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Netsmart Signs $550,000 California Contracts with Sycamores of Pasadena
GREAT RIVER, NY — Netsmart Technologies Inc. (www.netsmartech.com), a supplier of software for health and human services providers through its Creative Socio-Medics Corp. subsidiary, announced $550,000 in contracts with The Sycamores of Pasadena. The contracts include software licenses, professional services, and first-year maintenance agreements to install Creative’s Avatar suite of human services software, including practice management and electronic medical records. Pasadena’s first orphanage, The Sycamores today offers family-centered, social, educational, preventive and behavioral health programs that encourage children, adults and their families to lead stable, independent and productive lives.

JBM Software Addresses Electronic Archiving, Distribution, And Print Output
PEABODY, MA — JBM Systems ( www.jbmsystems.com ) launched OctoTools (www.octotools.com), an integrated software package that offers forms design with automated e-distribution, PCL/PostScript printer output, PDF conversion, and e-mail in. The product allows users to eliminate pre-printed and multipart forms, automate batch processing and distribution of forms and reports, reduce printing costs and associated overhead, make data universally available electronically through PDF files, use a single template for printing and PDF conversion to ensure an exact match, and integrate e-mailing, Web posting, and archiving with report data. OctoTools is priced per server and not tied to printer speed or performance.

Cancer Consultants Website Awarded National Health Information Award
KETCHUM, ID — Cancer Consultants Inc.’s cancerconsultants.com Inc. subsidiary (www.cancerconsultants.com) was designated the best Medical Communications site for Patient Education by the National Health Information Awards. Now in its 10th year, the comprehensive NHIA program recognizes the best consumer health information materials and programs from organizations throughout the nation. Visitors to www.cancerconsultants.com can find information on more than 30 types of cancer, each including detailed discussions on treatment and prevention, supportive care, alternative medicine, clinical trials, genetic testing, and financial aid, as well as tips and daily news.

SurfControl Helps Companies Manage Spam, E-Mail Threats With New Tool
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA — SurfControl (www.surfcontrol.com) announced availability of a free online resource (www.surfcontrol.com/resources/asroi) to help corporate IT managers quantify the cost of spam and assess the business value of e-mail filtering solutions. The interactive ROI Calculator for Anti-Spam Solutions measures the financial and productivity benefits a company can expect from an antispam solution. It generates a five-year ROI analysis, an annual payback analysis, and the five-year net present value for the antispam solution in place. Measurements are based on the number of e-mail users, the set-up and maintenance costs, and the type of commercial anti-spam tool the company has in place.

Thursday, March 18

Bandwidth Demand Increasing


New York — Nearly 97 percent of employees work away from their headquarters building or campus, a key reason bandwidth demand is rising on average 50 percent to 100 percent a year, according to Nemertes Research. Other factors influencing bandwidth demands include deployment of Web services, growth in graphical and high-capacity voice, video, and collaborative applications, and data-center consolidation, according to the report “Maximizing Your WAN: Bandwidth Trends and Benchmarks.” The survey also found that ROI for bandwidth optimization typically is three to nine months for circuits at T1 speeds or lower; that 81 percent of companies have Web-enabled all, some, or most of their applications; that the average 1,000-person company spends about $460,000 a year on fixed remote-access services, of which 47 percent are labor costs for troubleshooting outages. The report surveyed several industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and government.

Ascential Joins Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Program
Westborough, MA — Data integration developer Ascential Software Corp., was awarded Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status for Software Products. The Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Software Products brings market recognition to companies providing consistent, high-quality products built on the Microsoft platform. The Gold Certified Partner Program recognizes companies that have demonstrated commitment and expertise at delivering one or more specialized areas of Microsoft technologies. The program helps customers identify companies that have proven experience with Microsoft products and solutions.

Quantum Tape Autoloader Reach Reliability Milestone
San Jose, CA — Tape drive vendor Quantum Corp.said its SuperLoader autoloader reached the milestone of more than two million mean swaps between failure (MSBF), a standard measurement of reliability. Quantum’s SuperLoader squeezes more than six compressed terabytes in a 2U (rack-unit) form factor, giving SMB customers enterprise-class data backup at a low cost per gigabyte. The SuperLoader offers integrated Web-based administration, investment protection through simple customer-enabled drive upgrades and scalable capacity.

