MERP Systems will lead a comprehensive modernization initiative for the Washington State Gambling Commission, enhancing their license management, investigations, and financial systems. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, MERP Systems will leverage the robust capabilities of Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 to transform the Commission’s operations and streamline business processes.

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — MERP Systems, a Microsoft Gold Partner, has been awarded a prestigious contract by the Washington State Gambling Commission to spearhead a comprehensive modernization initiative. This effort will focus on revamping the Commission’s gambling license management, independent investigations, and financial systems, leveraging the full capabilities of Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 to drive business transformation.

The project aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Commission’s core operations through improved process automation, integrated systems, and cutting-edge technology implementations. With a strong focus on streamlining workflows, MERP Systems will also undertake complex data migration and financial systems transformation to deliver a more cohesive and agile digital ecosystem.

Created in 1973, after gambling indictments of 51 Seattle police officers and a former county prosecutor, the Washington State Gambling Commission oversees regulation and licensing of the state’s non-profit fundraising operations and for-profit businesses. The WSGC has 100 staff members serving a state of nearly 8 million and is self-funded through operator licensing fees.

“I am excited to partner with MERP Systems to modernize our technology stack, ensuring it remains up-to-date, resilient, and fully compliant with modern security protocols,” said Sayee Vaitheesvaran, WSGC CIO. “This initiative will enhance our ability to deliver efficient and reliable services to the public, partners, and licensees.”

“Our main goal with this project was to seek out the best partner for long term agency benefit as we continue to keep gambling legal and honest in the state of Washington,” said Gary Drumheller, WSGC Deputy Director.

Priya Vasireddy, Vice President at MERP Systems, expressed excitement about the new partnership, stating, “MERP Systems is really excited to be part of another holistic digital transformation of business applications using the Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365. This win is a continued testament to our superior quality delivery model and unparalleled technical proficiency.”

The Washington State Gambling Commission project is another addition to MERP Systems’ growing portfolio of public sector modernization initiatives, showcasing the company’s expertise in delivering impactful technology solutions. With a reputation for excellence in execution and deep domain knowledge, MERP Systems continues to reinforce its position as a trusted partner for digital transformation in the government sector.

About MERP Systems:

MERP Systems is a leading provider of digital transformation solutions, specializing in Microsoft technologies. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, the company offers a comprehensive range of services, including cloud solutions, application modernization, data migration, and business process automation, tailored to meet the unique needs of both public and private sector clients.

For more information, visit https://www.merpsystems.com

Media Contact:

Kelly Maloney

Director, Business Development

MERP Systems

kmaloney@merpsystems.com

914 703 2055

Media Contact

Kelly Maloney, MERP Systems Inc, 1 7035013443, kmaloney@merpsystems.com, https://www.merpsystems.com

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SOURCE MERP Systems Inc

MELBOURNE, Oct. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The global leader in eyewear design, manufacture and retail, EssilorLuxottica has engaged ecommerce and marketplace accelerator, Pattern, to expand business for its Ray-Ban and Oakley brands through online marketplaces in Australia.

“Given the growing influence of marketplaces in Australia, EssilorLuxottica recognised the importance of being present where our customers are shopping, which is increasingly on platforms like Amazon. Partnering with Pattern to officially launch on Amazon allows customers to buy our industry-leading eyewear products from a trusted marketplace source. It also supports sales for our wider wholesale partnership network, by providing visibility of Ray-Ban and Oakley products to increasing numbers of consumers using Amazon as a search tool,” said Brent Furniss, Senior Key Account Manager at EssilorLuxottica.

The partnership with Pattern to sell Ray-Ban and Oakley eyewear products on Amazon, is a global first for EssilorLuxottica, who has traditionally directly engaged with Amazon in other markets.

“Direct engagement with Amazon in the Australian market presented significant resourcing challenges for EssilorLuxottica, requiring dedicated personnel we did not currently have on board. Pattern’s end-to-end marketplace services offered us the solution we needed, ensuring we were positioned to quickly expand the visibility of our Ray-Ban and Oakley brands on Australia’s leading marketplace,” added Furniss.

