Thursday, June 17, 2004 (No. 36)
Editor Milt Capps
For previous issues or for the date of our next issue, visit the news archive.

Dell rumored shopping for manufacturing site in TN and elsewhere, NashvillePost.com, June 15. Story cites Winston Salem (N.C.) Journal, June 15. Dell spokesman Mark Drury told NTC this morning only that "the reality is we're always looking at ways we can meet customer demand, and that includes improving productivity, and it includes looking at sites [for added capacity] on a global basis..." Meanwhile, Tennessee economic-development officials say only we'd welcome additional Dell investment here.

UT Prof. Jack Dongarra: Information-technology research at Univ. of Tennessee is threatened with loss of momentum. See Research & Education section, below.

SmartDM database-driven direct-marketing services winning fans, Tennessean, June 11. Company dds to basketball teams roster of customers, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 7. Tennessean, 3E, June 8, scroll here. SmartDM announces Devin McClendon to SVP-Client Strategy; Jamie Hines, Christopher McGrath to software engineers; and, a number of sales, marketing and customer appointments. Tennessean, June 13, scroll down here.

Global Exchange Services, an erstwhile GE unit that develops proprietary software for e-commerce in a seemingly declining market, announced cuts from 60 to 30 persons, who by year's-end will telecommute, Tennessean, 3E, June 15, not on web. GES release June 8.

iPayment valuation meets varying responses among analysts, but stock seen as market-performer by some, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 11. iPayment, Tennessean, 1E, June 10.

NTC Tech Roundtable, July 8, University Club, 6 p.m., "Open Source technologies" panel discusses, 'who uses this stuff and how can they bet their businesses on something that's free?', with Tim Choate, President of Bondware, moderating panel including: Mathew Binkley, Scalable Computing Systems Assistant Director, VU (VAMPIRE)research engine; Luke Kanies, President of Reductive; Ted Murphy, Online Computing; Howard White of VCCH; Gregory Jones, Owl Interactive Community Learning Centers; Mike Upchurch, Partner2Partner. Details, registration here. Linux makes a push to compete for the office desktop computer, Wall Street Journal, May 24.

Tracy Russell Evers, founder of Women in Technology of Tennessee (WiTT), currently a WiTT board member and vice president for marketing and operations for her Harpeth Network Solutions (HNS) telecom consultancy, says four-year-old WiTT regularly communicates with a group of more than 700, reflecting progress since the group's formative meeting in August 2000, when 20 women attended.

Evers notes, "The relatively 'open architecture' of Nashville's business community makes this a better town than most others for high-performing women in technology, because networking is a crucial element in doing business here, and women are generally excellent networkers."

WiTT's next meeting is June 29, when Michael Cain and Tom Tarver of Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain (LBMC) will discuss technologies that will impact business during the next five years. LBMC, Brentwood. 4:30 p.m. RSVP June 25 via Amy Hancock.

To read more on Evers, WiTT and related resources, please click here.

Technology 2020 is accepting apps from VC-seeking companies for Tenn. Valley Venture Forum, Sept. 23-24, Chattanooga. App. deadline, June 11. Accepted companies present to 300 institutional, individual investors. Details www.tvvf.biz or via Tom Rogers (865) 220-2020. Related, Knox. News Sentinel, April 19. Story on forum importance, Knox. News Sentinel, June 1.

Converged Solutions: Jones repositions former Avaya unit to sell Siemens solutions, will lay VOIP net for Univ. of Tenn., NashvillePost.com, June 9. Related: Siemens shifts position regarding selling software via web, San Fran. Business Times, June 11. Converged release, May 10.

Ingram Micro shuffles sales and marketing, inserts current CFO Bradley as interim president for No. America, NashvillePost.com, June 10. Ingram Micro release, June 10.

ClarityMatters opens Nashville office for business analytics, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 8. NashvillePost.com, June 8.

Union Planters launches web-based trade-finance tool for ex-im users, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 16.

Middle Tennessee businesses nurtured by eBay, The Tennessean, 1E, June 13. Related, SnappyAuctions in Tennessean, 10/03; and, in Nov. 25/03 summary, scroll down.

