health blog: March 2005

Thursday, March 31, 2005

Leadership IQ Study: Mismanagement, Inaction Among the Real Reasons Why CEOs Get Fired

The four-year study by LeadershipIQ. com, the world leader in online leadership seminars, compiled these results after interviewing 1,087 board members from 286 public, private, business and healthcare organizations that fired, or otherwise forced out, their chief executive.

Washington, D. C. (PRWEB) June 21, 2005

It's a commonly-held belief that CEOs get fired (or forced to resign or retire under pressure) because of "current financial performance." But that's wrong, according to a new study by LeadershipIQ. com. It found that 31% of CEOs get fired for mismanaging change, 28% for ignoring customers, 27% for tolerating low performers, 23% for denying reality and 22% for too much talk and not enough action.

"We get fixated on current financial performance," explains Mark Murphy, CEO of Leadership IQ. "But if that was really the whole story, every CEO who ever missed a quarterly target or lost money would be immediately dismissed. And we know that plenty of world-class CEOs have seen their stock price dip, missed earnings forecasts, or even lost money for periods of time. So financial performance seems to be an inadequate explanation.

"A more accurate explanation for why CEOs get fired," he added, "is that the Board of Directors or shareholders have lost confidence in the CEO's ability to generate sufficient financial returns in the future. And this study explains why Boards lose confidence in their CEOs."

To elicit honest responses free from public relations spin or internal repercussions, Leadership IQ employed investigative journalism techniques and promised confidentiality for all respondents. The result is one of the most comprehensive "behind closed doors" study on CEO terminations ever conducted.

Upon completing the 1,087 interviews, Leadership IQ compiled the responses and distilled the most common answers to the open-ended question: "So why did the CEO really get fired or forced out?" The following are the top five responses with the percentage of respondents who gave this response (percentages exceed 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer).

Mismanaging change (31%): Virtually every organization we interviewed indicated they were undergoing, or had recently undergone, a change initiative. However, half of board members said that their change initiative did not go well. Most pointed to a failure on the CEO's part to properly motivate employees and managers, and more specifically, to adequately sell the need to change course. Another group identified the CEO's inability to follow-through and solidify the gains as the cause of failure.

Ignoring customers (28%): Even with Sarbanes-Oxley, many board members have close ties with, or are themselves, customers of the organization. And they overwhelmingly said that if a CEO ignores or alienates customers, it not only undermines the business and revenue, but it significantly undermines board support. Board members said their test for whether the CEO was sufficiently engaged in the business was the extent to which they evidenced intimate knowledge of customers, customer needs and developing trends.

Tolerating low performers (27%): Board members shared that when CEOs allowed an obvious low performer to linger (without any improvement or discipline), it destroyed the CEO's credibility and made it politically difficult for them to hold others accountable. Board members also complained of CEOs becoming too emotionally attached to a low performer(s) whether from loyalty, fear of being seen as too harsh, or unrealistic optimism. Significantly, Board members also suspected that, in numerous cases, CEOs covered for poor performers out of fear that they might divulge embarrassing or indicting information.

Denying reality (23%): Board members overwhelming said they could handle bad news and significant course corrections. What they couldn't handle was a CEO who was in denial and wouldn't recognize the bad news. Many board members felt that they were closer to the market and customers than the ousted CEO, and a significant percentage said the CEO was far too insulated from frontline realities. Board members also said they would rather have bad news and a plan to fix it, than they would no news or sugarcoated news.

Too much talk, not enough action (22%): We heard many comments about CEOs talking the talk, but being unable to walk the walk. Numerous board members complained that CEOs could talk endlessly about grand visions and new strategies, but would both neglect a tactical plan for the "who, what, when and where," as well as evidence of its implementation. One board member commented that their former CEO "gives good meetings," but little else.

"Here's the message to CEOs," explains Murphy. "If the board has confidence that you understand customers and the market, can manage change and take action, even if that means some tough choices, you will keep your job. The board members in our study understand that stock price, revenue, and profit are not going to grow exponentially every quarter. However, they do need confidence that the CEO is going to take the actions necessary to achieve growth over time. The top five issues identified in this study identify why CEOs fail and the actions necessary to inspire Board confidence."

About Leadership IQ

Leadership IQ has reinvented leadership training. Leadership IQ combines the 24/7 online access of e-learning, the cutting-edge content and engaging delivery of live seminars, and best practices driven by one of the largest leadership studies ever conducted. Leadership IQ is headquartered in Washington, DC. Visit our website at http://www. leadershipiq. com (http://www. leadershipiq. com).

Contact:

Mark Murphy

Chairman & CEO

Leadership IQ

202-772-4257

Mark@leadershipiq. com

# # #

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Graffiti Taggers Have Met Their Match -- Company Prevents Graffiti on Any Surface

Now there is an environmentally safe product that seals any surface. Graffiti just washes away from treated surfaces.

Cedar Rapids, IA (PRWEB) October 11, 2006

Graffiti taggers leave their unsightly marks on walls, buildings, bridges, and any surface they can find, but now surfaces can be treated so the graffiti will not stick.

Seal America, Inc. (http://SealAmerica. com (http://SealAmerica. com)) uses nanotechnology to seal any surface with a non-toxic, environmentally friendly product. After treatment graffiti just washes off quickly and easily.

Graffiti is everywhere, and it is growing. Homes, businesses, public buildings, schools and virtually all public places are fighting a losing battle with no end in sight.

Sandblasting, painting over with unmatched paint, and other forms of "scrubbing" often causes "scars" that are almost as unattractive as graffiti itself. Over painting also leaves a tempting canvas that invites more graffiti.

"Our highly trained technicians can quickly and completely remove graffiti from almost any substrate. They can also treat the surfaces to resist future graffiti attacks, making subsequent graffiti removal a light task," explained Robert Lysne of Seal America, Inc.

"One of our many unique products, Bullet Proof Graffiti Armor, goes a giant step farther than anything on the market. Bullet Proof will actually serve as a permanent deterrent to further "tagging." Bullet Proof's ability to cause most paints to congeal on many surfaces rending the message or "art" to be instantly illegible. With no message being left behind, most taggers will move on to a more receptive surface," he added.

Several colleges and universities have found this product to be the perfect protection for their campus mascots and statuary. Utility companies and cities are slashing their abatement costs by thousands of dollars.

Seal America can protect virtually any surface from more than just graffiti. It is durable, invisible, stain resistant and does not change the original finish or appearance. Utilizing hybrid resins, leading-edge nano-particulate and powerful U. V. screens, the formula provides superior protection from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures, humidity, mold, mildew, algae, rain, snow, and the sun's harmful rays.

Graffiti is often the first indication that gang activity is present in a community. It is the newspaper of gangs and serves to mark the gang's power and status. Graffiti warns intruders that they are not welcome. It is also be an advertisement for the sale of drugs. It is no wonder that there are many new laws that require owners to remove graffiti from their property.

Individuals and businesses face large penalties for allowing graffiti to stay in place. Seal America's removal, deterrent and maintenance programs are designed to keep surfaces "graffiti free."

The products are non-toxic and have no negative effects on human health or the environment.

About Seal America, Inc.

Seal America, Inc, is establishing a national team of licensed distributors and applicators who can offer permanent protection for almost any surface. The treatment can prevent the ravages of salt, freeze and thaw cycles, oil spills, general aging, moisture, and graffiti. The company provides detailed information on a web site at http://SealAmerica. com (http://SealAmerica. com).

Press Contact:

Robert Lysne

319-366-7000

Press release services provided by http://ThatPRGuy. com (http://ThatPRGuy. com).

###

Saturday, March 26, 2005

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR RUNNERS AND MARATHONERS FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC TRAINERS

(PRWEB) April 16, 2003 -

As runners from across the state, nation, and world gear up for the 107th Boston Marathon on April 21, some of us might be inspired to get out there, pound the pavement, and unleash the runner inside. Whether you are just starting out, or are a more experienced runner, a little knowledge about what to wear, how to eat, and how to train will go a long way in preventing injuries to our muscles and joints and allow us to perform at our best.

Sara Brown, a certified athletic trainer at Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Dan McGovern, a certified sports physical therapist, strength and conditioning specialist, and athletic trainer at Boston University Rehabilitation Services, make the following recommendations:

V Those who are just starting an exercise program should consult with their physician before beginning.

GEAR

V Wear a running shoe designed for your foot size and type.

The best way to find an appropriate shoe is to go to a store with a knowledgeable staff. A good athletic shoe salesperson will look at your bare foot and watch you walk before recommending a shoe type. A bad athletic shoe salesperson will focus on color and hype.

V Get new running shoes around every 300 miles.

The midsole material loses its ability to provide cushion and/or stability before the outer sole shows significant wear.

V Wear reflective clothing when running in any low light situations.

V For additional safety, always run against traffic when running on the road.

V Wear multiple layers of clothing to protect against hyperthermia or hypothermia.

V When it's cool and raining, avoid cotton materials next to the skin because they stay wet and can cause excessive heat loss. Don't forget the sunscreen.

TRAINING

V Warm up before stretching.

The warm up can consist of any mild activity that increases your body temperature. Once a light sweat has broken, begin your stretching program.

V Stretch before and after running.

Target the major muscle groups of the lower extremity - quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and iliotibial band. Athletic trainers, physical therapists, and personal trainers can all provide instruction on proper stretching techniques. Hold each stretch for a minimum of 15 - 20 seconds.

V Don't overdue it at the beginning

Nothing is more discouraging to an exercise routine than extreme muscle soreness. To avoid this, begin with a short distance and a comfortable pace. (You've exceeded a comfortable pace if you can't hold a conversation while running.)

