Industry Briefs
:: NEWS
Check out the latest in AV
technology at InfoComm 2006.
INFOCOMM 2006. More than 28,000 AV manufacturers, integrators, and professionals are flocking to
Orlando, FL, this month to see the newest technologies for audio, video, display, projection, conferencing, and more, at InfoComm 2006 (June 3-9). See you there!
GET SMARTER. Interactive whiteboard vendor
SMART Technologies is offering subject-specific training seminars for educators who have used a
SMART Board for at least one year, or have previously attended a SMART Master’s training session. The half-day sessions focus
on how to utilize advanced tools and applications to better engage students in specific subject areas.
HOT POCKETS.Pacific Media Associates, a market research firm specializing in large-screen displays,
has identified a hot new trend—pocket projectors. Pocket projectors typically weigh about one pound, use an LED light
source (relatively dim by front-projector standards), and are designed for individual or small-group viewing. Technological
developments to boost brightness are positioning pocket projectors for more diverse application—and rapid growth.
:: M&A, ETC.
CHAT NOW WITH HOBSONS EMT. Enrollment management company Hobsons EMT has acquired Chat University. Chat U’s blogging and message board
products will be integrated into the Hobsons EMT product portfolio, providing expanded tools for recruitment, communications
and enrollment management.
COLLABORATING FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. ERP vendor
Campus Management has announced a strategic alliance with Tegrity, the provider of class capture and digital notetaking tools. The parties are collaborating to find ways to integrate Campus
Management’s CampusPortal and Tegrity Campus software, with hopes to impact student achievement and retention.
HORIZON WIMBA ACQUIRES BROWNSTONE. Horizon Wimba has acquired
Brownstone Research Group, joining Brownstone’s Diploma and EDU (test authoring, online
homework management, and testing tools) with Horizon Wimba’s suite of collaborative software applications
for online education. Going forward, Horizon Wimba plans to incorporate its voice over IP technology
into Diploma and EDU in order to create voice-enabled testing and homework assignments for
language learning courses.
:: PEOPLE
McNEALY LEAVES SUN. Scott McNealy has stepped
down from his post as CEO of Sun Microsystems, but will remain with the company as
chairman. Taking the reins is longtime Sun exec Jonathan Schwartz.
NEW HITACHI VP. Hitachi
America has announced the appointment of Pete Denes as vice president of its
Ubiquitous Platforms Systems Division. Denes will be responsible for sales of Hitachi LCD projectors,
professional plasma monitors, interactive panels and whiteboards, and security and observation
system projects.
TOSHIBA APPOINTS PRESIDENT AND CEO. Toshiba American
Information Systems, Toshiba’s operating company for notebooks, projectors,
imaging systems, storage products, and telephony equipment, has named Masahiko Fukakushi as
president and CEO.
NEW CTO FOR MIRAPOINT. Secure messaging vendor Mirapoint has promoted Jaspal Kohli to chief technology officer, to drive the company’s
e-mail and e-mail security innovation. Kohli was previously Mirapoint’s chief engineer.