Sun, Vignette Joint Tools Help in Building Virtual Meeting Places
Santa Clara, CA and Austin, TX — Sun Microsystems and Vignette Corp.plan a joint solution to address the needs of organizations creating virtual meeting places. The SunWeb Collaboration Suite will allow account teams and marketing professionals to access presentations, project plans and budgets, and work collaboratively to modify and maintain critical documents. Together, Sun and Vignette plan to market packaged, pre-tested, integrated combinations of products that leverage the Sun Java Enterprise System, the Java Desktop System, and Vignette Business Workspaces collaboration solution.

Bayly Partners with Applied Innovation
Toronto CA — Bayly Communications Inc., a manufacturer of network access and transmission products for worldwide telecommunications markets, agreed to market network management solutions from Columbus, Ohio-based Applied Innovation Inc.Bayly creates digital telecom products that integrate voice, data, and image traffic for transmission over time division multiplexing radio and optical fiber facilities.

Portland, Oregon Deploys Mobile Solution
Montreal, CA — The City of Portland, Oregon selected the Radio IP Mobile TCP/IP Gateway, a solution for wireless data transmission over private or public RF narrowband networks. Developed by Radio IP Software Inc., the system is part of the Portland’s efforts to upgrade their Motorola DataTAC network to support both legacy applications and TCP/IP communications.

Wednesday, March 17

Innovative Systems Announces i/Lytics Data Profiler
Pittsburgh, PA — Innovative Systems Inc.,a provider of customer data-integration solutions, announced i/Lytics Data Profiler, an integrated component of its i/Lytics, the company’s data quality product suite. The profiling capability provides i/Lytics customers a seamless flow for managing data assets throughout the data-management lifecycle of data investigation, auditing, integration, cleansing, linking and change management. Innovative will offer the Data Profiler first as a stand-alone solution with software connectors providing direct data flow to and from i/Lytics. A fully integrated data-profiling capability within the i/Lytics seamless flow will be available later this year.

Best Software to Welcome Business Partners at Conference
Irvine, CA — Best Software will welcome ACCPAC, Timberline and Softline business partners June 10-13 at its Insights 2004 conference in Orlando. Expected to attract nearly 3,000 attendees, the event will bring together partners representing all Best Software products and services, including Abra, ACT, Peachtree, and MAS 90, SalesLogix, Simply Accounting, BusinessVision, and Timberline Office. More than 275 breakout sessions are planned, on topics such as business building, cross-selling, vertical market opportunities, and product integration.

T-Com Selects Lucent for Voice Network Pilot Project
Bonn, Germany — T-Com, the fixed line business unit of Deutsche Telekom, chose Lucent Technologiesto supply IP-based solutions for its next-generation voice pilot project. This will enable T-Com to assess, under live network conditions, how both IP and circuit-switched voice and data calls can be handled over a unified network infrastructure. The pilot will serve as a strategic platform for defining and testing T-Com’s next-generation network architecture as well as future packet-based voice and data services. By connecting existing IP and voice network, any operator will be able to offer new voice and data services such as unified communications, multimedia messaging, location-based services, IP Centrex, and voice and data virtual private networks.

Survey Says Manufacturers Expanding; Investing
New York — Encouraged by a stronger U.S. economy and increased corporate spending, business leaders are optimistic about industry growth in 2004, according to a survey conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates Inc. and sponsored by Siemens Among U.S. manufacturers, 63 percent have a positive outlook and believe their industry will improve in the coming year. Respondents said the biggest issues facing their industries are pricing pressures (18 percent) and cost cutting (16 percent).

Informatica Partners With IBM to Support New Risk and Compliance Offering
Redwood City, CA — Informatica Corp.’s PowerCenter data integration platform will support IBM’s new offerings for banks and other financial services companies. The solution, IBM Risk and Compliance – Basel II Information Management Offering, will help banks and other financial services institutions improve their business operations, while giving them the tools to effectively manage information in a way that is consistent with the forthcoming Basel II Capital Accord. IBM’s Basel II offering includes the DB2 Universal Database, DB2 Information Integrator, DB2 Cube Views and the IBM Banking Data Warehouse models.

