GSA Technology Council

Customer Effective, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and implementer of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, announced that it has received the 2008 Small to Midmarket Solutions and Partners Group (SMS&P) Microsoft Dynamics CRM “Vertical Excellence” Award for the New York/New Jersey region.

The Microsoft Partner Program Awards recognize Microsoft partners who have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions over the past year. Customer Effective was recognized for its Capital Effective CRM solution during the 2008 Microsoft NY/NJ Annual Partner Awards Dinner.

“Financial institutions have unique needs to track highly sensitive customer interactions relating to loans, deposits and investments, insurance and many other personal wealth management services,” said Scott Millwood, CEO of Customer Effective. “We designed the Capital Effective CRM software suite to provide a higher ROI for our financial services clients. Microsoft has been instrumental in our success in this market, and we are honored to receive this recognition from Microsoft’s SMS&P New York/New Jersey team.”

“Within just 15 months after opening their Northeast office, Customer Effective has clearly established itself as a leader in the East Region Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner community,” said Cyndy Phillips, area sales manager of Microsoft SMS&P Group. “The financial services market is an important vertical segment in the New York and New Jersey business community, and they demand customized deployment and support for Microsoft Dynamics CRM software. Customer Effective has proven itself as a worthy recipient of this award.”

Capital Effective is Customer Effective’s front-office relationship management software suite based on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform and designed exclusively for the financial services market. Capital Effective serves organizations in commercial banking, private equity, investment banking, hedge funds and wealth management.

via Customer Effective

The Greenville Area Development Corporation and REMA USA, LLC have announced the establishment of the company’s North American manufacturing and sales operations in Greenville, South Carolina, including the addition of at least 15 jobs over the next 3 years, as part of the company’s strategic growth initiatives in North America. 

Founded in 1919 near Leipzig, Germany, REMA designs and manufactures a variety of cable terminals, cable connectors, switches and man-machine interfaces for use in demanding industrial environments.  For more than 90 years the REMA brand has been chosen by industry professionals based upon a reputation of quality, reliability and innovation.  Today, REMA Lipprandt GmbH & Co KG, operating from the Corporate and Technology Development headquarters located in Bonn, Germany, is establishing independent operating companies to serve the respective markets around the world.  REMA USA, LLC is the latest addition to the REMA family of companies. 
 
The Greenville operation initially will assemble imported components from various domestic and international sources, including REMA operations in Germany and China, specifically for use in the materials handling industry, according to REMA USA, LLC Managing Director Tim Rose, head of the new operations.  Sales and capital investment were not revealed, although Rose expects the new Greenville operations to generate “multi-million dollar annual sales revenues, with significant growth opportunities as the business expands into new industries.”
 
“Our vision is to establish the Greenville operation to better serve our valued materials handling customers located in North America, then expand into other industries where our expertise in electric and battery-powered vehicles and equipment can be utilized,” said Rose.  “From golf carts and recreational vehicles to airport ground support equipment, medical mobility to construction equipment, we expect considerable growth for REMA USA, LLC.”
 
The Greenville operation will focus on delivering unmatched customer service, outstanding quality, and just-in-time delivery to customers, Rose added.   “We are pleased to establish operations here in Greenville County, and are very appreciative for the support and leadership of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and South Carolina Department of Commerce in making this announcement a reality.”
 
The operations will include leasing and up-fitting of an existing 15,000 square foot facility at 101 Park Place Court off West Butler Road, plus additional capital investments “in anticipation of increased market demand,” said Rose. 
 
“Ultimately, it was the positive economic climate of South Carolina and the commitment of the area’s economic development teams that affirmed the decision to establish operations here,” said Rose. 
 
“Before investing in this location, we considered multiple sites in the Carolinas and Virginia, yet we decided upon Greenville for its balance of economic opportunity, quality of life, access to talent, and central location to our growing customer base,” said Rose.  “We see incredible opportunity in South Carolina for REMA.”
 
“REMA produces a wide range of electrical components and connectors used in electronic and other high-tech applications.  The company’s decision to locate its North American headquarters in Greenville is a testament that our state’s business-friendly climate is working to attract investment that will positively impact the state and local economy with new jobs. Thanks to the team effort of state and local officials, Greenville County will benefit from this investment,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
 
The company is also working with the Greenville County Workforce Investment Board in the recruiting of start-up employees, and will provide market-competitive wages and benefits based on experience.  REMA-USA expects to officially commence operations around September 2, 2008.

“REMA-USA’s decision to establish operations here is further confirmation of the attractiveness and economic vitality of this area,” commented H.G. “Butch” Kirven, Jr., chairman of Greenville County Council.  “Their global span, blue-chip customer list and significant growth potential affirm that Greenville County continues to be a center of opportunity for international businesses.  We are very pleased to have them here in Greenville County.”

