Village Gamer

Canadian veterans of the Secord World War and Korean War will be able to have their stories told for future generations, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for the Historica-Dominion Institute’s Memory Project: Stories of the Korean War at an event held at HMCS York in Toronto. Minister Moore also announced an extension to the funding for the Institute’s Memory Project: Stories of the Second World War.

These projects aim to provide every living Canadian veteran who wants to share his or her memories with all Canadians—particularly teachers, students, and the general public—the opportunity to do so through an interactive and extensive website that will record and store first-hand accounts and memorabilia of individual Canadian veterans. As a result, future generations can learn about and understand what they did for their country.

“Every veteran who fought for Canada deserves to be able to share their stories, so all Canadians can remember their sacrifices,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is proud to help our veterans tell their stories so they can be preserved for generations to come. These projects provide a unique opportunity to record this important chapter in our history from those who lived it. Knowing our history helps us understand where we came from and defines us as Canadians.”

In 2009, the Government of Canada announced funding for the Institute’s Memory Project: Stories of the Second World War through the Commemoration Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The project creates a definitive record of Canada’s participation in the Second World War through thousands of first-person accounts by veterans. Stories of the Korean War is the continuation of that work.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $938,850 for Stories of the Korean War and an additional $385,000 for Stories of the Second World War (bringing total government investment in that project to more than $3 million) through the Commemorate Canada component of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Celebration and Commemoration Program. This component provides financial support to initiatives of national significance that commemorate various aspects of Canadian history.

Arkadin Inc., a NY-based company with offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, has just launched its newest product to the Canadian market, Arkadin Express. The new service means that business owners and mobile professionals alike now have access to a top-notch audio and web conferencing service – a first of its kind on many levels.

It’s no secret that business owners across the nation have been limited to audio conferencing services, both in scope and in price. This has all changed as the availability of Arkadin Express means that businesses in Canada now have the option to communicate via state-of-the-art technology that is highly efficient and affordable.

Glenn Fleischman, Executive Vice President of Arkadin’s e-Commerce business, states, “We all know that Canada is a major hub in the world for entrepreneurial activity. What’s even more exciting now is that businesses here will be able to communicate and grow through technology and options that once never existed.”

What’s unique about the service? Fleischman explains Arkadin Express provides enterprise-level audio conferencing at prices that small and mid-sized businesses can afford. Arkadin Express is an online, browser-based service; the web conferencing service portion provided to clients is highly reliable and secure. At present, there are a large number of Fortune 500 companies utilizing this telecommunication service.

The price is also right. Along with a full-service 7 day trial, Arkadin Express customers can select the option of an unlimited conferencing monthly plan for a low monthly rate of $39.95 with local U.S. and Canadian dial-in access numbers or a Pay-As-You-Go plan offering both local and international conferences toll and toll-free dial-in access numbers costing as little as 2 cents per minute. This is now the only unlimited plan on the market that provides access numbers in Canada for a low monthly fixed fee for up to 50 participants.

Fleischman adds, “The lagging economy has prompted many business owners in Canada to continue closely monitoring their costs. Our technology, coupled with its very low cost for ongoing service, now means that businesses owners will be able to achieve their target goals for growth at home and beyond with less restrictions.”

Fleischman indicates that Arkadin carried out research from its 14,000 customers around the world – including Canada – that proved there is a distinct need for a reliable yet economic conferencing solution for professionals constantly “on the move.” Arkadin Express is also the perfect solution for mobile professionals such as consultants, lawyers, outside salespeople and others.

“With the click of a mouse on the Internet, Arkadin Express is all about creating more options and allowing people to communicate more efficiently and effectively,” says Fleischman.

OpenText™ has been named a Microsoft Global Launch Partner for SQL Server Code Name “Denali” – a cloud-ready information platform now available for community review. OpenText also announced that it has been selected as a finalist for the 2011 Microsoft ISV/Software Line of Business Partner of the Year Award and continues to deliver market-leading solutions in support of key Microsoft cloud initiatives including fax server integration for Office 365 and an Azure-based business process management solution.

The announcements were made at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2011 (WPC11), the annual gathering for the Microsoft partner community to learn about the roadmap for the upcoming year. OpenText has a strong presence at the event and is exhibiting in the Solution Innovation Center in booth #435.

