GSA Technology Council

AssetPoint, provider of Enterprise Maintenance Management software and industry best practices consulting, announced today that it has appointed Paul Crist as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales.

Paul has more than 28 years’ experience in senior management roles with leading enterprise software and technology companies. His experience includes: VP Supply Chain Management Sales and Strategic Solutions Sales with Infor Global Solutions, VP Global Sales with Provia Software, VP Global Sales & Marketing with Optum Software and Director of Product Management and District Sales Manager with CalComp Inc.

“I am excited to be a part of such a progressive growth company with a proven product in TabWare and a dedicated staff who are very focused on the success of our customers. TabWare is the leading best of breed EAM/CMMS solution on the market today. Its ease of use, comprehensive functionality and rapid deployment provide quick payback and substantial cost containment for our clients within the manufacturing maintenance marketplace,” said Crist “TabWare is one of the fastest growing EAM/CMMS products in North America and is offered on a Software as a Service (SaaS) basis or as a locally installed option.”

“I am very enthusiastic to have an experienced leader and senior executive like Paul managing the next phase of the strategy for growth of AssetPoint,” said Mike Levine, President and CEO of AssetPoint. “Paul brings a wealth of experience and insight to our executive management team and we are excited about AssetPoint’s future.”
Mr. Crist graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS degree in Management & Marketing and attended the Lockheed Managers Institute at the Leavey School of Business and Administration at Santa Clara University.

via AssetPoint

Pharmacy diagnostic to change way physicians can prescribe certain drugs.

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Lab21 Limited have announced the completion of an exclusive global license from MUSC’s Foundation for Research Development, which allows for the detection and analysis of genetic variants of the human carboxylesterase-1 gene (CES-1). Now, patients and families who have struggled with medication issues have new hope in determining potential medication problems before they happen, thanks to this partnership and the diagnostic tool it will create.

“The Medical University of South Carolina is excited to have Lab21 as a partner moving forward,” said Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., MUSC President. “Together we have an outstanding opportunity to build tools that will improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. In addition, it is partnerships such as this one that advance our role in the growth and recovery of our state’s economy as we help develop the state’s biomedical and biotechnology industries.”
This license is a major step in Lab21’s quest in becoming a leading global provider of diagnostic services and products for personalized medicine according to company executives. Pharmacogenetics is gradually becoming integrated into mainstream medicine and this license represents Lab21’s first exclusive proprietary position in this important area.

In 2008, researcher John Markowitz, Pharm.D., then with the South Carolina College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences and MUSC’s Darby Children’s Research Institute, discovered CES-1 gene mutations directly involved in the metabolism of common medications. These natural mutations can have profound effects on the way a person’s body metabolizes drugs from almost every therapeutic class. For example, the body is unable to use the drug properly, there are unanticipated drug toxicities, or there is overall therapeutic failure to treat the targeted disease or disorder. When Markowitz and his colleagues discovered the mutation, they also discovered the means to pre-test individuals when choosing an initial course of medication. Imagine the relief a patient or parent might feel, having access to advance testing to be sure that they can metabolize this medication normally (ensuring that the drug works) and avoiding potential toxicity. By identifying these mutations before therapy, treating clinicians can avoid the unnecessary time and expense of a failed drug trial by allowing them to screen for the mutation and initiate a different type of drug at the outset of treatment. CES-1 analysis stands ready for use regarding a number of medication classes, including but not limited to those used to treat cardiovascular, cancer and mental health disease and disorders.

Graham Mullis, Lab21 CEO, said, “This license is a significant milestone for Lab21 as we expand our collaborative reach into the US, with our new operation in Greenville, and this transaction marks the first of a number of technology deals which Lab21 plans to execute in the biomarker and companion diagnostic field”.
Lab21 will offer CES-1 analysis from both of its service laboratories in Greenville, SC and Cambridge, UK and plans to develop commercial diagnostic kits through its Diagnostic Products Division. These kits will be sold to pathology laboratories throughout the world.

