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OnForce announces partnership with SBCA

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As consumers gear up for digital TV transition, OnForce sees increased demand for onsite satellite installation and technology service skills

BOSTON and WASHINGTON, D.C. –March 24, 2009 . OnForce, the trusted online marketplace and nationwide network of thousands of technology service professionals, today announced a strategic partnership with the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) of America, the leading trade organization representing all segments of the satellite technology industry. As part of the alliance, OnForce's network of more than 12,000 information technology (IT) and consumer electronics (CE) service technicians (OnForce Pros) will be invited to complete the SBCA.s industry-leading certification program, thus promoting the highest standard for the installation of satellite products and services. OnForce Pros will also be encouraged to join the SBCA and take advantage of their numerous member benefit programs including educational discounts, monthly newsletters, legislative updates, and group insurance programs.

SBCA member companies will be encouraged to join the OnForce professional network and take advantage of their wide array of service work opportunities. Additionally, consumers and organizations will have an easier time accessing their trusted OnForce professionals for satellite technology-focused contracts.

We are pleased to be partnering with the SBCA, the standard of excellence in satellite technology to continue to provide our valued solution providers with the highest skilled service professionals in the industry, especially when it comes to satellite technology,. said Peter Cannone, CEO of OnForce. .With the digital TV transition and lower prices for flat-panel TVs, we are witnessing significant demand for onsite installation services in the satellite technology sector and OnForce, as always, is poised to help meet reception and high-definition programming needs.

The SBCA prides itself on providing excellence in the delivery of satellite technology and our National Standards and Testing Program Certification, backed by DIRECTV and DISH Network, provides an industry-endorsed benchmark of knowledge for the installation of satellite products and services,. said Steve Hill, Deputy Executive Director, SBCA. .The SBCA certification means that the service professional have undergone stringent performance tests and we know that given OnForce's reputation for quality, this partnership is a natural fit."

OnForce is committed to providing its service professionals and buyers with leading IT skills and expertise. OnForce service professionals are certified in more than 140 different programs, including CompTIA A+ and CEDIA Certified Professional Installer.

SBCA certification will be available on OnForce.s website on March 29.

About OnForce
OnForce is service made simple. Our marketplace provides access to national network of over 12,000 local service providers connecting service demand with local supply through a powerful online marketplace . easily, efficiently and profitably. Our marketplace has sophisticated tools that enable service provider to find, match, deploy, and pay the right technician for the right job, on demand. OnForce marketplace also offers a new model for managing all your service events while containing costs or growing your offerings. Nearing one million completed service orders, OnForce is a proven leader in helping service buyers increase profits, gain a competitive advantage and contain service costs. The OnForce network is made up 5,000+ IT and CE service buyers and more than 12,000 service technicians who work in a number of technology categories, including computers, printers, networking, VoIP, point of sale and consumer electronics. For more information, visit www.onforce.com .

About the SBCA
About the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry. It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, music, voice, interactive, and broadband services. Additional information can be found at www.sbca.com .

 

 

motivelab

 

Lack of End User Training is a Large and Growing Threat to IT Security, CompTIA Study Finds

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Washington, D.C., March 10, 2009 While information security remains a top priority for eight in ten IT professionals surveyed, many companies seem to be underestimating one of the most significant IT security threats – end user error. According to CompTIA's 7th Annual Trends in Information Security survey, human error is the primary cause of the most severe security breaches, yet significantly fewer organizations (45%) provided security training for their non-IT staff in 2008 compared to 53% in 2007.  The results of study will be released and presented at the FOSE tradeshow in Washington D.C.

"Fueled in part by the rapid adoption of portable hardware like laptops, flash drives and smart phones, and by distributed information technologies like crowd sourcing, social networks, virtualization and cloud storage, end users are exposed to new IT security threats every day," said Tim Herbert, vice president of research at CompTIA. "Security threats grow along with the expanding reach of IT so non-IT employees need to be continually trained on the latest IT security threats."

