Category Archives: Business

Wheel Clamping ban October Deadline sheds light on Alternatives

Vehicle clamping activity will become an offence in England and Wales from October this year, outlawing the clamping, towing and immobilising of vehicles without lawful authority.

Highgate, London, May 14, 2012 – Vehicle clamping activity will become an offence in England and Wales from October this year, outlawing the clamping, towing and immobilising of vehicles without lawful authority.

The move by the Government to outlaw the practice has been welcomed by members of the security sector who have been looking at developing alternative measures to the unpopular practice of car clamping.

Costas Constantino, from parking enforcement company, FlashPark, welcomed the move and lauded the politicians who drove the measure through.

He said, “We regard this as a step forward in the parking control world and an achievement by Lynne Featherstone MP who personally piloted the then Bill through the Parliamentary stages until it became an Act.”

Mr Constantino explained that the ban on wheel clamping would lend greater weight to parking charge notices and would also create jobs for parking monitoring staff.

“Shopping centres and retail parks and other larger organisations including colleges universities in the UK that relied on the practice to control unauthorised parking will have to hire additional security to direct traffic and to warn motorists of areas that are restricted,” he explained.

“The rest of the enforcement vacuum created by the ban will be filled by parking charge notices, which will be given more legal clout when the ban is implemented.”

Mr Constantino added that there will be tremendous scrutiny of the new measures being brought in, particularly relating to the use of automatic number plate recognition, but the use of security staff and highly-visible signage would prove very effective.

Until the ban comes into force in October, wheel clamping by licensed operatives will still be permitted in England and Wales, providing that the clampers hold an official licence from the Security Industry Authority.

Contact:
Costas Constantino
Vehicle Control Solutions Ltd
West Hill House
6 Swains Lane,
Highgate, London N6 6QS
0800 096 5757
pr@flashpark.co.uk
http://www.flashpark.co.uk

Rosendin Electric Begins Phase 2 of a Major Data Center Build-Out in Virginia’s High-Tech Corridor

DPR Construction Contracts Rosendin Electric to Complete the Next Phase of Design/Build for a New High-Performance Data Colocation Center.

STERLING, Va. (May 12, 2012) — The Mid-Atlantic office of Rosendin Electric, one of the nation’s largest private electrical contractors and a 100% employee-owned company, announced that the company has been awarded the second phase of a major data center build-out in the Northern Virginia High-Tech Corridor. Rosendin Electric is subcontracting to DPR Construction to complete the data center design and construction project for an unnamed data colocation service.

Rosendin Electric recently completed the successful first phase of the design/build project. This second phase of construction includes five 2 megawatt pods designed to tier 3 data center specifications and is scheduled for completion by October 2012. This contract strengthens Rosendin Electric’s presence in the burgeoning Mid-Atlantic market, and provides another proof point for the company’s strength in data center design/build.

“We’re immensely gratified at the confidence that DPR Construction expresses in Rosendin Electric with the award of this important contract,” said Alan Linder, Division Manager for Rosendin Electric, “We’re eager to move quickly through design and preconstruction and on toward successful delivery of the finished pod this fall.”

About Rosendin Electric
Rosendin Electric, Inc., headquartered in San Jose, California, is a 100% employee-owned electrical engineering, power and communications provider and is one of the largest privately held electrical contractors in the United States. With over 2,500 employees, Rosendin Electric has offices and experience nationwide and has built upon a 90-year reputation for quality design and installations. For additional information, visit http://www.rosendin.com.

Contact:
Shelly Goulart
Marketing Manager
Rosendin Electric, Inc.
880 Mabury Road
San Jose, CA 95133
(408) 534-2819
sgoulart@rosendin.com
http://www.rosendin.com

NextPlane Announces First Federated Voice/Video Cloud Service for Disparate Unified Communications Platforms

New voice and video service addition to NextPlane Federation Cloud Service expands seamless UC connectivity between different enterprise networks.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (May 12, 2012) — NextPlane, Inc., the market leader in cloud-based federation services for unified communications (UC), has just launched a new service to federate video and voice across disparate enterprise UC networks. The first stage of the new voice/video Federation-as-a-Service (FaaS) solution will provide voice and video federation between Microsoft (Lync and OCS) and Google Apps.

