Columbia Credit Union has introduced new electronic signature pads, eliminating the need for deposit slips, saving paper and reducing transaction time for members. The new signature pads are currently being piloted at Columbia’s Riverstone branch on 192nd Avenue, in Vancouver, with a roll-out for the remaining 11 branches scheduled for later this month.
Columbia has also unveiled new monthly account statements, made of recycled paper and printed on a new, two-sided layout. The credit union said these improvements make statements less bulky for storage and reduce paper use.
Local firm publishes small business social media book
Russell Mickler, of Vancouver-based Mickler & Associates Inc. (a technology services provider), has published “Simple Social Media” – a book on social media geared toward small business.
Mickler said the book was written to provide a practical understanding of the strategies social media lend to real, material benefits.
“Social media is a critical aspect of any small businesses’ technology strategy,” Mickler said. “The problem is that many business owners are blown away by technical discussions that don’t relate to their business. They don’t know how it makes them money or how it provides value to their customers. That’s why I wrote this book.”
Empower Up announces nonprofit computer grant awards
Empower Up, Clark County’s local computer education and reuse nonprofit has announced its first round of computer grants for 2011.
Nine computer systems were granted to CDM Services for their community room and staff needs. Installation is being done in partnership with Creative Computer Solutions Inc. of Vancouver. A graphics workstation computer was granted to Open House Ministries for their staff use. One administrative computer system was granted to Hope for Life Youth Center for staff use and the Dream Big Community center will be receiving a server to network their office computers together and one laptop computer was granted to the Clark County 4-H Lego Robotics Team “Leader X and the Lego Gang” for use in competitions.