Upcoming Meeting Notice

The Association of Service and Computer Dealers International (ASCDI) is a 30 year old, worldwide non-profit organization made up of companies who provide technology solutions, technical support or value added services to the business community.

Members and non-members are invited to learn how to grow your business, find new business opportunities, hear from industry representatives and enjoy some fabulous networking events at our conferences:

ANNUAL ASIAN CONFERENCE:  November 14-15
BANGKOK, THAILAND

REGIONAL MEETING: January 15, 2009
DALLAS, TEXAS

Click here for more information on ALL ASCDI MEETINGS, to view the agendas, lodging details, attendee lists and to REGISTER AT THE EARLY BIRD RATE.

Book review
Cisco
Effectiveness vs. efficiency
Filters
IBM
Power
Regional news
RFID

Book review

Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary
Webster’s New World Telecom Dictionary by Ray Horak includes more than 4,600 terms essential to a clear and complete understanding of voice, data, video and multimedia communications system and network technologies, applications and regulations. Although the book is an excellent technical dictionary, Horak‘s plain-English, commonsense style yields definitions that are as thoroughly understandable to the business professional or student as they are to the electrical engineer. It is thoroughly researched, highly objective, absolutely accurate and includes just about every essential term, phrase, abbreviation, acronym, backronym, contraction, initialism and portmanteau you might encounter in the telecom and datacom domains. Many entries are encyclopedic in nature, discussing applications and issues, as well as technical specifics. The book clearly is the most authoritative contemporary telecom dictionary.

Published by Webster’s New World (October 2007)
568+ pages, $29.99 (Full retail)
ISBN-10: 047177457X
ISBN-13: 978-0471774570
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Cisco

Westcon Group's latest Cisco Solutions Handbook provides ultimate desk reference
Westcon Group, Inc. announced that it has released the fifth global edition of the Westcon Group Cisco Solutions Handbook. This year the handbook is being offered both as an online ebook and as a standalone printed version to Westcon's worldwide customer base. The handbook is a unique, comprehensive desk reference book that contains detailed product and positioning information for all the Cisco-oriented products Westcon carries on a multi-national basis. Each year, the handbook includes the invaluable Cisco Products Quick Reference Guide (CPQRG), which provides descriptions and detailed specification information on hundreds of Cisco's core networking and advanced technology products. The latest edition of the Cisco Solutions Handbook also features products from network security manufacturers Nokia and IronPort, in addition to updated information from each of Westcon Group's multi-national OneVoice, OneDefense, OneNetwork and OneWave programs.
Visit www.westcongroup.com.
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Effectiveness vs. efficiency

New study of channel chiefs suggests strategic shift toward sales effectiveness needed in 2009
A new survey by BLUEROADS and SiriusDecisions has demonstrated a clear link between the types of partner programs that top channel executives emphasize and their impact on revenue growth in the indirect channel. Of those executives surveyed who said they focused on sales 'effectiveness' strategic activities such as lead management and deal registration, 62 percent reported an increase in revenue in 2008. Paradoxically, 80 percent of the channel investments by the vendors that were surveyed focused around tactical issues such as training, partner portals, and partner communication tools -- all activities that simply automate the relationship with partners. Of those who focused investment on these types of 'efficiency' programs, only 40 percent reported an increase in channel revenue in 2008.

"The Channel Survey: 2009 Priorities," which polled an audience of over 1,000 high ranking vendor channel leaders, also indicates that vendors are seeking to drive revenues but don't always know how, and often resort to brute force tactics including channel partner recruitment in their existing markets rather than focusing on programs that increase the productivity and yield of their current resellers and partners. The survey covered a variety of channel-dependent industries -- including software, telecommunications, computer hardware, and information services -- on their channel plans, investments, and expectations.
Visit www.blueroads.com or www.siriusdecisions.com.
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Filters

UAF expands 3D CAD service to include two popular models
Universal Air Filter has added online 3D CAD capabilities for two of its most popular frame models: the Windowpane and Flex-Frame air filters. Now, designers will be able to configure these filters and visualize them from all angles before downloading models into their final designs. UAF’s Flex-Frame air filters are designed for electronics equipment that cannot accept a rigid air filter frame because of internal chassis obstructions or the necessity to follow a curved track. These frames use flexible, flame retardant, polypropylene plastic frames that meet the stringent filtration and UL 94 flammability requirements of Telcordia NEBS, CE and UL. Design engineers can access the 3D models through UAF’s Web site (www.uaf.com) or SolidWorks’ 3D ContentCentral Web site (www.3dcontentcentral.net). Within minutes of answering a few specification questions, a customized SolidWorks 3D air filter will be generated. 2D drawings also are available for download to support procurement and documentation. This enhanced modeling offers online downloads to models previously available only by request.

