New ICONICS OPC-UA Server Library Released

Today, ICONICS, a 2008 Microsoft Gold Certified Partner of the Year and provider of Web-enabled, OPC-based, HMI/SCADA Visualization and Manufacturing Intelligence software for Microsoft Windows� operating systems, announced the release of ICONICS OPC-UA Server Library. This release signifies the largest and most comprehensive inventory of OPC-UA and OPC-DA Servers.

The product CD contains over 100 Standard and Premium versions of ICONICS OPC-UA Server as well as KepWare Ex OPC-DA Servers. The new ICONICS OPC-UA Server supports both OPC-UA and OPC-DA connectivity for any application. The Standard and Premium Edition Servers have their own unique set of drivers. ICONICS OPC-UA Server can be installed and licensed as a stand-alone product or with ICONICS GENESIS32 V9 or GENESIS64 V10.

“ICONICS continues to push OPC technology, including OPC Unified Architecture (OPC-UA) for every day use in industrial automation applications,” said Russ Agrusa, President and CEO of ICONICS, Inc. “Our new ICONICS OPC-UA Server Library will allow developers and customers to benefit from increased connectivity options from the equipment level to high level analysis throughout the enterprise.”

OPC-UA is intended to expand the framework for moving information between applications in the enterprise space by taking the existing OPC specifications and integrating them all together, leveraging Web Services as the key technology enabler in the new architecture for deploying applications such as asset management and true resource modeling that can utilize the OPC-UA specifications to move data and information.

“The introduction of ICONICS OPC-UA Server Library is yet another step in the evolution of OPC technology,” said Tom Burke, President and Executive Director of The OPC Foundation. “Products such as these by ICONICS further expand the reach of OPC Server technology that is becoming increasingly common in today’s industries utilizing process control and automation.”

ICONICS is pleased to offer the world’s first total end-to-end OPC-UA solution and the most comprehensive list of OPC-UA Servers. The “ICONICS OPC-UA Server by Kepware” integrates HMI/SCADA and visualization with a rich library of device connectivity from Kepware. This OPC-UA, 64-bit solution handles several different I/O devices and is certified for Microsoft Windows Vista™ and Windows Server 2008. The solution is truly OPC-UA-To-The-Core™ and uses Web Services technology, making it simple to integrate plant floor visualization with Manufacturing Intelligence and Enterprise solutions.

“Manufacturers are increasing their agility by accessing and visualizing real-time information and applying it to speed up and improve operations integrating business, manufacturing, and production,” said Craig Resnick, Research Director, at ARC Advisory Group. “This is a primary driver behind the traction being gained by OPC-UA with manufacturers, processors, and OEMs. ICONICS’ incorporation of the OPC-UA specification in its latest products, along with their partnership with Kepware for device connectivity, will help their customers to better focus on continuous performance and agility improvement, visualization and control of production equipment, and deployment of digitized manufacturing operations, all while providing a more unified and standardized plant IT infrastructure.”

ICONICS solutions are widely recognized in the industrial automation software marketplace. ICONICS’ GENESIS64, GENESIS32 and BizViz products are recognized for their graphical capabilities and seamless integration with Microsoft operating systems and applications, bridging information from “the shop floor to the top floor.” ICONICS has provided award-winning industrial automation and Manufacturing Intelligence software for over 22 years, successfully deploying more than 225,000 solutions worldwide.

ICONICS Releases Upgrades for GENESIS32 V9, V8 Customers

Today, ICONICS, a 2008 Microsoft Gold Certified Partner of the Year and provider of Web-enabled, OPC-based, HMI/SCADA Visualization and Manufacturing Intelligence software for Microsoft Windows® operating systems, announced the release of GENESIS32™ V9.13, as well as GENESIS32 V8.05 and the V8 Service Pack 3.

ICONICS’ new GENESIS32 V9.13 HMI/SCADA visualization product includes both a full installation of v9.13 and the ability to upgrade an earlier v9.x version to v9.13. GENESIS32 V9.13 is now available as an English release as well as an international release. V9.13 provides licensing support for the new ICONICS OPC-UA server and also addresses issues that were open in the V9.12 release.

In addition, GENESIS32 V9.13 now includes the ScheduleWorX™32 calendar-based scheduling tool that can be used in many different applications including discrete, process (batch) and building automation. V9.13 also features additional operating system compatibility, now integrating with Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 for x64 (runs in 32-bit compatibility mode). Additional enhancements have been made to GENESIS32’s AlarmWorX™32, DataWorX™32, TrendWorX™32 and WebHMI™ components.