“We are delighted by this first step of our growing relationship with the Medical University of South Carolina. Lab21 is well suited to working with medical schools and other healthcare providers who need the expertise to develop and commercialize biomarkers for use in personalized medicine,” said Michael Bolick, Lab21 President.

via Lab21

So far, more than 7,000 Upstate residents have provided input as part of this open process. Come hear what we have learned so far, but also be ready to share your thoughts and vision for the future. Most of the Summit will be focused on having dialogue between residents, business and community leaders and elected officials from across the 10-county region about how each envisions the future of South Carolina’s Upstate.

Join us on September 28th and help shape your community’s future.

The Agenda:

September 28, 2010 · 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Carolina First Center

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Registration and Networking

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome – The Continuing Journey to Create a Shared Upstate Growth Vision

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Where Are We Now?

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
How Are Other Communities Creating and Implementing Regional Visions?

Shelley Lauten, President, myregion.org

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Table Discussions – Crafting a Regional Vision

11:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Roundtable Discussion – How Do We Move From Vision to Action?

11:45 – Noon
Wrap-up and Dismissal

The Regional Vision Summit is free and open to the public but participants must R.S.V.P. by September 20, 2010 to participate.
(Seating is limited, so secure your spot today)

To register: Ten at the Top Regional Vision Summit

via Ten at the Top

EC-Council, a leading international certification body in information security and e-business, today announced the winners for the annual EC-Council Awards for 2010. The EC-Council Awards recognizes the ongoing commitment of Accredited Training Centers and Certified EC-Council Instructors that have contributed significantly, and made a difference to the information security community by providing leading EC-Council certification programs.

This year’s winners are carefully selected from an extensive EC-Council Training Partner network that has over 450 training centers across 70 countries, and a large pool of Certified EC-Council Instructors, after meeting the stringent criteria set by the EC-Council Awards Committee. The Awards will be given out at the Hacker Halted USA 2010 conference, which will be held from Oct 13 – 15, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami, Florida.

“The annual EC-Council Awards highlights the commitment and achievements of our global partners and trainers that have contributed to the information security community. We are pleased to honor so many accomplished training providers and instructors that are committed to the betterment of world-class information security education globally. I congratulate all of the winners for their achievements and dedication to the Information Security industry in their respective region,” said Jay Bavisi, President of EC-Council.

Below is the list of EC-Council Awards Winners for 2010:

ATC of the Year

Advanced Security by Academy of Computer Education – North America
Intersoftware (Learning Solutions) – Latin America
Firebrand Training UK – Europe
MIEL e-Security Pvt. Ltd – India
Raya Academy – Africa
Hsueh-Cheng Educational Organization (PC-Center) – Asia Pacific

ATC – Circle of Excellence

Training Camp
Phoenix TS, Rockville MD
New Horizons, San Antonio TX
New Horizons, Omaha NE/TN
Netcom Information Technology
Etek Holding Corp Columbia
Facultad de Contaduría Pública y Administración (FACPYA) Nuevo Leon
IT University Puebla
Wissen Queretaro
BDO Consulting Panama
NetAcademia
Sysdream SARL
Global Knowledge Germany Training GmbH
Tshukudu Technology College B.V. (TSTC)
British Telecommounications PLC
Adept Technology Pvt Ltd
Koenig Solutions Pvt Ltd
Brace Radical Information Security Pvt Ltd (BRIP)
Netconclave Systems
Fluxonix Educational Services Pvt. Ltd
Prestariang Systems Sdn Bhd
Institute Information Industry (III)
China University of Technology
PT Activindo Systems
Japan Third Party

ATC – Newcomer of the Year

Semos Education
Itera LATAM (Nuevo León, Jalisco, Mexico, Perú)
IServices Ltd

Instructor of the Year

Sean Hanna
Joe McCray
Roberto Martinez
Adel Abdel Moneim
Ghanshyam Bhagitani

Instructor – Circle of Excellence

Klaus Allermann
Paulo Pinto
Antonio Miguel Silva
Rudy Baving
Vincente Aguilera Diaz
Massimiliano Luciani
Marcell Foti
Steven Defino
Dave Chronister
Tim Pierson
Wayne Burke
Eric Reed
Ernie Campbell
James West Goewey
Pete Cortez
Roddrigo Piovesana
Fernando Mendoza
Isaias Calderon
Niranjan Padmanabh Reddy
Anshul Anant Abhang

