Boeing Delivers F-22 Training Center with Advanced Visual System

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 8, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has improved the realism of ground-based F-22 Raptor training by delivering the first simulators for that aircraft with an immersive, 360-degree visual environment.



Boeing Delivers F-22 Training Center with Advanced Visual System

Synopsys' RSoft OptSim Accelerates Design of Next-Generation Optical Communication Systems

Press release:

Synopsys' RSoft OptSim Accelerates Design of Next-Generation Optical Communication Systems

OptSim version 5.3 is now generally available

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Highlights:

• Expands support for modulation formats used in next-generation optical networks
• Accelerates design development with an expanded model library
• Speeds evaluation of optical signal propagation in data communication systems
• Increases user productivity with application examples

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP used in the design, verification and manufacture of electronic components and systems, today announced the availability of the latest release of its RSoft™ Optical Communication Design Suite, which includes OptSim™ and its multimode companion tool ModeSYS™. OptSim version 5.3 delivers innovative modeling capabilities and new application examples that enable engineers to accelerate the design of high-performance optical communication systems.
"Optimized design of existing data links and the advancement of complex future designs can only be achieved with a thorough understanding of the underlying physics and technology involved, as well as the ability to predict performance and recognize design limitations," said Chris Kocot, principal scientist, Finisar Corporation. "At Finisar, simulation software is a crucial facilitator in this process. OptSim is a key component in our suite of software simulation tools used for advanced product development, including 28 Gb/s optical interconnects and next-generation optical links operating at 56 Gb/s per channel, as well as for high-speed link simulations that involve advanced modulation techniques."
Support for Cutting-Edge Modulation FormatsOptSim now includes models for accurately simulating coherent polarization-multiplexed binary phase-shift keying (PM-BPSK) as well as coherent multi-level polarization-multiplexed modulation formats such as PM-16QAM and PM-64QAM. These enhancements can help speed development of advanced applications such as single-carrier 100G Ethernet. The software also supports enhanced orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) models that can handle negative frequencies and calculate error vector magnitudes. This provides engineers with increased flexibility and power when developing OFDM-based systems, such as high-speed long-haul transmission systems with high inter-symbolic interference (ISI).
Application-Specific Models Accelerate Design DevelopmentOptSim now offers the following additions to its model library, which users can incorporate into their designs to jumpstart analysis of a wide range of systems, including photonic integrated circuits, long-reach and ultra-long-reach metro networks, and optical transport networks:

• Y-fed balanced-bridge dual-arm Mach-Zehnder modulator model
• Electrical filter synthesis based on data in Touchstone files
• Model of clipping in the electrical domain
• Phenomenological model for more easily implementing dispersion compensation

"OptSim has been a useful tool, giving us the ability to assess the performance of new systems before components are available for lab testing," said Steven Searcy, optical systems engineer, ADVA Optical Networking. "The ability to obtain preliminary design rules via simulation is critical to staying ahead in the development and introduction of new technologies."
Enhanced Multimode Fiber Modeling Speeds Evaluation of Optical Signal PropagationModeSYS includes an updated and enhanced multimode fiber model that provides faster calculation of mode-coupling equations. This can significantly accelerate evaluation of optical signal propagation in data communication systems.
Application Examples Increase User ProductivityNew application notes in OptSim demonstrate state-of-the-art examples that can reduce training time for new users and increase efficiency for experienced users. Application [examples] include polarization-multiplexed modulation formats, parametric fiber amplifiers, microwave photonics and multimode systems:

• PM-QPSK modulation using an external local oscillator
• Dual carrier PM-QPSK modulation
• In-band crosstalk in partial DPSK systems
• Phase-sensitive fiber parametric amplifiers
• Microwave photonic links based on balanced detection
• DMD test and measurement per IEC specification 60793-1-49
• EMB test and measurement per IEC specification 60793-1-41
• 25-Gbps directly modulated VCSEL-based multimode links

"OptSim 5.3 adds modeling enhancements that strengthen its standing as an ideal tool for optical communication design and simulation," said George Bayz, vice president and general manager of the Optical Solutions Group at Synopsys. "These new features are augmented by our continued focus on improving user productivity, with an expanded model library and detailed application notes. Our goal is to help engineers develop, test and deliver new systems more efficiently than ever."
Availability & ResourcesOptSim version 5.3 is available now and can be obtained by emailing rsoft_sales@synopsys.com. Learn more about Synopsys' RSoft products at http://www.synopsys.com/Tools/OpticalDesign.
About Synopsys' RSoft ProductsSynopsys' RSoft products are leading solutions in photonic design software and serve several industries including optical communications, optoelectronics and semiconductor manufacturing. RSoft products provide a full range of design, optimization and planning tools for optical communications, as well as solutions for optoelectronics components and subsystems.
About SynopsysSynopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA), supplying the global electronics market with the software, intellectual property (IP) and services used in semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing. Synopsys' comprehensive, integrated portfolio of implementation, verification, IP, manufacturing and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions helps address the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, such as power and yield management, system-to-silicon verification and time-to-results. These technology-leading solutions help give Synopsys customers a competitive edge in bringing the best products to market quickly while reducing costs and schedule risk. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has approximately 70 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com.

