Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Future Fusion Makes a Splash at 2009 RSPA Convention

Future Fusion, the latest version of Future POS Software, was unveiled at the 2009 Future POS Dealer Conference and RSPA Convention that took place in July at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. RSPA, or the Retail Solutions Providers Association, is a group dedicated to the Retail Technology Industry. The RSPA is the premier organization for retailers, distributors, manufactures, developers, and service providers in the Hospitality Industry. Cutting Edge Solutions, the company that develops Future POS Software, choose to unveil Future Fusion due to the wide exposure products receive during the RSPA Convention.

When asked about the difference between Future Fusion and other versions of Future POS Software, John Giles, President of Cutting Edge Solutions stated that: “With the release of Future Fusion, our product has leapfrogged the competition, and now sits at the front of the pack. Prior to Fusion, you would have to decide if you wanted a full featured product running on a 1980’s database, or a product with very limited functionality that utilized the power and reliability that comes with Microsoft SQL. Now customers can have the best of both worlds. This also serves as our foundation for the future, and will allow us to deliver the types of cutting edge features that the market is hungry for, such as ordering via ‘smart phones’, and also speeds up the delivery of interfaces to other best-of-breed products that compliment Future POS.”

`Initial reaction by Future POS Dealers and retail industry insiders is very positive. Third party integrations can now be done with a minimum of involvement by Cutting Edge Solutions, which will open the flood gates for a variety of product integrations that do not have to necessarily come from Future POS developers anymore. It will also open the door to restaurant chains that have their own I.T. departments because they can write whatever custom reports they require.

Future Fusion is very different from previous versions of Future POS. Future POS has moved from a 1980’s legacy database to a cutting edge database backed by Microsoft. According to John Giles, “We have eliminated “fighting city hall”, because whatever new version of Windows comes out, we know that it has been thoroughly tested with Microsoft SQL. Previously we had to install our software on the new OS, kick the tires, and hope that it didn’t break anything. If it did break something, we were at the mercy of our vendor, and had to wait for them to get it fixed. That’s all changed now!”

Giles is very excited about the possibilities of Future Fusion based on the feedback received by Future POS Dealers and RSPA Members so far. Future Fusion is expected to open up a lot of possibilities to Future POS Users and Future POS Dealers.

Anti-Phishing Phil Training Game Now Available as eLearning Courseware through Plateau’s iContent

In its drive to make its solutions available to a broader range of companies, Wombat Security Technologies has joined Plateau’s iContent partner ecosystem to make its flagship Anti-Phishing Phil training game available as eLearning content. While Phil is easy to deploy, iContent makes it available via a content-as-a-service solution so that organizations, specifically small and mid-sized companies, no longer have to deploy the educational game on company servers.

“Making this training game available to users through iContent significantly expands visibility for and access to Anti-Phishing Phil,” said Dr. Norman Sadeh, Founder and CEO of Wombat Security Technologies. “By making the interactive and instructive Anti-Phishing Phil courseware available for immediate access in a fully hosted and managed environment, we are providing a truly unique learner experience that will help organizations, especially small and mid-sized companies, protect themselves against phishing scams.”

Anti-Phishing Phil is a creative, interactive online game designed to teach users how to identify phishing URLs and avoid phishing scams that may compromise their computers, data and privacy. During the game, users assume the identity of a fish named Phil who swims through the ocean deciding whether to eat or reject worms associated with URLs. Phil’s goal is to eat the worms that are legitimate URLs and rejects those that are not. After each round, the game provides users with feedback and tips on the choices Phil made. Because this training format is more engaging than traditional training content, users are more likely to retain what they have learned.

In fact, according to Scientific American Magazine which featured the game in an article last year titled How to Foil “Phishing” Scams, “the ability of subjects who had played the game to distinguish legitimate from fraudulent URLs improved nearly twice as much as that of those trained with standard materials.”

