ResponseSource Press Release Wire

Survey Finds Consumer Frustration With Web Site Performance During Peak Traffic Times Negatively Impacts Business Results

78 Percent of Consumers Have Switched to a Competitive Site due to Poor Web Performance at Peak Times DETROIT--February 8, 2010--Today, Gomez, the Web performance division of Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ:CPWR), published the findings of an independent study examining the performance of Web sites experiencing peak traffic volumes and the impact on consumer behavior and business results. Conducted by Equation Research, the study polled 1500 people who use the Web at peak times such as holiday shopping, booking summer travel or executing trades during financial market shifts. It concluded that poor Web performance is rife in the retail, finance and travel industries, and that this has a dramatic and lasting impact on where consumers spend money online. The full study can be downloaded at: http://bit.ly/9wUzZj. The survey, entitled 'When More Website Visitors Hurt Your Business: Are You Ready for Peak Traffic?' found that: *Consumers do the lion's share of their online spending during peak traffic times and have high expectations for Web performance: - During these peak times, 51 percent spend a significant percentage of their online shopping budget and 35 percent make online travel bookings. - 67 percent of consumers expect Web sites to work well regardless of how many visitors they have. * Consumers' expectations for quality Web performance were not met during 2009: - 72 percent experienced slower Web sites more frequently during peak traffic periods than at other times. 58 percent reported more errors and 51 percent encountered more failing transactions. * Unacceptable Web site performance during peak traffic times led to actions and perceptions that negatively impacted businesses' revenue and reputation: - 78 percent of consumers have switched to a competitor's Web site because they encountered slowdowns, errors and transaction problems during peak traffic times. - After a poor online experience, 88 percent are less likely to return to a site, 47 percent have a less positive perception of the company and 42 percent have discussed it with family, friends and peers, or online on social networks. * Poor Web performance at peak times is endemic across the financial, travel and retail verticals harming both short-term revenues and long-term customer relationships: - 63 percent of online stock traders experienced poor Web performance during peak times in 2009 and 57 percent said they would switch to a competitive brokerage as a result. - 53 percent of consumers using the Web for purchasing vacations, flights and hotels will only tolerate one or two bad Web experiences during peak times before booking on a different travel Web site. - 33 percent of online shoppers experienced poor Web performance on a retail Web site during the 2009 holiday shopping season and 41 percent of them say they would abandon a retailer's Web site after just one of two poor experiences. 'Peak Web traffic means increased revenue opportunity: for most businesses, peak periods are precisely when they spend the most on promotions and campaigns to drive visitors to their sites and convert the sale. However, it's clear that peak traffic also means increased risk for degraded Web performance and, consequently, lost business, as this survey starkly confirms' said Matt Poepsel, Vice President, Performance Strategies, Gomez Division. 'Investing in Web load testing before marketing campaigns and seasonal traffic spikes can help businesses ensure that their customers' online experience is optimal, even under peak loads.' Gomez retained Equation Research to conduct this survey. 1,538 consumers who had bought a product or service online in the past nine months were interviewed including 500 online shoppers, 500 using the Web for online travel bookings and 500 financial service users including online stock traders. Interviews were conducted during December 16-22, 2009. To read the full findings in the 'When More Website Visitors Hurt Your Business: Are You Ready for Peak Traffic?' report, please go to: http://bit.ly/9wUzZj. Gomez, the Web performance division of Compuware, provides the industry's leading solutions for optimizing the performance, availability, and quality of Web and mobile applications. The on-demand Gomez platform integrates solutions for Web load testing, Web performance management, Web cross-browser testing, and Web performance business analysis that test and measure Web and mobile applications from the 'outside-in' - across all users, browsers, devices, and geographies - using a global network of over 100,000 locations. When combined with Compuware Vantage, Gomez offers the industry's only solution for optimizing application performance across the Enterprise and the Internet. Over 2,500 customers worldwide, ranging from small companies to large enterprises - including 12 of the top 20 most visited US Web sites - use Gomez solutions to increase revenue, build brand loyalty, and decrease costs. Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Gomez_Inc and http://twitter.com/compuware. Compuware Corporation Founded in 1973, Compuware provides software, experts and best practices to ensure applications work well and deliver business value. Compuware solutions optimize application performance across the Enterprise and the Internet for leading businesses around the world, including 46 of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies and 12 of the top 20 most visited U.S. web sites. Learn more at: http://www.compuware.com. ### Press Contact: Samantha McGarry, Gomez Division, Compuware Corporation, smcgarry@gomez.com, 781-778-2783 For Sales and Marketing Information Gomez Division, 10 Maguire Road, Lexington MA 02421, 877-372-6732, www.gomez.com - David Mieny 08-02-2010

