GSA Technology Council

The Palmetto Chapter of the Project Management Institute is offering PMP Exam Preparation sessions at no charge to it’s members. For more information on the local organization, visit their website. A description of the credential and sessions appears below.

The Project Management Professional (PMP) credential is a globally recognized standard of project management expertise. It is earned by passing a four-hour examination composed of 200 multiple-choice questions that measure your ability to apply knowledge, skills and techniques used in project management. The Project Management Institute (PMI) sponsors the credential which is based on A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK). The exam is developed by groups of individuals from around the globe who hold the PMP credential and is routinely reviewed and revised to ensure the best and consistently objective assessment. Certain education and experience requirements must be met before applying for the exam.

The PMP exam will be revised on June 30, 2009. This will be the last study group held by the PMI Palmetto Chapter prior to the exam changes.

The Palmetto PMI chapter sponsors a PMP exam prep / study group which is generally held in the spring and fall. Students from the area meet one evening a week for 12 weeks. The study group is a free service for Palmetto PMI chapter members.

Each weekly meeting covers 1 chapter of the PMBoK :

- Understanding PMBoK and the PMP exam
- Project Management Framework
- Integration Management
- Scope Management
- Time Management
- Cost Management
- Quality Management
- Human Resource Management
- Communications Management
- Risk Management
- Procurement Management
- Professional Responsibility

When the study group begins, the students /groups of students each choose the topic(s) that they will “lead”. It is recommended that students chose a topic where they have less understanding, as preparation to lead the discussion is a proven learning technique.

PMP Exam Prep Class
PMI Palmetto Chapter
DATE: January 20th – April 7th
TIME: 6-8pm
LOCATION: Michelin (I85 & Pelham)
MORE: Each student should obtain a copy of the study materials: the PMBoK Guide 3rd Edition, and Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep, 5th Edition.

Please write Wanda Gosnell for details. Wanda.Gosnell@us.Michelin.com 864-458-6265

While we have always had a Corporate Sponsorship Program for the GSA Technology Council, there hasn’t been a membership program for individuals who would like to contribute to and participate more directly in our activities.

We have now created a multi-level system that lets you contribute at a level you are comfortable with while giving the group the energy it needs to continue it’s growth and service to our community of technology professionals and entrepreneurs.

Click: Join the GSA Technology Council / Learn more

Sherry A. Laws, Vice President of Finance & Operations for Upstate-based Rosenfeld Einstein, has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor designation.

The Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation is the undisputed professional credential for insurance agency professionals, and signifies that an individual working in the industry has attained comprehensive knowledge of the five key elements which comprise the program – agency management, commercial casualty, commercial property, life/health, and personal lines. Because of its challenging standards and rigorous requirements, the CIC is recognized as the nation’s premier designation program for insurance professionals.

A resident of Taylors, SC and native of native of upstate New York, Ms. Laws has more than 20 years of professional experience and is a registered CPA. She previously served as Director of Business Services for the Support Services Alliance in Oneida, NY before joining Rosenfeld Einstein in 1998. She holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from Utica College of Syracuse University.

“Sherry is extremely knowledgeable in her field, and plays a vital role in helping our firm continue its profitable growth and meet the changing needs of our clients and community,” noted Dan Einstein, a principal in Rosenfeld Einstein. “As we continue to grow our practice here in the Carolinas, we’re delighted to have her on our team.”

Ms. Laws also serves as chairperson of the Youth Evaluation Team for the United Way of Greenville County, and as treasurer of the Greer Bands Booster Club. She is married with 3 children.

The Shareholders of Elliott Davis, LLC, one of the largest accounting, tax and consulting services firms in the Southeast, have admitted Michael E. Collins, CPA to the firm’s shareholder group, bringing the total number of Elliott Davis shareholders to 50. Collins is the assurance leader in the firm’s Charlotte, N.C. office.

Collins, a certified public accountant in North Carolina and South Carolina brings more than 23 years of public accounting experience and private industry experience to his new role at Elliott Davis where he is responsible for audits of SEC registrants and private companies in the retail, manufacturing, real estate and construction sectors.

Prior to joining Elliott Davis in December 2008, Collins served as an audit partner with KPMG’s Charlotte office; vice president and chairman of executive committee for American Barmag Corporation in Charlotte; and audit senior manager with Ernst & Young’s Charlotte office.

