Infrastructure
ViewSonic speeds up VX response time
ViewSonic Corp., announced the Canadian release of its VX Series with an improved response time.
Featuring two millisecond (ms) average video response time across the entire color scale, the 19-inch VX922 delivers full-motion images and optimized video performance for a variety of applications, including gaming and digital entertainment.
The VX922 is the first desktop display to combine ViewSonic’s proprietary Dynamic Structure and Amplified Impulse video response acceleration technologies to support rates of up to 500 frames per second across the entire color scale.
The VX922 will be available Dec. 1, 2005 through traditional ViewSonic Canadian resellers and distributors for a manufacture’s suggested retail price of $589.
Networking
Spansion offers Flash memory for SPI devices
Spansion LLC, the Flash memory venture of AMD and Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702), today expanded its line of serial Flash memory products with samples of a 64MB Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) device.
The device allows designers to extend the benefits of this emerging interface into embedded applications with large code storage requirements, such as printers. Spansion also has SPI products in mass production at the 4MB, 8MB and 16MB densities, and samples of a 32MB device.
SPI devices read information serially, or one bit at a time, requiringfewer connections and thus fewer pins. This lowers cost, simplifiesboard layout and reduces the form factor of many embedded designs. according to Spansion.
All devices are based on Spansion’s two-bit-per-cell MirrorBit technology and feature fast read speeds of 50 MHz for faster boot times on embedded products. Spansion offers the 64 Mb device in industry-standard packages, command sets and pinouts to help ensure plug and play compatibility with other accepted SPI devices. The S25FL064A is housed in a 16-pin SOIC lead-free package with RoHS compliance and the option of standard materials. The 4MB and 8MB SPI devices are available in eight-pin SOIC and eight-contact USON packaging options. The 16MB is offered in eight-pin and 16-pin SOIC packages, and an eight-contact WSON package.The S25FL064A is sampling now, with production expected later this year.The device will be priced at approximately $2.50 in quantities of10,000.
E-Business
XML BarCode Generator includes test apps
IDAutomation.com, Inc. announced the release of its XML Barcode Generator Webservice, a server-based barcode generator that supplies barcodes to applications over the Internet. The service installs on Windows Server and streams barcodes in XML format according to SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) standards. Because the service supports industry standards, it may be used by any application and operating system that can make use of XML Web Services.
The IDAutomation XML Barcode Webservice is supplied with two consumable test applications which can be used to test the configuration of the Webservice. The source code for both of these applications is included for reference; one of them is written in Visual Basic .NET and the other C#. The test programs bundled with the product request an XML byte stream image of the barcode and rebuild it into the appropriate image format (such as JPEG, GIF, PNG or BMP) in the client application.
The Bar Code Webservice supports several linear barcode symbologies including Code 39, Extended Code 39, Code 128, Telepen, Interleaved 2 of 5, LOGMARS, Codabar, EAN-128, USS Code 128, ITF, UPC-A, UPC-E, MSI, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 11, Code 93, Industrial 2 of 5, Postnet and Planet.
Pricing for the component starts at US$595 for a small company developer license. A developer license, which allows redistribution, costs US$1190. A fully functional evaluation version of the Webservice is available for public use online.
Wireless
LifeBook C132OD features Pentium M
Fujitsu Canada, Inc. announced the LifeBook C1320D value notebook.
Equipped with a large 15.4″ widescreen XGA display that provides 30 per cent more viewing area than a conventional 15-inch display, the LifeBook C1320D notebook features a built-in modular bay to install optical drives or a second battery. The LifeBook C1320D notebook weighs less than 6.4 pounds and uses an Intel Pentium M Processor with a 533 MHz front-side bus, Intel 915GM chipset and Serial-ATA hard drives. Wi-Fi-certified Atheros Super AG wireless LAN (802.11 a/b/g) is included. Digital images and MP3 files with a dedicated Secure Digital card slot, or use the Dual-Layer Multi-Format DVD Writer available on one of the models to backup business data or digital content. In addition, an optional port replicator provides desktop convenience and simplified cable management, Fujitsu said.
The LifeBook C1320D notebook costs $1,3991.
Data Management
IBM offers e-forms for Workplace users
IBM announced IBM Workplace Forms, electronic forms, or “e-forms”, software that can help companies streamline and customize the way employees capture, process and exchange business data.
IBM Workplace Forms provides customers with the ability to take back-end corporate data and applications — such as inventory figures, customer data or pricing information — and present it in a consistent interface, the company said.
IBM Workplace Forms are based on Extensible Markup Language (XML), which helps deliver greater interoperability and increased flexibility to customers without limiting their choice in software, operating system or computing platform. IBM currently plans that future versions of IBM Workplace Forms will support XForms, an emerging industry standard for electronic form documents.
Tenrox 8.6 synchs with MS Project Server
Tenrox announced the availability of Release 8.6, the latest version of the Company’s modular, project governance and compliance software.
This version features improved Microsoft Project Server synchronization and advanced integration with accounting packages. Multiple associations of a Work Type to a Project means a Work Type may now be associated to the same Project multiple times to create unique Tasks. These Tasks can be identified with their own distinctive names, adding another layer of detail in project time tracking and reporting, Tenrox said.
Notification Condition based on aging means users are now able to set escalation notification conditions at the State level for all workflow-based processes in three issue categories: inactivity, duration of stay in a given State, and not reaching a State within a given timeframe. An e-mail notification is automatically triggered once the pre-defined notification conditions are met.
Project Server synchronization improvements (budget mapping) allows users to map the Tenrox Project, Task and Resource Assignment budgets to specific fields in Microsoft Project. Drop-down menus are available from which to select the Microsoft Project to which the budgeted and estimated times will be mapped.
Integration enhancements for accounting packages include multi-company support. Companies with multiple offices, where each regional office may have its own separate accounting database, can now establish separate and distinct connections to link these multiple accounting databases to one Tenrox database. Credit note support has also been added enabling users to export negative invoices as credit notes.
Site Regional Settings allows users to set Regional Settings for each Site in the Site Regional Settings screen. Settings defined at the Site level will override those set in the Organization Set-up and in the Desktop’s Regional Settings.
