Local Group Focuses On Information Protection
March 29, 1999 - Para-Protect Services was recently formed by four local information industry experts in order to address the growing problem of information protection. Para-Protect, based in Alexandria, focuses on operational protection, detection and reaction to computer security threats and offers a 24 hour-a-day incident response hotline and online services, open information collection and analysis, intrusion monitoring and penetration testing and exercises.

Maryland Traffic Information Featured Online
March 26, 1999 - The Department of Public Works and Transportation of Montgomery County offers their Web site which includes information on transit, highway and engineering services. The site also features the Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) which offers up to date transit and traffic information including live camera snapshots of traffic, "Ride-On" transit schedules and delay information.

Company Personalizes Electronic Documents
March 25, 1999 - Signature-mail.com LLC, based in Alexandria, has introduced their Signature-mail software service. Signature-mail allows subscribers to personalize their email, computer faxes and documents with a signature, greeting, message or drawing. The software works with the AOL 4.0, Eudora Pro V4.1, Microsoft Explorer, Microsoft Outlook 98 and Netscape email clients.

Telezoo.com Aids Telecom Industry
March 24, 1999 - Telezoo.com has created a virtual sales channel that will allow vendors to upgrade their product specifications in real time and provide them with qualified sales leads via the Internet. Their clients include telecom equipment vendors, service providers, Information Technology (IT)/telecom professionals, system integrators, suppliers and resellers. Telezoo.com, based in Washington, D.C., is an independent e-commerce and search engine company that supports the telecommunications industry.

Local Firm Launches Web Site
March 23, 1999 - Peyser Associates, Inc. is a firm specializing in helping their clients gain the resources needed to develop critical projects and programs. The company, based in Washington, D.C., supports public and private sectors inside and outside of Washington. The site features information about the firm and its services as well as its Washington internship program.

Procurement Search Engine Unveiled
March 22, 1999 - Bidengine, based in Washington, D.C., is a search engine that seeks public bid sites containing opportunities to sell products and services. The search engine only uses procurement sites to find bid and proposal opportunities posted by governments, educational institutions, public buying cooperatives and large companies that have chosen to post their business opportunities on the Web. Bidengine helps narrow searches by offering five categories including bid opportunities, procurement forecasts and awards.

GMU Program Accepts Proposals
March 19, 1999 - George Mason University's Internet Multimedia Center's (IMC) Innovative Project Development Program is now accepting proposals for experimental long-term projects involving the merging of technology and art focusing on content design and development. Proposals may be submitted via their Web site and are due by April 15, 1999. The IMC is part of the university's Institute of the Arts, in partnership between Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, the Century Club of George Mason University, and its corporate sponsors.

Perform Check Management Online
March 18, 1999 - CheckAGAIN, based in Vienna, provides a complete check management solution for retail and account-based industries. They have recently released their electronic check management system to recover funds from bounced checks. This technology allows clients to view real-time reports via the Internet and directly download the data into Microsoft Excel format.

Group Helps Improve Region
March 17, 1999 - The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is an association of 17 local governments working together for a better metropolitan region. One program helping them achieve that goal is Commuter Connections, a regional program that provides alternative commute information and assistance to employers in the Greater Washington region. Their Web site includes a cost of commuting calculator, information on commuting programs and an events calendar.

Small Business "Think Tank" Online
March 16, 1999 - Research Institute for Small & Emerging Business (RISEbusiness) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the formation and growth of the small and emerging business sector by developing and sponsoring research on small and emerging businesses and then ensuring its effective dissemination. By providing corporations, policymakers and business and trade groups with market, policy and field research on issues affecting small and emerging businesses, RISEbusiness informs decision-making pertaining to this important sector of the economy. Based in Washington, D.C., RISEbusiness' main areas of research interest are small and emerging businesses' contribution to the economy; the impact of government regulation; access to capital; the impact of the changing workplace and workforce; and the impact of changing technology on small and emerging businesses.

