Business Intelligence (BI)

Align, a global provider of technology infrastructure solutions, has appointed Mark Rode as VP of sales and will drive solutions and programs focused on data center, application migrations, systems, networks and storage, cloud and managed services initiatives.

Walnut Creek, Calif. – Retailers are taking an increasingly omni-channel approach to their mobile strategies, looking to combine mobile with existing channels rather than treat it as a separate entity. According to a new study from RSR Research, “Mobile in Retail: Reality Sets In,” 49% of retail respondents said the purpose of their mobile strategy is to drive traffic to the store in 2014, compared to 33% in 2013.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems, a global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, today announced its Retail Services business has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing both private label and co-brand credit card services for lifestyle and entertainment retailer HSN.

New York -- Bryan Sartin, director of Verizon’s RISK Team, will discuss the link between security breaches and automated building management systems at Chain Store Age’s 50th annual SPECS Conference, March 9-12, 2014
Gaylord Texan Hotel Grapevine, Texas.

Sartin heads the Research, Investigations, Solutions, Knowledge (RISK) Team at Verizon Enterprise Solutions. The Team has 106 full-time investigation staff who come from law enforcement, military, military intelligence, and specialty engineering.

Tokyo – Major Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox has reportedly gone offline with no advance notice or explanation. According to NBC News, the Mt. Gox website is blank, its offices are closed, its Twitter account has deleted all tweets, and all trading has been halted.

True Value's Mobile Order App for smartphones is putting more power into the hands of retailers, according to the co-op.

The True Value mobile ordering app, which began as a concept about 18 months ago, is now in its sixth month of operation. It's in use at about 1,800 retailers making thousands of orders, said Rosalee Hermans, head of information technology for True Value.

North Bergen, N.J. – Strong results in its e-commerce segment, along with growing same-store sales and income from Super Supplements stores acquired in the fourth quarter, helped boost the performance of Vitamin Shoppe Inc. during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013. On a year-over-year basis, fourth quarter net income grew 15.9% to $11.2 million from $9.7 million.

Ebates, the owner and operator of the world's most rewarding shopping programs, has appointed Yen Lee as SVP of corporate development.