ICONICS’ GENESIS32 V8.05 and GENESIS32 V8 Service Pack 3 product CD includes both a full Installation for V8.05 and a Service Pack to upgrade an existing V8.0x system to v8.05. This version provides new features including support for SafeNet Hardware Licensing Keys, TrendWorX32 support for SQL Server 2005 databases and additional customer requested improvements.

“We pay close attention to our installed base,” said Dave Oravetz, Vice President of Engineering at ICONICS. “The GENESIS32 V9.13 and V8.05 releases demonstrate ICONICS’ commitment to our existing customers who utilize prior versions of our software. As the Windows operating systems and databases evolve, our software engineers work to ensure that ICONICS products are fully compatible. While doing so, new important product features are often added so that all customers can benefit from them as soon as possible. This will continue while customers make the transition from these 32-bit solutions to ICONICS’ newer 64-bit-based software, such as GENESIS64™.”

“Manufacturers, processors and OEMs seek solutions that protect their automation investments by selecting software whose life cycle can be extended and optimized to state-of-the-art without having to remove and replace the entire existing system,” said Craig Resnick, Research Director at ARC Advisory Group. “This is especially true for HMI software users who cannot leverage the newest capabilities of their operator interface hardware, as well as enable connectivity to production management functions, without installing a completely new system. ICONICS appears to be addressing this concern with this upgrade and service pack, which should enable their customers to leverage the benefits of enterprise interoperability as well as the latest in visualization technology.”

ICONICS solutions are widely recognized in the industrial automation software marketplace. Used in a wide variety of applications worldwide (including Automotive, Building Management, Food & Beverage, Oil/Gas/Petrochemical, Machine Builders, Pharmaceutical/Biotech, Security, Water/Wastewater, Utilities, Government Infrastructures and more), ICONICS’ GENESIS64, GENESIS32 and BizViz products are recognized for their graphical capabilities and seamless integration with Microsoft operating systems and applications, bridging information from “the shop floor to the top floor.” ICONICS has provided award-winning industrial automation and Manufacturing Intelligence software for over 22 years, successfully deploying more than 225,000 solutions worldwide.

Vantec Introduces Newly Designed AeroFlow FX CPU Coolers with HDT Technology

Vantec Thermal Technologies, a worldwide leader specializing in computer accessories introduces two new high performance CPU coolers to their lineup— the AeroFlow FX 92 and the AeroFlow FX 120. The AeroFlow FX series is designed for optimum thermal cooling and efficiency by combining an ultra-thin lightweight heatsink, a large PWM performance fan, andthe heat-pipe direct touch (HDT) design.

AeroFlow FX utilizes the latest HDT technology to ensure the cooling of today’s most powerful processors. By keeping a direct contact between the processor and three 8mm copper heat-pipes, this minimizes thermal resistance and allows an increased rate of heat transfer. Adopting the tower heatsink design, thecooler also helps maximize surface exposure and allows the fan to easily dissipate the accumulated heat. Both the AeroFlow FX 92 and FX 120 PWM fans are secured onto the heat sink with vibration dampeners combining high performance with silent cooling.

In addition to the polished chrome finish and the large white fans at 92mm and 120mm, the AeroFlow FX series provides excellent compatibility with its 3-in-1 mounting brackets. The coolers are compatible with the AMD AM2/754/939/940 and the Intel 775/478 sockets.

Designed for optimum cooling at an affordable price, the AeroFlow FX series are now available at retailers and the MSRP for the FX 92 and FX 120 are $41.99 and $43.99 respectively. For additional product information and full technical specifications, please visit http://www.vantecusa.com.

About Vantec:
Founded in 1994, Vantec is a leading brand of computer accessories that provides a complete line of Storage, Thermal, and Mobile solutions. Vantec is devoted to every computer user from mainstream to enthusiast. Vantec’s goal is to provide a complete and affordable way for computing needs of all kinds. For more information, visit http://www.vantecusa.com.

GRASPR APPOINTS FORMER YAHOO! VP AND SIDESTEP SVP

Today Graspr, the instructional video network, announced that they have appointed John Robison as CTO. Robison is an Internet veteran with extensive leadership experience, having been responsible for technology, product direction, and strategic roadmaps for both Yahoo! and Sidestep. Reporting directly to Graspr’s founder and CEO Teresa Phillips, Robison will lead the technical and development teams based in both Mountain View and Mumbai, India.

“John has a proven track record of scaling technology to support and attract hundreds of millions of users and revenue dollars worldwide. His experience will be invaluable in taking Graspr to the next level,” said Teresa Phillips, CEO.

