Weidenhammer Introduces IT Disaster Recovery Product

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Wyomissing, Pa., November 30, 2009 – Weidenhammer, a provider of IT consulting services and solutions, is launching vRescue which is an IT disaster recovery service that allows organizations and school districts to rapidly restore business continuity of critical applications and data.
 
Recognizing the need for an affordable and effective disaster recovery solution, Weidenhammer, has launched a service geared for the unique needs of small to medium sized businesses (SMB).
 
"Disaster recovery solutions have traditionally been too expensive or resource intensive for our clients to consider viable," said John Weidenhammer, CEO, Weidenhammer. "With vRescue, we offer a fully managed service that is cost effective and ensures business continuity of mission critical systems in the event of an emergency or system outage."
 
Simply stated, vRescue provides a fully managed backup and recovery strategy for mission critical server applications that assures availability of working systems in minutes rather than days. Leveraging the power of the Internet and virtualization technology, vRescue provides remote backup of mission critical applications and data to virtualized servers in a secured, 24/7 data center. By performing daily testing and validation of systems and applications, vRescue ensures quick and efficient recovery in the event of a disaster or equipment failure. Client notification at any hour of the day initiates the vRescue recovery process, bringing an application on-line and available to end users at a moments notice. 

"Companies can rest assured knowing that a fully-tested and up-to-date version of their mission critical application resides in one of Weidenhammer’s secure, enterprise data centers – ready to be recovered for operations quickly and efficiently," said Rick Finley, director of operations for vRescue, Weidenhammer.

vRescue utilizes a unique server virtualization technology that provides for efficient backup, automated testing and validation, and rapid recovery. This eliminates the cost and complexity traditionally associated with disaster recovery support, dedicated hardware, and expensive communication lines. Weidenhammer partners with Plan B to offer the vRescue service to customers. Plan B is a U.K.-based company, specializing in disaster recovery solutions, that provides industry recognized technology for remote backup and automated testing of virtualized server applications.
 
"Considering the low cost of entry and monthly support fees relative to achieving an effective business continuity strategy for core systems and applications, vRescue offers tremendous savings in terms of avoiding the business and financial impact of down time and lost information." said Charles G. Zwicker, sales manager, Weidenhammer. "vRescue makes disaster recovery affordable and easy to implement."
 
About Weidenhammer
Founded in 1978, Weidenhammer is an information technology firm providing innovative products and services that is celebrating 30 years of information ingenuity. Weidenhammer specializes in working with organizations to use information technology as a strategic tool for education administration, government, and diverse business industries.

With nearly 200 IT professionals in seven locations, Weidenhammer confronts one of the most critical and complex resources of business administration: information. Weidenhammer provides consulting expertise in the areas of Strategic Planning, Business Process Improvement, Application Development, Network Infrastructure, and Application Hosting. The Managed Services and Infrastructure Solutions Group supports a large client base through network and communications services and solutions that lower the cost and improve performance of IT infrastructures.
 
At the core of Weidenhammer’s approach to serving clients is a focus on achieving and maintaining the highest degree of alignment between clients’ business strategies and the appropriate application for information technology. To learn more, please visit www.hammer.net. 
 
 

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UNITED STATES DISTANCE LEARNING ASSOCIATION ELECTS PRESIDENT

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Boston, MA (PRWEB) — The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) recently elected Reggie Smith III as President of the Association.  The non-profit organization, formed in 1987, promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training, and serves the needs of the distance learning community globally. With this ascendency to the Presidency of USDLA, Reggie Smith becomes the first African-American member to assume this vaulted position. Earlier in the year Smith also received national recognition by receiving the 2009 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) for Community Service.

 

“We welcome Reggie Smith as our new president.  Reggie brings knowledge and a level of acumen that will assist the association in its continued efforts to promote the development and application of distance learning,” said John G. Flores, Ph.D., USDLA Executive Director.

 

Reggie Smith currently works for Booz Allen Hamilton and has been involved in distance education since 1991 along with serving on several committees for USDLA since joining the board of directors in 2004. Smith, who has worked as a deputy director of Learning Technologies for Alion Science & Technology and vice president of operations for Magicsoft, is also a recognized authority on media and telecommunications issues, having received numerous awards and served as keynote or presenter at several national and international conferences, including VIRTUAL EDUCA International Conference, the e-Learning Conference & Expo, the TeleCon East, West & European Expos and the 22nd Annual Black Media Coalition’s Conference. 

 

“Being the first African-American president to the Board of Directors of the United States Distance Learning Association, shows that USDLA understands the value in diversity and what it can contribute to its longevity,” said Smith.  “My background has enabled me to understand the total picture not just the technical perspective because it is not just about the technology but how it enables user communities to connect the dots and truly harness the knowledge continuum globally.”

