Industry News

General Dynamics Awarded $59 Million Contract for Submarine Work

The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $58.7 million contract modification for nuclear-submarine modernization and maintenance work. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.

Under the terms of the contract modification, Electric Boat will provide drawings and related data; planning; scheduling; and technical support required to complete engineered overhauls and extended refit periods for operational submarines. Initially awarded in March 2004, the contract could be worth more than $1.1 billion over five years if all options are exercised and funded.

Fifty-nine percent of the work will be performed at Groton; 19 percent at Bangor, Wash.; 16 percent at Kings Bay, Ga.; five percent at Newport, R.I., and one percent at Quonset Point, R.I. Work performed under this modification is expected to be completed by September 2007.

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IBM Launches Development Centers in India and China

At client events held this week, IBM representatives announced the opening of two new development centers located in Beijing, China; and Pune, India. These SOA Solutions Centers will develop, manage and deliver industry-specific business services that solve some of the most pressing business issues facing IBM clients. As a result, these centers will serve as the foundation of a new, globally integrated model for delivering SOA-based services.

Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) allows companies to create new business services easily across their existing IT infrastructure. For example, a new business service can track inventory through the design, manufacturing, supply and payment business processes, all of which were previously disconnected. The new IBM SOA Solutions Centers will take advantage of this fundamental shift in technology which allows companies to manage business processes without worrying about the constraints of technology. The SOA services market is expected to reach $160 billion by 2008.

The SOA Solutions Centers will focus on addressing individual business problems common to given industries. Using IBM's WebSphere Business Services Fabric -- based on technology recently acquired from Webify Solutions -- the Centers will create and manage a portfolio of repeatable, industry-specific services components. The industry-specific tools and models from Webify make it easier to deliver business services more quickly and consistently than previously possible.

The center in Pune will initially develop repeatable business services for the insurance industry, including home and auto rate quoting as well as health care business services, such as claim filing and response. Resources from IBM labs in Hyderabad, India will also support development activity in Pune. The Beijing Center will develop services for governments including financial and case management as well as services for banks including real time, risk-based loan pricing.

Approximately 500 IBM SOA experts will focus on these activities at each center.

IBM has trained more than 90,000 consultants to work with clients on SOA. These consultants help analyze enterprise operations using unique tools and techniques, such as Component Business Modeling, IBM Service Oriented Modeling and Architecture, the IBM Service Integration Maturity Model, The IBM SOA Assessment Service, and the IBM SOA Business Value Analyzer. This analysis helps companies understand how to leverage SOA and the industry-specific assets developed by the new SOA Solutions Centers.

The new SOA Solutions Centers are integrated with the IBM Global Business Solutions Center, located in Bangalore, India, which combines IBM strengths in business consulting, research, software, systems, engineering, and emerging technologies to create business solutions in more than 50 key business areas such as Consumer Driven Supply Chain Optimization, Banking Risk and Compliance and Retail Merchandising. These business solutions will be fully SOA-enabled at the new SOA Solutions Centers, and delivered consistently worldwide though IBM's global network of services delivery centers in more than 20 countries.

SOA Client Successes

A recent study by the IBM Institute for Business Value entitled, "The Business Value of Service-Oriented Architecture," found that 97 percent of clients justified SOA projects based on cost savings and impact to profitability. After completing initial projects 51 percent of clients saw revenue growth as a direct result of SOA.

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Boeing Names Anthony R. Jones Vice President of Training Systems and Services

The Boeing Company has named Anthony R. "Tony" Jones vice president of Training Systems and Services, a division of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' Support Systems business.

Based in St. Louis, Jones reports to Support Systems President Pat Finneran. Jones' responsibilities include leadership, growth and execution of Boeing military training programs, including fixed-wing and rotorcraft trainers and systems, mission planning services, training support and instructional training systems.

Jones joins Boeing after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant General. He most recently served as deputy commanding general and chief of staff for the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Va., since 2003. There he was a critical senior leader in ensuring the Army's success in accessing and training soldiers, developing future leaders at all echelons and developing capabilities for the future force. Prior to that, he was chief of staff at Headquarters, U.S. Army, Europe and Seventh Army since 2001, and commandant of the Army Aviation Warfighting Center from 1998 to 2001.

Jones was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry and a Distinguished Military Graduate from the ROTC program at Indiana University in 1970. He also holds a master's degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advance Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

Training Systems and Services provides a full range of military and government training and mission planning system solutions for domestic and international customers. The organization consists of more than 2,400 employees, has operations at six major sites and provides training support at numerous sites located throughout the world.

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Toshiba Names Robert Micer Director of X-Ray/Vascular Business Unit

Further strengthening an already robust strategic and operational team, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. representatives announced that Robert Micer has been named director, X-Ray/Vascular Business Unit.

In this new role, Micer will be responsible for implementing tactical and strategic marketing plans for a business segment that helps to drive overall growth and profitability for the company. This key Toshiba leadership position is responsible for interfacing with Toshiba's global business unit in Japan to effectively communicate the needs and requirements of the U.S. markets.

Prior to this appointment, Micer served as Toshiba's senior manager, global research and marketing. In that role, he worked closely with Toshiba's clinical research partners and engineering teams to develop new products that continue to meet customers' evolving needs.

Micer has more than 20 years of clinical and business experience in the U.S. and Europe. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and received his master's degree in sales and marketing from Canterbury Christchurch College in the United Kingdom.

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Edith Cowan University Selects Nortel Data Network

Edith Cowan University in Perth has chosen Nortel as its preferred supplier for a next-generation data network to support its academic program over the next five years.

