Published by NashvillePost.com in Cooperation with
Quality Growth for Middle Tennessee

Thursday, April 13, 2006 (No. 71)
Editor
Milt CappsNews Archive
REGISTER for Technology! Nashville, May 17. Speakers include Bill Smith, CTO, BellSouth; and Healthways Founder/CEO Tom Cigarran, among many others. Details here.


CONTENTS

SCHEDULED:
   Technology-centered events in middle Tennessee and the region, here...


CONNECTIONS:
   Update on Metro and State broadband committees...McKinney joins CATV committee...Blackburn on broadband...Cable and Telecom focus on General Assembly...Ezell and Dickens comment on coverage, and More...

HEALTHCARE:    Bredesen on e-Health...TMA drug database...BioMimetic trials...Dell initiatives...plus, XLHealth, USResources, Renal Advantage, Healthgrades.com, Quorum, HMS...and More...

VENTURES:    Dialogic chief speaks...VenCap forums...2d Gen, ConduIT and Clayton...Griffin Tech, Ingram, Smartvue, PBiz, ThinkLink and
More....

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:  JBruce Ash, SVP-CIO of Dollar General, is in the Spotlight, here .

PARTNERS: 
Landmark Digital, 21e and Towers, Bridgestone, Nissan, Quadrascan, Dealkerskin, LBMC, Rivals.com and More...

EAST WEST: New IT franchise, Convergys expands, Pomeroy lags, Intergraph nets, Asentinel tracks ...and 
More...

GOVERNMENT:    Metro IT salaries, dispute with BellSouth, ENA, online auctions, new RFPs and
 More...  

BACKGROUNDER:  Innovation Tennessee may eventually help knit-together Tennessee public and private scientific and technological resources...but, the wheels of the gods turn slowly, it seems. Backgrounder, here.
 
INNOVATIONS:   Education technology, universities and the ubiquitous ORNL...and More...

RESOURCES:
  Gleanings you can use or abuse...right here.


CONNECTIONS

Metro Council extends life of its Telecommunications Innovation Task Force til Aug. 1, 2006, NashvillePost.com, March 22. The next meetings of the Task Force are April 18, May and May 22. A similar State-level task force, the Tennessee Broadband Task Force, is set to hold its first meeting April 20. Related story, NashvillePost.com.

Metro Government's Community Access TV (CATV) Special Committee, which oversees the city's franchise agreement with Comcast Communications, is without a chairman at the moment, following the departure of most recent chairperson Michael Schoenfeld, a vice chancellor at Vanderbilt University. Metro IS Acting Director Sandy Cole says the group is attempting to schedule its next meeting, at which time it will select a chairperson. A roster of the CATV group shows Robert D. Tuke as current vice chairman. Former Metro IS director Richard McKinney, now an executive with Microsoft government sales, was recently added to the CATV membership.

Sprint/Nextel and Clearwire (McCaw) spectrum-buying subsidiaries dispute spectrum rights in Nashville market, NashvillePost.com, March 24.

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7-R) asserted during the April 10 "Accelerating e-Health in Tennessee" conference that broadband deployment has slowed in recent years. She predicted that as the much-anticipated rewrite of the Telecom Act approaches, consensus in Congress will emerge regarding broadband deployment, particularly for rural areas, and news funds will flow from auctioning analog spectrum reclaimed from broadcasters converting to digital operations.

Cable, telecom, Internet interest groups target General Assembly, convene industry meetings, NashvillePost.com, March 29.

State OIR CIO Ezell and BellSouth-Tennessee President Dickens wrote to criticize the portrait of the State's broadband infrastructure
that appeared in the February 2006 issue of BusinessTN magazine.

Knology adds its i5-borne TV Caller ID feature in Knoxville and other markets, release March 27.

Comcast investor presentation by Steven Burke, COO, Comcast Communications
. March 30 (audio file). Questioner asks Burke about 'virtual armageddon' in competition with "the Bells."

Controversy erupts as San Francisco awards its wireless-network to Google-Earthlink, NY Times, April 10. Privacy, public-private competition among issues. Cable companies bulk-up wireless-phone services for triple-play, NY Times, April 10.

Internet companies address FCC on Internet neutrality, Wash. Post, March 29.

Digital Divide closing as blacks turn to Internet, Wash. Post, March 31. Related news story, here.