The awards presentation ceremony will be held on Oct 13, 2010, at the upcoming Hacker Halted USA conference in Miami, Florida. This year’s conference line up of speakers has been expanded to include versatile topic presenters such as Professor Majid Sarrazfadeh, Richard Stiennon, Barnaby Jack, Arian Evans, Jacob West and John Flowers. They and the rest of the speakers will present diverse topics which will create the foundation for how this new decade in IT security is managed: Medical Hacking, Cloud Security, Web Application Security, Malware and other important security topics. In addition to a comprehensive program agenda encompassing some of the latest topics surrounding IT security, EC-Council will be offering one-day security training for all participants of the conference on Oct 15, at no additional cost.  The objective of Hacker Halted is to raise awareness towards increased education and ethics in IT security.

via www.hackerhalted.com

GREENVILLE, S.C., August 23, 2010 – To the applause of hundreds of minority business owners, corporate executives and procurement professionals from across the Carolinas, the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council 2010 Business Opportunity Conference recognized progress and achievement by minority businesses in honoring individuals and corporations at their recent annual awards program at the Hyatt Regency Greenville, South Carolina.

Dick Wilkerson of Michelin, N.A. received the President’s Award celebrating the leadership he demonstrated in creating access to capital through the Michelin Development Fund for Disadvantaged Businesses in the Upstate.

Joe Mullen of BMW Manufacturing was honored as CMSDC Advocate of the Year for his mentorship of minority enterprises, his active pursuit of opportunity creation, building community awareness and involvement, and BMW’s volume of business currently conducted with minority business enterprises. Sharon Campbell of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions was saluted as Coordinator of the Year for her tireless efforts to leverage minority enterprise and develop a more diverse supplier base at her organization.

Cited as Regional Corporation of the Year was BI-LO of Mauldin, South Carolina. BI-LO was hailed for building of community awareness around minority issues, civic involvement, and continued growth of business conducted with minority business enterprises across their multistate geographic footprint.

Denny’s Restaurants of Spartanburg, SC was honored with the coveted National Corporation of the Year Award for continued commitment to minority business enterprises, mentorship and support of minority businesses and their leaders, civic involvement, and continued growth of business with minority organizations.

CMSDC leaders also celebrated the Public-Private Sector Organization of the Year, presenting the award to Novant Health of Winston-Salem, NC for its commitment to minority business purchasing, technical and managerial assistance to such enterprises, and volume of business opportunities dedicated to minority companies.

Finally, Supplier of the Year Awards were presented to Hoyles General Contractors of Charlotte in the Tier One (<$1 million in revenues) category; DeWhit Inc. of Simpsonville, SC in the Tier Two ($1-10 million in revenues) category; and to Aten Clinical Solutions of Cary, NC in the Tier Three (>$10 million revenues).

The 3-day event drew top executives from leading organizations across the Carolinas, including Boeing, Volvo, Denny’s, SCANA, Clemson, Enterprise Holdings, Progress Energy, Bank of America, Sonoco, Duke Energy, BMW, BI-LO, Wells Fargo, Michelin, Mack Trucks, Merck, Food Lion, Turner Construction, Skanska, GE Healthcare, Milliken, Johnson Controls, SAS, First Citizens, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dell, Coca Cola, Shaw, Staples, Lockheed Martin, Time Warner, Compass Group/Food Buy, Greenville Hospital System, Novant Health, Verizon, and GE Energy.

The program included a CEO Breakfast, a Legislative Roundtable discussion with public sector officials, a Purchasing Panel of leading purchasing executives, Diversity University training sessions and trade show, and the Awards Dinner to celebrate corporate and minority business achievements.

“We are particularly proud to honor individuals and organizations who understand that promoting and supporting the development of minority business enterprises (MBEs) not only helps the business community, but is essential to regional competitiveness,” said Ray Lattimore, CEO of Marketplace Staffing of Greenville, and one of the host organizations for the CMSDC’s Business Opportunity Conference. “We all benefit when business owners and leaders from across the Carolinas come together to increase opportunities for minority-owned enterprises, and to salute those who are demonstrating that it is not only the right thing to do but that it also makes good business sense.”

Minority suppliers are among the fastest-growing segment of today’s business landscape. This year, America’s largest corporations will spend close to $100 billion to buy goods and services from minority-owned businesses. “We are hoping that the fine example of business and civic leadership set by our prominent corporate members and certified minority businesses will motivate other corporations and entrepreneurs to join us in ensuring the success of our economy,” said Robyn Hamilton, Carolinas MSDC president.

