CONTENTS

SCHEDULED: A new Tech Awards dinner debuts, big events for network and software, healthcare and more, here at home and beyond here...

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Beginning in a few weeks, access to News of Nashville Technology will be limited to direct subscribers and to current members of lead sponsor Nashville Technology Council. Please watch for details. — Thanks, Milt Capps, Nashville Post Co.

CONNECTIONS: TNII, ConnecTEN, Metro broadband incentives, and another voice against Net neutrality and More...

HEALTHCARE: e-Health activities accelerate, Microsoft move into Health IT commercialization, dozens of stories for the nation's Healthcare IT capital...and More...

VENTURES: New companies erupting in Nashville — as in today's Rezoom.com announcement, plus leadership changes and where the money's going and More....

FOCUS: Tim Choate's Renderosity.com is a sleeping giant among Nashville's online communities, learn more here.

PARTNERS: Comings and goings, from Infoworks and Q-Track, to Alltech and Smart Data, and More...

EAST WEST: Innovations and deals from around the state and the mid-south ...and More...

GOVERNMENT: Keep up with government agencies, technology policy, trends, RFPs and More...

INNOVATIONS: Idea incubators, education, research and development...and More...

RESOURCES: The full list of VIPs who now comprise the board of Tennessee Tomorrow, and update on CITE and the IT workforce, and all...right here.

CONNECTIONS

Merger of TNII and ConnecTEN? Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) says it hasn't had an official response from the Bredesen Administration regarding TOSS' concerns that the state may move to unify the Tennessee Information Infrastructure (TNII) network (supported primarily by BellSouth, Comcast and EDS) and the dedicated ConnecTEN outsourced network. TOSS fears integration of the networks will lead to deterioriation of services for most of Tennessee's 136 school districts, through the ConnecTEN network currently provided by Education Networks of merica. TOSS says its board's June 2 resolution was sent to Bredesen F&A Commissioner Dave Goetz, OIR chief Bill Ezell, Education Commissioner Lana Seivers and others, during the past seven weeks. State Rep. Mark Maddox (D-76) is among legislators who have indicated that at this stage they share TOSS' concerns. TOSS was apparently prompted to declare its concerns as a result of communications with TNII staff, after reviewing recent state requests for industry comment on related matters. TOSS may also have been spurred to action by the findings and preliminary recommendations of Gartner Inc. Gartner's 2005 report for TNII was apparently neither exhaustive nor conclusive. The TNII contract was last bid in 1998, when a pre-bidders conference attracted 36 companies.

The Metro Council Telecommunications Innovation Task Force tentatively agreed July 21 to recommend incentives to induce BellSouth, Comcast and
other broadband incumbents to address aggressively the need for higher-broadband speed in Davidson County and better affordability and availability of computers and broadband services for lower-income households, NashvillePost.com, July 21. The task force will probably recommend creation of a Metro chief technology officer post. The task force plans to submit its report to Metro Council in August. The group meets, again, tomorrow morning at Metro Council.

Vanderbilt Medical Center's Dr. David Charles argues against "Net Neutrality," on grounds it's a disincentive to development of broadband access required for healthcare access via Telemedicine, original article here, July 12. Republished in The Tennessean, July 26. Charles is chair of a national alliance of researchers. Related: Dramatic advances in Telemedicine, electronicdesign.com, June 29. Also: Net Neutrality: 'a commercial issue with a layer of emotionalizing', Wash. Post, June 25.

BellSouth: Company's earnings — driven by broadband and wireless, advance by double digits for three consecutive quarters, generating nearly $900M in latest quarterly profits, release July 24. AT&T, BellSouth earnings, NY Times, July 26. Tenn. Regulatory Authority endorses AT&T-BellSouth merger, Tennessean, July 11. Judge's inquiry could slow merger, Wash. Post, July 26. BellSouth and AT&T representatives defend proposed merger before TRA, Tennessean, June 29. BellSouth to test WI-MAX in lab trials, release June 27.

Tenvera (Franklin) and Crystal Clear Technologies are among local companies taking fiber to the home in residential developments, Tennessean, July 14.

Editorials: All of Metro Schools students need Internet access at home, Tennessean, June 25. Educators must be alert to kids without Web access at home, Tennessean, July 10.

Ignition Partners pushes alliance including Sparkplug, which has a business wireless broadband presence in TN, release July 11.

Iris Networks (Tennessee) is among VoIP core network providers using MetaSwitch softswitch, release July 25.

Fayette County wins Delta Regional Authority grant for wireless mesh network, with KROW Link Wireless Mesh Network with Cisco. Fayette County Review, July 20.

J.D. Power survey says Bright House Networks had most satisfied local/LD voice customers in TN and rest of Southeast, with emphasis on customer service, billing, image; J.D. Power/McGraw-Hill release July 12. Bright House release, July 12.

GE Commercial Finance supports NewWave Communications, with operations in TN, with $182M mezzanine financing for cable-system buyouts, release July 24.

The recently formed Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Washington, D.C., offers a paper on America's lagging adoption of broadband telcommunications, here.

Muni Wi-Fi has only just begun, says entrepreneur who's connecting New York City parks, NY Times, July 14. Sluggish success of Taipei's wireless network may be a cautionary lesson for municipalities and another reminder, "Content is King." NY Times, June 26.

