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One of Canada’s leading Web conferences, mesh, has come west by way of a one-day event in Calgary on June 8 at the MacEwan Conference & Event Centre at the University of Calgary. Tickets are $ 279.00 each and can be purchased online.

Like mesh, meshwest will focus on providing insight and stimulating conversations around four streams – media, society, marketing and business. Led by opinion leaders and entrepreneurs, meshwest will provide the opportunity to have thought-provoking and engaging conversations in which the attendees are involved as much as the speakers.

“We think Calgary is a great place to launch meshwest,” said Mark Evans, co-founder of the mesh conference. “There’s a growing start-up and high-tech community, and there are many large companies exploring the use of social media as a new way to communicate, market and sell.”

From Canada’s leading digital marketers to local social media strategists, meshwest will provide an emphasis on exploring what’s over the horizon in the digital world.

Speakers to include:

Tobias Lütke – CEO of Shopify
Stuart MacDonald – One of Canada’ leading digital marketers
Doug Lacombe – Canada’s Internet publishing pioneer
Greg Hounslow – Emerging Media Advisor for WestJet
Mark Evans – mesh Co-founder and former technology reporter with the National Post and Globe & Mail
Leigh Himel – Owner of Toronto-based, Gravity Ltd., a ‘Social Enterprise Design’ firm
Sarah Dickinson – SVP, Strategy at Blast Radius
Tony Rino – Web & Social Media Advisor, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

meshwest sponsors include CIRA, Yahoo! Canada, CNW and Hill & Knowlton Calgary.

Zevrix Solutions has announced Deliver 2.3.4, a feature update to its file delivery solution for remote and local destinations. Deliver lets users send files over Internet and local networks with variable e-mail notifications, automatic compression, encryption and other powerful capabilities. It supports FTP, Amazon S3, MobileMe and other remote and local services, and lets users send files to multiple destinations at once.

Deliver 2.3.4 can be purchased from Zevrix website for US$19.95 (free with purchase of BatchOutput for InDesign). The update is free for licensed users of Deliver, and a free trial is also available for download. Deliver is a Universal Binary and available for Mac OS X 10.5-10.6.

The new version lets users view destination passwords in clear text making it much easier for administrators to manage, store and retrieve passwords. Users have an option to view current password only, or to keep passwords in clear text as they switch between destinations. This feature is available through admin authentication only. Deliver also lets users automatically send output files and collected jobs from Adobe InDesign through seamless integration with Zevrix plug-ins BatchOutput and InPreflight.

Deliver quickly gains popularity as file delivery tool of choice at ad agencies, printers, audio recording studios, video producers and other facilities. Users only need to drop files onto the program icon, or select them from the system list, and the items will be delivered automatically to the desired destinations. The program will send automatic email notifications upon delivery, eliminating the need to babysit the files in order to notify the recipients. Files can be instantly downloaded from links included in the email. In addition, Deliver automates such repetitive tasks as file compression and encryption, and offers a detailed history of all deliveries.

Business management software developer Pronto Software today introduced the new PRONTO-Xi Dimensions, an innovative product that brings together ERP transactions and BI Analytics in a unified, out-of-the-box solution.

Launched at Pronto Software’s customer conference in Toronto, PRONTO-Xi Dimensions is the ‘next generation’ smart ERP solution that will transform the way businesses work and receive information. Quick to implement and easy to use, the new release responds to key market needs including instant insight into business performance for faster, smarter decision making for all employees.

Embedding the powerful IBM Cognos BI suite, PRONTO-Xi Dimensions enables mid-market businesses to manage large volumes of data and access real time analytics to understand key business drivers and influence business outcomes.

“We’re pleased to be working with Pronto Software to unveil the PRONTO-Xi Dimensions release to the North American market,” said Kevin Schell, General Manager, PSA Inc. “The business insight that PRONTO-Xi Dimensions provides will allow our customers to accelerate in their industries through unmatched Cognos 10 reporting and embedded Business Intelligence.”

“There is no ERP package more comprehensive in the market that can handle the industry demands of manufacturing, distribution, field service and retail, and with the addition of Cognos 10, PRONTO-Xi Dimensions is certain to hit the market running,” Schell added.