Terry Erdle, senior vice president of skills certification for CompTIA will present the detailed results of the study including the top five security issues across the IT landscape, how costly security breaches can be to a whole organization not just IT, and insights on how to lower your risk on Tuesday, March 10 at 2:20 p.m. in Theater 1 of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. as part of FOSE, a major federal IT tradeshow.

"Unintentional security breaches by non-IT staff cost companies thousands of dollars in lost productivity and business downtime," said Erdle. "This demonstrates a need for more employee trainings and deeper knowledge of technology functions."  

In addition to comprehensive industry research, CompTIA offers many other programs related to IT security including a new Security Trustmark accreditation that establishes security best practices for IT solution providers.

CompTIA's 7th Annual Trends in Information Security: an Analysis of IT Security and the Workforce was fielded to a sample of 553 US IT professional via the Internet during January 2009. The international portion of the study was fielded to a sample IT professionals in key markets around the world. The complete study is available free to CompTIA member companies at www.comptia.org/research .

For more information on the study, on CompTIA's certifications, or CompTIA's other work on behalf of the global IT industry, visit CompTIA booth 2209A on the FOSE show floor or navigate to CompTIA.org.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org .

Splashtop Extends Its Reach in the PC Market with a New 3G Netbook from LG

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The Splashtop instant-on platform with new support for 3.5G broadband wireless connectivity launches on the LG-X120 netbook

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) February 23, 2009 — DeviceVM, the maker of the award-winning Splashtop™ instant-on platform, announced that Splashtop will ship on the LG-X120 netbook, a new 3.5G HSPA connected PC.    

With Splashtop, users of the LG-X120 can surf the Web, check email, and chat online seconds after turning on their netbooks, all without starting a traditional operating system. Splashtop is branded as LG "Smart-On" on the X120. The netbook is based on the Intel® Atom™ processor.

The LG-X120 netbook features a 3.5G High Speed Packet Access ("HSPA") connection. The combination of the broadband internet over a wireless wide area network ("WWAN") with the Splashtop "Smart-On" software means that users of the X120 can enjoy immediate access to rich Web content, including online video, maps, and email, regardless of where they are. Splashtop also supports WiFi and wired LAN connections.

"Netbook users crave instant and ubiquitous access to Internet content," says Mark Lee, co-founder and CEO of DeviceVM. "We are excited about working with LG and carriers around the world to bring Splashtop and wireless broadband connectivity to netbooks."

Splashtop ships on millions of motherboards, notebooks, desktops, nettops and netbooks from some of the world's largest computer manufacturers including HP, ASUS, Lenovo and now LG.

About DeviceVM
DeviceVM, Inc. is a privately held software company, selected by Dow Jones as one of the top 50 companies to watch. With its 'instant-on' Splashtop product, DeviceVM is improving the every-day experience of computer users. Founded in 2006, DeviceVM is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Taiwan and China.

About Splashtop
Splashtop is an award-winning 'instant-on' platform that improves the personal computing experience. Splashtop enables users to read e-mail, chat with friends, share photos, or surf the Web seconds after turning on their PC. Numerous Splashtop-enabled motherboards, desktops, and notebooks are available from the world's major computer manufacturers.

Useful Links:
More about Splashtop: http://www.splashtop.com/
LG release: http://www.lge.com/about/press_release/detail/21099_1.jhtml
Splashtop blog: http://www.splashtop.com/blog/
Splashtop-enabled products: http://splashtop.com/get_splashtop

CompTIA Educational Foundation Receives Grant to Help Train Disabled Veterans

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MLB and McCormicks Welcome Back Veterans Program Extends to IT Career Support

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., February 17, 2009, The CompTIA Educational Foundation received a $210,000 grant from Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation to expand its Creating Futures' outreach to disabled veterans.

 

The Foundation's Creating Futures program provides free training and certification opportunities to populations who have historically been under-represented in the information technology (IT) workforce, including U.S. veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, minorities, at-risk youth and dislocated workers. Creating Futures works directly with employers to identify their hiring needs, then tailors its training to help individuals obtain the skills employers require.

 

The grant is part of Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation's Welcome Back Veterans program, a national public awareness and fundraising initiative that addresses the mental health and employment needs of America's returning war veterans and their families.  Created by New York Mets Chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon and private citizens, Welcome Back Veterans is supported by Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Advanced Media and the McCormick Foundation.

