In the midst of one of the UKs biggest retail slumps in decades, Yorkshire based wholesale costume jewellery supplier Accessories by Parklane are experiencing one of the best years in their trading history.

The national newspapers are littered with stories of established high street retailers filing for bankrupcy and entering administration, with computer game retailer Game the latest in a long line of casualties but Parklanes success is sure to give hope to other business owners.

Although Accessories by Parklane do not generally sell to the public, their success, like many wholesalers, is still heavily reliant on the state of the high street economy, with the majority of its business made up of repeat orders from fashion and accessory retailers.

Latest retail reports suggest that despite that doom and gloom, people are still spending but have merely adjusted their shopping habits in light of increased fuel costs, higher energy prices and lower disposal income. Figures suggest that discerning shoppers are spending less on luxury goods such as precious jewellery, expensive watches and handbags, and designer clothes, and are instead shopping around for bargains.

Television programs like Gok Wans Fashion Fix, in which Wan demonstrates how to customise cheaper items of clothing to make them look more high-end and expensive, have also been cited as a contributing factor in the changing purchasing patterns of fashion-conscious shoppers.

Accessories by Parklanes owner Stuart Robinson believes that both of these factors may have contributed to his companys recent success:

Im sure fashion programs like Goks Fashion Fix have played a part in changing buyer behaviour but we havent had any specific feedback from our customers to that effect. We are always talking to retailers though and the general feedback is that sales of jewellery have increased. Were seeing existing customers buying a wider range of pieces than usual, and weve also taken a lot of orders from new customers in recent months.

The major benefit of costume jewellery is that it is inexpensive but doesnt look cheap. We know that shoppers are looking at ways to save money at the moment but at the same time they still want to look good, which makes costume jewellery a very attractive option. Some of our items look very expensive and you would need to look very closely or have a highly trained eye to spot that it isnt.

So although the UK have had to say a tearful farewell to the likes of Game, T J Hughes, Habitat and Borders it is encouraging to know that there are still some companies going strong in these testing times.

Related Computer Press Releases

In a world with Facebook pages for unborn babies and youtube videos of adorable children pawing at magazines like they were iPad touch screens, tech-savvy kids are the new normal. Some worry that a constantly connected world is driving us further apart, but others are looking for ways that the technologies we use on a daily basis can be used to bring us closer together.

Tamajii Inc., a Toronto-based app development company, is one of those companies bringing us together. Tamajii has recently launched an app called bookabi, an interactive storybook builder that allows children and parents to write their own stories using a collection of the apps pre-loaded characters, backgrounds and stickers.

Children are natural storytellers, says Laurent Domenech, CEO of Tamajii and father of two, We wanted to create an app that would make it easier for them to share whats in their imagination. Its a fun update to traditional bedtime stories and a new way for parents to spend quality time with their kids. Children are also able to share the stories they create in bookabi with out-of-town family members and plans to include an audio feature in the next release willl allow children or parents to record themselves reading the story.

Instead of having to choose between family time and online time, parents now have the opportunity to connect with their children to promote a healthy, productive relationship with the technologies that are quickly growing to dene and shape our idea of what it means to be connected.

bookabi comes complete with pre-loaded characters and backgrounds with the option to add your own pictures or purchase additional themed packs.

Visit http://tamajii.com/bookabi/#demo_video to view a demo of bookabi.

ABOUT TAMAJII:

Tamajii Inc. is a Toronto-based app development company that has been building apps that help unleash creativity since 2010. Their mission with bookabi is to leverage technology to encourage storytelling, imagination and creativity among youth.

If youd like more information about this story, a free bookabi app download or to schedule an interview with Laurent Domenech, please call Amanda Parker at 647-705-6556 or email amanda@tamajii.com.

Continuent, Inc., the leading provider of commercial open source middleware solutions for database high availability and scalability, today announced its new pricing strategy.

Annual Subscription-Based Pricing.

Continuent offers commercial open source solutions for business continuity for mission critical database applications. Continuent uni/cluster is an award-winning clustering solution for MySQL Enterprise and PostgreSQL.

Until now, these products have been sold under a perpetual license. The decision to move to a subscription model was driven by the desire to align Continuent products with other commercial open source companies' pricing practices. Such a move will make purchase decisions easier for prospective customers. This move is also consistent with feedback from existing Continuent customers.

"Continuent's success is a clear indication of the increased demand for commercial open source solutions, also in mission critical use, and the overall positive effects of the cost effective open source economy," said Eero Teerikorpi, CEO of Continuent.