“When planning for this release more than 18 months ago, we envisioned a product that’s not just a logical extension of the success we’ve built so far, but a game-changing solution that will make our ERP engine smarter and create greater access to knowledge, to enable customers to innovate and differentiate,” said Pronto Software Managing Director David Jackman. Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released statistical and financial information on Canadian television showing increased profits for all services for the broadcast year ending August 31, 2010.  The data includes information from conventional television stations and specialty, pay and pay-per-view television services, as well as video-on-demand services (pay and specialty services).

Conventional Television – Statistical and Financial Summaries 2006-2010
Pay Television, Pay-Per-View, Video-On-Demand and Specialty Services – Statistical and Financial Summaries 2006-2010

Revenues for private conventional television grew by 9% from $1.97 billion in 2009 to approximately $2.15 billion in 2010. Expenses during the same period increased by 1.7% from $2.01 billion in 2009 to $2.05 billion in 2010.  As a result, profits before interest and taxes (PBIT) improved significantly from a deficit of $116.6 million in 2009 to a profit of $11.5 million in 2010 for a PBIT margin of 0.5%.

Revenues for pay and specialty services grew by 11.1 % from $3.11 billion in 2009 to approximately $3.46 billion in 2010.  Expenses during the same period were 8.1% higher, going from $2.31 billion to $2.49 billion.  Therefore, PBIT for pay and specialty services improved from $728.6 million in 2009 to $877.3 million in 2010 for a PBIT margin of 25.4%.

The total revenues of $2.15 billion for private conventional television were generated from the following sources:

• $350 million in local advertising,
• $1.6 billion from national advertising,
• $65.9 million from the Local Programming Improvement Fund, and
• $117.9 million from other sources.

The total revenues of $3.5 billion for pay and specialty services were generated from the following sources:

• $1.58 billion from cable television subscribers
• $668 million from direct-to-home satellite subscribers
• $1.09 billion from national advertising
• $19.6 million from local advertising, and
• $99.9 million from other sources.

After stagnating in 2009, investment in Canadian programming increased by 12.6% for private conventional television and 8.8% for pay and specialty services.

Private conventional television spending on Canadian programming totalled $696.3 million, including $304.6 million on news programs, $50.9 million on documentaries and other information programs, $141 million on sports programming, $85.5 million on drama and $21.7 million on musical and variety shows.

Pay and specialty services spending on Canadian programming totalled $1.12 billion, including $179.6 million on news programs, $258.4 million on documentaries and other information programs, $353.2 million on sports programming, $143.6 million on drama, and $42.4 million on musical and variety shows.

In 2010, these sectors of the broadcasting industry employed 11,761 people and paid a total of $925.3 million in salaries. Private conventional television experienced a workforce decrease of 6.3% in 2010, while the pay and specialty services workforce remained relatively stable. Read the rest of this entry »

The Insurance Corporation of BC has launched an app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, that lets new drivers practice the driving knowledge test before taking the real test. The ICBC licensing mobile practice knowledge test can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and also includes the complete Learn to Drive Smart guide, all driver licensing locations, and selected videos that are aimed at helping new drivers prepare for their test and be safe on our roads.

“Our customers have told us that they want more options from us that better connect with their lifestyle,” said Fred Hess, ICBC’s vice president of driver licensing. “Getting your first licence is an exciting time but it can also be an intimidating process. We believe this app will make it easier to practice, which we hope calms nerves and helps new drivers focus on learning to make smart driving decisions.”

The practice knowledge test app randomly generates 25 questions to replicate the real test, including how to successfully make a right-turn, drive in school zones, watch out for vulnerable road users and handle a vehicle that skids and loses control. Customers who score 100 per cent on a practice test are rewarded by unlocking bonus video content.

The app also includes a series of videos that help new drivers develop their skills on the road, including tips on passing the road test, how to adjust your speed relative to conditions and intersection safety. The app also identifies the driver licensing centre locations nearest to the customer, shows them how to get there, hours of operation and contact number.