With the increase in cyber attacks and significant revenue loss resulting from phishing scams, demand for the Anti-Phishing Phil training game is growing. Offering this training through iContent expands the game’s reach and allows organizations across the globe to deliver the training quickly and easily to employees while minimizing IT investment and involvement.

“Through this agreement, Wombat Security Technologies and iContent are delivering a unique, cost-effective training solution that addresses a very real security pain,” said Lee Wright, Sr. Director of Services, iContent, at Plateau Systems. “Being able to manage and deliver Anti-Phishing Phil through a SaaS (or CaaS) solution is especially beneficial for those organizations who have a need for this type of training but do not necessarily have the human or technical bandwidth or resources to support it.”

iContent, the industry’s first and only Content-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution to provide a single point of procurement, centralized management, hosting for all third-party and in-house content and an all-inclusive service-level guarantee, allows organizations to find, purchase and deliver relevant eLearning to their end-users. Launching eLearning content – including content authored for AICC or SCORM – through iContent is a seamless and straightforward. Users simply log-in and launch the content through Plateau’s industry-leading SaaS-based learning management system (LMS). Today, more than 1.4 million users spanning 154 countries are using iContent to deliver and access e-learning content.

FLABEG Solar U.S. Corp. opens new Solar Mirror Plant with greater Product Range

FLABEG, global leader in high-tech glass and mirror applications, is opening a new production facility for solar mirrors which are used to help generate electricity at large-scale solar power plants. The new 209.00sq.ft manufacturing facility is erected in the Clinton Commerce Park near Pittsburgh International Airport. As planned production will begin immediately, and first deliveries are schedulded for November. The factory will have a annual capacity to deliver parabolic curved mirrors up to 450 MW for PT plants. This production site is therefore equipped to produce tempered solar mirrors in addition to the established monoliths, untempered mirrors.

“Our philosophy has undergone no change, nevertheless we want to be fully prepared for all possible changes in the law,” commenting FLABEG CEO Axel Buchholz on the extended production range. “We expect some federal states will introduce standards for safety glass for Concentrated Solar Power applications, especially for the large-size RP4 mirrors measuring 1570 x 1900 mm. However, our core production will remain with untempered solar mirrors.” Field tests indicate a breakage rate of 0.027% for FLABEG untempered solar mirrors. At such low levels breakage is not an issue. “As always FLABEG continues to keep abreast oft he changing demands of the CSP market,” says Buchholz. “If parabolic trough were formerly regarded as state-of-the-art CSP technology, than other technologies have also undergone rapid research and development and demonstrated their excellence in practical application.”

The new facility will in future also be home to thinglass applications for Solar Dishes and Concentrated PV and also flat mirrors for Power Tower heliostats and Linear Fresnel power plants. Buchholz’s thanks go to the state of Pennsylvania and Gov. Ed Rendell for their first-class support during the construction phase.

“We are no strangers here, having another facility in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, which manufactures mirror glass for automobiles. Both, the excellent social and business contacts in the area and the excellent local sources of glass were important factors in the choice of site location. FLABEG, founded in 1882, is an independent company with manufacturing facilities in Europe, America and Asia. FLABEG is active in the commercial sectors of automotive mirrors, solar glass mirrors and technical glass, specializing in all processes of glass finishing, and sets technological standard in terms of the company‘s core competencies – bending and coating.”

KIZ Resources LLC to Host Technology Entrepreneurs Networking Event on November 3

Come and network with some of the best up and coming technology companies from around southwest Pennsylvania. Enjoy hors d’oeuvre and wine at this exciting networking event.

Join us at: 428 S. 27th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (formerly the Ann Taylor clothing store across from Cheesecake Factory)

November 3rd, 2009 | 5:00PM – 7:30PM

Presented by: Greater Oakland KIZ, Pittsburgh Central KIZ, Beaver KIZ

RSVP by e-mail or phone to: Justin Driscoll, Pittsburgh Technology Council 
jdriscoll@pghtech.org| 412.918.4281

Tech 50 Winners Announced!