“Our customers are continually pushing for new and more powerful ways of dealing with the explosion of data and content across their organizations,” said Lubor Ptacek, Vice President of Strategic Marketing and General Manager of the Microsoft Solutions Group at Open Text.  “As a Microsoft Global Launch Partner for Denali we are well-positioned to help our enterprise content management (ECM) customers take advantage of new capabilities in SQL Server around performance, scalability, security and information access. We see Denali as supporting our mission to help enterprises claim, control and capitalize on content.”

As part of the agreement as a Global Launch Partner for Denali, OpenText will provide support for SQL Server Denali for core ECM products shortly after the final release of Denali.

Digital signage provider iGotcha Media has officially launched the iGotcha Golf Network with 16 golf clubs already signed up, and to celebrate the launch, the company has also announced a partnership with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) of Canada.

The iGotcha Golf Network uses the Web and large digital flat screen televisions to inform and entertain golfers. Strategically positioned in club houses, pro shops and other high traffic locations, these screens also provide a compelling platform for advertisers to reach a qualified, affluent and captive audience.

The iGotcha Golf Network delivers Web-based content that is updated on a daily basis, including: golf tips, golf trivia, news, weather, sports, and advertising – both network-wide and golf club specific. Entirely advertiser-supported, offering the iGotcha Golf Network represents absolutely no cost to participating golf clubs. Standard implementations include: two 42-inch monitors, all other equipment, installation, maintenance and all online content.

In addition to launching the iGotcha Golf Network, iGotcha Media is announcing a partnership with NGCOA of Canada to bring to the iGotcha Golf Network to participating members across the country.

“The iGotcha Golf Network delivers information simply and effectively,” says Alain Laforge, Regional Director, NGCOA Canada, Quebec Chapter. “For example, easy access to an up-to-date weather forecast is very relevant to a golfer about to tee-off. Also, the network facilitates direct communication. As examples, golf clubs may promote their clubhouse menus or the inventory in their pro shop. And, of course, what makes integrating the iGotcha Golf Network an easy decision is the cost – entirely free to golf course operators,” adds Mr. Laforge.

“We are very pleased to be launching the iGotcha Golf Network,” says Greg Adelstein, President, iGotcha Media. “Using this network will give advertisers direct access to one of the most affluent and coveted demographic target groups in the country. With the iGotcha Golf Network already operational at 16 clubs, we look forward to rolling out our network at golf clubs across the country – with our NGCOA partners receiving extra network time to promote their clubs at no additional cost,” concludes Mr. Adelstein.

With business softphone adoption growing at double-digit rates annually, service providers and enterprise IT departments need to slash the costs and time spent provisioning and managing those devices. CounterPath Corporation has announced the availability of its Client Configuration Server (CCS) and the granting of U.S. Patent No. 7,958,276, which together offer IT managers more control and autonomy through a simplified management user interface that immediately increases deployment efficiencies and streamlines end-user device management.

CounterPath’s Client Configuration Server is designed to enable enterprises and service providers such as telcos, cable providers and ITSPs to deploy and manage their own CCS solution, a key node for any softphone or SIP endpoint deployment. Featuring a clean and intuitive user interface, the CCS enables service providers to automatically apply the proper configuration to each end-user device, periodically update those configurations and remotely upgrade client-side software.

“Service providers typically have to build their own configuration servers when deploying endpoints such as CounterPath’s softphones. Not only is that labor-intensive, it isn’t really within the operator’s core competency,” said Todd Carothers, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Products, CounterPath. “With CCS, operators can take advantage of a solution that’s not only off the shelf but specifically designed to accelerate deployment while increasing back-end efficiencies.”

CounterPath’s Client Configuration Server also provides:

• Five-Nines (99.999 percent) Reliability – The CCS is based on CounterPath’s Network Convergence Gateway (NCG) technology, ensuring carrier-class reliability.
• Standards-Based Security – All client communications are done via HTTPS.
• High Scalability – Customers can support millions of softphone/SIP endpoints.
• Flexibility – The CCS’s profile and template structure supports a wide variety of client types and end-user configurations.
• Multi-Tenanted Capabilities – A group hierarchy enables reseller scenarios and department-level administrative control within end-customer companies.
• Multiple Interfaces – The CCS is designed for both programmatic back-end systems and operations staff for configuration access on a per-tenant basis.