Ken's Yard, new nationwide building supplies site, goes live

Ken's Yard, a new nationwide building supplies website selling over 30,000 well known branded products on-line has now gone live. Behind Ken's Yard are three experienced and respected traders in timber and building products, Charles McLeish, Joe McConville - previous owners of MGM Timber, and Ken McLelland - former Regional Director of Buildbase (see notes to editors). The board has been strengthened further by the addition of Charles Shaw, Chairman of the hugely successful 5pm.co.uk and former Chief Executive of Invergordon Distillers plc and Andrew Sutherland former UK Financial Controller and Company Secretary of Keyline Builders Merchants. Aimed at the 'serial' project builder, self-builder and small building contractor in the UK and beyond, Ken's Yard now provides the most comprehensive and competitive range of [building supplies|http://www.kensyard.co.uk/] currently available on-line. These are supported by easily accessible advice from some of the supply industry's most experienced, knowledgeable and professional experts. Ken's Yard is now part of the vanguard of suppliers changing the way building supplies are purchased and brings several 'firsts' to the market: - Ken's Yard currently sells 30,000 products which will rise to an estimated 45,000 in Phase 2. - Ken's Yard sells the full [HOPPE door furniture|http://www.kensyard.co.uk/products/category/hoppe-brass-door-furniture/] range from Germany, one of only a few suppliers to do so, and is the first to sell the complete Carron Phoenix range of kitchen sinks, taps and accessories. It also supplies the complete range of Kahrs hardwood flooring products. Other well-known brand names are already in the pipeline and will be added in Phase 2. This includes the full JELD-WEN joinery products catalogue and the full Velux catalogue. A unique [building estimates|http://www.kensyard.co.uk/estimating/] service for extensions, refurbishments and new-build projects. This provides a massive timesaving for building professionals and enables them to get jobs costed quickly and accurately. This will initially be offered free as a launch 'special' to customers who spend GBP500 or more. - Ken's Yard is the only UK based website where customers can upload a drawing, or enter measurements to obtain a quote. Ken's Yard handles the entire ordering process and items like [roof trusses|http://www.kensyard.co.uk/roof-trusses/] will be delivered direct to site within 14 days. Ken McLelland said, "Ken's Yard enables building professionals to reduce procurement costs by taking full advantage of the reach and power of the internet without compromising quality or choice of products. When we looked closely at the e-commerce operators in the repairs, maintenance and improvements market (RMI) the gap we saw was to combine the credibility associated with a specialist site with the wider appeal of the generalist site. We have positioned Ken's Yard to appeal to the professional who now sees the benefits of e-commerce while being accessible to the competent project builder who is quite comfortable researching and sourcing on-line. "We understand what the building professional needs and are already receiving very positive feedback about Ken's Yard's straightforward and refreshing approach to doing business." - ends - Notes to Editors: About [Kens Yard|http://www.kensyard.co.uk/]: Ken's Yard is an independent on-line building products company founded after extensive research by an experienced team who care about service. Not just another small products outlet, Ken's Yard offers a range of building products not found elsewhere. Costs have been kept low, to enable the company to be consistently competitive to its market of Professional, Project-Builder and Self-Build customers. Ken's Yard has teamed up with a number of the industry's best-known manufacturers of high quality brands and suppliers of professional products. Using the latest e-commerce technology it is able to provide a genuine alternative to more traditional and less efficient methods of purchasing construction products. For further information please contact: Shena Campbell Ken's Yard Limited Unit 9c West Mains Industrial Estate Grangemouth FK3 8YE 07801 826478 www.kensyard.co.uk - Oliver Gaywood 08-02-2010