“REMA-USA is a great example of a closely-held company that combines world-class technology with Upstate talent to grow their business in North America,” said Jay Rogers, Chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation Board. “The company is entrepreneurial, innovative and growth-oriented, and a wonderful reflection of the opportunities to be found here in Greenville County and South Carolina.”

via GADC 

Apple yesterday announced financial results for its fiscal 2008 third quarter ended June 28, 2008. The Company posted revenue of $7.46 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.07 billion, or $1.19 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $5.41 billion and net quarterly profit of $818 million, or $.92 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 34.8 percent, down from 36.9 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 42 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

Apple shipped 2,496,000 Macintosh computers during the quarter, representing 41 percent unit growth and 43 percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 11,011,000 iPods during the quarter, representing 12 percent unit growth and seven percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. Quarterly iPhone units sold were 717,000 compared to 270,000 in the year-ago-quarter.

“We’re proud to report the best June quarter for both revenue and earnings in Apple’s history,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We set a new record for Mac sales, we think we have a real winner with our new iPhone 3G, and we’re busy finishing several more wonderful new products to launch in the coming months.”

“We’re extremely pleased with the growth of our business and the generation of almost $5.4 billion in cash in the first three quarters of fiscal 2008,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO. “Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we expect revenue of about $7.8 billion and earnings per diluted share of about $1.00.”

via Apple

FGP Technology announced the addition of two new employees today. 
 
Allen Vailliencourt joins FGP Tech as a sales consultant. He has more than 10 years of experience in Information Technologies which includes networking, web development, e-commerce, and security. He works with client companies that need IT experts.

 
 
Mary Cottingham joins FGP Tech as a recruiter. She has close to a decade of technology and sales experience. She previously worked at NuVox Communications where she handled relationships and upgraded services to meet her clients’ needs. She finds great technical candidates for FGP Technology clients.

FGP Technology has offices located in Greenville and Columbia, SC.

via FGP Technology

KEMET Corporation announced today that Mr. Dean W. Dimke, currently Director of Corporate and Marketing Communications for KEMET, will assume the additional responsibilities of Investor Relations effective immediately. His new title will be Director of Corporate and Investor Communications. Dean will continue to report to Dr. Daniel Persico, VP, Strategic Marketing & Business Development; however, he will also work very closely with Per Loof, Chief Executive Officer, and Bill Lowe, EVP & Chief Financial Officer.

“The attitude and confidence of the investment community is critical to the success and stability of the company,” said Per Loof, KEMET’s Chief Executive Officer. “Dean will be the single point of contact for our shareholders and the analysts who follow our market segment. He will be readily accessible to communicate our strategies and financial position while addressing investor questions or concerns.”

Dean has a BA in Communication from the University of Louisville and has been with KEMET since May 2006. Prior to joining KEMET, Dean had 18 years of experience in communication and relationship building, with his last position being that of Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross, Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter.

via KEMET

NuVox, a communications services provider to small and medium-sized businesses in the Southeast and Midwest, announced today that Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services raised the company’s corporate credit rating from a ‘B-’ to a ‘B’. , Further, Standard & Poor’s raised NuVox’s senior secured rating from a ‘CCC+’ to a ‘B-’.

“NuVox is very pleased with the upgrade to our ratings,” stated Jim Akerhielm, NuVox’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are also excited about the substantial demand for NuVox’s IP-based products such as VoxIP, our flagship VoIP service, and VoxNET, our MPLS-based private networking solution. In addition, we are enthused about the considerable progress we have made integrating FDN over the past year. These factors have certainly contributed to our improved EBITDA and net cash flow after capital expenditures and position NuVox for long-term success.”

via NuVox

Yahoo! Inc. a global Internet company, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Carl Icahn to settle their pending proxy contest related to the Company’s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, eight members of Yahoo!’s current Board of Directors will stand for re-election at the 2008 annual meeting: Roy Bostock, Ronald Burkle, Eric Hippeau, Vyomesh Joshi, Arthur Kern, Mary Agnes Wilderotter, Gary Wilson and Jerry Yang. In view of the settlement agreement with Mr. Icahn, and the termination of the proxy contest, Robert Kotick has decided not to stand for re-election to the Board at the 2008 annual meeting.

Following the 2008 annual meeting, the Yahoo! Board will be expanded to 11 members. Carl Icahn will be appointed to the Board and the remaining two seats will be filled by the Board upon the recommendation of the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee from a list of nine candidates recommended by Mr. Icahn, which includes the eight remaining members of the Icahn slate of nominees and Jonathan Miller, currently a partner in Velocity Interactive Group and former Chairman and CEO of AOL.

As part of the settlement agreement, Mr. Icahn, who owns an aggregate of 68,786,320 shares, or 4.98% of Yahoo! common stock, has agreed to withdraw his nominees for consideration at the annual meeting and to vote his Yahoo! shares in support of the Board’s nominees.

“We are gratified to have reached this agreement, which serves the best interests of all Yahoo! stockholders,” said Yahoo! Chairman Roy Bostock. “We look forward to working productively with Carl and the new members of the Board on continuing to improve the Company’s performance and enhancing stockholder value. Yahoo! is a world-class company with an extremely bright future, and collaborating together, I believe we can help the Company achieve its ambitious goals.”