V Increase in gradual increments.

When you decide to increase your training, progress your time or distance about 10%.

V Create a training plan.

Whether your goal is to run a 5-K race in three months or to decrease your time in a half marathon, a written training plan will provide guidance to safely meet your goal. Many Web sites provide pre-packaged training plans to give you training suggestions.

V Avoid always training on a cambered road.

The road camber is the pitch that allows for drainage. The unequal body mechanics that result from running on a cambered road can be injurious. Try the sidewalk, a running trail, or any other flat surface for variety.

V On race day, follow your usual plan.

Race day is not the time to experiment with nutritional supplements, new shoes or a faster pace. Try out any new twists to your running program well before you want your best performance.

V Know your pace and stick to it.

An overeager start to a race can produce a sluggish finish. On your training runs, time yourself over a fixed distance so that you can monitor your pace. Most races have mile markers - use them to slow down (or speed up) accordingly.

V Listen to your body when you're training.

Overuse conditions affecting the foot, lower leg and knee are the most common injuries experienced by runners. Following a progressive training plan, wearing appropriate footwear, and decreasing mileage when symptoms appear are the most strategic ways to avoid a nagging injury that requires absolute rest. Pain that occurs throughout a run or persists after a workout is an indication that further intervention by a health care professional is needed.

V Avoid race day injuries.

Common preventable injuries and conditions at the finish line include runner's nipples, foot blisters, sunburn, and dehydration. Men can prevent runner's nipples be putting bandaids or petroleum jelly over the nipples. The best prevention against foot blisters is appropriate shoes that are not being worn for the first time on race day.

NUTRITION

V Drink more water than you think you need.

You get thirsty only after you start needing to replenish your fluids. If you are training for long distances, use your weight (pre and post exercise) as a barometer of your hydration status. If you haven't regained your weight before your next workout, you aren't drinking enough. A well-hydrated person has light yellow or clear urine. Dark yellow urine indicates that you need to drink more.

V Use electrolyte drinks sparingly, particularly if you are running only short distances.

The media would have us believe that all exercise warrants immediate electrolyte supplementation. Water is best, cheapest and the most available for most recreational runners. For longer distances, consider an electrolyte drink during a training run or race, particularly in hot weather. For detailed information on fluid replacement, see the National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement at http://www. nata. org/publications/otherpub/positionstatements. htm (http://www. nata. org/publications/otherpub/positionstatements. htm)

V If you're eating soon before running, choose high carbohydrate foods.

Carbohydrates are metabolized more quickly than proteins and fats and may make your workout more comfortable. Of course, if you've eaten peanut butter before exercising for 20 years with no problems, there's no need to change.

Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an institution of higher education and research whose premier academic programs prepare dynamic health professionals and whose research and leadership is the health and rehabilitation sciences is actively shaping health care. For more information about Sargent College and to learn about their degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, communication disorders, health sciences, athletic training, nutrition, and rehabilitation counseling, visit http://www. bu. edu/sargent (http://www. bu. edu/sargent).

-30-

Friday, March 25, 2005

Ziosoft 3D Thin-Client Software Gives Impressive Performance at Stanford MDCT Conference Workstation Face-Off

Ziosoft Is Outstanding in First-Time Appearance at the Workstation Face-Off during Stanford Conference on Multi-Detector Row CT

Redwood City, CA (PRWEB) May 27, 2009

Ziosoft®, Inc. http://www. ziosoftinc. com (http://www. ziosoftinc. com) a leader in advanced visualization and analysis software for medical imaging was a first time participant in the Stanford Workstation Face-Off, during the 11th Annual Symposium on Multidetector Row CT held last week in San Francisco. The 7th annual Workstation Face-Off challenged the eight participating 3D advanced imaging providers to load, process and interpret five computed tomography (CT) studies within an allotted period of time, which varied from two to four minutes per case. Dr. Jeffrey Mendel, of Tufts University School of Medicine, demonstrated the Ziosoft software applications and was able to showcase the ease of use of the Ziosoft system by completing all five CT cases effortlessly within the time allotted. "As a new user to the Ziostation thin-client software applications, I was able to quickly learn the software. I am impressed by the quality of the images, the efficiency of the software and the powerful advanced applications that Ziosoft offers," said Dr. Mendel.

Ziosoft's Ziostation system utilized a true thin-client application with CPU-based processing. The Ziostation did not require any proprietary or specialized hardware unlike some of the other advanced visualization solutions.

"We are delighted that conference attendees were able to see a comparison of our software applications and image quality side by side with seven of our competitors. We believe the strong showing by Ziosoft is an indication of the quality of our software solutions which have made us a market leader for over ten years" said Mark Koeniguer, Ziosoft's chief operations officer.

About Ziosoft Inc.

Ziosoft, Inc. is a recognized leader in networked advanced visualization and analysis software to benefit physicians, patients, and healthcare specialists. Founded in 1998, Ziosoft is a leading independent advanced visualization company with over 1800 installed systems in over 800 sites worldwide. Ziosoft is dedicated to providing intelligent and intuitive clinical tools across the enterprise. Ziosoft is a privately held company with locations in Redwood City, CA, Brussels, Belgium, and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit http://www. ziosoftinc. com (http://www. ziosoftinc. com).

Ziosoft and Ziostation are registered trademarks of Ziosoft Inc.

###

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Customer Rage Survey Shows Hispanics' Customer Service Experiences Are Much Worse Than Those of Anglos: First-Ever Study Shows Striking Differences in Customer Rage between Spanish - and English-Speaking Consumers

Customer Rage Survey Shows Hispanics' Customer Service Experiences Are Much Worse Than Those of Anglos: First-Ever Study Shows Striking Differences in Customer Rage between Spanish - and English-Speaking Consumers

Language Line Services and Customer Care Measurement & Consulting (CCMC) today released the first "Hispanic Customer Rage" survey tracking the customer care experiences of U. S. Spanish-speaking households. The study results are compared to the English-language Customer Rage survey which has measured the same since 2003 and is considered the gold standard for characterizing the emerging customer care needs and expectations of U. S. consumers.

MONTEREY, Calif. (PRWEB) May 9, 2007

"It's amazing how little is known about the customer care experiences of a consumer base that will soon have nearly $1 trillion in buying power," said Louis Provenzano, President and Chief Operating Officer of Language Line Services. "The study shows clearly that Hispanics have been left behind in the movement to improve customer satisfaction."

The "Hispanic Customer Rage" survey found:

-- 90% of Spanish speakers who had a product or service problem felt rage, meaning they were extremely or very upset with the problem they faced and how their complaints were handled. 70% of English speakers experience rage.

-- Spanish speakers are three times more likely than English speakers to threaten to contact the media or to seek revenge.

-- 65% of Spanish speakers want their money back compared to only 43% of English speakers.

-- Spanish speakers spent twice as much time complaining on average to resolve a problem than English speakers.

-- One-third of study respondents reported that it was "difficult/very difficult" to complain in Spanish.

Provenzano noted that those finding it difficult to complain in Spanish increase market damage and complaint handling costs for the offending company/organization since they are more likely to share their story with friends, decide they'll never do business with the company again, or take legal action. On the flip side, companies that make it easy for customers to do business in Spanish will likely find that Spanish-speaking consumers buy "significantly more" of their products and services.

"The results of this study are a call to action for any company vested in marketing and selling to the Hispanic customer," said Scott M. Broetzmann, President & CEO, Customer Care Measurement & Consulting (CCMC). "Don't waste your marketing dollars acquiring Hispanic customers if you're not committed to meeting their language and cultural customer care needs."

To get your complimentary copy of the Ayudame! Hispanic Rage study Executive Summary, go to www. languageline. com/page/sprage (http://www. languageline. com/page/sprage).

The "Hispanic Customer Rage" survey was completed in November of 2006 and includes feedback from 1,501 households. By contrast, 1,012 households participated in the latest survey for English speakers.

About Language Line Services:

Language Line Services, the world's leading provider of language-based services, is a trusted partner to thousands of organizations whose focus is to effectively serve the rapidly expanding market of limited English speakers. The company delivers a dynamic suite of solutions spanning phone and video interpretation, document translation, interactive software-based translation, and interpreter training and certification programs, enabling clients to communicate with customers in their preferred language. Through its leading-edge technology infrastructure, Language Line Services delivers support for Spanish and more than 170 other languages to its industry-leading portfolio of clients across markets including healthcare, financial services, government, telecom, packaged goods, insurance services, travel, and more. For information on how Language Line Services is helping clients achieve their strategic multicultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096 or visit http://www. LanguageLine. com (http://www. LanguageLine. com).

About CCMC

Customer Care Measurement & Consulting (CCMC) is a market leader in customer satisfaction and brand loyalty measurement. CCMC provides measurement and consulting services to a broad range of companies seeking a competitive advantage and improved profitability through better customer care. For more information about CCMC, please call 703-823-9530 or visit www. customercaremc. com.

Optimized by Newsforce

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide Earns SAS 70

Leading U. S. relocation company, Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide (www. graebel. com), earns SAS 70 certification. Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide passes first SAS 70 examination with flying colors. As a full-service and global relocation provider with clients among Fortune 100, SAS 70 confirms secure financial, operations systems in place and practiced. Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide is the full-service third party division of Graebel Companies, Inc., with world headquarters in Denver, CO.

