IT Integration

The executive will lead LeapFrog's efforts to grow the company's existing platforms, while developing future engaging and educational experiences for children that broaden the LeapFrog brand experience with children and parents.

The acquisition of Quintiq extends Dassault Systmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform to business operations planning and further enables its longtime goal of harmonizing product, nature and life.

On July 28, 2014, Dollar Tree, Inc. announced its intent to takeover Family Dollar for $8.5 billion. Will the merged company, with more than 13,000 stores in 48 states and five Canadian Provinces, create significant competition for big box retailers, like Walmart?

Companies announced include GameWear, Pet Head and That Pet Place, which are among a growing number of manufacturers, distributors and retailers of pet goods that are leveraging NetSuite.

The investment is expected to support geographic expansion in Asia and acceleration of product innovation.

New research finds that more than half of business leaders place digital strategy and data analytics high on their agenda. Yet, 32 percent of respondents currently see themselves as having weak or no capabilities in these areas. Meanwhile, the supply chain was rated by consumer goods and retail executives as the No. 1 challenge for their companies and is also the most likely to receive increased investment this year.

A new report from IDC Manufacturing Insights concludes that big data and analytics will remain one of the top investment priorities for manufacturing organizations of all sizes for the foreseeable future. In fact, nearly 51 percent of respondents expect to generate new revenue streams from big data and analytics projects.

"The cloud" sounds like a nebulous other-world without definition or structure, but the reality is quite different. Moving your small business to the cloud can save you time, energy, and money, all while improving communication and collaboration among your team. Check out six specific benefits of taking the leap with your small business.