Computers & Technology

NEWS - Computers & Technology

Bidders can secure meetings with Georgia’s leading C-level executives.

April 29, 2013 – The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has announced that its 3rd Annual Executive Online Auction is now open and currently accepting bids. The event is a unique online fundraiser that auctions the time of high-level executives in support of entrepreneurial activity across the state.

During the auction, individuals initiate bids online for the chance to take a prominent executive out to lunch.  “Personal introductions to senior executives are often difficult to arrange,” says Tino Mantella, TAG President and CEO. “Our Executive Online Auction offers the opportunity to access and gain critical insight from seasoned professionals that may otherwise not be available.”

This year, bidders will have the opportunity to secure access with some Georgia’s leading executives including:
• Alan Dabbiere – chairman at AirWatch
• David Dabbiere – chief operating officer at AirWatch
• Mark Taylor – vice president, IBM Group at Arrow ECS
• Glenn Lurie – president of Emerging Enterprises and Partnerships at AT&T
• Dallas Clement – CFO at Autotrader.com
• Kristin Koepenick – SVP of Finance at Cardlytics
• Jim Geiger – CEO at Cbeyond
• Phil Agcaoili – chief information security officer at Cox Communications
• Brad Ferguson – CFO at EarthLink
• Jamie Walker – CFO at Elavon
• Andy Bodea – chief global operations officer at Equifax
• Barry McCarthy – president, Financial Services at First Data
• Sam Franklin – senior analytical lead at Google
• Al Cochran – CFO at Greenway Medical
• Dennis Story – CFO at Manhattan Associates
• Jill Robinson – senior vice president & CFO at McKesson
• Jim Denny – CEO at Navicure
• Stefan Erdmann – vice president of Global R&D at Novelis
• Mike Cote – chairman & CEO at Dell SecureWorks
• Bill Nussey – president & CEO at Silverpop
• Guyton Cochran – executive VP & CFO at Southwire
• Bart Wood – VP of Enterprise Planning and Strategic Support at Southern Company
• John Baumstark – chairman & CEO at Suniva
• Chris Walters – COO at The Weather Company
• Mark Bachmann – executive VP & CFO at Zep Inc

To access the Online Auction please visit: https://connectforacause.com/pages/644624-technology-association-of-georgia

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 19,000 members and hosting over 200 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 32 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

NEWS - Computers & Technology

NEWS - Computers & Technology

Offers customers deep discounts, special coupons and more

April 3, 2013 – Churchill’s, an acclaimed British-inspired pub and restaurant located in the heart of historic downtown Savannah, Ga. at 13 W. Bay St., is pleased to announce the launch of Churchill’s Pub Rewards, an interactive loyalty program mobile app available for iPhone and Android smart phone users.

Churchill’s Pub Rewards interactive loyalty program is one-of-a-kind in the Savannah area and allows members to earn reward points for every dollar spent. Once members earn 100 points, they will receive a $10 coupon to use at Churchill’s or Winston’s Wine Cellar, located on the lower level of Churchill’s. In addition, members will enjoy exclusive access to food and beverage discounts, coupons, special member happy hour pricing twice daily from 5-7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close, and admission to loyalty program member appreciation events.

“We wanted to show our customers how much we appreciate their loyalty by giving them a fun, easy way to earn exclusive rewards and save money,” said Andy Holmes, owner of Churchill’s and Winston’s Wine Cellar. “The Churchill’s Pub Rewards app allows us to connect directly to our patrons and communicate our support and loyalty back to them.”

With no card to carry, the advantages of the new interactive loyalty program allows members to access their reward points, card balance and transaction information directly from their smart phone. Customers can download the mobile app directly from the iTunes and Android app store or visit Churchill’s online at http://www.thebritishpub.com/loyalty/.

For more information, please call 912-232-8501 or visit Churchill’s online at www.thebritishpub.com or on Facebook.

About Churchill’s Pub:
Named after the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Churchill’s is an acclaimed pub and restaurant located in the heart of historic downtown Savannah, Ga. at 13 W. Bay St. The British-owned and operated restaurant and bar specializes in traditional British and contemporary American cuisine. Winston’s Wine Cellar, Savannah’s only wine bar, is located on the lower level of Churchill’s, offering guests a sophisticated wine list with more than 100 domestic and international selections as well as a small plate menu that’s perfect for mixing and matching. Churchill’s and Winston’s Wine Cellar are open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. For more information, call 912-232-8501, visit Churchill’s online at www.thebritishpub.com or “like” Churchill’s on Facebook.

