Digital Dialogue hiring, expanding offices Auburn Hills-based Digital Dialogue, a subsidiary of St. Petersburg, Fla.-based PSCU Financial Services, announced Tuesday that it had hired 137 new staff members and doubled its office space in the three months. Digital Dialogue provides call center and other IT services to credit unions. Since May, Digital Dialogue has hired 122 Member Service Representatives, three trainers, seven account managers, and five new IT staff members. Digital Dialogue previously occupied 9,300 square feet of office space in its Auburn Hills headquarters and recently expanded into an additional space that occupies 8,300 square feet. Based on the recent demand for its services, the company plans to hire an additional 120 employees over the next year. More.
New software from Ann Arbor's Servant Systems Ann Arbor software developers Servant Systems Inc. Tuesday announced the release of the Christmas Décor 2008 version of the LightRight franchise management software introduced August 2007. In addition to the many advanced features of the original LightRight, this latest version includes an inventory system and weekly summary of activity, which, at the end of year, becomes the royalty report. This major upgrade incorporates other new features and a wizard that makes the software more convenient to the user in estimating, scheduling jobs and employees, calendaring, and financially managing accounts (including invoicing, receivables and bank deposits). It also enables year-to-year rollover of residential and commercial customer and prospect records, pricing updates, workflow management, and analysis of marketing campaigns and job costs. More.
Farmington Hills firm offers simpler Web conferencing The Solution Group, a Farmington Hills-based human resources software firm, Tuesday announced Live Rep, a Web-based interactive communications tool allowing spontaneous face-to-face interaction between companies and their Web users. “Live Rep merges the best elements of video conferencing, instant messaging, document sharing and whiteboard technologies,” said Eric Krohner, founder and CEO of The Solution Group. “All this without any additional software installations of any kind for the Web site or the user. It’s that easy.” More.
Michigan No. 2 in the nation for online learning
Two years after Michigan gained national attention as the first state in the nation to require online learning as a requirement for high school graduation, the state now is being recognized as second in the nation for its online learning policy and practice. The Center for Digital Education evaluated the overall landscape of online learning and compiled state rankings to reflect the vision, policies, programs and strategies that states have deployed around online learning in an effort to transform their academic environment to meet student needs. More.
Ajlsoft offers new document software as a service Auburn Hills-based software developer Ajlsoft has released DocFire, a complete software-as-a-service system that helps organizations create and manage their own rules and processes, data, and documents online from a secure central location without the need for any special software or IT involvement. “DocFire combines data-entry, dynamically generated content and dashboard reporting right into Microsoft Office documents,” said KimJohn Quinn, Ajlsoft’s co-founder. “Users can modify data and regenerate content as well as analyze the results in real-time using only our intelligent documents.” More.
Clark Hill offers tips on using tech to save money in a downturn
There are plenty of ways companies are using technology to save money in today’s tough times, according to the tech experts at the law firm of Clark Hill PLC.
In fact, Clark Hill’s IT director, Edward R. Weiss, said his firm is using some of them.
“There are many options here,” Weiss said. “Companies can use many of the mobility options available such as Blackberry devices, Internet connections from home, wireless access just about anywhere.”
And there are ways tech can cut costs from within the walls of businesses – options like Web video conferencing rather than travel, including Cisco Systems’ Unified Presence options. Weiss said instant messaging can also serve functions other than just keeping teens in touch – it can be and is used in the business setting to get instant contact with colleagues.
Remote presence functions now available include document management, conversion of scanned documents from one location to another, and reducing paper consumption by keeping electronic copies of information.
In the IT department, technology can also be used to compress information to reduce the amount of hardware that needs to be purchased to store it. Storage Area Network technology also allows for data to be spread over wide locations.
Weiss also said technology can be used to spread multiple applications over a network using the same server, using products such as VMware.
Today's Blue Box was sponsored by the law firm Clark Hill PLC. For information on how you can sponsor content in the Blue Box, contact Jeff Lasser at (248) 455-7319 or jeff.lasser@cbsradio.com.
Federal grant increases Keweenaw startup loan funds
The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance announced that it has received a $36,000 grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to help re-capitalize its small business revolving loan fund, the Keweenaw Revolving Loan Fund. “These additional loan monies are coming just at the time when credit is getting tighter for small businesses, especially start-up and early stage businesses," noted KEDA executive director Phil Musser. Since its creation in 1999, the KRLF has made $397,000 in loans to 12 Keweenaw Peninsula businesses. These loans have created 85 new jobs, retained 44 jobs, and annually generate more than $2.5 million of payroll. More.
SalesPage gets new partner Kalamazoo-based SalesPage Technologies Tuesday announced a partnership with Coates Analytics LP, a subsidiary of PNC Global Investment, to allow integration between SalesPage Financial, a client relationship management software package, and Coates' Managed Money Dashboard. This integration provides critical sales data to empower SalesPage clients to more effectively identify and act upon opportunities, improve performance, and remain competitive. More.
MDOT to turn Telegraph into smart highway lab The Michigan Department of Transportation Tuesday announced plans to deploy advanced technologies along the Telegraph Road corridor in Oakland County to accelerate the research and development of next-generation vehicle safety and mobility applications. The plan includes activating between 20 and 30 wireless Dedicated Short Range Communications radios to broadcast basic traffic signal information. Researchers and developers working in southeast Michigan will use the traffic signal information to develop connected vehicle technologies that will prevent crashes, improve mobility and fuel efficiency in Michigan and beyond. More.