Collins received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; treasurer and board member of Charlotte North Rotary; and past president and treasurer of Alumni Club. He resides in Charlotte, N.C.

KEMET Corporation announced today that it is taking several initiatives to minimize the impact of the downturn in the world economy. The Company currently expects that net sales, excluding the wet tantalum assets which were sold in September 2008, will decline approximately fourteen to seventeen percent in the third fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2008, as compared to the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008. Accounting for currency exchange rates, primarily the Euro, the decline is approximately nine to twelve percent. Previously, the Company indicated an anticipated decline of approximately seven percent.

The Company is eliminating approximately 1,500 manufacturing jobs representing approximately 14% of the Company’s total workforce. The job reductions will begin immediately and be completed by mid-January 2009. The total cost savings from these actions will be approximately $4.0 million per quarter or $16.0. million annually. There will be a one time implementation charge of approximately $2.0 million which will be accounted for in the current fiscal quarter, ending December 31. As sales volume returns to more normal levels, these manufacturing positions will be re-staffed, where prudent, with contract labor.

Additionally, to adjust inventories to match reduced customer demand and to maximize available cash, the Company will extend its normal holiday plant shut-down schedules at many of its manufacturing facilities between December 23, and January 5, 2009. The Company will continue to ship product from existing inventories during this period.

“It is imperative that in this time of worldwide economic slowdown we match our costs to the reality of our current market environment,” said Per Loof, KEMET’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are taking immediate actions to maximize cash flow by continuing to reduce costs, working capital, and capital expenditures. We took aggressive actions to reduce costs earlier this year, and started realizing benefits in our second quarter as well as early within this current quarter. Regardless of these encouraging results, we cannot ignore the reduction in our sales volume that we are experiencing due to the current economic environment. We must and we will keep our costs in line with our revenue. Our goal remains steadfast to bringing KEMET back to profitability as quickly as possible,” continued Loof.

The Company also announced, where possible, that it will impose a ten percent reduction in pay for all salaried employees effective January 1, 2009, excluding those on a commission based salary. To implement this action, negotiations are underway with all labor unions where employees are represented by collective bargaining agreements. In the U.S., the Company will also temporarily suspend its 401(k) matching percentage, reducing it from six to zero. Permanent reductions will also be made in several retiree benefit programs. Salary reductions for affected employees are expected to be restored when the financial performance of the company returns to acceptable levels. There is no implementation cost associated with the salary and benefits reductions. Savings from these initiatives will be approximately $1.0 million per month.

Total cash savings to the Company from all of these initiatives will be approximately $7.0 million per quarter commencing in February 2009, after severance expenses are paid in January 2009.

via: KEMET

Columbia-area residents have a new — and better — choice for their television and communications services. AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets today announced the launch of AT&T U-verse TV and AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet in the area.

AT&T U-verse TV and High Speed Internet services, which are delivered over the company’s advanced Internet Protocol (IP) network, offer a new alternative to cable and an unmatched experience for customers. AT&T U-verse TV ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the South Region,” according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction StudySM.

AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets will make U-verse services available to more homes throughout the area on an ongoing basis. Customers can find out online if AT&T U-verse is available at their address, and register to be notified when U-verse services become available in their neighborhood.

“Cable has been the only game in town for too long,” said Bob Sellman, general manager, Home Solutions, for AT&T Southeast in the Carolinas. “We know Columbia customers want a better choice to break free from cable, and AT&T U-verse TV is the answer. Customers can visit any of our company stores to learn more about U-verse services from our experienced sales team and place an order. We’re offering an extensive channel lineup, unmatched features and the latest technology, all at a competitive price and great value. It’s all about delivering a better TV experience.”

AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets is the only national service provider to offer a 100 percent IP-based television (IPTV) service. IP technology helps make AT&T U-verse TV one of the most dynamic and feature-rich services available today, with advanced capabilities that customers don’t get from other providers. AT&T U-verse brings together your TV, broadband and wireless services — all on one bill — with unique features that provide a new level of integration, convenience and control.