NEWS - Computers & Technology

TAG to share key findings from the report

April 2, 2013 – The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state’s leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia’s technology industry, will share its 2013 State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia Report at meetings in key locations across the state.

Savannah will host a meeting at the Armstrong Atlantic State University Science Center, Room 1405 at 12 noon Friday, April 19.

The meetings will highlight the achievements and challenges facing the state’s technology community. Tino Mantella, President and CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia will present the report at each meeting which is expected to attract local tech executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, academia and elected officials.

TAG’s State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia Report was created to be a useful tool for Georgia's many technology stakeholders.  The report and the valuable information it contains serves as a source for facts, statistics, trends and other insights into the Georgia Technology Industry.

For more information on attending the meeting in your area please contact Heather Miner at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

About The State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia Report
The State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia is TAG’s annual industry report to benchmark the growth of Georgia’s technology industry against previous years and other top technology states. Primary and secondary research is conducted by Internet Decisions, LLC., including TAG’s annual Technology Decision-Makers Survey which polls top executives from more than 120 state technology companies about their plans to hire, expand and invest in their Georgia operations.

The full State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia Report is available at http://tagstateoftheindustry.com/2013/

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 18,500 members and hosting over 200 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 32 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

NEWS - Computers & Technology

March 19, 2013 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Savannah District unveiled a newer version of its Web site Mar. 15, as part of a Web upgrade for the entire Corps of Engineers. Although the site features an updated appearance, the Universal Resource Locator, or Web address, remains the same: www.sas.usace.army.mil.

As a part of this upgrade, URLs to certain pages on the Savannah District’s Web site have changed. Users who have book marked pages other than the home page will need to take the necessary action to update their Internet "bookmarks" or "favorites."

The new Web site is built on the American Forces Public Information Management System (AFPIMS), which is a content management tool used for managing public Web site within the Department of Defense and its branches. The upgrade moves the Savannah District’s Web site into a cloud-based system. The system allows the Corps to create a consistent look and feel on its Web pages, streamline content management and deliver a rich end-user experience that incorporates audio, video and other Web elements.

"Our site will be more user-friendly," said Russ Wicke, corporate communications officer for the Savannah District. "It helps us deliver fast, easily accessible content and is now more compatible with emerging web technology such as social media and Web site plug-ins."

In addition to a new look and feel, the site offers such features as a rotating image gallery, video playlist, updated news releases, fact sheets, a search engine and a comprehensive interactive contact list. Visitors to the Web site will also find information about the following:

• Current projects, authorized studies and operations and maintenance (organized by the district)
• Permitting process
• Public Notices
• Recreational opportunities on Corps-owned property
• Savannah District Social media presence

The Defense Media Agency (DMA), which runs AFPIMS, currently manages the Web site platforms for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and 20 other government agencies.

The changes consolidate hardware, software and manpower, transitioning from 58 server locations to one server location. "The Corps continues to explore new ways to improve communications and transparency with our stakeholders nationwide," Wicke said. "Our Web site is an important communication tool and a reliable link to the public."

Web site users can submit questions, feedback or concerns regarding the Savannah District Web site to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

NEWS - Computers & Technology

March 13, 2013 – To ensure its customers have flawless wireless service during the 189th St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities in Savannah, Verizon Wireless has increased its 4G LTE network by adding a temporary Cell On Wheels (COW) and doubling the capacity at the five surrounding cell towers.

In recent years, data usage and text messages have dramatically increased during the parade. The company’s data traffic around the parade route has increased approximately 500 percent over the past two years.  For this year’s event, Verizon is anticipating more than 4 million LTE connections.

For the seventh consecutive year, Verizon Wireless is the presenting sponsor of the renowned St. Patrick’s Celebration on the River event, which features entertainment, food, beverages, games, contests and more on the historic Savannah waterfront. As part of the festivities, the company will host an interactive area for visitors to experience its latest technology including smart accessories, connected devices and Verizon solutions as well as the chance to win Verizon-branded prizing. Festival attendees can capture the fun by taking themed photos on 4G LTE tablets that they can share online.

Guests will also have the chance to test their knowledge by participating in Verizon’s St. Patrick’s Day Trivia races where competitors will go head-to-head to race their leprechaun to the gold on the big screen by answering St. Patrick’s Day, Savannah, and Verizon trivia questions using 4G LTE tablets.

