Nashville Technology Council

Nashville Tech Story – (6/30/2009)

For the past 10 years, the Nashville Technology Council has continued to grow and build the technology landscape here in Middle Tennessee.   The member companies of the council have been an integral part of creating that growth and making Nashville a hub for technology.  As an appreciation, we would like to recognize some of our outstanding member companies and the individuals behind those companies that have supported technology and the council in our region.

The Nashville Technology Council will be hosting our first ever “Feel the Beat” Technology Awards on October 27th at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  Nominations are now open and run through August 3, 2009.  Nominate your boss, company, a colleague or yourself for one of these prestigious awards.  The awards will include recognition for:

• CIO of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement
• The “Green” Award
• IT Student of the Year
• Innovator of the Year
• Social Media / Blogger of the Year
• Software Programmer / Engineer of the Year
• Top New IT Company of the Year

The technology awards will be the final event of the Nashville Technology Council’s 10@10 events, celebrating the 10 year existence of the council.  We appreciate your continued support and hope that you will decide to become part of this event.

Get involved in the nomination process by clicking here

The Nashville Tech Story (6/29/09)

We presented the Nashville Technology Council to the ProjectMT team in Murfreesboro last week at MTSU.  We connected one of our companies, Emids with their projects during the Spring Semester.  They are gearing up the program for Fall and Spring 09/10.

Do you have a project that you would like to work with in collaboration with a good group of students?  If so, please click here to get started or contact the Tech Council office for more information.

The project team is looking for small projects that can be useful for corporations or non-profit organizations, that can be completed in one or two semesters.

Candidate courses to be used for projectMT include (but are not limited to):

• Discrete Structures
• Advanced Data Structures
• Web Technologies
• Databases
• Artificial Intelligence
• Networks
• Visual Programming
• Software Engineering
• Software Testing
• Data Mining

About the ProjectMT
This endeavor aims to enhance CS teaching and learning experience with real world projects woven into the entire CS curriculum. The process is further enriched with a stable and consistent local industrial connection that brings in innovative computing ideas, technologies, and real world experiences. Bachelor’s-level students will participate in the development of significant, real-world applications, and engage in active learning of project and class topic related materials. The proposed innovation in CS curriculum will prepare each graduate to be ready to work competitively and successfully in the industry from day one.

http://projectmt.cs.mtsu.edu/

The Nashville Tech Story (6/25/09)

Are we ready for the next WebMD?  Why aren’t the next generation of EHR companies springing up all over Nashville?  We have the talent, funding, and experience.  Is it too soon?  No business model?

To be honest, I don’t know the answer, but I do know enough people are interested in the topic to warrant a breakfast or two.  I presented this topic at HealthCamp 2.0 and there was a lot of interest in continuing the discussion.  If you are interested in the topic and want to dive deeper into the conversation, let’s meet up at Noshville (on Broadway) next Wednesday morning at 7:30 – 8:30 AM.  If there is sufficient interest/discussion, we can meet more frequently.

Experts at our local hospital companies have been integrating virtually every healthcare platform for the past 30 years.  Every time they do an acquisition, they integrate the clinicals and financials.  They integrate physician data and practice management systems.  We have more experience than any other city at this task.  As was evidenced today at the Nashville Health Care Council Luncheon, Nashville is rich in healthcare talent and there is a lot of interest in this topic at all levels.  We are so blessed to have the Nashville Health Care Council.

This is my view of the opportunity – NASHEHR – The Nashville Electronic Health Record.  This is only meant as an outline.  I have a really cool graphic of the information below to show how this all fits together.  I drew on a whiteboard at Lipscomb University.  Do you think it is still there?  Probably not.  I will try to re-create it before next Wednesday and give everyone a copy.  I am sure a lot of people will argue with me about the parts and I welcome the criticism and feedback.

1.    First some Definitions – PHR, EHR, EMR

a. Personal Health Record – Consumer lead compiling of health record
b. Electronic Health Record – Consumer/Provider partnership with integration
c. Electronic Medical Record – Hospital/Physician Based Information Systems with Clinician Data Access

2.    Regional Health Data Repository (1.5 Million Records CBSA / 6 Million if we want to do it statewide)

3.    Interface Engines (SeeBeyond (Sun) and Cloverleaf (Healthvision)

4.    Secure Connections – HTTPS/Tunneling

5.    Providers – Hospitals, Physicians, Home Health, Surgery Centers, Nursing Homes, Pharmacy, Labs

6.    Payers – BCBS, TNCare, CIGNA, Wellpoint, United

7.    Consumers – Google, HealthVault, BCBS, TNCare, H2U

8.    Analytics/Surveillance/GIS – Draw Maps, Charts, Red/Green Lights

9.    Potential Companies in Nashville that are leading or could lead the way.

a. Vanderbilt lead Tech Transfer from Center for Better Health
b. Credence Health (Quality)
c. Change Healthcare
d. HMS
e. Data Advantage
f. Emdeon
g. Others/New Entrants?