See more broadband items this issue in East/West and Resources, below.

HEALTHCARE

Note: See item on broadband for telemedicine, in Connections, above.

When the Bredesen-chartered eHealth Advisory Council meets in August, the group will consider a business model and a business-implementation plan, according to eHealth Initiative Director Antoine Agassi. Agassi told
NashvillePost.com July 18 that technology infrastructure and broadband services are among the keys to successful RHIO implementation. Agassi participated July 18 in the State Level RHIO Consensus Forum. Related: How RHIOs are being financed, GovHealthIT.com, June 26 and July 20. East Tenn.'s CareSpark RHIO aims for patient information at point of care, FCW.com, July 19.

Announced prior to today's MS meeting with investment analysts: Microsoft's purchase of Azyxxi clinical-software suite signals company's entry into development of Health IT, NY Times, July 27. Commercializing proven IT product may be 'proof-point' for Microsoft, Wash. Post, July 27. MS release, July 26.

Gov. Bredesen tells eHealth panel he wants results, ideas that can be shared with other states; Goetz asks for legislative and budget needs, June 27, NashvillePost.com. Gov. Bredesen addresses first meeting of eHealth Advisory Council, AP via Times Free Press, June 27. AP via Tennessean, June 27. WTVF NewsChannel5, June 26. CIGNA's Chattanooga Healthcare Service Center gets kudos! for operations, Chattanoogan.com, June 26.

HCA hires VA's Perlin as SVP-CMO; exec reportedly has reputation for innovation in patient safety and technology, Tennessean, July 13. Related: NashvillePost.com, July 12. HCA release, July 12.

Spheris taps Whorton as SVP-Sales, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 27. Tennessean, June 29. NashvillePost.com, June 28.

Recently renamed Informatics Corporation of America leverage VU-developed StarChart and StarPanel technologies, with Jacobson, Stead, Goad among advisors and investors. Nash. Bus. Journal, July 14. Earlier, related: Can Nashville become the nation's lab for e-Health? here.

VerusMed appoints Caplan EVP-product development and marketing, Tennessean, July 18. Release, July 17.

Bredesen signed into law the state's electronic organ-donor registry, GovTech.net, July 24.

Online psychiatrist can treat inmates in Dickson County Jail, via new videoconferencing system, Tennessean, July 26.

Linda Rebrovick, Dell Americas VP for healthcare IT sales, will address Women in Technology of Tennessee, Aug. 29, 4:30 p.m., at Dell/Nashville campus. Details here.

Iasis Healthcare adopts MCN Healthcare eDept Training Solution for 11,000 nurses and clinical staff, release July 25.

LBMC eHealth, Tenn. Hospital Association and eTransX partner to develop Small and Rural Toolbox for enterprise intelligence for hospitals, release July 20. Related Tarver profile, here. LBMC's Tarver cites need for incentives for providers to acclerate adoption of electronic medical records, Knox. Bus. Journal, July 17.

Brentwood's Prison Health has reportedly signed a contract extension with CompuMed for cardiac screening, remote interpretational market. Release, July 24.

Sen. Frist launches MedicalMatters.org in advance of stem-cell debates, Wash. Post, July 23 (scroll down). Syndicated version, p. 5A, Tennessean, July 24, not on web.

MedSolutions SHC Inc. of Franklin, Tenn., was awarded up to $765K in contract to provide an outpatient diagnostic imaging prior authorization program. Concord (NH) Monitor, June 25.

TennCare's Hickey departs to lead Qualifacts, a Bredesen technology company, as CEO. Nash. Bus. Journal, July 7. Tennessean, July 8. COO will handle marketing and development. TN release, July 7. Qualifacts relocating to SoBro neighborhood, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 17; WPLN 90.3 NPR, July 18; City Paper, July 18.

Healthcare Management Systems' (HMS) Stephenson sees HMS growth in clinical IT products, outsource IT and other categories, cites EMR growth as benefiting HMS, p. 35, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 23. HMS promotes Peschio to director of revenue-cycle products, names clinical and financial apps specialists, Tennessean, July 16. Newberry named Healthcare Management Systems Inc. systems engineer, Tennessean, July 23. HMS announces signing Cornerstone Healthcare Group (Austin) for financial systems for 14 facilities, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 10. HMS offers songstress Naomi Judd as key speaker during HMS' Fall 2006 user conference, details here.

Wellmont Health System, Kingsport, selects CliniComp perinatal information system, release July 5.

AllScripts says E.TN. physicians in State of Franklin practice will use their EHR product, release July 20.

Caremark Rx, Inc. was named Certified PBM Partner for the HR Policy Association Prescription Drug Initiative, release July 24.

MedEdge from Memphis' Managed Healthcare Solutions is billed as the 'Expedia of medical devices', for buyers and sellers, Memphis Bus. Journal, July 21.

Avega Health Systems (MedAssets), which maintains a key office in Nashville, announced July 19 its Alliance Decision Support software won top distinction from KLAS enterprises. Fresenius Medical Care (parent of Nashville's former Renal Care Group) recently purchased Avega Health System's (MedAssets) Alliance Decision Support system. Release July 11.