By all means, last night’s Tech 50 Awards gala was a smash hit. If you couldn’t make it, you missed a ton of show tunes and positive energy. Here’s a quick run down of the winners:

  • Universal Electric Corp. — Advanced Manufacturing
  • Bright Innovation — Art + Technology
  • BPL Global — Green Technology
  • ANSYS — High Rise
  • Vivisimo — Information Technology
  • Net Health Systems — Life Sciences
  • Bossa Nova Robotics — Rising Star
  • Guru.com — Service Provider
  • Keith Schaefer — CEO of the Year

Get all of the details right here.

Pittsburgh Business Coach ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ on Economic Recovery

As economists continue to state the recession’s end is rapidly approaching, the business coaches at The Growth Coach® tend to agree and remain cautiously optimistic in their outlook on economic recovery. The Growth Coach is the only pure business coaching franchise system throughout North America with the single purpose of helping drive the success and balance the lives of small business owners and professionals.  As such, these business coaches have their fingers on the pulse of the small business community and are ideally suited to provide economic insights.

 Chuck Chrissis, owner of The Growth Coach franchise in Pittsburgh, PA, recently participated in the ‘Business Barometer’ survey, a random study completed by 40% of the business coaches (Growth Coach Franchise Owners) across the U.S. The Growth Coach corporate headquarters conducted the survey to capture a snapshot of the “economic mindset” of the thousands of small business clients their coaches serve.

 The most commonly chosen response among all the certified business coaches surveyed, including Chuck Chrissis, is that an economic uptick will begin over the next 3-6 months. This sense of prosperity is based on the feedback, attitudes and actual experiences of the entrepreneurs these coaches serve in their respective local markets.

 “While the recession has clearly had an impact on our Pittsburgh region, one positive trend I am now starting to see is the willingness of business owners to once again invest in themselves and their organizations.  They are also beginning to invest more in their sales and marketing efforts to position themselves for the economic uptick.  Most of my clients are expecting improved sales over the next 6 months and are gearing up for that, said Chuck Chrissis.

 “Since these clients have been in our on-going coaching and accountability programs, they have weathered the economic storm by facing reality, making tough decisions early on, developing focused actions plans, and allowing themselves to be held accountable for getting critical things done. I now see and feel optimism return to our small business community.  That is encouraging since this vital sector is the economic growth engine for our Pittsburgh region”, stated Chuck Chrissis.

 “During the last quarter our level of business activity has increased consistently each month. Customer requests for quotation are up 30% over the first half of the year. We are starting to see the quotes turn into orders for delivery in the 4th quarter,” says Jeff Farbacher of Acutran LP, Growth Coach client and transformer manufacturer located 30 miles north of Pittsburgh in Fombell, PA.

 The Growth Coach defines business coaching as the art and science of guiding entrepreneurs to reach their objectives and overcome obstacles and limitations that keep them from reaching optimal success in business, and in life. The company utilizes its signature Strategic Mindset® group coaching process, one-on-one coaching, tele-coaching, and other related services to help small business owners, executives, and self-employed professionals. All services come with a money-back guarantee. The coaching process includes examining the current reality of both their business and personal lives and developing a road map to help them achieve their goals. 

 For more information from Chuck Chrissis, please visit www.TheGrowthCoachOfPittsburgh.com or call 412.527.8534.

For more information from Jeff Farbacher, please visit www.Acutran.com or call 724.452.4130.

 

Pittsburgh Ranks Second as ‘Best Place to Launch a Small Business’ according to CNNMoney.com

This news shouldn’t come as a surprise to people involved in Pittsburgh entrepreneurial community, but I’m sure many others around the country will find this surprising.