Merisel Bolsters Security Market Focus With Oculan Partnership
El Segundo, CA — Merisel Inc. , a provider of software licensing products to U.S. resellers, entered into a distribution agreement with Oculan , a Raleigh, N.C. provider of network, system and security management solutions the SMB market. Oculan’s appliance-based solutions are sold exclusively through VARs, system integrators, Management Service Providers (MSPs), and solution providers. GE Access Receives Marketing Recognition
Westminster, CO — Value-added distributor GE Accessreceived a CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) Best Practices Award for its work in aligning its marketing and sales efforts. Research firm IDC’s CMO Advisory Service cited the distributor’s Online Solution Selling Resource Library. Launched in January, the library provides advanced support to solution providers, helping them discover new opportunities, become experts on new markets, and gain critical data to target new customers effectively.

Manchester Software Enhances Web Portal
Rochester, NY — Manchester Software Development & Operations Consulting, announced a new version of its Manchester Web Portal. Targeting the SMB market, the portal supports development of company Web sites, business extranets and a corporate intranet on a single technology platform. A Manchester Web Portal Program, including strategy, design, corporate site license and deployment, starts at $15,000.

Matrics Adds Read/Write Function to RFID Tags
Columbia, MD. — Matrics Inc., a manufacturer of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, added read/write functionality to its tag product line. The capability allows businesses to add information to the RFID tag as products and shipments move through the supply and logistics processes. Tags are available for the retail, aviation security, pharmaceutical, packaged goods, military, and industrial markets.

Survey: Up to $200B in Economic Growth Uncovered in Small Businesses
Washington, DC — The U.S. economy could potentially gain up to $200 billion in economic growth from increased use of computers by minority- and women-owned small businesses, according to a new survey of small-business owners in six major U.S. cities. The survey of more than 1,100 small-business owners, 75 percent of them women or minorities, found that those making extensive use of computers and other information technology are significantly more successful. Conducted by the Urban Institute, the survey found that minority- and women-owned small firms making little use of computers could potentially gain sizeable annual production.

Tuesday, March 16

Avnet Hall-Mark Launches New HP Reseller Program


Tempe, AZ — Distributor Avnet Hall-Marklaunched Market Connection, a program providing resellers of Hewlett-Packard products with resources to help them capitalize on IT spending trends. Market analysts and other experts will offer resellers insight into the specific business opportunities. The first topic in the series, Open Systems Platform Migration, will evaluate operating environment migration opportunities and how resellers can provide the most value while addressing their customers’ business concerns. Upcoming topics include Regulatory Compliance and HP’s Information Lifecycle Management program.

Monday, March 15, 2004

Alpha Software Announces Developer Conference


Burlington, Mass., March — Alpha Software Inc., creator of the Alpha Five enterprise database platform will hold its worldwide developer conference May 14 – 16 in Bedford, Mass., just outside Boston. Hosted by Pace Training Group Inc.,the conference will include hands-on training for users and developers, a consultants’ business workshop, and opportunities for third-party application developers to exchange ideas. Registration is $395 through April 30 and $495 after.

Indus Gets Nod From Chinese Steelmaker
Atlanta, March 15 — Indus International Inc. licensed its EMPAC and Curator asset and document workflow solutions to Ma Gang,a large producer of structural steel I-beams in China. The pact was handled through North 22 Solutions Ltd., Indus’s Chinese reseller partner. Chinese language version of EMPAC and Curator will support Ma Gang’s operations to improve productivity throughout its 11 steel mills.

March 1-14

Friday, March 12

Citadel Security Joins Cyber Security Alliance


Washington, D.C.—The Cyber Security Industry Alliance, a non-profit organization launched in February by a dozen security vendors, said Citadel Security Software Inc. of Dallas signed on as a charter member. The alliance includes representatives across the cybersecurity industry, from firewall and intrusion detection systems, to managed security services, to encryption and identification management. Citadel provides vulnerability management solutions through automated vulnerability remediation (AVR) and policy enforcement. The CSI Alliance is an advocacy group aiming to enhance cybersecurity through public policy initiatives, academic programs, and education. Other charter members are Check Point Software, Computer Associates, Entrust, ISS, NetScreen, Network Associates, RSA, and Symantec.

