Friday,April 23
Nelnet Invests in infiNET
LINCOLN, NE — Nelnet made a strategic investment in
infiNET Integrated Solutions, an e-commerce services provider for higher education and healthcare organizations.
Headquartered near Chicago, infiNET collaborates with colleges, universities, and healthcare organizations in the development of customer-centric electronic transactions, information sharing, and account and bill presentment. Nelnet
is an educational finance company focused on providing student loan products and
services to students and schools nationwide.
TeleTech, Computer Sciences Strengthen Ties
DENVER — Customer solutions provider
TeleTech Holdings announced a multiyear contract extension with Computer Sciences Corp., a global information technology services company. The two will provide visa information and scheduling for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. The two companies began working together in Mexico after CSC was awarded a contract from the Dept. of Consular Affairs in 2000. TeleTech has been managing multilingual call center services for CSC’s Visa Information Service programs in Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. TeleTech and CSC assist non-U.S.
citizens with visa application requirements and schedule visa interview
appointments at the U.S. consulates.
Equifax, SPSS Create Business Intelligence Application for Lenders
ATLANTA — Equifax and
SPSS, providers of information intelligence and predictive analytics, developed an Internet-enabled application that allows business lenders and trade providers to manage credit portfolios in a low-cost, highly secure online framework. The Small Business Portfolio Navigator enables anyone in the organization to interactively analyze and manage portfolios. It is driven by data from Equifax’s Small Business Enterprise database and analytic capabilities from SPSS.
PathScale Sets FastPath Channel Partner Program
SUNNYVALE, CA — PathScale, a developer of software and hardware solutions to accelerate Linux clusters, announced charter members of its FastPath Channel Partner Program. The worldwide channel partner program aims to help AMD64 system OEMs and integrators to accelerate sales, increase profitability and enhance the performance of the Opteron systems they deliver to customers. It includes PathScale’s EKO Compiler Suite, comprised of C, C++ and Fortran 77/90/95 compilers, is a 64-bit compiler for Linux-based AMD Opteron systems. Among the first U.S.-based enrollees were Angstrom Microsystems, Appro International, Lahey Software Solutions, Linux Networx, Microway, PSSC Labs, and Rackable
Systems.
MobilePro Corp. Completes August.net Acquisition
BETHESDA, MD — Wireless technology and broadband Internet services company
MobilePro completed its acquisition of
August.net, a Dallas-based Internet services provider. The deal is forecast to add nearly $1.8 million in annualized revenue and to be accretive to MobilePro’s 2004 earnings. August.net
offers broadband Internet access for individuals and businesses with a
full range of connections including T-1 and DSL as well as hosting and
collocation services.
NVIDIA Unveils 64-Bit Drivers for nForce Platforms
SANTA CLARA, CA — NVIDIA, a manufacturer of visual processing solutions, has released 64-bit software drivers for systems and motherboards based on the NVIDIA nForce3 media and communications processors (MCPs). This beta driver release is the first NVIDIA nForce3 driver package to support the Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition for Extended Systems beta operating system, and provides system management support for the Gigabit Ethernet, advanced RAID storage configurations, and hardware-optimized security features that are integrated into the NVIDIA nForce3 MCPs. The NVIDIA nForce3 MCPs
integrate hardware and software technologies that expand PC desktop, gaming, and
digital media functionality.
NetScout Launches nGenius Channel Partner Program
WESTFORD, MA — NetScout Systems unveiled a multitiered channel partner program with incentives and support for all partners selling solutions based on its nGenius Performance Management System. The nGenius Channel Partner program combines a portfolio of benefits and resources, including training, technical support, productivity tools, marketing resources and sales promotions, aimed at improving partners’ success in selling NetScout products to enterprises and governmental agencies. Under the program, partners will be awarded Silver, Gold, or Platinum status depending on the level of business channeled and amount of NetScout sales and product training completed. For top performers, incentives will include advantageous product pricing, increased pre- and post-sales support, joint sales and marketing planning, and market development funds. NetScout
also launched a Partner Web Portal from which partners can access sales,
technical and training resources.
Hansen Wins Baton Rouge Software Contract to Improve Citizen Service
SACRAMENTO — The City of Baton Rouge, La., has awarded Hansen
Information Technologies a
contract to enable the Department of Public Work’s Citizen Services Dept. to
ensure appropriate and timely action is taken for citizen requests. The system
will include an enterprisewide solution including customer service, a
City-Parish portal Web site, mobile solutions for field workers, and Hansen’s
sewer, storm, streets, plant, fleet, and building modules. Hansen is a developer of software applications to manage
government daily operations.
Wednesday, April 21
GE Access Introduces Multiplatform Support Program
WESTMINSTER, CO — Distributor
GE Access created a
Multiplatform Support program designed to enhance its existing Channel Services portfolio of offerings by giving resellers the opportunity to sell additional services on multiple platforms. GE Access resellers can combine multiplatform services into one contract, creating an offering in environments where products from multiple vendors are present. The program starts June 1 and will be facilitated through GE Access’ Channel Services organization.
Separately, the company announced the
Market ChannelEngine, suite of marketing resources to help resellers achieve strategic business goals. It is comprised of marketing tools, market intelligence, demand-generation tools, professional support, and source funding assistance.
Digital River Acquires element 5
CHICAGO — Internet e-commerce software firm
element 5 agreed to sell
Digital River and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary. Digital River
provides e-commerce outsourcing that builds and manages online businesses.
Hypercom, Lightbridge Offer IP-Based Credit Card Processing
LAS VEGAS — Lightbridge, a provider of solutions that manage customer transactions, and Phoenix-based payment technology company
Hypercom have partnered to offer Lightbridge’s
Authorize.Net IP-based Payment Gateway to retailers purchasing Hypercom’s Intel-based Optimum T4100 point-of-sale terminal. The solution is an an Internet-enabled payment solution that employs SSL
security protocols and is specifically designed to speed up checkout lines.
LG Incentive Marketing Program Targets Distribution Channel
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ — LCD monitor supplier LG Electronics launched
Life’s Rewards, a distribution channel incentive-driven marketing program designed to establish a presence for LG branded LCD monitors. LG will award premium incentives each month through December to salespeople within the distribution channel. At the end of the program, one channel partner will win a Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV.
Agilysys Sponsors IBM iSeries Training, Certification Testing for Providers
CLEVELAND — Enterprise computer solutions provider
Agilysys recently held a week-long IBM Solutions Training and Certification session for its solution providers. The session, designed for new and existing providers, offered attendees information and knowledge needed to meet their IBM Solution certification requirements. Agilysys and IBM will host additional iSeries training session during the next quarter.
Novell Honors Top Partners with Service Excellence Awards
WALTHAM, MA — Novell named eight business partners as recipients of its 2004
Novell Service Excellence Awards. Recipients included Alphanumeric Systems, Denmac Systems, HP Services, America Integrated Information Systems, The Harding Group, Novacoast, RDA Enterprises, and Strategic Network Consulting. Winners were chosen from among Novell’s Platinum-level partners in the United States and Canada for their expertise on Novell solutions, training of their engineers, quality and speed of their support for customers, and their commitment to selling and supporting Novell solutions.