Aurora, CO (PRWEB) September 21, 2007

This week, The Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide (GRSW) operating and financial controls passed a SAS 70 examination with flying colors. SAS 70 is an internationally recognized examination standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It represents a service organization has successfully undergone an in-depth examination of its control processes, and a client's auditor can utilize the SAS 70 report to assist in the evaluation of whether the firm has adequate controls in place.

According to the independent Wipfli, LLP examination team report, "Our tests of the effectiveness of controls were sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that the controls in place at GRSW were designed to achieve the specified control objectives. In selecting particular tests Wipfli, LLP reviewed operational effectiveness in 1) nature of items tested; 2) types of available evidential matter; 3) nature of examination objectives to be achieved; 4) assessed level of control risk, and 5) expected efficiency and effectiveness of the test.

Findings revealed no exceptions including, and not limited to critical services such as: Expense report validation, expense authorization and verification, check issuance, wire transfers, zero balance accounts, and lump sum payments.

According to Mr. Don Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide, "TheWipfli examination was comprehensive however our successful SAS 70 evaluation was not a surprise. At Graebel, our core objective is to exceed every customer's expectations. We achieve this with our highly personalized customer service, advanced technology and by our strictly followed controls of all processes for all services."

Watson continued, "The SAS 70 clearly provides significant assistance to our clients in connection with our ongoing due diligence in our operations, and financial controls. Results of our SAS 70 examination clearly demonstrate that our comprehensive compliance to operations, and financial controls protect our clients' best interests. Going forward, we will annually perform a Type II SAS 70, covering a twelve-month cycle."

About the Examination:
Wipfli LLP performed the examination and evaluation of the effectiveness of operating and financial controls of Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide, Inc. The examination was conducted in accordance with the Statement on Examinationing Standards (SAS) No. 70, Reports on the Processing of Transactions by a Service Organization, as amended by SAS Nos. 78, 88, and 98 and in accordance with SAS No. 94, The Effect of Information Technology on the Auditor's Consideration of Internal Control in a Financial Statement Examination. The SAS 70 is comprehensive and encompassed a six-month evaluation period from November 2006 to April 2007 at Graebel.

About Graebel:
Graebel (www. graebel. com) is a global relocation company that provides full relocation management services, domestic U. S. and international moving and storage services, international freight forwarding, move management and commercial workplace services. Integrated relocation divisions include Graebel Relocation Services Worldwide, Inc., Graebel Movers International, Inc., Graebel Commercial Services, Inc., Graebel Van Lines, Inc., Graebel Movers, Inc. and, Move Management, Inc. The Graebel Companies, Inc. World Headquarters is based in Denver, Colorado.

About Wipfli LLP:
With more than 700 associates and 16 offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, the 75-year old company Wipfli ranks among the largest accounting and business consulting firms in the nation. Clients include manufacturers, health care organizations, financial institutions, nonprofit entities, dealerships, contractors and developers, small businesses, and individuals.

###

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

American Cancer Society Presents Case Study At M2W&#174;-HC™- The Marketing Pharma & Healthcare to Women Conference

American Cancer Society Presents Case Study At M2W®-HC™- The Marketing Pharma & Healthcare to Women Conference

The American Cancer Society was able to reposition itself by transitioning their iconic brand from a focus on disease management to a more inclusive and relevant culture of cancer prevention according to Scott Bennett, National VP, Marketing. Bennett will be speaking at the 2nd annual M2W®-HC™ — Marketing Pharma & Healthcare to Women Conference, Nov. 16 & 17, Chicago Cultural Center.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 8, 2010

Scott Bennett, the American Cancer Society's chief marketing officer, will speak about transitioning the iconic brand (http://www. m2w-hc. com/sessions. html#BennettSession) from a focus on disease management to a more inclusive and relevant culture of cancer prevention. Bennett will be appearing at the 2nd annual M2W®-HC™ — Marketing Pharma & Healthcare to Women Conference, www. m2w-hc. com, Nov. 16 & 17, Chicago Cultural Center.

“I’ll provide the audience with an inside view into how the Society was able to reposition itself as The Official Sponsor of Birthdays, and subsequently introduce a new movement and cause brand called Choose You. The key to success,” Bennett explained, “was internal communication and alignment, coupled with a laser-like focus on women as the critical target audience to ensuring the Society achieves its life-saving mission.”

“The most successful consumer pharma and healthcare marketing brands realize that women are the primary decision makers for almost every aspect of their business (http://www. m2w-hc. com/fast_facts. html),” added Nan McCann, M2W®–HC™ Chair. "From childcare and eldercare, to OTC pharmaceuticals, hospitalization and insurance, women are responsible for almost all the decision making. For example, according to Tom Peters, they make 93% of all OTC pharma decisions.”

“M2W®–HC™ is attended by brand marketing teams and execs (http://www. m2w-hc. com/get_connected. html) from leading pharma and healthcare companies,” according to McCann. “We’ve had attendance from a really broad range of brands including Microsoft Health Solutions, AARP, Kraft, GlaxoSmithKline, Brigham & Women’s, Clorox and Sanofi-Aventis, just to name a very few.”

“Through compelling case studies, research, and how-to sessions,” McCann added, “M2W®–HC™ helps brands navigate the new communication environment, sharpen their marketing skills, improve their efficiency and escalate their ROI with their most important customers. This conference is an imperative for anyone in the health, wellness and pharma category who wants to succeed, because women are the key.”

M2W®–HC™ is sponsored by (http://www. m2w-hc. com/sponsors. html) Associate Sponsors: imc2 health & wellness, Ketchum, Draftfcb, Aetna, Pink Tank, PMP, Healthy Advice Networks, Ogilvy Public Relations, Feinstein Kean Healthcare. Affiliate Sponsors: The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, WomenHeart, American Cancer Society, Look Good…Feel Better, Go Red For Women, Susan G. Komen For The Cure. Showcase Sponsors: Pentel, Get Healthy Promos. com, Carolina Pad, e-Healthcare Solutions. Media Sponsor: Today’s Chicago Woman. Video Content Resource: SNiPPiES.

For conference schedule and information: www. m2w-hc. com or 860.724.2649 x11. M2W®–HC™ is produced by PME® Enterprises LLC, 216 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106.

###

Blue Lotus Bags UB Group&#194;’s IT Company Account

Blue Lotus Bags UB GroupÂ’s IT Company Account

United Breweries' flagship IT company launches new communications initiatives

Mumbai (PRWEB) January 4, 2005

Blue Lotus Communications Consultancy has recently bagged the prestigious India account of Pittsburgh based UBICS, Inc., part of the USD 2 Billion UB group.

UBICS is a leading provider of IT consulting services and IT products, and Blue Lotus Communications specializes in niche domains such as IT, Healthcare and Education. The mandate would include branding, public relations and design.

Stating that the agency will launch an aggressive communications campaign for UBICS in January, Chandramouli, CEO, Blue Lotus elaborated, Â‘The UBICS account is very special for us and the partnership is unique in that the two organizations understand each other extremely wellÂ”.

Founded in October 2002, Blue Lotus has an impressive client portfolio containing names like Trend Micro, TWS Holdings, Bristlecone, Mahindra Special Services Group and Spryance. Most of these accounts were won in competitive pitches. The agency has a capitalized turnover of approximately Rupees Ten Crores and employs 40 people across its 4 offices.

Sunil Patil, President Â– Global Solutions, UBICS, stated that a major thrust would be on corporate branding including products and services offered by UBICS in India. Sharing his perspective on the communications initiative, he said, Â“Blue Lotus will be our communications partner in expansion of UBICSÂ’ market in India. We chose to appoint the agency as our communications partner on account of its deep understanding of the IT sector. They have a proven track record in providing cutting-edge communication solutions to companies similar to UBICSÂ”.

Commenting on the growth plans of Blue Lotus, Chandramouli said, Â“The changing paradigms have made it imperative for agencies to provide demonstrable results. It is becoming evident that the few which focus on knowledge will lead the pack. Our operational philosophy is completely in sync with clientÂ’s business needs and we are strongly poised to become knowledge leaders in the field of communicationsÂ”.

For further media information, please contact:

N. Chandramouli, Blue Lotus Communications Consultancy

Ph: +91-22-22833146/ 22048250 M: +91-9820189271 E: mouli@bluelotuspr. com

###

Monday, March 21, 2005

Virtual School, Connections Academy, Launches Proprietary Yoga Program

Virtual School, Connections Academy, offers yoga as part of its physical education curriculum. Engaging and easy-to-follow lessons present yoga basics in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way; DVD format is convenient.

Baltimore, MD (Vocus) December 10, 2008

This week, students who attend full-time virtual (online) public schools using the Connections Academy (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/) program around the country, are receiving a fun addition to their physical education curriculum - yoga instruction.

Students in grades three through five receive a special Yoga: Stretching and Strengthening Exercises for Good Health DVD developed by Connections Academy to serve as a complement to their existing physical education curriculum (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/curriculum/).

The proprietary DVD consists of ten easy-to-follow yoga lessons. Each lesson presents an everyday virtue, such as compassion or thankfulness, and teaches basic yoga exercises that support the virtue. For example, students learn mountain pose in the self-esteem lesson; the instructor encourages students to, "feel tall and strong like a mountain." Each lesson begins with a series of warm up exercises and a handy "Library of Poses" offers quick review of poses learned over the course of the program.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH PREVIEW - Connections Academy Movie Player (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/_video/yoga/player. html)

"Yoga offers children numerous benefits - both physical and mental," said Sarah Schain, Certified Yoga Instructor and founder of Yoga Tales, a Maryland-based yoga studio and program for children. "Yoga develops strength, coordination, flexibility, as well as focus and concentration. Yoga is a non-competitive activity that teaches students to reflect, to take a moment to breathe, and to manage stress - skills that are increasingly important in our fast-paced society. I think it is wonderful that Connections Academy is offering yoga as a physical education option - a progressive offering that is in line with their progressive schools."