With the launch of this new service, NextPlane now can interconnect enterprises with voice and video without requiring additional hardware or software and without impacting the end-users’ native UC experience.

Federation of a voice or video call between Microsoft OCS or Lync and Google Apps was previously not possible, but with the NextPlane Federation Cloud providing hi-fidelity federation between the different UC platforms, users get the same features and functions as if they were on the same platform. In addition to adding video support between Microsoft OCS and Lync and Google Apps, the NextPlane Federation Cloud allows users on Microsoft Lync, OCS, and LCS; Cisco Unified Presence Server (CUPS), Jabber XCP, and WebEx Connect; IBM Sametime; Google Apps, and Jive OpenFire to share presence, chat, instant messages, and participate in multi-user chat.

“Enterprise UC users are starting to look beyond their corporate boundaries to enable rich collaboration with customers, partners and suppliers regardless of underlying UC platforms, and taking advantage of a cloud-based service is the best way to establish fast, seamless federation,” said Farzin Shahidi, CEO of NextPlane. “We already support federation between Microsoft Lync or OCS and Google Apps for IM, presence, and multi-user chat, but this new service marks the first time we offering video as well as voice federation. Our long-term objective is to eliminate the UC Tower of Babel and make it possible to federate any service from any UC platform through a cloud-based service.”

Even with open standards such as the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), seamless federation of multi-vendor UC platforms that give users all the rich features of presence, multi-user chat, and other UC functions remains an elusive challenge for enterprises and service providers. NextPlane overcomes this challenge by providing a common, integrated platform so enterprise customers can allow users to work together as if they were served by a common UC platform, sharing presence, exchanging IM, and participating in multiparty chat, voice, and video. Furthermore, NextPlane Federation Cloud service allows enterprises to set policies that allow or deny federated voice and video traffic by domains and/or users.

For more information, visit http://www.nextplane.net.

About NextPlane, Inc.
NextPlane offers enterprise-class Federation as a Service (FaaS) solutions for unified communications (UC) platforms, seamlessly federating Microsoft Lync 2010, OCS 2007 R2, OCS 2007 and LCS 2005, IBM Sametime, Cisco Jabber XCP, Cisco Unified Presence Server 8.x, Cisco WebEx Connect, Jive OpenFire, and Google Apps. Using NextPlane Federation Cloud service, organizations can connect users from different companies regardless of underlying UC platforms – with shared presence, instant messaging, multi-user chat, voice, video, and other features – as if they are on the same platform.

NextPlane offers an ideal solution for companies migrating from one UC platform to another, or to integrate different legacy platforms following a company merger or a new contract or partnership. NextPlane even supports domain sharing, allowing two or more UC platforms to federate internally and externally using the same domain name.

For more information please visit http://www.nextplane.net, or contact sales at sales@nextplane.net.

Contact:
Farzin Shahidi
NextPlane, Inc.
(650) 305-7404
farzin@nextplane.net

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638
tomw@woolfmedia.com

Romanian Real Estate Popular with Alternative Investors, says AAA

Alternative investors are turning their attention towards real estate in Romania and Bulgaria, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, May 12, 2012 — Alternative investors are turning their attention towards real estate in Romania and Bulgaria, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that real estate is still a popular alternative asset class to those who are shying away from equities while the economy remains volatile. In Europe, investors who were putting their cash into property in Ireland and Spain have now moved their investments to Bulgaria and Romania.

AAA is basing its analysis on a speech from Denise Hamer of Schoenherr Lawyers, who spoke at the recent IPD/Property Investor Europe (PIE) Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Conference. He talked about how the emphasis for investors has returned to Eastern Europe, where economies like Romania and Bulgaria are set to emerge as the better bets in terms of investment.

Mr Hamer said that it was an exciting time for real estate investor in these regions: “It’s going to be very dynamic and volatile, a very exciting investor atmosphere.”

Signs such as the news that a new shopping centre in Romania’s Ploisesti is already 70 per cent let, suggest that real estate is in demand in the former Eastern bloc country.