Quark Embraces Channel With Enhanced Partner Program
Denver—Publishing software vendor Quark Inc.has introduced a newly restructured and expanded QuarkAlliance channel program. The program offers new opportunities for Quark and its developers, output providers, and trainers to provide products and services to Quark customers. The multitiered QuarkAlliance program is designed to fit partners of different sizes, allowing each to have a direct relationship with Quark through a dedicated program specialist. Benefits include co-marketing opportunities, access to pre-release programs, and product discounts.

EDS Names Executive for China
Shanghai–EDShas named John Egan to the new post of vice president of Business Development for China. He will be responsible for advancing the strategic agenda of the EDS enterprise in China, including growth of its core outsourcing business. Egan will report to Chairman and CEO Michael Jordan and will be based in Shanghai. Egan also was named A.T. Kearney managing director for Greater China. A.T. Kearney is the high-value management consulting subsidiary of EDS. Egan previously served as an executive vice president of A.T. Kearney, responsible for leading its service practices worldwide.

Element 5 Provides New Options For Retaining Software Downloaders
Chicago—Element 5, a provider of e-commerce solutions and marketing services to software publishers, is offering new targeted marketing tools in combination with an optimized process for registering software demo users.

Thursday, March 11

Nexsan to Debut New Cost-Efficient Storage Systems at CeBIT


Woodland Hills, CA–Storage vendor Nexsan Technologies will debut its InfiniSAN storage solutions next week at CeBIT 2004 in Hanover, Germany. The company will feature its ATAboy, ATAboy2, ATAbaby, and ATABeast systems and plans to introduce a new Serial ATA system that doubles data throughput. The company is seeking additional channel partners and is basing its sales strategy entirely on the channel. ATAboy2 is designed to provide enterprise-class features in an ATA solution that scales from entry-level to storage-intensive enterprise applications. ATABeast is an OS independent enterprise-class RAID array. The products support Windows NT/95/98/2000, NetWare, SCO, Linux, MacOS, Solaris, AIX, UNIX, and clustering.

Neoware Launches New Linux-Powered Thin Clients
King of Prussia, PA–Neoware Systems has launched new Linux-based thin-client appliances at prices beginning at $399. The products are designed to run off-the-shelf applications on solid-state appliances that have no drives, fan, or other moving parts. Applications run on servers and display on thin client appliances. The new products use the same hardware platform as Neoware’s Capio and Eon Proven thin clients, and are priced $100 less than Neoware’s previous Linux-powered appliances.

Spammers Get Sued by Microsoft, AOL, and other ISPs
Spam made for strange bedfellows today as Microsoft, America Online, Earthlink, and Yahoo jointly sued hundreds of people allegedly sending millions of e-mail messages in violation of new antispam laws. AOL identified Davis Wolfgang Hawke of Medfield, Ma., and Braden Bournival of Manchester, NH, as defendants. They and others are accused of sending millions of unsolicited messages pitching weight-loss supplements, so-called handheld personal lie detectors, and prescription drugs. The new law prohibits senders of unsolicited commercial e-mail from harvesting e-mail addresses and using a false return address or misleading subject line.

Microsoft to Unite Marketing Across all Windows Server Products
Redmond, WA–Andy Lees, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of U.S. Marketing, Sales and Partners, will try to corral the company’s 16 different Windows Server products under a unified marketing and branding strategy. Products affected include Windows Server 2003, BizTalk, Commerce Server, Exchange Server, Host Integration Server, ISA Server, and Live Communications Server. In the past, marketing efforts and budgets for each product were handled separately.

First Data Sells Majority Interest in Global Cash Access
Denver, CO–First Data Corp. a supplier of electronic commerce and payment services said its 67 percent interest in the parent holding company of Global Cash Access LLC (GCA) was repurchased as part of a recapitalization of GCA. GCA supplies cash access and CRM technology to the gaming industry. M&C International, GCA’s founder, now owns slightly more than 95 percent; Bank of America Corporation owns the remainder. GCA will continue to offer First Data products and services to the gaming industry, including Western Union Money Transfers and TeleCheck check guarantee services.