20% off VIP offer at Fat Face Denim

Fat Face is so excited about its super-cool new [denim|http://www.fatface.com/Denim/icat/denim] collection that is offering a very special - VIP 20% off everything. From Tuesday 9th to Wednesday 10th February, you will receive an amazing 20% off by simply quoting 'SPR10AE' at the check-out online, guaranteeing that you'll bag what you want before the offer is opened up to the great British public this Thursday (until Sunday 14th Feb). Indulge yourself in [Fat Face's|http://www.fatface.com/] hottest items for Spring/Summer 2010; from the bang on trend Carrot jean for women to a great pair of Twisted jeans for men. There are 8 styles of jeans for men and 5 styles for women all with different washes and details. And if that wasn't enough, there are graphic tees, tops, sweats and much more to have you looking your best this Summer. Be quick, this offer is limited! www.fatface.com -Ends- About Fat Face Fat Face is the leading active lifestyle brand with 179 stores across the UK and Ireland. It all began in 1988; two friends were desperately trying to avoid working for a living and enjoying all that the French Alps had to offer! The life was way too good to end too soon... but money was running short. A plan was needed... design some sweatshirts, sell them at night, ski during the day, stick around till spring, then head for the beach. From this simple idea and humble beginnings, Fat Face was born! Fat Face has grown a bit since then, selling more than just a few sweatshirts these days and with a few more stores! Fat Face has five distinct collections: spring, summer, high summer, autumn and winter with a 'trans' line coming in late summer. The kit, built to last for men, women and children includes denim; sweatshirts; dresses and skirts; jewellery; luggage; sunglasses and watches. It also has 27 concessions in John Lewis and 21 in Cotswold. http://www.fatface.com/Press-Area/scat/ms_press http://www.fatface.com/About-Fat-Face/scat/ms_aff http://www.fatface.com/History/Our-Philosophy/stry/ms_aff_his_philosophy For further information please contact: Rachel Follett Fat Face PR Tel: 02392 441 117 E: pr@fatface.com - Simon Sanett 08-02-2010

Save up to GBP100 off Packages to the ICC World Twenty20 West Indies

If the success of last year's Cricket World Cup has left you wanting more, then head to the West Indies this April to support England in the ICC World Twenty20 West Indies 2010. [Sporting Getaways|http://www.sportinggetaways.co.uk], the official travel agent for T20, is offering a selection of packages to Barbados from only GBP999, saving up to GBP100 if booked before the 28th February 2010.* Sporting Getaways offers a range of affordable cricket trips to the Caribbean, considered one of the best cricketing destinations in the world, combining the thrill of the match with a holiday of a lifetime. To book visit www.sportinggetaways.co.uk. Example tour packages include: [England Cricket Matches in Barbados|http://www.sportinggetaways.co.uk/cricket/twenty20_west_indies/barbados_03.html] - from only GBP999 per person saving GBP100 Departing on the 4th May, this seven night trip includes return flights with Virgin, seven nights' accommodation in a three star, beachfront studio apartment, tickets to eight matches, airport transfers and match transfers. Price is based on two people sharing. [England Cricket Matches in Barbados|http://www.sportinggetaways.co.uk/cricket/twenty20_west_indies/barbados_01.html] - from only GBP1,399 per person saving GBP100 This fifteen night trip departs on the 2nd May and includes return flights with Virgin, fifteen nights' accommodation in a studio apartment, tickets to eight matches including two semi-finals and the final, airport transfers and match transfers. Price is based on two people sharing. Sporting Getaways is an ATOL bonded tour operator (number 9482), offering an extensive programme of major international sporting event packages throughout 2010, 2011 and 2012. Customers can choose from England Cricket Tours to the West Indies, South Africa and The Ashes in Australia, 2010 World Cup Final packages to South Africa as well as the Rugby World Cup and Formula 1 World Championship. For further details and to book visit www.sportinggetaways.co.uk or call 020 8966 7124. Notes to Editors: * GBP100 offer based on a minimum of seven night stay in Barbados only, booked before the 28th February 2010. Press information: Sarah Falkingham at gosh pr, tel: + 44 (0)20 7202 6610 or email: sarah@goshpr.co.uk. - Sarah Falkingham 08-02-2010

