ROW Update

Infowave Software honoured with IBM PartnerWorld Beacon AwardInfowave Software Inc. has been selected as having the best IBM WebSphere On Demand Solution in the annual IBM PartnerWorld Beacon Awards competition. The competition awards IBM business partners for innovation and customer satisfaction in providing on-demand business systems. The Telispark Mobile Enterprise software allows mobile workers to access enterprise-wide data from the field. Based on IBM technology, which includes WebSphere, pervasive computing and eServer products, the Telispark system offers "a single user workflow" that crosses many back-end systems, letting users conduct various activities while in the field. "Judges selected Infowave as the winner in this category for helping clients achieve an average productivity increase of 20%, accurate documentation of regulatory driven incidents and improved asset lifecycle management," IBM Global Business Partner GM Donn Atkins said in a news release. "Infowave is combining technology expertise with business insight to help their clients solve important business issues and make them more competitive." BlueTree Wireless launches modems for telemetry applicationsMontreal-based BlueTree Wireless Data Inc. has expanded their family of wireless modems with the introduction of the 4000 IP series. The 4200 CDMA and 4400 GPRS modems are designed to support telemetry applications, such as wireless automatic meter reading (AMR) for oil, gas and water utility services, point of sale and automated teller machines. The company has partnered with the major wireless operators in Canada, the United States and South America to ensure clients have access to the most robust and reliable wireless networks in these particular regions. "These two products respond to the needs of our customers who asked us for a more intelligent wireless data solution that would allow them to reduce operating costs and shorten data collection time frames," BlueTree Wireless COO Karl Hantho said in a news release. Glentel teams with SkyBitz on assets tracking serviceGlentel Inc. and SkyBitz are working together to bring affordable satellite-based tracking services to business and residential users to the North American market. SkyBitz holds a GPS patent called Global Locating System, which Glentel will resell as part of a tracking service to Canadians and Canadian businesses. The solution is well suited to meet the security and management needs of Canadians looking to protect their assets, according to the two companies. Bell Canada launches BlackBerry 7250Bell Canada has become the first Canadian wireless carrier to introduce the BlackBerry 7250, the latest Research in Motion device. Not only is it a cell phone and wireless email device, the 7250 features Bluetooth connectivity, increased memory and full web browsing. The device also supports attachment viewing in popular formats such as Microsoft Corp.’s Word, Excel and PowerPoint, in addition to PDF. The BlackBerry 7250 retails for $399 with a three-year contract. Nortel demonstrates HSDPA at 3GSM WorldNortel Networks Corp. demonstrated high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) services in conjunction with wireless operator Orange, wireless modem maker Sierra Wireless Inc., and chip supplier Qualcomm. "2004 was the year that wireless went broadband. This year, we are looking at new opportunities to continue the path toward true broadband mobility and to enhance the human experience through communications," Nortel president of carrier networks Pascal Debon said in a news release. "Now that 3G (third generation) networks are up, we must focus on three areas. First, we must continue to drive network optimization and drive down costs in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. Second, we must look beyond 3G and prepare for the future of ultra broadband wireless. And third, we must simplify delivery of converged broadband services and applications to help enhance the end user experience and increase operator revenues." SAMSys reports 400% increase in Q1 revenueSAMSys Technologies Inc has reported first quarter 2005 revenue jumped 414% compared to revenue recorded in the first quarter of 2004. For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2004, the Toronto company posted revenue of more than $1.4 million, a significant jump from the previous year’s first quarter of nearly $275,000. Gross profit for Q1 2005 was $562, 463 compared to $147,440 in 2004’s Q1. Despite the significant jump in overall revenue, the company continues to post a net loss. First quarter 2005 saw a net loss of slightly more than $2.6 million compared to nearly $1.5 million in last year’s first quarter. Ericsson adds interactive SMS to Rogers OMNI TelevisionRogers OMNI Television has teamed up with Ericsson and MyThum Interactive Inc. to provide live-to-air TV SMS for viewers of four TV shows, two of which are Metropia and Ishtyle. Beginning on February 18, viewers of Metropia, a dramatic series about a group of twenty-somethings living in a funky downtown Toronto district, and Ishtyle, a hyperactive program for the web savvy generation, will be able to interact with the shows in real time. "We are excited to be collaborating with OMNI Television and MyThum in this new area of experience-driven programming as we continue to develop new formats to support channel chatting," Ericsson Canada’s senior marketing manager Vishnu Singh said in a news release. PhotoChannel debuts mobile Wi-Fi printingVancouver-based PhotoChannel Networks Inc. has launched PhotoChannel Wi-Fi Mobile Printing, a new service that allows retailers to receive digital photo orders transmitted from any Wi-Fi-enabled device. The service is designed to allow any Wi-Fi-equipped device to automatically detect, authenticate and transmit photos directly to PhotoChannel photofinishing retailers for printing. "The emergence of multifunction portable devices has us very excited about this new revenue driver. As more camera and portable device makers solve discovery related problems this solution will put our retailers in a prime position to easily offer digital printing directly from Wi-Fi-enabled devices," PhotoChannel president and CEO Bart Copeland said in a news release. Look reorganization authorized by shareholdersLook Communications Inc. has announced that its board of directors has endorsed a capital reorganization plan, following shareholder approval on February 17. The capital reorganization will give the company greater flexibility to pursue new equity financing opportunities. Look maintains that it will still adhere to Canadian ownership restrictions as set out by the Broadcasting Act. Each outstanding common share of Look is to be exchanged for one-half of a multiple voting share and one-half of a subordinate voting share. Look is unable at this time to provide details surrounding the identity of potential equity partners, and that these negotiations and discussions are ongoing. Unique Broadband Systems, the majority owner of Look Communications, has also withheld the identities of suppliers, distributors, content providers, wireless service providers and partners with which UBS is current in discussions.

ROW Update

News | 02/28/2005 5:00 am EST

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