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eBeam Edge Wireless brings plug-and-play interactivity to any surface, quickly transforming your classroom or meeting room into a dynamic learning environment where students and colleagues can focus, participate and collaborate.

San Carlos, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2013

Luidia Inc., a leading provider of portable interactive solutions for classroom and meeting room collaboration, is pleased to announce the immediate availability of its latest product – eBeam Edge Wireless.

The latest version of the award winning eBeam Edge platform now features plug-and-play wireless connectivity. 50 meter wireless range gives teachers and business users the flexibility to set up their eBeam system in nearly any environment in minutes. The simplified setup saves time, resulting in more time for collaboration and learning.

“We worked hard to remove all setup barriers from the product, making it even easier for users to install their own interactive whiteboard systems,” said Bryan Duggan, Luidia’s Hardware Product Manager. “Simply plugging in the eBeam Wireless Adapter allows users to place their computer just about anywhere, enabling them to present and collaborate with others wherever they happen to be.”

Building on the previous eBeam Edge products, eBeam Edge Wireless makes nearly any surface interactive. eBeam products can be used with any projector or combined with the new eBeam Capture Pack to record writing and drawings made on traditional whiteboards. eBeam Edge Wireless is also the most compact and portable interactive solution on the market, making it easy to bring to meetings and classes.

“The instant setup, flexibility, and unique user experience is really resonating with educators who were previously looking at traditional interactive whiteboards. Since classrooms and meeting rooms often already have a whiteboard surface, eBeam is quickly becoming the only solution that makes sense, both from a cost-benefit and environmental impact standpoint,” says Willie Evans, eBeam North American Sales Director.

Some of the unique features of the eBeam Edge Wireless system include:

New USB Wireless Adapter allows for an easy, plug-and-play wireless connection
A simple software user interface and interactive stylus make learning to use the system fast and easy
eBeam Education Suite is a feature-rich software package with engaging content for the classroom
eBeam Workspace software enables business people to use their eBeam hardware to collaborate in real time with colleagues anywhere in the world
Create an interactive space of up to 9’ x 5’ on any flat surface
Also available as a bundle with the eBeam Capture Pack for dry-erase marker capture and live streaming with remote participants.

Learn more about eBeam Edge Wireless and other eBeam products at e-beam.com.

About Luidia
Luidia Inc. is the creator of eBeam® interactive technology that helps teachers and students interact, share, create, learn, and educate in our interconnected world. The company’s products are utilized by organizations of all sizes, with hundreds of thousands of users across multiple industries and geographies. Luidia also partners with industry leaders such as Chief, Hitachi, NEC and Sony, who incorporate eBeam technology into their products.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Luidia-Announces-New-eBeam-Edge-Wireless-4385316.php#ixzz2OmTVk0OC

Longer term, the U.S. has to get its debt under control or risk hurting investment, says Kevin Kliesen

By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne
Edited by Ed Schainker

February 22, 2013

Kevin Kliesen said to beware of U.S. debt and political gamesmanship.

An economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, speaking Friday at the Morningstar Ibbotson Conference 2013 in Hollywood, Fla., said there were several factors that prompted him to “make the case for stronger growth in 2013.”

Kevin Kliesen, who shared his own views (not necessarily those of the Federal Reserve System), also cautioned “that economic momentum weakened over the last three months of 2012, though there were pockets of strength in key areas.”

Kliesen pointed out that the St. Louis Financial Stress Index, which tracks 17 indicators (including risk spreads), is now lower than its long-run average level. Plus, “Some calm has returned to European sovereign debt markets,” he said.

An additional positive factor is that business capital spending is rebounding, after remaining in a lull for most of 2012. “Financial market conditions are supportive of faster growth,” he said, “and there is not much worry about inflation in the near future.”

The economist shared three other sets of reasons behind his expectation that the economy will have a strong year in 2013:
•Consumer spending is improving, forecasters expect long-term interest rates to stay low, and household wealth should keep improving;
•Housing fundamentals “look good,” inventories are low, prices are moving higher, labor markets are seeing improvement, and affordability is high;
•Housing growth is usually followed by growth in business capital spending.

“It appears that most, if not all, of the excess housing inventory has been worked off,” Kliesen said.

Risks Ahead

The economist also outlined several trends that do not bode well for the U.S. economy in the longer term.

One of his main concerns is the impact of the jump in the payroll tax, “which should have a significant impact on the low and middle strata of consumers.” Compounding that problem and its impact on growth will be fiscal policy, he noted.

These shifts could lead to a 1.2% drop in consumption during the first half of 2013 and a 2.5% decline in the second half, said Kliesen, pointing to Goldman Sachs’ estimates.

While the markets don’t seem too worried, increased “rancor and political gamesmanship could dent consumer confidence and keep economic-policy uncertainty at elevated levels,” he explained.