LIFEVEST ; UNIQUE LIFESAVING HEART VEST ONE OF TOP FIVE MEDICAL DEVICES OF 2009

Dot Medical is delighted to report that the Medical Device Network has nannounced that the Lifevest Wearable Defibrillator is one of the five most innovative and life changing medical devices of 2009. Manufactured by ZOLL in the USA, the Lifevest is only available through Dot Medical Ltd in the UK. Reporter Frances Penwill-Cook of the UK- based Medical Device Network explained 'The Lifevest was selected because we felt it was technologically exceptional, that it would experience widespread use due to functionality and that it would have a significant impact upon patient care.' The Lifevest Wearable Defibrillator is used for a wide range of patient conditions or situations including patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), following a heart attack, before or after bypass surgery or stent replacement, as well as for those with cardiomyopathy, people waiting for pacemakers or heart transplants or congestive heart failure that places them at particular risk. Richard A. Packer Chairman and CEO of ZOLL said,' To receive this designation from a large and respected internet reference portal indicates that the Lifevest is gaining visibility on the international front as a standard of care. The Lifevest Wearable Defibrillator has protected more than 21,000 patients at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest'. The Lifevest is lightweight and east to wear, allowing patients to return to their activities of daily living while having peace of mind that they are protected from SCA. The Lifevest continually monitors the patient's heart and if a life threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device delivers a treatment shock to restore normal heart rhythm. Dr. Ian Rankin MD of Dot Medical Ltd, the company who provide the Lifevest in the UK, said 'We are delighted at the recognition of the ZOLL Lifevest as one of the most innovative, life-changing devices of 2009. The Lifevest can quite literally save lives. It is technologically exceptional and it can transform the care offered by hospitals to individuals who wear the Lifevest and to their families'. For further information contact Dot Medical Ltd., 3 Green Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1JQ Email: info@dot-medical.com Tel: 01625 668811 Web: www.dot-medical.com About Medical Device Network Medical Device Network is an on-line procurement and reference resource for professionals and decision makers within the international medical device and diagnostics industry. Visit: http://www.medicaldevice-network.com/features About Dot Medical Ltd. Dot Medical is a well established medical device company based in Cheshire UK. Dot Medical specialises in innovative medical technology in the fields of Cardiology; Obesity; Therapeutic Hypothermia. It is also launching a new division in Ophthalmology. Tel 01625 668811 - DENISE RANKIN 08-02-2010

Pourty Potty Empties Without Dribbling

With its patent pending 'pouring duct', the innovative new [PourtyPotty|http://www.pourty.com] from Waterly Bottom Products Ltd is designed to be comfortable for toddlers, as well as more hygienic to use, as the waste is poured out through the duct, away from where the toddler sits or touches, and doesn't spill or dribble. Unlike other potties, the handle is at the front, so it is easy to hold the Pourty while pouring the waste away through the duct at the back. As well as being more hygienic to use for both the toddler and the parents, the UK manufactured Pourty has a wide base for stability, a front splashguard, and comes in a choice of Pink, Blue or White smooth moulded plastic. About Waterly Bottom Products Ltd Like many of the most ingenious baby products, the Pourty was designed by a parent, ex corporate lawyer Jon Rathbone, who was so frustrated by the poor design of the potties he used when potty training his two older toddlers in 2009, that he set about designing the Pourty, and it is going on sale at retailers across the UK now. www.pourty.com For further information, samples or images, please contact: Sally Meredith PR Consultant sally@meredithpr.freeserve.co.uk 01825 740412 07773 732190 - Sally Meredith 08-02-2010