Northrop Grumman Submits Proposal for U.S. Marine Corps Common Aviation Command and Control System

Press release:

News Releases

Northrop Grumman Submits Proposal for U.S. Marine Corps Common Aviation Command and Control System Scalable, Expeditionary Solution With On-the-Move Capabilities Leverages Open Systems Architecture, Embedded Technologies, Trusted Software and Efficient, Ruggedized Packaging

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has submitted its proposal for the development and integration phase of the U.S. Marine Corps Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S). The CAC2S provides a complete modernization of the Marine Air Command and Control System. CAC2S will replace dissimilar legacy systems with a common, open, modular, scalable design based on proven, high-technology readiness level hardware and software components. "In addition to meeting all CAC2S requirements, Northrop Grumman's best-value solution is a truly expeditionary package that can perform direct air support center functions while on the move," said Pat Camacho, vice president of integrated command, control, communications and intelligence systems for Northrop Grumman Information Systems. "All core electronics components are integrated on Humvee platforms and preconfigured with data and communications capability between the operations center and antenna hill." Northrop Grumman's cost-effective offering builds on and enhances the communications, processing and display functionality previously developed. It also integrates critical sensor and data communication capabilities including Link 16, the Composite Tracking Network and AN/TPS-59 and AN/TPS-63 radars. As the key developer of emerging technologies such as the Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar and Link 22, Northrop Grumman is uniquely positioned to integrate them into CAC2S. "Our CAC2S variants for the Direct Air Support Center and the Tactical Air Operations Center are designed to be set up and fully configured in 40 minutes or less," said Camacho. The system can scale up to the much larger Tactical Aviation Command and Control Center variant without additional core electronics equipment at the operations center. Northrop Grumman's innovative network design scales up to 216 workstations by using a series of fault-tolerant Ethernet circuits. Northrop Grumman's CAC2S solution offers the following distinguishing features: Robust TYQ-23 air command and control (C2) software that implements Marine Corps tactics, techniques and procedures Real-time track management software with customizable track prioritization capability to minimize latency and optimize bandwidth utilization Productivity enhancement tools including tactical dashboards drawn from the battle commanders' display concept and Marine Corps tactical service-oriented architecture initiatives Virtualization and high assurance equipment consolidation strategies including the embedded gateway manager for Joint Range Extension Application Protocol processing Advanced Simulation and Combat Operational Mission and Training tools to deliver offline training during live operations and distributed training and simulation The company's rugged packaging design for CAC2S electronic equipment provides self-contained thermal, shock, vibration, environmental and electromagnetic interference hardening that will make possible the use and upgrade of commercial off-the-shelf components without modification or requalification. The thermal and structural efficiency of the design significantly reduces weight and fuel consumption. Northrop Grumman is a leading provider of open, nonproprietary C2 systems and mobile, configurable command centers across the U.S. Department of Defense. The company has extensive experience with Marine Corps tactical air and ground operations, radar data processing and radar control, tactical data links, interoperable communications systems, and reduced footprint environmental and packaging technologies. Northrop Grumman will also draw upon its extensive net-centric, large-scale systems management and integration expertise to ensure an affordable, executable program that will deliver an operationally relevant system to the Marine Corps. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Northrop Grumman Supplies Integrated Bridge System for Major Cruise Ship

Press release:

News Releases

Northrop Grumman Supplies Integrated Bridge System for Major Cruise Ship

NEW MALDEN, U.K. – Sept. 5, 2012 – Northrop Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Sperry Marine business unit is supplying a complete integrated bridge system (IBS) retrofit for the cruise ship Artania, which is undergoing a major refurbishment and modernization by V.Ships Leisure. The project will be managed by Seacom Electronics. The ship's navigation electronics systems are being replaced by a state-of-the-art VisionMaster FT™ IBS with TotalWatch™ multifunction display consoles. The system includes dual-channel X- and S-band primary navigation radars, separate X-band bow radar, electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) as well as other subsystems and sensors, tied together into an integrated Ethernet network. There is a separate redundant ECDIS backup station to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements for a secondary navigation site in case the primary bridge is damaged or disrupted. "The navigation system upgrade will bring the ship into compliance with the upcoming IMO ECDIS carriage requirements," said Alan Dix, managing director of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "The VisionMaster FT system will also offer a significant improvement in safe navigation and situational awareness for the ship's navigation team." Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine has a long-standing relationship with V.Ships as a major supplier of navigation systems to the company's managed fleet. V.Ships, which manages a fleet of more than 1,000 ships, is one of the largest suppliers of independent ship management and related services to the international maritime industry. Sperry Marine is a business unit of Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems Division. Headquartered in New Malden, U.K., with major engineering and support offices both in New Malden and in Hamburg, Germany, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support in numerous locations worldwide. Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Press release:

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Complete First Launch Exercise for Next Generation GPS Satellites

NEWTOWN, Pa., September 5, 2012 – Raytheon Company [NYSE: RTN] and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] have successfully completed the first launch readiness exercise for the U.S. Air Force’s next generation GPS III satellites. The exercise is a key milestone demonstrating the team remains on schedule to achieve launch availability in 2014.

The Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellites and the Raytheon-developed next generation GPS operational control system, known as OCX, are critical elements of the U.S. Air Force’s effort to affordably replace aging GPS satellites while improving capability to meet the evolving demands of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide. This is the first space and ground enterprise successfully building the ground control and space vehicles by two independent prime contractors.

The launch readiness exercise, completed over a three day period by mission operations personnel, validated the basic satellite command and control functions, tested the software and hardware interfaces and demonstratedbasic on-console procedures required for space vehicle contacts during the launch and early orbit mission.  The event sets the stage for the first GPS III satellite’s mission readiness timeline, which includes five short-duration exercises and six, five day mission rehearsals leading up tolaunch.

“Completion of our first GPS III launch readiness exercise is a major milestone for the entire GPS enterprise and is a solid indictor that our space and ground segments are well synchronized,” said Col Bernie Gruber, the director of the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning Systems Directorate.

To achieve first launch availability in the 2014 timeframe, the U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin and Raytheon contracts in January of this year to provide a Launch and Checkout Capability (LCC) for launch and early on-orbit testing of all GPS III satellites.  At the heart of the LCC is Raytheon’s Launch and Checkout System that will provide satellite command and control capability, an integral part of OCX’s  support of the first GPS III launch.

“The completion of our first launch readiness exercise is an important milestone for the entire GPS enterprise,” said Keoki Jackson, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Navigation Systems mission area. “This achievement is a testament to efficient planning and synchronization by theU.S. Air Force and demonstrates that we are on track to deliver critical GPS III capabilities to military, commercial and civilian users worldwide.”

“This milestone represents the hard work and dedication of the entire GPS III and OCX government-industry team,” stated Ray Kolibaba, a vice president of Raytheon’s Intelligence and Information Systems business and GPS OCX program manager. “This is another demonstration of the rapid progress we’re making on OCX development, while maintaining GPS space-ground enterprise alignment. I’m confident that we'll be prepared to support the first GPS III launch with an efficient, evolvable and secure ground control system built independently.”

The GPS III team is led by the Global Positioning Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Air Force Space Command, based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion and 71,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovationspanning 90 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as abroad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

GA-ASI Introduces System-wide Enhancements for Predator B/MQ-9

Press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep 05, 2012

GA-ASI Introduces System-wide Enhancements for Predator B/MQ-9

New MQ-9 Block 1-plus Aircraft Completes Successful First Flight

SAN DIEGO – 5 September 2012 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced the successful first flight of the Block 1-plus Predator® B/MQ-9 Reaper, an upgrade to the original Block 1 Predator B that has been in production since 2003. The MQ-9 Block 1-plus test flight occurred on May 24 at the company’s Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., with no discrepancies.

“We continue to enhance the capabilities of our aircraft, improving their performance to meet emerging customer requirements,” said Frank Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI. “The first flight of the MQ-9 Block 1-plus follows in the footsteps of the aircraft’s combat-proven Block 1 configuration and is an important technological achievement that will provide increased effectiveness, increased multi-mission flexibility, and even greater reliability.” 

The MQ-9 Block 1-plus is a capability enhancement over the Block 1 configuration, which has amassed more than 420,000 flight hours across all customers. Block 1-plus was designed for increased electrical power, secure communications, auto land, increased Gross Takeoff Weight (GTOW), weapons growth, and streamlined payload integration capabilities.

With the completion of development, testing, and expected Milestone C decision this fall, follow-on aircraft to the MQ-9 Block 1-plus configuration will be designated “MQ-9 Block 5.”

Featuring a new high-capacity starter generator, the aircraft offers an increase in electrical power capacity over the current Block 1 design. This increased power provides the aircraft with significant capacity for growth. In addition, the upgraded electrical system includes a backup generator which is sufficient to support all flight critical functions. This vastly improves the reliability of the electrical power system by providing three independent power sources.

Numerous new communications capabilities also will be available in the Block 5, including dual ARC-210 VHF/UHF radios with wingtip antennas, allowing for simultaneous communications between multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground parties; secure data links; and an increased data transmission capacity. 

Additionally, the new trailing arm main landing gear will be included in Block 5, enabling the aircraft to carry heavier payloads or additional fuel.

Predator B is currently operational with the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force as MQ-9 Reaper and the Italian Air Force as MQ-9, with NASA as Ikhana, and with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Predator B/Guardian. The aircraft is designed to perform multi-mission ISR and “Hunter-Killer” missions over land or sea, with more than 130 vehicles delivered to date.

High-resolution photos of the first flight of the MQ-9 Block 1-plus are available upon request to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact listed above.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely piloted aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle®, and the new Predator C Avenger®. It also manufactures a variety of solid-state digital Ground Control Stations (GCS), including the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS, and provides pilot training and support services for RPA field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar and sophisticated Claw® sensor control and image analysis software into both manned and unmanned aircraft. It also develops and integrates other sensor and communication equipment into manned ISR aircraft and develops emerging technologies in solid-state lasers, electro-optic sensors, and ultra-wideband data links for government applications. For more information, please visitwww.ga-asi.com.