Nashville's Private Capital Advisors opens the gate for Tri-State Broadband's entry for wireless Internet, telephony, NashvillePost.com, June 8.

For Nashville-based U.S. Hospitality, three travel-related Web sites purchased from Enlogica promise profits, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 13, June 11.

The Mouse Pad, founded by former Sprint PCS tech exec Thene Sheehy opens 9 a.m., Saturday, July 24, at Cool Springs, details here.

Cybera CEO Duffey regrets loss of anchor client Cooker to bankruptcy, but sees growth potential, partly through alliances, NashvillePost.com, June 17.

Alan Reeves announced the launch of MouseCalls® Computer Service Center, June 1, in Bellevue. MouseCalls® provides tech support for homes and small businesses.

Capps signs with Nashville Technology Council, forms Milt Capps Communications, June 2, NashvillePost.com; June 7, The City Paper. The Tennessean, June 3.

Landman joins Evolved Digital Systems, release June 14. Nash. Bus. Journal, June 14. NashvillePost.com, June 14. Evolved Digital Systems released Web-based View2 Imaging product line, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 11, June 11, not on web; related release, April 30.

Digiscript and Milligan Enterprises will serve U.S. Labor training needs, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 8.

Beacon's Wakefield promoted to president, succeeding Basil Hall, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 2, June 4, not on web.

Equinox IS signs Wisconsin Rapids phone company, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 8.

iNet Strategy says package processing helped MEDIAmail absorb massive increase in business volume, release June 14. Related story on MediaMail (9/02), Nash. Bus. Journal.

SCSI Bus. Solutions moves from Brentwood to Maury County/Columbia, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 5, June 4, not on web. SCSI reprint here.

Expetec Technology Services opens Nashville franchise of on-site techy services, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 6, June 4, not on web.

Nortel SIP-technology announcement notes they're easing VOIP migration for several Tennessee clients, release June 7.

ISP-Planet editor is impressed with Franklin-based SublimeMail's anti-spam service, June 10.

West km knowledge management system augments BakerNet system at Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 22, June 4.

ComFrame Software Corp. has become an IBM Business Advantage Partner. Tennessean, June 13, scroll here. Related news.

Nashville is home to healthcare venture capitalists Clayton, Massey Burch, Salix, others, Nashville Medical News, p. 1 and p. 10, June 2004. Related: U.S. VC investing in biotech resurgent, Nash. Medical News, June 2004, p. 11, scroll here. Harpeth's Turney Stevens: Spectrum of capital investors correlates with varying degrees of risk, pricing, Nash. Medical News, p. 12, June 2004, scroll here.

Burglary of computer equipment foiled at The Vanderbilt Clinic, theft-prevention tips offered, VUMC House Organ, enter June 2004 issue and scroll down.

Bulldog IT lands Renaissance Healthcare Systems (Tex.), Tennessean, 3E, June 8. Bulldog IT lands Texas Renaissance Health Systems deal, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 8, June 4, not on web, and online June 2. HiMSS Industry News, June 2.

Genetic town hall for public comment on genetic technology in Nashville, Aug. 4, The City Paper, June 15.

Tennessee hospitals going digital to boost records systems, Tennessean, June 16, 1E.

First Consulting Group and IQ Consultancy launch FirstDoc Academy, an e-learning portal hosted at FCG's Nashville FCG Infrastructure Services; FCG also has Meditech/CGS here(FCG Management at Memphis' The Med), release June 14.

HealthTrio and Rocky Mtn. Health Plans sign agreement, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 11, p. 11, not on web. Release, May 6. Network Health announcement, May 18.

Study foresees shortage in Tennessee medical technologies, allied fields, Nash. Medical News, p. 9, June 2004. Scroll here.

Spheris signs IT services contract with Scott & White health care system, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 10, June 4, not on web. Same Spheris win reported in NBJ May 7 column.

Evolved Digital Systems names Landman medical director, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 14. Evolved chosen by Northern Cochise Community Hospital in Arizona, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 10, June 4. Same item appeared online, May 10.

Bolen: Are Nashville healthcare companies healthy?, Nash. Medical Journal, p. 13, June 2004.

Cigarran says trust, not technology makes the difference in healthcare quality, Tennessean, June 6.