Below are some needs in Nashville that we could focus on together and these should have a long term return to the city and tech community.

1.    Experienced Government Grant writers to get some stimulus money
2.    Public/Private Cooperative to make a Regional Health Data Repository Operational
3.    Seed funding for 4-5 companies that can focus on PHRs, EHRs, and EMRs.
4.    The NTC will even donate a domain name to a new startup – http://www.nashehr.com

So, let’s start a discussion about EHRs.  Maybe we can stimulate a few businesses or at least some ideas.

Continue Reading →

Jeff Vahrenwald, Business Development Representative
Axis Accounting Systems, LLC

What brought you to Nashville?
What attracted me to Nashville initially was what I knew to be a fairly high quality of life and an economy that seemed to be suffering less than most other places I was considering.  Not surprisingly, the more people I talked to here, the more I heard how much everyone loved Nashville.

What is your favorite venue to go to in Nashville?
I think I ultimately decided I needed to move to Nashville while I was at Robert’s on Broadway one night.  Since then it has had held special significance for me.

What surprised you most about our city?
I’m surprised by the number of people here who aren’t originally from Nashville or even from the South.  I think that may be why it seems so accommodating to outsiders.

How does the Technology Community here compare to where you lived previously?
It’s hard to say because I’ve lived in a lot of different places and I haven’t been as involved in the technology community as I am here.  During my job search, however, I was impressed with the number of initiatives I encountered to foster growth in the technology and entrepreneurship sectors here in town.

Do you have any recommendations for other technologists who are new to the area?
Getting involved is the easiest way to make connections and Nashville has a lot of very dedicated organizations both in technology and in other areas.  Every group I have joined here in Nashville has been very welcoming and very willing to share information.

NTC Tech Story (6/24/2009)

The final two days of this week, the Nashville Technology Council will be participating in the SEO Rainmaker program.  Run by the highly respected, nationally recognized web marketers, David Bullock and Jerry West, this two day program is meant to help businesses meet goals and avoid being buried by their competition that’s using the same tool.

David and Jerry will help attendees understand how to choose the right tools and utilize those, which are vital to a company’s success.  They will provide the information necessary to assist in successfully converting website prospects into loyal customers.  Regardless of how much traffic a website produces, businesses cannot survive if site visitors are not turned into paying customers.  It sounds so simple, but it takes many folks awhile to understand such a simple concept.

Traveling the nation presenting this program in other cities, David and Jerry have had a ton of success and gained multiple supporters throughout their tour.  They have been helping businesses control marketing costs and maximize conversion on available exposure channels.  The focus of their program covers four major areas, which include marketplace assessment, channel saturation, competitive analysis and tracking and testing.

Visit the SEO Rainmaker program website and find other tools and helpful information that could put you on your way to becoming a certified Rainmaker.  Click here for more information

NTC Tech Story (June 23, 2009)

We all have seen those signs that read “DO NOT TOUCH.”  However, the small child inside of us has a deep desire longing to break the rules.  Inside, you always want to look, touch, even play with new things that maybe you shouldn’t.  However, there is a new product in the market wanting to be touched.   A 30-inch table top touch screen device developed by Microsoft called the Surface.

This computer allows the user to control what is on the screen with the touch of a finger.  The screen is sensitive enough that more than one person can touch it at a time.  It allows you to interact with objects such as tools and photographs.  This is an artist and graphic designers dream technology.

Doctors are also getting the most out of a smaller version of the Surface in hospitals.  Prescription medicine bottles can be placed on the surface and indicate when a medication should or should not be administered based on the surface color surrounding the bottle.

Some in the hotel industry have adopted using the Surface. Hotel lobbies allow guests to utilize the Surface to play music and purchase songs with their credit card. Guests can use it to order room service or simply scan their door key barcode over the screen to pay their bill. Other companies are using touch technology for their clients to learn about nearby attractions or book show tickets to movies or plays.

