Industry Briefs

• 06/22/06

:: NEWS

INTERACTIVE KIOSK RESEARCH. Smart Technologies and the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis (TN) are collaborating in a research project called the Memphis Intelligent Kiosk Initiative, to investigate the preferred and most efficient forms of human interaction with information kiosks. Across the campus, Smart’s Actalyst interactive overlays fasten over a large flat-panel kiosk display to offer a touch-enabled interface; a camera and speech-recognition system allow the kiosk to identify approaching users and interact with them verbally. Researchers are studying kiosk recordings to determine how visitors access information.

DEALING DISCOUNTS. Indiana University has renewed agreements with Dell and Microsoft, which will provide IU departments, students, faculty, and staff with substantially discounted computing equipment, peripherals, and software, as well as efficiencies in support and training costs.

WANTED: STUDENTS FOR IT. In response to a US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that demand for IT professionals will grow nearly 50 percent by 2012, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Networking Academy Program have announced a “Promoting IT Careers” initiative. A combination of “job shadow” days and recruiting events are raising awareness of the need for IT professionals and enabling students to further their educational and occupational goals.

:: M&A, ETC.

INTEGRATING DATA. CRM vendor Intelliworks has partnered with Nolij, a provider of higher ed-focused document imaging and workflow solutions. The companies will jointly develop an integrated data-mapping and -load interface between the Intelliworks Relationship Manager software and constituent student information systems, using the Nolij Transfer data integration solution.

STREAMLINED TRANSCRIPT TOOLS. Hershey Systems, the enterprise content management company, has partnered with DARS, a Degree Audit Reporting System originally developed by Miami University (OH). The integration of Hershey’s Singularity Suite and DARS’ DARwin products will provide colleges with a streamlined software tool set for processing student transfer credit, without the need for heavy data entry. The solution also allows incoming students to review their transfer credit status prior to completing the enrollment process.

JOINING VIRTUALIZATION TOOLS. IBM has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Rembo Technology, a developer of solutions for computer lifecycle management. IBM’s Virtualization Engine portfolio will now include Rembo’s software, which allows organizations to automatically install or upgrade operating systems on multiple servers, laptops, and desktops simultaneously— helping improve the economics of a virtualized infrastructure.

:: PEOPLE

DIEZMANN TO HANDHELD. HandHeld Entertainment, a manufacturer of portable media players, has named Rudi Diezmann as VP of software development. A 30-year veteran in the high-tech field—including a 10-year stint with Apple — Diezmann moves to HandHeld from Adobe Systems.

NEW CONFERENCING PLAYER. Emergent conferencing resource-management software vendor myVRM has announced the appointment of Barry Saltzman as president. myVRM made its market debut earlier this year; its Versatile Resource Manager tool manages scheduling and tracking for meeting participants, devices, and resources.