Thursday, April 15, 2004 (No. 32)
Editor Milt Capps
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In Nashville, the Recording Academy NARAS will convene the first GRAMMY Town Hall, April 19, with performers, Members of Congress, recording-industry execs. Details. Resource.

NTC "Technology! Nashville" spotlighted rebound in local tech economy, Tennessean, April 9. NashvillePost.com, April 9. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 8. Event participant survey is still open, here. Note: Check the NTC website for announcement of airtimes for taped broadcast of the April 8th conference on Metro Government Ch. 3 (Comcast, in Davidson County).

Employment: NTC President Condra said this week that rising tech hiring in the Nashville region has brought tech-worker shortages, e.g., network engineer, .Net specialist, C++, Web developer, other fields. Related Condra statement, April 8. NashvilleJobsLink.com offers leads on Nashville-area technology jobs. Direct link to tech jobs here. NTC member organizations enjoy JobsLink advantages, details here.

CEO Buddy Bacon departs Medifax-EDI, following WebMD acquisition, NashvillePost.com, April 13.

Tennessee F&A top technology exec Rognehaugh departs OIR, NashvillePost.com, April 13. Tennessean, April 14. Gov. Bredesen comments on OIR, Tennessean, 5B, April 15.

VOIP will be topic of Tennessee Regulatory Authority forum, April 30, 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m., with representatives from TNTRA, Vonage, Cisco, Vanderbilt, BellSouth, Comcast, Medley, Sprint, MCI, Covad, Consumer Federation and others. Registration form here. For more information, write travoip@state.tn.us .

NTC's May 6 Tech Roundtable features Mike Dunne, President, Quanta Computer Nashville. Dunne will discuss structure of Quanta, the world's largest designer and manufacturer of portable computers and their global approach to total Supply Chain. Quanta Computer Corporation (Taiwan) boasts more than $4 billion in revenue. Quanta's first U.S. manufacturing and distribution facility is at LaVergne. Details and registration here.

As CEO of Beacon Technologies, Bill Hapner has watched his firm grow from 45 employees a year ago to the current 88, with revenue up 53 percent in 2003 over 2002 -- on their way, Hapner says, toward the roughly $12 million he projects for $2004, and $25 million for 2006.

Lending credibility to the projections is the fact that in 2003 Beacon was listed number 173 on the Inc. magazine "500" list, after logging five-year growth of 960 percent.

Hapner, 37, aims to make the Inc. cut, again this fall, leveraging "the convergence of everything" toward IP control of technologies, and building on Beacon's bundled and unbundled services, including voice and data cabling and infrastructure; training; network development and management; telephony; information technology; audio-visual systems; and, security (including alarm, access, security, CCTV).

A Wabash, Ind., native who earned his B.S. in telecommunications at Ball State, Hapner previously worked Dynacom Inc., SWC, Safari Technologies and SAIC.

Beacon's rampant growth has been steady since the firm was formed six years ago, spurred by first signing MetLife and Focus-Concentra Healthcare, and more recently by such major wins as Metro Nashville Public Schools, a contract which brings to 275 the number of Tennessee public schools Beacon has served. Other Beacon clients include Bridgestone/Firestone, TVA, Logan's Roadhouse, Private Business, Gambro and Driversway.com of Franklin.

Though grateful for his single lead investor - Charles Blankenship of Investors Scorecard fame, and three additional owners among Beacon executives, Hapner says that he and Beacon "have been blessed" with prosperity. He then explains he believes that success has flowed from the firm's adoption of a set of core values. Topping the published list of those values is, "Adhering to Christ derived Integrity, Honesty, and Ethics in Action." In a Beacon brochure, Hapner says, "Simply put, we strive to follow the Golden Rule: 'Treat others as you would like to be treated'." This philosophy, he says, has led to no more than 2 percent turnover among his staff in the past six years.

Progeny Marketing (Cendant) cuts 57 positions, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 6. Tennessean, April 7. City Paper, April 7.

Nashville's Globecot announces Chinese partnership on textile news and information, April 12 release. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 12.

Franklin's CentradeX data-mining tools are international hit among global trade-watchers; now, TSU, VU, Belmont partner for education and consulting. Tennessean, 1E, April 5.

Core Business Technology Solutions, formerly Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions, has completed its management-led buyout, Tennessean, 3E, April 5. Local tech entrepreneurs join buyout of Core Business Solutions, NashvillePost.com, April 5.

Rivals.com enterprise survives a failed IPO by purchaser, now plans new hiring, new headquarters and move into other media channels, Tennessean Wmson. AM, April 11.