Press Trip: Truffle Hunting & Wine Tasting in Bergerac, 20th-23rd February

Les Vins de Bergerac are hosting a truffle hunting press trip and we have one space remaining for a journalist with a guaranteed commission. Flights: Saturday 20th February Depart London Stansted on Ryanair Flight No: FR 8592 at 11.10am Arrive Bergerac at 13.50 Tuesday 23rd February Depart Bergerac on Ryanair Flight No: FR 8593 at 17.10 Arrive London Stansted at 17.50 Accommodation: La Chartreuse du Bignac, Saint Nexans. www.abignac.com The program includes vineyard and chateaux visits, truffle hunting (with a labrador, a mongrel and a little old lady!), a foie gras cooking class, a truffle market and a rose wine blending session. Please email rosamund@randr.co.uk for a full itinerary. - Natasha Claxton 08-02-2010

FleetMatics launches Field Service Manager in UK market

London, UK; 8 February 2010 - FleetMatics, the software-as-a-service company specialising in mobile asset software, has launched its field service management software, Field Service Manager into the UK market - to provide complete management of a services department. Field Service Manager gives businesses in the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and other service engineering sectors a solution that allows service departments to better manage field-based engineers, by automating service call management, job dispatch, signature capture and invoicing through one easy to use, integrated system. According to industry analyst, Gartner, the percentage of technicians with wireless access to formal packaged field service management solutions will increase from 12 per cent to 40 per cent over the next two years. Using Field Service Manager, field service departments can increase visibility and productivity, reduce overheads, ensure faster receipt of payment, and increase customer satisfaction by enabling engineers to complete multiple (and often complex) forms relating to a specific job on a smartphone, PDA or other mobile device. 'Field service departments in many industries face a number of challenges in running an effective team of service engineers. Not least is the problem associated with paper-based job/work processes, such as accurate and timely invoicing. With Field Service Manager, we can cut the average time down from six weeks to a matter of hours,' according to Derek Bryan, Sales Director at FleetMatics. How Field Service Manager works Using the GPRS network, Field Service Manager is the only software solution available today that allows multiple job forms to sit on the device itself, which means that even when an engineer is out of network range he can continue to complete the form and send it back to his service department once he is back online. Derek Bryan explains, 'Our product is unique, as it allows engineers to get on with the job and complete the necessary forms regardless of whether they are online or not, unlike most field service management software solutions, which offer web-based forms. This is critical for companies where service engineers are down in basements, in lift shafts, or where network coverage is patchy - it means job processing does not stop even when the mobile network is down.' Field Service Manager sits as a software application on any hand-held mobile device that runs on Windows Mobile 6 or Google Android. It operates by connecting to the service department's back-office system via GPRS. This back office system appears as a dashboard to the service department, and is accessible through a web portal. From the dashboard, customer jobs are logged and issued to the engineers. Once received and completed, the engineer then completes the relevant forms about the job via their mobile device and sends the information back to the service department so that it can be invoiced straight after the job has been completed. Field Service Manager is designed and sold using cloud (on-demand) computing. Customers pay a monthly subscription and the service is completely flexible, putting the customer in control. This software as a service (SaaS) model now makes software solutions previously only available to large organisations available to businesses of all sizes. Cross Refrigeration uses Field Service Manager to manage its service department. Chris McFadden, Operations Director, Cross Refrigeration says: 'It has changed the way we do business. It is reliable, easy to use and enables us to invoice our customers immediately. We would not run our service department without it.' - ENDS - About FleetMatics FleetMatics is a rapidly growing venture-backed software-as-a-service (SaaS) company with significant mobile asset software experience dating back to 1998. The organisation was founded in 2004. The company's heritage began in the UK/Ireland market, which led to rapid customer growth and market entry into the USA in 2005. The company has offices in the USA, UK and Ireland. FleetMatics is also widely recognised as the fastest growing GPS fleet tracking company in the world over the past five years. FleetMatics provides customers with web-based software solutions that help improve efficiency and reduce costs of all types of mobile assets. Notes to editors - FleetMatics offers free trials of Field Service Manager to businesses who would like to try out its product. Pricing is based on a per engineer per month, and per back office user per month arrangement. - Additional customers using Field Service Manager include: Autokey, ASVS, Landmark Technologies and KCS. Press contacts - David Mieny, Six Degrees: david.mieny@sixdegreespr.com - Amanda Hassall, Six Degrees: amanda.hassall@sixdegreespr.com - Six Degrees' head office: +44 (0) 1628 480 280 - David Mieny 08-02-2010