Continuent partner MySQL has successfully offered subscription-based MySQL Enterprise solution for over a year. Another Continuent partner, EnterpriseDB, has also gained significant traction in the PostgreSQL market with its EnterpriseDB and PostgreSQL support subscription offerings.

"More and more companies are seeking cost effective alternatives for their database needs. Continuent uni/cluster solutions allow our customers to deploy MySQL and PostgreSQL confidently with their critical applications, which earlier would have required more expensive commercial database solutions. By aligning our pricing with MySQL and EnterpriseDB solutions, we now make it easier and even more cost effective for our joint customers to gain access to these excellent solutions," Teerikorpi continues.

The new pricing starts at $ 3,600 per database CPU per year.

For more information about Continuent products, visit http://www.continuent.com, and for information on Continuent's involvement in the open source community, visit http://www.continuent.org.

About Continuent

Continuent increases application reliability by ensuring continuous database availability. Continuent manages a database-neutral, open source database-clustering project Sequoia (http://www.continuent.org). Continuent also develops and markets commercial Continuent uni/cluster products and services based on Sequoia technology.

Continuent's commercial open source solutions are currently available for MySQL

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) announced that Time To Know is a 2012 CODiE Awards finalist for the Best K-12 Instructional Solution category. Established in 1986, the CODiE Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and vision in the software, digital information and education technology industries.

Time To Know is a teacher-led, online curriculum system that features a Digital Teaching Platform designed for 1:1 classrooms. With the teacher at the center, Time To Know engages students with interactive multimedia lessons, individualizes instruction, and promotes the development of critical thinking skills. The Time To Know solution includes a complete professional learning program focused on data-driven teaching practices using powerful support and instructional tools.

"Time To Knows digital teaching platform offers teachers the latest technology and top curriculum resources to enhance student achievement, says Louise Dub

Vapour-room.com newly launches Innokin LEOPro e cigarette. Vapers living in UK can enjoy free delivery and guarantee if they buy Innokin Leopro from Vapour-room.com.

Vapour-Room.com is a supplier of quality electronic cigarette uk and e-liquid and provides fast free UK delivery on everything.

Guarantee of Vapour-Room.com:

The home and car charger are covered by a 12 month guarantee. The components I.E batteries, atomizers and cartridges are consumable items. Vapour-Room.com recommends holding spares of batteries, atomizers, cartridges, and of course E-Liquid so users don't interrupt the use of their Electronic Cigarette.

Free UK Delivery

For those who live in the UK (mainland), delivery will cost nothing. If customers order before 4pm (UK Time) the order will be despatched the same day. If customers live within the UK, it should arrive the very next day. Deliveries to non UK destinations will typically take 3 to 10 days

Details about Innokin LEOPro:

The Innokin LEOPro is the latest version of the LEO/LEA family e-cigarette, with several new useful features added. The LEOPro is powered by a built-in 1000 mAh polymer Li-Ion rechargeable battery to meet the everyday demands of even heavy vapers.

In appearance the LEOPro is slightly thicker than the LEA 400 and LEA 800 (approx 2mm wider, 2mm longer) and the unit has a very solid feel to it. It sports a new larger style manual switch which is very comfortable to operate. The switch still utilizes the green, yellow and red LED indicators which give instant feedback about the remaining battery power. Three clicks turn the battery ON or off, which is a very useful safety feature. Charging is as simple as screwing off the USB cover on the base of the battery to reveal the mini USB socket and plugging it into a USB power source (computer, games console, USB wall charger, or even car with the adapter we provide). The LEAPro can also be used during charging, in case users just can't wait any longer!

The protective lid incorporates an easy to operate but secure screw fitting and once removed reveals a slightly larger atomiser and mouthpiece than the LEA 400/800. The ample 1.2ml tank has a more fluted, pipe like mouthpiece which feels very natural in the mouth. The battery utilizes the familiar 510 thread and will accept users favorite cartomizers if they fancy a change from the tank system (oh, and the cap still fits on perfectly regardless!).

Vapour-Room.com stocks the LEOPro in three fantastic colours-Wine Red, Steel, and Matte Black.

LEOPro Kit Comes With:

1 x INNOKIN LEA 1000mAh battery

5 x LEOPro Refillable Tank Cartridges

1 x LEOPro Tank Atomizer

1 x LEOPro Pen Clip Cap

1 x LEO USB Retractable Cable

1 x USB A/C Power charger Adaptor Euro

1 x Instruction Manual

1 x LEOPro gift package box

Vapour Room also includes:

1 x UK Adaptor

1 x 12v Car Charger

1 x 10ml e-liquid

Fast, Free UK First Class Recorded Delivery

More Computer Press Releases

The investment community strongly agrees that precious metals (bullion) have ended their decade-long rallies as gold and silver failed to breach the 2,000 and 50 US Dollar marks respectively. Therefore, it is now more crucial than ever to manage risk and find profit-making opportunities in the precious metal markets through active market participation.

