GSA Technology Council

Derco Aerospace, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, and Michelin Aircraft Tire Company signed a new agreement today that will support Derco in distributing Michelin’s military aircraft tire products in multiple countries around the globe. Aircraft platforms supported under the agreement include, but are not limited to, the C-130, L-100, F-16, KC-135, P-3, UH-60 and Mirage. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the worldwide aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, SC, Michelin North America employs more than 22,300 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

via: Michelin

Silverpop has named Adam Needles director of field marketing for Engage B2B (formerly Vtrenz). He will serve both as an advocate for B2B marketers — listening to their needs, participating in dialogue at key marketing conferences and events on behalf of Silverpop, sharing insights on Silverpop’s Demand Generation blog — and also as an evangelist for Silverpop’s Engage B2B marketing platform.

“We’re pleased to have Adam join our team and to play a key role as Silverpop evolves and grows to better serve the rapidly-changing needs of B2B marketers,” said Scott Voigt, vice president of marketing for Silverpop. “He brings new perspectives and fresh thinking to the B2B marketplace. He will be a tremendous resource for B2B marketers who want to learn more about the strategies and tactics of successful lead management programs.”

Needles’ experience uniquely balances traditional B2B marketing programs, including lead-generation, direct-marketing, conferences/events and sales-force support, with more strategic brand development approaches such as thought leadership, public relations and organizational/cultural brand alignment. He previously was vice president of marketing and development for technology-industry analysis firm The 451 Group, where he helped build the firm’s B2B service brand through leading marketplace repositioning, defining the product/service mix and building out a marketing and events team to support significant revenue growth. Prior to that, he co-founded DVG Research, a market-strategy firm, and worked at Citigate Cunningham, a technology public relations firm, where his accounts included Motorola and Platinum Technology (acquired by CA, Inc.).

via: Silverpop

The US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Telecommunications Program has accepted CommScope’s Flat Drop fiber cable designs, enabling service providers seeking funding from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to propose the use of the Flat Drop products in business plans and applications they submit for RUS grants and loans.

CommScope’s Flat Drop designs include an all-dielectric cable suitable for aerial self-supporting or burial applications and a toneable design which contains a wire used to locate the underground portion of the fiber run. Both cable types are small, lightweight constructions designed for ease of handling and installation, and are compatible with industry-standard hardware. Their dual ripcords also simplify access and installation. CommScope’s Flat Drop cable designs are suitable for all FTTH applications, including CommScope’s BrightPath® RF over Glass (RFoG) solution.

“Acceptance of our Flat Drop cable designs by the Rural Development Telecommunications Program greatly benefits our customers as they look to expand their networks into unserved areas,” said Carl Meyerhoefer, vice president of Marketing and Business Development for CommScope’s Broadband division. “CommScope is excited about adding these designs to our family of products currently accepted by the Rural Development Telecommunications Program. We continue to focus on expanding our product portfolio to serve this important market.”

via: CommScope

The Greenville Area Development Corporation and Berliner Seilfabrik have announced the location in Greenville, South Carolina of the organization’s new U.S. sales and distribution operations, executives of the German-owned company has announced.

The company manufactures “living playgrounds”, intricately designed modular playscapes in a variety of unique designs and shapes, and all made from sturdy, galvanized steel wires covered with external rope strands of Polyamid yarns (carpet yarn).  Internationally patented, the Berliner Seilfabrik ropes ensure maximum abrasion-resistance and color fastness for years of hard play. The interior steel wires are compliant to DIN 2078, are galvanized and have a sturdiness of 1770 N/mm.

Located in 48 Brookfield Oaks Suite D, Berliner Seilfabrik will initially staff the sales office with a three-person sales team to cater to the needs of dealers across the United States, and also serve as a distribution point for product arriving through the Port of Charleston, noted David Koehler, president of Berliner Seilfabrik.  The company had previously used a U.S.-based distributor for its products, but decided to part company in 2008 and set up its own sales operations domestically.

“We examined numerous markets around the country, including New York, Chicago and Atlanta, before deciding to establish this sales headquarters here in Greenville,” said Koehler.  “We see a tremendous market opportunity here in the United States for our product line and felt that Greenville’s excellent value and quality of life for our team, its East Coast location, Port of Charleston accessibility and interstate access made it an ideal location for our operations.”