In working with EssilorLuxottica, Pattern will build brand awareness and acquire new customers on Amazon for Ray-Ban and Oakley; optimising listings, conversion and profitability, as well as identifying unauthorised resellers and cross-docking inventory to Amazon.

Expanding Reach and Enhancing Brand Discovery

Launching on Amazon Australia has enabled EssilorLuxottica to connect with a broader, previously unreached customer-base.

“EssilorLuxottica operates on a global scale and maintains a diverse network of partnerships worldwide. As such, it was crucial for us to avoid diverting customers from our existing wholesale partners. Instead, our aim was to tap into a fresh pool of consumers who might purchase directly from the Amazon platform or who might search on Amazon then purchase through our various other sales channels,” said Furniss.

The growing role Amazon plays in product discovery was highlighted in Pattern’s recent ‘Marketplace Consumer Trends Report – 2024,‘ which revealed that 59% of Australian consumers now start their product searches on Amazon, and 60% have discovered and purchased products they’d never bought before.

The powerful role that product search is playing in customer growth for EssilorLuxottica on Amazon Australia was demonstrated in the last quarter of 2023 when Ray-Ban products were searched every 1.8 minutes and Oakley products were searched every 2.1 minutes.

“Leveraging Pattern’s deep expertise to navigate the marketplace has enabled us to broaden our customer outreach, positioning Amazon Australia as an extension of our sales strategy rather than competition,” added Furniss. “We’ve not only gained a foothold in a key marketplace but have also enriched our understanding of consumers’ online shopping behaviours.”

Navigating the Marketplace Challenge: Unauthorised Resellers

Prior to working with Pattern, Ray-Ban and Oakley products were already present on Australian marketplaces. However, these listings were not under the direct management of EssilorLuxottica and could potentially come from unauthorised resellers.

“Unauthorised resellers present a huge challenge for brands like EssilorLuxottica. They can damage brand value by listing incorrect product or brand information. This confuses and undermines the consumer’s perception of a brand and can result in a poor customer experience,” commented Merline McGregor, Managing Director of Pattern Australia. “Pattern has developed proprietary software, Predict, which provides brands with the visibility and control needed to tackle this issue. Predict has already made a tangible impact, tracing an estimated AUD$2.5 million in potential unauthorised sales for a global footwear brand in the Australian market.”

Since working with Pattern, EssilorLuxottica has been able to identify and better manage unauthorised resellers and monitor marketplace activities effectively. This has enabled Ray-Ban to improve its Buy Box from 66% on launch to 85% in September 2024. 

“Unauthorised resellers have the potential to significantly impact brand reputation for EssilorLuxottica. Pattern’s analytics and monitoring capabilities give us a deeper understanding of marketplace dynamics, helping to distinguish between suspected unauthorised resellers and authorised wholesalers operating globally. This strategic insight is essential for maintaining the brand reputation for Ray-Ban and Oakley and providing positive customer experiences that help to grow local sales,” concluded Furniss.

About Pattern Inc

Pattern is the category leader in global ecommerce and marketplace acceleration. Since 2013, Pattern has profitably grown to more than 1,400 employees operating from 24 global locations – including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast – to help leading brands achieve accelerated growth on D2C websites and global ecommerce marketplaces. As well as being one of the largest Amazon sellers in the world, we are also present on Tmall, JD.com, eBay and other ecommerce marketplaces. We act as the authorised Amazon seller to more than 200 brands globally, buying their stock to sell on the marketplace and taking care of every aspect of their Amazon presence. For more information, visit https://au.pattern.com/

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SOURCE Pattern

THUNDER BAY, ON, Oct. 6, 2024 /CNW/ -  First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada are at the forefront of efforts to address climate change and adapt to the environmental and economic impacts of our changing climate. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting self-determined action in addressing Indigenous Peoples’ climate priorities to create a healthy and resilient future for all.

