GSA Technology Council

At the May GSA Technology Council Learning Lunch, Lonnie Emard, the Executive Director of the Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management discussed the mission of this newly formed group. He described how the Consortium is working to assist the efforts of other educational and economic development organizations to ensure that South Carolina is producing enough students interested in entering the field of Information Technology to supply the future needs of area employers. Lonnie says that companies in Health Care IT, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina are concerned that in the future they may not be able to find the talent they need.

Video by: View Digital Media

AFL Network Services, an industry leader in hospitality technology integration and wireless engineering, announces they were selected for the wireless integration of the Omni Hotels commencing in 2009. The integration began with the Omni Fort Worth, the city’s newest and largest hotel, which celebrated its grand opening January 12, 2009, followed by the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale. BelAir Networks, a market leader in service provider WLAN, was selected for Wi-Fi deployments.

Omni Hotels was the first luxury hotel brand in the US to offer Wi-Fi system-wide with access in guest rooms and public spaces in 2003. Because Omni Hotels owns and manages the majority of their properties, technology support is centralized and standardized across the brand enabling rapid deployment and installation of new technology applications across the company. With a primary customer focus on upscale business and leisure travelers, Omni Hotels has experienced increased Internet use both in terms of the number of users as well as their bandwidth demands. This trend is driven by the growing number of Wi-Fi applications and mobile-enabled devices that guests use when they travel. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), in its study “2008 Current and Future Technology Use in the Hospitality Industry”, identified Wi-Fi services as the “IT system that guests care about most.” The importance of Wi-Fi to hotel guests in driving the hospitality industry’s evolution to higher performance 802.11n based networks.

“With nearly 50 percent of our guests using Wi-Fi and their bandwidth demands continuing to accelerate, we sought a high-performance network partner which could ensure we continue to serve our customers’ needs on a ‘go-forward basis’,” said Richard Tudgay, vice president of information technology for Omni Hotels. “BelAir Networks comprehensive portfolio of indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi networking products enables us to deliver high-capacity, ubiquitous coverage that is cost-effective and easy for us to manage centrally.”

Installed and serviced by AFL Network Services, driven by the powerful, feature-rich BelAirOS operating system software, and managed by BelView, BelAir Networks offers the industry’s most comprehensive product portfolio of indoor access points (AP) and outdoor wireless nodes supporting both Wi-Fi and WiMAX as well as public safety, defense and intelligent transportation system (ITS) frequency bands. At the Omni Fort Worth, AFL Network Services deployed 77 BelAir20 APs. These best-in-class, ultra-compact and easily powered dual-radio, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi indoor APs employ hosted software-based control enabling centralized management and lowering network CapEx by about 30%. Configurable as a wired AP, a mesh point or a bridge from outside, the BelAir20 AP supports both wireless and wired backhaul.

“AFL Network Services’ job is really to complement Omni Hotel’s in-house IT team by providing design, installation and technical support on both the wireless network and the structured cabling so we have a huge stake in the success of their network,” said Kent Brown, vice president of AFL Network Services’ Enterprise Division. “We’ve worked with BelAir Networks on many hospitality and campus deployments, and the feedback from customers and end users is always extremely positive.”

AFL Network Services’ mission is to provide advanced hospitality technology and network management services using high-performance and very reliable Wi-Fi equipment. Partnering with BelAir, AFL is able to provide outstanding quality to drive guest satisfaction and quality.

“Omni Hotels has been a real innovator in providing Wi-Fi services so we’re very proud to support the evolution of their Wi-Fi networks,” said Bernard Herscovich, President and CEO, BelAir Networks. “Our experience with hospitality, telecom and cable operators has enabled us to craft a product portfolio that delivers high-performance, cost-effective Wi-Fi coverage that’s easy to manage.”

via: AFL Service Solutions

BeliefNetworks, Inc., which provides semantic intelligence and predictive analytics to Web publishers and advertising companies, today announced that it was named a 2009 member of the TechJournal South 2009 Tech50 list.