Predator, Gray Eagle, Avenger, Lynx, and Claw are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Press release from IBM:

IBM Unveils zEnterprise EC12, a Highly Secure System for Cloud Computing and Enterprise Data

Technology Breakthroughs Extend the Mainframe's Leadership as the Enterprise System for Critical Data

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ARMONK, NY - 28 Aug 2012:

• New, cutting-edge System z® capabilities for security and analytics dramatically boost cloud performance with help from IBM Research innovations.
• zEC12 offers 25% more performance per core, over 100 configurable cores and 50% more total capacity than its predecessor.
• The result of over $1 billion in IBM R&D investment and collaborative client input on today's enterprise system challenges

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the zEnterprise® EC12 mainframe server, the most powerful and technologically advanced version of an IBM system that has been the linchpin of enterprise computing for 48 years. The new enterprise system features technologies that demonstrate IBM’s ongoing commitment to meet the growing need to secure and manage critical information with the System z mainframe.

Mainframes support significant portions of the data environment at most large enterprises. As these enterprises grapple with the well-documented growth of data, they are looking for new ways to secure and gain insights from such critical information as financial, customer and enterprise resource data that will enable them to provide their clients with new services. The new zEC12 offers industry-leading security and robust support for operational analytics that can help clients efficiently sift through large volumes of raw data and transform it to gain knowledge that can be used for competitive advantage. For example, a retailer managing online transactions on zEC12 can gain insights from client information that will enable it to provide clients with a more customized shopping experience. 

The IBM zEC12 enterprise system is the result of an investment by IBM Systems and Technology Group of more than $1 billion in IBM research and development primarily in Poughkeepsie, New York as well as 17 other IBM labs around the world and in collaboration with some of IBM's top clients. 

The new IBM mainframe is one of the most secure enterprise systems ever (1), with built-in security features designed to meet the security and compliance requirements of different industries. With operational analytics and near real-time workload monitoring and analysis, clients can use the new zEC12 for a variety of workloads, including hybrid clouds that can take advantage of the System's 25% more performance per core and 50% greater total system capacity than its predecessor as well as the world’s fastest chip running at 5.5 GHz (2). 

Ultimate Security for Critical Information

IBM System z is a leading platform for secure data serving and the only commercial server to achieve Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 5+ security classification, providing clients the confidence to run many different applications containing confidential data on a single mainframe. The new zEC12 builds on this with innovative security and privacy features to help protect data at rest or in flight -- a critical capability in the age of Internet banking and mobile devices.  

zEC12 includes a state-of-the-art, tamper-resistant cryptographic co-processor called Crypto Express4S that provides privacy for transactions and sensitive data. Crypto Express4S includes new hardware and software developed with IBM Research to help meet the security requirements of different industries and geographies. For example, it can be configured to provide support for high quality digital signatures used with applications for Smart passports, national ID cards and online legal proceedings, replacing handwritten signatures as directed by the EU and the public sector. 

SC Data Center Inc. provides services to Colony Brands Inc., one of the world’s largest and most successful catalog companies, and uses encryption technology on zEnterprise to protect its call center applications when it services customers and takes orders, protecting its e-commerce platform that relies on System z for all sales and credit transactions and moves sensitive data safely to other platforms for processing. 

Operational Analytics Drive Business Insights

zEC12 advances performance for analytics, increasing performance of analytic workloads by 30% compared to its IBM predecessor (3). In addition, support for the IBM DB2 Analytics Accelerator that incorporates the Netezza data warehouse appliance into zEC12 enables clients to run complex business analytics and operational analytics on the same platform. 

The new mainframe also offers IT systems analytics capabilities based on technology from IBM Research. It analyzes internal system messages to provide a near real-time view of the system’s health, including any potential problems. Called IBM zAware, the technology learns from the messages to recognize patterns and quickly pinpoint any deviations, using the information to identify unusual system behavior and minimize its impact. IBM STG Lab Services will offer services to help with planning, configuration and implementation of IBM zAware.   

Large-Scale Cloud Capabilities

The mainframe’s leading virtualization capabilities make it well suited to support private cloud environments. Clients can consolidate thousands of distributed systems on to Linux on zEC12, lowering IT operating expenses associated with energy use, floor space and software licensing. 

zEC12 is expected to offer a low total cost of acquisition for Linux consolidation of database workloads (4).  One zEC12 can encompass the capacity of an entire multi-platform data center in a single system. 

As one of the world's most secure systems, with features designed to meet the security and compliance requirements of different industries, the new mainframe also enables clients to run traditional IT and private cloud applications on one system. 

More zEC12 Innovations 

zEC12 is the first IBM mainframe to include internal solid state technology with Flash Express, a new memory technology that can help improve the performance of data intensive applications or workloads where optimal service levels are vital such as customer facing or service applications used by banks, public sector companies and retailers. It’s designed to provide improved availability during bursts of system activity experienced at transitional periods such as when financial markets open or holiday periods when online retail transactions are heavy. 

