GSA Technology Council

Carolina Software as a Service (formerly Carolina Business Systems, Inc) is pleased to announce that it has been selected as an information technology resource partner by SC Launch! Companies participating in the SC Launch! program are high-potential knowledge economy businesses in automotive/aerospace, advanced materials/fibers, alternative energy, biomedical, life sciences, nanotechnology, homeland security and information technology.

Through their strategic partnership with ERC Broadband for data center infrastructure and bandwidth, CSAAS will provide quick and affordable access to quality software solutions allowing emerging businesses to focus more resources on other areas and less on its IT needs.

In the last several years, CSaaS has transitioned from a traditional Software VAR to become one of the premiere Software as a Service providers for business and education in the state. This transition stems from the movement in the overall IT industry that has seen software vendors acknowledge that many companies need software but have less than ideal IT budgets. SaaS (Software as a Service) is a trend in the IT industry that allows a company to pay a monthly fee to subscribe to software services instead of having to purchase it.

“We are excited about the partnership and we’re convinced the SC Launch! program will have a major impact in helping encourage and foster high impact, knowledge-based companies ,” said John H. Macomson, President and CEO. “CSAAS has become a regional leader in hosted Software As A Service solutions in South Carolina. And the partnership with SC Launch provides a great opportunity for CSAAS to be a good corporate citizen and help in the process of SC expanding their high-potential knowledge economy.”

About SC Launch! SC Launch! Is a collaborative effort between the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, and the Medical University of South Carolina to accelerate entrepreneurial growth of technology start-up companies in the state by delivering tools for success, creating high-paying jobs and building equity in the future for all South Carolina. For more information please visit www.csaas.com/SCLaunch

via CSAAS
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Join South Carolina�s leaders in business, government and education as they celebrate the Palmetto state�s leading edge manufacturers at the 2007 South Carolina Salute to Manufacturing Awards Luncheon, May 15 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville. The program recognizes the importance of manufacturing, technology and engineering in South Carolina�s economy and honors those who provide a positive impact through job creation and economic strength, a strong commitment to the workforce and the desire to better their community. Tickets to the luncheon are $20 each and can be requested online at www.salutetomanufacturing.com. (more)
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The GSATC and Greenville Tech’s Buck Mickel Center have teamed up to bring another edition of Entrepreneur Stories. The April meeting will feature accomplished Greenville attorney Tommy Wyche, the founder of Computer Dynamics, Sue Priester, and the Executive Director of New Carolina, George Fletcher. The Entrepreneur Stories session will be Thursday, April 26th at 6 PM. Session fee is $50. RSVP required by calling 864-250-8800. (learn more)
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South Carolina-based site selection and economic development consulting firm InSite Consulting LLC has acquired nationally known Site Location Advisors LLC, accelerating the Southeastern-based organization’s status as one of the fastest-growing site selection consultancies in the country.

“The talent and experience of the Site Location Advisors team, and founder John Sisson in particular, clinched our decision,” noted InSite Consulting co- founder Tonya Crist. “The acquisition is a huge step in our plan to expand site selection services on a global level.”

For Site Location Advisors (SLA) founder John F. Sisson, the opportunity to provide added capabilities was highly attractive.

“Joining forces with InSite positions this organization for exponential growth, across the country and around the world,” stated Sisson, who will run the firm’s Greenville office at 100 Fluor Daniel Drive.

Sisson’s background includes completion of over 1,500 successful site selection assignments for clients in North America, Europe and Africa with total investment exceeding $7 billion. Sisson has developed State Certified Site Programs for New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Oklahoma.

Sisson has negotiated over $1 billion worth of incentives for clients locating facilities around the world, including such organizations as Shell Oil, Heinz and General Motors. Most recently, Site Location Advisors served as an executing ally of Fluor Global Location Strategies, the arm of Fluor Corporation that provides strategic site selection services.

An added benefit of acquiring Site Location Advisors is the expanded talent pool, noted InSite principal Rob Cornwell. “The relationships that John Sisson has established in the industry, the resources and expertise of the team he brings, and the attractiveness of the combined organizations to draw top clients and talent will open up new markets for InSite,” said Cornwell.

InSite Consulting LLC offers services in site selection, economic development consulting, and real estate. Co-founded in 2004 by Principals Rob Cornwell and Tonya Crist, the InSite principals have performed site selection services for some of the world’s best-known companies, including Mercedes Benz, Procter & Gamble, and Black & Decker.

via Insite Consulting

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A South Carolina man and woman have been indicted and arrested on charges of supplying the Government of India with controlled technology without the required licenses, Kenneth L. Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division, and Jeffrey A. Taylor, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced today.