Connections Academy's guidelines for physical education include 30 minutes of activity per day. Students may participate in one or all of the following:
The Connections Academy Physical Fitness Program provides a strong, more traditional, overview of health and fitness and includes the Presidential Fitness Challenge; The Personal Fitness Program is comprised of physical activities that occur outside of school or home such as soccer or swimming; and Yoga: Stretching and Strengthening Exercises for Good Health

Students are required to record descriptions of the activities they complete in a Physical Education Log and to complete an assessment at the end of most lessons.

"The Connections Academy Yoga Program is a high-quality, age-appropriate program that delivers yoga instruction in a thoughtful and fun way," commented Patricia Hoge, Ph. D., Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction for Connections Academy. "Our instructor, Tonya Bennett, is lively and positive and sets the perfect tone for the lessons. The individual lessons are engaging and creatively organized; extremely accessible for all types of learners. And the DVD format means that students can take part whenever and wherever they want. We've already received some early feedback - kids love it!"

Connections Academy is a leading national provider of high-quality, highly accountable K-12 virtual public schools operated in partnership with charter schools and school districts. Connections Academy virtual public schools offer an alternative public school (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/ourschool/) experience - public school from the comfort of home. Students work with state-certified teachers over the Internet and on the phone while an adult "Learning Coach" monitors progress in the home. Connections Academy schools provide personalized K-12 education (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/ourschool/customized_plp. asp) that combines certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences to create academic and emotional success for students.

A wide range of students take advantage of Connections Academy schools, including those who are significantly ahead or behind in the classroom, students who want more individualized instruction, individuals living in isolated rural settings, or those who want a more flexible learning schedule or need a learning environment outside of the traditional classroom.

About Connections Academy
Connections Academy is a leading national provider of high quality, highly accountable virtual public schools in thirteen states operated in partnership with charter schools, school districts, and state departments of education. Connections Academy schools deliver top-quality, personalized education for students that combines certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences to create a supportive and successful environment for children who want an individualized approach to education. In Connections Academy's unique Personalized Performance Learning® approach, students use daily lesson plans and curriculum materials provided by Connections Academy. Teachers develop a learning plan for each student, whose progress is tracked through a proprietary, web-based Learning Management System. In 2008-09 Connections Academy will serve students in grades K-12 in Arizona, California (Southern and Central), Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri (through the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program), Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin (some schools do not offer all grades). For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit www. ConnectionsAcademy. com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Bazin
Connections Academy Public Relations
Www. ConnectionsAcademy. com
(609) 247-0275

###

SunGard and LIMRA Announce Strategic Partnership

SunGard today announced a strategic partnership with LIMRA, a global leader in marketing and distribution research and consulting to the insurance industry. SunGard is the latest addition to LIMRA’s strategic partnership program, which makes product and service offerings available to LIMRA member companies worldwide.

Atlanta (Vocus) February 24, 2010

LIMRA recognized SunGard’s insurance business and its iWorks solution suite as industry leaders in providing enterprise solutions and services. SunGard’s iWorks spans the insurance industry’s major business lines, including life, health, annuities, pensions, property and casualty and reinsurance. The range of products and services includes: sales enablement and distribution tools, policy administration, reinsurance management, risk management, financial and investment accounting and reporting.

“LIMRA actively pursues strategic alliances that will support our member organizations, and SunGard is an excellent example of the value that we can bring our members through these partnerships,” said James Kerley, president of LIMRA Services, Inc. “As insurers struggle to operationally transform their businesses to excel and meet regulatory demands, they need to rely on a trusted partner to provide the right mix of technology solutions and consultative services. SunGard is such a partner to LIMRA members worldwide.”

Recently, SunGard and LIMRA worked to develop key performance indicators for SunGard’s iWorks EIM Analytics solution. LIMRA consultants specializing in business intelligence worked with SunGard business analysts to identify needed data points for executive dashboards for iWorks EIM, an insurance incentive compensation management system.

Greg Webber, president of SunGard’s insurance business, said, “Partnering with LIMRA will promote shared objectives for market research, consulting engagements, and sales and marketing opportunities. LIMRA is an industry thought leader in insurance marketing and distribution. SunGard will benefit from LIMRA’s expert advice as we develop comprehensive strategies to solve key problems in these areas.”

About LIMRA
LIMRA is a worldwide research, consulting and professional development organization that helps more than 850 insurance and financial services companies in 73 countries increase their marketing and distribution effectiveness. Visit LIMRA at http://www. limra. com.

About SunGard iWorks
SunGard iWorks is a business-driven IT product suite for the insurance industry in each of the following major business lines: life/health/annuities/pensions, property and casualty and reinsurance. iWorks offers a range of products and services including front-office tools, policy administration, reinsurance, actuarial calculations, financial accounting, investment accounting, and reporting. SunGard partners with customers to deliver products and services that align with changing business and regulatory needs.

About SunGard
SunGard is one of the world’s leading software and IT services companies. SunGard serves more than 25,000 customers in more than 70 countries.

SunGard provides software and processing solutions for financial services, higher education and the public sector. SunGard also provides disaster recovery services, managed IT services, information availability consulting services and business continuity management software.

With annual revenue exceeding $5 billion, SunGard is ranked 435 on the Fortune 500 and is the largest privately held business software and services company on the Forbes list of private businesses. Based on information compiled by Datamonitor*, SunGard is the third largest provider of business applications software after Oracle and SAP. Continuity, Insurance & Risk has recognized SunGard as service provider of the year an unprecedented six times. For more information, please visit SunGard at http://www. sungard. com

*January 2009 Technology Vendors Financial Database Tracker http://www. datamonitor. com

Trademark Information: SunGard, the SunGard logo and iWorks are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunGard Data Systems Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U. S. and other countries. All other trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

###

Winter Is Best Time to Recognize, Remove, and Recycle Dead Trees

Homeowners take note: Winter is the best time to remove dead or dying trees, which aren't only ugly, but also present a real safety hazard. Not sure if your tree is in trouble? Lou Giroud Tree Service offers four easy steps to finding out.

Huntingdon Valley, PA (PRWEB) February 26, 2008

It's winter. Almost every tree is bare, and just about all plant life looks dead. The good news is that most plants are simply dormant. Come spring they'll re-dress themselves in brilliant green, and we're all joyfully awaiting that transformation. But some plants aren't merely dormant--they're actually as dead as they look. Does it matter whether we can tell the difference now, in winter? Giroud Tree Service reports that when it comes to trees, the sooner you know, the better.

That's because winter is the best possible time to remove dead trees and ugly stumps. A crane, a stump machine and other equipment can generally be brought closer to the removal site than they can during the other seasons, when the ground is soft. In addition, the impact on then-dormant lawns, shrubbery and flower beds is minimal.

"You can get a sense of whether a tree is in serious decline or already dead by doing a few basic tests," said Mike Chenail, an ISA Certified Arborist employed with Lou Giroud Tree Service in Pennsylvania's Huntingdon Valley. "If your tree displays any of the following warning signs, you should have an arborist do a thorough evaluation and determine the best course of action."
Did the tree show signs of stress last summer? Premature development of autumn leaf colors, early leaf drop, abnormally small or pale leaves, or new growth that wilted are all indicators of a potential problem. Is the bark peeling from the trunk? Gently pull on a piece of bark. It shouldn't break off easily. Are twigs and buds developing normally? Scrape either a twig or bud with your thumbnail. It should be a healthy green, not brown or otherwise discolored. Is new growth surviving the strains of winter? When you try to bend a twig, does it snap because it's dry and brittle? A dead or dying tree will be an eyesore amid the beauty of spring and summer landscaping, and it will also be a safety hazard--with the potential to injure people or cause costly damage. A storm can easily topple a dead tree because it no longer has a thriving root system to keep it stable. If your arborist suggests removal, it's best to take heed.

While it's always sad to lose a tree, there are many ways to ensure that it's not wasted. Giroud Tree Service crews, for example, take the wood from their tree care operations to a recycling center, where the chips are made into mulch and the hardwood into firewood. No matter who removes a tree from your property, be sure to look into ways to put it to good future use.

About Lou Giroud Tree Service
Giroud Tree Service has been dedicated to keeping trees healthy and customers happy since 1974. Serving Pennsylvania's Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company specializes in property inspections, diagnosis and testing, tree and shrub care, insect and disease control, tick control, deer repellent, brush clearing, fertilizing, and tree and stump removal. All Giroud arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The company earned the Angie's List Super Service Award® for 2005, 2006, and 2007, as well as the Consumers' CHECKBOOK top rating for quality. For more information, visit their website at www. giroudtree. com or call them at 215-682-7704.

In 1997, Giroud Tree Service established Giroud Treework for Charity, through which parks, historical sites and other local nonprofit, nonsectarian organizations can receive free help in preserving their irreplaceable trees. To learn more or request an application, visit http://www. giroudtree. com/services. htm (http://www. giroudtree. com/services. htm) and scroll to the bottom of the webpage, or call 215-682-7704.

###

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Gardner Pool Plastering, Inc. Inaugurates Massive Public Education Campaign for Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Gardner Pool Plastering (www. gardnerpoolplastering. com), the premier resource in Southern California for residential and commercial pool remodeling, reminds citizens and businesses to immediately educate themselves about the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act. This landmark federal legislation impacts millions of Americans, requiring the retrofitting of all public pools and spas with new approved drain and grate covers.