For additional information on award winners or the CMSDC and its programs, please visit www.carolinasmsdc.org.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the SBDC present, the Export Seminar Series – China.

The seminar series will focusing on market opportunities in China and shipping your product and getting paid.

Participants will take part in an interactive market briefing with experienced representatives of the U.S. Commercial Service on current market opportunities in the People’s Republic of China, along with an overview of the benefits and challenges of exporting to China. Following the consular briefing participants will learn ways of identifying international agents, distributors and customers, and hear a current exporter discuss key elements companies must address in order to deliver their products and get paid.

via Greenville Small Business Development Center

BUSINESS START-UP WORKSHOP TO BE HELD Sept 14, 2010

Aspiring Upstate entrepreneurs have an exciting resource to help them achieve their dream of business ownership. The Clemson University Small Business Development Center is conducting an interactive workshop designed to supply the information needed before taking the plunge. “JumpStart Your Business, Tips for Start Up Success” will explore the basics of what it takes to go into business, how to set-up a business, forms of business organization, legal requirements, the elements of an effective business plan, how to obtain financing and improve the odds of success, and the most important information to make informed business decisions.

Tuesday, Sept. 14th, 2010; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
University Center, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville

via Greenville Small Business Development Center

Built on Android 2.2 with Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1, DROID 2 is faster, has improved QWERTY Keyboard

Verizon Wireless has announced that DROID 2 by Motorola will be available for pre-sale on August 11. Hitting all the right keys, DROID 2 is a feature-packed device that helps manage work and social life with an enhanced QWERTY keyboard, ultra high-speed Web browsing, 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities, full push corporate e-mail, intuitive social messaging and Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 for access to the full web – all built on Android 2.2.

“When we announced DROID X last month, we reaffirmed our commitment to continue to bring unique Android experiences to the Verizon Wireless network,” said Jeffrey Dietel, vice president – wireless device, marketing and development for Verizon Wireless. “The DROID by Motorola was our first Android device, so it is important for us to include the successor to that phone in our portfolio. DROID 2 is not only a continuation of our commitment to Android but offers customers the features and form-factor they crave on the Verizon Wireless network.”

“With the new DROID 2, we’ve taken a big leap forward from the original DROID,” said Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer of Motorola Mobile Devices and Home Business. “We listened to consumers and are providing an even more robust experience built on Android 2.2 that includes a new keyboard, increased processing power, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities to send, access and share information even quicker than before.”

DROID 2’s super-slim design helps customers e-mail, text and tweet with ease. DROID 2 offers a redesigned symmetrical keyboard with raised keys for more responsive typing to push out notes and status updates. Speech-to-text input and the virtual multi-touch keyboard allow for quick messaging; or customers can also use Swype for even easier text input. In addition, full push corporate e-mail delivers enhanced features such as remote wipe and password enforcement so that information remains secure.

DROID 2 packs power and speed. Customers can enjoy the freedom of wireless with the 3G Mobile HotSpot and the ability to connect up to five compatible Wi-Fi® devices, and watch content on the full multi-touch 3.7-inch brilliant display, or share content captured on the 5-megapixel camera with enhanced functionality and DVD-quality video capture with DLNA connectivity to share on compatible devices.

Customers can also download favorite apps from Android Market , which has more than 70,000 applications, and store them on 8 GB of preloaded on-board memory and the 8 GB microSD card, which can be upgraded to a 32 GB SD card for a total cargo capacity of 40 GB. Popular apps available on DROID 2 include NFL Mobile (downloadable), Skype mobile and BLOCKBUSTER On Demand® presented by V CAST Video. Customers can even manage their wireless accounts or their contacts from their phones with My Verizon and with Backup AssistantSM.

“It’s great to see amazing new smartphones like the DROID 2 come pre-installed with Flash Player 10.1,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Creative and Interactive Solution Business Unit at Adobe. “With the completely redesigned and hardware accelerated Flash Player 10.1, DROID 2 users will be able to experience the full Web on the go.”

