GSA Technology Council

On Tuesday, June 26, thousands of U.S.-based webcasters plan to turn off the music and go silent in a unified effort to draw attention to an impending royalty rate increase that, if implemented, would lead to the virtual shutdown of this country’s Internet radio industry.

GoTo> Kurt Hanson

Spam has continued to increase according to SPAMfighter statistics, since the arrest on May 30, 2007 of the nicknamed ‘Spam King’, Robert Soloway.

According to a report by the Associated Press, Soloway, who has been nicknamed ‘Spam King’ by U.S. Investigators, was arrested May 30 on 35 charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and aggrevated identity theft. The Spam King can look at over 20 years in prison if he is convicted.

The arrest of the ‘spam king’ has not decreased the amount of spam being sent, as many believed it might. Previously, SPAMfighter noticed a ratio of around 80% – 85% spam to legitimate e-mails. However, in the last month, this ratio has increased and is now up around 90% of all e-mails are spam. These statistics are collected from the SPAMfighter community consisting of over 3.4 million members in 216 countries.

The ‘Spam King’ made a living by advertising his business to tens of millions of e-mail recipients since 2003. His business offered software that would either send out e-mail advertisements to 20 million e-mail addresses, or allow customers of his product to receive software allowing them to send up to 80 million e-mails. The price of this product was $495 USD. Soloway claims that all e-mail addresses on his list were people who agreed to receive e-mails from him and his clients. However, prosecutors say that people were unable to opt-out of his e-mails.

Furthermore, when a client would request a refund, Soloway would go as far as to tell customers that he would go to collections agencies and ruin their credit. Soloway is currently in jail awaiting his hearing, which is scheduled for August 6, 2007. He has been denied bail.

Preferred Health Technology Inc., a new company providing electronic payment and transaction processing services for the health care industry, announces the appointment of Mary Dees Griffith as president and chief operating officer.

Preferred Health Technology offers a suite of transaction processing services to health care providers, including real-time insurance eligibility verification, real-time claims adjudication and automated collection of patient responsibility payments, delivered in an electronic swipe card terminal. The product combines award winning technology innovation with proprietary payment functionality and enhanced payment collection processes.

“I’m excited to be bringing this new product to the health care market,” said Griffith. “The growing trend in consumer responsibility for health care payments further increases a health care provider’s existing need to speed their accounts receivable collection and improve their cash flow management.”

Preferred Health Technology will partner with a credit card processing company to deliver payment service to doctors’ offices and hospitals. The company is in the process of registering with the credit card associations.

Griffith, a transaction and payment processing industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, previously was president and CEO of creditranz, an industry consulting company. She also has held executive positions at major industry companies including Paymentech, FirstUSA, First Bank System and Citicorp. She is a past president of the Electronic Transactions Association. She currently chairs the ETA government relations committee and serves on the board of trustees of the W.net.

Preferred Health Technology Inc., headquartered in Dallas, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. BlueCross operates state-of-the-art health care insurance application systems on one of the largest health care insurance data centers in the world in support of Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, the Federal Employee Program and Medicare Advantage health plans, as well as other private health plans. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

KeyMark Inc, has announced a partnership with Mavro Imaging. Mavro Imaging develops software to seamlessly link OPEX mail opening and scanning equipment into high-end document management systems in mixed hardware and software environments. Mavro Imaging has recently developed MavBridge™ – a software product to convert scanned output from high-volume OPEX multi-purpose extraction systems equipped with an OPEX Image Extraction Module.

This application parses and converts proprietary IEM data files into industry-standard TIFF and JPEG formats and creates corresponding metadata files in XML format. KeyMark imports these files into high-end document management systems such as those from Kofax, AnyDoc, and Hyland Software (OnBase).

via Keymark

South Carolina based KeyMark Inc, a document management systems integrator has announced e-posit, it’s new stand alone electronic check depositing system.

The e-posit system is capable of accepting check data for pending deposits by reading a check’s amount and front and rear images. External applications are able to allow trigger processing. The system has the ability to limit maximum number of transactions per input file and can generate Image Cash Letter (ICL) files in Federal Reserve, bank specific and clearing house specific formats.

The system is also able to translate return ICL transactions for rejects and Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) into text and images so other systems can take action on the items. e-posit converts these returns into standard text and image files to feed workflow and accounting systems, fully facilitating return transactions.