The company’s roots date back to 1865 when Berliner Seilfabrik’s parent company began producing ropes for the elevator industry.  Even today, the quality of Berliner ropes has earned world-wide acclaim as among the strongest in the world, and Berliner ropes are found in elevator equipment around the globe.  Ropes from the parent company support the Liberty Bridge that spans the Reedy River in downtown Greenville.

The company first entered into the development of net structures as climbing equipment in the early 1970s, and have cemented their global reputation as leaders and innovators in rope-play equipment over three decades.   Carefully guarded expertise in the field of rope production and intensive development work adhering to the highest safety standards has resulted in a wide array of play products, offering intriguing and globally-recognized designs for playground landscapes.  Today, Berliner Seilfabrik play products are found across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with all products precision-manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Germany.  Among the company’s customers is Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, whose Jungala climbing tunnels and towers feature a Berliner Seilfabrik custom design.  The company became a stand-alone organization when his father led a management buyout from its parent in 1995, Koehler noted.

“Movement and activity is fascinating for children because it is always exciting and fun to jump, turn,  swing or see-saw, so we make movement the core of all our play equipment,” said Lukas Steinke, chief operating officer for Berliner Seilfabrik.  “Our special rope is the main component of all of our equipment and takes on many forms – it can be the rigging of a ship, a predator´s trap, mountains, even a knight´s castle.  The flexibility of our rope engages the child, stimulating valuable play activities like climbing, sliding and swinging, and encouraging development of the child’s balance, reactions, strength and coordination.  It’s fun, it teaches, and it supports cardiovascular activity.”

“Establishing this sales and distribution center in Greenville represents the next step in our vision to fully explore North America as a market for our products,” Koehler noted.  “The strategic expansion into this new space and the opportunity we have to grow our company here is very exciting for us.”

“Berliner Seilfabrik would like to thank the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) and the county of Greenville for their support in helping us make this launch a reality,” added Steinke.  “The GADC was particularly helpful in backgrounding us on the community, reviewing facilities, assisting us with visas and introductions to the business community – all of the complexities of the start-up process were made easier, including advising us on resources available to us as we ultimately look to expand our team here.”

“Berliner Seilfabrik’s decision to establish operations here in Greenville County is great news,” added H.G. “Butch” Kirven, chairman of Greenville County Council.  “Our economic development team provided essential help that the company needed to make this possible, and further affirms the many advantages that Greenville County offers growth-minded organizations.”

“We’re pleased that the management of Berliner Seilfabrik has chosen to join the many other organizations with German and European ties here in Greenville County,” said Mike Buiter, Chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation Board. “As an international leader in their field with innovative processes, a global customer base and a successful track record, this announcement is another positive note for Greenville County’s growing business community.”

Via GADC

ScanSource Communications, a leading value-added distributor of communications solutions, and Catalyst Telecom, a value-added distributor of voice, video and data convergence solutions, have been recognized by Polycom, Inc., the global leader in telepresence, video and voice communications solutions, for their industry-leading performance. ScanSource Communications has been named Video Distributor of the Year and both ScanSource Communications and Catalyst Telecom have been named Voice Distributor of the Year. The awards were given in conjunction with the Infocomm 2009 conference and expo taking place June 17-19 in Orlando, Fla., and recognize ScanSource Communications and Catalyst Telecom, both ScanSource, Inc. sales units, for outstanding sales performance and excellence in meeting customer solution, service and support needs.

“We are very fortunate to have such a strong partnership with Polycom on both the voice and video sides and look forward to continuing to grow the relationship,” said Buck Baker, president, ScanSource Communications. “This recognition is a testament to the high-quality Polycom solutions we are offering, as well as the hard work of the ScanSource Communications and Catalyst Telecom teams and our valued reseller partners.”

“This is an exciting time for resellers in the communications and collaboration market as today’s solutions can dramatically impact the performance and competitiveness of their customers’ business across industries,” said Mark Roberts, vice president, partner marketing, Polycom. “Polycom is proud to be represented by ScanSource Communications and Catalyst Telecom, which have demonstrated continued excellence in meeting customer needs.”

via: ScanSource

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 and it’s experience with running its retail business maps directly into how to run Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). At the June Learning Lunch, Kevin Kelly of Amazon Web Services told us how Amazon is now exposing this flexible infrastructure for customers to use for creating scalable, available, durable, secure and highly reliable applications in the Cloud.