El Cajon, CA (PRWEB) January 29, 2009

"As a trusted resource in this industry, we continue to proactively contact businesses - including longtime friends and companies newly introduced to our family of experts - so we can uphold the spirit and letter of The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This legislation is a summons to action and a reminder of the importance of working with professionals who can meet the standards of the Act," says Scott McKenna, President of Gardner Pool Plastering, "The Act's numerous features, which cover an array of public and private facilities, underscore the economic and regulatory urgency of addressing this issue as quickly as possible. Throughout Southern California, there are thousands of businesses that need to meet this challenge without delay or possibly suffer economic punishment. We don't want a surprise inspection to close a pool, and thus deny swimmers access to their favorite source of recreation. In fact, many business owners may simply be unaware that they have yet to fulfill all of the Act's requirements. And finally, I encourage business owners to contact their insurance providers because failure to comply with the Act can result in denial or renewal of insurance coverage."

To avoid penalties or the closure of a pool or spa, business owners should insist on the following:
. Job site presite - review Cover and Pump GPM (Gallons Per Minute) requirements
. Pool drawing and submittal to Health department
. Scheduled Inspections (if compliance requires more than simple drain cover replacement)
. Drain pool to owner requested area (if necessary - many retrofits can be performed without draining)
. Demo trough in pool floor if splitting drains
. Re-plumb existing drains to meet new code requirement, If necessary. Meet sump requirements.
. Install other approved anti-entrapment products ONLY if necessary
. After approved inspection fill in plumbing troughs with Gunite and create proper wells (sumps)
. Install approved VGBA complaint main drain covers and waterproof.
. Patch pool finish
. Chemical start-up

Unparalleled Achievement: Knowledge and Education
Gardner Pool Plastering enjoys widespread success because of its dedication to educating the public about pool safety. "Well before the Virginia Graeme Baker Act became law, our company believed in making safety the hallmark of all our efforts. This forty-year commitment is the driving force of everything we do," states Mr. McKenna.

About Gardner Pool Plastering 
Founded in 1969, Gardner Pool Plastering is one of the largest and most professional pool plastering, finishing and remodeling companies in Southern California. With more than 32,000 completed projects, Gardner Pool Plastering is a trusted brand for new pool builders, architects, designers and landscape professionals.

###

Thursday, March 17, 2005

VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT GUARANTEES ENERGY BOOST IN JUST 15 SECONDS

Ask any doctor what their patients' most common complaint is, and chances are they will say, "Lack of energy." In today's fast-paced world, people need more energy than ever. The problem is, they won't get it from the food they eat, or even the vitamin pills they take.

(PRWEB) February 19, 2003

Seasilver Eliminates the Need For All Other Vitamins and Mineral Supplements, Herbal Remedies and Antioxidants

Craig, CO--Ask any doctor what their patients' most common complaint is, and chances are they will say, "Lack of energy." In today's fast-paced world, people need more energy than ever. The problem is, they won't get it from the food they eat, or even the vitamin pills they take.

Even those who think they are eating a healthy diet often suffer from fatigue, sluggishness and lack of energy. Why? Because the foods we eat are either over processed to the point that all the vitamins and minerals are eliminated, or they are grown in nutritionally depleted soils. Chemical fertilization and depleted soils have left even the most nutritious foods with just a fraction of the nutrients they contained fifty years ago.

So if we can't get our essential vitamins and nutrients from even the healthiest diet, where do we turn? Most people attempt to make up for their nutritionally-challenged diet with a healthy dose of vitamin pills. But these vitamins are doing far less good than people know, and they may even be causing serious harm to the body. Vitamin pills are manufactured with chemical binders which are difficult for the body to break down. Consequently, only about 10% of the good stuff from vitamins is absorbed. The rest simply passes through the body.

Although diet and vitamin pills don't hold the answer to the nation's lack-of-energy crisis, there is one product which can provide all the vitamins and nutrients the body needs, as well as boost energy in just 15 seconds.

Seasilver is a revolutionary "all foods" nutritional supplement, literally containing every vitamin, mineral, amino acid and enzyme known to benefit the human body. This all-natural product has no man-made properties. Because it is half the thickness of water and thinner than blood, it has a 98% absorption rate, compared to the 10% absorption rate of vitamin pills.

According to medical doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors and naturopathic physicians worldwide, optimum health depends on seven basic steps: balancing, cleansing, purifying, nourishing, oxygenating, protecting and strengthening. Seasilver does all this and more, balancing the body's chemistry, cleansing the vital organs purifying the blood and lymphatic system, nourishing the body at a cellular level, oxygenating the cells, protecting tissues and cells and strengthening the immune system.

According to Dr. Anthony M. Murphy, a naturopathic physician and internationally recognized iridologist and radiologist, "Seasilver produces more health benefits in record time. With Seasilver it is no longer necessary to take any other vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal remedies. or costly antioxidants."

Seasilver users boast phenomenal results. Dorothy Petrini, a 70 year old advocate of Seasilver, says, "After taking Seasilver for less than a week, my memory is better, my eyesight is better. Before, I could hardly walk. Now I never sit down."

To try Seasilver "Risk Free" call 866-201-3536. For more information about the incredible benefits of Seasilver, contact Kelly Davidson by phone at 970-824-3744, or email to kelly@positivesuccess. com. You can also visit the website at http://www. positivesuccess. com/health (http://www. positivesuccess. com/health)

###

May is the Month to Focus on Health: DayTimers Launches New Products that Support Good Health and Physical Fitness

DayTimers launches new health related items.

Lehigh Valley, PA (PRWEB) April 26, 2007

May is National Physical Fitness Month, Family Wellness Month and Women's Health Care Month. DayTimers recently unveiled the latest in their health-related products -- continuing its commitment to help young and old manage their fitness and health lives.

"DayTimers finds the latest products available from around the world to aid in creating a work/life balance. Beginning this month we are offering innovative health-related items that will support everyone's health management efforts," said Maria Woytek, DayTimers Time Management Expert.

HydraCoach (http://www. daytimer. com/content/shopall/shopall_more_info. asp? shopperid=4741D07BF8C54B1DB8BAED2C0AA562FB&aid=False&wu=0&keycode=&line=&PP=&cid=10&Origin=&solution_nmbr=23276+++++++++++++), a pioneering approach to drinking and tracking water-intake, is new to DayTimers beginning in May. The HydraCoach water bottle features a "smart pad" that calculates personal data to configure the accurate amount of water one should consume in a day. Rule of thumb has always been to consume 64 ounces of water a day; however, the amount really varies from person-to-person depending on body weight. By drinking from the HydraCoach water bottle, the ounces are added up and displayed on the side of the bottle with each sip of water. Keeping count of whether you've reached the minimum six or eight glasses is no longer an issue.

"Water intake is probably one of the most important aspects of anyone's diet, and often the most disregarded one as well," said Lyssie Lakatos and Tammy Lakatos Shames, The Nutrion Twins®, "When we were introduced to the HydraCoach we were excited to see a new, easy method for getting adequate amounts of water back in to our bodies."

Also new to DayTimers in May is the Fitness Organizer. This journal is designed to track and motivate healthy choices. The organizer is divided in to various sections, including The Basics, My Body, My Exercise Program, My Nutrition, Staying Motivated and My Journal. Each section is dedicated to succeeding at health goals by offering tips on exercise, charts to keep track of weight and measurements and healthy eating guidelines.

DayTimers is also releasing a new pill organizer that will make remembering medication easy. The case is organized to store multiple medications in appropriate time slots and is color-coded for day and evening doses. Yet, it's small enough to take on the go.

The DayTimers Diabetes Planner (http://www. daytimer. com/content/shopall/shopall_more_info. asp? shopperid=4741D07BF8C54B1DB8BAED2C0AA562FB&aid=False&wu=0&keycode=&line=&PP=&cid=10&Origin=&solution_nmbr=14281+++++++++++++) is another great option for health management--whether a person has diabetes, is at risk, or simply needs a weight management tool. The planner pages offer a space to record eating habits, with a handy page locator that places eating goals front and center each day. It also features a grocery list and tips for healthy eating And, it still functions as a planner for recording daily appointments, to-do's and goals.

About DayTimers
Established in 1947, DayTimers, Inc. is the original American provider of time management solutions and organization tools to help simplify life. DayTimers is a subsidiary of ACCO Brands (NYSE: ABD). The complete DayTimer® line of planners, luxury leather covers, portfolios, handbags and more can be found at www. daytimer. com or by calling 1-800-225-5005. Select organization tools are also available at Staples, Office Depot, and other major office supply retailers. Contact: Leesa Raab, LaMotta Strategic Communications, Inc. 845-358-6306(o), Leesa @ lamottastrategic. com
Subsidiary of ACCO Brands Corporation

###

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

MeetMoi Launches Real-Time Location Updates for Revolutionary Mobile Dating Service

The next generation of mobile dating is now available on Blackberry, Windows, Symbian and Android phones. meetMoi allows users to share location 24 hours a day.

New York (PRWEB) December 5, 2008

meetMoi, the first location-based mobile dating company in the United States, today launched its new website and revolutionary technology to enable users to see and securely contact nearby prospective dates. meetMoi uses several cutting-edge technologies to locate real-time matches for users. Users control every aspect of their personal information including who can see their profile and location.

MeetMoi works across all phones and models. Users with smart phones on operating systems for Blackberry, Windows, Symbian and Android can update their location without doing any work, through an application developed by Xtify, Inc.