Returns could be particularly good on real estate assets bought in the capital Bucharest, which is slowly seeing tourism return and signs of prosperity emerge.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said that real estate and other alternative asset classes offer investors the chance to diversify their portfolios against risk. “These kinds of assets – including wine, art, timber, commodities and precious metals – are not as closely correlated with equities as other more traditional asset classes. As a result, when equity markets lose value, these asset classes hold their value.”

AAA particularly supports ethical investment opportunities, such as the forestry plantation projects that Greenwood Management and other firms run in developing countries like Brazil. These projects offer people the chance to buy up a tangible section of plantation and reap the rewards on an ongoing basis.

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

The Hignell Companies Northern California Property Management Company Names New CEO

Northern California property management company The Hignell Companies has named Phil Larios as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Larios has been serving as President and CEO at The Hignell Companies since 2003.

Chico, CA, May 10, 2012 (Straight Line PR) — The Hignell Companies, a Northern California property management company, announces the naming of Phil Larios as Chief Executive Officer. The position was previously held by Doug Hignell, who will still be actively involved in the family-owned company. Larios will continue to be responsible for day-to-day operations, as well as the overall strategic direction of the company, which specializes in residential and commercial property management, home owner association management, brokerage and full professional services including painting, cleaning and construction / maintenance.

“For the past year or more Phil has already been fulfilling many of the CEO functions as I have been focusing more of my attention on the company’s purpose, values, vision, speaking engagements and writing,” Hignell said. “This change will bring official alignment to the roles we have already been fulfilling.”

Larios is committed to The Hignell Companies’ growth and innovation through a strategic, Spirit-led mentality. He expects the Northern California property management company to be high-performing, customer-focused and profitable through its property management experience ( http://www.hignell.com/about-us ). In the last three decades, The Hignell Companies has built numerous apartment complexes, a specialty shopping center, and developed and marketed a 59-lot planned-unit development.Northern California property management company The Hignell Companies has named Phil Larios as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Larios has been serving as President and CEO at The Hignell Companies since 2003.

The Hignell Companies ( http://www.hignell.com ) was founded by Fred Hignell, Jr. in 1948. Doug Hignell, who joined his father Fred at the company in 1970, is committed to continuing as an active part of The Hignell Companies, by sharing his vision and values through speaking engagements, involvement with the company’s Creating Caring Communities non-profit, and creatively impacting the local community.

“Phil is a true leader and encourager, a man of unwavering integrity and someone I deeply trust,” Hignell said. “I’m confident he will be an exceptional CEO.”

Hignell will also continue to be involved as a general partner for investment partnerships as well as responsible for the board and advisory committee. Larios and his new executive team, Greg Wietbrock, Jeff Stiemsma and Vito Mule, are currently developing a one year operating plan and three year strategic plan for the company ( http://www.hignell.com/services ). Together with Hignell they are committed to fulfilling the company’s purpose – to create caring communities that transform lives.

About The Hignell Companies:
The Hignell Companies is a family-owned company that has offered property development services and property management for over 60 years. It presently employs more than 150 people who represent the firm in the fields of commercial and residential property management and Community Association Management. It currently offers residential and commercial property management home owner association management, brokerage and full professional services including painting, cleaning and construction / maintenance. It is committed to the highest standards of excellence and service, and guarantees complete customer satisfaction.

The Hignell Companies can be reached at 530-894-4040 or online at http://www.hignell.com/contact-us

Press Contact:
Half a Bubble Out Media
680 Rio Lindo Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 345-8295
habomedia@gmail.com
www.halfabubbleout.com

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:
David Lockman
RichContent
9734 Lincoln Lane
Blaine, WA 98230
360.312.4312
dlock@richcontent.tv
http://www.RichContent.com

Wood First Campaign Attracts Support from FRA

FRA has lent its support to a new campaign in the UK that calls upon the public sector to lead the way in terms of opting to use wood as a primary building material.

Seattle, United States, May 12, 2012 — Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has lent its support to a new campaign in the UK that calls upon the public sector to lead the way in terms of opting to use wood as a primary building material.