 

About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit association formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military, government and telehealth markets. The USDLA trademarked logo is the recognized worldwide symbol of dedicated professionals committed to the distance learning industry.  To learn more about USDLA, visit http://www.usdla.org.

 

About Booz Allen

Booz Allen Hamilton has been at the forefront of strategy and technology consulting for more than 90 years. Every day, government agencies, institutions, corporations, and infrastructure organizations rely on the firm’s expertise and objectivity, and on the combined capabilities and dedication of its exceptional people to find solutions and seize opportunities. Booz Allen combines a consultant’s unique problem-solving orientation with deep technical knowledge and strong execution to help clients achieve success in their most critical missions. Providing a broad range of services in strategy, operations, organization and change, information technology, systems engineering, and program management, Booz Allen is committed to delivering results that endure.
To learn more about the firm, visit http://www.boozallen.com.

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Contact: USDLA HQ
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

E-mail: info@usdla.org
http://www.usdla.org
1-800-275-5162

 

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North Carolina Schools encouraged to apply for ARRA funding

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The U.S. Department of Education (USED) distributed ARRA funds to states to save and create jobs while advancing reforms and improvements that will create long-lasting results for K-12 students.
ARRA will provide funding to North Carolina schools through existing federal formula and competitive grant programs including Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program. Schools with programs that meet these criteria are encouraged to apply.

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$5,000 for teachers who provide science teaching excellence

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The Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE) is an annual awards program that recognizes extraordinary contributions by educators across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who are elevating the level of science literacy through creativity in the classroom and motivation of students. An independent panel of judges selects the winners based on the following criteria: creativity and effectiveness of teaching methods; the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools; and an innovative science lesson plan showcasing innovative methods in the classroom.

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Largest school district in Alabama chooses SMART

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CALGARY, Alberta — November 30, 2009 — SMART Technologies announces that Mobile County Public Schools (MCPS) in Mobile, Alabama, has standardized on SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards. In the 2008–09 school year, MCPS began a district-wide campaign to install a SMART Board interactive whiteboard in every classroom. To date, the district has installed more than 1,500 SMART Board interactive whiteboards and continues to add other SMART products to its classrooms. In addition to a SMART Board interactive whiteboard, at least six schools in the district will add a SMART Document Camera, SMART Slate™ wireless slate and SMART Response™ interactive response system to each classroom.

With more than 63,000 students enrolled at more than 100 schools, MCPS is the largest district in Alabama and the 50th largest district in the United States. MCPS first introduced SMART Board interactive whiteboards to their classrooms in 1996 and, in the 2007–08 school year, MCPS decided to add an interactive whiteboard to every classroom in the district. One senior official in the district explained that since SMART products were introduced, the district has seen an increase in student attentiveness and a significant decrease in discipline problems. Today, MCPS has more than 1,500 SMART Board interactive whiteboards, 500 SMART Document Cameras, 200 AirLiner™ wireless slates (now called the SMART Slate wireless slate) and 300 SMART Response interactive response systems, and is committed to adding even more SMART products to its classrooms.
“Having SMART products in the classrooms has really changed the face of how we do things,” says
David K. Akridge, executive manager of IT services at MCPS. “Teachers are elated to be receiving their own SMART Board, and students are collaborating and using the technology to enhance day-to-day activities.”
“Administrators and teachers at Mobile County Public Schools recognize the importance of using interactive technology products in the classroom to engage and support today’s learners,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “With a SMART Board interactive whiteboard in every classroom in the district, students across all grades and subjects will benefit from having the tools and resources needed to support their success now and in the future.”
About Mobile County Public Schools
Mobile County Public Schools (MCPS) is located in southwest Alabama and incorporates 10 cities. The mission of the MCPS school system is to graduate citizens who are literate, responsible and committed to learning over a lifetime. The district strives to provide a variety of learning pathways to ensure academic and career success for their students, including fostering a collaborative school culture to benefit both educators and students. More information on Mobile County Public Schools can be found at www.mcpss.com.
About SMART  
SMART Technologies introduced the world’s first interactive whiteboard in 1991 and is the global interactive whiteboard category leader, providing easy-to-use, integrated hardware, software and services that improve the way the world collaborates and learns. For more than 20 years, innovation and commitment to excellence have been at the core of its business. SMART revolutionized the education market with products that empower educators to improve student outcomes by effectively implementing technology products that support all learning styles and environments. The company helps business people achieve better results with products that enable more productive meetings and collaborative work. Its success is driven by a deep commitment to and engagement with both the education and business communities. SMART offers products, resources and services that positively transform the way people learn and work.
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For more information, please contact:
 
Christine Roulston
Public Relations Specialist
SMART Technologies
Phone 403.407.5084
Fax 403.228.2500
Email ChristineRoulston@smarttech.com
© 2009 SMART Technologies ULC. SMART Board, SMART Slate, SMART Response, AirLiner, smarttech and the SMART logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SMART Technologies ULC in the U.S. and/or other countries.
 