Want to see the Surface in action? The Surface will be prominently displayed at our upcoming roundtable event “Gaining a Competitive Advantage through Social Media” on July 9^th. Click here for more information

Click here to see a video clip of the Surface

COMPUTERWORLD RANKS VERIZON WIRELESS IN TOP 10 OF “BEST PLACES TO WORK IN I.T.”

Highest-Ranked Wireless Company for Information Technology Professionals; Recognized for 7th Straight Year; Ranked #7 in Latest Survey

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – If you are an information technology professional, one of the top 10 places to work is Verizon Wireless, according to an annual survey by Computerworld magazine. For the seventh straight year, Verizon Wireless has been recognized as one of the top 100 workplaces for information technology (I.T.) professionals. This year, the company ranked seventh and was once again the highest ranked wireless company on the list.

Verizon Wireless was selected as a top work environment by I.T. workers who were surveyed, as well as by Computerworld professionals who reviewed the company’s benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention.

“To be among the Best Places to Work in I.T., it’s not enough just to seek out and hire the most talented I.T. people, offer them competitive pay and provide great benefits,” said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld. “The organizations that made this year’s Best Places to Work list sustain a dynamic work environment in which I.T. professionals keep their hands on the latest technologies and work on projects that are business critical. In the months and years ahead, I.T. is going to become a key accelerator of business growth.”

“We are pleased to once again be recognized by Computerworld as one of the best places for I.T. workers in the U.S.,” said Ajay Waghray, chief information officer of Verizon Wireless. “At Verizon Wireless, we value every member of our information technology team and do everything we can to support them. They work hard to build the tools that our customers and customer-facing teams rely on, and play a key role in ensuring that we deliver a consistent, simple and satisfying experience to our customers every day.”
Verizon Wireless currently employs more than 86,000 employees nationwide. In addition to being an industry leader in network reliability and customer loyalty, Verizon Wireless is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the country because of its employee-friendly policies. For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

The “Best Places to Work in I.T.” 2009 survey results are published in the June 15 issue of Computerworld and online at www.computerworld.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Nashville Tech Story (6/22/2009)

In one of last week’s entries, we reviewed the anticipated release of Sprint’s Palm Pre.  Techies were lining up to see what new technology would be released that would give the iPhone a run for its money.  While the Palm Pre definitely made a successful entrance into the mobile world, Apple released its upgraded version of the iPhone, the 3GS.  While the PR on this release was not as highly recognized as the Palm, the new version of the iPhone certainly did not disappoint. 

Searching for a new mobile phone this past week and after speaking with multiple representatives from different retail stores, only one stood by the Palm over the iPhone.  The differences between the iPhone and Palm, include the price.  You can purchase a 16GB iPhone for the same price as an 8GB Palm, and the 3G 8GB iPhone has just dropped its price to $99 making it an even better value.

While both phones have the 3-megapixel cameras the Palm has an LED flash, but does not include autofocus, video recording or editing capabilities. Whereas the iPhone allows you to control focus, white balance and exposure.  In addition, iPhone includes video recording capability giving users the freedom to edit and share videos with the tap of a finger via e-mail, MMS, MobileMe gallery, or YouTube.

The only downside of the iPhone is the ability to send a video or picture via text message.  While this can be a major issue with some users, don’t worry, AT&T is promising the technology will be available to users before the end of the summer. 

NTC Tech Story (6/19/2009)

While Nashville is continuing to obtain recognition as a “hot bed” for technology advancements, NTC members Microsoft and Firefly Logic have become major players in creating this label for Middle Tennessee.  

With FanFest being one of the largest events to hit Nashville each year, key companies in the tech industry decided to release a few new products that would propel them to the forefront of the technology news section.  With the help of Microsoft and Firefly Logic the Country Music Association (CMA) was able to develop and release a game called “Be This Close.”  In another development, Photobucket also released a Visual Search Tool making use of Microsoft’s Silverlight and the Messenger Web Bar.

Utilizing these newly released products, Microsoft wanted to find a way to enhance the user experience at CMA Music Fest.  To accomplish the feat, Microsoft partnered with Firefly Logic, and utilizing Microsoft’s Deep Zoom technology and Photobucket’s new search tool, were able to showcase over 850 images of country music artists, past festivals and fan experiences to CMA Fest attendees. 

“Be This Close” is scheduled to be promoted to radio stations around the country this week.
   
www.liveside.net contributed to this blog post.