Daily Archives: October 6, 2012

Business

AURA, Global BPM Software Vendor, Opens a New Regional Office in Santiago, Chile, to Support its Partner Network and Customers in the Competitive Chilean Market

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This new Head Office joins AURA’s existing offices in America (USA, Brazil and the Andean Region – Colombia), Europe (Holland, Spain and Romania), the Middle East / Africa (Angola) and the Asia / Pacific region (China and India).

Boca Raton, Florida, October 05, 2012 – AURA (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of Business Process Management (BPM) Software, has announced the opening of a new head office in Santiago, Chile, from where it will operate in tight coordination with its Partner network.

Chile is the most competitive economy in Latin America and the Caribbean, leading this year’s economic growth among OECD countries. In the first quarter of 2012 Chile recorded a 5.6% economic growth.

AuraPortal (*) already has a strong presence in Chile thanks to its exclusive network of Partners and several prestigious customers, including the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism (MINECON), FOSIS (Ministry of Social Development), Enap Refineries, Nexus, RSA Insurance and SGS CIMM T&S. This new office will provide high-quality service to these Partners and Customers, while enhancing AuraPortal’s market visibility.

(*) The AuraPortal Process Management Platform has recently been distinguished by the independent market analyst firm Ovum in its Decision Matrix 2011 report as the most advanced BPM in the market.

According to Nelson Berríos, AURA’s Representative in Chile,”Business Process Management is already widespread in most companies, but poorly controlled due to a lack of truly effective tools. The reality is that almost all BPM tools in the market imply an excessively complex and costly implementation or they lack scalability, greatly limiting the benefits obtained. However, AuraPortal, thanks to its exclusive and innovative system known as Generatrix, offers a user-friendly system which uses checkboxes and drop-down menus to create any type of process, even the most complex, with no need whatsoever for any programming. This not only reduces the work by as much as 50%, but also helps and guides the Analyst to easily create and model any Business Process”.

AURA Chile:

Local Representative: Nelson Berríos
Cell +1 (569) 778-3745 nelson.berrios@auraportal.com

Address: Calle Hernando de Aguirre 128 – oficina 505, Comuna de Providencia, Santiago de Chile. Office: +1 (562) 582-3992

About Aura (http://www.auraportal.com):
AURA is a global BPMS (Business Process Management Suite) provider delivering a solution that creates, without the need of IT programming, Business Process Workflow Execution Models. AuraPortal is 100% Web-based, and is complementary to existing ERP and CRM systems.

AURA has a presence in 50 countries with more than 400 customers including, among others: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Toyota, Yamaha, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), ArcelorMittal, Eletrobras, Royal KPN, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sodexo, etc., as well as many Government Agencies and Departments in several countries.

AURA Headquarters are located in North America (Florida) and Europe (Holland) whereas the software development facilities are located in Spain and India.

Contact:
Scott Rich
Aura Portal
400 Trade Center
Woburn, MA 01801-7472
+1 781-569-5940
scott.rich@auraportal.com
http://www.auraportal.com

Gaming

Cool New iPhone & iPad Game ‘Little Bird’ Uses Apple’s Accelerometer & Gyro

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Little Bird combines Apple’s accelerometer and gyroscope gaming technologies, exotic landscapes, objects and contraptions allowing you to interact with the game in ways that have never been seen before on an iPhone or iPad.

By tilting your device to the right or left, Little Bird uses the latest technology along with gravity and speed to build momentum so you can get through each of 20 one-of-a-kind levels.

Playing Little Bird is a fun, challenging and unique experience. Before long you’ll be rolling, jumping, bouncing, flying through the air, swinging in baskets, riding in carts and shooting out of cannons while avoiding obstacles, booby traps and enemies to help Little Bird collect coins along the path to safety.

Fredericktown, PA (October 6, 2012) — The medical doctor who created the fun loving “Whack-A-Kitty” video that went viral on YouTube when it was viewed by more than 5 million has created a new gaming app for iPhones and iPads that is sure to be a big hit.

Robert Belluso, DO, loves his medical practice but could not resist his creative longings and arcade gaming background and devoted his spare time to developing the Little Bird gaming app. (http://www.littlebirdgame.com)

Little Bird combines current technology, exotic landscapes, objects, and contraptions, allowing the player to interact in novel ways that have not been seen before in an iPhone game. Little Bird brings the simple idea of a real skill arcade game to the next level, offering a fun, challenging, and unique experience.

Unlike games that rely on tapping, sliding or swiping, Little Bird takes advantage of the latest iPhone technology. The user tilts the device to the right or left, using gravity and speed to build momentum to get through each level.

