Industry Briefs
NEWS
BUDGET CUTS EASED.
With so many colleges and universities faced with budgetary constraints, schools
like the University of Idaho need to find creative solutions.
So, when UI’s Public Speaking 101 course recently suffered a 25 percent
budget cut, educators developed an online program via the WebCT (www.webct.com)
Campus Edition course management system (CMS). The school charged $30 per student/per
course, which generated $24,000 in revenue—all while saving students money
in materials fees.
STREAMLINING ERP.
Methodist Theological School (OH), specializing in professional
ministry studies, has signed on with Campus Management (www.campusmanagement.com),
a provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP), to implement a new administrative
system. By this fall, MTSO expects to have Campus Management’s CampusVue
Collegiate software fully operational to streamline and integrate its admissions,
financial aid, academic records, and back-office operations, and to improve
student services and communication, say Campus Management reps.
REBUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP.
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, the University of New Orleans
(LA) got its core Oracle/PeopleSoft (www.oracle.com)
financial, human resources, and student information systems up and running,
thanks to a disaster recovery initiative manned by the university and Oracle
Premier Support Services. By rebuilding UNO’s technology infrastructure,
Oracle helped the university reopen within weeks, and make payroll for its employees.
AND THE AWARD G'ES TO…
Creators of enterprise Wi-Fi architecture Xirrus (www.xirrus.com)
earned the 2006 Mobility Award from MobileTrax (www.mobiletrax.com),
a market research firm that focuses on mobile computing and wireless data markets.
In addition, video over IP network solutions provider VBrick Systems (www.vbrick.com)
received Frost & Sullivan’s (www.frost.com)
2005 Excellence in Technology of the Year Award in the VoIP technologies market.
VBrick was recognized for its digital video capabilities: real-time collaboration,
distance learning, streaming presentations, and video-on-demand.
M&A, ETC.
NEW NAME, SAME FOCUS.
PEC Solutions Inc., acquired by Nortel in mid 2005 and renamed Nortel PEC Solutions,
has now become Nortel Government Solutions (www.nortelgov.com).
The change was made to reflect the company’s focus on secure network communication
solutions and services for the government sector. “Our new name more accurately
speaks to our emphasis on delivering unique combinations of advanced technologies
and integration services to the government market,” says Chuck Saffell,
president and CEO of the newly monikered company.
PEOPLE
ADDING LEADERSHIP.
Mike Zackrison has joined Unicon (www.unicon.net)
as VP of product management, and will be responsible for developing and executing
Unicon’s product-related business strategies, tactics, and activities
while working with Sales, Marketing, and other departments to meet the company’s
development and revenue goals. Prior to joining Unicon, Zackrison held positions
at SunGard Data Systems and SCT Corp., now SunGard SCT (www.sungardsct.com).
MANAGMENT CHANGE.
Adobe Systems Inc. (www.adobe.com) has announced
the resignation of Murray Demo, who was executive VP of Finance and CFO. Demo
has made a personal decision to leave Adobe in order to spend more time with
his family, say Adobe spokespeople.