Loudoun Business Opportunities Promoted Via The Web
March 15, 1999 - LoudounBusiness.com is an Internet gateway helping users find business information and resources within Loudoun County. The site, intended to promote businesses in the county, contains information on the county government, listings of local and regional business organizations, a business calendar and employment opportunities. Businesses and business organizations with a presence in Loudoun County are encouraged to send press releases, employment openings and events for publication to the site. Businesses considering locating in Loudoun County are able to find information about official contracts in the county and region, information about communities within the county and other resources.

MusicMaker.com Customizes Music Buying
March 12, 1999 - Reston-based MusicMaker allows customers to browse through listings of songs licensed to them and create custom audio compact disks. Visitors can search through archives of genres ranging from alternative to zydeco. Currently, MusicMaker.com is the largest custom compact disk resource on the Internet. MusicMaker.com was created by The Music Connection Corporation.

Maryland Information On The Web
March 11, 1999 - The Maryland Electronic Capital is an Internet gateway into Maryland. The site includes information about the federal and state government, the General Assembly and the Governor. The site also addresses business, education and technology in Maryland. The Web site was made possible by corporate sponsors and the Maryland State Archives.

CDT Promotes Privacy
March 10, 1999 - The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age. The CDT, in Washington D.C., focuses on practical solutions to enhance free expression and privacy in communications technologies. The site features news headlines, publications and links to other Web sites.

NADO Helps Regional Development Organizations
March 9, 1999 - National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), based in Washington D.C., provides training, information and representation for regional development organizations in small metropolitan and rural America. The site provides information on membership, meetings and job opportunities. NADO's Web site also features news about Internet taxation, the Small Business Administration and workforce investment.

Company Provides Multimedia Courseware And Presentations
March 8, 1999 - LearnWare International Corporation, based in Baltimore, provides services for the creation and electronic distribution of custom-designed interactive multimedia courseware and presentations for educational institutions, associations and businesses. LearnWare's staff includes computer programmers, digital media specialists, distributed learning specialists, instructional designers, interface designers, multimedia artists, and video producers. The Web site includes information about the company, their products and services and a search feature.

Web Site Promotes Small Businesses
March 5, 1999 - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides customer-oriented, full-service programs and accurate, timely information to the entrepreneurial community. Their Web site offers information about the SBA's loan programs as well as giving users downloadable forms. The newest feature is the SBA Classroom which schools users with interactive courses such as raising capital and generating a business plan which is available in English or Spanish.

Company Administers Tests
March 4, 1999 - Sylvan Prometric, based in Baltimore, delivers technology-based assessment services for Information Technology (IT) industry certification, academic admissions, and professional licensure/certification. Sylvan Prometric serves clients in organizations that administer testing programs for academic admissions and those that administer certification/licensure programs for professionals. Their Web site offers a test center locator, information on their clients and partners as well as themselves.

Alliance Pushes for Greater Involvement in Technology
March 3, 1999 - The Alliance for Public Technology (APT), in Washington D.C., is a non-profit membership organization concerned with fostering access to affordable and useful information, communication services and technologies by all people. APT is composed of public interest groups and individuals who have not historically been involved in the Information Age, including the elderly, minorities, low income groups and people with disabilities. The Web site features information on membership, events and publications.

Information Technology Focused Law Firm Opens Office In Region
March 2, 1999 - Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP will open a new office in Tysons Corner serving Information Technology and biotech clients. The office will specialize in intellectual property, corporate securities and transactional work for high-tech companies. Attorneys will offer assistance in general business transactions, raising capital, joint ventures, securities, technology licensing, Internet issues and the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including Internet, biotech, software and related "methods of doing business" patents.

Internship Network Now Online
March 1, 1999 - An Online database has been created for college students seeking high tech internships with regional employers in the Greater Washington region for the 1998-99 school year, summer of 1999, or both. The database was created by the Greater Washington Regional Partnership, a collaboration of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the High Technology Council of Maryland and the Northern Virginia Technology Council. There are currently over 2000 employers accessing the database. Organization that would like to have access to this database may email clientservices@alexus.com (subject:gwrpintern). College students wishing to participate may email resumes to intern.gwrp@alexus.com and indicate what term you would like your internship to take place. The intern database is free to all students as well as members of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the High Technology Council of Maryland and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.