 

"With this generous grant, Creating Futures can help more disabled veterans become employed in the IT industry," said John Venator, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA Educational Foundation. "Our Armed Forces help prepare these brave men and women to handle any situation. Now with IT training and certification provided by Creating Futures, veterans can become incredibly valuable employees for the government and private technology sectors."

 

Veterans can apply for training online at www.comptiaeduationalfoundation.org. All candidate applications are screened before selected for the program. Training, mentoring, courseware, practice exams, and certification vouchers are provided at no cost. Program participants train toward CompTIA certifications which are known throughout the IT industry as reliable predictors of employee success and are therefore the best way to break into the IT field and build a solid career.

Creating Futures participants communicate directly with Foundation staff to determine which of the four IT certification training courses, CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, and Security+, are right for them.  Participants have the option to take one or all four of the training courses. 

Communication with Foundation staff is on-going to ensure that individuals complete the training within the required 90 days.  After the 90 days, practice exams are provided, and individuals take their certification exams within two to three weeks.

 

"Programs like Creating Futures give our veterans a way to open the door to a long-term career in a vibrant industry," said Brig. Gen. (Ret.) David L. Grange, president and chief executive officer of the McCormick Foundation. "Welcome Back Veterans is driven by the profound need to provide returning veterans the quality medical treatment and long-term employment assistance they deserve to restart their lives and care for their families."

The McCormick Foundation continues to accept and encourages donations to Welcome Back Veterans. Major League Baseball and the McCormick Foundation are paying all expenses associated with this initiative, so 100 percent of the funds raised, plus the matching dollars, will go to programs and services for veterans. Contributions are accepted online at www.WelcomeBackVeterans.org.

 

About the CompTIA Educational Foundation The CompTIA Educational Foundation provides career opportunities for populations who historically have been under-represented in the IT workforce. With the support of individuals, industry leaders, companies and the government, the Foundation creates programs aimed at helping veterans transitioning out of the military, at-risk youth, women, minorities, dislocated workers, and individuals with disabilities to obtain the technical and business skills employers require. Since its creation in 1998, the Foundation has helped more than 1,000 individuals enter the IT workforce, helping the industry alleviate its shortage of skilled workers. For more information or to make a donation to the CompTIA Educational Foundation, visit http://www.creatingfutures.us/.

 

About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org.

 

About the McCormick Foundation The McCormick Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our free, democratic society by investing in children, communities and country. Through its five grantmaking programs, Cantigny Park and Golf, and three world-class museums, the Foundation helps build a more active and engaged citizenry. It was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation's largest charities, with more than $1 billion in assets. For more information, visit www.McCormickFoundation.org.

About Major League Baseball Charities Major League Baseball Charities is a not-for-profit corporation that provides support to local, national and international tax- exempt organizations to directly conduct or sponsor activities for the promotion of good health, physical education, public safety, medical research, literacy, educational or charitable purposes. In addition to supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), the Official Charity of Major League Baseball, MLB Charities provides support to a number of other national charitable initiatives, including Little League Baseball, the National Urban League and the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball pays all administrative expenses for MLB Charities.

CompTIA Preparing Best-in-Class Index for Managed Technology Services Providers

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Survey underway to identify critical factors for successful managed services practices

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., February 11, 2009 The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the leading trade association for the world's information technology (IT) industry, announced today it is developing a new "best in class" index aimed at helping providers of managed technology services become more efficient and profitable.

 

The CompTIA Managed Services Best-in-Class Index, developed in cooperation with Service Leadership, Inc., a leading industry benchmarking firm, will identify and provide comprehensive analysis on more than 45 critical factors and ratios that affect success or failure in the managed services market. The report will include analysis, commentary and recommendations for managed services providers looking to attain best-in-class performance.

 

Data for the index is being collected from managed services providers through an online survey, available at www.comptia.org.