Birmingham region must capitalize on recent sale of tech firm, Birm. Bus. Journ., July 21. Birmingham's MedMined Inc., a UA-B spinoff in data-mining technology, is bought by Cardinal Health (Dublin, Ohio), Birm. Business Journ., July 12.

MedQuist, the transcription and documentation company, cites Maury (Tenn.) Regional Healthcare Sys. as Ovation client, release June 29.

Sumner Regional Medical Center staff additions: Janet Jones joins as director of clinical information services; she was corporate director of medical records at DaVita Healthcare, Brentwood. Tennessean, July 2.

Anaheim's Fletcher-Flora Healthcare systems says its lab info systems making headway in TN, citing Dandridge Family Practice Cntr., release BusinessWire July 5.

Healthcare-Informatics listing of top revenue generators shows Pathfinder, Spheris, others advancing, June 2006.

Editorial: Clarksville Leaf Chronicle supports medial records network, July 25.

HHS Secretary Leavitt tells Southern Governors that they should force adoption of Health IT standards by refusing contracts to companies that don't comply, AP via Knox. News, July 18. Leavitt announces post-Katrina Louisiana Healthcare Redesign Collaborative, with emphasis on interoperable Health IT, release July 17.

CMS announced July 21 that WebMD's ViPS division and Capstone Government Solutions (the Nashville partnership of Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN and CIGNA) won a $500K pilot contract to test transfer of Medicare claims histories to personal health records, Tennessean, July 22. Capstone release, July 24. Personal Health Records are on their way and Capstone Govt. Solutions (BCBSTN/CIGNA) is a beneficiary, Modern Healthcare online, July 10. Related story, in context of CMS pilots: iLink System's Dobbs cautions against giving physicians 'free' EMR systems that may not have adequate support, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 1, July 21.

Certification Commission for Health Information Technology certifies 20 vendors, release July 18. Background presentation (PDF), June 21. Related: GovHealthIT, July 19. Government Computer News, July 20.

VENTURES

Zoitech Interactive Technologies, which offers a variety of e-commerce, gaming and entertainment technologies, has quietly grown to 25 FTEs in its Nashville operations, announced June 28 it acquired $2.25 million in further investment, and plans to use the proceeds for such purposes as buying Lebanon, Tenn.-based Tournament Games, Inc. — while awaiting a possible reverse merger with CET Services, Inc. (AMEX:ENV, with July 25 notes indicating deficiencies re board listing). The Las Vegas-oriented Zoitech's COO, Safa Homayoon, lives in Nashville. The company will soon move from its current Brentwood offices to space in Cummins Station, according to chief marketing officer Bayard Saunders, interviewed by NashvillePost.com.

Rezoom.com today announced its new chairman is former Rivals.com principal Jerry Cover, entrepreneur says more Rezoom.com offerings will be announced in coming weeks, BW release July 27.

Healthways gets a Jefferies & Co. Buy recommendation and a rise in share prices, AP via Yahoo, June 27. Healthways Inc. is among firms shifting analysts from Excel to other spreadsheets and services, like Adaptive Planning's, to free-up Healthways' analysts' time, Wall St. Journal, July 24.

David Wilds, managing partner of Nashville's First Avenue Partners, has reportedly resigned from the board of troubled Ipix Corp., the video-surveillance firm that continues losing money following PE raise. Knox. News Sentinel, July 21.

Ortale changes leadership, technology and targets within Terra Certa, seeking broader markets for the former BBX Technologies, NashvillePost.com, July 10.

Tennessee Technology Development Corp. commits $100K grant for "Innovation Tennessee" initiative to spur development of higher-paying jobs, R&D and broadband infrastructure, among other benefits. NashvillePost.com, July 6. See related story in Resources, below.

Battelle Ventures LP, with links to Eastate's Innovation Valley Partners, invests in Rajant (nonfixed wireless), release July 24.

Luminetx Snowflake subsidiary raised $6 million in two weeks for biometrics technology, Comm. Appeal, July 12. Phillips says Luminetx's VeinViewer as key image for Wired magazine's NextFest next fall, Memphis Bus. Journal, June 23.

Julian Bibb IV creates portal for Franklin, Tenn., residents at Franklinis.com, Tennessean, June 22.

Viisage Technology Inc., which bought Nashville's Integrated Biometric Technology in 2005, continues to roll-up security-technology companies. Viisage named former FBI director Freeh to its board, July 24. The company's Nashville IBT division also announced July 10 it won a sole-source contract with state of Illinois to provide technology to support database tracking of commercial drivers who haul hazardous materials.

Ingram Industries buys Vital Source Technologies, Inc. of Raleigh, and the company is now part of Ingram Digital Ventures Group, Tennessean, July 18. City Paper, p. 9, not on web, July 18. Ingram Micro wins accolades as CRN's 'Distributor of Choice', release July 24. Ingram Micro's Nimax division will distribute IBM industrial printers, release July 26.

LBMC Technologies acquires Westglenn Software Inc. of Birmingham, NashvillePost.com, July 17. Nash. Bus. Journal, July 17. Tennessean, July 18. City Paper, July 19, p. 9, not on web. LBMC receives Microsoft Strategic Business Excellence award for investing in its relationship with Microsoft, release July 5 and Tennessean, July 16. See, also, LBMC news in Healthcare section, this issue.

