Solodev's Shawn Moore Tapped as Speaker at New York Marketing Conference

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Jan 25, 2012 at 08:09:27 AM EST

ORLANDO, Fla. - Solodev founder and chief technology officer, Shawn Moore, has been chosen as a guest panelist for the Inbound Marketing Summit in New York City, Feb. 28-29.

The primary developer of Solodev’s enterprise website content management system (CMS), Moore will be joined by fellow CMS experts from other leading software companies such as Sitecore, Ektron, Hippo and Bridgeline Digital to discuss “What Marketers can tell IT about Content Management.” The moderator of the discussion is Scott Liewehr, the web content management analyst from Gilbane Services.

IMS is a conference for digital, social and mobile marketing and features nationally known speakers on topics such as social media, technology and emerging online trends. The summit will take place at 404, a new event space on New York’s West Side.

“We designed our software to be utilized by marketers without having to rely on their IT department for website updates so I am a looking forward to speaking on the subject,” Moore said. “I am also looking forward to learning about some of the latest developments in online marketing during the rest of the conference so we can further enhance our product line.”

Moore is considered a thought leader on the subject of website content management and functional website design. He has a passion for integrating the latest technologies in order to create dynamic online experiences and excels at helping Solodev clients maximize their digital marketing strategies.

Moore is a 2000 graduate of Stetson University. He founded Solodev in 2006, but has been working on the software platform since 2001. He was named to the Orlando Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2009.

About Solodev
Solodev is an Internet software company with a growing suite of powerful yet easy to use tools that give organizations total control of their online presence. Solodev’s flagship product is an enterprise-level Website Content Management System built from the ground up with SEO, security and scalability in mind. This platform independent code base merges extensible back-end data processes with a custom user interface to create multifunctional and highly scalable online experiences. It centrally powers intranets, extranets, websites, micro-sites, mobile sites and even native smart-phone applications, giving administrators the ability to streamline operations and increase productivity. For more information about Solodev, please visit www.solodev.com.

About IMS
The must-attend conference for digital, social and mobile marketing is coming to New York City for the first time on February 28-29 at the West Side’s stylish new events space: 404. With a unique mix of inspirational speakers like Chris Brogan, Laura Fitton, Tim Hayden and Barry Libert, cutting edge content and real-world case studies, IMS is where innovative marketing and media professionals meet face to face, participate in sessions and network with their peers.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Data Transfer Solutions expands at Avalon Park, announces plans to hire 15 specialists by Spring

by: Larry Vershel

Mon Jan 16, 2012 at 15:13:27 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of GIS services to government agencies and private corporations recently expanded its Orlando headquarters at Avalon Park in East Orlando by an additional 5,000 square feet.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the firm’s Orlando headquarters now encompasses 12,000 square feet of office space.

Fragala said DTS plans to hire nine GIS technicians immediately and potentially six more by early summer.

Altogether, DTS employs 60 GIS planning, engineering and survey professionals at offices in Avalon Park, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Collins, Colo., Portland, Ore, Nashville and New Hampshire.

DTS provides geographic information systems and software applications, asset management, data collection and development, transportation planning and engineering, web design, database applications and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.

Allogy Interactive Smart Phone Application Endorsed by the WhiteHouse Feeds Federal Register Update

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 14:12:33 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla. --- A smart phone application developed at the University of Central Florida to make it easier to access the Federal Register---the U.S. government’s newspaper of record---is making waves all across the country.

Orlando-based Allogy Interactive is developed the app in partnership with IST’s METIL lab and MobileGov, a D.C. based consulting firm. Design of the app was guided by technology officers from the White House and the Government Printing Office.

Colin Forward, Communications Director for Allogy Interactive, said the Federal Register app was developed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Government Printing Office, which issues the Federal Register daily---in printed form---to announce rules, proposed rules, and notices of the Federal Government.

“Allogy wanted to create an app to demonstrate rapid development and deployment of new mobile applications,” Forward said. “The idea for an app for the Federal Register grew from concept to working model in less than six weeks,” he said.

The app leverages public information feeds provided by data.gov.

The U.S. Government spends approximately $16 million annually to print and distribute the Federal Register---costs that could be greatly reduced or eliminated if the app is widely utilized.

About Allogy Interactive:
Allogy Interactive, a leading developer of mobile applications for education, healthcare, business, and social enterprises, connects people to promote learning, opportunity, and economic growth by understanding the relationships, creating intuitive interfaces and using data to promote the transparency and accountability necessary for achievement.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

InternEdge Launches Social Recruitment Software to LinkWorkers with Employers via Facebook LinkedIn

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 14:02:33 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla.  --- InternEdge, which offers recruitment solutions linking Central Florida area college and university students with local companies that offer student workers traditional internships, part-time, full-time jobs, seasonal employment, contracts for services and other career-starting opportunities, has launched a new suite of social recruitment software.

