GSA Technology Council

Customer Effective, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and implementer of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, recently announced that it has earned the 2008 Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle distinction. With this recognition, Customer Effective is regarded as a member company of the upper echelon of Microsoft Dynamic’s value added resellers and independent software vendors. Customer Effective’s Inner Circle recognition was announced during the 2008 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, held in Houston.

Member companies of the Inner Circle consist of the top 1 percent of all Microsoft Dynamics Partners worldwide, based on sales and new customer adds. In recognition of their exceptional sales and new customer addition efforts, Microsoft Business Solutions Inner Circle members are rewarded with an opportunity to attend executive retreats, increased interaction with Microsoft Business Solutions executives, and industry recognition for their hard work and dedication to the Microsoft Business Solutions mission. Inclusion in Microsoft’s Inner Circle also automatically confirms Customer Effective’s membership status in the Microsoft President’s Club. President’s Club recognizes the top 5 percent of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide based on their exceptional and consistent performance for fiscal year 2008.

“Being named to the Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle demonstrates our CRM expertise and our leadership as a Microsoft Partner,” said Scott Millwood, CEO of Customer Effective. “Since 2002, Customer Effective has successfully developed and implemented solutions on the Microsoft CRM Platform for organizations across a number of industries. Being part of the group of ‘the best of the best’ Microsoft partners is one of our greatest accomplishments to date.”

As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Customer Effective is a company of Consultants and Solution Implementers serving mid-market and enterprise organizations worldwide. The company delivers business process automation, collaboration solutions and has engaged in hundreds of Microsoft CRM implementation projects since the product’s release in 2002. Through its project experience, Customer Effective has developed an extensive portfolio of product enhancements to help users get more out of their Microsoft CRM implementation. These customizations streamline and extend the capability of Microsoft CRM to make it easier for users to be more effective in their work.

via Customer Effective

The City of Greenville announced today that it is one of the first cities to join Google’s Cities in 3D Program. The program enables local governments to share 3D data with Internet users by adding models of their cities to Google Earth™. To participate, the City of Greenville provided geospatial data such as high-resolution aerial imagery (orthophotography), terrain data and 3D building data, which was then included in the “3D Buildings” layer in Google Earth.

“We are pleased to see Greenville has decided to contribute 3D data as part of the Cities in 3D Partner Program,” said J.L. Needham, Manager of Public Sector Content Partnership at Google. “The Cities in 3D Program represents a continuation of our efforts to engage with content providers, including government agencies, and provide them with tools for making the information they produce more accessible to Internet users.”

The City of Greenville’s 3D model, which covers approximately 2.3 square miles of the downtown area, was originally developed to support the City’s Downtown Master Plan and is currently being used as part of the review process for downtown projects. By allowing developers to create a model of their proposed construction and view it in the context of existing downtown buildings, the City and the general public are able to gain a better understanding of how the new building may fit into the surrounding area.

According to Mark DePenning, the City’s GIS Administrator, the release of the 3D model to the public complements a variety of web-based images of Greenville that are already available to the public on the Internet, including updated satellite, bird’s eye and even street-level views, and offers countless long-term benefits. “The model is a tool that can be used to support economic development, promote tourism and even enhance public safety,” said DePenning. “Being able to provide millions of Google users with access to our model through the Cities in 3D Program is like icing on the cake, and partnering with Google further promotes our positive image as an innovative city.”

The City’s 3D model is constantly undergoing additions and improvements, and updates will be provided through Google as they become available. The City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division is continuing to explore further innovations such as providing textured 3D models with realistic photos of building facades and providing new aerial images of downtown Greenville.

via: City of Greenville

The Worthwhile Company, Inc. of Greenville, SC hired Dave Ruse as a full-time Designer. Dave initially joined the team as a student intern and was directly involved in the company’s Web site redesign. He now joins the full-time team as the company’s first in-house Graphic Designer.

Dave brings his creative abilities to the Worthwhile table by applying his B.S. in Graphic Design to both print and Web materials for the company and its clients. Dave loves clean design that strongly communicates its intended message. He seeks to provide clients with creative Web sites while still holding true to a strong foundation of functionality.