Before long the gamer is rolling, jumping, bouncing, flying through the air, swinging in baskets, riding in carts, and shooting out of cannons while avoiding obstacles, booby traps and enemies to help Little Bird collect coins along the path to safety.

“Little Bird brings the simple idea of a real skill arcade game, from which the concept was born, to the next level,” explains Dr. Belluso, “offering a fun, challenging and unique experience that will keep gamers coming back for more. Little Bird is a fun, gravity driven novel game played with challenging physics-based obstacle courses.”

For iPhone/iPod:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/little-bird-game/id539408915?ls=1&mt=8

For iPad:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/little-bird-game-hd/id552078375?ls=1&mt=8

Although developed initially for iPhone, Little Bird is a universal app available on all devices that combines accelerometer and gyroscope gaming technologies. It features 20 unique levels with future levels coming and frequent updates.

Little Bird is rated 4+ (suitable for ages 4 and older). Gamers who enjoy Angry Birds, Feed That Dragon, Where’s My Water, Hank Hazard, Fruit Ninja, Cut the Rope and Bike Baron will very much feel at home with Little Bird.

Little Bird is available on iTunes for $0.99

Key Features:
• 20 Amazingly FUN levels with more to come!
• Uses Apple’s Accelerometer and Gyroscope
• An Astounding 60 Frames Per Second!
• Sharp Crisp Colorful Graphics
• Optimized for Retina Display & the New iPad
• Little Bird uses the latest technology
• Gravity and Speed Are Your Friends!!
• Custom Music and Sound Effects
• You’ll Play it Again and Again
• It’s Tons’O Fun!
• Facebook and Twitter Integration
• Compete against Friends with Achievements and Leaderboards

Robert Belluso, an osteopathic physician since 2002, experienced first-hand the evolution of video gaming technology from “Pong” to “Super Mario” to online gaming with a dial-up modem and now to post-pc mobile gaming. He created Little Bird to replicate the skills of playing real arcade-style games as no tapping, sliding or swiping motions are used. Belluso graduated in 2002 from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and currently practices family medicine in Fredericktown, PA.

For more information or for an interview with Robert Belluso or to obtain a free reviewers code for Little Bird contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind iPhone App Publicity, Tel: 734-667-2090, E-Mail: scottlorenz[at]iPhoneAppPublicity.com, Web: http://www.iphoneapppublicity.com.

Business

FRA gets behind World Bank’s support of Forest Fire Action

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The World Bank has announced that it will be funding the Russian federation’s attempts to prevent forest fires, with a cash injection worth a staggering $40 million. The move has been welcomed by FRA.

Seattle, United States, October 6, 2012 — The World Bank has announced that it will be funding the Russian federation’s attempts to prevent forest fires, with a cash injection worth a staggering $40 million. The move has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The co-finance deal will take the form of a loan, that will contribute to Russia’s $121.26 million Forest Fire Response Project. The forest fire prevention project is run by the Federal Forestry Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in an attempt to reduce the number of devastating forest fires that threaten Russia’s valuable forests.

Some 20 per cent of the world’s forests are to be found in Russia and every year, around 1.4 million hectares are affected by forest fires. It is thought that around 93 per cent of these forest fires are started by humans. The investment will help the Forest Fire Response Project to monitor the problems, help identify and extinguish fires and reduce the number being started in the first place.

“This investment shows the World Bank’s commitment to safeguarding the future of the forestry industry in Russia,” stated FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins.

“Sustainable forestry is not only a major source of employment and income for communities all over the world, but also provides a huge amount of the world’s oxygen and carbon absorption. Without trees, we would simply not be able to live,” added Collins.

FRA supports sustainable forestry in all its forms and is particularly keen to promote investment in plantation projects that run on a cyclical model, which ensures that trees are always growing to replace those felled.

“Sustainability is the key to any successful managed forestry project, in our opinion,” added Mr Collins. That’s why we support Greenwood Management‘s eucalyptus, teak and acacia plantation investment projects in Brazil. These forestry investment projects are a great way for investors to diversify their portfolios.”

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Mall REITs could Grow in Popularity, claims AAA

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Mall REITs are becoming an attractive choice for investors, claims Alternative Asset Analysis, following the publication of a report on the issue in Forbes this week.

Boston, MA, USA, October 5, 2012 — Mall REITs are becoming an attractive choice for investors, claims Alternative Asset Analysis, following the publication of a report on the issue in Forbes this week.