Where available, local AT&T U-verse customers can enjoy numerous TV benefits, including:

An attractive selection of TV packages with 100 percent digital programming. You can choose from a variety of subscription options that feature up to 350 channels, including U100, U200, the popular U300 and U400 packages, plus U-family, a market-leading family-friendly programming option. All packages include HD-ready equipment, and most packages include an HD-ready digital video recorder (DVR).
A Spanish-language package, Paquete Español, which features novelas, movies, news, sports, children’s programming, talk shows and more, for $10 a month.
AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR, which gives you the freedom to watch recorded Standard Definition (SD) and HD programs from a single DVR on any connected TV in the home. You can also pause a recorded show and pick up where you left off in another room, and play back multiple recorded shows at once. Total Home DVR was recognized by the 2008 TelcoTV Vision Awards in the service provider innovation category.
More HD channels than the major local cable providers, with an extensive lineup of 85 HD channels. Access to HD service is $10 a month with any U-verse TV package.
The ability to set your DVR from any location. With AT&T Yahoo!® Web and Mobile Remote Access to DVR, you can schedule recordings from any Web-connected PC or compatible mobile phone (wireless service charges apply) by using your AT&T High Speed Internet account.
The ability to record up to four programs at once using a DVR (up to four SD programs or two HD and two SD programs) — another feature that is exclusive to AT&T U-verse TV. You can store up to 37 hours of HD content or up to 133 hours of SD content, which is more storage than most cable providers’ DVRs.
AT&T Online Photos from Flickr, which allows you to conveniently browse the photos you’ve uploaded to flickr.com and watch slide shows on your TV screen from the comfort of your couch.
AT&T U-bar, which brings customizable weather, stock, sports and traffic information to the U-verse TV screen, without interrupting the current program. AT&T High Speed Internet subscribers can personalize the U-bar from the AT&T portal to display weather at specific locations, your personal stock portfolio and scores for your favorite sports teams.
Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football, which allows you to track the progress of your fantasy team — including current team matchups and league standings — directly from your TV screen through the AT&T U-bar.
YELLOWPAGES.COM TV, for fast and easy searches to find local businesses and other information via your TV screen.
AT&T Yahoo! Games, so you can play your favorite online games — including Sudoku, Solitaire, JT’s Blocks, Mah-jongg Tiles and Chess — on the TV screen.
Built-in Picture-in-Picture, which lets you channel-surf on any television without leaving the program you’re watching.
Fast channel changing, reducing the delay experienced with other digital video services.
A growing Video On Demand (VOD) library with one-touch access to movies and events, including HD VOD titles.
Advanced search to find upcoming linear or VOD programs by using the title or an actor’s name.
Easy-to-use parental controls to block live or recorded programs or on-demand videos by specific channel or ratings.
AT&T U-verse offers multiple combinations of TV and Internet packages to customize your experience. Current AT&T U-verse TV pricing starts at $44 a month, depending on the selected programming package (taxes, fees and other monthly charges apply).

Professional installation is included for new U-verse TV customers, and you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. New customers can receive $200 cash-back when they order a qualifying TV package online. Additional promotional offers are available to qualifying customers who bundle Internet service.

AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet offers more bandwidth and faster available speeds to meet the needs of every consumer broadband user, including five package options:

Max 18: Downstream speeds up to 18.0 Mbps, upstream speeds up to 1.5 Mbps
Max: Downstream speeds up to 10.0 Mbps, upstream speeds up to 1.5 Mbps
Elite: Downstream speeds up to 6.0 Mbps, upstream speeds up to 1.0 Mbps
Pro: Downstream speeds up to 3.0 Mbps, upstream speeds up to 1.0 Mbps
Express: Downstream speeds up to 1.5 Mbps, upstream speeds up to 1.0 Mbps
All AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet packages include wireless home networking at no extra cost, and access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network with free unlimited connectivity at more than 17,000 hot spot locations.

“Today’s launch of AT&T U-verse service represents the fulfillment of our commitment to deliver a new era of real video competition and choice for consumers,” said Pamela Lackey, President – AT&T South Carolina. “As we celebrate this milestone, I want to thank the General Assembly, and especially the Act’s sponsors, including Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, Senator Glenn McConnell, Representative Harry Cato, Representative Bill Sandifer and Senator Harvey Peeler for their leadership and commitment to bring South Carolina consumers the latest in advanced communications technology. Their vision made today possible. South Carolina consumers have been anxious for a true choice in their video services and today AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets is delivering.”

