Nashville Technology Council

Nashville Tech Story (11/17/09)

A Cray supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has regained the title of the world’s most powerful supercomputer, overtaking the installation that was ranked at the top in June, while China entered the Top 10 with a hybrid Intel-AMD system.

The upgraded Jaguar supercomputer at Oak Ridge, in Tennessee, now boasts a speed of 1.759 petaflops per second from its 224,162 cores, while the IBM Roadrunner system at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico slowed slightly to 1.042 petaflops per second after it was repartitioned. A petaflop is one thousand trillion calculations per second.

The list of the Top 500 supercomputers, set to be released on Monday during the SC09 supercomputing conference in Portland, Oregon, is compiled twice a year and is now in its 34th installment. The total capacity of the systems on the new list is 27.6 petaflops, up from 22.6 petaflops on the previous list in June.
Jaguar has been upgraded since June with new processors and surged ahead to take the lead. It is based on the Cray XT5 Linux supercomputer platform, which uses Advanced Micro Devices Opteron (AMD) processors. Its total peak capability is 2.3 petaflops per second.

The No. 3 system is Kraken, at the National Institute for Computational Sciences at the University of Tennessee, which performs at 832 teraflops per second. This Cray XT5 supercomputer was ranked No. 6 in June, when it was rated at just 463 teraflops per second.

Intel processors power 402 of the systems on the list, or 80.4 percent, up slightly from 399 in June. The IBM Power architecture is the second most commonly used, with 52 systems, down from 55. AMD’s Opteron family appears in 42 of the systems.

Most of the Top 500 supercomputers — 426 systems — now use quad-core processors. Only 59 use dual-core chips, and just four systems are based on single-core architectures. There were six systems on the latest list using IBM’s nine-core Cell Broadband Engine processor, also used in the PlayStation 3. Gigabit Ethernet is the internal interconnect technology in 259 installations, compared with 181 using InfiniBand.

Hewlett-Packard led in the number of systems on the list, with 210 supercomputers or 42 percent, compared with 185 for IBM. However, the IBM systems accounted for the most computing power, with 34.8 percent of total performance, down from 39.8 percent. HP held 22.8 percent.

The Top 500 list is compiled by Hans Meuer of the University of Mannheim in Germany, Jack Dongarra of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and Erich Strohmaier and Horst Simon of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California.

Click here to Read More

Nashville Tech Story (11/11/09)

‘Tis the Season. From now until January 15th, free wireless access will be available in over 45 airports Nationwide, including Nashville International Airport (BNA).  In addition, free wireless access will be available on board Virgin American flights, powered by Gogo® Inflight internet. Are you curious how in-flight wireless access works at 35,000 feet? It is very similar to how a cell phone works with cellular towers.  Click here for a full description.   

Google is also all about giving back to the community, and now you can contribute.  If you make a donation to one of 3 charities, Climate Savers Computing, One Economy Corporation or Engineers Without Borders USA, Google will match your donation 100%.  In addition, the Airport with the most donations, will receive $15,000 to give to the charity of their choice.   

That’s not all.  If you are in a participating airport, take a picture of yourself using the WiFi network and submit to win a number of awesome prizes.  Thanks Google for spreading the Holiday Cheer, and making traveling a little more pleasant through the busy season.  

Click Here for more information

PureSafety Continues Aggressive Growth Strategy
Taps Avondale Partners to identify acquisition opportunities

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Nov. 10, 2009 — PureSafety, a leading provider of results-driven software and information solutions for workforce safety and health, is ramping up its acquisition strategy and has engaged Avondale Partners, a full-service investment banking firm, to assist in identifying potential opportunities.

PureSafety’s scale, market leadership and momentum make it well positioned for additional growth and a prime candidate to further consolidate the industry.  The company is seeking highly capable and committed teams as well as complementary software solutions and service partners within the workforce safety, health, environmental and risk management sectors.

This heightened focus on acquisition growth is in support of PureSafety’s vision to create the industry’s most comprehensive suite of web-based software and information solutions to address compliance, risk management, governance and culture needs.