Wood for Good has launched the “Wood First” campaign, which it hopes will encourage local authorities and councils to consider sustainably sources wood as a primary building materials on projects. A key part of France’s climate policy is to encourage the use of timber in building and the Wood First campaign hopes to replicate this in the UK.

The campaign is part of Wood for Good’s aim to make the use of sustainable timber a more viable option for construction projects around the UK. One London borough is thought to be considering adopting the policy, claims FRA, a research and analysis consultancy specialising in forestry investment and timber products.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, explained, “It’s all down to the fact that growing timber helps to reduce the amount of CO2 we emit because trees absorb carbon.

“The more trees we plant and the more land we cover in forests, the more carbon is absorbed and the best way to ensure more trees are planted is to use more wood in the construction industry.”

Wood for Good’s Head of External Affairs, David Hopkins, said, “Increasing forest cover is recognised as one of the most effective weapons we have in the battle against climate change, and the best way to achieve this is to stimulate demand for sustainable timber and wood products. The introduction of a Wood First rule will help to make this happen.”

FRA supports forestry investment as a way to encourage sustainability. Projects like Greenwood Management’s teak and acacia plantations in Brazil offer investors the chance to invest in an ethical option while making healthy returns, claims FRA.

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

Travelpro Introduces Crew™ 9: The Frequent Travelers’ Luggage of Choice

Boca Raton, Fla. – Apr. 30, 2012 – Travelpro, the inventor of Rollaboard® luggage and a leader in innovative, high quality luggage design introduces the Crew™ 9 Collection, its super collection of premium luggage now including both Rollaboard and Spinner models.

 

Long the choice of flight crews and frequent travelers around the world, the latest Crew collection is a leap forward in innovation, lightweight durability, style and effortless mobility. This versatile 14-piece collection combines lightweight durable luggage, checkpoint friendly business cases and spinners all in one matching collection.  It was designed specifically for the frequent business and leisure traveler with performance features that work smartly together to make every aspect of the trip easier. The collection features the patent-pending PowerScope Extension Handle that minimizes wobble and maximizes durability and the patent-pending Contour Grip on Spinners that ensures comfort and easy maneuverability.

 

“The Crew 9 collection sets a new standard of excellence for the luggage industry. Its innovative performance and utility features ease the frustrations of traveling, from packing and unpacking to check-in and airport security,” said Scott Applebee Vice President of Marketing for Travelpro. “With 8 carry-on models and 3 spinner models, Crew 9 truly makes travel easier. “

 

The Crew 9 collection has unique features for every traveller’s need, including totes, carry-on and check-through luggage, a carry-on garment bag, and a check-point friendly computer briefcase and backpack.  The removable, sealed ball-bearing wheels on Rollaboard models are tested for over 30 miles and the handle system is tested over 15,000 cycles for optimal performance. Each product is made with micro-ballistic nylon fabric with DuraGuard™ fabric protection and ergonomic zipper pulls to ensure long-lasting durability and ease of use.

 

In addition to the myriad of features that provide strength and durability, the Crew 9 Collection was designed for convenience and efficiency. Each Rollaboard model contains easily accessible, large front pockets for last-minute items and a number of internal pockets for organization and the storage of valuables. Its new extension handle system accommodates users of different heights, stopping at 38” and 43”, and is strong enough to support a tote or case. The Polypropylene Honeycomb Frame provides durable and lightweight construction, and its removable suiter system and extra-wide tie-down straps minimize wrinkling during travel. The four-point stability system prevents tipping when luggage is expanded. Other features include a hidden ID holder which holds a standard size business card, 2 ½” expansion capability for additional packing room, and a detachable Add-A-Bag strap for hands-free carrying of extra bags, which allows totes, cases and backpacks to be carried on the front of the bag for easy on the go traveling.

 

The Crew 9 Collection is available in fashionable black and titanium gray fabric colors. The entire line includes the following options:  Deluxe Tote, Checkpoint Friendly Computer Briefcase, Business Backpack, Rolling Business Tote , 20” Expandable Business Plus Rollaboard, 22” Expandable Rollaboard Suiter, 24” Expandable Rollaboard Suiter, 26” Expandable Rollaboard Suiter, 28” Expandable Rollaboard Suiter, Rolling Garment Bag (Carry-on), 50” Rolling Garment Bag. Additionally, the collection offers a 21” Expandable Spinner with Suiter, 25” Expandable Spinner with Suiter and 29” Expandable Spinner with Suiter.