Immediately prior to joining Graspr, Robison was senior vice president, technology and product development at Sidestep, which was acquired by Kayak. Reporting directly to Sidestep’s CEO, Robison was one of the key executives who drove the company’s technology and development efforts leading to the company’s consistent profitability, which was fueled by 50% year-on-year growth with more than $35 million in revenues and more than 10 million users.

Robison joined Sidestep from Yahoo!, where he spent almost 10 years heading up technology and infrastructure for some of the company’s most important divisions. As vice president of premium services and infrastructure, he was responsible for building and leading both the technology and business infrastructure to support more than $500 million in revenues from premium services. Robison oversaw product management, software development, quality assurance, business operations, and business development, managing both on-shore and offshore resources and a budget that exceeded $10 million. He also previously provided leadership and direction with an engineering focus across strategic infrastructure and network areas including: Membership, Personalization, Premium Services, Client Applications, and Application Security.

“I’m delighted to be a part of Graspr’s vision of empowering people to share their knowledge online and monetize through the syndication of their videos,” commented Robison. “My experience combines well with Teresa’s leadership and organizational qualities and will enable Graspr to shape the fast-growing online video market.”

Robison holds both a Master of Science degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science.

About Graspr
With over 20,000 high-quality videos from producers and experts across major lifestyle markets, Graspr is the world’s leading instructional video network. Graspr is the only site where learners, users, and creators of videos can edit, watch, collaborate on, and syndicate to make money from instructional videos.
Launched in September 2007 by Teresa Phillips, a former executive at both Yahoo and Time Warner, Graspr raised $2.5 million in Series A funding from Draper Fisher Jurvetson and angel investors. Graspr is a privately-held company based in Mountain View, California and can be found at: http://www.graspr.com.

Boots.com Reveals New Look

Boots.com the UKs biggest health & beauty online retailer has revealed a whole new look and feel for the site.

Body:
Boots.com, UK health and beauty website and the online presence of Boots UK, has undergone a complete revamp. The new site is being launched to users with Boots.com’s biggest ever Beauty Event.

The new look site for Boots boasts a host of new features and functionalities to improve the customer’s shopping experience. These include improved navigation and one page checkout, as well as a ‘wish list’ facility and product ratings and reviews.

Tim Stacey, Director of Boots.com, explained, “Boots.com was initially launched more than six years ago. In this time, e-commerce has grown beyond all expectations and technology has come on at pace. In addition, our customers have told us that they would like to see more information and advice alongside our thousands of health and beauty products.”

Boots.com is seizing the opportunity to update the technology which is used on the site, whilst at the same time introducing the richer content which customers have requested, following extensive customer research.

Tim Stacey further explained, “We know our customers want a quick, simple checkout, delivery options that suit them and to feel part of a community online. This is the first stage in an exciting period of development for Boots’ online presence and we are committed to delivering customers a multi-channel shopping experience. There are many more exciting developments planned over the next few months including the launch of a ‘buy online and collect in store’ service, further developments in health advice and information, and online communities for our customers.”

Boots.com partnered with multi-channel experts utilising IBM’s WebSphere Commerce platform implemented by Steria, in partnership with Europe’s leading WSC systems integrator, Salmon. The customer-led design was managed by London based digital agency, Grand Union.

The site’s new platform will also greatly increase Boots.com’s advice and information capabilities. As well as the existing ‘Ask Boots’ advice portal in partnership with the British Medical Journal, the site will have inspiring video content with advice on everything from morning sickness to beauty videos showing how to get the latest looks.

The new ‘live pharmacist’ service means that users can email a health question to the site and have a pharmacist call them back with online pharmacy advice within 20 minutes. The service is available nightly, Monday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight.

To deliver users with new exciting content for beauty, Boots.com has a new Beauty editor, ex-Grazia journalist Katie Campbell, who will be covering everything beauty for the site – from backstage trends, beauty masterclass features, new brands and exclusive launches, to insider tips and tricks from the industry experts, updated on a daily basis.

The site’s product range has also been expanded, to include new, exclusive lines and gift ranges in time for Christmas. For example, the site’s popular Beauty Boutique will now feature online exclusives from brands such as Bliss, Korres and Caudalie.

About Boots
Boots is the UK’s leading retailer of beauty and health products as well as health information.

Boots Pharmacy Superintendent is responsible for healthcare advice provided in relation to Pharmacy medicines and other healthcare advice located within the Boots Pharmacy pages of Boots.com. Boots.com is the trading name of Boots.com Direct Limited (VAT no. 116 3001 29) an Alliance Boots company. All other information and advice on boots.com is the responsibility of Boots.com Direct Limited.

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