Cloud computing platform

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman Information Technology, Inc. and EyeIT, Inc. for the SIMtone cloud computing platform. SIMtone’s Universal Computing platform is a stateless and massively scalable intelligent network computing solution that allows users to securely access data and applications residing in any cloud from a broad array of endpoint devices. Through its patented technology, by placing intelligence in the network, SIMtone allows firewalls to be closed to inbound traffic so that data and applications remain secure in corporate data centers yet are globally accessible via any device on any broadband connection.

The Defense Information Systems Agency is a combat support agency responsible for planning, engineering, acquiring, fielding, and supporting global net-centric solutions to serve the needs of the President, Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, and other DoD Components, under all conditions of peace and war. http://www.disa.mil.

Boosts for confidence, causes for optimism

The US Conference Board said that its consumer sentiment index had climbed to 39.2 during April, from an upwardly revised 26.9 in March. The April reading, which was above economists' expectations of 29.8, was the highest since November 2008.

The Case-Shiller index showed that US house prices were down by 18.6 per cent in February, from a year earlier. The figure was an improvement on the 19 per cent decline recorded for the 12 months to January.

US Federal Reserve: The central bank reinforced markets' hopes that the worst may soon be over for the economy, and renewed its pledge to keep official interest rates on hold at close to zero “for an extended period”.

New for U.S. consumers

Now available in the U.S., GrowVeg.com is a web-based garden planning tool which helps gardeners grow fruit and vegetables to the best of their ability, whatever the size or shape of their garden or plot. It is easy to draw out a garden plan and decide how best to plant it. The planning tool clearly shows how much space plants require and how to group them for maximum success, removing the need to look up planting distances and crop families. Growing advice is just one click away as you select the plants that you wish to include, enabling you to solve problems and maximise your harvest from the space you have. An annual subscription costs just $25, but a free 30 day trial is available at http://www.growveg.com.

Another consumer product newly available in the U.S. is Spysure. This PC product helps protect children from paedophiles and blocks adult content. It monitors and views activities and tells you what is happening online. http://www.spysure.com

It is estimated that in July 2009 the number of consumers in the U.S. will exceed 307 million (compared to 61 million in the UK). It is also calculated that 24 percent of the world's PCs in use are in the U.S.

Tesla Motors’ Model S

Roundarch, a digital agency focused on designing and building enterprise class Web sites, Web applications and next-generation “screen-based” experiences, has announced its involvement in the launch of Tesla Motors’ Model S – an all-electric, zero-emission prototype that Tesla plans to produce starting in late 2011. Roundarch technology, named Merapi, connects the Model S prototype’s sophisticated on-board computer system with peripheral hardware. The result is a car that delivers intuitive, responsive touch-screen controls through a 17-inch display. Thanks to Merapi, the Tesla Model S show car offers users the ability to interact with vehicle hardware systems by engaging with the car’s cockpit control center, including a touch screen consisting of HD radio integration, quick GPS navigation, streaming audio and other Internet and cloud-based data and information.

Ethernet-based casino floor

Bally Technologies, Inc., a leader in slots, video machines, and casino-management systems for the global gaming industry, has won a contract to provide a comprehensive slot accounting, player tracking, and marketing system solution for the opening of The Lodge at Deadwood in Deadwood, S.D. Bally was selected to provide a complete solution for the new casino’s high-speed Ethernet-based casino floor. Bally’s solution includes the new SDS Windows Version 11.0 slot accounting system; the CMP player-tracking system; iVIEW displays; a full suite of marketing, promotions, and customer-relationship solutions including Bally Power Bonusing and Bally Live Rewards Tournaments; and Bally’s award-winning Business Intelligence Solutions. (Ryan Wordeman, President of Deadwood Resorts LLC.)