Chattanooga launches new Capital Connection for early-stage companies and investors.

State grant supports biotech business startups in East Tennessee Innovation Lab, Tri-Cities Bus. Jrnl., July 24.

Tech commercialization: Birmingham and Huntsville are pressing hard to create funding for tech and biotech ventures, Birmingham News, July 9. Technology Fund Management Co. LLC (Bham) and Hudson-Alpha Institute (Huntsville) attract additional VCs, grants.

In Franklin, French and Phillips launch Mt. Knox Availability Services, release July 11.

BioMimetic execs on road-show circuit, wants analyst attention at the level of that accorded Smith & Nephew, p. 3, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 7.

New student discipline- and intervention-tracking software developed and copyrighted by Fairview High (Williamson Co.) assistant principal, Tennessean, July 21.

Ozburn-Hessey Logistics makes trio of acquisitions in Pennsylvania and Georgia, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 7. OH release, July 6.

Pharos Capital Group LLC (Dallas, Nashville) named Kovolkova VP in Nashville office, NashvillePost.com, July 24. Release, July 17. Pharos invested in VeriCenter Inc., a Houston IT company. Simultaneously, Jim Phillips, a Pharos partner, joined VeriCenter's board. Tennessean, July 18. Pharos added Matthew Mariner and Ryan Shelton as financial analysts. Release July 17. Related item, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 17.

Seedco Financial Services is prepared to use tax credits to help finance projects in Tennessee and Alabama, p. 3, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 30.

Goodwin (from Draupnir) and Hayes (from UBS) are now VPs with Gen Cap America Inc., Tennessean, July 16.

Harpeth Companies Inc., parent of Harpeth Capital, launches Harpeth Consulting, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 23. Release June 27.

Venture capital conference Oct. 10-11 reviews biotech venture proposals during Musculoskeletal New Ventures Conference at Memphis, Memphis Bus. Journal, July 7. Memphis BioWorks and MBVentures collaborate for the event. Related: InMotion Musculoskeletal Institute receives nonnprofit tax status, Comm. Appeal, July 11.

Venture investments nationwide at highest in four years, AP via Wash. Post, July 25. NVCA release, July 25. Northern Va. tech/venture community is abuzz with potential of the future, Wash. Post, July 17.

FOCUS:

Renderosity.com draws animators from Joplin to Japan

Nashville's Bondware Inc. says its Renderosity.com online digital-art community now has 475,000 registered users in 134 nations, with intense usage in the U.S., Japan and Europe.

Tim Choate (at left), Bondware founder and CEO, as well creator of six-year-old Renderosity, told NONT recently, "we don't really have any downtime," explaining that usage now follows the Sun: As usage in the Americas tails-off each day, usage in other regions of the globe cranks-up.

Choate said Renderosity's regular users total more than 300,000, up from the 250,000 he estimated two years ago. Choate said total registered users of all Bondware-affiliated and customer e-commerce sites have surpassed the 750,000 mark. He revealed that one of Bondware's most recent clients is the Washington, D.C.-based Consumer Driven Healthcare Initiative.

Bondware is also developing an e-mail marketing technology platform for mailings driven by databases. Bondware's chief Nashville-based rivals for such e-marketing products and services include ColdFeetCreative's Emma; Acuity Marketing Communications Inc.'s AcuWeb suite; Acxiom Direct; and, Sitemason's Merchant. ♦

PARTNERS & RECOGNITION

Infoworks, Inc., management and IT consulting, adds five execs with experience with Sprint PCS (Thene Sheehy), SAIC (David Halitsky), Accenture (Celeste Hutton), plus recent CS grads (Brett Kelley, Kristen Heggie), release July 24. Infoworks CEO Jim Clayton told NONT Tuesday the firm's FTE ranks are about 36. He said there are a 11 shareholders working for the firm, today, and one outside investor, up from five total shareholders last fall.

Software developer Insequence Corp. is hiring 30 for supply-chain ops, adding officed space in Smyrna, Tennessean, July 22. Release, July 20.

Nashville-based Consumer Depot reportedly engages in practices that cast doubt on faithfulness of product descriptions sold via eBay. WSMV Channel 4, July 13.

Q-Track Corporation President Jerry Gabig in Huntsville tells NONT his firm is looking for partners and licensees in Tennessee for electromagnetic ranging technology with applications in hospitals, supply chain, etc. Here's his video.

Smart Data Strategies of Franklin named David Doyle, former CIO for TN Dept of Transportation, as SVP-CIO, July 20 in GISuser.com. NashvillePost.com, July 21.

Profiled: Mark Montgomery, CEO, echomusic, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 15, July 14, not on web.

Alltech Inc.'s Glenn Gentry says his firm has been chosen to represent OpenMFG, a provider of open source-based enterprise software solutions (ERP) for small manufacturers and distributors, in TN, Ala., Ky. Alltech is also home to local CIO Council convenor Pat Camm.

Dell Inc. Healthy Community grant of $50K goes to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 6. Dell's 'Literate Community' grants include Tennessean, release, July 19. Dell Inc. works to restore its image for customer service, in the wake of reports of 'exploding' laptops, NY Times, July 10. Dell Inc. launches IT service plan using Google Earth, AP via Wash. Post, June 28. Dell expands global recycling efforts, release June 28. Dell announces Platinum-level customer support for storage systems and servers, release June 28.

