Talent Available: "Hybrid Technologist who also gets the business side of the equation": »»

Resource Wanted:  Disk drive query from Darrell Robertson »»

Telelogic & Cornerstone:  Finalists for SIA Awards
The Software Council of Southern California has selected Telelogic, where Scott Raskin is COO (pictured above), as a finalist for "Company of the Year" in the 2006 Software Industry Awards, which recognize companies and individuals that have made extraordinary contributions to the growth of Southern California as a center for technological innovation. >> 

Also, Adam Miller, CEO of Cornerstone (pictured above), is a finalist for "CEO of the Year." The winners will be announced on March 8.


Mitratech:  Enhanced Rule Engine Reduces Need for Coding
Mitratech, where Afshin Behnia is CEO, has released TeamConnect 2.3, which enables Legal IT departments to take control of configurations in-house and deliver a cost-efficient solution that responds to changing corporate and regulatory compliance policies. Administrators can configure many types of rules that previously required custom coding. >>

ATEN:  Achieves Linux Certification
ATEN Technology, where Sampson Yang is CEO, announced that six of its KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) solutions were recently awarded KeyLabs’ Linux Compatibility mark for compliance with the open-source platform.  Meanwhile, ATEN unveiled its new KL1116 HideawayTM LCD KVM Switch, a 16-port unit that allows access to multiple computers from a single LCD console.  Also, ATEN announced a new Internet-based control device that integrates the RADIUS remote authentication protocol. >>

Line 6:  A Pioneer of the Digital "Ax"
Line 6, where Mike Muench is CEO, was recently featured in BusinessWeek magazine as a pioneer in bringing the electric guitar into the digital realm. "Perhaps the coolest of these new axes come from Line 6," says BusinessWeek, which goes on to describe Line 6's Variax guitars, which can sound like classic electrics (i.e., Fender Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul, Rickenbacker 360), as well as 25 other instruments, including the banjo, acoustic and 12-string guitars. (BusinessWeek, 2/27/06)

Microsemi:  Will Gain Advanced Silicon Carbide Technology
Microsemi, where Jim Peterson is CEO, announced that its pending acquisition of Advanced Power Technology, Inc., will now encompass even greater technology capabilities through APT's just announced licensing agreement with the Electronic Systems' sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation to manufacture next-generation silicon carbide microelectronic devices. >>

NDC:  Superior Alternative To GBS And Beta Sensors  
NDC Infrared Engineering, where Bromley Beadle is President, has introduced its Model 318 X-Ray Backscatter Sensor, which offers unsurpassed measurement range, single-sided operation, and low installation costs. Its performance rivals that of nuclear-based beta and gamma gauges, but without the ongoing issues associated with source wipes and disposal. >>

NetworkD:  Fosters Eastern European Networking
Ashley Leonard, CEO of NetworkD, will participate in BITKOM, a forum designed to promote networking between Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, on March 13, at CeBit 2006 in Germany, where NetworkD will also officially launch its outtasking services. CeBIT is the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions. >>

Primal Solutions:  Enables Cable Co. to Complete Triple Play
Primal Solutions Inc., where Joe Simrell is CEO and Bob Richardson heads Operations, collaborated closely with Oregon-based BendBroadband to successfully launch an IP Correlytics solution to precisely support their VoIP services needs. Primal's platform enables BendBroadband's clients to view their voice transactions on-line and verify their charges instantaneously, a capability that no other operator in Central Oregon is offering. >>

Roland:  Honored for Innovative Product
The Roland MPX-70 Photo Impact Printer, from Roland DGA, where Bob Curtis is CEO, won a DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award at the recent 2006 Photo Marketing Association Show. Digital imaging editors who judged exhibiting products selected only 17 out of the hundreds on display. The MPX 70 uses a unique technology to imprint durable impressions into jewelry, pendants, key chains, clothing and charms. >>

Wonderware:  "Powered by SAP NetWeaver"
Wonderware, where Mike Bradley is CEO, has achieved "Powered by SAP NetWeaver" certification status, which now assures customers that their existing plant applications can easily integrate using Invensys-Wonderware's open software with the SAP NetWeaver platform. Wonderware is currently involved in multi-plant rollout projects of these new integration solutions at major food and beverage, steel, pharmaceutical, aerospace and defense customers. >>

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Wall Street Foresees Record M&A Year
The corporate mergers and acquisitions business has been so strong during the first two months of 2006 that investment bankers are predicting a record year for deals. So far in 2006, 4,037 deals worth $473 billion were announced, compared with 4,971 totaling $378 billion in early 2005, according to Thomson Financial, a business information company that tracks merger activity. That's the second most active start for Wall Street since early 2000. Last year, bankers put together $2.7 trillion worth of announced M&As -- about 32,900 deals -- far above the 31,300 deals, worth $1.96 trillion, announced in 2004. The record for mergers was set in 2000, during the high-tech bubble, when bankers assembled 38,468 deals worth $3.6 trillion. (newyorkbusiness.com, 2/28/06)

DoD:  Prime Candidate for Buying Nanotech Applications
To assess military nanotech opportunities for commercial organizations, Lux Research identified 809 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants totaling $195 million that were issued by the Department of Defense for nanotechnology applications. The grants were categorized in seven application domains: propellants and explosives, biomedical, sensors, electronics, power, structural materials and surfaces, and coatings and filters. Among the report's highlights: *Nanotech applications in electronics, power, surfaces, coatings, and filters are good candidates for military and commercial co-development. They both meet high-priority military challenges and address large, near-term commercial markets. *Sensor and structural materials applications are unlikely to break out of a military niche –- because military buyers value their performance enhancements enough to support higher costs, where most commercial entities do not. >> (Lux Research release, 2/27/06)

China and India Continue to Attract Offshore R&D
China and India will keep benefiting from R&D expansion over the next three years, according to a study sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation. But companies are still keeping their most cutting-edge research in developed countries, with only 22% of corporate research in emerging markets devoted to new science. The study surveyed more than 200 multinational companies, mostly headquartered in the U.S. and Western Europe, in 15 industries. Over 50% of the U.S. companies said they had either recently expanded or planned to locate research facilities in China and India, whereas 20% of the European companies said they planned on expanding or locating new R&D facilities to the U.S. In addition to lower costs in developing countries, the study finds that collaboration with universities and intellectual capital are also key factors companies consider when deciding where to locate their operations. (CNNMoney.com, 2/16/06)

RFID Talent Pool Still Shallow
Deployment of radio frequency identification technology continues to be hampered by a shortage of skilled individuals, according to a new survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association. 75% of technology company participants said they do not believe there is a sufficient "pool of talent" in RFID technology to hire from, and among these respondents, 80% said the lack of skilled individuals will impact RFID adoption. CompTIA is working with more than 20 major players in the RFID market, including product manufacturers, distributors, system integrators, education and training providers, and end-user customers, to develop a professional certification of RFID skills for individuals working with the technology. (Business Wire, 2/28/06) 

Quotable Quote:
"We’re looking for the next American Idol in the market. Themes we like, where we think we can find the next star, include Internet advertising, alternative energy, biotechnology, and digital media."                                 
                    Michael Moe, ThinkEquity Partners, 2/27/06

MEMBER RESOURCES

Talent Available:  "Hybrid Technologist who also gets the business side of the equation": >>

Resource Wanted:  Darrell Robertson of Sypris Data Systems seeks "an expert who might be able to find an alternate or that could help us resolve our dilemma" regarding a replacement disk drive for our products. Here's the spec: >>   Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  Darrell can be reached directly at (909) 962-9403 or darrell.robertson@sypris.com.