Volvo sponsors mobile ad network

Edmunds.com, the online resource for automotive information, has selected Quattro Wireless, a mobile ad network, for an exclusive mobile advertising and publishing partnership as they steer their business into mobile channels. Quattro, in partnership with Media Contacts and Mobext, has secured Volvo as a site sponsorship for the re-design launch. Volvo became the first sponsor for Edmunds.com’s site re-launch and will have exclusivity over Edmunds.com’s “Vehicle Spotlight” for the duration of the campaign for the launch of its 2010 XC60 Crossover vehicle. Quattro is developing an expandable mobile microsite and ad unit for Volvo to support their sponsorship site placements and create an interactive experience for the consumer. Quattro worked with Mobext and Media Contacts, Volvo’s digital media agency, for the sponsorship deal.

Anesthesia solution

DocuSys, Inc., an anesthesia information management system (AIMS), medication management, and presurgical care management system provider, teamed up with Computer Programs and Systems, Inc., a provider of healthcare information solutions, to install DocuSys’ anesthesia solution at Muskogee Community Hospital (MCH). MCH, a physician owned facility with 45 licensed patient rooms, recently completed construction on their green hospital and opened their doors to the public. MCH is the first health care facility in the nation to get an energy star award from the EPA and Department of Energy. (Anesthesia Director at Muskogee Community Hospital, Ronald S. Stevens D.O.)

Anticipate IT investment

According to the latest CDW IT Monitor, an increasing number of IT decision makers from small and medium-size business sectors anticipate investment in the next six months. The latest survey suggests, 29 percent of small business IT decision makers expect budget increases in the next six months, an increase of seven percentage points from February. Additionally, 18 percent of medium-size business IT decision makers anticipate hiring in the next six months, an increase of six percentage points since February. For the first time in eight months, this reading remained flat with the previous IT Monitor, indicating that sentiment may have stabilized. The CDW IT Monitor is based on an online survey of at least 1,000 IT decision makers from businesses of all sizes and all sectors of government. www.cdwitmonitor.com.

Meanwhile... more than 25 percent of companies are increasing their investments in information technology (IT) this year, according to the Value of IT Investments survey of more than 500 IT professionals in the US. Conducted by ISACA, a nonprofit association serving 86,000 IT governance, audit and security professionals in 160 countries, the survey also found that only 16 percent of companies are making across-the-board cuts in IT spending and 14 percent are freezing at current levels.

IT for oil, gas and renewable energy industry

Quorum Business Solutions, Inc., a provider of business and information technology solutions for the oil, gas and renewable energy industry, has entered into an agreement with Luminant to license Quorum PGAS. Luminant will leverage PGAS as a validation tool for the gas delivered to their gas fired power plants. Luminant, a subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings (EFH), formerly TXU Corp., is a competitive power generation business, including mining, wholesale marketing and trading, construction and development operations.

EHR implementation, training and support

Medsphere Systems Corporation, a provider of open source healthcare IT solutions, has won a contract with Connecticut’s Silver Hill Hospital for implementation, training and support of the company’s OpenVista electronic health record (EHR) solution. (Sigurd Ackerman, M.D., president and medical director at Silver Hill Hospital.)

Security services in Texas

SGI Protective Services has completed its service assignment for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). SGI Protective Services entered into an interim service agreement in July 2008 to provide security staffing services on a special assignment. Safeguard’s SYSTEMSgroup division has provided security technology services to TxDOT for the past three years, including access control, closed circuit TV, identification technologies and security systems. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is made up of 21 divisions and 6 offices that support 25 geographical districts around the state of Texas. TxDOT is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 15,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets.

One-to-Watch: There are some IT people you just have to trust. Lanxoma, security software developed by Unity Solutions, restricts access to the root level of computer operating systems, grants limited time access permission to authorized users and records all activity while the authorized user is logged-on - so being a deterrent to the "insider threat." http://lanxoma.com

Licenses and ID cards - $39.8 million

The Michigan Department of State has awarded a $39.8 million contract to L-1 Identity Solutions to centrally produce secure digital driver’s licenses and ID cards. All cards manufactured by the L-1 system will meet federal credentialing security standards. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) issued under the new contract will satisfy federal border crossing requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). “We will be pleased to offer Michigan residents new licenses and IDs that further protect the identity of Michigan citizens,” - Terri Lynn Land, Michigan Secretary of State.