Braun fills newly created e-commerce position for Tractor Supply, NashvillePost.com, June 26. Nash. Bus. Journal, June 26. Tennessean, June 28.

Hottle named VP-Interactive Media for MindReactor (Gish Sherwood div.), Tennessean, July 23. MindReactor (div. Gish, Sherwood and Friends) says former HCA Internet apps specialist has joined as Web designer/developer, and Derek Hollis is a junior web designer, Tennessean, July 2.

Reed promoted to VP-client advocacy for The Rehab Documentation Co., Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 19, July 14, not on web.

Nashville's DesignPath Media Inc. has created an iTunes podcast directory for local auto dealer, City Paper, p.11, July 17.

Mindy Kurts leads installation and maintenance for Avaya in TN and northern MS, Tennessean, July 16.

Tim Larson joined Dalco as senior technology consultant, Tennessean, July 16.

VU's Hall says university saves at least $75K per year in bandwidth costs by reducing illegal downloads on campus network, Wall St. Journal, July 7. (No mention of potential legal costs avoided.)

(more) J. Edward "Eddie" Pearson has joined HealthStream Inc. as senior vice president. He assumes responsibility for the development and growth of the company's research products group. Pearson has more than 22 years of experience, most recently as president and CEO of DigiScript. Tennessean, July 2. Earlier coverage of Pearson move to HealthStream, here.

Nashville Public Television CEO Curley comments on role of digital TV in station's future, Tennessean, July 9. Curley indicates that using digital-television capacity for "public safety and security purposes," City Paper, July 3.

Nashville Business Journal's new publisher announces opening access to most print content via web for NBJ subscribers, reduces content availability for nonsubscribers, p. 4., Nash. Bus. Journal, July 21. Bloggist Hobbs comments, July 25.

Tennessean Publisher Leifeld tells Downtown Rotary that "expansion of the newspaper's online capabilities" is part of her plan, Tennessean, June 27.

Narrowcasting via Podcasts is important new media outlet for entertainers in Nashville, Tennessean, July 8.

Incentive Publications, Inc., of Nashville announced online sales of its eBooks for educators and school administrators. Incentive previously sold only through resellers. June 28 ebooks link.

Jeremy Peach joined Axis Accounting Systems LLC as software architect, release July 18.

Bobby Spivey has been named vice president of European operations at GEIBM Inc., a Tampa, Fla.-based electronic data transfer company. Spivey will be based in Nashville. Tennessean, July 2.

Doug Hill's iTouch/iView enterprises are automating homes at more affordable prices, Tennessean, July 21.

Profile: Laurie Cook, president/CEO, Accord Scientific LLC, recruiter for clinical-research and life-sciences talent for biotech firms, p. 15, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 21, not on web.

Karla Alvarado has joined Franklin-based Carnes Group LLC as a consultant. She specializes in infrastructure, networking and training in Microsoft environments. Tennessean, July 2.

Carl Dury is director of computer services at Nashville State Community College, here.

MediaJolt of Nashville introduces SimpleJax for JavaScript and XML for beginners, release July 20.

Bob Duthie, founder/chairman of Duthie Associates, is among new members of Juvenile Diabetes Res. Found., Tennessean, July 23.

Crosslin Vaden & Associates named Jinkins to customer support, was with MDX Medical Practice Software and for Health Network. Tennessean, July 16.

Hagen, CEO of Curatorial Management System, named to national appraisers group, Tennessean, June 24.

Physical security tech: Franklin's Universal Safety Response Inc. (USRGrab.com) is building business by adding over-speed detection to barrier products, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 7, July 21.

CIBER Inc. adquired Germany's NovaSoft AG, release July 11.

Butera of ITS Techs (Hendersonville) discusses computing and mobility, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 13, July 14.

EAST-WEST

Kisber, Jurkovich, others extoll economic impact of Gateway Inc. computer siting for Davidson and Rutherford counties; questions remain unanswered about relationship between Gateway and colocated Quanta Computer Inc., Tennessean, June 22.

In Memphis, Accuship supply-chain CEO Rau sees global opportunity, Memphis Bus. Journal, June 23.

Memphis entrepreneur Compton went from Sofamor, to Snappy Greetings to Vontoo, where he's into customized permission-based commercial voicemail messages, Memphis Bus. Journal, June 23.

1st Trust Bank for Savings adopts Metavante Banking Solutions, Memphis Bus. Journal, July 13.

Idleair adds former White House staffer and GTx executive to its board, Knox. News Sentinel, June 28.

Chattanooga Chamber retains Howard Baker and firm to help with economic development, Chattanoogan.com, July 14.

Kyzen expands its Applications Laboratory for testing electronic-manufacturing industry's cleaning processes, chemicals in controllable environment, EMS Now, June 28.

Knoxville cultural alliance begins online sales of events tickets at lower prices via KnoxTix.com, Knox. News Sentinel, July 23.

Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company selected Princeton Softech Optim for management of enterprise application data, release July 24.

Dollywood installing Virtual Queuing system from Lo-Q (England) to that enables park visitors to reserve place in line at attractions while doing other things, release July 19 via LifeStyle Extra.

