Financials
IBM
Intermec
Leasing
Markets
RFID
Services
Training

Financials

IBM Global Financing launches flexible credit program for resellers
IBM Global Financing announced that it is launching a new flexible credit program for U.S. resellers of IBM and non-IBM equipment, software and services. The IBM Flexible Credit program is designed to help resellers conserve their cash flow and better manage their businesses in a climate of shrinking profit margins. It will allow resellers to make purchases from authorized suppliers on a revolving line of credit. In a typical scenario, resellers of a manufacturer's IT product or service will take charge of inventory until sales to their end users are completed. With IBM Flexible Credit, resellers are provided with a flexible payment option to pay off the manufacturer or supplier before the term's expiration. The program further affords resellers the flexibility to acquire new technology and other approved products for resale. IBM Flexible Credit applications can all be processed over the Internet for credit lines of $100,000 to $500,000. Resellers can benefit from "no-interest payment charges" for varying financing periods of 30, 45 or 60 days. Unpaid balances will accrue a low, competitive interest rate per month with flexible repayment options. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
Visit www.ibm.com/financing.
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IBM

IBM's Power architecture attracting more Linux developers
IBM, once a bastion of proprietary mainframe technology, says efforts to entice developers to create open source applications for servers based on its Power chip architecture are paying off as the number of Linux-on-Power programs has more than doubled over the past two years. IBM says there are now more than 2,500 Linux applications available for its Power-based pSeries, iSeries, and BladeCenter servers. The company just announced the most recent - a Linux program developed by Sybase that extends corporate applications to mobile devices. Sybase Unwired Accelerator gives mobile professionals real-time access to corporate data stored in ERP systems and other enterprise applications, IBM says. IBM officials credit much of the increase in the number of Linux applications available for Power-based systems to an initiative it launched two years ago called Chiphopper, under which x86 developers received technical and marketing assistance when porting their apps to Power.
Visit www.ibm.com.
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Intermec

Intermec selects Broadcom Wi-Fi technology for new mobile computers
Intermec Inc. has selected semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom to supply advanced Wi-Fi technology for Intermec wireless mobile computers, including the new CN3 and CV30. Broadcom's highly-integrated AirForce One single-chip Wi-Fi radio is among the most compact IEEE 802.11 chipsets in the industry, allowing high-quality wireless LAN connectivity in small electronic devices. The addition of Broadcom's AirForce One Wi-Fi technology optimizes Intermec device security, roaming and interoperability and offers higher levels of integration, power savings and voice over IP performance. The chipsets are designed to withstand the high levels of radio frequency noise found in environments common to Intermec customers, such as industrial and warehousing applications.
Visit www.intermec.com.
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Leasing

GE Corporate Lending provides $170 million to ClientLogic
GE Commercial Finance - Corporate Lending announced it has provided a $170 million cash flow credit facility to ClientLogic. The loan will be used for recapitalization and working capital needs. GE Capital Markets arranged the transaction. "We worked closely with ClientLogic to provide the funds they needed to help optimize their capital structure," added Tom Quindlen, president & CEO of GE Corporate Lending. "Whether asset-based, cash flow or structured finance, we're dedicated to finding the right solution to help companies execute their business plans."  ClientLogic is a global business process outsourcing provider in the customer care and back office processing industries.
Visit www.gelending.com.

Shareholders drop class action suit against MicroFinancial
A group of disgruntled MicroFinancial shareholders has agreed to drop their appeal of a motion challenging a previous court ruling in favor of the company. According to a MicroFinancial release, the plaintiffs filed an Agreement of Dismissal with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit whereby they voluntarily agreed to dismiss their appeal with prejudice. The shareholders launched a class-action suit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in October 2003 against the company, certain of its officers and directors, and its auditor. The suit was filed by stock-holders who purchased MicroFinancial stock between February 5, 1999 and October 30, 2002 and claimed that the defendants violated federal securities laws by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market over this time period, thereby artificially inflating the price of the company's securities. The plaintiffs sought to recover compensatory damages for the loss of value of their stock. In June 2006, the court granted MicroFinancial's motion to dismiss the suit in its entirety with prejudice. The plaintiffs filed their appeal with United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in July.
Visit www.microfinancial.com.
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Markets