Clients can also opt to run zEC12 without a raised datacenter floor -- a first for high-end IBM mainframes. With new overhead power and cabling support, clients have more flexibility on where zEC12 is deployed. This can increase the appeal of System z for enterprise clients in growth markets, where System z revenue was up 11% year to year in the second quarter of 2012, per IBM earnings.  

zEC12 is the first general purpose IBM server to incorporate transactional memory technology, first used commercially to help make the IBM Blue Gene/Q-based “Sequoia” system at Lawrence Livermore National Lab the fastest supercomputer in the world (5). In zEC12, IBM adapted this technology to enable software to better support concurrent operations that use a shared set of data such as financial institutions processing transactions against the same set of accounts. 

“We continue to drive innovation on System z,  allowing a broader set of clients to apply its leadership capabilities in security and resiliency to the current demands of their business, be they from analytics, cloud or mobile computing,” said Doug Balog, general manager IBM System z.  “Our end-to-end design approach for smarter computing -- from processors to systems to software optimization -- is targeted to handle complicated business challenges associated with managing, protecting and analyzing a client's most critical information. It’s what makes the mainframe the ultimate enterprise system.” 

zEC12 Furthers Hybrid Computing

In 2010, IBM introduced hybrid computing with the launch of the IBM zEnterprise System and the IBM zEnterprise BladeCenter Extension (zBX) to allow enterprises to deploy and integrate workloads across mainframe, POWER7 and System x servers. Using zEnterprise Unified Resource Management, these diverse resources can be managed as a single, virtualized system. 

Today, IBM introduced the zBX Model 003 to help extend customer’s ability to run integrated and dynamic workloads. With simplified operational control and an integrated, high-performance, private and secure network, the zBX Model 003 is designed to run with zEC12. Like its predecessor, the latest zBX includes specialty processors for specific workloads such as the IBM WebSphere DataPower Integration Appliance XI50 for zEnterprise and select IBM BladeCenter servers. 

As of second quarter 2012, IBM had shipped over 140 zBX units with more than 1,000 blade servers to clients, enabling them to take advantage of the management and reduced complexity of hybrid computing on the platform. 

Industry Solutions for System z

IBM also announced today it is growing its portfolio of System z industry-focused solutions that package software from IBM or ISV partners and services or assets from IBM Global Business Services. These include the IBM Intelligent Operations Center for Smarter Cities, IBM Health Plan Integration Hub, two IBM Smarter Analytics: Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Solutions – one for healthcare, one for insurance -- and the IBM Genelco Insurance Administration Solution™. Offering these solutions on System z can allow clients to benefit from the mainframe’s oft-touted advantages of high-availability, resiliency and security. 

Services and Financing for zEC12

One of the hallmark benefits behind IBM System z is its powerful business continuity features, especially important today in light of the industry's ongoing appetite for resilient cloud computing environments. To help clients build private clouds more rapidly, IBM today announced new implementation services for Linux-based clouds on the mainframe. The new services deliver unique IBM processes, tools, skills and best practices that enable a fast and accurate implementation. To help current mainframe clients looking to upgrade to zEC12, IBM also offers newly enhanced setup and migration services to drive more long term economic value from their system investments.  

IBM Global Financing (IGF) can help clients evolve and grow their zEnterprise investments with financing that promotes greater flexibility, lower total cost of ownership and predictability of payments. 

For example, to help credit-qualified clients easily acquire the new zEC12 systems solution, IGF is making available a range of affordable financing options:

·         For clients who own or already lease their System z solution: IGF will help finance the upgrade and provide greater flexibility to meet future capacity requirements. 

·         For clients considering a move to a System z solution: IGF offers affordable, customized financing for the             migration and acquisition of the new platform solution.  IGF can also bundle IBM and non-IBM hardware, software and services costs into single, predictable periodic payments.  Additionally, IGF/ Global Asset Recovery Services can buy back the client's non-IBM servers at market value. 

Credit-qualified clients that elect financing and install their zEC12 solution by December 31, 2012 can see immediate benefits with zEC12 while deferring their first payment for up to 6 months.

Editors' Note: Photos are available via the Associated Press Photo Network and on the Internet at Feature Photo Service's link through http://www.newscom.com. 

1.) Based on Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 5+ security classification. IBM z/OS® including RACF® and System z® PR/SM™ have been evaluated under Common Criteria (an ISO/IEC 15048 standard). z/OS V1.12 was awarded Common Criteria at EAL4+. PR/SM was awarded Common Criteria at EAL5+ and z/OS V1.12 RACF also achieved an EAL5+ Common Criteria evaluation, meeting some of the industry’s toughest security standards. For more details about protection profile testing see www.atsec.com. Security targets are also published on the www.bsi.bund.de (DE) Web site.

2.) Compared to previous generation system, IBM zEnterprise 196.

3.) Compared to previous generation system, IBM zEnterprise 196.

4.) Based on IBM estimates of expected customer results. Individual client results may vary

5.) According to the TOP500 list, www.top500.org.