First Tennessee Bank increases security to deter phishing fraud. Chattanoogan.com, June 28. Comm. Appeal, July 25. First Tennessee banking on new digital ATM that takes cash and checks without envelopes, Memphis Bus. Journal, July 7.

Remote deposit capture technology for businesses is lifting both First Horizon and Software Earnings in Memphis, Comm. Appeal, July 1.

Boeing names Bomhoff leader of its Oak Ridge manufacturing site, Reliable Plant, July 5.

Cleveland, Tenn.'s Lee University has chosen Datatel Colleague ERP solution, release July 12.

Kingsport's Eastman Credit Union selects Open Solutions technology platform for numerous functions, release July 11.

Knoxville's FileKeeper Inc. appoints Lee Martin to board, July 11.

Memphis' Packrat Automatic Data Protection offers backup to smaller customers, Comm. Appeal, July 19.

Daniel Dixon has been promoted to manager of process innovation at Consolidated Products Inc., which provides bar coding, radio frequency identification and related services. Knox. Bus. Journal, July 17.

Knoxville's Catalyst Technology Group USA appointed Dennis Lange to lead system engineering. Lange was with Pomeroy Computer.. Knox. Bus. Journal, July 17.

Heritage Planetarium (Blount Co.) goes all-digital, Knox. News Sentinel, July 26.

Knox. News Sentinel makes executive changes, in part to accelerate multimedia adaptation, Knox. News Sentinel, July 19.

Multimedia rights contract with Host Communications (Lexington), including online ad component, brings UT Athletics $83 million over 10 years, plus revenue sharing, Knox. News Sentinel, July 13.

Houston-TN: eLinear is buying Sweetwater wireless-security, which says it has TN customers, release July 12.

Appalachian Regional Commission looks at energy technologies, energy supply chain to foster energy economy in the region, Knox. News Sentinel, June 28.

Hacker exposes personal information of 36,000 persons associated with University of Tenn., Knox. News Sentinel, July 7.

Memphis schools adopting podcasts to communicate with parents, Comm. Appeal, July 4.

Former Oak Ridge NL scientist's NeighborhoodScout.com venture names former MapQuest.com CEO to its advisory board, release June 27.

GOVERNMENT

The 1st NONT Irregular Award for public information in E-Procurement goes to whomever within Metro Government thought to add new links for new RFPs, RFPs in Review and recent RFPs awarded.

Technology Development -- The State's Economic Growth Board is due to reconvene Sept. 11, 2 p.m., 11th Floor, Economic and Community Development. ECD Technology Director Eric Cromwell might join the group, as announced during the board's previous meeting, to discuss Innovation Tennessee. Cromwell, whose appointment to lead the new Innovation Tennessee initiative has never been confirmed, is also scheduled to discuss related topics during the Sept. 27-28 annual meeting of the Tennessee Biotechnology Association.

US Rep. Jim Cooper (5-D) faces challenge from candidate who is a Toshiba software programmer, Tennessean, July 14.

Metro Elections: Blue and Nevill, both execs with tech-centric companies, are stepping aside after years' service on Metro Board of Public Education, Tennessean, July 16.

VU Law's Blumstein files complaint against posting suspected prostitution customers' photos on Metro Police website, triggering Metro review of 1974 order and spurring open-records advocates' concern, Tennessean, July 18.

State Tourism-promotion campaign includes substantial Internet advertising, Tennessean, July 26.

US Dept. of Homeland Security fails after one year to find Cybersecurity candidate with strengths in both telecom and information technologies, Wash. Post, July 13. Fears of shifting emphasis from physical security and perhaps political screening may have contributed to delay.

Judge refuses to dismiss class-action suit against AT&T for security surveillance, Wash. Post, July 21. USA Today takes back some of its NSA phone-data reports, which BellSouth had denied, Wash. Post, July 1. USA Today acknowledges confusion and uncertainty in its reporting of allegations that BellSouth and Verizon contracted with National Security Agency to provide call records, USA Today, June 30.

Decision July 26: Patient Tracking and Billing Management Info. System (PTBMIS) decision is due out after RFP 343.60-428.

NO BIDDERS was the apparent result in response to RFP 335.02-709 for systems to support examinations of insurance companies and HMOs by the State of Tenn. The RFP coordinator said next steps are uncertain.

Metro Nashville seeks bids on Coding Accuracy Support Software, due Aug. 1, here.

State Call Center and Fulfillment Services for Tourist Development agency, RFP 326.01-701. Proposal deadline Aug. 1.

State OIR (for Dept. of Safety) seeks proposals for Integrated Point of Sale and Inventory System, RFP 317.03.141. Software (and support), peripheral hardware, training and support for TN Dept. of Safety (Websphere 6.0 J2EE compliance environment). Deadline Aug. 24. System may be later extended to other state agencies.

Oak Ridge NL information-services contract award still hung-up in Washington review circles, Knox. News Sentinel, June 23.