In 2006, the South Carolina General Assembly overwhelmingly passed the Competitive Cable Services Act, encouraging investment and competition by streamlining the process for entering the marketplace. The Act was subsequently signed by Governor Mark Sanford.

“Our economy is based on open markets and competition. Based on that belief, we passed a law eliminating barriers to competition that would ultimately bring choices to consumers and investment to our state,” said Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston. “AT&T’s entry into the video services market as a technologically-advanced new competitor is exactly the sort of consumer benefits which we had anticipated and which our communities have been anxious to see.”

“I was a strong proponent of this bill because I believe the cable television market should act like any other competitive market, with companies battling for customers and letting the consumers reap the rewards,” said Senator Glenn McConnell, President Pro Tempore of the S.C. Senate. “I am excited that AT&T has taken advantage of this opportunity because I believe our citizens will benefit in ways such as competitive prices, better customer service and more choices for content.”

The deployment of AT&T U-verse is rapidly introducing competitive choice and next-generation services to more consumers. AT&T U-verse customers enjoy quadruple-play integration, enhanced features and greater value, all made possible by IP technology.

via: AT&T

Nexsen Pruet is proud to announce that Elbert S. Dorn has joined the firm as a Member in the Myrtle Beach and Charleston offices, and will practice with the Business Litigation Group concentrating on product liability litigation.

Prior to joining Nexsen Pruet, Dorn was a senior product liability attorney with Turner Padget. He has more than 20 years of experience handling complex litigation, and is listed in Best Lawyers in America.

Mr. Dorn concentrates his practice in the areas of product liability, pharmaceutical and class action litigation. He has extensive experience in handling complex commercial litigation. He has represented several pharmaceutical companies and petroleum companies on a statewide basis, and acted as coordinating counsel for one of the big three automotive companies.

Dorn is Immediate Past President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association. He is an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and the Defense Research Institute (DRI). Dorn is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Mr. Dorn earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1983 and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1986. He is a native of Greenwood and has lived here all of his life. He is married and the father of four children.

Zinc producer Horsehead Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Horsehead Holding Corp (Nasdaq: ZINC), today announced that it is taking aggressive steps to reduce operating costs, including idling its recycling facilities for the last week of 2008, reducing its salaried workforce, and revising the construction strategy for its new South Carolina facility.

“We are facing a unique economic climate which has resulted in a rapid reduction of steel production and thus a lower volume of electric arc furnace dust available as feed for our recycling operations,” said Jim Hensler, Horsehead’s President & CEO. “We believe that temporarily idling our recycling facilities for the last week of 2008 is a prudent strategy to address the lower volume of feed for those operations.” Hensler also noted that one of the two kilns at the Company’s Rockwood, Tennessee recycling facility may remain idled into the first quarter of 2009, as would the flame reactor at the Beaumont, Texas facility.

Horsehead also announced that on December 1, 2008, it reduced its salaried workforce after previously reducing the use of consultants and temporary employees. Horsehead expects that these reductions will result in annualized savings of approximately $2 million. Horsehead has also performed a comprehensive review of its contracting strategy for construction of its new South Carolina facility. “In furtherance of our efforts to reduce costs, we have reviewed staffing levels to ensure that we operate at the most efficient levels,” said Hensler. “Additionally, we have re-evaluated our contracting strategy for our new South Carolina recycling facility and plan to undertake the majority of the general contracting functions to reduce costs,” Hensler added. “We expect to reduce the total capital cost of the project with this approach; however, this change will delay the start-up until the 1st quarter of 2010.”

via: Horsehead

The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced more than 212,300 over-the-air households in South Carolina, those that rely on an antenna for broadcast TV, have requested coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. With two months until the nation’s full-power TV stations transition to 100 percent digital broadcasting, the agency is urging consumers who rely on over-the-air television and need a TV converter box coupon to apply by the end of the year.

“There may be two months until the digital television transition concludes, but consumers who want to buy a TV converter box with a coupon should apply for it in the next two weeks or possibly risk losing use of their analog TV temporarily,” said Acting NTIA Administrator Meredith Baker. “It takes approximately six weeks to apply for the coupon, buy the box and try it out so it is imperative that consumers take action by December 31 or look at other options to make the transition prior to February 17, 2009.”

Below are the percentages of coupons requested by over-the-air households for each DMA in South Carolina.