 

"We're reaching out to all corners of our industry to identify the best practices that separate successful managed services providers from those that struggle," said Richard Rysiewicz, vice president, industry relations, CompTIA. "Our intent is to help raise performance levels across the industry. That will allow more providers to succeed, and more of their customers to be satisfied with the services they're receiving."

 

The index will address areas such as network operations center headcount; managed services contract types; service issue resolution method and success rates; use of partnering; and account growth and attrition. Data will be analyzed and segmented in several ways, such as by customer size, service provider size and profitability levels.

 

The CompTIA Managed Services Best-in-Class Index is being developed through CompTIA University, the association's vendor-neutral portfolio of business management education. CompTIA University provides an array of resources to assist technology solution providers with their business management needs. Offerings are designed to help business owners optimize their operations and create an environment for long-term sustainability and growth. For more information, visit http://www.comptia.org/trainingandeducation/cu_business_education.aspx#ondemand

 

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.

 

 

Contact:

Steven Ostrowski

Director, Corporate Communications

CompTIA

630-678-8468

sostrowski@comptia.org

OpenDNS and Kaspersky Lab Team to Fight Massive Windows Conficker Worm

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OpenDNS joins forces with leading antivirus company to combat most widely-spread Windows worm; Leverages global DNS infrastructure to fight malware.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) February 9, 2009 — OpenDNS, provider of the award-winning service that makes the Internet safer, faster, smarter and more reliable, today announced it has teamed with leading antivirus company Kaspersky Lab to fight the wide-spread Conficker virus. The effort to fight Conficker uses the newly introduced OpenDNS Botnet Protection feature, which provides network administrators visibility into the networks they operate and sends notification if the Conficker Windows worm has successfully penetrated their network. This insight then gives network administrators the knowledge necessary to disable the worm and prevent it from causing damage. The Conficker virus, also known as Kido and Downadup, surfaced in late 2008 and targets the Microsoft Windows operating system, exploiting a known vulnerability in the Windows Server service used by most versions of Windows.

"For a virus as widespread as Conficker, the ability to quickly and easily see if the virus has penetrated your network is hugely significant when considering as many as 10 million PCs are infected so far, and the damage the virus could potentially do. For the first time, OpenDNS is leveraging its globally distributed DNS network to combat malware," said OpenDNS Founder and CTO David Ulevitch. "The joining of Kaspersky Lab, a world-class antivirus company, and OpenDNS, the leading provider of DNS infrastructure and security services, gives network administrators a significant advantage in the fight against malware and botnets."

"Despite not introducing any technological innovation, the Conflicker/Kido worm is regarded to be one of the most dangerous IT threats at the moment," said Vitaly Kamluk, Head of Antibotnet Research, Kaspersky Lab. "The worm was supposedly propagated via an existing botnet — this shows how dangerous the integration of two different malicious technologies might be. Speed of reaction in such cases is very important. We are open to all the communities and services that may help here. OpenDNS is one of the leading free and secure online services and we are happy that in this joint effort we can protect OpenDNS users as well."

OpenDNS Botnet Protection, as well as its use to fight the Conficker virus, represents a key innovation in the use of the Domain Name System. Conficker, also known as Downadup, uses a set of seemingly random domain names as a meeting place for the virus to exchange data with its author, such as how many new machines each host has brought into the botnet, or details on any code upgrades or attacks the owner wants to take place. These domain names are generated using an algorithm so they change every day, making traditional methods like revoking domain registrations used by botnet authors ineffective.

Kaspersky Lab has taken steps to preemptively predict the domains that will be used in coming days by the virus, and is collaborating with OpenDNS by sharing the predicted domains. OpenDNS Botnet Protection then blocks the domains from resolving inside the OpenDNS service, for all OpenDNS users. Consequently, OpenDNS Botnet Protection prevents the virus from taking part in any further actions at the instruction of the virus author, and effectively prevents the virus from causing additional damage and alerts networking administrators of malware living on their network.

About OpenDNS
OpenDNS is the leading provider of free security and infrastructure services that make the Internet safer through integrated Web content filtering, anti-phishing and DNS. OpenDNS services enable consumers and network administrators to secure their networks from online threats, reduce costs and enforce Internet-use policies. OpenDNS is used today by millions of users and organizations around the world. For more information about OpenDNS, please visit www.opendns.com.