Charleston based Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) has announced the TuneStik with Remote for the iPod. TuneStik combines a wireless FM transmitter with a powerful RF remote control for iPod playback and control in the car, at home, or anywhere there’s an FM radio. The TuneStik’s most flexible feature is its 30-pin pass-through dock connector, which enables it to be combined with virtually any iPod accessory – adding an RF remote and/or an FM transmitter to a user’s existing iPod gear. TuneStik is available immediately at www.dlo.com and via most national iPod retailers for just $59.99.

Easy to use, the compact TuneStik snaps on to the iPod’s dock connector. Simply find an available frequency on your FM stereo, and match the frequency on the iPod using the TuneStik’s remote control. TuneStik includes 4 programmable presets, a full 30-pin pass-through connector for charging and synching your iPod, and an RF remote control with an approximate 40 ft. range. For in-car use, the TuneStik comes complete with a steering-wheel cradle for the remote control, so you can easily and safely navigate your iPod controls while driving. When you reach your destination, simply pop the remote out of the cradle and take it with you.

“The TuneStik is unlike any iPod accessory on the market today,” said Andrew Green, vice president of marketing at DLO. “With TuneStik, you get a wireless FM transmitter and an RF remote for about the same price as the competitor’s transmitter-only solution. With that kind of versatility and value, why would you want anything else?” Pricing and Availability:? The all-new DLO TuneStik with Remote, priced at $59.99, is available for purchase from national iPod retailers and via the DLO Web site.?? The TuneStik draws its minimal power needed from the iPod, so no extra cables or chargers are necessary.

Charleston based Blackbaud, Inc. has announced that the Florida State University (FSU) Foundation has selected the company’s solution for higher education institutions to centralize data from multiple constituencies and to provide an online—and offline information platform for the Foundation’s strategic growth.

“We’re excited by the opportunity this agreement provides for us to serve the University family more efficiently and effectively,” said Lee Hinkle, FSU’s vice president for University Relations, who oversees the FSU Foundation and two other University direct support organizations. “The Blackbaud systems will enable us to better respond to the needs of our donors, alumni, and other University friends.”

The Foundation raises more than $100 million annually, placing it in an elite group of higher education fundraising entities. The overall goal of the project is to implement an integrated system to address the specific needs of the FSU Foundation, Seminole Boosters, FSU Alumni Association, and The Ringling Museum. The solution will enable the Foundation to optimize advancement, website, financial and operational activities, and establish a comprehensive view of the school’s alumni and supporters by consolidating multiple databases into one system of record.

“We are pleased to partner with the Florida State University Foundation in providing a solution that will help sustain its outstanding record of success and support its continued growth,” said Marc Chardon, Blackbaud’s chief executive officer. “By implementing an integrated solution, the Foundation will be able to easily share information, improving efficiency and its strategic decision-making process. As an early adopter of Blackbaud Direct Marketing, the Foundation will enhance its outreach program, creating a consistent, 360-degree constituent experience.”

The Foundation’s previous system was not fully integrated, was difficult to use, and lacked the advanced reporting capabilities that it needed. With Blackbaud’s solution for higher education institutions, the Foundation will be able to improve ease of use and enhance both information sharing and reporting across multiple business entities while improving overall data integrity.

The solution will help the Foundation in these key areas:

· Constituent Relationship Management—consolidating and standardizing data, improving ease of use and reporting, and helping the Foundation achieve a holistic view of its constituency

· Financial Management—facilitating efficiency in making tactical and strategic financial decisions and detailed and automated reporting

· Website Management—integrating offline and online data to tailor content and enhance and centralize communications

· Business Intelligence—to enable strategic reporting and sophisticated analysis, and improve stewardship to alumni, donors, members, and the FSU community at large

· Direct Marketing—allowing the Foundation to efficiently manage and execute multi-channeled campaigns from budgeting to reporting

· Consulting and Training Services—to guide the Foundation through implementation and training

via Blackbaud

Stratatomic has launched a new website and internet marketing campaign for NuStar Apparel now available online at www.nustarapparel.com. The new website introduces NuStar Apparel, including mesh shorts and screen-printed t-shirts designed for athletes and marketed to schools, athletic and physical education programs. Qualified visitors to the website can order free product samples online.