Pier 1 Imports email marketing

Pier 1 Imports has chosen ExactTarget to power its global one-to-one marketing campaigns. The choice by Pier 1 Imports, North America`s largest specialty retailer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts, continues a relationship between the two companies and brings with it new tools to build better communications for its customers. Pier 1 Imports, Inc. is the original global importer and is North America’s largest specialty retailer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts. Information about the Company is available on www.pier1.com. (Jeff Haddox, a direct marketing analyst at Pier 1 Imports.)

Fire district spends <$1.15 million

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) of Aloha, Oregon, the state’s largest fire district has signed a three-year Application Service Provider (ASP) agreement with Tyler Technologies. TVF&R serves almost half a million people in nine cities and three counties, covering 210 square miles of land. The District has 23 fire stations and 400 emergency response personnel and 100 fire prevention, training, and support staff. Tyler’s MUNIS financial management solution will provide TVF&R with an integrated software system that will enhance business operations within its Finance, Payroll, Human Resources and entire Logistics Division (Supply, Fleet, Facilities, IT, and Communications). The three-year contract is valued at almost $1.15 million. (TVF&R Chief Financial Officer Debra Guzman.)

Infrastructure mesh network at marina

New York’s family-owned Treadwell Bay Marina and Resort recently became a fully wireless-enabled enterprise. Using a Firetide infrastructure mesh network, deployed by Wells Communications, the family operation now owns a cost-effective and easy-to-use, yet industrial-grade, wireless infrastructure for more efficient business operations, public Wi-Fi and video surveillance over a single network. With more than 400 boat slips and the ability to dock boats measuring up to a 55 feet in length, the marina covers approximately 100 total acres. (Gary Titherington, owner of Treadwell Bay Marina.)

Software support services - $9.3 million

ICF Information Technology, LLC, has been awarded a recompete contract by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to provide software support services to the agency’s Information Technology Customer Service Organization (ITCSO) and the eTools program. The three-year agreement, which includes one base and two option years, started in April 2009 and is valued at $9.3 million.

Integrated managed services solution - $1.4 million

Watts Regulator has awarded INX with a $1.4 million contract to provide an integrated managed services solution for its Data Center and IT Service departments. Faced with a need to cut costs throughout the company during the recent economic downturn, Watts Regulator decided to downsize its IT headcount. Reduction of headcount hindered the ability of Watt’s IT department to balance their demand for service to the end user community while continuing to manage their existing IT infrastructure. The managed service solution addresses these needs by allowing Watts to outsource the management of their data center operations, Cisco Unified Communications solution, and security tools. (Ty Muscat, Watts Regulator Director of Datacenter.)

Secure information exchange solutions - $2.7 million

GlobalSCAPE, Inc., a developer of secure information exchange solutions, has received a multi-million dollar order from the U.S. Army for Secure FTP Server and CuteFTP. The $2.7 million order includes new product licenses as well as 36 months of associated maintenance and support services.

Learning Management Suite

Lone Star College System (LSCS) in Texas, one of the largest community college systems in the country, is adopting the ANGEL Learning Management Suite (LMS). LSCS will implement the ANGEL LMS through LSCS’ online learning division, Lone Star College-Online, for support of web-enhanced courses and hybrid instruction and to power online learning. (William Durham, associate vice chancellor for Lone Star College-Online.)

English as a Second Language

The Orleans Parish School Board has introduced Rosetta Stone Classroom into the English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum of the New Orleans Public Schools. Rosetta Stone Classroom Version 3 is available online in both Spanish and English to all of the ESL students and teachers in order to complement teaching expertise and provide students with a unique and complete immersive language experience. (Charlotte Steber, curriculum consultant- Limited English Proficiency, Orleans Parish School Board.)