Cingular is investing $235 million in Tennessee network, March 22 release. Times Free Press, March 23. Nash. Bus. Journal, March 23. Cingular rolling-out high-speed Internet for Nashville's mobile customers in late summer 2006; company has been expanding TN network to offset AT&T-BellSouth gaps, Knox. News Sentinel, March 22. Related: July 27, 2005 release about Nashville presence.
 

HEALTHCARE 

Gov. Bredesen says Federal e-Health push is 'overdue', unfocused; HHS Secretary Leavitt, Reps. Cooper and Blackburn among participants in April 10 conference here, NashvillePost.com, April 10. HHS Secretary Leavitt fleshes-out federal EMR plans, Tennessean, April 11. Bredesen e-Health initiative under director Agassi is described, April 6, NashvillePost.com. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 6. Tennessean, April 10. Tennessean editorial calls on Leavitt to address Medicare information-release issues, Tennessean, April 13.
HHS announced earlier today that former U.S. Senate staff member Katy Barr will serve as director of the American Health IT Community, operating out of HHS.

Tennessee Medical Association plans statewide drugs database, page 1, Nash. Bus. Journal.

DELL:  Dell pulls in national political leaders for e-Health event in mid-Tennessee, NashvillePost.com, April 4. Dell announces it will make electronic health information available to U.S. employees, Austin American Stateman, April 11. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 10. Dell release. A Dell spokesman told us, April 10, this program may be extended to employees in India and other nations, where wellness-related initiatives are already underway. New Dell regional exec Miller in mid-TN, here.

BioMimetic ramps-up clinical trials, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 20.

Vanderbilt Medical Center's Morris says certification of LifeFlight is step toward global leadership in medical air transport, RotorHub.com, April 5

XLHealth announced Haltiwanger as VP-Ops, from CIGNA, Tennessean, April 2. Related, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 27.

Kruse named vice president-operations at USresources Healthcare, p. 16, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 4, not on web.

UT-Siemens announced research partnership for medical imaging, Knox. News Sentinel, March 23. Strong relationship with CTI Molecular was key.

In HealthGrades.com quality ratings, Tennessee ranks in the bottom five states
in keeping patients from developing new infections or complications while in the hospital. Tennessee placed 48th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia, ranking ahead of only Nevada, New York and New Jersey. Knox. News Sentinel, April 3.

Renal Advantage (Brentwood) named Jim Tarwater VP-IS and Angela Newman VP-supply chain, Tennessean, March 26.

Hospital manager Quorum Health Resources, which has operations and historical roots in the Nashville area
, has hired Stephen M. Scioscia to serve as vice president of acquisitions, based in Brentwood. NashvillePost.com, April 6.

Transnetyx mouse genotyping enterprise thrives in Memphis
, Comm. Appeal, April 13.

Healthcare Management Systems named several tech-support and implementations staff
, Tennessean, April 9.


VENTURES


VERUS:  Yesterday, the board of Visma ASA expressed reservations about a purchase offer from The Sage Group
, board communique here. Nashville-based Verus Financial Management's parent Sage offered to acquire Visma, March 22, and was initially well received, but Visma earnings have beat expectations, and its board has stepped back. Earlier related, Jan. 9, NashvillePost.com.

Dialogic Communications' Gene Kirby provides an update on prospects for DCC's sale to a public company, his longtime goal, NashvillePost.com, April 6.
 
Nashville's Vanderbilt-aligned ThinkLink Learning is bought by Discovery Communications' education unit, NashvillePost.com, April 7.  Nash. Bus. Journal, April 6. City Paper, April 6.

Tennessee Valley Venture Forum (Sept. 27-28) wants to recruit more mid-Tennessee firms that need money, application deadline June 19, NashvillePost.com, April 6.

Petra and Chrysalis join to fund VerusMed with former Nashville HealthLeaders leader McQuigg as CEO, NashvillePost.com, April 3.

RTI-based VC fund manager Glenn Kline relocates to Knoxville to partner with Innovation Valley Fund, Knox. News Sentinel, April 10.

NanoTect wins FedEx Institute's First Business Plan Competition, judges praise nanotechnology expertise and depth of planning, Memphis Bus. Journal, April 7.

Atmospheric Glow engages Maxim Group as its investment-banking partner for capital raises and related, release March 31.

Joyner and Holmes fold Phoenix Partners into 2nd Generation Capital
, City Paper, p. 14, March 28.