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters. 
 
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Teachers using cell phones for class lessons

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Ariana Leonard’s Spanish class at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, Fla., is one of a growing number around the country that are abandoning traditional policies of cell-phone prohibition and incorporating the devices into class lessons, reports the Associated Press. Her students divide into groups, and Leonard sends them text messages in Spanish: Find something green. Go to the cafeteria. Take a picture with the school secretary. In this way, Spanish vocabulary becomes a digital scavenger hunt. "I can use my cell phone for all these things, why can’t I use it for learning purposes?’" Leonard said. Today’s phones are the equivalent of small computers; meanwhile, most school districts can’t afford a computer for every student. "It really is taking advantage of the love affair that kids have with technology today," said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. "The kids are much more motivated to use their cell phone in an educational manner." Even districts with tough anti-use policies acknowledge they’ll need to change eventually. "We can’t get away from it," said Bill Husfelt, superintendent of Bay County District Schools, a Florida Panhandle district of 27,000 students where cell phones aren’t allowed in school, period. "But we’ve got to do a lot more work in trying to figure out how to stop the bad things from happening."

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Royal Society puts rare scientific manuscripts online

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Historic manuscripts by Sir Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, and other groundbreaking scientists will be published online for the first time, AFP reports. The Royal Society, the world’s oldest scientific institution, will release famous literature on the web that it has published in its journals over the centuries as part of celebrations to mark its 350th anniversary. The works include a 1770 scientific study confirming that composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a genius and, more recently, acclaimed scientist Stephen Hawking’s early writings on black holes. Called Trailblazing, the interactive site contains 60 articles chosen from among the 60,000 that have appeared in the Royal Society’s journals. Other works to be published on the site include Newton’s theory on light and colors and a paper by Benjamin Franklin, describing his experiment to prove that lightning is electricity rather than a supernatural force. Britain’s Royal Society, which supports young scientists and influences scientific debate, started out as a college of thinkers who met to discuss the ideas of the philosopher and scientist Sir Francis Bacon in 1660…

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Taiwan plans to roll out e-Readers in schools

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Taiwan’s Ministry of Education plans to offer e-readers to school kids on the island next year as part of its efforts to digitize schools and promote reading, PC World reports. The e-readers are part of a five-year budget earmarked for information technology in classrooms, valued at $1.55 billion in U.S. dollars. Currently, the ministry is reviewing designs for e-readers and doesn’t yet know how many it will purchase for next year, a representative said. This year, the ministry has focused on putting digital chalkboards in math, science, and language classrooms in Taiwan schools. The HaBoard interactive whiteboard has an 82-inch touch screen so teachers can write on them, make changes to images on the screen, or call up further information, said Ivan Huang, a representative of HaBook Information Technology, the maker of the device. The classrooms using the HaBoard also provide touch-screen monitors to groups of kids in each class, usually one screen for every five or six kids. The purpose of the monitors is to make the class more interactive, so kids can look up additional information or answer questions about the subject the teacher is currently reviewing…

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New iPhone application aids student research

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An alternative to spending hours in a library sifting through books is now available at the touch of students’ fingertips, thanks to the work of a University of Montana alum, reports the Missoulian. Questia, an online library of humanities and social-sciences research material, recently launched a new iPhone application with the help of a UM graduate. The application allows college students to perform academic research on their mobile phones. Sean Sullivan, a 1993 UM journalism graduate, is director of consumer sales and marketing for Questia, which offers 76,000 textbooks and 2.7 million journals, magazines, and newspaper articles online. The Questia app, which launched in September, costs 99 cents to download and includes a one-week access to the entire research collection. After that, it costs $9.99 for two weeks of access or $99.99 for a year. Mark Milian, a Los Angeles Times staff writer, questions whether poor college students will pay for online research material when it is available at no cost by visiting the campus library. But Sullivan says it’s more convenient than the library, because students need access to materials 24 hours a day, seven days a week–and the material on Questia will never be "checked out" by someone else…

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Government delays ban on internet gambling

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The Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve are giving U.S. financial institutions an additional six months to comply with regulations designed to ban internet gambling, reports the Associated Press. The two agencies said that the new rules, which were to take effect on Dec. 1, would be delayed until June 1 of next year. The delayed rules would curb online gambling by prohibiting financial institutions from accepting payments from credit cards, checks, or electronic fund transfers to settle online wagers. The financial industry complained that the new rules would be difficult to enforce, because they did not offer a clear definition of what constitutes internet gambling. They had sought a 12-month delay in implementing provisions of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which Congress passed in 2006. The Bush administration issued regulations to enforce the law in November 2008 and had set Dec. 1, 2009, as the date financial institutions would have to begin complying…

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