TechJournal South is the business publication for the southeast’s business community. Its third annual Tech50 list is composed of the top most innovative, privately held companies in the region.

“To be included in this list of tech industry leaders among the southeast is truly an honor for BeliefNetworks,” said Lisa Maki, president and co-founder of BeliefNetworks, Inc. “We’re working hard to develop products that will revolutionize the Web publishing industry, and it is a great feeling to be recognized by our fellow colleagues.”

The list selection criteria focused on a variety of areas including the uniqueness of the Company’s technology, management teams, market potential and market execution. Nominations were sought from venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and economic development executives in the area.

“The Tech50 companies all have strong unique technology positions and are poised to be the leaders in their respective industries,” said Eric Gregg, Publisher of TechJournal South. “We feel these are companies the Southeast region should take strong note of if they haven’t already. They represent the future leaders of the region’s technology economy.”

BeliefNetworks’ products transform real-time, structured and unstructured data — such as marketing campaign data, customer behavior information and social network conversations — into actionable knowledge for improved customer experience.

Most recently, BeliefNetworks launched AffinityAgent, a patent-pending product that enhances advertising and content placement for Web publishers.

The full list of winners is at www.tech50.org.

via: Belief Networks

EagleEye Analytics, a provider of world class predictive analytics solutions to the property and casualty insurance industry, announced today that Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance has selected EagleEye Analytics to be its provider of predictive analytics solutions under a long term services agreement.

Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance will use EagleEye Analytics’ Insight, a web-based predictive analytics solution. Insight uses advanced technologies to identify risk characteristics that impact profitability in a fraction of the time required by traditional market offerings. Insight enables insurers to rapidly implement superior underwriting, pricing, and marketing strategies that result in lower loss ratios and higher profitability.

“By partnering with EagleEye Analytics we’ve significantly enhanced our analytical capabilities and productivity without having to add internal resources. Because Insight is deployed as a “Software as a Service” solution we do not require any incremental investment in our IT infrastructure or staffing,” said Michael Cook, General Manager of Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance. “In addition to increasing our analytical prowess and speed to action, EagleEye Analytics’ solution also gives us a common platform from which to dialogue regarding analytics and business performance throughout the enterprise into such areas as pricing, underwriting, claims and marketing.” Mr. Cook added that EagleEye Analytics’ insurance industry knowledge, responsiveness, and clear dedication to outstanding customer service were important factors in the selection process.

“We are deeply gratified by the confidence placed in us and are pleased having Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance as a respected member of our client community. We have enjoyed our collaboration and look forward to a long lasting relationship,” said Terry R. Wade, president and chief executive officer of EagleEye Analytics.

via: Eagle Eye Analytics

The Corning Cable Systems LANscape Network of Preferred installers has named Eric Edwards, of Greenville’s Network Controls and Electric, Inc., to Corning Cable System’s Regional Committee. “This is an honor both for Eric and the company for recognizing our skilled planning and installation of Corning Cable Systems,” said Brad Cunningham, President and CEO of Network Controls and Electric, Inc.

Edwards is one of 18 people in the nation selected for the honor – and the only representative from North and South Carolina — who will meet three times a year with Corning executives to discuss fiber optic industry trends and assist in developing new and creative solutions for contractors and users of Corning Cable.

via Network Controls and Electric

Joan Schnyder Technology is offering an Information Technology for Human Resource Professionals seminar on June 4th. Topics of the session include: Automating the HR Cycle from an Employee Application to Retirement/Separation, HRIS Systems with and without Payroll, Choosing Vendors, Security-In House and with Hosted Applications, Planning and Managing the System Change and Implementation, Archiving and Storing Employee History, System Integration—Establishing a System of Record, and more.