Adobe Flash Player 10.1 lets mobile users experience millions of websites the way they were meant to be seen – with rich Internet applications (RIAs), content inside the browser, including games, animations, data presentations and visualizations, e-commerce, music, video, audio and more.

R2-D2 DROID 2

In honor of the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars Saga, Verizon Wireless will offer a limited-edition R2-D2 version of the DROID 2, available only online in September. The special version of the phone will feature exclusive Star Wars content and external hardware designed to look like the trusty Droid from the film saga. Visitors to the upcoming Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando, Fla., can see a preview of the limited edition phone and sign up to receive alerts when the phone is ready for sale.

Pricing and Availability

DROID 2 by Motorola will be available at www.verizonwireless.com on August 11, and it will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning August 12 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. In addition to subscribing to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan, customers will also need to subscribe to an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.

Customers can add the optional 3G Mobile HotSpot service to their DROID 2 smartphones for $20 per month. The 3G Mobile HotSpot allows customers to turn their phones into a wireless modem for up to five compatible Wi-Fi® devices. In addition, current Verizon Wireless customers who have contracts ending by December 31, 2010, can upgrade to any smartphone, including DROID 2, without penalty.

via: Verizon Wireless

Minority business owners, corporate executives and procurement professionals from across the Carolinas will convene at The Hyatt Regency Greenville (S.C.) for the 2010 Business Opportunity Conference (BOC), on August 9-11, 2010 to celebrate progress, recognize achievements and build opportunities for supplier diversity advancement in the Carolinas, organizers announced today.

The BOC will open August 9 with a golf tournament at Verdae Greens Golf Course, followed by a BMW Ride-Along and opening reception at the BMW Zentrum. On Tuesday August 10th, there will be an exclusive CEO Breakfast that is expected to draw executives from leading organizations across the Carolinas, including Boeing, Volvo, Denny’s, SCANA, Clemson, Enterprise Holdings, Progress Energy, Bank of America, Sonoco, Duke Energy, BMW, BI-LO, Wells Fargo, Michelin, Mack Trucks, Merck, Food Lion, Turner Construction, Skanska, GE Healthcare, Milliken, Johnson Controls, SAS, First Citizens, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dell, Coca Cola, Shaw, Staples, Lockheed Martin, Time Warner, Compass Group/Food Buy, Greenville Hospital System, Novant Health, Verizon, and GE Energy.

The CEO Breakfast will be followed by a Legislative Roundtable discussion with public sector officials from both Carolinas, a Purchasing Panel of leading purchasing executives from across the Carolinas, and a Diversity University luncheon and training sessions that address the needs of purchasing professionals and minority business owners. An Awards Dinner to celebrate corporate and minority business achievements will cap the evening.

On August 11th, a day-long tradeshow facilitating corporations meeting one-on-one with the minority suppliers will cap the conference, which is expected to attract nearly 1,000 attendees over its 3-day span.

“The key to advancement will be leaders who understand that promoting and supporting the development of minority business enterprises (MBEs) not only helps the business community, but is essential to regional competitiveness,” said Ray Lattimore, CEO of Marketplace Staffing of Greenville, and one of the host organizations for the Business Opportunity Conference. “We all benefit when business owners and leaders from across the Carolinas come together to discuss how to continue increasing opportunities for minority-owned enterprises.”

Minority suppliers are among the fastest-growing segment of today’s business landscape. This year, America’s largest corporations will spend close to $100 billion to buy goods and services from minority-owned businesses. “We are hoping that the fine example of business and civic leadership set by our prominent corporate members and certified minority businesses will motivate other corporations and entrepreneurs to join us in ensuring the success of our economy,” said Robyn Hamilton, Carolinas MSDC president.

The cost to register for the Business Opportunity Conference ranges from full conference registration at $350 – $500 per person, while individual event registrations are $150. Registration for the BOC will be on-site at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Via Carolinas MSDC

SCRA’s Corporate Headquarters recently moved to the SCRA USC Innovation Center located at 1000 Catawba Street in Columbia,
South Carolina.

The location, with easy access to the Columbia Statehouse, airport
and University of South Carolina, is an ideal location for our business.

The newly-renovated 66,000 square foot facility will house SCRA’s Corporate Offices as well as its SC Launch affiliate and early-stage knowledge-based companies entering light manufacturing stages.

Via SCRA