Michael W. O’Donnell and Adam H. Singh, founders and managing partners at InternEdge, said the new tool — suggested by customer feedback — meets emerging recruitment trends in social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and similar facilities.

“This new social media recruitment platform will link job and talent – students and recent graduates who are job seekers with company representatives who are seeking workers,” Adam Singh said.

Adam Singh said the new tool will help hopeful intern placements and job applicants to communicate and build professional relationships with companies that rely on social connections to make better decisions in the hiring process.

InternEdge offers employers sophisticated Applicant Tracking System(ATS) that integrates social media and cloud computing.

“InterEdge offers the best solution for leaders of small to medium sized companies who want to cost-effectively manage their workflow fluctuations or prepare for emerging opportunities by leveraging per-professional talent,” Adam Singh explained.

InternEdge is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

UCF Business Incubation Program to open Apopka Incubator within next 90 days

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 14:03:22 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla.  --- The City of Apopka and the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program anticipate opening an incubator site in downtown Apopka before April 1.

The UCF Business Incubation Program provides technical assistance and support to help promising startup companies accelerate their growth and create more local jobs.

Currently, the UCF Business Incubation Program manages facilities in Winter Springs, Sanford, Leesburg, St. Cloud, Kissimmee and Daytona Beach, in addition to Central Florida Research Park and on Colonial Drive in Orlando.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder of the UCF Business Incubation Program and one of the nation’s leading experts on university-based business incubation, said that over the past 10 years the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 client companies create more than 1,600 new jobs.

Startup businesses range from a St. Cloud company that helps Florida ranchers and farmers sell fresh, locally grown foods to Florida restaurants and hotels, to a Daytona Beach company gearing up to mass-produce its patented wind turbines that out-perform anything on the market. One client company in Kissimmee is currently filming a feature length motion picture. A client company in Leesburg produces an award winning video series on healthcare, a client company in the Research Park developed a GIS platform that helps disaster management agencies cope with tornadoes and hurricanes.

“Our client companies range from industry leaders to the fields of laser photonics, simulation technology, rapid prototyping, web development and alternative energy to commercial delivery services for area restaurants,” said Dr. O’Neal, who currently serves as president of the Florida Business Incubation Assn.

Last year the UCF Business Incubation Program graduated more than 20 companies that are succeeding without further assistance from the program. Over the same 12 month period, the program accepted a record 64 new start-up companies, Dr. O’Neal said.

The UCF Business Incubation Program carefully screens each company before admitting them to the program.

“We have delivered sophisticated tools to gauge the potential for success of a startup company within the incubator program and we are very selective in our process,” Dr. O’Neal said.

“We aim to provide assistance to companies that have the greatest potential to grow and create jobs,” he said.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:   
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Greensleeves to design, build Geothermal Borefield at NASA's John H. Glenn Research Center

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 12:18:49 PM EST

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla.,  – Greensleeves LLC, which designs energy efficient air-conditioning and heating systems for commercial buildings that reduce energy costs by 30 to 50 percent, has earned a second contract to design, engineer and install a geothermal bore field at NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center near Cleveland.

Sharon Keeran, vice president of operations for Greensleeves LLC, said the project will significantly reduce energy costs for a new 15,470 square foot warehouse receiving building that NASA is building at the Center.

Greensleeves, LLC designs and builds state-of-the-art systems that harvest, store and distribute geothermal energy to substantially reduce fossil fuel energy needs.

“The savings in lower operating and maintenance costs, durability, and energy conservation can exceed the total cost of building construction over the life of a facility,” Keeran said.

Greensleeves is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at the incubator in Winter Springs.

About Greensleeves LLC
Greensleeves is an energy solution integration innovator that provides a unique combination of technologies and proven professionals that can deliver a 35-50% reduction in energy use for the life of a building with little to no increase in construction costs.  This solution is more comfortable, attractive, healthier, and less expensive to own and operate than the heating and cooling systems currently used in the U.S.  Greensleeves has locations in Findlay, Ohio; Zeeland, Michigan; and Winter Springs, Fla.  For more information visit www.greensleevesllc.com.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Industrial Lease at Carter CommerCenter in Winter Garden

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Jan 05, 2012 at 15:10:09 PM EST

Maitland, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a lease agreement for 1,875 square feet of industrial space at 890 Carter Rd., suite 140 at the Carter CommerCenter in Winter Garden.

Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord COP-Carter, LLC of Maitland and the locally based tenant, Lavcoat, Inc.

About NAI Realvest:  
NAI Realvest in Orlando, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe.  Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network.  Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

MyEduLife selected to provide customized, multi-phase data governance solution for Baruch College

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Dec 29, 2011 at 13:56:45 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla,  --- MyEduLife, headquartered in the Central Florida Research Park near the University of Central Florida campus, was recently selected to provide a customized, multi-phase data governance initiative.  The effort will help improve Baruch College’s data management infrastructure by connecting the dots between disparate systems within the New York college’s data environment.

Dr. Mark Mooney, co-founder of MyEduLife said his firm is working with Arthur Downing, chief information officer at Baruch College, to automate Baruch’s data management activities and create transparency, accountability and cost controls.

 “MyEduLife provides software suites that can align programs including admissions, student records, financials and residential life among the tens to hundreds of other programs universities typically use to assist with decision making and forecasting,” Dr. Mooney explained.

“Being able to integrate data from a variety of fragmented systems gives the administration an unprecedented ability to truly know what is happening within the college.  It allows them to have all the relevant data to fully see trends and patterns, have a much more complete picture much faster, and make much more informed decisions. The cost savings that can result will more than pay for the software in a short period of time.”

Colleges and universities were among the first institutions to adopt data management procedures, Dr. Mooney said. Typically, large institutions incorporated data management systems on a piecemeal basis, one department or division at a time.

After more than two decades of upgrading and innovation, universities typically employ a wide range of different data processing systems.

“Data governance is a growing concern in large institutions and MyEduLife has developed an excellent solution that can link all the disparate entities together securely,” Dr. Mooney said.

Founded in 2009, MyEduLife provides a suite of software applications that address the specific problem of data governance for educational institutions.

MyEduLife is a client of the UCF Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in east Orange County. 

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Growing Synergy, LLC, aims to Connect Local Ranchers / Farmers with Restaurants, Hotels, Chefs

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Dec 29, 2011 at 13:47:36 PM EST

ST. CLOUD, Fla. --- Growing Synergy, LLC is a brand new company with a noble mission: to connect quality-minded Central Florida restaurants, hotels and chefs in Orlando, Tampa and South Florida with local food growers who offer fresher, healthier beef, lamb, veal, poultry, dairy and eggs.

It’s all part of the growing  “locavore” movement that shortens the distance between farm and table and results in foods that are fresher, healthier and require less energy to process, transport and produce, says Trish Strawn, co-founder and partner of Growing Synergy.

Strawn’s roots in the Florida cattle industry go back to the 19th century. She was raised around her family’s Deep Creek Ranch in West Volusia County, which raises Angus and South Poll cattle and Katahdin sheep. Long an advocate of locally grown foods, Strawn teamed up with Rebecca Reis-Miller as founder of Slow Food Orlando, to launch Growing Synergy at the UCF Business Incubator in St. Cloud.

“Demand for locally grown foods in rapidly expanding and growing. Synergy provides the distribution link to connect small Florida farms with Florida restaurants, hotels, and chefs, Strawn said.

Growing Synergy will focus on farm-raised proteins —typically the most expensive items on a menu —and hopes to expand eventually to include farm products produce and even specialty products such as cheeses, herbs and wines, Strawn added.

“We’re focusing on the area where we can have the biggest impact,” said Reis-Miller.

“The giant food processors aren’t going to go away and processed food will remain the largest part of the American diet,” she said, “But there is a large and growing demand for more sustainable foods that don’t require so much energy to produce, process, store, and truck to market.”

And there are big gaps in America’s food production chain, Reis-Miller added.

“If we can reduce the steps that go into food production and distribution, we can make food at the grocery store — and on the restaurant table — fresher, healthier and better for the world,” she explained.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program  -  Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Extension Lease for TLC Engineering for Architecture on N. Westshore Blvd.

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Dec 29, 2011 at 11:39:50 AM EST

Orlando / Tampa, Fla. – NAI Realvest based in Maitland recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 8,240 square feet of Class A office space at 500  N. Westshore Blvd. in Tampa. 

Paul P. Partyka, managing partner at NAI Realvest, negotiated the lease representing the tenant Orlando-based TLC Engineering for Architecture with an assist from Chairman George Livingston and Christie Alexander, principal.

“TLC Engineering, which has 10 offices throughout Florida plus Nashville and Dallas, extended its lease in the Tampa Bay market for another five years, as they feel very bullish about the Tampa market,” Partyka said.    