Users can register for meetMoi from a computer or a phone's web browser. Users can then create a profile and set specific dating preferences. MeetMoi then matches users based on proximity. When users find someone they like, they can send an email, instant message, wink or share their location and meet.

"meetMoi will change online dating forever," said Andrew Weinreich, CEO of meetMoi. "While traditional dating sites require you to browse profiles and email other users, which tends to promote a time lag for interaction, meetMoi instantly allows a user to contact nearby singles who may be interested in getting together for a cup of coffee right now."

"We believe meetMoi represents a paradigm shift in human interaction," said Tony Bifano, Managing Partner, ETF Venture Funds. "The technology underlying meetMoi's platform brings people together who want to be together, when and where they want to be together. meetMoi is poised for substantial growth because the company provides unique real-time technology that socially interconnects people during a time when people are increasingly reliant upon their mobile devices."

About meetMoi

MeetMoi, based in New York and backed by venture capital firms Acadia Woods Partners and ETF Venture Funds, is the first US-based location-based mobile dating service available across multiple carriers. It works on all mobile devices that can access the Internet. Leveraging a user's exact location, meetMoi changes the way singles connect with one another in the real world. meetMoi is available at no cost to sign up and $9.99/month for premium services.

About ETF Venture Funds

ETF Venture Funds invests primarily in early stage, high growth technology-enabled companies in the financial services, healthcare services, business services, Internet and Media industries. ETF Venture Funds seek companies that fundamentally transform the way consumers and markets function.

Portfolio companies include: SeamlessWeb, acquired by ARAMARK, a comprehensive Web-based food ordering system that enables companies and consumers easy access to the best restaurants, caterers and other providers, NutriSystem (NASDAQ: NTRI), a leading provider of weight management services, awarded Forbes 2006 Small Business of the Year and the Wall Street Journal's Top Performing Stock in the United States over a five year period, Take Care Health Systems, a leading independent operator of in-store walk-in health care centers acquired by Walgreens, and Philadelphia Media Holdings, the leading media company in Philadelphia, and owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and philly. com.

About Acadia Woods

Acadia Woods Partners is a New York based investment partnership that focuses primarily on early stage technology, media, and lifescience companies.

For more information, please visit www. meetMoi. com

###

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Pearlsong Press to Participate in the Southern Festival of Books October 7-9, 2005

Pearlsong Press will have a booth featuring its authors and books at the October 7-9, 2005 Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, TN.

Nashville, TN (PRWEB) May 6, 2005

Pearlsong Press will have a presence at the October 7-9, 2005 Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word.

The popular book festival offers free talks, readings, and signings by more than 200 authors of adult and children's books. Dozens of national and regional publishers, bookstores, and nonprofit writing-related organizations staff booths at the War Memorial Plaza site, on the corner of Sixth and Union Streets in downtown Nashville.

Talks, readings, and discussions are held in rooms under the Plaza, as well as in the State Capitol and the Nashville Public Library. Festival performance stages in the Plaza feature singers, songwriters, poets, musicians, storytellers, actors and playwrights, and children's performers. All events are free and no reservations are required.

Nashville-based Pearlsong Press was founded by psychologist and former journalist Peggy Elam, Ph. D. to produce holistic and empowering fiction and nonfiction and promote the "Health at Every Size" approach to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Its books include motivational romance novels featuring plus-sized or "big beautiful" heroines by Pat Ballard, and the memoir and spiritual travelogue Unconventional Means: The Dream Down Under by Anne Richardson Williams.

For more information on the Southern Festival of Books, which is produced by Humanities Tennessee, see the festival website at http://www. tn-humanities. org/sfbmain. htm (http://www. tn-humanities. org/sfbmain. htm). For information about Pearlsong Press, go to www. pearlsong. com or www. pearlsongpress. com.

# # #

Monday, March 14, 2005

The World Series of Seminars: Michael Gerber Joins 48 World Class Speakers and Helps Save Participants Thousands in Event Tuitions and Travel Costs

Every year thousands of hours and millions of dollars are invested in professional development and training. Now, for the first time ever, a breakthrough event featuring Michael Gerber plus 48 of the world's leading public speakers will all share the same stage. A virtual stage. www. VirtualSeminarWeek. com

Broomfield, CO (PRWEB) October 25, 2006

What would it cost to attend all the seminars, trainings and live events of 49 of the top speakers in learning, leadership and lifestyle? Of course, any realistic answer would naturally include the total investment, in time, money and travel. If the mere thought boggles the mind, a new event has pioneered the perfect solution. For this reason, Michael Gerber will reveal his radical new strategy to transform your business life during this one week virtual event that will revolutionize the seminar world.

Here is www. VirtualSeminarWeek. com at a glance:

Total speakers: 49 (including 7 "mystery" speakers) Total calendar investment: one week. (November 10th – 17th, 2006) Total financial investment to attend all sessions: $97.00 Total travel: ZERO

As Gerber shared, "We've removed the two biggest obstacles to a hotel seminar event: too much time and too much cost. And in doing so, for those who could never gain access to world class, in-depth training on transforming your business life, and 48 other key topics, the door just swung wide open."

What makes this event unique is that it's a virtual seminar, NOT a hotel seminar. A hotel seminar costs hundreds to thousands of dollars to attend (after travel, hotel, and seminar fee). VirtualSeminarWeek. com costs much less because attendees listen over the phone or web, from the comfort of their own homes.

In addition to Michael Gerber (http://VSW2006.com/AskMichaelGerber), VirtualSeminarWeek. com includes an impressive roster of professional speakers and recognized experts in the areas of business, life, work and health. A small sample includes:

Barbara De Angelis: Instantly make your core message unforgettable Mark Victor Hansen & Art Linkletter: A lifetime of inspiration Jay Abraham: The $5000/hour marketing mastermind Senator Bob Graham: The future of National Security from an insider Kathy Smith: America's leading fitness queen

With a $97 Virtual Seminar Week (http://virtualseminarweek. com/info/?x=812703) membership, attendees also enjoy a host of technology enhancements. Gerber added, "This format makes it easy to attend and consume the content of my presentation. Even better, interactivity is built right in." The system features live Q&A via Instant Messenger, desktop and phone alerts on speaker times, even a member's area complete with notes taken by professional note takers.

VirtualSeminarWeek. com is the first and most comprehensive virtual speaking event of its kind. 49 world class speakers will share their insights and expertise via an innovative technology platform. Attendees can listen in via telephone or their computer.

To hear Michael Gerber and gain immediate access to all 49 speakers, visit http://VSW2006.com/AskMichaelGerber (http://VSW2006.com/AskMichaelGerber) and ask your single most important question on new strategies to transform your business life.

CONTACT:

Patrick Riley

303-468-2110 ext.128

Www. VirtualSeminarWeek. com

###

Saturday, March 12, 2005

Datalogic Scanning Announces New QuickScan L Affordable Handheld Laser Scanners

QuickScan L Bar Code Scanners are Designed to be Ergonomic and Durable

Eugene, Oregon (Vocus) April 22, 2008

Datalogic Scanning Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the QuickScan® L bar code scanner, which offers laser scanning technology at an affordable price.

Best in Class Specifications

“The QuickScan L (http://www. scanning. datalogic. com/html/quickscanl. htm) reader has the best specifications in the entry level class of bar codes scanners,” said Dave Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for Datalogic Scanning. “The QuickScan L reader is a simple laser scanner designed to meet the majority of the scanning needs at an affordable price and low total cost of ownership.”

Affordable Full-Featured Laser Scanner

The QuickScan L scanner is the perfect solution for general purpose users who prefer laser scanning technology and need to read bar codes at instinctive distances. This scanner provides several benefits to users, including:
Lightweight, small, gun-shaped ergonomic form-factor for user comfort “Plug & Play” kits for ease of purchase, selling and installation User-replaceable window saves downtime and reduces total cost of ownership Snappy scanning performance that gets the job done in no time Reading of a wide range of 1D codes as well as GS1 DataBar™ codes (formerly RSS) Multiple popular interfaces in one unit to fit your application IP42 rating for sealing against liquids and dust to protect your investment

Facts about Datalogic Scanning Handheld Readers:
Datalogic Scanning made history with the first retail bar code scan in 1974. A Datalogic Scanning bar code reader is installed every 36 seconds. Over 1.5 million QuickScan handheld readers have been sold since introduction. Over 3 million Datalogic handheld readers have been sold since 1998. Over 35,000 customers have chosen Datalogic Scanning handheld readers.

Datalogic Scanning has a Handheld Reader for any purpose:
Dragon™ industrial handheld readers FireScan™ general purpose handheld readers Gryphon™ Series of general purpose handheld readers Heron™ Series of general purpose handheld readers Lynx™ Series of industrial handheld readers PowerScan (http://www. scanning. datalogic. com/html/rugged. htm)® Series of industrial handheld readers QuickScan® Series of general purpose handheld readers Touch™ Contact general purpose handheld readers

FMI (Food Marketing Institute)/Marketechnics® Trade Show

Come see all our newest products on May 5-7, 2008 in Las Vegas. We’re in Booth #2460.

For additional information about Datalogic Scanning products, please visit www. scanning. datalogic. com], email scanning@datalogic. com, or call +1-800-695-5700 (toll-free in the USA only) or +1-541-683-5700.

About Datalogic Scanning, Inc.

Datalogic Scanning, Inc. is the recognized #1 worldwide leader in high-performance fixed position retail point-of-sale scanners and the #1 provider of handheld scanners in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), with the most complete line of general purpose and ruggedized handheld scanners available today.

Headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, Datalogic Scanning, a division of the Datalogic Group, serves multiple industries throughout the retail supply chain and distribution channel as well as manufacturing, government, healthcare, banking and finance sectors with a presence in over 120 countries.

PowerScan and QuickScan are registered trademarks of Datalogic Scanning, Inc. Datalogic is a registered trademark of Datalogic S. p.A. in many countries and the Datalogic logo, Dragon, FireScan, Gryphon, Heron, Lynx, and Touch are trademarks of Datalogic S. p.A. All other brand and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

###

New Report by Xmo Strata Says UK Retail Marketing Teams Poised for Sign Budget Cuts...but Finance Departments Seem More Bullish!

Sign installation and maintenance company Xmo Strata has commissioned research to test the UK market on the eve of recession – and the results make for surprising reading.

MARDEN, England (PRWEB) November 21, 2008

Researchers quizzed 50 senior finance managers (finance directors, purchasing managers etc) and 50 marketing professionals, all working in retail companies across the UK.

In some areas, marketing professionals are less bullish about likely expenditure than the normally conservative money men and women. For example, only 18% of the financial managers thought their companies would spend less on signage in a recession – 32% of marketing people expected budgets to be cut. 18% of the financiers also expected to spend more on signage – compared to only 8% amongst their marketing colleagues.

Only 10% of the financial managers thought their companies would spend less on sign maintenance, but that figure rose to 36% when put to the marketing teams. None of the marketeers expected to spend more on sign maintenance, but 12% of financiers were braced for higher maintenance bills.

Managing Director Steve Martin commissioned the research from The Survey Shop and says some of the results have come as a surprise.

"I supposed we had expected the financial managers to be more reluctant to spend money and more determined to dig their heels in and slash budgets," he said. "But surprisingly it is the marketing teams – who you might have thought would die in a ditch to defend their budgets – that seem resigned to cutting their cloth.

"It may be that the marketing teams are pessimistic and believe that they will have greater restrictions placed on them than the finance managers are currently considering. Whatever the reason, it is clear that there will be pressures on suppliers to provide value for money."

The full results of the survey can be viewed at www. xmostrata. com.

ends

Notes to editor:

Xmo Strata is one of the leading sign installation and maintenance firms in the UK, built on an aspiration to provide the most highly qualified sign engineers in the UK, adhering uncompromisingly to health and safety regulations and best practice. The company focus is to provide a truly nationwide specialist service, ensure a safe working environment for all, and to offer a trusted, market leading service whilst delivering value to customers at all times.

Xmo Strata specialises in large national roll-outs and offers complete project management. The company has crews based throughout the UK and offers a specialist service including re-branding and maintenance of signage on petrol forecourts, retail parks, high street stores and shopping malls nationwide.

For press enquiries contact Alexa Gibb on ag@garnett-keeler. com or telephone 020 8647 4467, alternatively, to find out more about Xmo Strata visit www. xmostrata. com or contact Steve Martin on telephone: 0845 2300 460.

Cleveland Home Care Agency Expands to Larger Facilities

Visiting Angels of Cleveland Ohio, a home care agency serving senior citizens in the greater Cleveland area has recently expanded and moved its offices to 12200 Fairhill Road, Suites B201 and B203 of the Fairhill Center for Aging building.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) January 30, 2005

About Visiting Angels:

Visiting Angels is a national network of non-medical senior homecare agencies providing Senior Homecare to help elderly and older adults continue to live in their homes across America (rather than moving to nursing homes or assisted living facilities). Our caring, experienced home caregivers provide up to 24 hour care in the comfort of the seniorsÂ’ own home, at affordable rates. Visiting Angels has over 200 senior homecare agencies coast to coast. Managed by Constance R. Hill, Visiting Angels of Cleveland, Ohio has been providing needed assistance to seniors throughout the Greater Cleveland area since 2002.

Visiting Angels---Our Caregivers!

The background screening system we use is the best in the business. We recruit experienced caregivers who are seasoned in attending to the needs of care recipients. We will only refer a caregiver who has the necessary experience to fulfill the individual needs of a specific senior. Most important, most of our caregivers provide references to us from sources we can trust (other homecare agencies, hospitals, nursing facilities, churches, hospices, assisted living communities etc.). We also emphasize the intangible traits of the caregiver (such as a caring personality) which will mean so much in your day to day experience in working with them.

Visiting Angels---Our Process:

You Are In Charge Â– WeÂ’re On Â“YourÂ” Schedule Part of our outstanding value is in understanding that our customers are in charge of everything. "Visiting Angels" will not dictate to you what your seniorsÂ’ schedule is to be (i. e. what time to get up, when to bathe, meal schedules etc.). It is our job to adjust to your schedule and to see to it that you remain comfortable in your own home. Visiting Angels - senior home care at its best! We begin by reviewing your needs through discussions with involved family members; when necessary we consult with the physician(s) of the care recipient, social workers, hospitals, or nursing home staff.

Next, working in conjunction with the family, we develop an individualized program to manage the seniorsÂ’ daily needs. We match those needs to the best possible caregiver, bring the caregiver to your home and ask you to participate in the selection process.

After the caregiver has been placed in your home, we continue our unique system of continued personalized contacts through telephone check-in and home visits.

Hygiene Assistance Meal preparation/Diet monitoring Light housekeeping Errands and Shopping Joyful companionship Low Hourly rates! Live in, Live - out, sleep-over Mornings, mid-day, evenings Temporary or Long term Weekends, holidays Respite for family caregivers

Visiting AngelsÂ’ new offices in the Fairhill Center are strategically located to augment our services to seniors in the Greater Cleveland area. The Fairhill Center is a private, non-sectarian resource for services, information and education that responds to the challenges of an aging society, complex intergenerational relationships, and older adults in the context of family and community. This unique, nearly 10 acre campus, north of Shaker square, is home to over 20 organizations offering a wide array of services and programs to foster successful aging across the lifespan. The Fairhill Center works with older adults, families, intergenerational groups, gerontology professionals and other service providers. A School for Caregivers is located on the campus to provide education and support for family caregivers and paid in-home aides. There is also a Care and Caregiving Center, a showcase model home of assistive technology.

The Fairhill Center is home to The AlzheimerÂ’s Association, the University Foley Elderhealth Center, and Hospice of the Western Reserve.

About Constance R. Hill:

Constance Hill is a native Clevelander and holds a Bachelor Degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Southern California.

Contact:

Crhill@visitingangels. com

216.231.6400

Www. visitingangels. com/cleveland (http://www. visitingangels. com/cleveland )

###

Friday, March 11, 2005

Dr. Bill Johnson on CBS 11 News as Featured Expert

Dr. Bill Johnson was featured as an aesthetics expert in a recent FIG report for CBS 11 News

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) April 25, 2008

Dr. Bill Johnson of Innovations MedSpa, a leader in the medspa industry which offers many of the latest innovations in the U. S., has been featured on CBS 11 News on March 24, 2008. The CBS 11 News report by Stephanie Lucero is titled "Woman Suffering After Weight-Loss Injection." Former clients say a company promised to help them lose inches all with a simple injection, but for many, all they've been left with are serious health issues and debt.

"I think they misrepresented their product by saying it was painless and doesn't have any side effects," said Dr. Bill Johnson.

Dr. Johnson said he is now seeing dozens of former Fig patients, many who reported having medical problems since receiving the injections.

"With LipoDissolve, that fat had nowhere to go but into your circulation," Dr. Johnson said. "And what does that do? No one knows."

The procedure used by Fig is known in the medical world as Mesotherapy, according to Dr. Johnson. He said it does work for a limited number of people, but there's no guide for who will benefit from the procedure and who will not benefit from the procedure.

About Dr. Johnson & Innovations MedSpa
Founded in 2005, Dr. Johnson's Innovations MedSpa has been at the forefront of the medspa industry by offering the newest aesthetics technology to the nation. Among other firsts, Dr Johnson is currently one of the first doctors in the world to introduce Thermage DC and the first in the U. S. to offer Acoustic Wave Therapy for cellulite treatment. Dr. Johnson brings his years of experience as an internist to provide extremely safe esthetic procedures and has cleared patients for surgery for more than 25 years. He was chosen among all the esthetic practices to appear on the National Medical Report (NMR) hosted by Hugh Downs. The report centers on procedures Baby Boomers are having done to combat aging. NMR appears on CNN, PBS, MSNBC, and several other networks. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Texas Medical Association, the American Collage of Physicians, the American Medical Association, American College of Physician Executives, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. For more information, please visit www. innovationsmedspa. com.

###

PROJECT HARMONY HOSTS STATE DEPARTMENT SPOSORED ONLINE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT FOR SCHOOLS IN AMERICA, AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

Project Harmony hosts an online educational project for American schools to work with schools in the Former Soviet Republics of Armenia or Azerbaijan. The schools in Armenia and Azerbaijan belong to Project HarmonyÂ’s School Connectivity Programs. The School Connectivity Programs are dedicated to promoting the educational use of the Internet in a manner that will strengthen democracy, support civil society and promote cultural understanding in the Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The School Connectivity Programs are programs of the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by Project Harmony. The Armenia Connectivity 2000 and Azerbaijan School Connectivity Program together have more than one hundred schools participating in activities with hundreds of schools in the United States. The website for the projects is: http://www. projectharmony. org/ac2k/rec2002.html

(PRWEB) April 9, 2003

WAITSFIELD, VTÂ—April 4, 2003Â—Project Harmony hosts an online educational project for American schools to work with schools in the Former Soviet Republics of Armenia or Azerbaijan. The schools in Armenia and Azerbaijan belong to Project HarmonyÂ’s School Connectivity Programs. The School Connectivity Programs are dedicated to promoting the educational use of the Internet in a manner that will strengthen democracy, support civil society and promote cultural understanding in the Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The School Connectivity Programs are programs of the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by Project Harmony. The Armenia Connectivity 2000 and Azerbaijan School Connectivity Program together have more than one hundred schools participating in activities with hundreds of schools in the United States. The website for the projects is: http://www. projectharmony. org/ac2k/rec2002.html (http://www. projectharmony. org/ac2k/rec2002.html)

Four different projects have operated throughout the school year. The current and final project is Social Justice and Change for the Future. In the projects students explore topics, form opinions and respond with their counterparts in other countries, analyze opinions of their fellow students and exercise practical actions through in-class activities that help shape decision-making in their everyday lives. The activities consist of in-class curriculum packets, followed by two weeks of online discussions with other students and educators concluding with a chat session. Multiple US schools participate with multiple schools in Armenia or Azerbaijan.

