September 30, 1998 - George Mason's Institute for Public Policy is turning to NASA's retired space engineers and managers to produce problem-solving teams for Virginia's commercial satellite-launching facility at Wallops Island, which is expected to begin operation in 2000. The teams will consist of George Mason University graduate students and faculty. The program will also contribute to the Washington area's growing commercial space and satellite industry.

Aid For Emerging Tech Firms

September 29, 1998 - Imperial Bank Emerging Growth Industries Group, a division of Imperial Bank in Los Angeles, has opened a Washington office dedicated to providing loans and financial advice to area technology companies. They are a relationship-oriented provider of specialized financial services and credit products that address clients' unique needs as rapidly growing companies in the information services, new media, biotechnology, healthcare and software markets throughout the United States.

Conservation Fund Brings Efforts to Web

September 28, 1998 - The Conservation Fund has recently brought its efforts to the Internet. The fund's homepage includes their latest news, progress of the fund and the status of various ongoing projects. The Conservation Fund is an organization seeking sustainable conservation solutions for the twenty-first century, emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals.

SpaceWorks' Releases OrderManager 4.0

September 25, 1998 -Rockville based SpaceWorks released OrderManager 4.0. The software enhances a company's ability to automate transactions up and down their supply chains by allowing the company to incrementally phase in functions over time to accommodate evolving intranet and extranet commerce needs and requirements. SpaceWorks develops, markets and supports a suite of business-oriented electronic commerce software applications for use on the Internet, through private corporate intranets and over extranets.

Housing Database Online for Travelers

September 24, 1998 - Global Home Network, Inc., based in Herndon, specializes in finding residences for travelers throughout the world. Visitors may use their Web site to look for accommodations in various potential destinations. The site also provides a service which locates places to stay not mentioned or listed on the site. For more information, visit their homepage.

Washington Region Restaurants Online

September 23, 1998 - DC-Restaurants.com, developed by Intech of Fairfax, is a online directory of restaurants for the Greater Washington region. The site enables users to browse through 13 different cuisines to find restaurants of interest. Visitors are able to link to the restaurants' Web site and find more information on their offerings. DC-Restaurants.com also provides Internet services to restaurants who are interested in having an Internet presence.

Washingtonpost.com Conducts Online Salary Survey

September 22, 1998 - Washingtonpost.com has recently released a five month study concerning the salaries of high tech employees. 8,600 people, 6,200 of which are located in the Greater Washington area, are currently participating in the ongoing Internet survey. The results of the survey are available to the pubic in an interactive form that allows individuals to compare their salaries against those of others in their fields. For more information or to view the results of the ongoing survey, visit the survey's area in Washingtonpost.com's WashTech section.

Organization Addresses Workplace Issues

September 21, 1998 - The Center for Adult Development, based in Washington, D.C., increases knowledge about key issues affecting adult development. Programs include research projects, educational seminars, workshops and training programs. Programs run by the center include projects on midlife development and early retirement, cancer, organizational conflicts and executive coaching. The Center for Adult Development is a nonprofit educational, research and service organization that promotes healthy adult development in the workplace.

Autometric Enters New Markets

September 18, 1998 - Springfield based Autometric Inc., once a satellite imaging business working exclusively for the government, is using imagery products for entertainment companies, agricultural conglomerates and government contractors. The company's technology can integrate weather data with maps and photos making two-dimensional satellite photos look three- dimensional. Past accomplishments include the creation of the location targeting technology for the Tomahawk cruise missile and three-dimensional-looking weather imaging for CBS.

Virginia's School Systems Offer New Courses

September 17, 1998 - This month, 23 community college campuses across the state will provide courses on products from Cisco Corp., a network company based in San Jose. The Cisco program will consist of six courses that will prepare students for the Cisco Certified Network Associate exam. The program will cost under $3,000 and can be completed in one year and could place students in network engineering jobs that pay an estimated salary of $35,000 to $40,000 per year. Two of the Cisco courses have also been approved for high school credit by the Virginia Department of Education. One of the purposes of the course is to fill the estimated 23,000 unfilled jobs in Northern Virginia.

KnowledgeWay Releases New Economy Study

September 16, 1998 - The Potomac KnowledgeWay and PricewaterhouseCoopers released "Toward a New Economy: Merging Heritage with Vision in the Greater Washington Region," a study focused on the size and importance of the Information Communications Cluster in the Greater Washington region. The study was sponsored by the Potomac KnowledgeWay, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hale and Dorr LLP, The Greater Washington Initiative and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology. For more information or to download the full study, please visit the "Toward a New Economy" page on the KnowledgeWay site.

