Joe Barron, a well-known area technologist and consultant and a Principal from Socius Partners will share insights into Angel Investing, and Jeff Kovacs a Director with Alpern Rosenthal will talk about accounting issues for startups which also can create funding issues.  

Feel free to come and bring lightning talks of your own about software and coding questions, observations and issues you are encountering.  Open mic presentations of 3 – 5 minutes are encouraged.  Then from Carson Street, you are well situated to go out and celebrate Fat Tuesday at any one of the area bars on Carson Street.

ANSYS, which is a developer of  simulation software and technologies designed to optimize product development processes, announced today that its software is helping aixprocess, a German engineering consultancy, to explore process improvements that will make cement manufacturing more profitable and more environmentally responsible. The business has been investigating replacing traditional fossil fuels — which are becoming increasingly difficult to extract, expensive to use and are of limited quantity — with alternative fuels. The efforts of aixprocess are part of a collaborative project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, aimed at using fluid dynamics modeling tools to identify process improvements needed to help cement manufacturers remain competitive in today’s business world.

Cement manufacturing is a complicated, resource-intensive process in which limestone and other materials are crushed and milled, preheated to separate glass from solids, and then heated in a kiln at temperatures up to 1,450 degrees Centigrade (C). Large quantities of fuel are needed for preheating raw materials and keeping kiln temperatures high enough to produce the calcium silicate and aluminates that represent modern cement mixtures. Traditionally, the fuels used in cement making have been coal, oil and gas. However, due to the increasing financial costs associated with fossil fuels — as well as the negative environmental impacts — cement manufacturers around the world are beginning to explore the use of nontraditional fuels such as scrap tires, paper waste and plastic waste.

The BOSS system allowed employees to run a ‘what-if’ simulation to analyze what materials used would provide the best cost savings ratio. BOSS ASP adds more information for ‘what-if’ scenarios such as client’s current process and product mix. According to Patrick J. Gallagher, MSA Metals and Advanced Manufacturing Division Vice President, “in order to remain competitive in today’s business world, metals companies must use raw materials (scrap and additions) in the most cost-effective manner possible.” BOSS ASP version permits multiple users within a company via Internet browser using secure names and passwords. MSA provides client support to help upload data into the system using Secure Socket Layer for anti theft and anti virus protection.  BOSS ASP adds more functionality to the previous version as well as more checks to make sure the maximum about of money is being saved.

                For more information on Management Science Associates can be found at www.msa.com. More information on BOSS ASP can be found at the following link: www.msa.com/metal/products/blending.htm.

Looks like Quantum Simulations, Inc., a developer of artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, assessment and professional development software for science, mathematics and accounting, received a Platinum Award for its exceptional achievements in software development at the USDLA International 21st Century Best Practice Awards Ceremony. This is the second consecutive year Quantum has received this prestigious award.

The Platinum award is the highest recognition offered by the USDLA and is presented to leading organizations which have designed and delivered outstanding and comprehensive online programs in distance learning education. This year’s award was for Quantum’s work in building accessibility into its chemistry tutorial software to provide online tutoring and homework help for blind and visually impaired students. Certified by the National Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) Nonvisual Accessibility Web Application Certification Program, Quantum is the first to deliver accessible artificial intelligence tutoring software for the blind.

Organizers are asking atendees to present a lightning talk on technology issues you are interested in or looking for advice on. Lightning Talks will start at 7 p.m. Visit the Devhouse Pittsburgh website to post a topic in advance or just drop by and present. All you need is 5 minutes of dialogue about something concerning technology.

organizers have also been contacted by a fairly large number of local entrepreneurs looking for developers to help them on a variety of projects. If you’re interested in working with a startup, please let Sean Colombo know and they’ll discuss some of the openings and make some introductions if you’d be interested. One other topic covered at the event will be soliciting more volunteers to help out with future DevHouses.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 15, with the selection committee reviewing applications as they are received (so get started early!)

About AlphaLab

AlphaLab provides the essential elements for startup companies to get off the ground successfully: funding, space, advisors, services, and a supportive entrepreneurial community. By combining these ingredients in an intensive 20-week program, AlphaLab provides companies a unique opportunity to accelerate their growth and development. AlphaLab is a program of Innovation Works.

Company: Innovation Works Web Site: www.innovationworks.org Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Description:Innovation Works (IW) strives to increase the success rate of the region’s technology companies by providing business expertise, direct investment and hands-on support. As part of a collaborative network of organizations, including angel networks, venture capitalists, foundations, and public agencies, IW is working to create a vibrant community of innovative companies in southwestern Pennsylvania that will enable our region to succeed in the global economy. Read more.

The conference — set for August 26-28 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh — will gather the world’s largest simulation community, and will feature numerous opportunities for exchanging ideas and improving your engineering simulation skills. Highlights include:

• Keynote presentations from ANSYS management and industry-leading, innovative companies
• User presentations showcasing the unique ways in which customers are using solutions from ANSYS to solve challenging problems
• Product updates
• Technology demonstrations
• Opportunities to meet with ANSYS partners and discuss how their solutions can improve your product development processes
• Training courses (conducted on August 28 and 29)
• Networking opportunities

The 2008 International ANYSYS Conference is too massive to hatch out all of the details in this blog. You’ve got to click on over to ANSYS to learn more!

Company: ANSYS, Inc. Web Site: www.ansys.com Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Description: ANSYS, Inc., founded in 1970, develops and globally markets engineering simulation software and technologies widely used by engineers and designers across a broad spectrum of industries. The Company focuses on the development of open and flexible solutions that enable users to analyze designs directly on the desktop, providing a common platform for fast, efficient and cost- conscious product development, from design concept to final-stage testing and validation. Read more.