About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab delivers the world's most immediate protection against IT security threats, including viruses, spyware, crimeware, hackers, phishing and spam. Kaspersky Lab products provide superior detection rates and the industry's fastest outbreak response time for large enterprises, SMBs, home users and the mobile computing environment. Kaspersky® technology is also used worldwide inside the products and services of more than 100 of the industry's leading IT security solution providers. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com. For the latest on antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and other IT security issues and trends, visit www.viruslist.com.

Digital Projection Reveals Full Lineup of 14 Active 3D Capable Displays

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New Digital Projection 3D projectors provide precise and immersive imaging for scientific, commercial, military and entertainment applications.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) February 5, 2009 — As a follow-up to their introduction of the TITAN 1080p-3D at ISE Europe, Digital Projection International, an Emmy® Award-winning manufacturer of high-performance projection systems, announced the addition of a complete range of products with active 3D capability to its TITAN, LIGHTNING and iVision product families.

DPI is offering two active 3D projectors in its single-chip projector lineup – the iVision sx+ 3D that is equipped with a standard zoom lens, and the iVision sx+W-3D, which is equipped with a short throw ratio fixed lens. Both products are compact and lightweight, feature a durable Magnesium cabinet and weigh in at roughly 7 lbs with lens. The iVision 3D's size, weight, SXGA+ native resolution and Brilliant ColorTM imaging make them great solutions for portable 3D applications and for permanent 3D installations with smaller screens.

The new TITAN 3D product range is comprised of eight distinct projectors. All eight units feature Texas Instruments' three-chip DLP technology with fast transit pixels for smooth grayscale and improved contrast. In the 3D configuration, the award winning TITAN chassis houses DPI's wide bandwidth active 3D electronics, which support sources running up to 120 Hz vertical refresh rate. The TITAN 3D models are available with either SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) or 1080p (1920 x 1080) native resolution. Both the native SXGA+ and 1080p platforms are offered as either dual or single lamp models, and each of the two lamp configurations can be further ordered as a High-Brightness or Ultra-Contrast configuration. When all 8 models are considered in total, the TITAN 3D product line presents a comprehensive array of active 3D display options, with brightness up to 9,000 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio up to a spectacular 5000:1.

For ACTIVE 3D applications demanding the highest lumen performance, DPI's new LIGHTNING 3D offers the same source compatibility and imaging capabilities as the TITANs, while producing up to 21,000 ANSI lumens and 4000:1 contrast. Both High-Brightness and Ultra-Contrast versions of the LIGHTNING 40iSX+ 3D and LIGHTNING 1080p-3D are available, yielding a total of four powerful LIGHTNING 3D models from which to choose.

TITANs and LIGHTNINGs are all robustly built and extremely quiet, making them the perfect imaging solution for a variety of vital immersive applications, including: military simulation, scientific visualization, motion-based entertainment, commercial cinema and theme park attractions. In addition to the active 3D capability, the TITAN 3D and LIGHTNING 3D models also include DP's new FastFrame™ technology, a revolutionary combination of hardware and firmware that vastly reduces the artifacts and image blur typically associated with rapidly moving displayed content. The benefits of FastFrame™ are especially important for simulation environments such as commercial and military flight training, and other applications where the maintaining the visual integrity of high-speed imagery is vital.

For challenging 3D applications that require extreme mechanical rigging or precise mechanical alignment, the TITAN 3D products can be ordered with DP's RapidRig™ flying and stacking frame (standard on LIGHTNING 3D models). The RapidRig frames provide integrated pitch, roll and yaw adjustments, simplifying installation and alignment accuracy. The TITAN and LIGHTNING 3D products utilize the same state of the art lenses employed across the rest of DPI's TITAN and LIGHTNING Product range, so optical accuracy is always ensured.

Key features of the TITAN and LIGHTNING 3D product line include:

  • High Bandwidth input >120Hz active stereoscopic DVI with no need for frame doubling. This capability extends the dynamic range up to 16 bit for improved contrast and color gamut.
  • Double-Flash Matrix ProcessingTM (DFMP) – Supports users wishing to distribute 3D content via more traditional, 60 Hz formats with the option to frame-double their sources within the projector, via DFMP. When this option is selected, the input signal, having been processed and if necessary re-sized to map to the native resolution of the projector, will also be frame-doubled to 120 Hz, and the doubled frames interleaved. This produces imagery with the low flicker characteristics of a native 120 Hz source, but without the infrastructure costs associated with distributing and switching ultra-high bandwidth signals.
  • Projector electronics provide an interface to drive an infrared transmitter to synchronize switching glasses with active displayed frames. The user can elect either to pass through an external synch pulse, or to use the reference generated internally by the projector. Adjustments are provided to accommodate the phase and dead time characteristics of different switching glasses.
  • FastFrame™ technology, a revolutionary combination of hardware and firmware that provides user adjustments to vastly reduce the artifacts and image blur typically associated with rapidly moving display content. DP's NextGen™ electronics, featuring class leading de-interlacing with SD and HD sources processed using auto 3:2 and 2:2 extraction.
  • Minimal video delay from input to screen – as low as 1 frame.
  • Sealed optics to protect the DMD's and other focal plane components from airborne contaminants. Eight user-selectable inputs, including HDCP-compliant DVI plus SD/HD-SDI as standard.
  • Super high bandwidth direct DVI inputs offer Single, Twin, Dual and Dual Twin DVI format connectivity.
  • Up to 16 Bit color for breathtaking image reproduction.
  • DPI's ColorMax™ calibration capabilities including enhanced seven-point color correction for broader color space and precise color alignment.
  • User selectable Xenon-color mode processing (TITAN), which enables the projector to closely replicate the spectral performance of a Xenon lamp.
  • High efficiency, dual high intensity discharge lamps (TITAN), which can be run individually or simultaneously, with a typical life of up to 6000 hours.
  • Long life Xenon illumination system (LIGHTNING) provides maximum lumens, broad color gamut and native D65 white point.
  • A range of precision optics with extended lens shift, compatible with all TITAN and LIGHTNING sx+ and 1080p models.
  • DPI's CoolTek™ engineering, which delivers the highest lumen performance with the lowest power consumption, thermal (BTU) and noise level (dBA) output.

TITAN 1080p-3D and other DP projectors are currently on display at Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam until February 5th, booth 11F90. Digital Projection's 3D production line is already running and the company's first active 3D products are shipping to lead customers during February 2009.

To download hi-resolution photos of the new 3D product line, please visit: http://www.digitalprojection.com/ news/zips/DP_3Dproducts09.zip

SBA Goes Green With Loans for Small Businesses

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Small business owners thinking of incorporating green technologies at their facilities are now eligible to borrow more money to make it happen. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now offering special financing to small business entrepreneurs who go green through their SBA 504 Loan Program.

(Vocus/PRWEB ) February 5, 2009 — The SBA 504 Loan Program has been assisting small business entrepreneurs for over 25 years by providing fixed rate, long-term financing for the purchase, construction and renovation of commercial real estate. SBA 504 loans provide a source of long term capital with typically only a 10% down payment from the small business borrower. The rest of the financing is arranged by a Certified Development Company (CDC) securing an SBA 504 loan for up to 40% of the project costs and a lender providing the remaining 50% of the project funding.

The maximum amount of an SBA 504 loan is normally $1.5 million unless a project meets a specific public policy goal such as assisting a business in a rural area or a minority, veteran or woman-owned business. If a project meets a public policy goal, then the SBA 504 loan can go higher. The good news is that as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Congress added three new public policy goals to the SBA 504 Loan Program to assist businesses willing to invest in going green.

For existing small businesses wishing to purchase or construct facilities incorporating energy saving technologies or retrofit existing facilities resulting in a 10% decrease in energy consumption, they are now eligible to obtain SBA financing of up to $4 million for the project. The total cost of a “green project” can go as high as $9 million using the new public policy goal since the $4 million cap on the SBA 504 loan represents only 40% of the project cost. Some of the most common ways to achieve a 10% decrease in energy consumption now include improved insulation and lighting, improved HVAC, energy efficient windows and a number of other design features. New energy conservation technologies continue to be developed to make buildings and businesses more energy efficient so even more options will no doubt become available in the future.