D'Vinci Interactive Offers Design, Training

September 15, 1998 - D'Vinci Interactive, located in Hagerstown, is a full service interactive multimedia studio focused on combining art and technology in order to forge a 'digital renaissance.' Aside from Web site design, D'Vinci Interactive offers 2D and 3D animation services as well as Authorware and Computer Based Training. Clients include Ticketmaster, The Wellness Web and Intrepid Technologies. For additional information and a complete list of clients and services, visit their Web site.

Certitude Puts Managed Healthcare Solutions Online

September 14, 1998 - Certitude is a health information technology company providing targeted solutions for the managed care industry. Based in Bethesda, Certitude utilizes its global database to provide targeted services for healthcare professionals through decision support software, integrated systems and pharmacoeconomic solutions. Visitors to the site can download demos of software as well as detailed release notes.

Integral Systems New Software Product

September 11, 1998 - Integral Systems of Lanham produces software products and custom services for satellite ground system development and integration for government and commercial marketplaces. Customers are now using Integral Systems' EPOCH 2000 software product, the world's first commercial off-the-shelf satellite command and control software package. The Orbit Analysis System (OASYS) module of EPOCH 2000 also is sold as a stand-alone product and allows operators to perform satellite orbit determination and control. In addition to these products, the company provides systems for satellite integration and testing, payload processing, simulation and environment monitoring.

MapSys, Inc. Introduces AutoPilot

September 10, 1998 - MapSys, Inc. of Alexandria develops and markets computer software products and consulting services to the Travel and Transportation Industries, specializing in customized software for highway travel planning, truck fleet operations and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). They have recently created the AutoPilot system, an interactive travel Web site, to help travelers in planning their trips. This system gives you options such as routing preferences, enroute facilities and distance display.

Computer Books Available Online

September 9, 1998 - Computer Literacy, a retailer of computer and information technology related books, is a place for information technology specialists to go for the newest technical books and training. Boasting a large selection and over 500 subject categories, visitors can find the correct book for them and order online. Computer Literacy also has four retail outlets, three in California and one in Tysons Corner.

National School Modernization Day

September 8, 1998 - The National School Modernization Day will be a live teleconference with President Clinton and U.S. Secretary of Education, Richard Riley on September 8. The goal of the teleconference is to highlight the need for school renovation, smaller class sizes with well-prepared teachers and access to educational technology. The Web site offers instructions on how to participate and an online registration form.

Dyslexia Information Available Online

September 4, 1998 - The Internet is now home to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) based in Baltimore. The IDA Web site contains information about dyslexia, research into the problem, technology used to overcome the disability and legal and legislative issues facing those with dyslexia. The site also hosts a discussion group for those who wish to share personal information. IDA is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia.

UMD Hosts 1998 Bioscience Forum

September 3, 1998 - The High Technology Council of Maryland is sponsoring the 1998 Bioscience Forum that will take place at the University of Maryland on October 1. The one-day event includes speakers form area companies, sessions on biotechnology, agriculture, research and development and more. The event also includes an investor and "biopartnering" session where 30 companies will present to the audience and later meet with those interested in the opportunities. For more information and to register for the event visit the 1998 Bioscience Forum Web site.

Document Authentication Systems Inc. (DAS) Develops New Software

September 2, 1998 - Document Authentication Systems Inc. (DAS) of Baltimore, an electric commerce software company, has patented and trademarked the "Electric Original," part of their DocuGuard Software package. The "Electric Original" uses special keying technology and encryption, resulting in a secure, authentic original document. This technology targets industries such as commercial leasing, mortgages and pharmaceuticals as well as government, where original copies are necessary in business transaction.

OTG's DiskXtender (DX) Integrated into Medical Diagnostic Software

September 1, 1998 - OTG Software, headquartered in Bethesda, is a leading developer of automated data storage and document management solutions for Windows. They have joined forces with Hewlett Packard to develop the HP EnConcert Echo Information Management System. This system is an integrated network solution that allows cardiologists to view and manage diagnostic images from a PC. HP selected OTG's DiskXtender (DX), an NT-based software component, to manage the storage and retrieval of ultrasound data to and from optical media.