E-VOTING ROUNDUP: Rutherford County introduces electronic voting machines, Daily News Journal, July 9. Hamilton County using most sophisticated voting machines, Chattanoogan.com, July 8. Sumner County using new voting machines, Tennessean, July 24. Knox County using eSlate this week for electronic voting, Knox. News Sentinel, July 15 and July 14. Shelby County introduces Diebold voting technology, in an election with a very long ballot - slowdown predicted, Comm. Appeal, July 14. Williamson County's early voting hits bumps due to new voting equipment, Tennessean, July 15 and July 14. Ivotronic touch-screen election system being introduced in Williamson County, Tennessean, June 30. Touchscreen voting with no paper trail leaves some Hamilton County voters anxious, Times Free Press, July 12. Ivotronic touch-screen election system being introduced in Williamson County, Tennessean, June 30. Commentary: 'No trade secrets if electronic voting to succeed', ComputerWorld, New Zealand, ETSU prof, July 18.

Hamilton County leads 8-county group to develop online e4TN curricula to meet No Child mandates, Times Free Press, June 27.

Tennessee educators will be able to take PRAXIS certification tests online, Tennessean, June 25.

Memphis automated electric-meter reading system may cost $150 million, Comm. Appeal, June 25.

Chattanooga mayor seeks more funding for 3-1-1 service, Times Free Press, June 24.

Knox County Purchasing Division is using podcasts to promote supplier diversity, Knox. News Sentinel, July 19.

Dickson County schools tech director Semore would like multimedia platform everywhere, adequate training for teachers; plans tech upgrade in coming year, Tennessean, July 12.

INNOVATIONS: Research, Commercialization and Universities

UT School of Information Sciences establishes advisory board, OakRidger, July 5. The SIS hopes to leap from 16th to Top 10 in library and info-sci ranking, OakRidger, July 3.

Tech2020's Rogers commends Rep.Wamp for help in getting House support for new E. TN. nanoscience commercialization facility, OakRidger, June 26.

New scientist-recruitment effort by State of TN, UT, ORNL pays-off in landing Jeremy Smith for UT-ORNL Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Knox. News Sentinel, June 23.

(more) Camilla Benbow, dean of Peabody College at Vanderbilt, nominated by Pres. Bush to six-year term on National Science Board. Tennessean, June 25.

Townsend, as president of Oak Ridge Associated Universities and director of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, sees growing importance of science-math-engineering role of organizations, Knox. Bus. Journal, July 17.
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/business_journal/article/0,2682,KNS_24796_4835526,00.html

UT names Riedinger interim vice chancellor for Research, OakRidger, June 27.

Sayler appointed first director of UT-ORNL Institute for Biological Sciences, Knox. News Sentinel, June 26.

Owen GSM at Vanderbilt adds Kurtulus to teach operations, supply-chain, Tennessean, 5E, July 9.

Battelle honors three Oak Ridge NL scientists who hold dozens of patents among them, Knox. News Sentinel, July 11.

Oak Ridge NL scientists win half-dozen research and development awards, Knox. News Sentinel, July 6. ORNL release, July 5. ORNL security practices coverage, July 12 here and here.

U. Memphis increases promotion of computer-science classes, using National Science Foundation grant, Memphis Bus. Journal, July 21.

Chattanooga State Comm. Coll. and TransMarkets Technologies LLC have partnered to provide college-credit courses for truck drivers via InCab University online services, release July 17.

Vancouver's Eloquent Systems Inc. gives much credit to University of Tennessee and Humanities Tennessee in telling of development of its VisualSearch geospatial search tools, release July 25.

IBM supports Brian College (Dayton, Tenn.) with software, instructional support, Times Free Press, July 8. Goal of program is to prepare more people for IT jobs, as demand rises.

UT Chatta. EE students build and maintain electronic gaming machine, Times Free Press, July 11.

National Endowment for the Humanities provides grant for cataloging TV news special coverage, including programs from Watergate and 9/11 aftermath, City Paper, June 26, p. 8, not on web. VU release June 23.

Shelby Scholars Summer Institute takes kids deeper into science, ecology, space and more, Comm. Appeal, June 23.

Cumberland University will start math, science, technology degree academy, p. 4, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 30.

Volunteer State Community College increases online course offerings 10 percent for 07 schoolyear, Tennessean, June 29.

Technology cited as factor driving high-school reform through state's High School Redesign Project, Tennessean, July 14.

RESOURCES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY and workforce-oriented Tennessee Tomorrow Inc. picks Joe Barker, formerly an ECD assistant commissioner, to lead in the footsteps of George Yowell, NashvillePost.com, June 29; Tennessean, June 30. The heretofore unpublicized board of directors: PUBLIC SECTOR: Chairman: Gov. Phil Bredesen. Also: ECD Commis. Matt Kisber; TVA SVP-Econ. Dev. John Bradley; F&A Commis. Dave Goetz; TBR Chancellor Charles Manning; Labor & Workforce Commis. James Neeley; TDOT/Safety Commis. Gerald Nicely; UT President John Peterson; THEC Exec. Dir. Dr. Rich Rhoda; Educ. Commis. Lana Seivers; Spallation Neutron Source Comm.-Outreach Director Billy Stair. PRIVATE SECTOR: Co-Chair: Marty Dickens, Pres., BellSouth of Tenn.; Sam W. Bartholomew Jr., Partner, Stokes & Bartholomew; Gregory Duckett, SVP/Counsel, Baptist Memorial HCC; Vicky Gregg, Pres.-CEO, BlueCross BlueShield of TN; Herb Hilliard, EVP, First Horizon Corp.; Julius Johnson, CAO, TN Farm Bur.; Christine Karbowiak, VP, Bridgestone/Americas Holding, Inc.; Tinker Kelly, Pres., VEBA; Mike Kopp, Partner, MMA Creative; Wayne McCreight, CEO, Hamilton Ryker; Stuart McWhorter, Co-Founder, Clayton Associates; Aubrey Preston; Bryon Smith, CMO, Asurion Inc.; Kyle Spurgeon, Pres., TN. Industrial Dev. Council; Steve Taylor, VP, FedEx; Dennis Vonderfecht, Mountain States Health Alliance; John Williams, Pres/CEO, Jackson Energy Authority; Katie Winchester, Chair-Pres., First Citizens Bank; Tracy Woodard, Sr. Mgr., Nissan North America, Inc.