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IBM

IBM introduces new solutions to strengthen the security of midsize companies
IBM unveiled new software that helps midsize companies detect vulnerabilities that can lead to costly security breeches, improve organizational productivity and secure data while maintaining compliance with mandatory business regulations. IBM's new software, IBM Rational AppScan Express Edition, helps companies address both external and internal Web security threats before they impact the business. In addition, the software helps small and midsize businesses manage Web security and comply with mandatory regulations including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Since their launch in April 2008, the Express Multi-Function Security Bundle and Express Managed Multi-Function Security Bundle have expanded into a number of new countries including Greece, Israel, Turkey, Luxembourg, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. Express Multi-Function Security Bundle provides the most complete protection against network threats, vulnerabilities, worms, viruses, spy-ware and spam in a single unified threat management appliance solution. The offerings now include new enhancements to secure remote access with Secure Sockets Layer virtual private network (SSL VPN) to employees while delivering tight security controls to IT. They also contain several firewall enhancements and usability upgrades that include drag and drop firewall rule interface and graphical reports in the web user interface.

IBM has partnered with the Aberdeen Group to develop the IT Security Assessment Tool for midsize companies to help assess the existing IT infrastructure and determine where they may be vulnerable. The online tool provides them with suggestions on how they can improve their IT security based on Aberdeen's market research.
Visit www.ibm.com.



IBM to bail out HP security software customers
IBM announced migration services and competitive migration pricing for abandoned HP Identity Center security software customers aimed at helping them benefit from IBM's broad capabilities for securing and efficiently running IT for their business. IBM also announced new application security software and four new worldwide Trusted Identity Centers of Excellence to help organizations tie together physical and digital security to better manage the identity lifecycle of their customers and workforce. HP entered the identity management space with three successive acquisitions -- Baltimore Technologies in 2003, Trulogica in 2004 and Trustgenix in 2005 -- but then announced this year that it was stopping direct business focus on identity management while steering customers to other providers. In response to HP's discontinued identity management products, IBM offers competitive migration pricing for software and migration services through IBM Internet Security Systems (ISS) to provide stranded HP customers the opportunity to efficiently convert from HP software to IBM's security offerings, such as IBM Tivoli Identity Manager, IBM Tivoli Access Manager for e-Business and IBM Tivoli Federated Identity Manager. IBM continues to strengthen its identity management commitment, most recently evidenced by the acquisition of Encentuate in March and release of the new Tivoli Access Manager for Enterprise Single Sign-On in September, adding new capabilities to help enterprises of all sizes minimize risk and cut operational costs through security.
Visit www.ibm.com.
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Power

Eaton 9135 UPS is first line of defense for mission-critical systems
Eaton Corporation announced the introduction of the Eaton 9135 UPS (uninterruptible power system) specifically designed to meet the demanding needs of mission-critical computer networks and facilities’ digital operations. The new 5 and 6 kVA UPSs offer IT, data center and facility managers a feature-rich and easy to use power protection solution that safeguards systems against damage and costly power disturbances and outages. Ideal for medium-density data centers, banking and security systems, process control, retail point-of-sale systems and telecommunications/VoIP equipment, the 9135 – part of the Powerware series – delivers up to 6 kVA of clean double-conversion power in a slim 3U (5.14 inches) enclosure. As the need for greener IT infrastructures becomes increasingly important, the new models operate at up to 97 percent efficiency in high efficiency mode and up to 91 percent in double conversion – using less energy and dissipating less heat – thus reducing expensive power and cooling costs.
Visit www.eaton.com.
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Regional news

Design and Technology Group expands Rochester Electronics' re-design services
Rochester Electronics announced the establishment of its new Design and Technology Group in Rockville, Md., expanding the capability to re-create semiconductors that have been discontinued by the original manufacturer. Rochester's Design and Technology Group specializes in ASIC designs but also has capability to reverse-engineer products where original tooling and intellectual property is missing or unavailable. Rochester Electronics' experienced team of design engineers deconstructs and electrically analyzes the part, then re-designs it for a near-identical and well-matched existing foundry process. This service and the resulting parts still retain the authorization and support of the original semiconductor manufacturer. An authorized manufacturer and distributor, Rochester Electronics provides continuing customer support for products that are being or have been discontinued by the original manufacturer. Known as Leaders on the Trailing Edge of Technology, Rochester acquires all remaining manufacturer end-of-life inventory, including finished devices, die and selected intellectual property.
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RFID

Third generation active RFID bursts onto the scene
First there was conventional active RFID where a battery in the tag permits it to initiate a signal, give longer range, manage a sensor or otherwise improve on the capability of a passive RFID tag. Second generation active RFID is the Real Time Locating System (RTLS) where people or things are located almost continuously from 30-300 meters away, usually by using many emitters. These are in the very rapid takeoff phase after the usual slow start with new technologies. However, overlapping the growth of this second generation active RFID is the third generation where a number of remarkable new systems have just become available. It is the Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN) sometimes known as the Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and characterized by the tag doubling as a reader and a so-called mesh network being used with a choice of sensors on each tag. It may be limited to 30 meters range and the tag may be rather like active RFID tags from ten years ago, even using AAA batteries, but this capability is still notable because it can make systems scalable, self-healing, affordable and extraordinarily capable. USN is not yet selling in volume but a number of very exciting working systems have recently become available from companies such as Ambient Systems and Dust Networks, both of which are presenting at the Active RFID, RTLS & Sensor Networks conference in Dallas November 5-6.
Visit www.idtechex.com/active. 
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