“Our online practice knowledge test has proved extremely popular in improving our customer experience for new drivers and this app will offer another easy and convenient choice for them,” said ICBC’s chief customer and marketing officer, Jeff Schulz. “They can even share their practice test results with friends via Facebook, Twitter or email.”

The BC Technology Industry Association has announced that Bill Tam has been appointed as the new President and CEO, effective July 1, 2011. Bill will take over from outgoing President and CEO, Pascal Spothelfer, who will be returning to industry.

Bill’s career has taken him across Canada and into the United States, serving as CEO of EQO Communications in Vancouver, a Venture Partner at SpringBank TechVentures in Calgary, VP Business Development at AT&T Canada, VP of Product Strategy and Marketing at MetroNet, in addition to executive roles at Rogers Telecom in Toronto and Bell Canada in Toronto and Denver, Colorado. Over the past several years, Mr. Tam has been actively involved in growth initiatives with a successful history of building and launching new businesses in the software, e-commerce, Internet, and telecommunications sectors.

Bill joined the BCTIA Centre4Growth as one of the first CEOs-in-Residence and for the past ten months has been a committed member of the team. Bill currently coaches over 40 tech entrepreneurs, and is a key contributor to the success of the Centre4Growth program.

“The BCTIA Board of Directors is very pleased to appoint Bill Tam to lead our organization. Bill is a seasoned technology executive who possesses the management experience, strategic thinking, and drive to leverage the good work that has been accomplished at the BCTIA over the past years.” said Paul Gorton, Chair of the BCTIA Board of Directors.

“As both a corporate executive and a tech company founder, Bill understands the challenges that technology companies of all sizes face every day. This will allow him to be a very strong advocate for our industry, and an effective builder of a stronger, more cohesive technology community in British Columbia. His current contributions through Centre4Growth reflect his recognition that building industry capacity is critical to our success,” added Gorton. Read the rest of this entry »

St. John’s eLearning developer Bluedrop has been awarded the contract to provide the Hercules Observer Trainer (HOT) to the Australian Department of Defence. This project will see Bluedrop and its partners build and deliver the Hercules Observer Trainer (HOT) training device for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) by the end of June 2011. The contract is worth approximately $1M CAD. The HOT will help the loadmaster aboard the Hercules to learn how to better spot and deal with Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) and Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) threats as the Hercules is operating in hostile territory. The system has been successfully used for since 2008 at CFB Trenton by 426 Transport Training Squadron. This contract is being completed in partnership with Gladstone Systems Solutions (GSS), also based in St. John’s.

The HOT system is based on DRDC’s VirtualScan technology. It is comprised of a Trainee Station; an Instructor Operating Station (IOS); and a synthetic environment that includes a visual database and a threat generator. Hercules fleets experience ground threats to aircraft from Surface-to-Air Missiles and anti-aircraft fire. Although the aircraft are fitted with defence systems, these are dependent on sufficient early warning of the threat for the defence systems to be deployed in time to be effective during flights. Non-flying aircrew, such as loadmasters and flight engineers, provide early warning while observing the ground from side observation windows.

A HOT simulation system maximizes the ability of aircraft crew members to provide timely warning of external threats to the aircraft captain, thus enhancing the aircraft’s survivability in a hostile environment. The system is so intuitive and effective that in a recent study, trainee loadmasters were at the same level of effectiveness at threat detection within two lesson plans, as that found with experienced loadmasters with significant experience.

Before the HOT, the training was provided in a live environment and the threat reporting was practised during live flight under the supervision of an experienced loadmaster against imaginary threats. This was a very expensive and inefficient way of conducting that training. The HOT provides a cost-effective way to provide real-time training that is easily re-deployable to meet training needs in a variety of locations.

“The HOT will help Hercules aircrews better detect and respond to any threats to the aircraft from the ground. We are confident that DRDC’s VirtualScan technology will hold great promise for efficiently and inexpensively addressing threat avoidance training as well as for Search and Rescue training,” said Emad Rizkalla, Bluedrop President and CEO. “We are pleased to be expanding our focus to Australia and are already engaging with several potential global clients in the Hercules and Search and Rescue community.”