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

GE Access Adds Media Recovery to its Storage Practice Roster


Westminster, CO–GE Access, a value-added technical distributor of products, services, and solutions, expanded its tape-media offerings by adding Media Recovery Inc.of Graham, Texas, to its storage practice roster. The pact aims to give resellers rapid turnaround on tape media sales and associated services. Media Recovery provides media for various tape technologies including 9840, 9940, LTO I, LTO II, DLT, SuperDLT and DDS. Pre-labeled and initialized media that can be further customized to meet sequencing and color preferences will be offered.

Louisiana Tape Seventh Knight for Security Solution
Vicksburg, MI–Seventh Knight Inc., a five year-old software developer, announced its Officeware Client product was chosen by the State of Louisiana’s Office of Financial Institutions (OFI). Officeware Client, a host-based intrusion-protection product, prevents programs from executing on a PC running Windows unless specifically authorized by a network administrator. Worms, viruses, and other malicious code are consequently prevented from infecting servers and PCs, even without the need of an antivirus software update to detect the new worms and infections. Computer Associates recently certified Officeware Client as compatible with CA Unicenter.

Tek-Tools Enhances Storage Solution With Broad OS Support
Dallas, TX–Tek-Tools Inc.announced version 3.5 of its Profiler Rx solution suite (formerly Storage Profiler). The suite is a Web-based resource-reporting application that offers a consolidated view of DAS, NAS, SAN, backup and server environments, identifying inefficiencies in the management and allocation of capacity. New modules add support for Microsoft Exchange Server, EMC Celerra, XIOtech Magnitude 3D, HP Tru64 UNIX, and StorageTek Automated Cartridge Library System (ACLS). Major operating platforms are supported for storage hardware by EMC, Network Appliance, and XIOtech; network switches, and backup solutions from Computer Associates, Veritas, Legato and IBM Tivoli. Available immediately, pricing starts at $7,500.

Convergys Garners Contact Center Outsourcing Award
Palo Alto, CA and Cincinnati, OH–Technology consulting firm Frost & Sullivan recognized Convergys Corp.(NYSE: CVG) with its 2003 Market Leadership Award. In its recently published study and analysis of the industry, “North American Contact Center Outsourcing Market,” Frost & Sullivan named Convergys as the market-share leader in the North American contact-center outsourcing industry.

IBM to Unite Disparate PartnerWorld Programs Into One
IBM plans to merge its four existing PartnerWorldtracks (Personal Systems, Software, Systems and Services, and Developers) into one. A reaction to partner suggestions, the new streamlined structure will allow partners that specialize in software or hardware to access the remainder of IBM programs. The plan aims to make it simpler for partners to leverage IBM’s portfolio of hardware, software, and services offerings. IBM plans to implement the new structure in phases throughout 2004, with completion slated for early 2005.

Executive Shake-Up at Enterasys
Just five months after joining Enterasys (NYSE: ETS) and only three days after anchoring its Miami partner conference, Cosmo Santullo is out as the company’s executive vice president of worldwide sales and services. The Andover, Mass. company issued a statement announcing the appointment of Michael Rivers as Santullo’s immediate replacement. What impact the shakeup will have on a major new partner program, due to launch this spring, is not known.

Monday, March 8, 2004

Novell Adds Web Features to NetWare, Plans New 64-Bit Version


Waltham, Mass. — Novell(Nasdaq: NOVL) is boosting the Web capabilities of NetWare. A new add-on module, code-named Cobra, is expected to include a five-user version of Oracle 8.1, Oracle WebDB, IBM’s WebSphere, and Netscape’s Enterprise Server. Third-party extensions for Microsoft’s FrontPage and Web-development tools are also likely. Cobra is currently in beta testing and is expected to become available this summer. The NetWare platform currently includes Oracle 8; the upgrade to version Oracle 8.1 is intended to broaden the palette of available Web-enablement tools, including JavaBeans. After Cobra’s release, Novell will turn to the next major release of NetWare. Code-named “Six Pack,” it leverages multiprocessor servers and Novell Directory Services. Also, Novell intends to offer a 64-bit version once Intel Corp. releases its 64-bit Merced processor.