DMA % OTA Households Who Requested Coupons
(Data as of December 14, 2008)
Charleston, SC 84%
Columbia, SC 111%
Greenville (NC) Spart-Asheville-Ander (SC) 96%
Myrtle Beach-Florence, SC 135%


For a complete listing of the markets and their participation rates by “over-the-air” TV household, go online at www.ntia.doc.gov and for more information about the Coupon Program, go to www.DTV2009.gov.

Background

The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after February 17, 2009. The Act authorized NTIA to create the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, which is funded by the $19 billion airwaves auction and not tax dollars. The Act funded the Program at $1.5 billion, including $1.34 billion for coupons. Currently, NTIA has obligated $1.1 billion in coupons. This obligation is a combination of coupons redeemed as well as coupons that have been ordered.

Digital broadcast television offers consumers a clearer picture, more programming choices and will free up the airwaves for better communications among emergency first responders and new telecommunications services.

Consumers receiving free, over-the-air television on analog TV sets will need to act now to ensure their televisions continue to work when full power television stations go all-digital. Viewers of over-the-air television need to look at each analog set in their home that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay television service and make a timely decision. They can connect their television to cable, satellite or pay television service; they can replace it with a digital TV; or they may keep it working with a TV converter box.

For consumers choosing the converter box option, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program permits all households to request up to two coupons – each worth $40 – toward the purchase of certified converter boxes. Coupons may be requested while supplies last, and only one coupon can be used to purchase each coupon-eligible converter box. Consumers can purchase a converter box at one of the more than 34,500 participating local, phone or online retailers. Consumers will receive a list of eligible converter boxes and participating retailers with their coupons. Coupon applications can take several weeks to process and mail so consumers opting to purchase a converter box should act now, and should call stores before shopping to ensure the desired converter box is available. Converter boxes generally cost between $40 and $80, and coupons expire 90 days from the date they are mailed.

Consumers who choose to transition to digital television by purchasing a TV converter box with a coupon need to follow three steps and act by the end of the year because the process may take six weeks. Consumers should immediately apply for their coupons, buy a converter box when the coupons arrive and try the box with their television to address any potential technical issues before full-power broadcasters switch to digital.

Some viewers watch programs over translators or other low-power stations which may continue broadcasting analog signals after February 17, 2009. Those viewers may wish to select a converter box that will pass through analog signals.

Households may apply now for coupons online at www.DTV2009.gov, by phone at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), via fax at 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632) or by mail to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial 1-877-530-2634 (English TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish TTY). Nursing home residents may apply with the paper application available downloadable at www.DTV2009.gov.

For more information about the Coupon Program, please visit www.DTV2009.gov and for questions about the DTV transition, go to www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC.

NTIA is responsible for the development of the domestic and international telecommunications policy of the Executive Branch.

via: DTV2009

Zeus, Inc. announced it has expanded its current product offering and is now producing Insulated PEEK Wire. Zeus Insulated PEEK Wire is insulated copper wire designed for challenging environments and applications. Zeus’ current capabilities consist of extrusions in a wide range of sizes from 6 gauge to 40 gauge, including 1/2 sizes.

Zeus Insulated PEEK Wire has a high continuous operating temperature, excellent abrasion and chemical resistance, and dielectric strength. For some applications, little or no varnish is required and material properties are maintained in long, continuous lengths without pinholes. Insulated PEEK Wire is available in amorphous and crystalline forms with various sizes and can be spliced using Zeus PEEKshrink(TM).

Typical applications include magnet and winding wire for motors and electrical insulation. Insulated PEEK Wire is widely used in the petroleum, automotive, aerospace, and electrical industries.

“With more than 40 years in the field of polymer science and extrusions, Zeus is able to offer its customers unparalleled quality, service, and technical resources. This announcement builds upon our history of excellence and demonstrates our commitment to the development of new products that enhance and improve customer applications,” stated Robert Hall, Vice President of Engineered Extrusions.

VICTREX(R) is a registered trademark of Victrex Manufacturing Limited. PEEK(TM) is a trademark of Victrex plc.

About Zeus, Inc.:

Zeus, Inc. is headquartered in Orangeburg, SC, USA. Zeus is a world leader in the design and production of high-performance polymer tubing used in demanding applications, operating multiple facilities in North America and internationally. Zeus products and services are preferred by companies in medical, automotive, electrical, fluid handling and mechanical markets.

via: Zeus