Ridley named to head TVA's Valley Business Ventures to increase capital investment, Chattanoogan.com, April 4.

Clayton Associates Co-Founder Bill F. Cook joins ConduIT Corporation, NashvillePost.com, April 11.

Harpeth Capital attracts big names to its advisory board, NashvillePost.com, March 1.

Nashville's Griffin Technologies (iTrip for iPod), with an estimated $80 million or more in annual revenues, may be low-profile in hope of evading would-be acquirers' radar, BusinessTN, April 2006. Earlier, Tennessean, March 9/05.

INGRAM:  Ingram Industries and Amazon.com win in patent dispute over on-demand printing technology, Tennessean, April 1. Ingram on-demand Lightning Source publishing division names Taylor SVP-global sales, Tennessean, April 2.  Ingram and Amazon.com win in patent dispute over on-demand printing technology, Tennessean, April 1. Ingram Micro launches marketing services group and the Ingram Micro reseller services portal, release April 3.

Smartvue pitched at InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum, release April 7 .

Evolved Digital year-end results from advancement of digital-imaging workflow technology, March 30 release.

Nashville's Zambooie.com booming through music retailing, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 13, March 24, not on web.

Not for faint-hearted: IPIX investor caveats are chilling, here. Finanzen.net, March 29.

FedEx Innovation Group moves into EmergeMemphis incubator space, will continlue focus on sensor technology and scanning and wireless, Comm. Appeal, March 31. Memphis Bus. Journal, April 3.

Local Matters, Inc., announced March 28 the launch of a revised Tennessee.com, within the company's AreaGuides.com network, emphasizing new search-and-save capabilities. dBus item.

PBIZ:  Private Business finds new lenders, NashvillePost.com, April 6; Nash. Bus. Journal, April 6. PBiz and EFC Systems announce earnings, acquisitions, PBiz name change, NashvillePost.com, March 23. Related, re PBiz, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 23. Related, re EFC, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 23.

Healthcare VC activity rises to levels rivaling late Nineties, Levin release April 5.
 

Dell Inc.'s Frank Miller

Nashville-based Frank Miller, Lt. Gen., USA (Ret.), leads nearly 5,000 Dell employees in his role as vice president-Americas Fulfillment operations, with centers in Nashville, Austin, Reno nd Ohio, in addition to operational responsibilities in support of Dell manufacturing in nearby Lebanon.  Miller said that he believes Dell has done a good job in its community outreach in middle Tennessee, "but, it's been in silos," leaving him to believe that Dell has an opportunity to convey to esidents of the region a "more holistic picture" of Dell's mission, community service and philanthropy, with emphasis on improvement of K-12 education. He stressed his belief that Dell has ultivated "a pretty inclusive culture" within the company, and Dell aims to share with communities lessons it has learned about the value and practice of diversity.  Miller was reared in Kansas joined the U.S. Army as a Private in 1965 and retired a much-decorated major general, 32 years later. His military service included tours in wartime Vietnam and in South Korea. Miller holds a Bachelor’s in business (U. Wash.) and a Master's  in systems management (Troy State). He is married to the former Paulette C. Duncan of Tacoma.  They have three children, four grandchildren and reside in Hendersonville. Related story, NashvillePost.com, April 4.

Dollar General's Ash leads retailer's Information Services
Dollar General Corporation's information and telecommunications technologies support more than half a billion retail transactions every week, says Bruce Ash, senior vice president and chief information officer within the company's Goodlettsville headquarters. (At right: Dollar General operations center.)

Transaction volume and business-process support requirements rise continually in a enterprise with roughly $8 billion in annual sales; with more than 64,500 employees in 32 states; and, which has opened 4,000 stores (for a total of 7,993) and three more distribution centers (of a total eight) during the past six years  -- all while simultaneously replacing all legacy systems and establishing more than 50 Terabytes of data-warehousing and storage capacity.     With reliability at a premium, Ash makes no bones about his priorities:  He spends minimal time with would-be new IT vendors, while paying "a lot of attention to the strategic partners we've chosen."  When something new is needed, he quickly narrows the lists of folks he wants to talk with, and contacts them.
 
Ash also explains that as the company ramped-up to confront the Y2K challenge, it adopted a "best-of-breed" strategy, quickly adopting such off-the-shelf products as Lawson (Financial, HR), Triversity (POS), Catalyst (Warehouse Management), Manugistics (Logistics) and JDA merchandise planning software.
 