Vanderbilt Library links medical records to treatment guidelines, teaching materials, VUMC Reporter, p. 6, May 28.

CIBER develops cancer-screening database, May 10. Researchers call for national cancer database, June 4.

Link to key in-state government bid-tracking resources, here.

Nation's technology titans urge improvement of K-12 education, less regulation and more combat against piracy, Washington Post, June 17.

The State has identified L. Robert Kimball & Associates (Va.) as best-evaluated on technical and cost components for RFP 335.08.512 for E-911 technical consulting services.

Yesterday, the State issued notice of RFP 335.03.522 for E-911 Technical consulting services and wireless E-911 standards, etc., (intent to bid June 25, written proposals July 15).

RFP 343-49-450 for integrated information and communications support for Tennessee Health Alert System, Bidders conference June 18, proposals due July 12.

Tennessee Regulatory Authority may determine phone rates, Tennessean, June 15. Knox. News Sentinel, June 14. States may briefly enjoy big roles in setting phone rates if regulations expire this week, NY Times, June 11. Tennessean editorial critical of federal action, June 16.

Tenn. OIR Tuesday released RFP 317.03-115 for Time Accounting and Request for Service software and related services, due July 30.

State of TN in RFP 316.20-8100 seeks Section 8 Housing Choice software support, due June 21.

Metro Purchasing RFP Update: Metro Nashville's recent RFP 04-48 was awarded to Cricket. RFP 04-27 for Peoplesoft services remains under review, with references of three finalists under review. RFP 04-36 for content-management services for Metro Schools remains under review, with review committee meeting tomorrow (June 18). RFP 04-33 VOIP services for Convention Center: committee has requested clarifications from vendors.

State RFP 345.30-980 seeks proposals for Electronic Benefits Transfer Services and childcare time and attendance services, due

Nashville Electric Service (NES) received ten proposals for onsite information technology services: Acro Services, CIBER, CTG, Compuware, Epitec Group, Indus, Mincom, Northrop-Grumann, Pomeroy, Zycron and these are under evaluation. Separately, proposals for Data Center Processing Services are scheduled for June 18 opening.

MLA website helps us track array of languages spoken in our communities, Tennessean, 1A, June 17.

Software caused some delay in TN tax return processing, Commercial Appeal, June 5.

Microsoft case settled to the benefit of Tennesseans, Tennessean, June 16, 1E. Tennesseans and schools may reap millions as Microsoft settlement goes before judge today, City Paper, June 11. Commercial Appeal, June 17. Knox. News Sentinel, June 16.

Reagan-era Star Wars initiative spawned many technological innovations, USA Today, June 9. Kevin Maney column.

Regional technology initiative could help Tennessee and other states identify technology for Homeland Security, Wash Post, June 10.

Shelby County video surveilliance of inmates gains support, Commercial Appeal, June 14. Memphis Zoo employs high-tech for infrared surveillance of animals, Commercial Appeal, June 15.

PFSSweb's Memphis logistics and call centers braces for customer Roots Online's apparel selling upsurge, release June 9.

Chattanooga's InfoSystems Inc. promotes Aaron Swann to head technical services, Times Free Press, June 13.

Ballot Now e-voting system used in Kentucky counties during May primary, release June 15.

iSold enters Tennessee to provide online auctions, BusinessWire, June 16.

DuPont's Old Hickory plant thrives on new challenges, Tennessean, 1E, June 13.

UnumProvident CEO inaugurates Starbak rich-media and conference technology adoption, release June 9.

Mainframe Data Services, NewRoads data center and towXchange.net share renovated st3 facility in Chattanooga, Times Free Press, June 11.

Thermal Transfer Components and Advanced Ceramics share customer base in former Ixion facility, Times Free Press, June 12.

Knoxville's NetLearning snatched-up by Canada's Thomson, Knox. News Sentinel, June 7. Related notes, June 7.

Fedex moves into former headquarters of SCB Computer Technology in Germantown, Commercial Appeal, June 3.

Chattanooga firm designs enhanced computer keyboard, June 3, Chatanoogan.