Enterasys Overhauls Channel Structure, Programs in Bid to Boost Sales
Andover, Mass. — EnterasysNetworks (NYSE: ETS) is modifying its channel programs, rewarding partners that add high levels of value to sales of its products. The goal, according to channel chief Ellen Berlan, is to allow partners to gain maximum value while making it easier to do business with Enterasys. Under the modified Networks Partner Program, uncertified partners will be barred from selling high-end equipment. Also, specialized pricing, currently available to any partner, will be reined in and more tightly controlled. The current three-tier partner structure — Elite, Certified, and Associate – will be scrapped and replaced with four tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Registered. The new tiers maintain current volume quotas but require additional training to ensure that partners hone their sales skills. The programs were announced at Enterasys’s Americas Partner Conference in Miami and are due to go live in a few weeks.

Siemens Builds Realtime Billing System with Software from Convergys
Cincinnati and Munich – Indonesian mobile services operator Telkomsel installed Siemens‘ charge@once billing solution to handle customer invoicing for its expanded line of business offerings. The system incorporates the Infinys business support system from Convergys(NYSE: CVG), a Cincinnati developer of integrated billing services. The coupling of Infinys for rating and billing with Siemens’ network platform, enables Telkomsel to charge for varied new services in real time through a unified customer rating and billing solution. The result is a billing solution that provides an integrated view of Telkomsel’s entire subscriber base, both prepaid and postpaid, as well as a single point of entry for all product and pricing data. For the first time, Telkomsel can offer the same services to prepaid and postpaid customers.

Kashya Ships Enterprise Data-Replication Appliance to Reseller Channel
San Jose, Calif. -­ Kashyais shipping its network-based KBX4000 data replication appliance in volume to its K-Partner channel. The KBX4000, announced last August, is an enterprise-class disaster recovery system designed to provide data protection at a lower cost of existing solutions. It is intended to offer consistent system-wide disaster recovery across corporate data centers regardless of the geographical distances separating them. The KBX4000connects to the SAN and IP infrastructure and provides bidirectional data replication across any distance for heterogeneous storage and server environments. Pricing varies by installation. Privately held Kashya also said that Source Enterprise Consulting, Cornerstone Systems, VeriStor Systems, Consilant, and Computer Resolutions, joined the K-Partner program, was launched in Februrary.

Friday, March 5, 2004

Convergys: “Most Admired”


Fortune Magazine has rated Cincinnati integrator, Convergys,among “America’s Most Admired” companies in the Diversified Outsourcing industry. Convergys, which specializes in integrated billing, employee care, and customer care services was rated first in three categories—innovation, employee talent, and social responsibility—and rated no lower than third in any category.

Thursday, March 4, 2004

Convergys Announces Knowledge Creation Center for New Customer Care Programs


Cincinnati, OH—Convergys Corp. (NYSE: CVG), a global leader in integrated billing, employee care, and customer care services, announced its new Knowledge Creation Center. The center uses advanced data collection and analytic tools to mine “voice of the customer” feedback in enabling Convergys to develop and implement customer satisfaction programs for its clients. “Convergys’ Knowledge Creation Center enables companies to strengthen their sales and customer care efforts by taking into account actual customer experiences and perceptions,” said Jack Freker, president of Convergys’ Customer Management Group. “These data-based insights enable us to help our clients develop and implement the strategies, tools, technologies and programs that drive customer satisfaction, loyalty and profitability.”

Wednesday, March 3, 2004

Applied Micro Circuits Corp. to Acquire 3Ware Inc.
San Diego, CA– Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, a wide-area network and storage area network solutions builder, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 3ware, Inc. 3ware provides high-performance, high capacity Serial ATA storage solutions for emerging storage applications. Under the terms of the agreement, AMCC will acquire all outstanding shares of 3ware for approximately $150 million in cash and will assume stock options based on an exchange ratio to be determined at closing.

Tuesday, March 2, 2004

LSI Logic Corporation Launches New Partner Program
Milpitas, CA– LSI Logic Corporation announced it is launching an > authorized storage adapter partner program for qualified system integrators, system builders, VARs and solution providers.

Participants in all three tiers of the LSI Logic partner program will have access to: sales support, product promotions, technical training, evaluation units, sales tools, and product literature. Partners who reach revenue targets will receive sales leads, enhanced marketing programs, on-demand sales support, priority technical support, Web advertising, and advance notification of product launches.