IT for HR June 4 Seminar
Date: Thursday, June 04, 2009 from 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM (ET)
Location: Greenville Commerce Club

more info at IT for HR Seminar

via: Joan Schnyder Technology

What is a book company doing in the Cloud Computing business? What is Cloud Computing anyway? Amazon has been in the hosting and data center management business for many years. Amazon’s experience with running its retail business maps directly into how to run Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Amazon Web Services is now exposing this flexible infrastructure for customers to use for creating scalable, available, durable, secure and highly reliable applications in the Cloud.

Join us for a lunch with Amazon as we learn about Cloud Computing and the Amazon Web Services Platform.

GSATC Learning Lunch

Topic: A look at Cloud Computing at Amazon
Presented by: Kevin Kelly, Amazon
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Embassy Suites

Agenda
11:30 – 11:55 Registration, Networking, Lunch
11:55 – 12:10 Announcements
12:10 – 12:50 Presentation
12:50 – 1:00 Door Prizes, Adjourn

This meeting features easy access from I-385, plenty of free parking, ample networking opportunities, a great presentation, and door prizes. Plan to attend.
Lunch is $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

About our Speaker:

Kevin Kelly is in Business Development for Amazon Web Services helping accounts on the East Coast.
Before joining Amazon Kevin was a Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Tools for IBM Global Business Services (GBS) providing strategic guidance and direction for software development and support tooling usage worldwide. Prior to that he had several roles in IBM Software Group where he managed and lead successful product development and delivery of Eclipse client and Web based applications using Java, XML, and JavaScript. Before that he was a Senior Development Manager and Architect leading development in change request management and requirements tooling for the IBM Rational Brand. more…

Kevin Kelly is in Business Development for Amazon Web Services helping accounts on the East Coast with a focus on New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Before joining Amazon Kevin was a Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Tools for IBM Global Business Services (GBS) providing strategic guidance and direction for software development and support tooling usage worldwide. Prior to that he had several roles in IBM Software Group where he managed and lead successful product development and delivery of Eclipse client and Web based applications using Java, XML, and JavaScript. Before that he was a Senior Development Manager and Architect leading development in change request management and requirements tooling for the IBM Rational Brand.

Before joining IBM, Kevin worked for the Rational Software Corporation where he worked with customers using Rational products, teaching training courses, and became a District Technical Lead and Account Executive. He also lead development of Rational products including Rational Rose for UML modeling and developed custom integrations with Partners and System Integrators. Kevin worked on several large projects including the International Space Station and federal projects in New Mexico and Colorado.

Before joining Rational, he worked in the automotive software industry developing in-vehicle embedded applications, and prior to that he served as a Programming and Analysis Officer in the United States Air Force.

Kevin has been the Chairman of the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) Compound Document Format Working Group and lead that open standards working group in developing the Web Interactive Compound Document (WICD) profile for mobile and desktop devices. He has also served as the W3C Advisory Council Representative for Health Level 7(HL7). Kevin is HL7 certified and is a member of INCOSE and HIMSS.

Kevin is based in Northern Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Mercer University, and a Master’s of Information Systems from the University of Montana.

Kevin Kelly speaks to the GSATC in June.

PTG, a Microsoft Certified Partner and VMware Enterprise Partner recently implemented a project management solution for the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) in Durham, North Carolina.  Faced with limited resources within a small organization, the DCVB needed a solution for effectively communicating project updates and the ability to keep executive management apprised of project progress in a timely manner.  Through a referral source, PTG was brought in and immediately addressed the situation with a solution proposal for integrating SharePoint Server with Microsoft Project.

To implement a cost-effective solution, PTG included a detailed project plan and timeline of how SharePoint would work for the DCVB.  A custom-developed online tutorial provided by PTG gave the entire DCVB staff access to the new system in a simplified, easy to follow format.

Transition to the new system was seamless and quick.  The DCVB team can now monitor and manage projects effectively while measuring progress through visually informative key performance indicators (KPI’s).  Team members and executive management are able to see the status of any project at any time.