 ###

Press release:

PRESS RELEASE

University of Bern and ifolor opt for highly scalable servers with Cisco UCS

• Cisco already has more than 200 UCS customers in Switzerland • UCS servers provision resources quickly and flexibly • Centralized management reduces overall operating costs

Switzerland, August 10th 2012 – An increasing number of companies are turning to Cisco Unified Computing System™ (Cisco UCS®) servers. Launched two years ago, Cisco UCS now has more than 11,000 customers worldwide. At the end of last year, Cisco secured Kreuzlingen-based photography and print service provider ifolor as its 100th UCS customer in Switzerland and named the University of Bern as its 150th UCS customer soon afterward, at the beginning of March this year. Since then, the total number of Cisco UCS customers in Switzerland has reached more than 200.

University of Bern benefits from centralized management

The University of Bern relies on Cisco UCS servers to handle rapidly growing data volumes. The servers were installed within three days, with assistance from Netcloud, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner, and offer the following advantages:

• Quick installation and intuitive control with no training costs
• Optimized operating costs due to simplified administration
• Scientific projects accelerated through centralized management

Using Cisco UCS, 124 virtual machines on six physical servers store data from the university's 40 institutes and research groups. The virtual machines provide 18 terabytes (TB) of storage space and 1.5 TB of memory. All of the system's components are coordinated with virtualization solutions from VMware and storage from Hitachi Data Systems. Simon Stähelin, virtualization manager at the University of Bern, praises the solution: "System operation is absolutely reliable, and it runs faster than our previous solutions. We're particularly impressed with the centralized management, which significantly simplifies administration."

ifolor handles large volumes of data with Cisco UCS

Customers of ifolor AG deliver the majority of their photos in digital format, which results in large and highly fluctuating volumes of data. Thanks to the Cisco solution, ifolor now has an efficient and stable infrastructure offering the following benefits:

• Flexible capacity scaling for seasonal peaks
• Online ordering services available at all times
• Images processed and stored quickly

ifolor utilizes two redundant Cisco UCS domains in two separate data centers. Each domain contains six Cisco UCS B230 M2 Blade servers with a total of 24 CPUs. The Cisco UCS servers enable the maximum possible stability for the network. Together with storage and data management from NetApp and virtualization solutions from VMware, they make up the FlexPod data center solution. The solution impressed Patrick Sontheim, head of infrastructure at ifolor AG: "The FlexPod architecture provides top performance and scaling with simple management. It allows images to be processed and stored quickly, and the online ordering service is available at all times," Christian Kupferschmid, CIO at ifolor, remarks and adds: "There were no problems with integration and we are still very satisfied with our decision for CISCO UCS."

Please click here for Cisco UCS pictures.

About Cisco

Cisco is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is provided by Cisco Systems International B.V. and Cisco International Limited, wholly owned subsidiaries of Cisco Systems, Inc.

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GE ultrasound equipment give equestrian stars another shot at gold

Press release:

08 August 2012

GE ultrasound equipment give equestrian stars another shot at gold

 

GE Ultrasound system LOGIQ e VET used to help diagnose injured equine athletes at London 2012

London, United Kingdom, 8 August 2012 – Organizers of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have ensured that even the equine athletes receive excellent care. A purpose-built veterinary clinic in Greenwich has been kitted out with innovative equipment to treat horses from competing nations.

The challenging cross-country phase at Greenwich Park for example, saw 15 riders fall during the Olympic eventing competition. While the injuries sustained in a cross country accident can be career ending, access to the very latest imaging technology can help vets facilitate a swift and accurate diagnosis and a more positive outcome.

The clinic is equipped with the GE Ultrasound machine - the GELOGIQ e VET (for musculoskeletal and abdominal scanning). This machine was commissioned to help meet the need for pre-set equipment supported by BCF Technology.

Additional benefits include:

• Excellent image quality, allowing the exact location of strains and lesions to be identified
• Small and portable, making it possible to use the equipment in any clinical environment

• Reductions in scan time. This machine produces high quality images quickly without machine settings having to be optimized.
• Coded harmonic imaging on all probes to help deliver excellent image quality
• CrossXBeam™ imaging, providing high resolution images of equine distal limb and stifle
• Deep musculoskeletal imaging for imaging fractures of pelvis or ribs which cannot be radiographed effectively due to the dimensions of the horse

Said Roy Tappin, General Manager, Ultrasound, GE Healthcare, UK & Ireland:

“GE Healthcare is proud to be providing some of our latest imaging technology to the London 2012 Equine Clinic and the Polyclinic as part of GE’s sponsorship of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. While we specialize in products for use in human medicine, the veterinary market is extremely important to us and we currently supply our equipment to many of the world’s leading veterinary hospitals. Many of the UK’s top vets specify our machines because they produce high quality images which help them make a more confident diagnosis.”

Professor Roger Smith, Professor of Equine Orthopaedics at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), is a frequent user of GE imaging equipment and one of the specialists working at the Equine Clinic during the Games. Speaking about the technology he commented:

“The GE Healthcare diagnostic ultrasound equipment used at the Equine Clinic is essential for evaluating the tendon and ligament injuries to which competition horses are prone. The quality of the images it produces helps us decide on the best possible treatment for the horse, giving it the greatest chance of full recovery.”

Gaynor Minshall of the Veterinary Services team at the London 2012 Olympic Games said:

“There are a lot of reasons for us to have ultrasound imaging equipment here at the Equine Clinic. We use this primarily for musculoskeletal imaging and for assessing any trauma sustained during events such as cross-country, this helps in establishing a diagnosis enabling the best possible treatment.”