In this specific project students learn about respect for human rights. This topic allows students to think about their future and the future of their community. All of the students discuss on the online forums their feelings about social justice, change and views of the future. American, Armenian and Azerbaijani students share details about the future of their own lives as well. After receiving responses from the other schools, students explore ways to promote social justice in their own futures. The online project curriculum packets have been designed by Connected Minds to promote multi-cultural awareness, knowledge and perspective. Connected Minds utilizes the UNICEF three-step global learning methodology, consisting of exploration, responding and action.

According to Program Coordinator Katy Pearce, Â“These projects allow American students to learn that people across the world share basic values and beliefs and through that initial understanding can arise wonderful opportunities for cross-cultural interaction,Â” and Â“in our current political environment, it is all the more important for young people to learn about the rest of the world.Â”

Project HarmonyÂ’s mission is to empower individuals to create healthier communities through international training and exchange programs. Project Harmony was founded in Vermont in 1985 as a grass-roots exchange organization for Soviet and American high schools. Today, Project Harmony has 17 offices world-wide and staff of more than 100 employees. In its 18-year history, Project Harmony has facilitated educational, professional, cultural and community-based programs involving hundreds of families and individuals. Project HarmonyÂ’s programs are sponsored and funded by the U. S. Department of State. Please visit our web site: www. projectharmony. org.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Livinity Selects Touchfon International as Communication Partner

Touchfon International, a leading provider of communication technology solutions for the direct sales industry, is pleased to announce that Livinity, an emerging leader in the direct sales industry, has selected Touchfon to provide communication solutions to aid in the recruiting, training, and retention of Livinity's sales force.

Draper, UT (PRWEB) August 27, 2009

Livinity was founded by distributors for distributors. The company is built on a unique set of principles that ensure long term income with its innovative and cutting edge product line.

"In our business, building relationships is key! The one thing that builds those relationships rock solid is communication. Until now we focused on a simple face to face approach with the normal email and newsletter communication. Touchfon has allowed us to create a little magic!" said David Pitcock, President and CEO of Livinity, Inc. "The opportunity to have distributors and prospects plug into all of our live meetings is like them being right there with us. Touchfon has increased our communication and marketing campaigns to a much higher level! The most important part of the solution, the distributors love it."

Livinity has pioneered the Going Blue business opportunity for people to take control of their health and create a secure financial future. As 'going green' is good for the environment, Going Blue is good for you!

"We're excited to be partnering with Livinity to implement powerful solutions to allow personal communication with the field," said Rodney Hyde, President and CEO of Touchfon International, Inc. "Livinity has a great management team that is making every effort to provide their sales force with the best tools available to recruit, train, and retain their teams."

About Livinity, Inc. Learn more about the Livinity opportunity (http://www. touchfon. tv/livinity):
The founders of Livinity have been distributors and understand the hopes and dreams of people wanting to build a home based business. Livinity takes those hopes and dreams very seriously and works each day to provide a simple, solid and professional network marketing opportunity. Long-term relationships and long-term income are the key goals of distributors. Livinity has translated those goals into one of the most achievable and lucrative compensation plans ever created.

About Touchfon International, Inc. Explore Touchfon services (http://www. touchfon. com):

Touchfon International is a leading provider of communication technology solutions. Touchfon offers a comprehensive suite of solutions including: toll-free, local, and international numbers; broadcast messaging systems; custom messaging solutions; VoIP phone service for residential and small business customers, and online video and content delivery systems. Established in 1989, Touchfon is a privately held company headquartered in Draper, Utah.

###

Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Dekart Delivers Affordable, Easy-to-Deploy Data Protection Tools to Help Small Healthcare Providers Meet HIPAA Standards

(PRWEB) August 22, 2006

Small healthcare providers with limited technology staff and budgets are turning to innovative, affordable solutions from Dekart to comply with new federal rules for ensuring the privacy of patient health information, enacted in April 2006 under HIPAA. Dekart (www. dekart. com), a developer of trusted IT security software, offers a suite of powerful yet simple-to-use data encryption and user authentication products to help healthcare providers safely store and transport patient records and control access to protected health information.

Tailored to meet the specific security requirements of health care companies, Dekart products offer a fast and efficient way to protect sensitive data without long deployment procedures or personnel training. Dekart offers the only solution on the market today that combines the industry’s best-of-breed NIST-certified encryption, innovative data protection methods, and two - and three-factor authentication technologies into a low-cost and easy-to-deploy solution. Products are intuitive to use, and are backed by Dekart’s exceptional, personalized customer service.

Dekart authentication solutions support multiple authentication methods such as smart cards and biometric devices. In addition, Dekart products work on any data storage device, from network drives and local disks to removable media such as CDs, flash memory sticks, handheld PDAs, and even digital cameras, ensuring the mobility of encrypted data that healthcare professionals require. Authorized users can work with the protected data on any computer without installing additional software, so caregivers can easily move between practice locations.

Dekart Private Disk is a powerful and flexible data protection program that applies state-of-the-art technology to encrypt sensitive information using Dekart's NIST-certified implementation of AES 256-bit – the strongest encryption algorithm available today. Sensitive data are encrypted automatically when written to the disk, and decrypted when requested by authorized users. Private Disk lets users encrypt as little or as much data as necessary, creating individual files on one or more virtual drives that are invisible to unauthorized users. Multiple private disks can be created on a single machine with different access permissions, while the disk can save and automatically restore network shares.

Patient records are not only encrypted, but are protected with Dekart's innovative Disk Firewall mechanism – a unique technology that creates a white-list of “trusted” applications allowed to access the encrypted disk. Disk Firewall shields files from Trojans, viruses and other malware even when antivirus or anti-spyware programs fail to protect the system.

Private Disk natively supports Windows 9x/2000/XP/2003, so there’s no need for system modifications. Encryption policies are accurately and consistently applied, making it easy for healthcare companies to efficiently secure patient records while lowering costs and streamlining business processes.

Dekart Logon enables organizations to solve the challenge of authenticating computer users. Employees can securely access their data, protect computers left unattended, and ensure the security of a network, all through a single USB disk or smart card. Dekart Logon relies on sophisticated cryptographic algorithms certified by NIST, behind a simple user interface that makes authentication an easy and painless process.

Dekart Logon provides an extremely cost-effective two-factor authentication solution for Microsoft Windows 9x/2000/XP/2003, delivering unmatched integration with Windows Active Directory and Novell Client. Using Dekart Logon, healthcare organizations can reduce the risk of internal fraud and comply with industry and regulatory mandates.

Dekart Logon for Citrix ICA Client is an authentication solution that lets doctors securely and conveniently access Citrix Presentation Servers without the need to memorize complicated secure passwords. Using smart cards, USB disks and biometrics to access patient information, doctors no longer risk forgetting passwords nor spend their valuable time trying to manually enter long complicated pass phrases. Doctors get fast, convenient and secure access to patient information from their clinics and home offices by just plugging the smart card or USB disk into the computer.

Key advantages of Dekart software solutions:

§ Easy deployment – All software is easily deployed across institutions of all sizes, requiring minimal changes in existing infrastructure and negligible configuration time.

§ Cost-efficient approach – The low cost of implementation and maintenance, combined with flexibility and advanced security, make it easy to provide a secure computing environment while meeting regulatory compliance.

§ Fast learning curve – No need to retrain personnel, since programs seamlessly integrate into any system and are incredibly intuitive and easy to use.

§ Strong encryption – Dekart solutions employ powerful, best of breed NIST-tested and certified AES 256-bit encryption.

§ Multiple authentication methods and devices – Usable with USB flash disks, iPods, memory sticks and PDAs to highly secure solutions such as tokens, smart cards, and biometric scanners.

§ Compatibility with legacy systems – Products work easily with older operating systems such as Windows 9x/ME.

§ Customer support – Customers praise Dekart’s quick, effective, and friendly customer support.

Healthcare institutions are now eligible for a special discounted plan of up to 50% on each software license.

About Dekart

Dekart develops trusted IT security solutions that address today’s endpoint security challenges. Founded in 1995, Dekart now serves several thousands of businesses and enterprises around the world. Dekart’s solutions help clients comply with electronic data regulations such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley by eliminating data and identity theft and providing proper user authentication within the enterprise. These solutions include hard disk encryption and file encryption, and smart card and biometric authentication for multiple platforms. Dekart also delivers SIM and smart card management solutions, and manufactures the world's smallest USB plug-in smart card reader, compatible with all types of smart cards available on the market today. The company is headquartered in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, a city with a long history of technology development expertise.

For more information, please contact:

Irina Oltu, Dekart Communications Director

Telephone: (+373) 22 245580

Www. dekart. com

# # #