Favourite UK Spa Retreat

At a glittering ceremony this week at London's Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge, Leicestershire [health spa|http://www.ragdalehall.co.uk/treatment-category.cfm/category_ID/14/title=Health-and-Wellbeing], [Ragdale Hall|http://www.ragdalehall.co.uk/news_detail.cfm/news_ID/46/title/title=Cond%C3%A9-Nast-Traveller-2010-Readers%27-Spa-Awards] were thrilled to win this coveted and very prestigious award for the first time. Last autumn a questionnaire was posted on Conde Nast Traveller's website, cntraveller.com asking readers to choose the best that the [spa|http://www.ragdalehall.co.uk/offer_detail.cfm/offer_ID/31/title/title=Blissful-Spring-Break] world has to offer. The awards were based on readers' votes on criteria including spa facilities and services, individual approach, ambience/décor, body and facial treatments, amenities and products, exercise programmes, cuisine, quality of service and staff and environmental friendliness. This award is the highlight of a decade of winning awards and will proudly sit amongst Ragdale's other accolades acting as a daily reminder and motivator, to inspire all concerned to provide even higher standards of service and facilities for the loyal guests who regularly return to enjoy all that Ragdale offers. For further information please contact: CLARE BRANDISH Sales and Marketing Director VICKI TAYLOR Marketing Manager marketing@ragdalehall.co.uk Telephone: 01664 434831 Ragdale Village Nr. Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 3PB - Anna Pollard 08-02-2010

GLASS BATHING CLEARLY STUNNING

[Novellini UK Limited|http://www.novellini.com] Europe's leading manufacturer of [shower enclosures|http://www.novellini.com] and [wet rooms|http://www.novellini.com], [steam cabins|http://www.novellini.com] and [bathtubs|http://www.novellini.com] is launching a compelling new range of grand luxury bathing pieces in 16mm Crystal Clear glass. The Elysium Collection, comprises a freestanding glass Bath measuring 200x78cms and 66cms deep (Empty weight 179kg) along with an elegant glass and chrome Chaise Longue (164 x 58cms). A marble and crystal basin with mirror combination complements along with freestanding glass and shelf units. A Chromotherapy Lamp incorporates an Aromatherapy dispenser for ultimate relaxation. An array of multi-function showering cabins and shower columns, a choice of crystal glass enclosures, low-level shower trays and panels along with Hydrotherapy bathtubs are also available.. The Elysium collection enclosure range is supplied in white silver or New Chrome ™ profiles. All glass in the Elysium collection is tempered and treated with 'Crystal Clear' which leaves the glass easy to clean and resistant to bacteria growth and lime scale deposits. All paints are water based and as such non toxic. All products Prices: Bath from GBP7,000. Chaise Longue from GBP2000. Coral Enclosure from GBP540. Freestanding floor unit from GBP700. Marble and Crystal basin with mirror, lights and two manual mixers from GBP6000. Tel. 01242 621061 or visit www.novellini.com For additional media information contact: Deborah Risbridger or Rita Sinclair at DRA Public Relations. Tel. 01425 461600. Email. deborah@drapublicrelations.co.uk - Rita Sinclair 08-02-2010