About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare systems.

Our “healthymagination” vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality around the world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employees are committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries.  For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.

For our latest news, please visithttp://newsroom.gehealthcare.com/http://newsroom.gehealthcare.com

Quest Software Delivers End-to-End Business Management Platform to SMB Managed Service Providers

Quest Software Delivers End-to-End Business Management Platform to SMB Managed Service Providers

PacketTrap MSP 6.2 Features Integration with Standalone Professional Service Automation System; VoIP Monitoring Added

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., March 22, 2012 – Quest Software  (Nasdaq: QSFT) today announced the availability of PacketTrap^® MSP 6.2, the latest version of its remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform designed for SMB managed service providers (MSPs). Delivering comprehensive integration of RMM functionality with professional service automation (PSA) technology, PacketTrap MSP 6.2 is an industry leading end-to-end business management platform. MSPs can now access a single console to manage – and simplify – business processes including job scheduling, technician management, CRM, service requests and billing and invoicing.

For small- to mid-sized MSPs and IT solutions providers, PacketTrap MSP delivers affordable enterprise-class remote server, application and network management for MSPs to use across customer environments. The integration between PacketTrap MSP 6.2 and PacketTrap PSA, the company’sprofessional service automation solution, enables users to:

·         Better track tickets, improving customer service and reducing status calls;

·         More accurately account for technicians billable hours to increase revenue; and,

·         Decrease the billing cycle by more quickly and accurately invoicing for completed work.

“Among the many enhancements to PacketTrap MSP, integration with our standalone PSA solution was a strategic development investment as it meets MSPs demand for technology that can be used to more easily complete many common business tasks,” said Matt Bolton, vice president of product management, Network Management Division, Quest Software. “Often we find that our target customers are not in the business of running businesses. By utilizing an intuitive platform that is far less cumbersome then other solutions on the market, yet offers the same functionality, MSPs can focus on providing new services to their own customers and marketing to new prospects.”

Quest Software launched PacketTrap PSA earlier this month following the company’s acquisition of BlueFolder, Inc., a leading provider of field and professional service management solutions. Quest Software enhanced BlueFolder’s existing PSA technology, providing MSPs with a solution to dramatically increase time savings and profitability by simplifying many business management processes.

In addition to integrating with PacketTrap PSA, PacketTrap MSP 6.2 features other enhancements such as monitoring support for Cisco wireless controllers, which are increasingly used to manage all wireless access points, and new monitoring templates for pre-defined monitoring and alerting of common applications.

Unique among RMM solutions, PacketTrap MSP 6.2 now enables MSPs to monitor customers’ Avaya VoIP infrastructure, which includes Avaya Aura Communications Manager, Avaya DP Office, PBX systems, IP Phones, Gateways, switches, routers and end-to-end network, physical and virtual IT infrastructure. Using PacketTrap MSP 6.2, MSPs can monitor customers’ VoIP systems and network infrastructure using the same trusted, user-friendly platform in order to make customers’ VoIP implementations more successful.

Pricing and Availability

Both PacketTrap MSP and PacketTrap PSA are now available as standalone solutions. MSPs and IT solution providers that purchase both PacketTrap MSP and PacketTrap PSA will have full integration between the solutions. PacketTrap MSP also integrates with other PSA solutions through technology partnerships.

For more information and a free fully featured trial of PacketTrap MSP 6.2, visit http://www.packettrap.com/packettrap-psa-free-trial/.

PRESS RELEASE

Cisco Introduces Connected Video Surveillance Delivered on Cisco Unified Computing System

Virtualized Applications on the Network Support Massive Scalability and Performance Increases; Reduce Total Cost of Ownership For Large Scale Safety and Security Operations

Related Information

Banka Postanska Stedionica, Serbia

The Cisco Serbia team for the Banka Postanska Stedionica discuss the physical security deployment

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 21, 2012 – Cisco today announced thatCisco® Video Surveillance software is available on Cisco's award winning Unified Computing System™  (Cisco UCS™) platform, now in use by more than 11,000 customers. By virtualizing Cisco Video Surveillance software, Cisco is providing significantly improved levels of performance, scalability, agility and manageability.

Cisco Physical Security solutions enable organizations to transform the way they protect people, property and critical infrastructure. The virtualization of these solutions with Cisco Unified Data Center applications is part of Cisco's strategy to move toward a solutions-led building block approach for the complete Cisco Physical Security portfolio, resulting in an optimized IP network and Physical Security foundation.

This announcement is the next step in Cisco's physical security strategy, providing customers with hyper-scalability and capacity, lower cost of ownership and simplified management. This news follows the Cisco physical security strategy evolution announced in Fall 2011 which aligned Cisco strengths with market opportunities and customer requirements to focus on large-scale strategic deployments. This provides customers with a combination of Cisco physical security products, services, third-party products and systems, and core networking, data center, video and collaboration offerings to support business needs.

The Video Surveillance Manager on UCS solution represents the first Cisco Video Surveillance Building Block that meets the deployment requirements for large-scale city, transportation, healthcare and energy requirements.