Blades and high-end enterprise systems drive strongest growth in server market
According to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker, factory revenue in the worldwide server market grew 3.5% year over year to $12.9 billion in the third quarter of 2006, the fastest growth rate in four quarters and the largest third quarter spending on servers since the third quarter of 2000. Worldwide demand for server blades was largely responsible for this market growth with year-over-year growth of 29.9%. Sales were strong in most regions with Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) and EMEA showing particularly strong demand with year-over-year growth of 13.7% and 4.8% respectively. High-end enterprise server revenue grew 9.1% year over year, which represented the primary growth engine for the server market overall and the first positive growth for the segment since the third quarter of 2004. Virtualization continues to drive slower growth in the volume server market in the third quarter with spending growing a modest 3.8% year over year, the fourth consecutive quarter of single-digit growth and the slowest growth since the third quarter on 2002. Revenue for midrange enterprise servers declined 2.3% year over year, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly decrease in that segment.
Visit www.idc.com.


BOS files draft registration statement for a proposed rights offering
B.O.S. Better Online Solutions Ltd. (BOS) announced that it has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Israeli Securities Authority a registration statement in respect of a proposed distribution of rights to purchase ordinary shares. All of the Company’s shareholders as of the record date, yet to be determin-ed, will be offered the opportunity to participate in this rights offering. The registration statement covers the distribution of rights to purchase up to 2 million of the Company’s ordinary shares. If the offering is completed, BOS expects to raise up to a maximum amount of approximately $5 million, depending on market conditions. The terms of the proposed rights distribution are described in the prospectus included in the registration statement.
Visit www.boscorporate.com.
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RFID

RFID – big orders imminent
Most of the RFID business is booming. This is a global phenomenon, not least in government applications. Dr Jimmy Li, Deputy Director of the Initiative Office for Government RFID Applications at the Ministry of Economic Affairs Taiwan says, “Government applications of RFID are now growing rapidly. We started five RFID projects in the government area this year and there are more to come next year.” Steve Georgevitch, Total Asset Visibility Program Manager of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems says, “The aerospace and defense industries are on a rapid RFID adoption path with substantial benefits anticipated in the next several years.” Martin Capper, President, Mark IV IVHS Division says, “Mark IV sees RFID as an explosive market particularly in the transportation segment with the evolution from the existing electronic payment systems to new applications delivering safety and mobility for both individuals and commercial traffic. The emergence of DSRC at 5.9GHz will create the next paradigm shift in surface transportation.” When it comes to the biggest RFID market - contactless smart cards - Don Davis, Editor of Card Technology says, “Big players are making major bets on contactless, and forcing competitors to catch up. They are issuing large numbers of contactless cards and fobs and, in Japan, adding contactless functionality to millions of mobile phones, giving many consumers the chance to pay with a wave.” Contactless cards are a huge success and contactless ticket sales are also taking off exponentially. IDTechEx forecasts that sales of RFID tickets will rocket from 100 million in 2007 to 450 million in 2010. All the experts quoted in this article and others will present at “RFID Smart Labels USA” in Boston, February 21-22, 2007.
Visit www.idtechex.com or www.smartlabelsusa.com.
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Services

ZOOM Conferencing announces strategic initiative ZOOMPRO
ZOOM Conferencing announces a new set of professional business content development services designed exclusively for customers and channel partners. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate, it has become increasingly critical for better, more effective and more engaging presentations to meet high-production values required for online conferences.  ZOOMPRO is a comprehensive set of web, iPod and PC audio, video and multi-media animation content services designed to enhance communications, improve productivity, reduce costs and increase attendee retention. ZOOMPRO is powered exclusively by TECHtionary.com, recipient of Editors Choice for Technical Help.
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Training

EVault launches educational services offerings
EVault, Inc., the trusted experts in complete data protection solutions, announced educational services offerings that provide customers and partners with a full complement of training and education courses to meet their specific data protection require-ments. The training courses address the individual training needs for end user customers and partners to ensure they have the requisite knowledge and skills to successfully use, maintain and upgrade EVault products and services. Classes include both classroom instruction and hands-on training and are kept small to provide attendees with personal attention to address individual needs. Attendees receive certification upon completion of all courses. Courses offered include: EVault Basics, Agent Management, EVault InfoStage Management, Vault Administration and EVault Trainer. EVault also offers a series of advanced courses, including: Disaster Recovery Workshops for full system recoveries of multiple business-critical platforms; managing data protection for IBM System i (formerly known as iSeries and AS/400) environments; and EVault Advanced Training for both agent and vault management.
Visit www.evault.com/support/education. ^Back To Top