Check out the CNNMoney.com rankings here: http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/full_list/index.html

Navy Metalworking Center to Facilitate ‘ShipTech 2010’ March 9-10, 2010

Announcement from Council member company, Concurrent Technologies Corporation:

The 13th annual ShipTech event will be held at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, March 9-10, 2010.  ShipTech 2010 is cosponsored by the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech) and the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NRSP) and is facilitated by the Navy Metalworking Center. 

Intended for the domestic shipbuilding industry, its supplier base, Navy Program Offices and Navy-sponsored shipbuilding research programs, ShipTech is organized to present research, best practices and what is currently being done to reduce total ownership costs of naval ships while enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic shipbuilding industry.  The program features shipbuilding technology and the developments of ManTech, NSRP and related shipbuilding initiatives.  

RADM Nevin P. Carr, Chief of Naval Research, will serve as a keynote speaker.  VADM David Architzel, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, has also been invited to present a keynote address.  

General session presentations will be provided by representatives from Program Executive Offices, other affiliated organizations and Navy ManTech Centers of Excellence representatives, who will highlight recent ManTech implementation successes.  Technical presentations will focus on advanced materials, business processes, combat systems, electrical technologies, innovative technologies, power & propulsion, product design, production processes, surface preparation/coatings, systems technologies and welding. 

Due to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions, ShipTech participation is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a Joint Certification Program number.  For more information on ShipTech 2010, go to www.nmc.ctc.com or contact Tricia Wright at 814-269-2567 or wright@ctc.com.

Operated by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), the Navy Metalworking Center develops and implements advanced technologies for metalworking and manufacturing processes and applies these technologies to improve the cost and performance of Navy and Department of Defense weapon systems.  CTC is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization providing innovative management and technology-based solutions to government and industry.  Established in 1987, CTC operates from more than 50 locations with a staff of over 1,400 employees.  For more information about CTC, visit www.ctc.com.

ThermalTherapeutics raises $2.75M

Check out this exciting news from the Pittsburgh Business Times on Council Member, ThermalTherapeutics.

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/09/28/daily25.html

ANSYS Listed on Software 500 for Third Consecutive Year

One of the region’s most visible software innovators, ANSYS, just received a really cool honor. Check it out below!

ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS), a global innovator of simulation software and technologies designed to optimize product development processes, today announced that it is ranked in the top 100 on Software Magazine’s Software 500 ranking of the world’s largest software and service providers. ANSYS was ranked 99th overall and second in its category, engineering software. This is the third consecutive year that ANSYS has made the list.

The Software 500, which is marking its 27th year, is a revenue-based ranking of the world’s largest software and services suppliers, both public and private. As a quick list of vendor viability, the ranking is designed to help CIOs, senior IT managers and IT staff research and create a short list of business partners.
Overall, the 2009 report stated that revenue growth in the software and services industry was healthy, with total Software 500 revenue of $491.3 billion worldwide for 2008, representing 8.8 percent growth from the previous year.
Total ANSYS revenue for this year’s listing was $478.3 million, a 24.1 percent growth over last year’s Software 500 ranking. In a year when the average R&D spending at companies that made the list was 10.4 percent, ANSYS re-invested 15.0 percent of its revenue in development. “R&D spending as a percentage of revenue is an important indicator of whether a software company is investing in the future and making life easier for its customer,” the article stated. “When well-established companies are contributing a healthy percentage it’s a strong indicator of commitment to keeping pace with technology.”
“Commitment is at the heart of what we’ve done since our inception, working to put advanced engineering simulation tools within reach of all who need them,” said Jim Cashman, president and CEO of ANSYS, Inc. “It is gratifying to receive this honor, which we view as a validation of our ongoing mission to democratize the use of engineering simulation and to continue to be a leader in technology and innovation within the global software ecosystem.”
The Software 500 ranking is based on total worldwide software and services revenue for 2008 rather than their total corporate revenue, since many have other lines of business. The financial information was gathered by a survey prepared by King Content Co. and posted at www.softwaremag.com.

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