“This agreement will not only allow Yahoo! to put the distraction of the proxy contest behind us, it will allow the Company to continue pursuing its strategy of being the starting point for Internet users and a must buy for advertisers,” said Yahoo! Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jerry Yang. “No other company in the Internet space has our unique combination of global brand, talented employees, innovative technologies and exceptional assets, attributes that will help us take advantage of the large and growing opportunity ahead of us. I look forward to working together with our new colleagues on the Board to make that happen.”

Mr. Icahn said, “I am very pleased that this settlement will allow me to work in partnership with Yahoo!’s Board and management team to help the Company achieve its full potential. While I continue to believe that the sale of the whole Company or the sale of its Search business in the right transaction must be given full consideration, I share the view that Yahoo!’s valuable collection of assets positions it well to continue expanding its online leadership and enhancing returns to stockholders. I believe this is a good outcome and that we will have a strong working relationship going forward. Additionally, I am happy that the board has agreed in the settlement agreement that any meaningful transaction, including the strategy in dealing with that transaction, will be fully discussed with the entire board before any final decision is made.”

In response to Mr. Kotick’s decision to step down from the Board, Mr. Bostock said, “I would like to personally thank Bobby for his dedicated service to Yahoo! these past 5 years. Bobby has been a valuable resource to our Board and the Company and we are grateful for his contributions. He wanted to help see the Company through this recent chapter, but made it clear to me that once the proxy contest was resolved, he was eager to focus his efforts on his work as CEO of the newly merged Activision Blizzard and his other business and civic pursuits.”

via Yahoo!

The Byrum Innovation Group, a strategic marketing and communications firm that specializes in working with innovative companies, has been appointed by PinPoint GeoTech as the technology company’s agency of record.

“The Byrum Innovation Group (BIG) has directed the strategic planning for our marketing initiatives, and we are now working collaboratively to actively implement the nationwide marketing program,” PinPoint GeoTech CEO Jim Oswald said. “What attracted us to BIG was the company’s extraordinary depth of marketing and corporate knowledge and experience, blended with a legacy of success.”

Clemson-based PinPoint GeoTech, Inc., provides the PinPoint GeoWorks Government Solution Suite to cities and counties throughout the nation to help them cope with critical issues such as rising fuel cost and environmental issues. PinPoint GeoTech helps government departments, such as public works, codes enforcement, and disaster management, reduce risk, minimize cost and promote a healthful environment through technology innovation.

PinPoint GeoTech approached The Byrum Innovation Group in the Spring of 2008 to assist with developing a marketing action plan that would accelerate the start-up company’s path to achieving national scale. Today, The Byrum Innovation Group provides strategic marketing planning and counsel, investor relations, public relations, and collateral materials services.

“PinPoint GeoTech is a rising star in South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy, and it’s an honor to work with the management team in helping them navigate their universe,” Byrum Innovation Group Chairman Reed Bolton Byrum said.

SC Launch has recognized PinPoint GeoTech with a $200,000 investment in July 2007. PinPoint GeoTech and its partners have also received three awards from industry and technology groups for outstanding innovation, including the prestigious InnoVision Small Enterprise Award.

via Byrum Innovation Group

Sealevel Systems announces two additions to the popular SeaLINK(R) USB to serial product line, the SeaLINK+4.SC and SeaLINK+8.SC. Offering four or eight serial ports that are software configurable for RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485, the adapters eliminate the need to open the enclosure to change jumper settings or dipswitches. The devices maintain their electrical interface settings locally, allowing the
host computer to be repaired or upgraded without reconfiguring the serial ports. Additionally, the devices can be configured at one computer and deployed to other computers.

The serial ports on each SeaLINK adapter appear as standard COM ports to the host computer enabling compatibility with legacy software. All Sealevel SeaLINK USB serial adapters use a state-machine architecture that greatly reduces the host computer’s overhead when communicating over multiple serial ports simultaneously while supporting data rates to 921.6K bps. Status LEDs on the front of the enclosure indicate serial data activity, electrical interface, and power.

The SeaLINK+4.SC and SeaLINK+8.SC are USB bus powered, so no external power supply is needed. Both models include highly-retentive USB type B connectors to help prevent unintentional disconnection from standard USB cables. The SeaLINK+8.SC also integrates a SeaLATCH locking USB port, which is fully compatible with standard USB cables. When used with the included USB cable with a locking type B connector, the metal thumbscrew provides a secure connection to the device and prevents accidental cable disconnection.

via Sealevel

Adam Gautsch has added some interesting pictures to the GSATC Photo Pool from our July Tech After Five. He decided to shoot from the hip. Take a look at what he got.

What are people saying about Tech After Five? We got this in the mail after our July event:

Ta5 was an excellent experience for myself and my team. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones in a focused (read: socially engaging) environment brought a smile to my face. Last night my team met our first potential investor, which raised the group’s morale tremendously, I can honestly say I’ve never been more excited about anything than I am now after meeting the people we have at Ta5.