Nashville Technology Council's Jeff Costantine says IT staffing demand is probably higher than reported openings, p. 6, Nash.Bus. Journal, July 7, not on web.

Nashville's intellectual capital ranks 21 of 53 cities in Nash. Bus. Journal study, p. 6, Nash. Bus. Journal, June 23, not on web.

Urbancore initiative in Chattanooga develops young IT talent, Times Free Press,July 18.

GeeksForRelief, a consortium of independent online data backup service providers, has been formed to provide free backup services to businesses and households in hurricane-prone areas.

Computer-systems analysts could be among those reclassified as supervisors, say critics of NLRB, City Paper, July 13.

Nashville ranks only 40th in iJacking risk (identity theft), release July 11.

(more) IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) special-interest group formed in Nashville, p. 8, Nash. Bus. Journal, July 21. NONT's earlier ITIL coverage, June 22, here.

IT Workforce Improvement: The Center for Information Technology Education (CITE) at Nashville State Community College was created in 2002 to improve the region's IT workforce, by working with IT employers, postsecondary institutions and K-12 educators. A total of approximately $2.2 million in National Science Foundation and related funding formally ends Aug. 31, 2006. In recent discussions, CITE Director David McNeel said CITE has received additional commitments for a total of nearly $100,000 in funds from EDS Foundation and Ford Motor Fund, and has partnered with other institutions to win a shared grant, in order to continue its work for another year or two. McNeel says that additional grants for longer-term sustainable funding are being pursued. However, he explains that NSF and other grantors are moving away from funding broader "umbrella" programs, and CITE's current operations are now "more focused" and more "project-oriented." CITE's return to a more aggressive programming posture depends, McNeel says, on getting more local support for sharply defined projects. Meanwhile, Nashville State Community College, CITE's host, is also underwriting a portion of CITE salaries. Under the circumstances, said McNeel, "I think the real challenge is not going to be 'keeping the lights on', but doing something that has real impact."

SCHEDULED EVENTS

For frequent updates, check the NTC home page and the NTC "Tech Links" and Calendar and Member Press Release pages. Visit Tennessee's technology councils' sites:

Chattanooga Technology Council

East Tennessee Technology Council

Memphis Technology Council

Nashville Technology Council

Northeast Tennessee Technology Council

Tennessee Biotechnology Association

FedEx Institute of Technology

* (Aug. 15) Inaugural Network Managers Roundtable, Nashville Technology Council, details here.

* (Aug. 16) Chatta. Tech. Council program on Da Vinci surgical robot, 11:30 a.m., details here.

* (Aug. 23-24) "The Next Industrial Revolution: Nanotechnology & Manufacturing," Pollard Center, Oak Ridge. Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, East Tennessee Economic Council, Technology 2020, Y-12 National Security Complex, Knoxville/Oak Ridge Innovation Valley and UT. For info: sme.org/nanomfg.

* (Aug. 29) WiTTN program, 4:30 p.m., speaker: Linda Rebrovick, Sales VP Healthcare, Dell Americas. Details here.

(Sept. 7) NTC Tech Roundtable: Sarbanes-Oxley, Legal / Regulatory issues.

* (Sept. 11) Tennessee Board for Economic Growth, 2 p.m. meeting at TN Dept. of Economic and Community Development.

(Sept. 11-12) Gov. Bredesen's annual Economic Development Conference.

* (Sept. 13-14) eHealth initiative Privacy and Confidentiality workshop, Nashville.

(Sept. 14) Richard M. Russell, Assoc. Dir. for Technology in OS&TP, The White House, is keynote for 2nd Navigator Awards.

* (Sept. 28-29) Tenn. Biotechnology Assn. annual meeting meeting.

* (Oct. 4) NTC-ISSA InfoSec Information Security Conference. Details here.

* (Oct. 13) Software developers and other converge for DevLink 2006 at Lipscomb University, details here.

(Nov. 2) NTC Tech Roundtable: Business Intelligence / Data Warehousing

* (Nov. 2-3) Business and Technology Expo and business matchmaking scheduled in Knoxville, sponsored by Chamber and Greater Knox. Business Journal (KNS).

* (Nov. 15) 1st Annual NTC Technology Leadership Awards dinner, Downtown Hilton Nashville, Keynote Speaker: Nissan USA VP/CIO Robert Greenberg. Details here.

* (Dec. TBA) NTC Holiday party, details to be announced.

* (January 2006) NTC Tech Roundtable, presentation by Sitening on Search Engine Optimization. Details to be announced.

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