UT Information Technology Research: UT Prof. Jack Dongarra tells NTC that only UT's year-to-year funding supplement for his Center for Information Technology Research and Innovative Computing Laboratory (ICL) is enabling his UT team to continue to operate in the international IT-research arena and to spur interdisciplinary IT research within the UT system. He fears operating with research "cut back to the bone" will lead to loss of talented staff and research grants, if State funding for academic centers of excellence is not soon restored. Dongarra and colleagues work closely with researchers at UT-Memphis and Vanderbilt Univ., among others. Dongarra slide show and related MetroPulse story (1/01). Affiliated UT LIT. Related: Cray performance gets high marks in Dongarra-developed HPC benchmark tests, Cray release, June 14.

Metro Nashville and Clarksville districts are using online interviews in recruiting teachers, Tennessean, 1A, June 17.

Dell Inc. awards Tennessee State University $150,000 grant for supply-chain program, release June 14. Tennessean, June 15.

State's students may all take end-of-course exams on computer by 2010, Tennessean, June 15.

Oak Ridge National Lab, Univ. of Tennessee and State economic-development officials discuss commercialization of technologies, column, Knox. News Sentinel, June 14. Univ. Tennessee President John Petersen calls for more technology transfer, June 2, NashvillePost.com, here.

Univ. of Tennessee establishes Information Security office under Ridenour, release June 7.

CTI Molecular's Nutt gives $1 million to UT Engineering, challenges other alumni, June 9 release.

State's effort to lighten K-12 textbook poundage carried by students acknowledges not all schools can afford e-Texts or duplicate book sets for home, 1B, June 17.

Tennessee's resource-starved Technology Centers face tight budgets, flood of students, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 11. Tennessean, June 11. Commercial Appeal, June 12. Editorial, Commercial Appeal, June 12. AP via Knoxville News Sentinel, June 12. Technology Centers' tuitions may jump 15%, Tennessean, 1B, June 8.

Nashville Technology Council, recent new members (joined March 30-June 11): Active Careers Network, Inc; American Color Graphics; CIBER Inc.; Connect Technologies, Inc.; Creative Computer Consulting; Draper Solutions, LLC; Health Cost Solutions; Insight, Inc.; Integrated Technologies Inc.; Mickly Corporation; Mike Collins & Associates; Nashville Public Television; Options for Imaging, Inc.; Perficient, Inc.; Potter, John F.; Progeny Marketing; StorageTek; SYS-LOGIC LLC; Technical Innovation; Templeton, James R. (Bob); The Mouse Pad, LLC; Universal Digital Productions, Inc.; Vaco Technology; WebMD Corporation. Online Member listing (open) and link to Member-profile database (NTC Member password). Previous March 30 new-member report.

NTC Network Managers Group will hold its first formal meeting June 29, 8:30 a.m., with speaker Metro Government CIO Richard McKinney. NTC President David Condra explains: NMRT membership is open to persons with management responsibility for the support of computer-based infrastructure, including networks and/or servers and who are not vendors to other NMRT members. NTC membership is not required, initially, but some level of dues may be assessed for non-NTC members. The NMRT will provide forums for education and exchange of information on trends and best practices in their industry; and, will seek opportunities for NMRT members to participate in community and education initiatives related to strengthening the region's IT workforce and employment base. For information, write Kyle Cooksey.

_____________

CALENDAR

(June 17) ASTD Mid-Tn chapter has panel on e-learning and development solutions, featuring Bob Duthie of Duthie Communications; Jerry Flora, New Horizons CLC; Denise Bryant, Skillsoft, and others.

(June 22 & 28) LBMC users conference, Nashville and Knoxville. Details.

(June 22) Nashville Health Care Council briefing with Mark Miller, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.

(June 23) East TN Tech Council Monthly Meeting, luncheon, Kevin Finney, Division Manager of Applied Technologies at the Y-12 National Security Complex, discusses technology transfer initiatives. RSVP by June 21 to RSVP@tech2020.org or (865) 220-2020.

(June 24) Mid-Tn InfraGard meeting, Bryant Tow, Anatomy of a Hack. Belmont University Massey Bldg., 4th Flr., 2 p.m., rsvp here.

