FLORIDA TODAY Business Notes: EDC/NASA; school supplies; KPMG

EDC helps with NASA program

Four area companies are receiving assistance from the NASA Technology Assistance program.

The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast helped NASA in identifying the companies for the program, which use NASA expertise to solve a commercial technology challenge. The collaboration, called the Technology Docking Program, helps spur innovation on the Space Coast, stimulating the local economy and ensuring Brevard County remains competitive on a global scale.

The four companies who will receive NASA assistance during the 2018 Program include Alluvionic, BoMax Hydrogen LLC, Hydro Precision Tubing USA, and World Housing Solution Inc.

For more information about the program go to spacecoastedc.org or call 321-638-2000.

Free school supplies

The Brevard Schools Foundation’s 16th annual “Back to School Giveaway” event for

low–income families will be held July 28, at the Clearlake Education Center Gym, 1225 Clearlake Road in Cocoa. Students or families must register in order to receive the free school supplies. Reservations will continue until all available slots are filled, or by July 12.

Only students who were enrolled in the Brevard Public Schools’ Free or Reduced Lunch Program during the 2017–18 school year are eligible to participate.

Eligible families must register by calling 321-633–1000, extension 756, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Callers must speak with a Foundation representative in order to register. Messages left on voicemail cannot be returned and children will not be registered. Parents alone are not eligible to participate.

Contact Space Coast Area Transit at 321-633–1878 for the bus routes to the Clearlake Education Center.

For more information on this event, visit www.BrevardSchoolsFoundation.org or contact Elizabeth Schreiber at 321-633–3660 extension 301.

KPMG Analysis ranks area companies, including Publix

KPMG LLP, an audit, tax and advisory firm, recently released its 2018 U.S. Customer Experience Excellence Analysis of more than 7,500 U.S. consumers and 250 brands across 10 business sectors: financial services, grocery, non-grocery retail, restaurants & fast-food, entertainment & leisure, travel and hotels, logistics, utilities, telecommunications and public sector.

Companies with ties to the area that were high up on the KPMG list were No1., Navy Federal Credit; No. 2., USAA; No. 3., Disney Parks; No. 5, Publix.

According to the report, the companies consumers ranked highest on customer experience delivery are:

The brands were ranked across KPMG's Six Pillars of Customer Experience Excellence – Personalization, Integrity, Expectations, Resolution, Time and Effort and Empathy – to identify the top companies.

The report notes that Amazon is the benchmark when it comes to personalization and trust. Its web site greets visitors by name, shows consumers' shared history and can make suggestions that demonstrate a deep understanding of each customer as an individual – all which contribute to a highly personalized experience for users.

To submit a Business Brief contact Wayne T. Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.