Parthasarathy Sudarshan, 46 and Mythili Gopal, 36, both of Simpsonville, S.C., were arrested on Friday, March 23, 2007, and had their initial appearances in the U.S. District Court in Greenville, S.C. on April 3, Sudarshan had his first court appearance in the District of Columbia as he was arraigned on the charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina, who has scheduled a status hearing for April 17, 2007, for both Sudarshan and Gopal.

The arrests were the result of a joint investigation by the FBI, the Department of Commerce, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A15-count indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia and unsealed on March 23, charges the defendants with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Arms Export Control Act and with acting as illegal agents of a foreign government. The indictment also charges AKN Prasad of Bangalore, India, and Sampath Sundar, 47, of Singapore, for their roles in the offenses.

If convicted of the charges, Sudarshan faces a likely sentencing guideline range of 97-121 months in prison, while Gopal faces a likely sentencing guideline range of 63-78 months. Prasad and Sundar face likely sentencing guideline ranges of 78-97 months, if convicted of the charges.

“These arrests put a network of technology smugglers out of business and demonstrate that we have no tolerance for weapons proliferators who illegally supply entities with weapons technology that has applications in the development of aircraft, missile and aerospace systems,” said Assistant Attorney General Wainstein.

US Department of Justice
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Businesses are becoming increasingly sophisticated about managing employee Internet use at work, a new survey shows. More than three-quarters (78 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) polled recently said their company has either installed content-filtering or blocking software, instituted policies that detail acceptable web browsing, or done a combination of both.

The national poll includes responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis.

CIOs were asked, “Which of the following best describes your company’s policy regarding employee access to the Web?”

Corporate policy is combined with software

that blocks certain content from employees.................... 37%

We have a corporate policy that details acceptable

web browsing by employees..................................... 27%

We installed software limiting sites and content that can

be accessed by employees...................................... 14%

No policies are in place to limit web browsing by employees.... 17%

Employees do not have web access............................... 4%

Other/don't know............................................... 1%

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100%

CIOs also were asked, “Which of the following are reasons for your company’s policies limiting employees’ web browsing?” Their responses*:

To prevent employees from accessing inappropriate

content at work............................................... 75%

To prevent virus attacks, installation of malware, etc. ....... 71%

To keep employees from wasting time at work.................... 62%

Other/don't know............................................... 3%

*Multiple responses were allowed.

“All companies should have a corporate policy in place that outlines acceptable web use by employees,” said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. “Communicating and explaining web access policies, along with the risks associated with web browsing, helps employees understand why these guidelines are in place.”

Lee noted that it is crucial to inform new staff of expectations from day one. “Including web access policies in new-hire training and restating the information on the company intranet or in internal newsletters, for example, reinforces this message.”

With more than 100 locations in North America, Europe and Asia, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network engineering and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at http://www.rht.com/.

via: Robert Half Technology
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Businesses are becoming increasingly sophisticated about managing employee Internet use at work, a new survey shows. More than three-quarters (78 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) polled recently said their company has either installed content-filtering or blocking software, instituted policies that detail acceptable web browsing, or done a combination of both.

The national poll includes responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis.

CIOs were asked, “Which of the following best describes your company’s policy regarding employee access to the Web?”

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Instead of spending the weekend twiddling their thumbs, this past Saturday, LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) was focused on finding the fastest thumbs in the west at the first round of the LG National Texting Championship held at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. These stellar thumbs belong to 21-year-old Eli Tirosh of Los Angeles who was crowned the LG West Coast Texting Championship in front of a huge crowd of family, friends and competitors. Tirosh not only walked away with the prestigious title, she also earned $10,000 in cash and a trip to New York City to battle the LG East Coast Texting Champion on April 21 at the Roseland Ballroom for an additional $15,000 grand prize.

During Saturday’s event, contestants had the chance to test their texting capabilities based on speed and accuracy. They competed against each other in front of a crowd of supporters, battling it out on their enV by LG QWERTY keypad mobile device for money, fame and the LG National Texting Championship crown.

“LG would like to congratulate Eli on her amazing win as the LG West Coast Texting Champion,” said Jon Maron, senior director of marketing for LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. “We are still looking for the fastest texter in the U.S., so everyone on the east coast – start practicing your texting skills, register for the LG National Texting Championship online and get ready to show the world what you are made of in New York City.”