“Our ability to help our customers protect their most important assets and drive meaningful business results has never been stronger,” said PureSafety President and CEO Bill Grana. “We are looking for like-minded people and companies that share this vision.”

The company’s successful acquisitions to date include the December 2008 acquisition of Unique Software Solutions, Inc. (USSI) and its Occupational Health Manager® (OHM) software suite and PerDatum’s Prognos® software application in November 2006.  

“We are excited to partner with PureSafety on this engagement, and already have multiple indications of interest outstanding to acquire complementary firms,” said Chris Calton, director, Investment Banking at Avondale Partners.

About PureSafety
Born out of a workplace tragedy in 1999, PureSafety empowers its customers to protect their organization’s most valuable assets: their people and profits. PureSafety provides comprehensive, web-based software and information solutions that support compliance requirements, overall risk management needs, and the enhancement of governance and company culture through improved programs, processes, awareness, understanding, visibility, and accountability within workforce safety and health.  The company’s growing team of 160 employees serves more than 2,000 companies operating in more than 20 major industries including manufacturing, construction, distribution, energy, and healthcare, and encompasses 34 percent of the Fortune 500. Headquartered in the Nashville-area, PureSafety has an additional location in Colorado Springs, Col. To learn more, visit www.puresafety.com or call 888.202.3016.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Gray, APR                        
Gray Public Relations                        
615.497.1799                                    
agray@graypr.com     

Nashville Tech Story (11/10/09)

Now you can spam your LinkedIn profile with a cryptic 140 character messages.  Thanks to a new partnership between Twitter and LinkedIn, you can now sync your updates on both platforms.  For the business users of LinkedIn, get ready for more updates about the kids, day-dreaming, and other stream of conscience thoughts.  It should be interesting.  Before you go ranting and raving too much, you might want to think about everyone who has linked to you in your professional persona!

Click Here to read more.

Nashville Tech Story (11/9/09)

With over 1,000 attendees, this five day conference is the largest educational conference for data center management professionals worldwide.  Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Data Center World hits the Nashville community, March 7th – 11th, at Gaylord Opryland Resort, bringing together a wide spectrum of attendees including CIOs, MIS Directors, Network and Communications managers, Systems Software managers, Facility managers, Disaster Recovery specialists, Security managers, and Operations managers.  

Not only is there the opportunity to network with peers and potential clients from businesses across the nation, there are a number of chances to educate from these individuals as well.  Conference case studies will take you through a real-life data center crisis and teach you the ins and outs of working through the problem.  Choose from 7 different roundtable discussions, which will give you the chance to ask questions to a panel if industry experts.  In addition, you can sign up for a data center tour at Nashville’s very own Dolphini Networks or Vanderbilt University’s ITS Facility.  This event also has optional tutorials, facilities/greening tracks, product information sessions, and industry leading keynote addresses.  

To find out more information on this event, visit http://www.datacenterworld.com/index.html.

Dolphini Networks chosen by AFCOM as Live Data Center Tour Partner for Data Center World’s Spring 2010 convention‐ Nashville, TN

WHO: Attendees of AFCOM’s Data Center World convention

When: March 7‐11, 2010 go to datacenterworld.com for full event calendar.

Where: Convention will be held at Gaylord’s Opryland Hotel and Resort.

Dolphini is thankful to be recognized by its colleagues worldwide for its Data Center’s Design and Efficiency record.

About Dolphini:

Dolphini is most proud of its 100% uptime history at the Data Center. For more information contact Dolphini Networks @ 615‐256‐5505Dolphini Networks Data Center connects the World to Nashville and Nashville to the World. Dolphini is a Lucent Designed‐ Central Office Grade Structure built to meet and exceed the Power and Cooling Demands of today’s IT enterprise class Client. Dolphini is designed with Dual Power Grid Connectivity and is a Green Power Partner with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Dolphini Utilizes APC’s InfraStruXure product line of Cabinets, Power Management, Power Distribution & Symmetra Power Array along with a Cisco Core. Dolphini has connectivity to Multiple Fiber Carriers as well as Dark Fiber partners. Dolphini has also constructed a line of sight tower for future wireless transmission of services. Dolphini provides colocation, hosting and managed services to businesses of all sizes and classes. From Small start up clients to ISP’s, Universities, Enterprise Clients and Government alike, Dolphini works with each client to create the solution best suited for their application . Dolphini’s centralized Nashville location allows them to serve 80% of the United States businesses within a 12 hour drive. This enables them to be a preferred host to many southeastern counties E911 services as well as the country of Costa Rica.