TLC ranks among the most respected engineering firms in the nation, with a portfolio including projects in 46 states.

The landlord, 500 WS Owner LLC c/o Parkway Realty Services LLC of  Jacksonville was represented in the transaction by Nancy Herz of Parkway Realty Services.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe.  Since 1978, clients have built their businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network.  Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Venice Florida Creator of Heart Healthy Cookies Speaks at Parisian Food Expo

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Dec 28, 2011 at 16:50:58 PM EST

VENICE, Fla. – Dr. Bo Martinsen√ and Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers√ of Venice-based Omega3 Innovations recently returned from Paris, France, where Martinsen was a speaker at Biovelop product presentation at the “Food Ingredients Europe” trade show.

Martinsen, who co-founded Omega3 Innovations with Chalmers, his wife and partner, said the international FIE show included more than 1,200 exhibitors from 65 countries; with a huge focus on nutritious ingredients that aim to improve the health of consumers.

Martinsen presented a talk about the many health benefits of beta-glucan oat fiber, which along with 2,000 mg of omega-3 fish oil, form the foundation for the company’s Omega Cookie®.

“Fiber, unlike vitamins and essential fatty acids, is the one family of nutrients for which the government has set a minimum-required dose of 750 mg to achieve heart benefits,” he said. “Unfortunately, most food manufacturers fail to clarify that all of the more than 250 types of fiber are not equal.”

Only the long chained beta-glucan oat fibers are particularly effective in reducing cholesterol, he said.  And, Martinsen said, they also have an added bonus that in combination with omega-3 fish oil these oat fibers seem to have an added appetite suppressant benefit.

For more information on any of Omega3 Innovations’ products, call 866-414-0188 or visit www.omegacookie.com or www.omega-cure.com.

About Omega3 Innovations:  Founded by Bo Martinsen√, M.D., and Anne-Marie Chalmers√, M.D. – two physicians who have worked with omega-3 fish oil for more than 15 years – the company offers several varieties of Omega Cookies, as well as Omega Cure supplements.  Each Omega Cookie contains seven capsules worth of omega-3 fish oil, five grams of fiber, 200% of the daily value of vitamin D and 35% of the daily value of calcium.  The company was named a winner in the category of innovation at the 2010 annual Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County’s Hall of Fame awards.  The honor came as the result of being the first company to create a bakery product that contains an effective dose of omega-3 fish oil.  For more information, visit www.omegacookie.com or www.omega-cure.com.

Kinder, Gentler Online Travel Company Joins UCF Business Incubation in Kissimmee

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Dec 28, 2011 at 16:26:00 PM EST

KISSIMMEE, Fla.  – Inspire Travel, a kinder, gentler online travel company that provides a platform that can be leveraged to support social causes and community organizations, has joined the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in Kissimmee.

Rafael Caamano, site manager for the UCF Business Incubation Program in Kissimmee, said Inspire Travel is a startup company with a conscience and a business model that combines the best features of online booking agencies with group discounting and social media while promoting social entrepreneurship.

Inspire Travel recently had a soft launch of www.InspireTravel.com, its web portal, Caamano said. A more robust version of the dynamic web portal is scheduled for launch next year.

“Inspire Travel is a next-generation travel company that focuses on a whole package of services from airline flights, hotel and resort accommodations and rental cars,  with plans to add dining and entertainment,” Caamano said.

Bill Haberman, founder and chief executive officer of Inspire Travel said he began working on Inspire Travel’s socially-conscious business model while developing a luxury condominium hotel in Celebration, Florida.

“Inspire Travel is a natural evolution of online travel that combines discount travel options with a social media driven marketing strategy,” Haberman said.

“Most importantly, we aim to be practitioners of ‘kinder capitalism’ by leveraging our platform to support the awareness and philanthropic efforts of worthy causes,” he said.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

About Inspire Travel
Inspire Travel is a next-generation web-based travel portal that combines the best practices of the current online booking engines and group buying discounters with personalization, immersive imagery, and a social network and cause marketing strategy.  Through the Inspire Giving initiative, Inspire Travel aims to be a successful practitioner of what has been described as “kinder capitalism”.  While operating as a for-profit enterprise, Inspire Travel’s mission includes the dual purpose of providing a medium through which charitable, educational and other worthy non-profit organizations can raise awareness, generate donations and affect social change.  Please visit www.inspiretravel.com to learn more.

Reliable Systems Solutions, Inc. offers one week intensive course in Feb to prepare for CRE Cert.

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Dec 21, 2011 at 14:38:56 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Reliable Systems Solutions, Inc. will host a one-week intensive course to prepare for the ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) professional certification exam starting Feb. 20 at the University of Central Florida Office of Research and Commercialization on the second floor in the University Towers Bldg. 12201 Research Parkway in east Orlando.