ACE Systems LLC software firm spawned by BridgestoneFirestone execs, drawing on acumen of coaches Farsheed Ferdowsi (PayMaxx) and Nelson Andrews (Brookside Props.), Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 8, April 9, not on web.

In Review: 1st Quarter Business highlights included SCB Computer Technology sale to CIBER, Tennessean, April 4. Pullback in HealthStream stock seen as representative of tech trend, Tennessean, April 4.

Telco Inc. is sold to Teco Solutions III holding company led by Tim Knox, with Greg and Jeff Wass, in local Wass family-business sale, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 5, April 2, not on web. Motorola sold assets to Telco in 2002, NBJ, Oct. 29, 2002, here. Motorola/PRN (10/02) here.

The stage is set for competition in Nashville between local SnappyAuctions and NuMarkets, the e-Bay-linked online auctioneers, Times Free Press, April 13. NuMarket investment Times Free Press, April 10. Related, Knox. News sentinel, March 22.

(further) Universal Solutions' Nashville office gains in corporate reshuffling, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 2.

Fear of Terrorism gives IPIX a lift, Tennessean, April 14. IPIX fortunes improving on stock runup. Knox News Sentinel, April 12. IPIX partner Abstract Security says phones ringing off hooks, Knox. News Sentinel, April 12. Commercial Appeal, April 9. More on IPIX stock runup on surveillance contract, Knox. News Sentinel, April 3. IPIX lands Korea deal for 360-degree observation, security, biometric support, Memphis Bus. Journal, March 30.

Nashville's Link2Gov announces recurring payments access via PAY1040.com, where taxpayers can make federal tax payments electronically anytime (release April 5, background here).

Tangle of Nashville litigation involves technologies represented as burning coal cleanly, reducing human pain, etc., while locking horns among inventor Holcomb, Demeter Systems, Vanderbilt, Amway and others in a potential snarl of questions of rights, conflicts and, of course, "billions," Tennessean, April 2.

Chancery Court jury rules in favor of two IT consultants, following claims by HCA IT&S that two individuals and their startup associates unethically used information gained while consulting to HCA in behalf of Zycron and CPI. Tennessean, April 3.

PalmGear.com offers new StreamLync 2.0 software upload capability, release March 31. Product here.

Tractor Supply shows 1st-quarter sales gain, Tennessean, April 13. Brentwood community happy that Tractor Supply relocating there from Davidson County, Tennessean Wmson. AM, April 13.

Claritas Capital adds two companies to portfolio, NashvillePost.com.

Comdata launches BusinessLink payment, authentication and related services suite, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 12, April 2, not on web. March 15 release.

Former Adelphia/Hyperion property renamed Telcove, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 9.

CompuUSA Software Sales Strategy, Times Free Press, April 12.

Tech! Fun: During Technology! Nashville, April 8, there were prize drawings. The winners: Conference Gold sponsor CGI gifted Jeff Davis, P/M at BMI, with a Sony CLIE Handheld PDA with Digital Camera; and, Gold Sponsor CompUSA awarded Robert Williford of Franklin the Compaq SR1020NX, and provided Alain DeBois of Nortel Networks an HP Photosmart 7660.

DigitalDog.com will redesign Tennessee State University's entire website, a TSU spokesman said to NTC today. DigitalDog's SiteDoc content management system is being employed for this and other TSU IT work.

Corrections Corp creates major data center with Sun Microsystems and Ray Bell assist, release, March 31, here. Related CCA system information, here. Corporation of America has completed headquarters data center, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 2. Tennessean, April 3.

Provident Music Group CEO Hemmings has a long history with technology, Tennessean, April 12.

CIMplify hires Helen Lane as chief information officer and vp-IS, Tennessean, 1E, April 2.

Ozburn Hessey names technology executive Evans to head operations, City Paper, April 8.

Link2Gov CFO Mimi Vaughn joins Genesco, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 9. Tennessean, 1E, April 10.

Burch to president of Franklin's MyOfficeProducts.com, April 7, Nash. Bus. Journal.

Cumberland Emerging Technologies adds board members, Tennessean, April 11.

Cat Financial launches large Oracle E-Business Suite project, NashvillePost.com, April 8.

Cybera inks agreements with Krispy Kreme, Ruth's Chris, NashvillePost.com.

Nashville's iNet Strategy announced April 5 it will provide end-to-end IT, communications and security solutions at Aegis Sciences Corporation, a Nashville-based federally certified, forensic toxicology lab.

Transportation Specialists of Memphis cite technology in winning drayage accolades from Dollar General, Commercial Appeal, April 10.