Nashville Tech Story (11/6/09)

Communications Technology, Voice & Telephony, Data Services, Cabling, Infrastructure Options and Security Solutions were just a few of the industries represented at yesterday’s Technology Showcase, presented by Hiscall, at the Radisson Hotel Opryland.    This showcase exemplified everything that Hiscall sells and represents.  With over 25 breakout sessions to choose from and over 50 vendors represented, participants stayed very busy throughout the day.

Participating Nashville Technology Members included:

• Avaya, Inc.
• Juniper Networks, Inc.
• Nashville Electric Company
• NUVOX
• PAETEC
• ShoreTel, Inc.
• TANDBERG
• TippingPoint

Thanks, Hiscall, for letting us be a part of this event, and continuing to grow Nashville’s technology community.

Nashville Tech Story (11/5/09)

When asked what the five best things are about Motorola’s new Smartphone, DROID, an Android 2.0-powered phone developed in partnership with Google, Verizon Wireless’ Manager of Data Solutions, Terry Henry, had much more than five things to say. There are a number of things that differentiate the DROID from its leading competitors in the wireless market.

1. Customization: DROID’s fully open operating systems makes it completely flexible for the user. You can add applications and widgets of your choice to 3 different screens, which can easily be navigated with the touch of a hand.
2. Flexibility with Applications: If you do not like the applications already installed on the phone, there are over 12,000 compatible apps available on the Android Market™, or you can simply create your own app with the software development kit. In addition, if you think your app is awesome, you can sell it on the marketplace.
3. Multi-Task Capability: The DROID has the capability to run multiple applications simultaneously. With the ability to toggle between 6 applications at one time, you can listen to Pandora, browse the web, answer text messages and check e-mail all without losing speed.
4. Speed: Speaking of speed, the DROID has a 550 megaHz processor, the largest available on the market to date. This speed makes web browsing have a desktop-like experience for the user.
5. Navigation: The user has the ability to search any location through Google, by voice command or text. DROID’s GPS navigation will give you turn by turn directions to you location of choice through Google Maps™ Navigation Beta.
6. Contacts: With DROID’s universal list, your contacts can be integrated from work, personal and even Facebook. What if your phone breaks? With Verizon Wireless’ partnership with Google, all of your contacts are stored in a Gmail™ account, so you can find them directly from your desktop.
7. Camera: In addition to the built in video-camera, the 5-megapixel camera not only has an image stabilization feature, but also has night vision capabilities.
8. Accessories: There’s no need for an alarm clock because your DROID will transform into a media station with the bedside dock. In addition, the car dock creates a hands free navigation system.

Last but not least, Affordability. The new DROID Smartphone is only $199, which comes with over 16 gigs of storage space, a 3.7” display with over 400,000 pixels, and both a touch screen and slide out full QWERTY keyboard. The DROID will be available in Verizon Wireless stores this Friday, November 6th.

Want to learn more? Click Here to view a DROID demonstration video.

Nashville Tech Story (11/4/09)

The business of analytics is growing dramatically as we expand our informational needs for an organization.  Analytics can be thought with regard to intelligence for the business, information, content management (structure and unstructured), and predictive (statistical).  There are a plethora of products in each of these four quadrants of analytical tools.

A new global study of more than 2,500 Chief Information Officers (CIOs), released by IBM in September, reveals that leveraging analytics to gain a competitive advantage and improve business decision-making is now the top priority for CIOs. More than four out of five (83 percent) survey respondents identified business intelligence and analytics – the ability to see patterns in vast amounts of data and extract actionable insights – as the way they will enhance their organizations’ competitiveness.