For those that did not walk away with the west coast crown, there is still hope. The LG National Texting Championship will continue at the New York City event on April 21. Players at this event will compete for another $10,000 prize and the title of LG East Coast Texting Champion.

After the LG East Coast Texting Champion has been crowned, winners from each coast will face off in the ultimate battle on the enV texting device to compete for the LG National Texting Champion title, with a grand prize totaling $25,000. There will also be opportunities throughout the competition for players who are eliminated to win thousands of dollars in consolation prizes, including other LG products. The LG National Championship will be hosted by the multi-talented Oliver “Ali” Nejad, a renowned poker player and host known for his natural wit and charm. The competition is open to anyone and free, but they must own and use an activated LG enV or the V by LG mobile phones to compete.

The LG National Championship will take place in New York on April 21, 2007 at the Roseland Ballroom were players will compete in pools and be asked to type phrases on their LG handsets exactly as they appear on the overhead LG plasma screens with no typos or abbreviations. The first player in each pool who sends an error-free message to the right contact will advance to the next round. Registration for the LG National Texting Championship is now open at www.LifeWithLG.com and is open on a first come, first serve basis.

For more event information, official rules or to register for the LG National Texting Championship, please visit www.LifeWithLG.com

Infor today announced that CryptoLogic Inc., developer and supplier of Internet gaming software, has deployed Infor CRM Epiphany to help the licensees of its wholly-owned subsidiary, WagerLogic Limited, optimize their marketing programs.

�Infor CRM Epiphany offers the ability to provide our licensees the combination of advanced outbound marketing functionality, scalability, and ease of use we were looking for,� said Philip Chen, director, Decision Support Services at CryptoLogic. �With a complete view of the customer, we are able to analyze and react to changing customer habits and needs in near real time.”

The ability to segment on-line gaming players efficiently through advanced analytics and reporting capabilities enables CryptoLogic�s licensees to understand results from their individual marketing initiatives and continually improve their campaigns. The company has seen a substantial increase in its licensees� acquisition of new gaming players as a result of more targeted acquisition campaigns.

�The biggest differentiator is the way the solution abstracts data structures,� said Dr. Patric Timmermans, director, CRM product marketing, Infor. �CryptoLogic�s licensees now have a complete and clear picture of their players, and all the data is presented to them in the exact format they need…�
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Xirrus, Inc., the only provider of high-performance, long-range Wi-Fi products, announced today that Charleston Southern University (CSU) will deploy the first ever all wireless network to deliver live video and audio streaming of its NCAA soccer and softball events starting this month. A technology trailblazer among educational institutions, Charleston Southern University was the first all wireless campus in South Carolina and the Xirrus Wi-Fi Arrays will supplement the university’s existing wireless network to span an outdoor area stretching from the Learning Center to its soccer and softball fields.

Charleston Southern selected Xirrus, because it was the only solution that could provide sufficient Wi-Fi bandwidth to deliver live audio and video streaming of the NCAA events; meeting the university’s requirement for the Big South Conference to have all sports enabled for live streaming. Xirrus’ deployment also provided significant cost savings as the only viable alternative involved boring underground fiber backhauls, ultimately saving the university over $15,000.

“Most NCAA conferences require their conference teams to provide live audio and video feeds of all sports venues,” said Rusty Bruns, chief information officer at Charleston Southern University. “Current generation Wi-Fi Access Points lack the throughput, capacity and range to support our application. With Xirrus, we now have a high capacity wireless network allowing us to stream live video and audio coverage of two different sporting events while also satisfying various Title IX requirements.”

“The live video feed for home games provides fans the opportunity to watch their favorite teams play and is very desirable for those distance or out-of-state families whose student athletes participate in these events,” said John DiGiovanni, director of marketing at Xirrus. “This deployment sets precedence for other schools that face the same requirements to connect locations within their campuses as they now have an option other than expensive wired solutions.”

By using the multiple radios and the internal, high gain directional antennas of the Wi-Fi Arrays, Charleston Southern University was able to connect various points on the campus with high bandwidth wireless backhauls capable of supporting multiple video and audio streams eliminating the need to run thousands of feet of cable.

“Trenching to run fiber would ruin the fields and tear up a lengthy stretch of our campus and direct boring to lay fiber is very expensive,” said Bruns. “By using a Wi-Fi solution, no one will ever cut the fiber and the fields will not be disturbed. The fast, easily upgradeable Xirrus deployment sets a standard that until now was not possible using Wi-Fi technology.”

via Xirrus
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