Monday, March 1, 2004

2004 Network Storage Conference Announces Final Agenda


San Jose, CA—The final agenda of the Network Storage Conference, to be held March 8-9 at the DoubleTree hotel in Monterey, is available on-line at www.networkstorageconference.com. Registration can also be done on the web site. Highlights of the conference include the keynote by Garth Gibson, CTO and Co-founder of Panasas, an Executive Roundtable featuring Rick Belluzzo, President and CEO of Quantum Corporation; Jack McDonnell, Founder of McData Corporation; Larry Boucher, Founder and CEO of Alacritech; and Christopher Calisi, President and CEO of Overland Storage.

Maxxan Announces Virtual Tape Systems
San Jose, CA— MaXXan Systems, Inc., today announced new virtual tape systems that increase the speed and reliability of existing third-party backup applications by using disks to emulate industry-standard tape libraries. MaXXan’s new SVT100 and SVT200 virtual tape systems leverage the company’s intelligent fabric architecture to deploy a disk-to-disk-to-tape solution that minimizes the cost of enterprise storage by utilizing existing backup servers and software. MaXXan’s virtual tape systems utilize Fibre Channel protocols to back up and restore data from a disk-based virtual tape at ultra-high speeds while eliminating robotic mechanical failures and physical tape media errors. The MaXXan SVT100 and SVT200 virtual tape systems will be sold through authorized resellers at prices starting at $39,000 for the SVT100 and $34,000 for the SVT200.

SANRAD Adds Enterprise Storage Services to Its V-Switch IP San Solution
San Francisco, CA—SANRAD Incorporated, developers of intelligent iSCSI IP SAN solutions, has released version 2.0 of StoragePro Services for their award-winning V-Switch family of IP SAN solutions. The latest StoragePro enhancements for the V-Switch family provide new data duplication and protection features, advanced security and discovery options and improve the industry standard for ease of use.

Siemens Debuts Contact Center Solution For SMEs
Boca Raton, FL–Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of – Siemens AG,announced HiPath ProCenter Agile contact center solution for small and medium-sized businesses or large enterprises with high-volume call-handling departments. The application, based on Siemens OpenScap software, is designed to be easy to install, easy to use and easy to manage, with features to expedite workflow and to improve customer satisfaction.

SAIC Becomes Reseller, Customer of Zone Labs
San Francisco, CA—Zone Labs Inc., a provider of endpoint security solutions, announced Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) will become both a reseller and a customer of Zone Labs Integrity, an endpoint security solution. SAIC, as a security consultant, will deploy Integrity to its more than 42,000 employees worldwide. In addition, SAIC may also resell Integrity with the company’s managed service security offerings in remote access, VPN, anti-virus and authentication to its commercial and government clients.

Next page: February news briefs

Friday, February 27

Lawrence F. Steffann Named Arco DPS President and CEO


Hollywood, FL—Arco Data Protection Solutions (DPS), developers of data protection computer hardware, appointed Lawrence F. Steffann president and CEO. Prior to joining DPS, Steffann was managing partner of World Wide Ventures LLC in Boca Raton. He previously served as president/CEO and Board Member of nStor Corporation, Lake Mary, Florida, and spent several years with Boca Research, where he rose to the position of COO.Thursday, February 26

Hypercom Introduces Card Payment Terminal for Retailers


Phoenix, AZ— Hypercom Corp. today introduced the Optimum L4100, a compact, high speed and high performance signature capture card payment terminal specifically designed to speed the checkout lines at multi-lane retailers worldwide. The solution is based on Intel XScale technology and uses Internet Protocol or Universal Serial Bus-based technology to complete transactions in milliseconds. The L4100 is the third Hypercom Optimum point-of-transaction card payment terminal introduced within the last three months.

Wednesday, February 25

Concord Establishes eHealth Ready Partner Program


Concord Communications has established a formal alliance program to enable customers to safely extend the value of its eHealth Suite network, systems and application monitoring solutions with third party hardware and software products. Concord’s eHealth Ready Partner Program includes three levels of participation – Certified, Compatible, and Premium. Its goal is to enable customers to safely extend the value of Concord’s eHealth Suite with third party hardware and software solutions. The eHealth Ready Partner Program already includes more than 100 vendors in the Certified track and introduces several charter members to the Compatible track.