In addition to desktop softphones, CounterPath’s CCS can be applied to CounterPath’s mobile softphone applications for Apple’s iOS and Android devices. This architecture gives service providers and enterprises the ability to make changes to, and monitor subscriber usage of, their mobile applications across broader distribution channels, such as Value Added Resellers (VARs) and Value Added Distributors (VADs).

The CCS also helps major OEM channels manage provisioning scenarios that have a large number of in-channel constituents – VADs, VARs and resellers – and multiple end users. Major OEM channels also can use the CCS to help manage the distribution of revenue to agents in the channels, and provide audit capabilities to control how many licenses are being used and by whom.

CounterPath’s newly granted patent, No. 7,958,276, covers the automatic configuration of peripheral devices such as VoIP softphones, headsets and speakerphones. The CCS implements elements of this patent to significantly enhance and simplify device deployment and management within a service provider or enterprise environment. The patent enables device and software configuration to be performed automatically both when the software is started and on important events such as a user unplugging or attaching a headset.

The patent also provides the ability to save and restore multiple configurations based on a variety of conditions, a major asset in mobile environments. When combined with the CCS, this feature enables IT services to achieve zero-touch deployments across the field.

“CounterPath’s new patent enables zero-touch device configuration,” Carothers said. “The launch of our Client Configuration Server and the receipt of this latest patent together demonstrate CounterPath’s commitment to simplifying the softphone experience from implementation to end user and dedication to helping service providers be successful in their go-to-market VoIP strategies.”

A hosted version of the Client Configuration Server will be available from CounterPath in the near future.

Dejero Labs Inc. announced this morning that ABC Owned station WLS-TV in Chicago has purchased multiple Dejero LIVE Platform systems with mobile 4G wireless capability that transmit live SD/HD video and transfer files remotely. The award-winning Dejero LIVE Platform is the mobile video transmission solution with the ability to broadcast live video across 4G/3G/WiFi wireless networks and Ethernet direct. This innovative transmission solution also integrates store and forward capabilities that upload clips, photos and files.

“WLS-TV is the dominant news organization in Chicago and our viewers trust us to bring them breaking news first,” explained Kal Hassan, VP and Director of Engineering of WLS-TV. “We chose the Dejero LIVE Platform as an added asset for our newsgathering tool box. Our crews can go live quickly with streaming video if cellular, WiFi or Ethernet networks are available. Additionally, news packages can be sent to the station using the integrated non-realtime store and forward capabilities. Although not a panacea for all situations, it enhances our news gathering capabilities.”

“WLS-TV is the number one news station in their market,” said Dan Mance, Dejero CEO. “Their investment in the Dejero LIVE Platform supports their drive to be news leaders with a more flexible solution for live and remote file-based transmission.”

The Dejero LIVE Platform comprises three components: the Dejero LIVE Mobile Transmitter is a portable hand held HD/SD transmitter that connects to a camera and goes live with the push of a button; the Dejero LIVE Video Manager, the online manager that connects transmitters to video receiving servers; and the Dejero LIVE Video Server, the receiving unit that typically resides in a studio rack to decode the live video transmission for ingest.

VOIP solutions provider babyTEL Inc. has successfully completed interoperability testing with OpenText RightFax 10 and babyTEL’s open Internet Fax over IP (FoIP) SIP Trunking service. The two companies can now provide reliable fax transmission over the Internet on SIP trunks by supplying enterprises and hosted service providers with end-to-end support for the T.38 FoIP protocol.

Enterprise fax server customers are rapidly moving to FoIP technology to leverage investments in converged voice and data networks as SIP/T.38 trunking is fast being adopted in lieu of legacy PSTN. As a result of this successful interoperability, enterprise can extend the efficiency of FoIP technology beyond the enterprise border to the user end points.

“The interest and demand for SIP-based communication services within the enterprise market continues to grow and with it comes the need to support reliable fax communications,” said Matthew Brine, Vice President, Fax and Document Distribution, OpenText. “At OpenText, we are committed to supporting this need through proven interoperability with industry-leading SIP trunking services, and we are particularly pleased to add babyTEL to our tested FoIP interoperability list.”

babyTEL’s FoIP optimized network, with end-to-end T.38 support, allows customers to deliver faxes over the open Internet and avoid the cost of dedicated data links, regular telephone Trunking and/or related hardware. As a result, users gain significant savings in lower call rates with this scalable solution, requiring only additional bandwidth for expansion, while meeting enterprises’ stringent demands for quality and reliability.