(June 24) Chatta. Tech. Council, Paul Weidlich and T.J. Gentle, Miller & Martin, present on business and legal issues in licensing technology, 7:30 a.m., info@chattanoogatechnologycouncil.org or (423) 755-7481

(June 26-27) Amateur Radio Field Day in Middle Tennessee, emergency demonstrations, fun.

(June 29) Initial meeting of the Nashville Technology Council Network Managers Roundtable, speaker Richard McKinney, director, information-technology services, Metro Nashville. For more information, write here.

(June 29) "Top Technology Trends, " Michael Cain and Tom Tarver of Lattimore, Black, Morgan and Cain (LBMC), LBMC Brentwood, RSVP by June 25 to amyehancock@comcast.net

(July 7) NTC Tech Roundtable, Open Source technologies, see details in Upfront section, above, and click her to register. For more information, write here.

(July 8) AITP Nashville - IT Strategies at Thomas Nelson, Rick Proctor, CIO, Sheraton Music City, 5:30 p.m., details here.

(July 20) East TN Tech After Hours at Digital Crossing, RSVP@tech2020.org. For more information on sponsorships or corporate tables at Tech After Hours, contact marlow@tech2020.org.

(July 21) Chattanooga Technology Council entrepreneurs breakfast, RFID topic, Tom Wengler, CGW Inc., (423) 755-7481 for info and RSVP.

(July 22) Mid-TN InfraGard chapter, Jim Basham, TN Emergency Management Agency. Belmont Univ. Massey Bldg., 4th Flr. 2 p.m., rsvp here.

(July 26) Dr. David Pond, Managing Director, USC Nano Center, "Nano Strategies. A Look Into The Future With Possibilies In The Present". 5:30 p.m. at MeadowView Marriott, Kingsport. Register via vcrymble@netntech.org.

(July 28) Tech Council Monthly Meeting at Tech2020, Speaker: Amy Bunton, TVA Economic Development Manager for Existing Business and Industry, RSVP by July 26 to RSVP@tech2020.org or call (865) 220-2020.

(July 29) Chatta. Tech. Council breakfast briefing, Developming and managing inventor-tracking systems, (423) 755-7481 for info and RSVP.

(Aug. 2-5) Synergy 2004: IT education-program reform conference in Nashville, led by Center for IT Education at Nashville State Community College, covering improvement of teaching and learning, and alignment of IT education with changing workforce and workplace demands. For more information, write David McNeel, director, CITE.

(Aug. 5) NTC Tech Roundtable, Tim Stafford, CIO, EdgeNet, University Club, Vanderbilt.

(Aug. 12) AITP Nashville - IT at Direct General Corporation, Suzanne Lattimore, CIO, Sheraton Music City, 5:30 p.m., details here.

(Aug. 24) 3rd Annual Nashville Technology Council - ISSA "Information Security Conference," Nashville Convention Center. Details here.

(Sept. 2) NTC Tech Roundtable, Steve Bass, Pres./CEO, Nashville Public Television, re: datacasting and digital era.

(Sept. 23-24) 8th Ann' Tenn. Venture Forum - hosts: Tech2020, City of Chattanooga. American Venture magazine touts success of Tennessee Venture Forum, page 11, Jan/Feb. 04, not on web.

(Sept. 24) Annual Economic Outlook Conference, sponsored by the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee University. Details not yet available.

(Sept. 28-30) 2004 Governor's Economic-Development Conference, Nashville Convention Center.

(Sept. 28) Music City Future 50 recognition at Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. Nominations open in June for this annual recognition, with nominations deadline of July 2. Event site, criteria here.

(Sept. 29) Healthcare IT conference, details to be announced. Save the date.

(Sept. 30) Nanotechnology enterprise will be the topic of a program convened in Nashville by faculty with Vanderbilt's owen Graduate School of Management and VU School of Engineering. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Details to be announced.

(Oct. 4) NTC Tech Roundtable - Mike Dunne, President, Quanta Nashville.

(Oct. 5-7) Memphis Musculoskeletal New Ventures Conference, Memphis Biotech. Fdn, here.

(Nov. 4) NTC Tech Roundtable, representatives of ConduIT Corporation and Digiscript discuss eDoc4U.