Thenew network, estimated to be valued at over AU$5 million (US$3.87 million), is replacing the existing data network with the aim of delivering a high performance, secure network environment for more than 2,500 staff and 22,500 students. It will also connect 4,000 personal computers, 600 Apple Macs, 120 servers and hundreds of devices such as scanners and printers.

The network will complement ECU's uniqueWireless Mesh network, also from Nortel, which in 2004 was Australia's first wide-area WiFi network, and one of the only networks of its kind in the world. The University has been using Nortel'sWLANand Wireless Mesh formobilecommunications.

Initial installation plans, commencing in November, include network equipment for the University's new Joondalup Campus library building, improvements to the wide-area network in the main Perth campus and upgraded firewall and security capability.

In addition to its technical benefits, ECU will also benefit through the Nortel Development Fund (NDF), established in 2004 to provide funding for academic, research and industry projects of common interest to ECU and Nortel. As a preferred technology partner, Nortel donates a percentage of every dollar invested by ECU to the NDF.

The 10 Gigabit network usesNortel Ethernet Routing Switch(ERS) 8600s at the core with 10 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit links toNortel ERS 5500sat the edge. ECU will ultimately adopt 1 Gigabit links to the desktop with new and enhanced security and network access mechanisms using Nortel'sSecure Network Access Switch,Switched Firewalland SSL switches. Servers will be load-balanced across the main campuses using NortelApplication Switches, with remote access via NortelVPN Routers. Nortel'sEnterprise Network Management Systemwill manage integration with the wireless and wireless mesh networks.

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Lockheed Martin Team to Support Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission

A team led by Lockheed Martin Corporation will provide support to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the planning, training and implementation of Servicing Mission 4 (SM-4) to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), scheduled for 2008.

The SM-4 mission will involve five spacewalks by the astronaut crew of the space shuttle Discovery. Maintenance tasks will include replacement of all of Hubble's batteries and gyros, installation of a refurbished Fine Guidance Sensor, and the mounting of three insulation outer blankets on the outside of the telescope.

Two new instruments – the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and the Wide Field Camera 3 – will be installed, significantly expanding Hubble's astronomical observing capability. The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph will also be returned to operation via the installation of a new circuit board. Finally, a soft-capture mechanism will be attached to the aft bulkhead of HST to facilitate de-orbit and safe re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere when the telescope reaches the end of its scientific usefulness.

The Lockheed Martin team includes individuals from Lockheed Martin Space Systems; Lockheed Martin Technical Operations; Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems & Solutions; Jackson and Tull; Orbital Sciences Corporation; Raytheon Optical Systems Inc.; Allied-Signal; Honeywell; Raytheon STX; and Computer Sciences Corporation. The team is responsible for:

• Spacecraft Systems Engineering and Design Integration
• Payload Integration and Test at GSFC and Kennedy Space Center
• Astronaut Training Support
• Replacement Satellite Hardware Design and Development
• Space Shuttle Support Equipment Design and Development
• Spacecraft Mission Operations and Control
• Ground Software
• Spacecraft Flight Software
• Servicing Mission Planning and Timeline Development.

The Hubble telescope, designed and built at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, Calif., was launched in 1990 and has revolutionized astronomy with its thousands of discoveries, while opening up the universe to the public through its beautiful and inspiring pictures. During its 16 years in orbit, HST has taken more than 700,000 snapshots of celestial objects – such as galaxies, dying stars, and giant gas clouds, the birthplace of stars – that have generated over 3,500 technical publications reporting Hubble results.

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. manages the HST program for the Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters. Since the 1990 launch, under contract to NASA, Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Lockheed Martin Technical Operations personnel in Sunnyvale, Calif. and at GSFC have helped manage the day-to-day spacecraft operations of the telescope, and provided extensive preparation and training for the telescope servicing missions. The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Md. selects observing programs from numerous proposals; and analyzes, archives and disseminates incoming astronomical data.

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Dell Launches Recycling Services For China Customers

Dell will begin providing recycling services to business customers in mainland China and Hong Kong immediately, the company's CEO Kevin Rollins announced here today. The company will provide consumers no-charge recycling by the end of November.

Dell's Asset Recovery Service assists business and institutional customers by removing and refurbishing or recycling old hardware consistent with environmental guidelines. Customers can take advantage of two programs:

1. Value Recovery Services: Dell will arrange the packing, shipping and testing of surplus computer equipment for an organization. If it meets functional and cosmetic requirements, it is resold with value from the sale returned to the customer.
2. Recycling Services: Dell will dispose of equipment that has no resale value by collecting and delivering it to Dell's recycling partners. The equipment is responsibly recycled according to Dell standards.

By November, Dell will offer a recycling service designed for consumers that provides recycling of used Dell-branded computers and peripheral equipment at no-charge. The service is not tied to a replacement purchase. Launching consumer recycling in China is an important part of Dell's global recycling commitment announced in June.

Dell recently issued a new chemical-use policy outlining the company's precautionary approach to identify and eliminate substances of concern from its products. The policy includes a commitment to phase out the use of all brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in products by 2009. To demonstrate this commitment, Dell has established an industry working group through the International Electronic Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) to identify safe, reliable substitutes for the use of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A) in printed circuit boards.

Dell is currently meeting the requirements of the European Union's Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive for products sold in the EU and will implement these requirements on its global product lines.

In a related move, Dell announced a product energy-efficiency strategy last month with a goal to provide the most energy-efficient products in the IT industry. Dell also provides customers an energy resource guide at www.dell.com/energy. It helps customers learn about the energy-efficient features of several Dell products and estimate potential cost savings and emissions avoidance resulting from using Dell's newest products.