For centuries, investors have diversified their investment portfolios with holdings in physical gold and silver, providing them with protection from:

CrossTec Corporation is exhibiting their award winning SchoolVue Classroom Management Software today at the ICE 2012 Conference in St. Charles, IL, alongside the Williams Group, to show teachers, IT managers, and educational leaders how to implement some of the most advanced 21st century education technology solutions into their schools and add additional value to their education systems. Their display includes CrossTecs SchoolVue Classroom Management Software managing multiple types of devices, including notebooks and virtual desktops, while mimicking a number of classroom scenarios.

CrossTec SchoolVue is a classroom management solution that enables teachers to deliver top notch lessons to students in their 21st century classrooms. More than ever before, teachers, lab instructors, and corporate trainers can take control of classroom technology, giving them the ability to monitor student activity on the PC, control application and internet usage, instant messenger usage, device usage and more. Teachers can use features such as the Show mode for classroom demonstration or leverage the Testing Console to deliver custom, interactive, computer based tests that are graded automatically by the SchoolVue software.

SchoolVue is a great fit for any classroom looking to incorporate technology into a lesson, said Mike Beverly, Marketing & Advertising Manager at CrossTec Corporation. Many teachers have found SchoolVue to be the perfect complement to their existing STEM programs.

The CrossTec SchoolVue display will offer teachers the ability to see how SchoolVue fits into a number of different classroom environments. Throughout the conference, English, Math, Science, Engineering, Drafting, Graphic Design, and other mock classroom scenarios will be demonstrated.

The ICE 2012 exhibit hall is open February 29th March 2nd. For more information about the conference, please visit: http://www.iceberg.org/ice_conference .

For more information about CrossTec SchoolVue or for a free evaluation or webinar, please visit http://www.CrossTecSoftware.com.

About CrossTec Corporation:

CrossTec Corporation is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL with offices in Grand Rapids, MI. They have been a leading provider of software solutions for schools since 1996, including the award winning CrossTec SchoolVue brand of classroom management software. CrossTecs mission is to empower IT departments, teachers, and tech coordinators by offering a combination of education-tested products, substantial feature sets, superior value, and unparalleled customer service. For more information on CrossTec Corporation or the CrossTec family of products or to speak to a product representative, please call 800-675-0729 or visit http://www.CrossTecSoftware.com.

About The Williams Group:

The Williams Group, located in Evergreen Park, Illinois, just south of Chicago, is close to major transportation highways, thus facilitating access to trade shows and educational conferences in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The Williams Group has been a CrossTec partner since 2004.

George Williams, owner of The Williams Group, is an online professor at Chicago State University where he formerly directed the English Computer lab. He knows first-hand the value of CrossTecs software, SchoolVue and Secure.

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"Shoestring Publishing has launched new free bonuses for its business startup courses this week," says Justin Douglas of Shoestring Publishing. "For those people thinking about starting up a business, here is a complete set of courses for as low as $ 7 total, which are taught by people who have made as much as 100 million dollars doing these businesses," he says. "Most Shoestring Publishing courses are niche courses that explain a startup business and show you how to start a specific startup business, such as hot dog carts, china importing, consignment shop and many more. The bonuses show you everything else about your startup business, all the business startup knowledge you need to know."

Each small business studies course from Shoestring Publishing focuses on a niche, such as importing from China, starting a computer repair shop, starting an ice cream truck business, and many more startups, all taught by experts who have made as much as 100 million dollars in their own businesses.

Mr. Douglas says that the Shoestring courses are quick and for some can replace costly business schools: "For those people wanting to find business training solutions and improve business skills at places like warwick business school, esade business school, edhec business school or iese, the Shoestring Publishing courses are a much more specific, quick and low-cost way to train for starting a new business. The courses cost between $ 7 to $ 27 and include ten free bonuses including financial accounting, business management and social media marketing courses at no additional cost. The courses from Shoestring Publishing allow a student to start a startup business in as little as two days, instead of facing a multi-year expensive business college training program."