Stratatomic is a full-service creative firm specializing in web, multimedia, advertising, and graphic communications. Stratatomic also offers complete solutions for web site hosting, WebAdminâ„¢ site management software and WebStatsâ„¢ site analysis tools, providing clients with a singular resource for top-to-bottom implementation of their internet marketing strategies.

In less than 3 years, Stratatomic’s proprietary WebAdmin™ e-commerce and site-management technology surpassed $10 million in online sales transactions and order processing. Today, WebAdmin™ enables clients of all sizes to effectively manage their own site content or storefront and is the power behind websites that receive more than 2 million page requests per month and average hundreds of orders per day. Founded in September, 2000 by Ryan Owens, Stratatomic LLC is a privately held company based in Greenville, SC.

via Stratatomic

Infor has announced continued strong adoption of its Infor ERP Visual solution, with over 150 net new customers added during the fiscal year, and more than 600 existing customers adding additional licenses, users or new modules. With an install base of over 4,000 manufacturers around the world, Visual is the ERP solution of choice for enterprising small-to-midsize manufacturers who seek rapid implementation, business-specific functionality and ease of use in a single package.

In the most recent quarter, Infor added new customers like Cygnus, Inc., DFW Test Incorporated, Frontier Electronics System Corp., John-Richard, Pennant Moldings, RotorWay International, and D3, Inc. Visual is particularly suited for high-growth, mixed-mode manufacturers who need a modular solution, where new capabilities can be added as their business grows. This approach supports rapid implementation time, usually three to six months, and rapid return on investment since customers only buy and install the components they need. Visual’s modular capabilities include solutions for advanced planning and scheduling, quality management, customer relationship management, time and attendance, business intelligence and warehouse management.

Cygnus, Inc. is an Idaho-based fabricator of sheet metal parts and assemblies for the aerospace industry, subcontracting to major corporations like Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. The company chose Infor ERP Visual over Epicor Vantage when it needed a solution that delivered functionality specific to its requirements.

“Due to the nature of our business, we have to respond quickly to customer changes in engineering, order quantity and delivery times,” said David Gardner, computer specialist at Cygnus. “We don’t have time to reinvent the wheel with our software. We chose Visual for its deep experience in the aerospace industry and we look forward to a fast implementation.”

Underlying Visual’s powerful ability to support mixed mode manufacturing is the innovative, easy-to-use interface from where the solution takes its name. The Visual Manufacturing Window® allows the user to graphically build queries, identify the actions to complete a work order, and intuitively see problems or steps in the process that are outstanding. The interface is designed for multi-taskers, a common persona at organizations where users may have multiple responsibilities. Visual also has productivity features like Microsoft Outlook Task Integration and customizable user interfaces.

DFW Test Incorporated is a Texas-based manufacturer of turnkey semiconductor test solutions that seeks to increase efficiency and eliminate information silos with a new ERP system. It chose Visual over SAP Business One and Microsoft Dynamics due the business-specific nature of the solution, which means less customization, as well as its ease of use over competing products.

“We engineer-to-order specialized electronic hardware critical to the testing of semi-conductors for the top semiconductor manufacturers, and no two projects are identical,” said Tim Durbin, IT Manager for DFW Test. “Our users will be able to pick up Visual and start using it without a lot of training. Our Operation Manager was impressed with the ability to glance at the screen and easily understand and manage the details of each project.”

In addition to small-to-midsize companies, Visual is also deployed at the manufacturing plants and divisions of some of the world’s largest corporations. These organizations also turn to Visual for business-specific capabilities, such as lean manufacturing or support for unique shop floor issues, which the corporate applications often cannot perform without the high costs of customization.

“There is over 15 years of manufacturing functionality and best practices built into the Visual solution, leading to a low total cost of ownership,” said Mike Gadow, vice president, channels, North America for Infor. “That experience and value, together with the unequaled domain expertise of our channel partners, is a key reason why Visual continues to have high rates of adoption among enterprising companies of all sizes.”

Lenovo surprised Guilford County [North Carolina] commissioners during their regular Thursday meeting by simultaneously withdrawing its $154,000 tax incentive request and announcing plans to build a $10 million facility at Rock Creek Center. The company will bring 45 new jobs to Guilford County, earning an average of $37,500. More By Michael D. Abernethy / Times-News