Today, the Government of Canada is pleased to announce Phase 2 of the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI) Cohort 2. During this phase, the following 10 Energy Champion teams from remote Indigenous communities and Nations will receive up to $500,000 to conduct community engagement, complete training and develop their Community Energy Plan.

Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government, British ColumbiaTahltan Band Council, British ColumbiaUchucklesaht Tribe Government, British ColumbiaḴwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nation, British ColumbiaHamlet of Paulatuk, Northwest TerritoriesFort Chipewyan, AlbertaMountain Cree Camp, AlbertaPangnirtung, NunavutKiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek – Gull Bay First Nation, OntarioKangirsuk, Nunavik, Quebec

Comprising clean energy leaders, the 10 Energy Champion teams completed the 20/20 Catalysts program delivered by the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise, the federal government’s delivery partner on the Initiative. An Energy Champion from each team has also been paired with mentors to receive tailored support in areas including technical knowledge, community engagement and project management.

Following the successful completion of Phase 2, these 10 Energy Champion teams may be eligible to receive additional funding to advance project design and development, guided by their Community Energy Plan, as part of Phase 3 in 2025.

Quotes  

“Indigenous Peoples face significant and unique climate challenges that threaten livelihoods, cultures, knowledge systems and lives. In the face of these threats, Indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast are taking remarkable action to fight climate change and adapt to its impacts. Indigenous-led climate solutions offer better resiliency, better outcomes and more space for expert voices as we move together along the path to a clean and prosperous future. I am pleased to see these 10 projects enter a new phase and look forward to seeing the innovations to come.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources   

“Indigenous Peoples are on the front lines of climate change in Canada, and as the original stewards of our lands and waters, they are uniquely positioned to lead solutions to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come. I am consistently inspired by the clean energy projects carried out in Indigenous communities, and I applaud the Energy Champions for entering this exciting new phase of community engagement, training and planning for a more resilient future where all can benefit from a sustainable and strong economy.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency of Northern Ontario  

“As the way of life of Indigenous communities continues to be impacted due to our changing climate, especially in the North and Arctic, it is more important than ever that they be a driving force in how we adapt to these changes. Starting Phase 2 of this clean-energy initiative is a testament to our shared commitment to reconciliation and the power of meaningful relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in tackling how we can actively adjust our actions to support a cleaner future for the next seven generations.”  

The Honourable Dan Vandal
Minister of Northern Affairs

“The transition to clean energy continues to be important to Indigenous communities and the Government of Canada as we work together toward reconciliation. The Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative projects announced today are a great example of the way we can encourage self-determined priorities by supporting communities in increasing their control over their energy future and well-being.” 

Michael V. McLeod  
Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

Quick Facts  

Cohort 2 of the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI) is part of the $300 million announced in Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan to support clean energy projects in Indigenous, rural and remote communities.IODI is a clean energy training and funding program that supports Indigenous-led climate solutions in remote Indigenous communities that currently use diesel or fossil fuels for heat and power.IODI was first launched in 2019 and was designed based on 18 months of engagement with Indigenous communities, rights holders and organizations. It is delivered in collaboration with the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise (ICE SE) and the Government of Canada.Applicants who were not selected to participate in Cohort 2 of IODI were invited to meet directly with a member of the Wah-ila-toos federal team and the team at the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise to discuss their priorities and other possible funding options. They were also invited to join the ICE Network, an online collaborative space for everyone working on Indigenous Clean Energy projects, and to attend future ICE Network events.The IODI is delivered through Wah-ila-toos, a single-window access point for Indigenous, rural and remote communities to obtain Government of Canada funding and resources for clean energy initiatives. The Government of Canada will continue to develop meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities to advance reconciliation and self-determination, advance clean energy projects and help ensure new economic opportunities through strong Indigenous climate leadership.Wah-ila-toos is administered by Natural Resources Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Infrastructure Canada. The name Wah-ila-toos was gifted by three Grandmothers and Elders. It represents kinship with all and our duty to be in good relations with all.

Related Information

Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative – Cohort 2 Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan  Wah-ila-toos  20/20 Catalysts program  Indigenous Clean Energy  

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada