Your report for Tuesday, August 2, 2005

NextEnergy in hydrogen deal with Big Three
LDMI expands into Tri-Cities
ISSYS in Japanese partnership
Catuity sets Australian stock sale 

Duane Tursi is CEO of Netarx Inc., a Farmington Hills company that offers a wide variety of network services. He helped found the company in 1996 as a security company. Find out more at www.ltu.edu/leaders


New software from Traverse City firm: Traverse City-based Salamander Technologies Inc. announced the launch of version 1.7 of its FireTrax software. The company said it plans to introduce four other new software versions by Aug. 31, including versions 1.7 of Traxsupport and RapidTag, as well as AssetTrax and MedTrax. Salamander develops physical and electronic personnel software for fire, police, medical and emergency management first response crews. Its products help emergency response organizations reliably and securely track personnel, incident victims, and assets during emergency situations. FireTrax 1.7 offers victim tracking, fire company roster management, improved security for medical information and more. Victims can be tracked by a bar-code triage tag or scanning a driver's license into the system. Traxsupport is Salamander's new technical assurance program, featuring a 24-7 customer help line, downloadable upgrades, and the ability to schedule training services and drills. RapidTag allows a state issued ID like a driver's license to be scanned in and converted to emergency personnel management information in FireTrax. AssetTrax is an inventory management product using bar codes. And MedTrax manages treatment of the injured in emergency situation, linking to hospital systems. More at www.salamandertechnologies.com.


'Well, doc, it makes a funny noise'

Kettering University prof, student study sounds of shoulders for medical advances

A professor and student at Kettering University in Flint are using bioengineering to listen to the body and develop new diagnostic tools for health care. 

Patrick Atkinson, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Robert Kargus, a graduate student in mechanical engineering from St. Louis, Mo., are using wavelet analysis to "listen" to sounds made by the human shoulder in test subjects who have volunteered to the let the pair eavesdrop. 

Their goal is to establish a data base of digital signals that identify wear and tear on cartilage in the shoulder for use in medical diagnoses.

Atkinson and Kargus are using very sensitive accelerometers to analyze the sound coming out of the shoulder joint. 

"Wavelet analysis involves analyzing short wavelengths of electrical signals coming from the accelerometers," Atkinson said. "In simple terms what we come up with is a 'squiggle' on the screen or on a printout, and we have to determine what that squiggle means." 

The idea is that the squiggle for one injury will look different from another type of injury or from a non-injured shoulder, according to Atkinson. He likened listening to the sounds of the body to a mechanic listening to the sounds a machine makes. 

"If we apply the sound test to bones or joints, then we can predict when they are close to failure and replace things like hips and knees before they break or degenerate too far as occurs in arthritis," he said. 

Atkinson and Kargus selected shoulder joints for their study because it is typically difficult for surgeons to diagnose problems in the shoulder. Eventually, they hope to use the technology to diagnose the heart and lungs as well. 

Kargus and Atkinson have recruited 20 Kettering students, between the ages of 18 and 24 with no history of shoulder injury or extensive overhand throwing, to establish benchmark sounds for the shoulder when reaching high, behind and in front of the test subject. 

During the test an orthopedic surgeon moved the shoulder joint of each subject using motions known to elicit pain in persons with shoulder injuries. Other groups will include individuals with previously diagnosed injuries such as a torn rotator cuff and those who have already had shoulder surgery. 

For more information on the wavelet analysis research on shoulders at Kettering University, contact Atkinson at patkinso@kettering.edu.

Note: Some sponsorships for GLITR's special sections are still available. For information on this or other Great Lakes IT Report marketing matters, contact Dan Keelan at dkeelan@cbs.com or (248) 455-7252.

Banshee offers cellular Web connectivity: Farmington Hills-based Banshee Networks Inc. last week announced the release of a product called Little Banshee, enabling businesses to share high-speed digital cellular internet connectivity via either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The Little Banshee supports all major high-speed cellular data service technologies including EV-DO, 1xRTT, and Edge. Applications for the device include backup connectivity, portable networks, mobile networks, and reliable high-speed connectivity for small businesses. EV-DO is the fastest technology, offering average user speeds of 400 to 700 kilobits per second. More at www.bansheenetworks.com. The product is a compact network appliance that attaches to an Ethernet network, and also serves as a Wi-Fi access point.
NextEnergy to work with Big Three on hydrogen infrastructure: NextEnergy, Detroit's alternative energy research and development center and incubator, said Monday it had new agreements with DaimlerChrysler A.G., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. on a comprehensive codes and standards project aimed at building a commercial hydrogen infrastructure. The project is part of the federal Energy Department's Hydrogen Fleet Demonstration and Validation grants announced last fall. The project aims to assist states in creating standards for permits and oversights of hydrogen as used as a transportation fuel. NextEnergy will develop and maintain a database to document experiences in securing permits for construction, operation and use of publicly assessable hydrogen stations. It will also develop criteria for identifying key permitting authorities at the state and local levels and their responsibilities for the permitting elements of hydrogen infrastructure. Also, NextEnergy will develop templates for hydrogen fueling station design, maintenance and emergency response. In addition, training and education programs for local officials, including emergency first responders, will be delivered in Michigan. Finally, NextEnergy will work with the Big Three and DOE to host an annual conference on hydrogen codes and standards issues. More at www.nextenergy.org.
New software from Compuware: Detroit-based Compuware Corp. (NASDAQ: CPWR) Monday announced the availability of version 3.2 of its Abend-Aid Fault Manager software. The product combines mainframe and distributed computing fault diagnostic capabilities. It also introduces integration with both HP OpenView Operations and Compuware Changepoint. Compuware said the integration with the HP product would now deliver centralized fault information, faster identification and resolution of mainframe problems that affect distributed applications, and greater understanding of how legacy systems interact with distributed applications. Compuware's Changepoint, meanwhile, offers IT managers a consolidated view into existing and future equipment and software requirements. More at www.compuware.com
LDMI expands into Tri-Cities: Southfield-based LDMI Telecommunications Inc., a subsidiary of Talk America Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: TALK) said Monday that its network now reaches businesses in the Saginaw, Midland and Bay City area. Included is LDMI's telecommunications product SmarT T1, an integrated local, long distance and Internet connectivity system that starts for less than $300 a month. Outlying communities including Bad Axe, Birch Run, Clare, Frankenmuth, Gladwin, Oscoda, Standish, and West Branch will also have LDMI service available. More at www.ldmi.com/freesecurity.
Troy streaming firm helps with ocean bottom tour: A Troy Web streaming company is participating in a live video broadcast from several undersea locations by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Connecticut-based VBrick Systems Inc. is contributing its streaming appliance to the system, with the global streaming infrastructure coming from Troy-based PowerStream. While robots explore the ocean's floor, and while VBrick's video appliance encodes that video feed at the shore, PowerStream delivers the video feed to Internet users from multiple data centers. PowerStream's reflector service gives each interested student a unique connection to the stream. The MPEG-4 video standard encoded by VBrick and distributed by PowerStream can be viewed using any number of free media players, though this particular Webcast favors the QuickTime player because of its ability to be embedded into a Web page, making the viewing experience for students as easy as following a URL. Check it out at www.immersionpresents.org/live-video.html
ISSYS in Japanese partnership: Ypsilanti-based Integrated Sensing Systems Inc. said it had signed a partnership contract for its Micro Density Meter products with Kyoto Electronics Manufacturing Co. of Kyoto, Japan. ISSYS micro-electro-mechanical system technology uses microfluidics to shrink system and sample sizes to measure fluidic density and chemical concentration. More about the new partner at www.kyoto-kem.com. "The combination of ISSYS' technology with KEM's sales, application and distribution expertise in analytical instruments, including density meters, will greatly expand the reach of this new technology world-wide," ISSYS CEO Nader Najafi said in a statement. ISSYS MEMS devices will be used in fuel cell parts and chemical sensors being built by KEM. More at www.mems-issys.com.


Catuity renegotiates acquisition, sets stock sale at $10 Australian: Detroit-based loyalty marketing program software vendor Catuity Inc. (Nasdaq: CTTY) said Monday that it had renegotiated the terms of its pending acquisition of an Australian firm, Loyalty Magic Pty. Ltd., and announced that the company's share offering to come shortly will be priced at $10 Australian ($7.62 U.S.) per share. (Catuity was founded in Australia and remains listed on the stock market there.) The new terms of the purchase of Melbourne-based Loyalty Magic are structured around the pricing of the stock sale. Both moves were authorized by Catuity shareholders July 19. The acquisition is set at $3.6 million Australian ($2.7 million U.S.) in cash and 335,000 shares at the offering price. This gives the deal a value of $6.9 million Australian ($5.2 million U.S.), which is less than would have been paid under the original March agreement. Catuity officials said the deal was renegotiated due to the recent rise in its share price. Catuity said it expects to lodge a prospectus with the Australian Securities and Investment Corp. for a $7 million Australian capital raising as early as next week. The offering will be open to Australian residents, but not to investors in the United States. More at www.catuity.com
Iserv makes Thumb acquisition: The Grand Rapids-based Iserv Technology Group last week announced it had acquired the customers of the Bad Axe-based Internet service provider Top Dog Internet Services Inc. The acquisition further establishes Iserv as one of the largest independent ISPs in Michigan. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The agreement provides Iserv with Top Dog's current customer base in the city of Bad Axe and surrounding areas. More at www.iserv.net. Top Dog Internet Services marks the ninth ISP acquisition for ITG. The company most recently acquired the Northwestern Michigan customers of Scottville, Mich.-based 1010internet in March 2005. The company wouldn't disclose the number of customers involved. The deal marks the end of the line for Top Dog.
Ann Arbor software developer gets into Chinese trade shows: Ann Arbor-based Logic Solutions Inc. said last week that it had established a partnership with Plymouth-based Facet International Marketing to provide trade show support services in China. Facet is an established supplier of marketing and trade show services both in North America and Europe. Services include strategic planning, advertising, public relations, communications, trade show and event management. Logic Solutions develops application software, Web sites and custom software. The two Michigan companies have teamed up to provide trade show marketing services to companies planning to attend shows and events in China. In particular, Facet is making plans to support the new Automotive Testing Expo China which will take place at the Shanghai Everbright Convention Center in September 2006. This new show replicates the established Automotive Testing Expo shows which take place at the Novi Expo Center as well as in Stuttgart, Germany. Logic Solutions CEO Jimmy Hsiaso said his company entered the Chinese market four years ago, and now works with the Chinese automaker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. He said his company will "help provide an experienced and reliable support network for Facet's clients attending events such as the Automotive Testing Expo China show." More at www.logicsolutions.com or www.facetcompany.com.
Dura in auto electronics deal: Rochester Hills-based Dura Automotive Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: DRRA) said last week that it had entered into a joint venture with Olhotronic GmbH to develop, manufacture and sell electronic modules for the automotive industry. The new joint venture will operate as Duratronics GmbH and will be based in Lohne, Germany. The electronics will be used in mechatronic systems, which use microprocessors and software to control the motion of mechanical devices. The company's initial products will include systems such as shifter indication, electronic seating controls, anti-pinch window electronics and a portfolio of by-wire systems. More at www.duraauto.com or www.olhotronic.de.
Manufacturing software user group sets fall event: The Midwest user group of QAD's manufacturing management software Mfg/Pro will hold its annual fall conference at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio Sept. 25-27. The event will feature education sessions, product demonstrations and updates from QAD, along with networking opportunities and a golf tournament. The keynote presenter will be Kirk Millhone of Headwaters Consulting Inc. of Hopkins, Minn. To view the agenda, visit www.midwestusergroup.org/Fall2005Agenda.html. The cost of the event is $85. To register, visit www.midwestusergroup.org/regform.html.
DAMA sets September event: The Michigan Chapter of the Data Management Association will meet Sept. 13 at Lawrence Technological University's Buell Management Building. The agenda, which runs from 8 to 11:30 a.m., features metadata expert Stu Carty on "Metadata Management 2005," an interactive discussion of the latest metadata usage trends, corporate issues and vendor software. For more, visit www.dama-michigan.org.
UHY makes Microsoft president's club: Southfield-based UHY Advisors Technology Consulting Services Group said last week that it had been named to the Microsoft Business Solutions President's Club. The recognition honors Microsoft Business Solutions software resellers with a high level of sales achievement and customer satisfaction. UHY Advisors Technology Consulting Services Group provides implementation, training and consultation in the Metro Detroit area businesses using Great Plains and Solomon applications. More at www.uhyadvisors-us.com.
New Horizons to offer Microsoft developer seminars: Livonia-based New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Michigan Inc. last week launched Developer Care, a monthly series of free training seminars that address the needs and issues of Microsoft developers. The seminars assist developers by providing in-depth presentations with expert testimonials, working demos and sample code. The seminars are delivered by experienced Microsoft developers and consultants that are designed to help attendees access, analyze and migrate data. Starting with Visual Studio Tools for Office on Aug. 19, New Horizons will offer one Developer Care seminar each month at the Microsoft office in Southfield, 1000 Town Center, Suite 1900. Held from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the seminars are offered at no charge to attendees and include lunch. To register, visit www.nhmichigan.com.


UM Dearborn prof to chair 'e-conference' on hybrids: And speaking still more of hybrids, University of Michigan-Dearborn engineering professor Chris Mi will present an "e-conference" on hybrid-electric vehicles for members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at 3 p.m. Aug. 25. The "e-conference" format will allow groups to participate in the seminar from remote locations in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Mi, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering in the UM-Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer Science, regularly offers a graduate course in electric and hybrid vehicles. He has also taught courses and led seminars on the subject for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command and for the Society of Automotive Engineers. "The e-conference is planned to be a very timely discussion on both the auto companies' vision, as well as customers' perceptions," Mi said. The e-conference, scheduled to last approximately two hours, has been planned for members of the IEEE region in northeastern Wisconsin but is open to IEEE members in Michigan. Groups interested in participating should contact Sat Basu, IEEE Region 4 technical activities chair, at satbasu@ieee.org or (313) 235-6523.
Ford funds freebies at Science Center: Attention, science geeks and your little geeklets: Ford Motor Co. is funding Ford Free FunDays at the New Detroit Science Center. The once-a-month events feature free admission for up to two adults and four children per party, family oriented workshops and special science-based hands-on activities. The first Ford Free FunDay was, of course, last Sunday, but there's lots more to come: "Invention Convention" on Aug. 28, "Safe Science" on Sept. 25, "Spooky Science" on Oct. 30, "Cornucopia of Science" Nov. 27 and "Science of the Season" Dec. 18. More at www.detroitsciencecenter.org.
Miller Canfield gets pharma expert: The law firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone P.L.C. announced last week that Stephen J. Nelson joined the firm as senior technical specialist in the Intellectual Property and Information Technology Group. He will work out of the firm's office in Kalamazoo. Nelson has over 30 years' experience as a scientist in medicinal chemistry, biological screening, and synthetic chemistry. He has prepared patent applications in the areas of pharmaceutical chemistry, process chemistry, biotechnology, materials science and medical devices. He has numerous publications, issued patents and has performed many presentations at symposiums and universities. He was formerly a senior patent scientist at Pfizer in Kalamazoo. He joined what was then Upjohn Co. in Kalamazoo in 1972 as a research scientist. He has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Oregon and bachelor's and masters degrees in chemistry from the University of Minnesota.
MCWT sets late summer, fall meetings: The Michigan Council of Women in Technology plans three events between now and November. On Sept. 15, it's the MCWT Professional Development Workshop Series, an event called "Color Me Purple: Building Success by Appreciating and Leveraging Differences. More info here. On Sept. 22, it's the release of the MCWT Best Practices for the Advancement and Retention of Women in Technology report, in conjunction with Altair Engineering Inc. of Troy. More info here. And on Nov. 10, it's the MCWT Annual Silent Auction. More info here.
Ford to offer factory-installed Sirius this month: Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced Monday that Ford and Lincoln Mercury will begin offering SIRIUS as a factory-installed option this year on four models. The Ford F150 will debut this month, the Lincoln Mark LT in September, and the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer in December. The price for the installed system: $195, including a free six months of Sirius service. Earlier this year, Ford and Lincoln Mercury announced plans to target up to 21 vehicle lines for factory installation of Sirius over the 2006 and 2007 model years. Ford also announced that they expect to generate up to one million Sirius subscribers over those two model year periods. Nearly ninety percent of Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles will have Sirius as a factory- installed option for the 2008 model year. More at www.sirius.com.
Gore, investors debut TV for Web generation: Much of the talk around Al Gore's new Current TV network has been broadly philosophical, like the former vice president's statement that "we want to be the television home page for the Internet generation." With its debut Monday, Current TV will be judged by the same mundane standards as other networks --  on whether its programming can hold a viewer's interest. Gore and his fellow investors envision Current as a sounding board for young people, a step beyond traditional notions of interactivity. They want viewers to contribute much of the network's content now that quality video equipment is widely available. Based on material previewed on its Web site, Current at first glance seems like a hipper, more irreverent version of traditional television newsmagazines. Most of its programming will be in "pods," roughly two to seven minutes long, covering topics like jobs, technology, spirituality and current events. An Internet-like on-screen progress bar will show the pod's length. More.
Growth in use of computers by farmers slows: American farmers are buying computers and using them for business, but at a much slower pace than they did just two years ago, a new federal study shows. The rate for both computer ownership and business usage increased just 1 percent from 2003 to 2005, according to a survey conducted every two years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Of more than 32,400 farms of all kinds and types surveyed by the USDA's National Statistics Service, 55 percent own or lease a computer -- up slightly from 54 percent in 2003 -- and 31 percent use it in their operations. About 51 percent have Internet access, compared with 48 percent in 2003. More.
Ask Jeeves to start its own ad network: Backed by a new owner known for shaking up the status quo, Ask Jeeves Inc. is launching an upstart advertising network powered by its own search engine - a move likely to rankle its longtime business partner, Google Inc. Ask Jeeves' marketing system, scheduled to debut Monday, follows the same model that has been generating tremendous profit growth for Google and another Internet powerhouse, Yahoo Inc., during the past three years. The expansion heralds a new era for Ask Jeeves, a 9-year-old company that survived the dot-com bust to be acquired for $2.3 billion by InterActiveCorp in a deal completed less than two weeks ago. New York-based IAC is controlled by iconoclastic media mogul Barry Diller, who defied skeptics nearly 20 years ago when he orchestrated the successful launch of a fourth broadcast television network at Fox. Now Ask Jeeves is invading territory that so far has been dominated by the makers of the Web's two most popular search engines -- Google and Yahoo. Microsoft Corp. also hopes to grab a piece of the action with a similar advertising network revolving around its MSN.com site. More.


Yahoo to offer video clips from ABC, CNN: Internet media company Yahoo Inc. on Monday said it will offer video clips from cable news network CNN's Web site and ABC News, a move to bolster the company's online news offering as it battles against Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp.'s MSN. The clips, which will become available in September, will be free to users and supported by advertising revenue. CNN is owned by Time Warner Inc. and ABC News by Walt Disney Co.


Game biz expects record year: Sales of U.S. console and portable video game hardware, software and accessories rose 21 percent year-over-year for the first half of 2005, putting the industry on track for a record year, research firm NPD Group said. More.
Former IBM researcher to head Yahoo Research: Web media company Yahoo Inc. said on Thursday it named Prabhakar Raghavan, a former IBM researcher, to head Yahoo Research as it competes with rivals Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. for talent. More.
Oracle, Israeli government to cooperate in startup center: U.S. software giant Oracle Corp. signed an agreement last week with Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist to establish a technological support center for Israeli start-ups. More.
Adam Curry comes back: The Podfather is setting up shop in the States again. Adam Curry, the former New York-based MTV VJ is outfitting an office and part-time residence in San Francisco. He told listeners to his Daily Source Code podcast that being stateside (he lives outside London) will give him access to technology talent to develop his PodSafe Music Network. The Network offers independent musicians an Internet portal to post their music and encourages podcasters to download and play their tracks.
Australia outlaws 'Grand Theft Auto': Australian officials effectively banned the computer game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" and ordered it removed from stores Friday because it contains hidden sex scenes that can be viewed with a special Internet download. The Office of Film and Literature Classification said in a statement it had outlawed sales of the game by stripping it of its official classification after learning of the explicit content. More.
Nissan fuel cell vehicle logs 15,000 miles: AutoTech Daily reported that UTC Power, a division of United Technologies Corp., says one of its S500 fuel cell stacks powered a Nissan X-Trail FCV for more than 15,500 miles without incurring any problems. The vehicle, which was unveiled in late 2002, was subjected to real-world driving conditions over various terrains and under different climates. UTC Power supplies fuel cell power modules for cars, buses and stationary applications through its South Windsor, Conn., UTC Fuel Cells division.
Stocks: Technology stocks began the month on an upbeat note Monday by closing slightly higher overall, although Symbol Technologies Inc.'s stock sank 15 percent on news its chief executive defected to NCR Corp. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index ($COMPQ: news, chart, profile) tacked on 10.55 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 2,195.38. In the prior session, the index took a slight breather after touching a four-year high last week. Elsewhere, semiconductor-related stocks mostly eased into the red to send the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ($SOX: news, chart, profile) down less than 0.1 points to 474.37 despite upbeat industry data. The Semiconductor Industry Association said worldwide sales of chips for computers, cell phones, consumer electronics and other applications rose to $109 billion in the first six months of the year, up 6.5 percent from the same period last year. The Amex pharmaceutical index (DRG: news, chart, profile) was last up 1.88 points at 330.15 and the Amex Biotech Index (BTK: news, chart, profile) added 7.35 points to stand at 628.70. The broad-based Nasdaq telecom index gained 0.52 points at 193.55, as 12 of the 20 largest stocks advanced. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ($INDU: news, chart, profile) fell 17.76 points to 10,623.15 while the S&P 500 Index ($SPX: news, chart, profile) added 1.17 points to 1,235.35.
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