NEWS IN BRIEF
For the record 18 October
18-10-2007
by Charlie Taylor
Investing in scientific research a 'golden opportunity': SFI | Citrix posts record third quarter results
Xerox researchers have developed new technology that partially encrypts confidential information from documents so as to safeguard data from prying eyes. Only sensitive sections of paragraphs are edited using the software so that the document will appear differently depending on whether the reader has full access to company data. Once information has been classified as confidential, the same information will be automatically encrypted should it appear in other documents.
Guests at a business lunch hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce on Thursday were told that investing in scientific research provides a golden opportunity to put in place a lasting foundation for future economic growth. Professor Frank Gannon, director general, Science Foundation Ireland, said that intense competition from emerging economies means that new areas of innovation need to be explored. Prof Gannon also said there was a need to focus on a supportive financial structure addressing the tax regime, R&D credits, state aids, R&D framework and procurement.
BiancaMed has been awarded funding of STG250,000 from Invest NI to help it establish a new research and development centre at the Queen's University, Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT). As well as receiving assistance through Invest NI's Compete programme, which supports the commercialisation of research, BiancaMed has secured EUR2.5 million venture capital support for the project, from Draper Fisher Jurvetson ePlanet Ventures and ResMed. BiancaMed's core product is a unique wireless sensor that can detect breathing and heart rate up to a distance of two metres. The technology will be launched at the 2007 Connected Health Symposium, a major US international life sciences event being held next week.
US software giant Citrix has recorded revenue of USD350 million for the third quarter, up 26 percent versus the EUR278 million for the same three-month period last year. Net income for the quarter was USD61 million, or USD0.33 per diluted share, compared to USD44 million, or USD0.23 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2006. The firm said that product license revenue increased 24 percent while revenue from license updates grew 21 percent. Online services contributed USD56 million of revenue, up 43 percent compared to the third quarter of 2006.
Complete Telecom has made two new appointments. Martin O'Riordan has become the firm's chief strategy officer with responsibility for business/channel development, business and technical strategy, process development and strategic sales support. O'Riordan has more than 20 years of experience in the tech sector having previously worked for EMC, Microsoft and Apple. Fintan Keeling has been appointed as customer solutions architect. Keeling previously worked for seven years as a senior network engineer with Meteor Mobile Communications. Prior to this, he held the position of IT infrastructure manager with Ocean Communications.
Onlinetradesmen.com, a network of accredited trade and construction professionals in Ireland, has processed over EUR1 billion worth of property projects through its online service. More than 80,000 Irish property owners have sourced trade professionals via the website. Onlinetradesmen.com recently extended its service by providing members with a suite of business apps and networking tools.
Creating successful email surveys: Denise Cox of email specialist Newsweaver argues that you can tap into your readers' likes or dislikes by surveying them.