“Dave adds significant value to our team,” says Dan Rundle, Worthwhile’s Chief Operating Officer. “Having an in-house graphic designer will help grow our company and allow us to better serve our customers.”

Visit Worthwhile.com to see some of Dave’s work in their new site design. He has also provided some helpful Design insight through the company’s Blog and recent Wire article.

via Worthwhile

Clockwork CFO & Controller Services has announced the opening of Clockwork Corporate Center, Greenville’s first all-inclusive office center, and has named Darlene Norton as Office Manager.
 
Clockwork Corporate Center provides Greenville with its first entry in the all-inclusive office suite arena.  Located on Pointe Circle overlooking Interstate 385 and moments from Haywood Road and downtown, every lease at Clockwork Corporate Center includes flexible office space in a variety of sizes and configurations, receptionist services, telecommunications and internet access, high-quality furnishings, unlimited conference room use, and more – all at no additional cost. 
 
“We wanted to provide clients with a prestigious office address and full amenities for a fraction of the cost of renting, equipping and staffing an office,” said Clockwork Corporate Center principal Brian Clark, one of the partners in the venture.  “As opposed to traditional office center concepts which provide you square footage and then add on fees for all your amenities and services, we saw a need for a concierge concept where just about everything is included.  And judging by early interest in the Clockwork Corporate Center, there is real pent-up demand for this concept.”
 
Other Clockwork Corporate Center amenities include free parking, beverage service, shredding, all utilities and janitorial services, printing and copying services, flexible lease terms, and preferred rates on Clockwork CFO, controller and accounting services for Corporate Center clients.  The building features attractive stone and wood trim and is built to Energy Star and USGBC LEED standards.
 
Managing operations at Clockwork Corporate Center will be Darlene Norton, an Upstate native and resident of Piedmont with over 20 years of experience in office management, operations and accounting.
 
Ms. Norton joins Clockwork Corporate Center and the related Clockwork CFO & Controller Services operation from Hurley & Harrison, where she served most recently as Executive Assistant and Office Administrator for the textile equipment concern.  She is a graduate of Rutledge Business College with certification in Office Administration.

via Clockwork CFO & Controller Services

KEMET Corporation announced today that Mr. William Lowe, Jr., will be joining KEMET on Monday, July 14, 2008, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Lowe will be replacing David Gable, who announced his intention to resign earlier this year. Mr. Gable will be assisting in the transition through the end of the month.

Mr. Lowe holds a BS degree in business administration, accounting, from Tri-State University and has over 30 years of professional experience in financial management. His most recent position was that of Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and CFO for UNIFI, INC, a producer and processor of textured synthetic yarns, headquartered in Greensboro, NC. Prior to holding that position, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Metaldyne Corporation, an automotive components and systems manufacturer, headquartered in Plymouth, MI.

“In addition to having a wealth of financial management experience and being a seasoned executive, Bill brings proven skills in integrating financial systems for businesses acquired through mergers and acquisitions,” stated Per Loof, KEMET’s Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, he comes to us from the manufacturing sector. These skills and experiences are going to be extremely valuable to our organization as we continue our work on completing the turnaround of KEMET.”

via KEMET

Stratatomic, a Greenville-based web design and advertising firm, today announced the signing of its newest client, ComputerPlus Sales & Service, a provider of computer support and service. ComputerPlus will retain Stratatomic’s services to improve its corporate image, increase website traffic and build new client relationships. Stratatomic will provide ComputerPlus with a new logo, corporate identity, website, brochure and print collateral, as well as trade show display graphics.

via Stratatomic

The InnoVision Technology Awards is now accepting entries. For ten years, the InnoVision Technology Awards Program has celebrated innovation and technological excellence in South Carolina.

InnoVision provides high visibility and exposure for your organization amid the Upstate business community. Each finalist will be featured in a 30-second video at the InnoVision Technology Awards Dinner on November 19, 2008. Each finalist will also be featured at a Finalist Reception to be held in September and will have the opportunity to host an InnoVision Technology Forum in 2009.