Longer term, Kliesen said the high debt relative to the economy would reduce growth, including living standards. This happens as more resources are devoted to the public sector and fewer to capital investment.

This cycle can feed on itself and, when combined with higher future taxes, impact new technology.

“A fiscal exit strategy is necessary,” concluded Kliesen. “High levels of debt eventually lead to bad outcomes—choices must be made.”

BY PHIL MULKINS World Action Line Editor
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Edited by Ed Schainker

Hollywood often portrays identity theft as a comical event, but in reality being a victim of it is anything but funny.

It’s best to leave comedy to the comedians and save yourself from such grief by nipping identity theft in the bud. When it happens, at least know the immediate steps to take.

“Identity thieves are relentless in their pursuit of private information,” said Rick Brinkley, chief operating officer of the Tulsa Better Business Bureau. “It’s very important to be aware of all the ways to defend yourself and keep your identity safe. It’s always easier to avoid it than have to fix it after it occurs.”

Brinkley offers these tips for keeping your personal information secure.

Carry few cards: Carry only the cards you need in the immediate future. Minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry in your wallet or purse. Do not carry your Social Security card unless you need it, say for a job offer. Cut up old or inactive credit cards and bank account statements.

Choose PIN wisely: For your ATM card, choose a personal identification number not associated with your address, telephone number, middle name, last four digits of your Social Security number, birth date or any information easily discovered by thieves.

Social Security number: Be careful about sharing it. When asked to provide it, ask how it will be used and what will happen if you refuse. Don’t carry your Social Security card with you on a daily basis. Leave it at home in a secure location.

Mailbox: Place outgoing mail in a secure mailbox. If you do not have a locked mailbox, pick up incoming mail as soon as possible.

Storage: Never store your private documents in unsecured locations, such as your car or office. At home, invest in a fireproof lock box or safe to store important documents.

Shred documents: Avoid storing unneeded documents bearing personal information: credit card applications, insurance forms, financial statements, health forms and billing statements. Shred these papers; trash cans are gold mines for identity thieves. Cross-cut shredders are available in eight-sheet capacity for $60 and up to 15 sheets for $100.

Receipts, bank statements: Monitor bank and credit card statements for fraudulent activity. Know what dates your bills arrive. Late or missing bills can indicate your information has been compromised.

Check credit reports: Check card account statements periodically for suspicious activity. Check your credit report annually.

By Robbie Pleasant

TMCnet Contributor

Whiteboards are no longer just the tools of teachers, nor are they regular big white boards. Interactive whiteboards have been becoming more popular in business environments, providing a way to keep everyone in the meeting involved and information delivered clearly.

According to surveys, many workers feel like they waste valuable hours each week in meetings. Even if the meetings are for something important, without engaging the attendees, it will still seem like a waste. As such, businesses have started using interactive whiteboards, capturing the attention of the meeting attendees with creative and eye-catching content.

While interactive whiteboards are more commonly seen in classrooms, they can work just as well in a business environment. They can be used with touchscreens or pens, no matter what one’s level of technical ability is, and present all sorts of data. From presentations to documents to even movie files, an interactive whiteboard can be just as useful as any other projector during a meeting, if not more.

“Whether it is for presenting annual accounts, business plans, or brainstorming ideas for a new campaign, the interactive whiteboard offers a number of possibilities and we are seeing an increase in customers from the business sphere,” says David Lyons, IT and AV Manager at the Remark Group. However, it is important that the installation of the board is carried out by an AV professional, with the appropriate network cabling and AV installation undertaken. Electronic whiteboards can be powerful training and communication tools, if effectively installed and appropriately utilized, and we predict there will be many more businesses using them to gain a competitive edge in 2013.”

It doesn’t matter how important a meeting is if the attendees are drifting off to sleep in the middle of it. While it’s not that difficult for people to remain professional in business environments and during meetings, let’s face it, more interesting and amusing meetings are just better for employees, which makes them better for business.

Edited by Brooke Neuman and Ed Schainker

Morgana will be a  wholly-owned subsidiary of Plockmatic. The Swedish firm’s CEO, Jan  Marstorp, will head the new group. Morgana will maintain its offices in  Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, where Quen Baum will continue as managing  director.

Morgana Systems is a leader in the development and  sales of off-line document finishing technology. Their products are sold  through a direct sales force in the United Kingdom and a network of  distributors around the world.

Plockmatic is the leading  supplier of in-line booklet making systems custom designed for the  mid-range digital print segment. Plockmatic also manufactures a range of  off-line booklet makers sold through independent distributors worldwide  and a versatile mail-feeding system available through distributors and  OEM partners.

Plockmatic International is part of Grimaldi Industri Group, a diversified Stockholm-based holding company.

“The  acquisition of Morgana gives us access to the product development,  technology and distribution capabilities we need to reach more customers  all over the world,” said Salvatore Grimaldi, owner and CEO. “I’m  delighted to welcome Morgana to our group of companies.”