In addition, small businesses generating renewable energy such as solar, biomass, hydropower, ocean thermal, geothermal and wind are also eligible to finance their real estate purchase or construction project with up to $4 million from the SBA 504 loan program. Generating renewable energy does not need to be the company’s primary business activity, just a method of meeting its own energy needs. Projects in any industry could, for example, purchase solar panels for their own use and qualify for an SBA 504 loan of up to $4 million.

The last type of small business projects that qualify under these new green business incentives are those small businesses that incorporate sustainable design into their facilities as defined by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and the Green Building Certificate Institute. Working with qualified architects and engineers to create a "green building" will make a small business eligible for an SBA loan for up to $2 million in SBA 504 financing.

This is great news for small business entrepreneurs who have been considering the purchase or construction of a facility with an eye toward energy conservation. Incorporating energy efficient technologies today qualifies these businesses for special financing now as well as saving money in the long term.

About the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO)

Created in 1981, the National Association of Development Companies is the trade association for America’s Certified Development Companies (CDCs). Certified by the U. S. Small Business Administration, CDCs are community-based economic development organizations that serve their local communities and states, and are dedicated to the promotion of small business expansion and job creation through SBA’s 504 Loan Program. In addition to the 504 program, many CDCs also provide small businesses with access to other Federal, state and local economic development loan programs.

Based in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., NADCO provides legislative and regulatory support for the 504 Loan Program on behalf of CDCs, the program’s lending partners (including first mortgage lenders, attorneys and others allied to the industry), and 504 small business borrowers. For more information, please call (703) 748-2575 or visit http://www.nadco.org.

Stealth Computer Announces Company Rebranding and Domain Name Change

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Stealth Computer Corporation is pleased to announce that they are adopting Stealth.Com Inc. as their new corporate name. The Stealth.Com name change better reflects the company's brand and establishes prominent brand identity as a leading manufacturer of Industrial Rugged and specialized computer products.

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) February 5, 2009 — Stealth Computer Corporation is pleased to announce that they are adopting Stealth.Com Inc. as their new corporate name. The Stealth.Com name change better reflects the company's brand and establishes prominent brand identity as a leading manufacturer of Industrial Rugged and specialized computer products.

 

Stealth.com Logo
Stealth.com Logo

Commenting on the name change, the Company's President and CEO Ed Boutilier remarked, "Implementing the Stealth.Com name change better positions our brand identity and provides for a short and easy to remember moniker." The company's web site, stealth.com is an essential integrated business tool, not only does it facilitate business activity but also serves as an important source of information for prospective buyers.

Building on nearly two decades of serving the industrial and commercial markets Stealth.Com was founded on the principles of innovation, quality and service, prides itself on quick follow-up, short lead times, and an easy ordering process. The company's state of the art manufacturing facility allows for rapid turnaround, while its engineering, technical support, and sales teams bring years of experience to the unique issues involved in harsh-environment, high-availability and mission critical applications.

Stealth's products are typically sold based on form factor/size, degree of ruggedness, environmental protection, product quality, long term support and performance. Stealth has a wide range of rugged industrial specialized products that fill a niche market that is not served by traditional computer manufacturers or suppliers. Stealth's products are targeted at vertical markets that require specialized hardware solutions. Unlike white box commodity hardware products, many of Stealth's products are built to order to fill the exact needs of a specific application. The products are broken down into categories as each has their own defining characteristics, benefits and features.

About Stealth
Founded in 1990 Stealth.Com, is a leading manufacturer of specialized Computers and Peripherals. The company is ISO 9001 registered and continually develops innovative products designed to meet the exact needs of their clients. For almost two decades Stealth has provided thousands of proven reliable product solutions that have assisted clients with a myriad of applications. Our impressive customer base includes a wide range of customers from single man operations to Fortune 500 companies, Military installations and Governments worldwide. www.stealth.com