Forbes real estate analyst Brad Thomas claimed that investing in Mall-based real estate investment trusts (REITs) can be a lucrative choice for a number of reasons. He suggested that the retail sector’s growth will mean strong incomes for malls as well as the construction of new malls across the US. There is already 1,400 malls across the US and the demand for retail mall space is increasing. This is all good news for investors, according to Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner.

Mr Thomas backs this view, explaining: “Excellent locations and moderate but steady growth in retail sales, reduces risk and provides for predictable and growing cash flows.”

The median occupancy levels for regional malls in the US is an impressive 94.2 per cent – showing that malls that are built, do not suffer from problems attracting tenants, and this, making income.

REITs are a popular form of alternative investment at a time when all kinds of alternative asset classes are growing in popularity. AAA advocates all forms of alternative investments, with an emphasis on ethical investments, such as forestry projects and social impact investing.

These types of investment choices are proving attractive to people who want to make a difference with their cash investments and reflects the way the markets have changed since the economic crisis. “People are less interested in short term gains and are more likely to be in it for the long-haul when it comes to investments these days,” explained Johnson.

He added, “Investing in a social fund that lends money to small businesses in a developing countries, for example, can be very rewarding and profitable. Investing in a sustainable plantation projects that helps reduce deforestation is also a lucrative and ethical choice.”

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

Mall REITs Could Grow in Popularity, claims AAA

Leave a comment

Mall REITs are becoming an attractive choice for investors, claims Alternative Asset Analysis, following the publication of a report on the issue in Forbes this week.

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, October 05, 2012 – Mall REITs are becoming an attractive choice for investors, claims Alternative Asset Analysis, following the publication of a report on the issue in Forbes this week.

Forbes real estate analyst Brad Thomas claimed that investing in Mall-based real estate investment trusts (REITs) can be a lucrative choice for a number of reasons. He suggested that the retail sector’s growth will mean strong incomes for malls as well as the construction of new malls across the US. There is already 1,400 malls across the US and the demand for retail mall space is increasing. This is all good news for investors, according to Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner.

Mr Thomas backs this view, explaining: “Excellent locations and moderate but steady growth in retail sales, reduces risk and provides for predictable and growing cash flows.”

The median occupancy levels for regional malls in the US is an impressive 94.2 per cent – showing that malls that are built, do not suffer from problems attracting tenants, and this, making income.

REITs are a popular form of alternative investment at a time when all kinds of alternative asset classes are growing in popularity. AAA advocates all forms of alternative investments, with an emphasis on ethical investments, such as forestry projects and social impact investing.

These types of investment choices are proving attractive to people who want to make a difference with their cash investments and reflects the way the markets have changed since the economic crisis. “People are less interested in short term gains and are more likely to be in it for the long-haul when it comes to investments these days,” explained Johnson.

He added, “Investing in a social fund that lends money to small businesses in a developing countries, for example, can be very rewarding and profitable. Investing in a sustainable plantation projects that helps reduce deforestation is also a lucrative and ethical choice.”

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

New Survey ‘Shows Alternatives are Becoming the Norm’, says AAA

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A recent survey that found that non-stock-based investments are proving more popular among US institutional investors, has been endorsed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Boston, Massachusetts, United States, October 05, 2012 – A recent survey that found that non-stock-based investments are proving more popular among US institutional investors, has been endorsed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that the results of the latest survey from Natixis Global Asset Management shows that more and more investors are turning to alternative investments due to the volatility of the stock and bond markets.

The survey questioned some 151 fund managers about their investing habits and found that 76 per cent said that investing in alternatives is an essential part of protecting their portfolio against risk. In addition, 73 per cent said they are critical in outperforming the general investment market.

“These results are among the most convincing we have seen in recent years and suggest that alternatives are quickly becoming the ‘norm’ among everyone from charities and pensions schemes to endowments and trusts,” claimed AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

Although, overall, stock markets have produced some more solid results this year, they are still vulnerable to major, sudden value losses in response to fluctuations in the economic conditions in countries like China and the US. As a result, many investors still see investing in asset classes like forestry, hedge funds, real estate and even gold, art and wine, as a lot less risky.

“It’s partly about getting something more tangible, with an intrinsic value, in exchange for your investment,” added Mr Johnson.

Of the managers surveyed in the Natixis study, some 88 per cent said they were satisfied with how their alternatives are performing. A huge 93 per cent said they would happily increase the amount invested in alternatives, or at least keep their investment level the same.

Forestry is a solid option for those looking at their first foray into alternative investment. Through firms like Greenwood Management, investors can own their own slice of plantation land with an initial investment of less than $20,000.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com