Jan  Marstorp of Plockmatic adds: “For a long time we’ve had enormous respect  for Morgana’s people and its products. Together, these two innovative  companies add value to the printed page as part of the communications  mix.”

Quen Baum of Morgana says he is delighted that the company  is being acquired by Plockmatic which he sees as the ideal partner for  the future.

“The combined companies and brands will be even  stronger in the market and will better serve our customers and staff,”  he says. “We look forward to the future and to being part of Plockmatic  and the Grimaldi Industri Group.”

About Grimaldi Industri Group
Grimaldi Industri Group has annual revenues of over €250 million. Under the leadership of  Salvatore Grimaldi, the company includes some 1,300 employees across  businesses that include Europe’s leading bicycle brands like Bianchi,  Peugeot, Gitane, Crescent, Monark, DBS and Kildemoes. Other companies  include Karlsson Spools, a manufacturer of spools for hydraulic valves,  Grimaldis Mekaniska Verkstad, a subcontractor to the manufacturing  industry, Learnify e-learning solutions and Investment AB Rivetina. In  addition, the group is part-owner of industrial concern 3nine,  electronic retail pricing system provider Pricer and e-learning company  Contento Wassum.

Posted on January 29, 2013 by admin

Educational products supplier School Specialty files for bankruptcy

By Tanya Agrawal

Jan 28 (Reuters) – School Specialty Inc, a provider of school supply and educational products to the pre-kindergarten through grade 12 market, filed for bankruptcy protection and said it will sell its assets to investment firm Bayside Capital Inc, an affiliate of HIG Capital.

Shares of the company fell more than 76 percent to 14 cents on Monday morning on the Nasdaq. Two years ago, the stock traded at about $13.27 per share.

The company, which was founded in 1959, said Bayside Capital has been appointed as the “stalking horse” or initial bidder for its assets, but they maybe be sold to a higher bidder in a court-supervised auction process.

School Specialty, which describes itself as one of the largest suppliers of supplemental educational products, supplies equipment and standards-based curriculums to the PreK-12 market.

That market, which the company said was worth $6 billion to $7 billion, is highly fragmented and subject to seasonality that results in a loss for the company for the last two quarters of the year.

In addition, the schools the company supplies are dependent on local and state level funding, which has taken a massive hit since the financial crisis.

The Greenville, Wisconsin-based company had revenue of $489 million for the first half of the fiscal year that ends in April 2013. It had fiscal 2012 revenue of $732 million.

School Specialty, which listed assets of $494.5 million and liabilities of $394.5 million as of Oct. 27, engaged Perella Weinberg Partners in October as its financial adviser to explore its options.

“We fully expect to continue normal business operations…”, Chief Executive Michael Lavelle said.

The company said it would receive debtor-in-possession financing from Bayside Capital as it looks to work its way through bankruptcy.

The case is In re: School Specialty Inc, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, No:13-10125.

The shredded documents included personal information, identified undercover detectives and gave details of Mitt Romney’s motorcade.

(Photo: Charles Sykes, AP)

Story Highlights
Confetti was made of shredded confidential documents
A police department employee brought confetti to the parade
Bits of paper contained identifiable information

8:34PM EST November 26. 2012 – Shredded Long Island police records that landed on spectators at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade were brought by a department employee who tossed the confidential confetti with his family, a New York TV station reports.

Among the easily identifiable records from the Nassau County Police Department were what appears to be details of Mitt Romney’s motorcade route to and from the final presidential debate at Hofstra University.

Confetti collected by spectators near 65th Street and Central Park West also contained arrest records, incident reports and personal information and that identified undercover officers, WPIX-TV says.

“There are phone numbers, addresses, more Social Security numbers, license plate numbers,” said Ethan Finkelstein, 18, of Manhattan, who gathered up some of the confetti with friends. “And then we find all these incident reports from police.”

He gave the confetti to police, who continue to investigate.

Sources told WPIX, which broke the story Friday, that the files came from the Nassau County Police Academy and that protection has been offered to all officers whose identifies were revealed. Police would not identify the employee who brought the confetti to the parade.

“The Nassau County Police Department is very concerned about this situation,” Inspector Kenneth Lack said. “We will be conducting an investigation into this matter as well as reviewing our procedures for the disposing of sensitive documents.”

Instead of strip-cutting shredders, Nassau police may buy cross-cutting machines that would dice files into small pieces.

For the record, Macy’s is not guilty. The parade sponsor said it uses “commercially manufactured, multicolor confetti, not shredded paper.”

Turns out the confetti was made up of Nassau County Police Department documents that “were shredded, but clearly not well enough,” WPIX notes. Some of the documents even identify undercover police officers by name, and give out information including dates of birth, social security numbers, and more. The police department says in a statement that it is “very concerned” and will be investigating the matter, and Macy’s says it uses “commercially manufactured, multicolor confetti, not shredded paper” in the parade.