“PTG listened to us and didn’t force us into a solution that we really didn’t need,” says Keeci Tobias who was the Senior Project Manager for the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “They heard our concerns, interpreted exactly what we needed and delivered a solution that was a perfect fit for the DCVB culture.  PTG went beyond the call of duty to ensure a successful transition for us in a professional, timely and caring manner.”

via PTG

The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, announced 2008 had been another strong year for job growth, capital investment, tax revenue generation and private sector support at their 2009 annual Investor Appreciation luncheon Wednesday.

GADC President & CEO Jerry Howard and Board Chairman Jay Rogers also honored AdvanceSC, an organization that supports education and economic growth across much of South Carolina, with the Greenville Area Development Corporation’s fifth annual William D. Workman III Buffalo Hunter Award,
presented since 2004 to an individual or organization that has had a major impact on the local economy.

AdvanceSC, established by Duke Energy to support communities in their service area through public assistance and economic development grants, concentrates on advancing education to support industry, helping economic development organizations attract and retain industries, and improving the competitive position of manufacturers.

Since 2005, AdvanceSC grants to GADC projects total more than $1.8 million, including critical funding to secure a dozen signature wins.  In 2008, AdvanceSC supported W.W. Grainger’s expansion, American Titanium’s location, Precision Valve’s growth and Innegrity’s relocation to new quarters, funding site preparations, relocation of critical personnel and equipment, building upfitting, and essential infrastructure additions.

“The Advance SC fund, under board chair Carol Burdette, gives economic developers flexibility to close deals by offsetting expenses that prospect companies are most concerned with – and which vary by project,” said Howard in presenting the award to Ms. Burdette.  ”Whether relocating R&D engineers from another state or advanced equipment from another continent, Duke Energy’s AdvanceSC fund is a unique tool in recruiting quality corporate citizens, and AdvanceSC’s generosity has made a major, positive impact on Greenville County’s economic prosperity and quality of life.”

Past award winners have included Willson “Will” Williams, Director of Business Development for Warren & Associates Design-Build LLC and former Project Manager of Global Business Development at the South Carolina Department of Commerce in 2007, Alan “Daniel” Young of the Department of Commerce in 2006, Dr. Wayne Bennett of the Clemson University Foundation in 2005, and Bob Marriott of the South Carolina Department of Commerce in 2004.

The award is named for former Greenville mayor and South Carolina economic development advocate Bill Workman, and has been presented annually since 2004 to an individual who is a champion of economic development, and a standard bearer for public/private collaboration in marketing the Greenville community.

“AdvanceSC has gone far above and beyond the call of duty in helping ensure that positive economic growth – and the hundreds of good jobs and millions of dollars in economic contribution and taxes that go with them – are situated right here in Greenville County,” said Howard in making the presentation.

In reporting to more than 100 private and public sector leaders, Howard noted that, despite the soft economy, new jobs announced from the GADC successfully assisting companies to locate new facilities or expand existing facilities in Greenville County reached 1,556 in 2008 while capital investment from expansions and relocations announced totaled $181.4 million, and included 25 announcements during the calendar year.

Greenville County FILOT revenues generated by GADC-assisted companies since inception in mid-2001 reached a record total of $22.04 million – a 5.7:1 return on investment for the $3.87 million in tax funds invested in the organization, which was created by Greenville County Council in mid-2001.

Additionally, Howard noted that private sector support of the organization reached an all-time high, thanking attendees for the record 125 investor organizations now contributing to the GADC’s success.

“Without all of our investor companies, the Greenville Area Development Corporation’s ability to produce such great returns for the people of Greenville County – in quality jobs, increasing tax revenues and a robust
and vital economy – would be severely restricted,” said Howard.  ”Every penny our investors provide goes into marketing Greenville County to the world, and every penny you invest is working hard and producing better jobs and a brighter future for our community.”

via GADC