“We are very excited to have our FoIP-optimized network certified for interoperability with OpenText’s RightFax 10,” said Stephen Dorsey, CEO, babyTEL Inc. “This collaboration between our companies marks an important chapter in FoIP, as it allows RightFax users to connect to our FoIP network using the readily available open Internet. By bundling babyTEL’s T.38 Trunking, OpenText RightFax 10 is ready to operate with minimal configuration, once connected to the Internet.”

Mitec Telecom Inc. announced today that the company has been selected to participate in the newest phase of the Kativik Regional Government’s infrastructure development program by supplying components to support network infrastructure and services in the Inuit villages of Nunavik, the northernmost region of Quebec.  Financial contributors to this phase of the regional infrastructure development program are Industry Canada, the government of Québec, Telesat and the KRG. Deliveries are expected to take place in Q2, fiscal 2012.

Mitec’s VSAT division will be involved in this build-out by providing its satellite network infrastructure components, which are the backbone for communications in rural areas.

“We are pleased that the KRG has selected Mitec to participate in this program and look forward to exploring ways to work with Nunavik villages and other communities in Canada to facilitate their communications requirements with our robust product line”, commented Jeffrey Mandel, Mitec’s President and CEO.

Telus has selected a packet microwave solution from DragonWave Inc. to provide additional high-capacity connectivity forspecial events. Working with DragonWave’s partner, Alliance Corporation, Telus selected DragonWave’s Horizon Compact primarily because its all-outdoor, zero-footprint design will allow for rapid deployment of service to remote locations without need for trenching optical fibre.

“The DragonWave solution offers us a cost-effective, simple and fast way to provide capacity forspecial events,” said ZouheirMansourati, VP, Network Technology & Planning, Telus. “Our partnership with DragonWave to provide last-mile capacity for video and data connectivity allows us to continue providing reliable, high-performance Telus serviceswherever and whenever opportunities present themselves.”

The Horizon Compact provides a resilient, high-performance backhaul network solution that enables service at low power consumption per bit and minimal ecological footprint. The DragonWave solution delivers simplified operations and improved total lifecycle costs.

“With the Horizon Compact, Telus can rapidly and economically deploy the reliable bandwidth that it requires for video conferencing and other innovative servicesforspecial events.” DragonWave President and CEO Peter Allen said. “Our solution’s capacity and built-in economical flexibility are unparalleled in the packet microwave industry.”

The DragonWave Horizon^® line of packet microwave systems delivers the highest levels of spectral efficiency and reliability for carrier-grade delivery of advanced applications and services. An uncompromised product design delivers pure “packet” microwave performance with software-scalable, ultra-low latency transport of up to 4 Gbps per link.

Sympatico.ca, which reaches 9.5 million Canadians (according to ComScore), has launched a new mobile application for smartphone users across the nation. The free bilingual app will give Canadians one tap access to the best in news, music and entertainment including stories from across the Sympatico portal. The Sympatico.ca mobile app is available for download now from popular application stores or by visiting apps.sympatico.ca.

The app uses best-of-breed mobile functionality to refine content based on opt-in user preferences and location-based services (LBS). This elevates the user experience by taking the work out of finding relevant information. It also has a QR (2D barcode) reader to make interacting with mobile codes even easier.

“Sympatico.ca is defining the next era of mobile applications for Canadians by demonstrating what is possible when you leverage innovative design, technology and content to engage people,” said David MacPhie, Associate Director, Mobile Products, Sympatico.ca. “Mobile apps have emerged as powerful content distribution channels for consumers and advertisers alike. We’re giving our audience another convenient way to access the content they love by combining it with progressive mobile technology.”

Designed for ease of use and speed, the Sympatico.ca mobile app revolves around an innovative interface featuring quick access to the full depth of Sympatico.ca’s content including news headlines, local weather, celebrity gossip, horoscopes, music, autos and sports. A bevy of features including push notifications, bilingual support, user preferences, social sharing (SMS, Email, Twitter and Facebook) and a QR code reader create an optimal experience for all Canadians to engage with content that resonates.