Video by: View Digital Media

FastTrac NewVenture will meet for 10 sessions in Greenville starting on July 6, 2009. Class will be held at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland Street and run from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. The normal cost for the NewVenture course is $895 however through state and corporate funding the cost is reduced to $195.00. Plus, if you pay in full at least 2 weeks in advance you can receive a $50 Early Registration discount! To register contact mdickerson@charlestonchamber.org or call 843-805-3089.

Last week, Clemson University and others announced the first class of their NextStart Entrepreneurial Intensive and we are going to have the companies with us at Tech After Five tonight.

NextStart is a highly competitive, summer immersion entrepreneur development program to attract promising entrepreneurs to the upstate Carolina region. This public – private partnership involves mentors, investors, public programming, and of course outstanding start-up companies.

Come meet, network with and see if you can help the NextStart teams tonight.

The four companies and teams are listed below:

The Classical Connection web-based service allows musicians to create profiles showcasing their talents, find performance opportunities, and compose and record music online. Classical Connection will also serve as a recruiting venue for universities, conservatories, and other musical organizations seeking talented musicians.

The founding entrepreneurs:

• Grady Ashby: BA, Music Theory, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music; MBA, Charleston Southern University
• Kristen Miller: BA, Music, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music
• Brent Baker: BS, Computer Engineering , Clemson University

Context Aware Solutions is bringing venue-specific information to the mobile devices of the venue’s patrons. The end user can use their services for navigation, social networking and e-commerce, thus allowing the venue to provide better customer service while simultaneously marketing its products and services.

The founding entrepreneurs:

• James Massett: MBA candidate, Clemson University
• Will Pressly: PhD Candidate, School of Computing, Clemson University
• Dr. James Martin: Associate Professor, Computer Science, Clemson University

The Parkinsor cost-effective comprehensive diagnostic tool assists physicians in diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s disease patients. This tool will help to streamline and standardize the data collection process for physicians, resulting in consistent disease ratings for patients that will facilitate optimal treatment regimens.

The founding entrepreneurs:

• Rahul Mitchell Jairaj: MS candidate, Electrical Engineering, Clemson University
• Sravya Durugu: MS candidate, Bioengineering, Clemson University
• George Thomas: MS candidate, Electrical Engineering, Clemson University

Student Retention Solutions is enabling universities to objectively accept students who are most likely to fit in and succeed at their institution by comparing personality traits of prospective students to those of existing students. This technology will equip universities with the tools to recruit highly qualified candidates who will remain at their institution.

The founding entrepreneurs:

• Jennifer Roberdeau: MBA candidate, Clemson University
• John-David McKee: MS candidate, Marketing, Clemson University
• Sebastian Forkmann: MS candidate, Marketing, Clemson University
• Robert Blank: MS candidate, Computer Science, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany

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For the fourth year in a row, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) has been named one of the Top 20 “public elite” high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine. The Hartsville-based school is the only Palmetto State school selected.

Published June 8 as a web exclusive, Newsweek’s list ranks America’s 1,500 best public high schools.  The news magazine’s formula is designed to recognize schools that challenge average students through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken in 2008.

The system creates the need for a separate category for top-performing schools like GSSM, where most students earn exceptionally high SAT and ACT scores and enroll in rigorous, college-level courses.

“It is extremely gratifying to be named to this prestigious list,” said Dr. Murray Brockman, GSSM president.

“Independent evaluation of the excellence of our students, faculty and staff by qualified observers at Newsweek is always welcome.  What makes us feel best, though, is that even though we are already among the best, we are actively expanding both our size and our curriculum, and expanding internationally as well.  The best is yet to come!”

GSSM, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, serves a high-achieving segment of the state’s high school juniors and seniors who are passionate about science, mathematics and technology and who are motivated to increase their knowledge in these subjects. One of only 14 public, residential high schools in the country that specialize in science and mathematics, GSSM offers an early college experience to its students and allows them to earn college credits for many of their math and science courses.

Of the school’s 56 students who graduated May 30, more than half will attend South Carolina colleges and universities in the fall. Notable out-of-state schools to be attended by GSSM graduates of 2009 include Harvard, Yale, Brown, Duke, Vanderbilt, Emory and Georgia Tech.

via Governor’s School for Science & Mathmatics

The Zune service will be down for scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, June 16, starting at 12:01a.m. PDT (2009-06-16 0701 UTC) for up to 24 hours. During the downtime, Zune Social, the forums on Zune.net, and all of Zune Marketplace will be offline.