NEWS - Computers & Technology

Savannah technology companies to participate in ‘The Global Commerce Revolution: Innovation in Every Interaction’

Feb. 18, 2013 – The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has announced it expects to draw executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and academia from Savannah at its 2013 Georgia Technology Summit (GTS), which will be held on March 20 In Atlanta.

Savannah is home to a growing number of technology and tech-enabled companies. Rails Machine, Gulfstream, Brasseler USA and Mitsubishi Power Systems are just a few of the companies that contribute to Georgia’s growth as a technology hub.

"I'm excited to see Savannah's tech market grow and mature,” said Kevin Lawver, president at Rails Machine. “New startups are popping up every week, and even our own venture fund. It's great that the rest of the state is starting to take notice of everyone's hard work."

The 2013 Georgia Technology Summit will focus on The Global Commerce Revolution: Innovation in Every Interaction and will feature presentations from some of the top technology influencers in the nation:

• Ray Kurzweil: American author, inventor, futurist and director of engineering at Google, will share his thoughts on innovation and the future of technology.
• Matt Quinlan: Chief Technology Officer, VISA, Inc., will give his insights on the rapid advancement of financial technology in today's marketplace.
• Bob Metcalfe: Ethernet co-founder and a leading mind behind the rise of 3Com, will discuss how businesses can advance and differentiate through smarter, technology-based interaction.

In addition to the presentations, 40 new companies will be named to TAG’s Top 40/Top 10 Innovative Companies, and the newest member of the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia will be inducted at the Summit.

“For nine years, we have been uniting Georgia’s technology community in a day of celebration and learning,” said Tino Mantella, president and CEO of TAG. “This year’s Summit promises to be the best one yet and I look forward to seeing many technology companies from Savannah in attendance.”

Corporate tickets and sponsorship opportunities for The 2013 Georgia Technology Summit are still available, and nominations for the Top 40/Top 10 Most Innovative Companies are being accepted until Feb. 13.

For more information about TAG and the Georgia Technology Summit and to register for the event, visit http://www.tagonline.org/georgia-technology-summit.php. Follow the conversation on Twitter by using and tracking #TAGGTS.

NEWS - Computers & Technology

SBJ Staff Report

March 14, 2013 – Arizona Chemical has expanded its investment in Savannah and the Southeast U.S. with last week’s groundbreaking of a new science & technology center in Savannah, replacing the company’s existing facility in Chatham County.

The 27,000-sq. ft. facility is scheduled to open by December, at a cost of $10 million to build. The Savannah S&T Center will be home to Arizona Chemical’s U.S. research and development activities.

“This is an exciting day for us,” said Carl Bilgrien, vice president, science & technology, at the groundbreaking ceremony.  “As a company, we are committed to a vision of being a global leader in innovative, sustainable chemical solutions, and our newest S&T Center in Savannah will provide us with the resources to achieve that vision.”

When complete, the new Savannah S&T Center will be home to more than 50 scientists and support staff focused on developing bio-based solutions for the company’s customers. “This new center has been designed to provide us with a state-of-the-art research environment in a contemporary facility that will appeal to customers and attract science and technology professionals to Arizona Chemical and to Savannah,” Bilgrien added.

Arizona Chemical’s footprint in Savannah is solid, added David Cowfer, vice president, human resources & communications.  In addition to the S&T Center, the company also has a large refinery in the city. “Our Savannah refinery is among the largest in the company, and the global pine chemicals industry. We have more than 200 employees in the Savannah area, and we’re confident that building this new S&T center on our Savannah campus will not only sustain, but build local employment.” 

The new Savannah S&T Center is being built on the company’s existing property in the Hudson Hill community. “Our existing Savannah S&T center has been in operation for more than 50 years,” noted Paul Williams, director of the Savannah S&T center. “We’ve had a strong working relationship with the local community and we expect that to continue.”

The company also has a European S&T center in Almere, the Netherlands, and opened an S&T center in Shanghai in 2012 to support its growth in Asia. 

Last year, the company rolled out a global Process Safety Strategy with a goal to continuously reduce risk across Arizona Chemical. “The EHS/PSM Strategic Plan is our blueprint for change and includes realistic timelines, resource requirements, and clear leadership/ownership,” explained Mike Brantley, director, global manufacturing capability in an announcement this week regarding a safety award at the firm’s Panama City plant.