Meharry Medical College opts for American Fiber Systems' Freedom Ring full-spectrum fiber optic network in Nashville, BW Release April 13.

Denver-based, Nashville-officed Inflow integrates operations support with OpsWare to create iServerCare server-management solution, release April 1.

Google gets access to BellSouth homepage, Tennessean, 3E, April 8.

BellSouth's RealPages.com online yellow-pages directory goes mobile via deal with go2 Directory Systems, providing service to Web-enabled wireless phones and others, Tennessean, 3E, April 1.

Pomeroy nails $58 million in new IT contracts, Memphis Bus. Journal, April 5.

ClientLogic says it's racking-up client wins, April 12 release.

Fleet One opted for Wilcohess Fleet Card credit issuing, authorization and billing, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 12, April 2. Also, NBJ, March 11. Related Fleet One statement, 12/03, here.

Caroline Young joins Nashville Health Care Council, Tennessean, April 13. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 12.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to reimburse RelayHealth webVisits as part of value-based reimbursement program pilot to supports physicians providing Evidence-Based Care, April 6 release.

WebMD Envoy buys Dakota Imaging, expanding claims processing and billing operations, City Paper, p. 11, April 7. WebMD to pay $40 million for company that will boost Envoy's growth, NashvillePost.com, here.

HealthSpring signed with ViPS to used MedMeasures Suite, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 12, April 2, not on web. ViPS Release, March 11, here.

Healthgate EBM Solutions buyer lands evidence-based medical guidelines work on Vandy/BlueCross study on physician reimbursement, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 5, April 2, not on web. Related background here.

HealthTrio and Availity will comarket applications to enhance online service capabilities for health plans and related services, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 12. April 2. Also, NBJ, March 23. HealthTrio release, March 22, here.

Franklin's Passport Health acquires United Wisconsin Proservices, April 1 release. Tennessean, April 2. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 1.

HMS adds Wyoming hospitals, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 13. HMS release here.

Rgl. Med. Center-Memphis installed ClecStaff from ClecSoft for nursing-staff management, alerts. Commercial Appeal, April 2.

Gresham Smith CEO Bearden mentions process-led design and patient-flow software for hospitals in Tennessean Q&A, April 11.

Medicare to compare drug prices via medicare.com site, NY Times, April 12.

Question: "So, why has healthcare almost uniquely failed to invest in IT?" Washington Post, column, April 14.

Many hospitals resist computers that could improve patient safety, NY Times, April 6.

Tennessee lags as "third-tier" state in leveraging its technology base, according to Milken report. Washington Post, March 31. Milken report and comparison by state.

Bredesen administration getting high marks for FastTracks innovation in economic and community development, Nash. Bus. Journal and Memphis Bus. Journal, April 14.

Emergency response in Memphis region being improved by introduction of GPS and other technologies, Commercial Appeal, April 12.

Screen-captures illustrate the evolution of the Metro Nashville government website.

Nashvillian Jacob Bornick is accused of selling nonexistent items via eBay to more than 600 persons in 48 states who had sought sports memorabilia, computer games; Tennessean, April 1, 2B. AP via NY Times, March 31.

East Tennessee courts adopt e-filing technology, Knox. News Sentinel, April 12.

New TN Department of Mental Health website, City Paper, March 12.

Largesse of deal to relocate Nashville's Vought operation stirs some Texans, Tennessean, April 5.

Profile of the UT Sim Center for development of computational engineering systems in Chattanooga, Times Free Press, April 10.

Cordova-based EWR Inc., which provides electronic receipts for the cotton trade, purchases eCotton, leading software developer, Commercial Appeal, April 8.

Emerson Appliance Controls of Sparta shutters plant, outsources work to Asia, Tennessean, April 7.

Chattanoogans commit to pro-technology push, Chattanoogan.com, April 6. Times Free Press, April 7. Editorial praises Chattanooga enterprise center, Times Free Press, April 10.

Knoxville-based Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc. (AGT) announced April 13 its new NASDAQ trading symbol (OTCBB:AGWT). AGT's mission is to advance plasma technology licensed from the University of Tennessee Research Foundation known as the patented One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP(TM)) technology.

2b Interactive web-design firm among companies graduating from EmergeMemphis incubator, Commercial Appeal, April 9.

Brain drain: Oak Ridge NL star departs for No. Carolina, Knox. News Sentinel, April 14.

Leaking seal again quiets OakRidge reactor, Knox. News Sentinel, April 13.

DeJim Low first minority engineer honored as Engr. of Year by Chattanooga Engineers Club, Time Free Press, April 4.