Unlike some CIOs, Ash believes that Sarbanes-Oxley and other compliance and certification mandates have become strengths for Dollar General, positively influencing IT with respect to systems-development lifecycle, security and operations.
 
Ash joined Dollar General in 1999 as VP-IT, and subsequently became CIO. Previously, he spent a decade with Talbots as SVP MIS, responsible for all systems, from international, marketing and catalog; to merchandising, HR, financial and distribution. Earlier, he was VP IS for Filenes (Boston), and also served with Foley's (Houston) and Federated Department Stores. His retail career began with a management-training program at Sear's, where he managed replenishment systems and point-of-sale technologies.
 
Ash earned his B.S. degree in Secondary Education from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.   He has been active in Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee five years. He and his wife reside in Hendersonville, and they have two adult children.
Recent Dollar General news, here
(##)

PARTNERS & RECOGNITION   

21e partners with Towers for web content; firm is backed by big-name Nashville investors, NashvillePost.com, April 3. Related, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 3.
Entertainmax Worldwide (eMax Holdings, Nashville), a multimedia and broadcast company, announced March 21 it is production on several television programs with NorthStar Studios here, and is contemplating launching a new network. Release here.

Landmark Digital Services (BMI) announced Darren Briggs, VP-CTO, Tennessean, April 2. City Paper, March 23. BMI shifts execs to Landmark Digital unit, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 22.

Baker Donelson attorney Gary Brown is partnering with Midi Compliance and Ethics Solutions to develop seminars and interactive training products to help corporate management and boards of directors cope with the heightened scrutiny of corporate governance, NashvillePost.com, March 27.

Bridgestone IT now under new CFO supervision in Nashville, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 30.

NISSAN:  Nissan North America confirms relocation of its CIO, Robert Greenberg, to Nashville, NashvillePost.com, March 23. Nissan bringing outsourced IT work back inhouse, ComputerWorld, April 3. Nissan's SVP U.S. Manufacturing, Greg Daniels, oversees three major plants in Tenn., Miss., Tennessean, March 26. Analysts question Nissan's lagging salesperformance, Business Week, April 11. Nissan chose contractor to build-out primus space, NashvillePost.com, April 5. Franklin officials want additional funds to recruit Nissan suppliers toFranklin tax district, Tennessean, March 30.

DELL:  Dell CEO Rollins says Dell can achieve $100 billion in annual revenues, Wash. Post, April 5.  Dell announces Alienware acquisition, release March 22. Dell increases staffing in India,Reuters via cnetNews.com, March 20.

Digital Connections (Hendersonville) is now under consolidate control of Williams and Gatlin, who bought-out other private investors, Tennessean, March 22.

Comcast selects John Gauder as GM for Nashville market, City Paper, April 11.

LBMC client Sona MedSpa, a franchisor, receives Microsoft innovation award, City Paper, March 31.

Advanced Payment Solutions LLC is now a reseller of Atlanta-based Global Payments Inc.'s authorization, capture and settlement processing services. Nash. Bus. Journal, March 27.

CHD Meridian adding online wellness tools to its portfolio, via partnership with Pitney Bowes, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 29.

Digital Connections (Hendersonville) is now under consolidate control of Williams and Gatlin, who bought-out other private investors, Tennessean, March 22.

Centresource says it signed two new clients for website redesign, Everest USA and Digital Reasoning Systems.

Cabedge design/development firm launches its own new site, March 23.

Benefit Informatics Inc. (Tulsa) announced March 27 signing a multi-year agreement to provide benefit plan management technology to clients of Nashville's 35-year-old North America Administrators, one of the Southeast's largest third-party administrators of health benefits.

Mark Gorman joined Quadrascan Technologies as an owner and VP-bus. dev., Tennessean, March 26.

Dealerskins named Amanda Tossberg marketing director, Tennessean, March 26.

Fourman joins Cadre5 as vp-gm, after stints at Housecall Medical Resources and Gaylord, Tennessean, March 27.

Rivals.com inks content deal with Yahoo!, Nash. Bus. Journal, p. 2, April 7.

Houghton named a principal at North Highland, p. 16, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 4, not on web.

The Nashville office of St. Louis-based Oakwood Systems added Eric Parish, GM; Tony Van Atta, manager-enterprise project solutions practice; Brian McCord, sr. consultant, business apps. sols. practice, Tennessean, April 9.