Key Facts:

• Modular UCS platform building blocks support massive scalability increases of up to 1,000 percent versus dedicated server solutions, allowing customers to scale to tens of thousands of cameras, delivering networked video surveillance for commercial, disaster and first responder needs, as well as large events.
• With a new rapid provisioning deployment model for large-scale city surveillance, transportation, critical infrastructure, energy, healthcare and other industries, Cisco Video Surveillance Manager provides centralized management with improved situational awareness and real-time response capabilities.
• UCS Express extends video surveillance as a service on the network as an easy-to-deploy, virtual solution with application consolidation on a blade-form factor for equipment that already exists in many branch offices.
• As part of an end-to-end solution, Cisco UCS offers infrastructure consolidation in the data center with innovative virtualization, memory, provisioning, I/O and management capabilities. Cisco UCS Express integrates the compute platform with all-in-one device convergence to facilitate the extension of data center applications into the branch.
• Management provided by the Cisco Unified Data Center, Unified Management, Unified Fabric and Unified Computing Systems delivers IT agility for fast provisioning, flexibility and lower operating costs.
• Highly secure separation capabilities for multi-tenant environments increase logical security and access control.
• Modular, scalable, high-density, and energy efficient, Cisco Physical Security Storage series platforms, as well as industry leading storage options from EMC and NetApp, will be available for use with Virtualized Video Surveillance as this solution is extended to the UCS B-Series and C-Series platforms.
• Cisco Capital® offers a variety of flexible financing offers to streamline the acquisition of Cisco products and services.

Supporting Quotes:

• Guido Jouret, general manager, Enterprise Video Group, Cisco, said: "Virtualizing video surveillance offers organizations reduced infrastructure costs, faster disaster recovery and deployment, reduced staffing needs and cooling costs, and improved application performance. Our solutions-led building block strategy focuses on virtualizing all Cisco software applications with Cisco Unified Data Center applications to support optimal end-to-end video quality."

• Dragisa Lojanica, head of IT, Banka Postanska Stedionica, Serbia, said: "The value of our recent Cisco deployment became evident soon after it was enabled. Cisco experts proved their in-depth understanding of our need to create a modern and efficient security surveillance infrastructure to help ensure that our customers and employees are protected, while streamlining operations, improving business efficiency and cutting costs."

• Dave Temple, assistant director of Technology Strategy, Loughborough University, United Kingdom, said: "Cisco Video Surveillance solutions increase our confidence that our students are protected with the highest quality products and support. Loughborough University is actively embracing the cloud model of service delivery using Cisco UCS at the core of its co-operative cloud system. The virtualized deployment model of the 6.3.2 release, based on Cisco's proven designs for modular building block solutions supported by lifecycle services, will dramatically improve management, scalability, performance and lower total cost of ownership while helping to significantly reduce risks."

• Rohan Mendis, telecommunications strategy manager, Transport for Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, said: "Cisco has provided a scalable platform solution to Transport for Greater Manchester, in support of our efforts to provide a safe and secure environment for the travelling public, our staff and visitors to our City. We see the introduction of a virtualised cloud solution as part of the latest Cisco 6.3.2 release as a natural and positive development that will further improve the resilience, availability and cost effectiveness of the existing architecture, and is exciting both for us and for the technology sector as a whole. In our opinion, this approach will reduce design and network risks, improve affordability, and we welcome the scalability and management opportunities for improvement that this change enables."

Availability:

• Video Surveillance Software release 6.3.2 is available now on UCS Express.
• The software is scheduled to be available on other platforms including Cisco UCS B and C Series in June 2012.
• Pricing for the UCS Express-based solution block starts from $2500.

Supporting Resources:

• To learn more, visit Cisco Physical Security: www.cisco.com/go/physec
• Cisco Video Surveillance for Unified Computing System Express data sheet:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps6918/ps9145/ps9152/data_sheet_c78-703863.html
• Network readiness for IP video surveillance solution brief:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps6918/ps9145/ps9152/solution_brief_c11-652089.pdf
• Network readiness assessment for video surveillance:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/solutions/Enterprise/Video/IPVS/IPVS_Network_Assessment.html
• Cisco-based high-performance network and video surveillance system installed in Russia's leading TV company, NTV: http://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?type=webcontent&articleId=706226
• Serbian Postal Savings Bank deploys Cisco Connected Physical Security solutions:http://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?type=webcontent&articleId=736354
• Case Study: Transportation agency centralizes video surveillance:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps6918/ps9145/ps9152/casestudy_c36-610593.html
• Case Study: University cost-effectively expands video surveillance:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps6918/ps9145/ps9152/Case_study_c36-562710.html
• Video: the Cisco Serbia team for the Banka Postanska Stedionica discuss the physical security deployment:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_uiABWrcdo

Technorati Tags: Cisco, Physical Security, Video Surveillance, Safety & Security, UCS, Virtualized Security, UCS, UCS Express, BYOD, Multi-Tenant Data Center Architectures, Cisco Cloud, Cisco Video, Cisco Enterprise Video, Business Video, virtualization, unified data center

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com.

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