THE WORLD IN TECH
Facebook application plan rankles some developers Facebook plans to start charging for verifying applications built for the social network - an optional process that has upset some developers despite the company's assurances it will bring plenty of positive benefits. Platform program manager Sandra Liu Huang said Tuesday that Facebook opened the verification process to developers on Monday. The process is meant to increase users' trust of applications that are posted on the site and to help developers wanting to build a serious business get more visibility with users, she said. More.
FCC member calls for investigation of Arbitron 'people meter'
One of the two Democrats on the Federal Communications Commission is calling on the agency to investigate whether a new electronic measurement system used by Arbitron Inc. to track radio station listenership is unfairly harming minority broadcasters. FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein on Tuesday sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin urging the agency to open a formal investigation into Arbitron's "Portable People Meter" rating service. The new system relies on a pager-like device that automatically records what radio stations a person is listening to in order to measure radio station audiences. Arbitron contends it's more accurate, but some radio stations -- particularly minority-owned stations -- complain that Arbitron has shrunk its sample sizes down to the point that they're unreliable. More. (Also, MarketWatch reports that big radio companies are moving to Nielsen in smaller markets.)
Yahoo's fate riding on Yang's successor as CEO
With Jerry Yang quitting as Yahoo Inc.'s chief executive, the Internet company's board will confront pivotal questions as it looks for a new leader. Should Yahoo swallow its pride and try to strike a buyout deal with Microsoft Corp. at a price far below Microsoft's $47.5 billion offer from 6 1/2 months ago? Or should Yahoo still pursue a long-awaited turnaround that's becoming more difficult to achieve as the economy tanks? If Yahoo plays it safe and hires someone from within or someone friendly with Microsoft, it could signal the board merely wants an interim captain who can steer the ship until Microsoft, or possibly another buyer, comes to the rescue. But should Yahoo recruit a CEO with a prestigious resume or pluck an up-and-coming technology star, it will be seen as a sign that the company is digging in to remain independent for the long haul. More.
Mobile, Ala. considers free Wi-Fi for downtown Mobile officials are considering providing free, wireless Internet services in the downtown district, joining the ranks of other cities with free wi-fi for roving laptop users on Main Street. Mobile spokeswoman Barbara Drummond said Tuesday the city is considering free Wi-Fi as part of its long-term planning to attract young professionals and creative people to the downtown area. The city has not signed any contract for the service, however, while reviewing its vendor options. More.
Stocks: Yang's departure boosts Yahoo, HP and sector follows suit
Most technology stocks overcame losses and closed with gains Tuesday as upbeat earnings from Hewlett-Packard Co. and a chief executive change at Yahoo Inc. highlighted trading. By the closing bell the Nasdaq Composite Index (COMP) was up 1.22 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,483.27. The Dow industrials ($INDU) staged a late-day rally to close at 8,424.75, up 151.17 or 1.8 percent. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ($SOX) fell 3.83 points or 2.percent to 191.89 and the Morgan Stanley High Tech 35 Index (MSH) rose 3.35 points or 1.1 percent to 320.25. The Amex Pharmaceutical Index ($DRG) rose 6.59 points or 2.6 percent to 262.37, while the Amex Biotech Index (BTK) fell 1.86 points, or 0.3 percent, to 607.13. Finally, the Standard & Poor's 500 (SPX) rose 8.37 points or 4.2 percent to 859.12. Energy and consumer staples fronted sector gains among the S&P's 10 industry groups, while financials and consumer discretionary shares led the declines. The Labor Department reported U.S. producer prices declined a record 2.8 percent in October, the most since 1947, as gasoline prices plummeted.
First off -- don't forget to come to Thursday morning's GLITR breakfast at Lawrence Tech in Southfield on the impact of the Nov. 4 election on the Michigan technology industry. Register here, pronto! Next, a ton of local leftovers: an Ann Arbor company that builds social networking profiles for businesses; new engine simulation software from Ricardo; Kalamazoo Valley Community College adds a program in laboratory animal technology; Ann Arbor's ForeSee Results celebrates its seventh anniversary; Dexter's ReCellular offers up a list of the 10 most recycled phones; Ford Motor's real estate loss is Taco Bell's gain; and researchers at the University of Michigan find that black holes are literally the hearts of galaxies. Elsewhere in Techland: Hewlett-Packard shares soar after a solid fourth quarter outlook; National Geographic magazine is getting into video games; save money with online book rentals; a Sprint affiliate backs down on a suit over WiMax; 'I'm from Microsoft. Here's how we crush bones.'; Nokia shows off a real-time traffic application; Facebook, Google and others sponsor a youth activism summit; Microsoft's antivirus move may draw antitrust fire; BP and the Soros Fund invest in an ethanol-making microbe; here are the skills Yahoo should look for in a new CEO; the Scottish I-ball camera rolls to success; Psystar's antitrust claim against Apple is dismissed; Microsoft will discontinue the Office subscription version; create lean and mean RSS feeds with Feed Rinse; Apple adds antiphishing tools to Safari 3.2; Google's Schmidt calls for more innovation, stronger infrastructure; IBM will buy Transitive; mobile messaging grows globally; the ISS marks 10 years in space; the CNET Daily Podcast looks at a post-Yang Yahoo; and a computer virus afflicts London hospitals.
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Clark Hill offers tips on using tech to save money in a downturn