Vanderbilt alum Luca Fontana named CTO for chemical sector of Ashland Inc., release March 31.

LBMC Technologies announced Mary Ware joined as sr. proj. mgr., from HCA; Andrew Hayes joined as software developer, from Optimum Sols.; Valerie Blackburn, joins as manager, from J. Norman. Tennessean, April 2.

Snappy Auctions rated among Top 50 franchises by Franchise Review, Tennesseann, March 26.

Seven Tennessee firms make Fortune 500 -
Tennessean, April 6: Caremark, Fedex, HCA, UnumProvident, DollarGeneral, Eastman Chemical, AutoZone.

Gaylord's ResortQuest launches new website to help consumers search for vacation properties, release March 4


EAST-WEST
   
In mid-Tennessee, Concerto Networks IT services franchise goes to Shaun Cook of McMinnville, release April 13.

Brazilian-based Embraer its new 78,000-sq.-ft. maintenance and avionics facility at Metro Airport, today, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 13.


Convergys announces plans for 700 more jobs in Chattanooga, Times Free Press, April 13. Chattanoogans attest to Convergys' most-admired workplace status, Times Free Press, April 7.

In Chattanooga, Affordable Computer founder Flegal regrets his move to business owner, but found he couldn't go back to sales, even if he wanted to, Times Free Press, March 30.

Chattanooga entrepreneur launches expressbilliards.com for custom tables, Times Free Press, April 1.

Memphis-based Asentinel telecom-expense management software announces signing Family Dollar, release April 3. Nash. Bus. Journal, April 4.

Vanderbilt alum Luca Fontana named CTO for chemical sector of Ashland Inc., release March 31.

E.TN. Technology Council offers scholarship for students passionate about technologies, Knox. News Sentinel, April 7.

Chattanooga EPB selects Intergraph for GIS, Geocomm.com, March 22. Intergraph CTO among those offering views of the future of IT and Geospatial convergence, Geospatial Today, Jan-Feb 06.

Pomeroy IT Solutions' annual report is running late, writedown of goodwill may be necessary, Louisville Bus. Journal, April 7.

Integrated Data Solutions breaks ground at Chattanooga's Enterprise Park, Chattanoogan.com, April 7.

Nashville Public Radio (WPLN 90.3fm) now broadcasting in high definition (HD), City Paper, March 28.

Nashville airport security x-ray systems crash as software upgrade goes awry, Tennessean, April 1.

Brink's Home Security call center working to fill staff openings, Knox. News Sentinel, March 30.

Williamson County officials push for funding for new emergency-communications system, Tennessean, March 30.

Tullahoma-based Jacobs Engineering receives NASA contract for testing and evaluation worth up to $270 million for White Sands support, March 28, chron.com (Houston).

PC Doctor provides small business IT support, Comm. Appeal, April 3.

In Knoxville, MCS Inc. specializes in service for Mac owners, Knox. News Sentinel, April 1.

First Tennessee Bank signs 7-year ATM network participation agreement with PULSE EFT Association LP, release (pdf) April 5.

Business, schools videoconferencing more in Memphis area, Memphis Bus. Journal, April 7.

ADS Nashvile chief sees opportunities in medical and fire monitoring
in Tennessee, City Paper, April 10.

 
 
GOVERNMENT           
 
NES' Hatridge and Metro IS' Cole are IT execs who are among the biggest earners in Metro Government, Tennessean, March 31. List here.

Tennessee Comptroller Morgan is looking for vendor input (RFI 307.02-002-06) regarding IT support of departments within the Comptroller's domain, with responses to RFI by April 19. Q&A added April 11 explains GIS relevance.

TN Bureau of Investigation notice yesterday says TBI seeks electronic fingerprinting services proposals by May 15.
RFP 348.00.202.

TN. Div. of Mental Retardation seeks IS services via RFP 344-01-705
, due May 17.

The state responded yesterday to vendors' questions on the TennCare MIS replacement project (RFP 318.65-210)
, and included copies of EDS' contract and original proposal. Responses are due April 27.

State is exploring through RFP 343.52-677 creation of a call center and tips line for smoking cessation
, proposals due May 1.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $3 million contract to Bowlby & Associates Inc., Franklin, Tenn
., for the advanced research in transportation technology. Release March 22.

State will fund expansion of Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
, attacking cyberenticement and child pornography; grant will support further tech training for Knoxville-based law enforcement efforts. Gov. Bredesen says First Lady's prior involvement in Internet Keep Safe Coalition was an impetus for his support of funding. Tennessean, April 1. Nash. Bus.Journal, March 31.