Knology cable build-out lagging in Knox County, Knox. News Sentinel, April 13.

FedEx fleet includes hybrid vehicle, Commercial Appeal, March 31.

Nashville's Center for IT Education launching industry-education-skills Exchange, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 9.

Tennessee State Univ. will (4/16) host TN Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation conference, 9:30 a.m., TSU Avon Williams campus. Groups aims to increase the numbers of degrees awarded to underrepresented sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics students. Info (615) 963-5331.

Internet technology, a walker-lifter for the disabled, devices to help infants breath and intubated patients communicate with caregivers -- and, yes, an automated sorter of Pringles cans -- are among the 48 engineering design projects spotlighted for the business and engineering community during Vanderbilt School of Engineering's Senior Design Day 2004, April 27, 3:30 p.m., Featheringill Atrium. Showcase includes designs by teams from electrical and computer engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

Tennessee State Univ. joins consortium pro-minority participation in aviation fields, April 1 release.

Adventure Science Center adds $1.3 million health/science exploration exhibit, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 14.

National "Technology Student Association Week" begins April 19. Technology Students Association holds major conference in Nashville in June, needs dozens of judges to critique students' technology projects. Conference details here.

Metropolitan Educational Access Corp., which operates Davidson County Comcast Ed-Access channels 9 and 10, needs volunteers for Website development. To volunteer, contact Michael Catelano at (615) 579-7616 or write meac@comcast.net (Decision-makers: The Ed Access board of directors. "PEG" Board oversees Ed Access, here.)

The Vanderbilt University Vision Research Center won a $3 million grant from the National Eye Institute to support vision and eye research. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 2.

Knoxville's Lee Martin, engineer and mentor-capitalist, comments on role of non-U.S. graduate and doctoral students in supporting the advance of U.S. science and engineering, Knox. News Sentinel, April 5.

Tennessee State Univ. noted for technology support of students among miniority-serving institutions, release April 12. Related, Alliance for Equity in Higher Education issued the report TSU cites.

Vanderbilt's Television News Archive holdings to be digitized, release March 31.

Univ. of Memphis professor pens database-management textbook, Commercial Appeal, April 8.

Vanderbilt's R. Wilburn Clouse, assoc. prof.-leadership, policy and organizations, presented "What is Going on with E-Education in Secondary Schools," National Conference of U.S. Assn. for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (1/04, Dallas).

Can entrepreneurs really be taught? Universities spend $1 billion in past decade, USA Today, April 7.

Vanderbilt School of Engineering technical lectures and presentations, schedule update, here.

Compliance software makers hope to benefit from Sarbanes-Oxley, though the emphasis is on business processes, AP via Washington Post, April 9.

Dell Inc. said April 8 that more large corporations are spending to replace aging systems, City Paper, p. 13, April 9, not on web. Related NewsFactor report, April 9, here. Report projecting Dell as $60 billion company by 2007, BizIT, April 12, here. Dell has more workers abroad than in U.S., AP via Knox. News Sentinel and NY Times, April 14.

Music sales seem to continue rise, despite file-sharing, AP via Tennessean, April 10. Related NARA Recording Academy resource: Whatsthedownload.com. Resources: Economists say illegal downloading may not harm music sales, at all. New York Times, April 5. Also, Tennessean, 1E, April 5, not on web.

Inflow/Nashville IT Security seminar, May 13, Hilton Suites, details here.

Franklin's IHL Services reports European POS shipments rose 5% in 2003. Release April 14.

Hackers attack university Teragrid net, April 14, Washington Post.

IRS says electronic filing is setting a record pace, AP via Washington Post, April 8.

NetContent's Shaun Carrigan tells how to profit by reselling aggregated news content, ContentBiz.com, April 5, here. NetContent gets the nod from FIND/SVP's Information Advisor newsletter, noted here (1/04).

"Big media" use technology to suppress creativity? Copyright forum online (transcript), Washington Post, April 14, here.

The Coming Barbie Bubble: Barbie reengineered with text-messaging, Bloomberg via Tennessean, April 15, 8A, not on web. Oregon Scientific advances e-Learning with Barbie dolls, release March 16. Barbie IT infrastructure, here. Barbie Liberation Organization here. Seamless toy technology solutions (2/04) here.

Educators and news editors use anti-plagiarism software to stem growing problem, AP via Commercial Appeal, April 7.

Microsoft critics says legal system works too slowly to affect business in fast-moving technology space, NY Times, April 4.