"Shoestring has some of the best home business training courses, as well as advice on starting a business. business skills training and business startup checklists," Mr. Douglas says. "Our free bonuses include free social media training and business forms, the free Startup Boot Camp audio course from millionaire entrepreneur Perry Belcher, marketing courses, credit repair courses, time management, Think And Grow Rich by Napolean Hill, a social media Twitter course and a Facebook course. Twitter Tactics and Facebook Tactics are two social media courses that startup owners really need to have these days, as social media will be a huge boost to getting website rankings in the search engines, and you can also develop relationships with your customer base by using Twiitter and Facebook. We realize that most startup owners are not going to know much about social media, so our courses and these social media bonus courses will give you the extra edge and all the knowlege you need to launch your business on social media. You can have confidence to launch a quality business and to promote it on social media to people who need and want the service or product you are providing."

"The book Think And Grow Rich by Napolean Hill is now a bonus with all Shoestring business startup courses," Mr. Douglas says. "The book is a business occult science classic inspired by a suggestion from Andrew Carnegie. It was published in 1937 at the end of the Great Depression. Think and Grow Rich was by far the biggest seller of Napoleon Hill's books, selling 20 million copies over the next 50 years. Think And Grow Rich is still considered by successful entrepreneurs all over the world as a blue print to success. Shoestring Publishing has just acquired the rights to this classic and it's a bonus with each startup course."

"The book Body Language Magic is a bonus now with all business startup courses," Mr. Douglas explains. "You can use the knowledge of body language to identify if confidence, dominance, and other characteristics are inherent in people. On the contrary, you may also perform these gestures when you want to convey certain personality traits to subconsciously influence others. After reading this book, you will never look at the world the same way again. Youll be able to immediately interpret certain actions and adapt to any situation. This is important to know when sizing up customers or negotiating for locations."

For more information, visit the Shoestring Publishing website.

About Shoestring Publishing

Shoestring Publishing creates courses for average people to make above average incomes starting their own startup businesses. The Shoestring courses focus on specific types of businesses, and each course is taught by experts who have started the startups and made large amounts of money, including some teachers who have made over 100 million dollars in their own personal businesses. While these startups are not designed to make millionaires out of the students, they can bring earning far more than most full time jobs, with little or no advanced experience or knowledge, and little or not startup capital. The average Joe can start a business and win with Shoestring Publishing startup courses.

Groupware Technology, Inc., a rapidly growing information technology solution provider, announced today it is the recipient of the West Area Breakaway Partner of the Year award at the 2012 Cisco Partner Summit. Cisco unveiled the winners April 17th at its annual channel partner conference in San Diego, Calif.

Cisco is proud to partner with so many well-respected and industry-leading organizations, and it is an honor to recognize Groupware Technology as a Cisco Partner Summit theater award winner, said Jim Sherriff, senior vice president, Americas Partner Organization at Cisco. The Breakaway Partner of the Year award presented to Groupware recognizes its exceptional performance and expertise as a Cisco channel partner in the Western U.S. in 2011.

Groupware announced in November 2011 that it had met all of the requirements to achieve Cisco Silver Certification, which enables Groupware to provide its customers with premier access to its products, services and support tools. Groupware has acquired some very high-level Cisco engineering talent and its customers have been able to take advantage of its certifications and hands-on experience in security, advanced routing and switching and data center infrastructures.

To receive the Breakaway Partner of the Year Award so quickly on the heels of our Cisco Silver Certification is a reflection of the strength of the relationships we have formed with our customers in the delivery of integrated network solutions, said Mike Thompson, Groupware President and CEO. This recognition of Groupware by Cisco Worldwide and regional channel executives highlights the successes Groupware has had in collaborating with customers to evolve their datacenter infrastructures through virtualization, automation and cloud computing solutions.

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About Groupware Technology

Groupware Technology, Inc., headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a leading information technology solution provider with offices in Denver, CO, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. The company provides enterprise technology solutions to its customers in commercial, healthcare and government markets. Groupware specializes in storage, security, networking, enterprise systems and software. For more information, contact (408) 540-0090 or visit groupwaretechnology.com.

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Joel Bruckenstein and David Drucker, producers of the T3 Technology Tools for Today Conference (T3), announced final attendance figures for the seventh annual conference today. The conference, held this year from February 16 18 at Dallas Hilton Anatole Hotel, attracted 575 attendees, an all-time record high attendance for the seven year-old conference. The increased attendance figure demonstrates that T3 continues to be the place where business professionals in the financial services industry come to interact with technology producers. The T3 Conference has developed a reputation for being the place where people come to not only learn about new technology, but also shape future technological developments by speaking directly to developers and expressing technological needs, said Dave Drucker.

EXHIBIT HALL A MAJOR DRAW

The 70-plus sponsors in the exhibit hall were constantly talking with one another and some advisors attending, such as Louis P. Stanasolovich, CFP