Metro Government and BellSouth dispute infrastructure costs produced by Courthouse
renovation and public-square development, City Paper, April 10.

Metro Schools IT Budget could be cut in half
, City paper, March 27. [MNPS' Lance Lott subsequently clarified for NashvillePost.com that the possible cut is in capital spending, not operations.]

Essay on Ganier, founder of Education Networks of America now accused of misdeeds and facing an indictment, and ENA's own consistent performance under state contracts, BusinessTN, April 2006.

ONLINE:  KNS Reporter Bass writes, "A bill making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly would exempt eBay drop-off stores such as iSold It and NuMarkets from state auctioneer licensing requirements." Knox. News Sentinel, April 4.

Tennessean editorial supports Safe Votes Tennessee on paper-ballott push
, Tennessean, March 30. Activists Schoggen and Pride push for VVPB, Nashville Eye, Tennessean, March 29.

Davidson County's online traffic school for offenders gain hundreds of enrollees
, Tennessean, March 31.

Funds denied for surveillance cameras in Metro Parks, Tennessean, March 31.

Knox County may adopt Hart Intercivic voting technolog
y, although it has no voter recepit capability, Knox. News Sentinel, March 30.

Gen. Assembly:  Online eBay reselling crews may become exempt from Auctioneer-licensing requirements
, City Paper, March 23.

U. Tennessee alumna, a security-technology entrepreneur, becomes head of GSA
, Knox. News Sentinel, April 8.

Tennessean editorial applauds FCC action regulating paid advertisingon Internet and blogs
, Tennessean, April 5.  FCC ruling exempts most political speech on Internet from campaign-contributions limits, Wash. Post, March 28.

Town of Olive Branch may use GPS to track vehhicles, employees
, Comm. Appeal, April 4.

Chattanoogans want more crime, public-service data posted on web for review
, Times Free Press, March 27.

Chattanooga will look further at integration of 911-dispatch operations
, Times Free Press, March 26.

Funding for Metro Parks surveillance cameras still controversial
, Tennessean, March 27.

FBI will invest another $425 million in attempt to redeem half-billion investment in Trilogy
case-management system, Wash. Post, March 18.


Backgrounder:  Waiting on 'Innovation Tennessee'

Even though there's widespread belief that Tennessee Economic and Community Development (ECD) Technology Director Eric Cromwell will soon leave the agency to head up a program dubbed, "Innovation Tennessee," to promote high-growth jobs, there's been no official word on this or related plans. So, folks are reduced to reading tea leaves, extrapolating from news rickling out through unofficial sources.

This week, for example, a national report on the states' life-sciences initiatives was released during a meeting of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), in Chicago. The report said that Innovation Tennessee, which has not been formally unveiled, will be tasked with promoting the state's bioscience resources.

At the same time, a freshly minted promotional brochure from ECD explains:  "Tennessee's focus on technology development will continue in 2006 with the rollout of a program called Innovation Tennessee (a new entity under development to replace the former [Tennessee] Technology Development Corporation). The goal of Innovation Tennessee is to create high skill, high wage jobs in sustainable industries and to retain Tennessee's existing technology jobs. The program will be a public/private collaboration to build innovation capacity in all regions of the state and to streamline the process of taking ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace, creating a linked circle between those who conduct research and development, those who provide the capital to fund it and those corporations whose focus is making an innovative product a reality."

"The "Playbook" also stresses that Tennessee needs more broadband infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, if it is to compete to attract high-growth jobs.  Toward that end, says the publication, a new "Tennessee Community Broadband Stimulus Program" will be launched by ECD to help communities gain access to planning grant funds for broadband deployment.  ECD is currently surveying industry and other groups in the state, asking their views on the adequacy of current broadband resources, in hope of bolstering the case for funding investment in broadband infrastructure. One version of the survey is prefaced: "The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is developing a new program to catalyze action around broadband deployment and adoption in all regions of Tennessee..."

Meanwhile, and perhaps most important, there is still no sign of the recommendations that are expected "soon" from New Economy Strategies (NES), the Washington, D.C., consultants who were hired a year ago by Tennessee Technology Development Corporation (TTDC) to produce a roadmap for development of high-growth industries in Tennessee.