TransGaming Inc. is proud to announce the celebrity judging panel for the $50,000 GameTree TV Developer Competition. The panel will consist of actor, director, producer and writer LeVar Burton, president of development at Jerry Bruckheimer Games Inc., Jay Cohen, and Lorne Lanning, cofounder of Oddmobb, Inc. TransGaming will announce the winner of the competition at Casual Connect, the world’s premier casual games conference, taking place July 19-21, 2011 in Seattle, WA.

The GameTree TV Developer competition gives independent game developers the chance to win more than $50,000 in cash prizes by bringing their games to GameTree TV, the premier on-demand gaming platform for Smart TV. Finalists will have their game featured on GameTree TV, putting them in front of millions of consumers around the world as the adoption of Smart TV continues to grow.

“LeVar, Jay and Lorne bring a unique combination of experience and influence that makes them ideally suited to discover the next generation of games that will transform the connected living room. The submissions we’ve seen thus far demonstrate the incredible talent of pioneering developers from around the world,” said Vikas Gupta, CEO and President of TransGaming Inc. “GameTree TV is shaping the future of Smart TV, and we are thrilled to have some of the industry’s most innovative creators and respected personalities involved in this competition.”

GameTree TV is commercially available on next-generation set-top boxes and connected consumer electronic (CE) devices. Developers can find more information and submit their games at online until 11:59pm ET on June 15th 2011.

Annex Pro invites anyone running Pro Tools 8 and earlier versions, on Apple G4, G5, first-gen Mac Pro, iMac or  Windows PC to come in for a hands-on Native Performance test drive with the new Avid Pro Tools|HD Native. Experience for yourself the new high-performance, low-latency, PCIe-based I/O of Avid Pro Tools|HD Native, running on the New 8 and 12 core Apple Mac Pro
Pro Tools is now faster and more affordable, using host-based processing of new Apple multicore Mac Pro computers.  Bench-mark tests show that Pro Tools|HD Native analog to analog throughput latency is far lower than competing FireWire, USB 2.0 and other PCIe interfaces, with the added benefits of:

Microsoft Canada and the University of Toronto are pleased to announce that UofT is the latest higher education institution to deliver Microsoft’s Live@edu e-mail and document management service. This joint initiative enables UofT’s 77,000 students to join a rapidly growing community of 11 million peers in more than 10,000 schools worldwide who are benefiting from the power of Live@edu.

This cloud-based collaboration suite will help the University reduce costs, improve communication and collaboration between students, and equip them with the tools they need for their academic career.

“Live@EDU is an outstanding addition to UofT’s robust student support services,” says Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost for the University of Toronto.  “Our students are very much looking forward to having this powerful tool to help them get the most out of their university experience.”

Outside of the classroom, Canadians are increasingly using collaboration software and services and now expect these same capabilities in their learning experience. Extensive consultation with students led by the University’s Chief Information Officer, Robert Cook, showed that students wanted more comprehensive tools to complement their academic involvement.

The platform provides the flexibility of Office Web Apps that include web-optimized versions of Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint – essential tools now accessible to UofT students anywhere, anytime, via any popular web browser or mobile device. Live@edu also includes Outlook for e-mail plus a 10 GB inbox, and enables powerful document sharing and collaboration with 25GB of password-protected online storage.

“Now more than ever, universities such as the University of Toronto require security-enhanced cloud services to deliver the flexibility and functionality that students need to succeed in their studies and in their future careers,” says Mike Tremblay, Vice President, Public Sector, Microsoft Canada. “Live@edu is arming University of Toronto students with tools that drive success in the classroom, and eventually the boardroom.”

The University of Toronto joins more than 10,000 schools in more than 130 countries around the world that have chosen Live@edu as a platform for student communication and collaboration. Live@edu innovations include great tools such as:

• Communication Services: Free, hosted email and calendaring with a 10 GB inbox and instant messaging through Outlook Live
• Collaboration Services: Ability to access, share and collaborate through SkyDrive, with 25 GB of free online storage space
• Productivity Services: Create, view, edit, and share Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote files online with SkyDrive