Richard Coronado, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Reliable Systems Solutions, said the 28-hour course will meet from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Mr. Coronado said the course is open to reliability engineers, system safety engineers, quality professionals, technical managers, and project design engineers who plan to qualify for the CRE professional certification by successfully completing the CRE exam, offered twice annually in the spring and fall.

Tuition for the course is $1,295 which includes course materials. The tuition does not include the CRE exam fee, which is collected directly by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Course participants who are currently unemployed will receive a 15 percent discount.

Reliable Systems Solutions is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, located in the Central Florida Research Park in east Orlando.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Offbeat Idea Leads Advanced EMS Designs to New Product, New Company and New Market

by: Larry Vershel

Mon Dec 19, 2011 at 13:51:30 PM EST

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. --- It started with a small idea in the head of a retired firefighter and paramedic Scott Neusch. He thought he perceived a problem that could be a major one for injured patients, and he thought he might be able to create a solution. That’s how a free market works.

Neusch enlisted the University of Miami to help him gauge the problem in empirical terms. Then he set about inventing his solution. That, it turns out, was the easy part.

The problem was backboards — hard plastic shelves molded to accommodate patients with back injuries who need safe, secure transport to hospitals.

Backboards are one of the most common pieces of equipment aboard emergency vehicles. But they’re uncommonly dirty.

“We tested a random sampling of 55 backboards in several parts of the state,” Neusch explained. “What we found was a little scary. Despite careful cleaning after each use — hospital scrubbings — every one of the backboards we tested harbored infectious microbes such as MRSA that posed a danger to the next patient,” he said.

Injuries that require use of a backboard are usually serious.

And Neusch said, they often entail blood, vomit or other bodily fluids.

“If you’re an paramedic, that comes with the territory,” Neusch explained.

But the scratches, gouges and tape residue on typical backboards can harbor all sorts of infectious bacteria, despite careful cleaning. The next patient to use the equipment — and who may have open wounds — could easily pick up the bacterial infection.

Neusch and his colleagues, Joe McCluan , Mark Steinert, and Scott McIntyre contacted the Dept. of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s Tech-solutions Division with an idea.

“Tech-solutions was a great help, Neusch said. The result — Board Armor — is now a fully licensed, commercially available product that will undoubtedly save lives and protect against infections as it takes hold.

Board Armor is a disposable Tyvek sheath that covers the body board before use. After the patient is safely transported, the Board Armor is disposed of sanitarily.

Its use prevents body fluids from contaminating the backboard, prevents any contaminants on the backboard from infecting the patient, and reduces turnaround time so that EMTs and paramedics can get back on the road saving lives faster.

“It’s a simple solution. It won’t make us millionaires anytime soon, but it will help a lot of patients, and that’s what we set out to do,” said Neusch.

Neusch and his colleagues formed Advanced EMS Designs, which markets Board Armor and is developing additional solutions for first responders, from its corporate headquarters at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in Winter Springs, Fla.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Co-founder of Orlando-based Educational Technology Company is featured in new book "CIO's at Work"

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Dec 16, 2011 at 14:12:51 PM EST

ORLANDO, Fla,  --- Dr. Mark Mooney, co-founder of MyEduLife, a local educational technology company, is featured in the new book “CIO’s at Work” by Ed Yourdon.

Yourdon, an internationally recognized computer consultant, interviewed Dr. Mooney as one of the world’s most influential chief information officers.

“CIO’s at Work” is available at most book stores and at Amazon.com.

Dr. Mooney co-founded MyEduLife to provide data governance for educational institutions.

Dr. Mooney’s profile in “CIO’s at Work” details how MyEduLife creates partnerships between technology professionals, college and university business unit leaders and external customers, suppliers and business partners to address data governance problems arising from the emergence of new technology within the college and university environment.

Dr. Mooney also shares his personal insights into the changing role of technology in business, such as his decisions and futuristic approaches to new data sources with the increased use of mobile devices.

“New technology is reshaping the delivery of educational services in the industrialized world and creating tremendous opportunities for educators and students,” Dr. Mooney said.

“The widespread use of mobile devices and new applications promises the potential to provide higher education to greater numbers of students in a more cost-effective mode than the traditional university campus, classroom and lecture halls,” Dr. Mooney said.

Dr. Mooney also said his company recently partnered with Baruch College on an overall data governance initiative.

MyEduLife.com is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program located in the Central Florida Research Park near the UCF campus in east Orange County.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output  and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

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