Cyberspecialists warn the clock is ticking:  More than a year ago, a group of Tennessee's cyberinfrastructure experts warned Tennessee's growth and quality of life hinge partly on development of needed cyberinfrastructure.  The group added that the state's "window of opportunity is open, but will close very soon. The availability of low-cost fiber assets is limited and will disappear in the near future. The time to act is now."

Since Cromwell's appointment by Gov. Phil Bredesen in 2004, efforts to accelerate high-growth sectors seem to have been grounded in more research, more consultation and more local, regional and national expertise than in earlier administrations. Timing means a lot, and the case has been made regarding that "window of opportunity," albeit an opportunity for every state in the Union.

Ultimately, the "Innovation Tennessee" initiative could help stitch together not only broadband infrastructure; but, also, supercomputing and life sciences resources; regional technology councils and associations; Oak Ridge National Lab and University of Tennessee resources; and, incubators like Emerge Memphis, which is led by Jim Phillips, who is Cromwell's former boss at the FedEx Institute of Technology.  Why the hold-up?  No clear official answer, but it seems inevitable that Commisioner Kisber must wait to roll-out new programs until he learns the fate of his budget request,  which includes a $12.6 million payroll and $5.7 million for operations, in addition to about $78 million in pass-through funds for grants for infrastructure and related items. Milt Capps


 INNOVATIONS: Research, Commercialization and Universities 

Tennessee Tomorrow closer to selecting new chief, with recruiting support from Center for Nonprofit Management, NashvillePost.com, April 5.

Facilities at site of Manhattan Project work at Oak Ridge National Lab. will be destroyed unless Federal government steps in to preserve them, Knox. News Sentinel, April 13.

Vanderbilt University's sponsored research leaps 15 percent in one year
, to $444 million, Nash. Bus. Journal, March 30. Record year for University of Tennessee's sponsored research, Oak Ridger, March 21.

Oak Ridge NL and Kentucky allies may find themselves bidding against Battelle and State of Mississippi for federal bio-defense project, Knox. News Sentinel, March 28.

Oak Ridge NL-funded report says Nanotechnology patents and commercialization lagging in the South
, despite strong representation in key roles, Knox. News Sentinel, April 7.  Nanotechnology industry may be undergoing 'seat-of-the-pants occupational health experiment', Wash. Post, April 8. CarolinaNewswire, April 4.

University of Tennessee has joined Power.org, nonprofit international group advancing Power Architecture open-standard hardware development platform, Electronic Engineering Times, April 10.

IBM supports Tennessee State University leadership initiative, March 28, pnnonline.com.

The Vanderbilt School of Engineering Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (ISDE) will collaborate with scientists and engineers from the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineeringof the University at Albany (NY), as well as industry and government partners. ISDE will participate in a project sponsored by the U.S. Office of Naval Research, to implement a computerchip for use in the development of fabrication processes for advanced commercial and radiation-resistant Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor devices.

Vanderbilt and TN Tech chemical engineers are among researchers receiving Army/Navy Defense grants, Tennessean, March 29.

American Museum of Science & Energy chief Stow to retire
, OakRidger, March 29.

UT Space Institute appoints space engineer Daniel, to succeed Caruthers, Tennessean, March 25. Knox. News Sentinel, March 25.

GPS helps MTSU scholar and colleagues pinpoint vantage from which Sgt. Alvin C. York fought Germans in WWI, Tennessean, p. 1A, March 22. Resource: Dr. Thomas Nolan, director MTSU Fullerton Lab. for Spatial Technology.

Memphis-based Clearfunction launches Chalksite to compete for share of web-supported classroom-education budget, April 3.

Oak Ridge NL researchers find they can improve superconductors' electrical flow by flawing wires with nanodots, NewScientistTech, March 30.

Dr. Jeff Cornwall, director of the Belmont Center for Entrepreneurship, has been elected a fellow of the U.S. Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Green Hills News, p. 17, March 23, not on web.

Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Year award goes to Belmont student active in Internet business, p. 7, Nash. Bus. Journal, April 7, not on web. Foreign grad students' applications in U.S. rebound, Sciencemag.com, March 23.

Responding to federal pressure, some schools are focusing almost entirely on Reading and Math instruction, NY Times, March 26.

Several Tennessee K-12 schools are among Intel Scholars of Distinction finalists and will compete for Intel grants, release April 11.