These results and other insights are detailed in the just-released Global CIO Study 2009, which is the largest face-to-face survey of CIOs ever conducted. The study, titled “The New Voice of the CIO,” represents the insights and vision of CIOs from 78 countries, 19 industries, and organizations of every size. The study reinforces the increasingly strategic role that CIOs are playing as visionary leaders and as drivers of innovation and financial growth.

With an increased focus on data analytics, the survey also revealed that data reliability and security have emerged as increasingly urgent concerns, with 71 percent of CIOs planning to make additional investments in risk management and compliance.

As a result of analytics, the CIO’s role is changing to include the following:

• Making innovation real
• Raising the ROI on IT
• Expanding the business impact.

Sign up today to join us for lunch on November 12, 2009, for the launch of the Analytics Group.

PURESAFETY ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL CHANGES AND NEW CLIENT-FOCUSED GO TO MARKET STRATEGY

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Oct. 27, 2009 — Bill Grana, president and CEO of Franklin, Tenn.-based PureSafety, a leading provider of training, safety, occupational health and medical management software solutions, today announced the promotions of Marshall Martin and Mike Kroll and the addition of Allison Pullen to the PureSafety team. These changes come as a result of the company’s decision to adopt a new, more market and customer-focused go to market strategy.

“To better serve our clients, we aligned the business with our two primary client personas — occupational health professionals and safety professionals,” said Grana. “The new structure will allow for greater operational nimbleness and focus, while continuing our strong record of customer service and support. Most importantly, organizing our business and overall market strategy around the people using our solutions ensures a deeper understanding of their challenges and opportunities, which helps us to better meet their needs, both now and well into the future.”

Mike Kroll has been promoted to executive vice president, general manager, of PureSafety’s new Workforce Safety and Training Management Solutions business unit, which will focus on delivering innovative software and information solutions to today’s busy training, safety and risk management professionals. Kroll has more than 17 years of corporate training sales and management expertise. Prior to joining PureSafety in January 2003, Kroll served as the Senior Director of Sales for eLearning at Ninth House, Inc. and as a National Sales Director for Vcampus Corp.

Marshall Martin has been promoted to executive vice president, general manager, of PureSafety’s new Workforce and Occupational Health Management Solutions business unit, which will focus on delivering innovative software and information solutions to today’s busy occupational health and medical management professionals. Martin has more than 15 years of senior-level management experience in strategic planning, accounting, operations management and business process reengineering. Prior to joining PureSafety in July 2008, he spent three years as chief operating officer at Juris Inc.(now LexisNexis) and held senior leadership roles at US Xpress Enterprises, Olan Mills Portrait Studios and Harrison Direct.

Allison Pullen has been hired as senior marketing manager, Workforce and Occupational Health Management Solutions business unit. She brings more than 10 years of marketing, public relations and corporate communications experience in the technology, healthcare and occupational medicine sectors to the PureSafety marketing team. She has held marketing management and consulting roles with Fortune 100 companies as well as smaller entities, including Merck Pharmaceuticals and Intergraph Corporation. Most recently, Pullen served as marketing manager of Strategic Communications at Autodesk, a global 2D and 3D design software and services company.

About PureSafety
Born out of a workplace tragedy in 1999, PureSafety empowers its customers to protect their organization’s most valuable assets: their people and profits. PureSafety provides comprehensive, web-based software and information solutions that support compliance requirements, overall risk management needs, and the enhancement of governance and company culture through improved programs, processes, awareness, understanding, visibility, and accountability within workforce safety and health.  The company’s growing team of 160 employees serves more than 2,000 companies operating in more than 20 major industries including manufacturing, construction, distribution, energy, and healthcare, and encompasses 34 percent of the Fortune 500. Headquartered in Nashville-area Franklin, Tenn., PureSafety has an additional location in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To learn more, visit www.puresafety.com or call 888.202.3016.

###