Industry Briefs

• 10/25/06

:: NEWS

GRADE-A SECURITY? IT solutions provider CDW-G, in conjunction with research and consulting firm Eduventures, recently announced the results of the CDW-G Higher Education IT Security Report Card 2006, an online survey of 182 higher ed IT directors and managers across the US. According to the study, 58 percent of survey respondents experienced at least one IT security incident in the last year, and 9 percent reported a loss or theft of sensitive information. The respondents also graded the level of campus support for IT security: Administrators earned a “B” for their support of security initiatives; faculty and students earned a “C,” due in part to their general lack of awareness of security issues.

RIAA RESOURCE. The Recording Industry Association of America, in consultation with the American Council on Education and Educause, has developed a video to educate college students about the potential consequences of illegally downloading music, and the available legal alternatives. Colleges and universities can order the free eight-minute video at www.campusdownloading.com.

:: M&A, ETC.

ASP PARTNERSHIP. Mirapoint, a provider of appliance-based solutions for secure message networks, has partnered with Blackboard to deliver a secure hosted e-mail solution to education institutions. The ASP partnership provides a full-featured professional e-mail and calendar system for students, faculty, and staff, with single sign-on through the Blackboard Academic Suite.

HELP FOR THE HELP DESK. Numara Software, a provider of service desk management solutions for IT and support professionals, has acquired UniPress Software, developer of the FootPrints web-based help desk tracking system. The newly expanded company has released Numara FootPrints 7.5, offering enhanced work- flow, better performance of core functions, advanced reporting, and improved Section 508 compliance.

STORAGE ALLIANCE. Dell and EMC have announced a five-year extension of their global alliance, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to helping customers more effectively store, manage, and protect information through networked storage.

CHANGING HANDS. Ken-A-Vision, a provider of visual learning technologies, has acquired all presentation and educational camera assets from ClearOne Communications. The acquisition will further Ken- A-Vision’s reach into the audiovisual market, while ClearOne will continue to focus on its core business of audio conferencing solutions.

:: PEOPLE

NEW CDIGIX VP. Cdigix has appointed Mark Brodsky as VP of university sales. Brodsky will oversee the company’s efforts to expand its digital media services—including its Clabs educational platform for accessing audio and video course material on demand and its Ctrax legal music download service—to colleges and universities nationwide. Prior to Cdigix, Brodsky served as VP of sales and marketing at eCollege.

RETURNING EXEC. GTCO CalComp, a provider of computer input peripherals, has announced that Steve Kaye has rejoined the company as co-president and COO. A longtime member of the company’s Board of Directors, Kaye originally joined GTCO CalComp in 1985 and served as president and COO from 1991 to 2001. Eric Timmons will continue in his co-president role with Kaye, and will assume new responsibilities as the company’s CTO.