To submit a nomination, sign up as a sponsor or receive more information about the Awards Dinner or Technology Forum Series, visit www.innovisionaward.org or send an e-mail to info@InnoVisionAward.org.

Deadline for award entries: July 16, 2008
Awards Dinner: November 19, 2008

Winners in each award category will be announced and featured at the Awards Dinner.

Download application here: www.innovisionaward.org

Greer-based business Industrial Cleaning Equipment announces the launch of their new website, www.icegreer.com.

Owned and operated by Wayne Holland, Industrial Cleaning Equipment handles sales, service, and support for several leading manufacturers of industrial cleaning equipment, including Landa, Whitco, Farley, Pressure Pro, and Watermaze.

The new website, created by Greenville software solutions firm Practical Business Systems, allows customers to easily search and view the company’s selection of heavy-duty, commercial and industrial pressure cleaners, pressure washers, waste oil heaters, separators, and evaporators.

via Industrial Cleaning Equipment

Jaco Electronics, Inc, a global distributor and integrator of electronic components and customized flat panel display solutions (FPD), and provider of logistics services, today announced that it has expanded its offering to include those products available to KEMET Corp. through their acquisitions of Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. and Evox Rifa Group Oyj.

Arcotronics is a worldwide leading producer of passive components, electric units, and hi-tech machineries, including SMD film capacitors, EMC-RFI filters, aluminum electrolytic capacitors, ceramic capacitors, wet tantalum capacitors, power electronics, power factor correction, motor applications components and lighting applications components. Evox Rifa manufactures passive electronic components, specializing in plastic film, paper and electrolytic capacitors to the industrial, automotive, consumer electronics and the lighting industries.

“We are delighted to further expand our strong relationship with Jaco Electronics,” stated KEMET CEO Per-Olof Loof. “Jaco is an established leader in the electronic components distribution sector with nearly half a century of industry expertise and we very much value their shared and ongoing commitment to excellence and focus on customer service.”

Jaco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joel Girsky, stated, “KEMET’s acquisitions of Arcotronics and Evox Rifa allow us to better serve Jaco’s new and existing customers by providing them with products from two of the leaders in passive components. We are very pleased to expand upon our very successful partnership with KEMET and look forward to continuing to grow together.”

via KEMET

According to the American Diabetes Association approximately 20.8 million individuals (7% of the population) in the United States have diabetes, of which nearly 6.2 million are unaware that they have the disease.  Now Greenville S.C. based software and application developer Gnoso hopes to help people manage their diabetes with the launch of their Log for Life online application.

 Log for Life will allow individuals with diabetes to log important information regarding their disease; such as blood glucose levels, carb intakes, medications taken and time spent exercising.  Users will be able to log their information directly through the web, by email or text messeges, or over an iPhone using a custom web interface. 

 The idea for developing Log for Life came about while Gnoso Developer Ethan Mullis, who has been a Type 1 Diabetes for 11 years, was looking for a solution for logging his diabetes information.  Unsatisfied with the interfaces and features of several existing products the company decided to try and create an application that would provide greater integration and more seamless data entry.

 Though Log for Life is currently in private testing phase (it aims for public launch later this summer) it has already received positive praise. The software recently received top honors in the 2nd Annual DiabetesMine Design Challenge.  DiabetesMine is a weblog that focuses on the daily struggles of living with diabetes and its annual Design Challenge competition encourages innovation in the development of tools to help improve life with the disease. 

 ”We’re excited to have won the DiabetesMine Design Challenge, and have also enjoyed the interest that our product has received because of that honor,” said Alan Johnson, Log for Life’s lead software engineer. “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback on the software, including many people asking for us to release the software as soon as possible.”

 To find out more visit http://www.logforlife.com/ where you can view the Log for Life DiabetesMine Design challenge video contest entry.

Here is a video of developer Ethan explaining how log for life works.

Log for Life Contest Entry from Log for Life on Vimeo.