User experience (UX) research in the design of technology products utilizes human-centered design (HCD) methods to summarize and explain pertinent information about end users to designers. However, UX researchers cannot effectively communicate the needs and goals of users if designers do not find UX research (a) easy to integrate into design…

Discusses the marketing value and strategic necessity of planned and promoted customer education. The article examines customer training by the manufacturer as a definite trend in the microcomputer industry. Elements of a good customer training program are described along with suggestions for starting such a program. (CT)

Recommendations are offered regarding the need for accuracy in estimating past course enrollment, information needs in initial ordering, sales potential of unsold inventory, and the use of computer assistance. (LBH)

A microcomputer fair held during homecoming and in conjunction with the opening of the ISU Microcomputer Learning Facility resulted in an unprecedented explosion of interest and buying. The store was also selling computer books, supplies, and software. (Author/MLW)

The "Rainbow Shoppe", a two-hour distributive education preparatory project laboratory, is unique in its approach to simulating the real world of business because it uses computers to chart its sales, purchases, profits, and inventory. (Author)

Lack of space became a problem when the university bookstore moved into its new quarters; more space was needed to meet the demand for clothing and secretarial supplies. A student record store was purchased and electronic gear including stereos, tape recorders, electronic calculators, etc., were added to the inventory. (MLW)

The Regional College Store Associations have been developing Master Textbook Lists, a program that compiles, at a central location, a master list of titles used at each store's school. Two benefits are: (1) needed books can be rushed from one store to another, and (2) reductions occur in inventory of nonreturnable books. (MLW)

The use of programmable calculators as management tools is discussed. They can be helpful in investment analysis, production scheduling, inventory control, and figuring compound interest rates. (LBH)

Interviews with computer-company officials and a survey show that: despite higher education discounts, computer companies make money; colleges offer computer companies intellectual capital; students take hardware and software preferences with them into jobs; higher education influences computers built and sold; and higher education is a…

NCR (National Cash Register) Corporation is pursuing opportunities to make their point of sale (POS) terminals easy to use and easy to learn. To approach the goal of making the technology invisible to the user, NCR has developed an adaptive expert prototype system for a department store POS operation. The structure for the adaptive system, the…

These distributive education curriculum guidelines are intended to provide Montana teachers with teaching information for 11 units. Units cover introduction to marketing and distributive education, human relations and communications, operations and control, processes involved in buying for resale, merchandise handling, sales promotion, sales and…