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(TODAY) 3:00 p.m., Dr. Panos Antsaklis, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, "Control of Networked Embedded Systems: Rethinking Feedback," Featheringill Auditorium. (EECS Lecture Series)

(April 16) NE TN Tech Council meeting with Saratoga Technologies, rapidly growing IT firm. Details.

(April 16-21) American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (GIS, related), Nashville Convention, details.

(April 16) North Highland sets panel on Program Management Office, with Joe Degati, SVP/CIO, Cendant Corporation/Progeny Marketing Innovations; Edward Scott - EVP/CFO, Caterpillar Financial; Richard Singletary, AVP Strategy & Planning, HCA Information Technology & Services, details here.

(April 16) Tech. Explosion career fair/expo, Hillsboro HS, Nashville, for info here.

(April 20) Project Management Institute, Nashville chapter, 11:30 a.m., Ty Tabernick of Ridgewood Resource Gp., "Product Usability." Details here.

(April 22) InfraGard and FBI: Protecting critical infrastructure, with responses to Infragard threat scenarios from Nashville Electric Service, Nashville Gas, Metro Water, Metro Nashville Airport Authority; and, presentation by Maj. Gen. Jerry Humble, TN Office of Homeland Security. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Baptist Hospital Amphitheater, Nashville. Register by phone (800) 501-4344. Details here.

(April 27) WiTT, Jon Good, Managing Director of the Cost Management Group, Symphony Services, discusses Symphony's moving IT processes to Bangalore. 4:30 p.m., details here.

(April 27) Prof. Douglas Matthews, Ph.D., U. Memphis, discusses "Integration of Bio-Medical Research and Information Technology," noon, $20. details here.

(April 27) 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Senior Design Day 2004: Engineering seniors will showcase 48 engineering design projects from biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering and civil engineering. Featheringill Atrium.

(April 27) Wireless LAN security and audit, daylong course, Information Systems Audit and Control Assn., local chapter, details here. CPE credits.

(April 27) "Light Speed," 8 p.m. CDST, NPT Channel 8; PBS series "Innovation" explores the emergence of fiber-optics technologies.

(April 30) VOIP will be topic of Tennessee Regulatory Authority forum, 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m., with representatives from TNTRA, Vonage, Cisco, Vanderbilt, BellSouth, Comcast, Medley, Sprint, MCI, Covad, Consumer Federation and others. For more information, see item in Upfront or write travoip@state.tn.us .

(April 30) 4th annual Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Innovation breakfast, Convention Center; details and registration here. Spirit Award speaker here.(May 6) NTC Tech Roundtable dinner - Mike Dunne, President of Quanta US, University Club, Vanderbilt.

(May 5-7) PMI Nashville: Best Practices in Healthcare Project Management, HCA Conference Cntr. Details.

(May 7) PayMaxx is subject of Nashville Chamber's "Behind the Business" program, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m., preceded by networking, details here.

(May 12) NE TN Tech Council meeting, spotlights healthcare IT in NE Tenn., at Wellmont Holston Valley OP Cntr., Kingsport. Details.

(May 13) AITP Nash., Starting Your IT Business, Bob Chaput -American Tech'y Grp, details here.

(May 18) "NTC Tech After Hours," Marriott Franklin Cool Springs, 4:30 p.m., details here.

(May 19-21) Management skills for IT professionals, with Jay Ress, Tenn. Economic Development Center (BellSouth Tower). Details here.

(May 20) Chattanooga Technology Council luncheon presentation on Good Link Technologies, enabling remote users to access E-mail, calendar and applications on their own networks in a secure manner from the Palm and PocketPC phone devices using existing carriers.

(May 20) 41st Annual State of Metro Address by Mayor Bill Purcell, Mayor of Nashville, Convention Center, 7 a.m. registration and networking, 7:30 - 9 breakfast and program, info and registration here.

(May 25) GovTech Tennessee Government Technology Summit, details, here.

(May 31-June 2) TN Corridor Knoxville/Oak Ridge Summit, Tennessee Valley Corridor, here.

(June 3) NTC Tech Roundtable - Loren Chumley, Commissioner - Revenue, State of Tennessee - The Streamlined Sales Tax Project, electronic commerce.

(June 4) Chamber Behind the Business, Robert Henry, CEO, American Endoscopy Services, details here.

(July) NTC Tech Roundtable - "Open Source" panel discussion, University Club, Vanderbilt.

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

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

(Sept. 28) Nashville Area Chamber annual "Future 50" event, Franklin Cool Springs Marriott Hotel. Reception 5 p.m., dinner/presentation, 6 p.m. Details to be announced in May.

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