all while reducing costs and driving sales.

Microsoft announced that J.C. Penney is rolling out Microsoft Office 365 as part of its effort to simplify and modernize technology solutions.

Junction Solutions announced that Renys, which operates 16 discount stores in Maine, has selected Junction Solutions to implement Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and help launch its multichannel retail strategy, while automating manual processes and improving visibility and collaboration throughout its store locations.

Apple Inc. became the most valuable public company of all time on Monday, after its market value climbed beyond $620 billion to surpass a milestone set by Microsoft Corp. more than 10 years ago, Reuters reported.

Microsoft said that Lowe's Home Improvement is engaging its services to help improve customer service.

Former Microsoft executive, Tom Litchford, has been named The National Retail Federation's new VP retail technologies.

By Gary C. Smith, National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources

On Monday, Barnes & Noble Inc. and Microsoft announced a strategic partnership in a new unnamed Barnes & Noble subsidiary that, for the time being, is being identified as Newco. Here some comments from retail consultant Maggie Gilliam (Gilliam Insights) on the new venture:

Microsoft Corp. and Barnes & Noble have entered into an agreement by which Microsoft will invest $300 million in Barnes & Noble’s digital-book (Nook) business and college texts unit.

Whether your company is already in the cloud or still on the fence about making the move, retailers can gain additional insight at “Legacy Modernization to the Cloud,” a FREE roundtable luncheon moderated by Chain Store Age.