Nashville Public Television announced today that its additional digital-broadcasting capacity has led it to transmit a series of lectures from the Vanderbilt Center for the Study of Religion and Culture.
 e-Portfolio:  TaskStream's technology at center of study in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., regarding whether keeping students' portfolios online for review results in greater student engagement and progress, Tennessean, April 10.

iPods in the classroom, Times Free Press, April 5.

Tennessee School for Blind piloting Tablet PC use for children legally blind, City Paper, April 4.

Debate of laptops, cell phones in classrooms, Comm. Appeal, April 3


RESOURCES
 

First quarter of 2006 saw record number of outsourcing contracts signed, even though TPI report says savings are exaggerated, CNetNews.com, April 13.

Yesterday was the 25th Anniversary of the first Space Shuttle mission, NASA site here. Cnet story, April 12

Partnership marketing:  In a model we may be seeing more often, Black Box Converged Solutions Group
announced it is conducting a program on mobile communications for medical providers on May 10, at a venue provided by their client, Lifeway Christian Resources. Much of the push for this event seems to come from CSG vendor-partners Vocera, Meru Networks and SDC Solutions, who are also on the program.

H-1B discussion transcript, pro's and con's, Wash. Post, March 31.

That ringtone bubble may be subsiding
, says BMI, Tennessean, April 4.

Internet has brought sweeping changes to politics, but reaching uncommitted's remains difficult, NY Times, April 2.

BusinessTN magazine Fast50 candidates may apply here. Deadline is May 1.

StopBAdware.org provides unflinching report about abuses by Kazaa, others, here. Kazaa/Sharman, et al, deny accuracy of Stopbadware report, AP via NY Times, March 22.

Leadership Music's 2nd Annual Digital Music Summit is April 18 at Belmont University's Curb Center, program details here. Online registration closed. Register onsite, beginning 8 a.m.

Squidoo.com might become THE money-making portal for bloggers who want to sell expertise in area about which they write, NY Times, April 10.

Webaroo set out to put the "whole web" on your hard drive, and keep it updated, site here. Related story, NY Times, April 10

* (Apr.  13) AITP Nashville, Business Innovation, Hector Hernandez, IBM, Miami, FL. Focus is on "Composing Business Values from Technology Assets."

* (April 13) Former TRA director and FCC Commissioner Debi Tate is keynoter, during the VoIPossibilities Conference here


(April 18) Leadership Music, Belmont University, with support of Nashville Technology Council and other marketing Sponsors, are holding their 2nd Annual Digital Music Summit, details here
* (April 19) China Business Forum, Owen Entrepreneurship Center, Averbuch Auditorium, 5:30 p.m., Owen Grad. School of Mgmt., Vanderbilt.  Dell Inc.'s Stephen Cook, Nashville-based director of manufacturing, will discuss Dell's supply chain from the People's Republic of China.

* (April 26) E. TN Tech Council monthly meeting, Tim Smith, LBMC, on CRM Solutions. (865) 220-2020 or write here.


* (April 27) Nashville Health Care Council and PriceWaterhouseCoopers conference on outlook for global healthcare system.

(April 27-28) PMI Nashville Spring Project Management Symposium, with PDUs. Details here.

(May 2) Tennessee Digital Government Summit. Details here.

(May 3-5) HIMSS 2nd Annual NHIT Summit, HiMSS TN Chapter, Nashville. 

* (May 10-11) Southeast Venture Capital Forum, Birmingham.

(May 16) Tour - Comcast facility, Society of Manufacturing Engineerings SME Nashville, details here.

(May 17) 6th Annual Technology! Nashville conference. Hilton Suites Downtown. DETAILS HERE.

(May 31-June 1) Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit, Convention Center, Chattanooga. 

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

(Oct. 4)  NTC-ISSA InfoSec Information Security Conference. Details to come.

 
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Bruce Ash of Dollar General is in The Spotlight.
 


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NTC Sustaining Sponsors:
Caterpillar Financial
Emdeon
HCA
 

 

  News of Nashville Technology is published by the Industry News division of NashvillePost.com, in cooperation with lead sponsor Nashville Technology Council. Milt Capps is  NashvillePost.com Industry News Services division editor and associate publisher.
     

Published by NashvillePost.com
Industry News Services Division
Milt Capps, INS Editor & Assoc. Publisher
3401 West End Ave., Suite 685 | Nashville, TN, 37203
Phone: (615) 250-1540 Email: milt.capps@nashvillepost.com




emma