 

The Crew 9 collection will also include Hardside Spinner models that will be introduced in August. This Hardside collection will feature all the innovative offerings of Crew 9, combining 2 ½” expansion capability and exceptional durability with effortless mobility. The Travelpro Crew 9 collection is built to last and comes with a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

 

About Travelpro®

For twenty five years, Travelpro International has prided itself on design innovation and durability in crafting the highest quality luggage for travellers worldwide. Since transforming the ease of modern day travel with The Original Rollaboard® wheeled luggage, Travelpro® has been the brand of choice for flight crews and frequent travelers worldwide. Travelpro is dedicated to building a lifelong relationship with its customers by consistently understanding and exceeding their needs. The company offers a variety of innovative, high-quality luggage collections and computer briefs; each aimed at a specific user lifestyle and rigorously tested. Travelpro was the winner of the 2009 and 2010 Leading Edge Award from Executive Travel Magazine for “The Best Carry-on Case.”  Travelpro is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the invention of the Rollaboard® throughout 2012.

 

Please visit Travelpro at www.travelpro.com for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.

Insurance King of Rockford IL to release new product in June 2012

Dan Block marketing manager for Insurance King stated that he is very excited to be representing Warranty Star.

Rockford, IL, May 10,2012 – Insurance King of Rockford IL to release new product in June 2012. The product is warranty star.

The product is warranty star. Dan Block marketing manager for Insurance King stated that he is very excited to be representing Warranty Star. Dan Block mentioned that one of the benefits to Warranty Star was having the ability to waive collision and comprehensive deductibles. People can go to $1000 deductibles take the savings in the insurance and purchase the Warranty Star product with those savings and if there were a claim the deductible would be paid for by Warranty Star. There is a lot of benefits that come with the Warranty Star products. Dan Block was introduced to this product from J.R. Hill and his partner Mark Le Voir whom is a former NFL player that played with the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and the St. Louis Rams. Dan Block intends to market this product Nation Wide with J.R. Hill and Mark Le Voir.

To Learn more about Warranty Star’s products or how you can earn an income marketing Warranty Star.

Contact:
Dan Block
Insurance King
123 N. Alpine rd
Rockford, IL 61107
815-980-0664
Danblock317@gmail.com
http://www.warrantystarleaders.com/

Dump Truck Insurance – Creating a Low priced Dump Truck Insurance Strategy

Currently, the vast majority of insurance firms display different instructions for several categories of cars and trucks. Evidently, you will discover substances impacting on monthly bills in addition to fees of each and every insurance policies. In that instance dump truck insurance, a few aspects insurance firms look at is the incident possibility, budgetary risks, as well as perils of materials as well as products transmitted. Oftentimes, brand new business 18 wheel trucks or vehicles attack the route choosing programs with them. Your driver’s years is usually thought of a significant ingredient that will determine how many coverage required for all of the pickup. Mathematically, aged motorists is more skeptical though visiting, interpretation a reduced amount of prospects of entering into problems when compared with young variations.

Throughout discovering dump truck insurance costs, this driver’s come across is about the major making a decision tips. Needless to say, most people that have the cleanse computer file are believed to be less-risky generating reduced bills. A second ingredient that insurance carriers check will be the certain period of time anyone worked well as being a cocinero working. Once they had been able to possess a cleaning document within enterprise, an insurer offers you a more substantial policy which contains smaller interest rates.

In spite of this, in the event the person options seasoned an automobile accident over the past, make are going to be designed to pick up cheaper benefits insurance plan.

Another critical attribute that companies give attention to would be the truck’s developing site as well as shipping which will transmits. If your main spot the spot where the lorry is working provides excellent direction infrastructure, and in addition great surroundings, a lot more feasible their dump truck insurance can have improved charges when compared with cars coupled with territories developing poorly-built road not to mention facilities. Pickups are meant to move, that is certainly why one other component finding out expenditures is actually looking at the type of things the objective transmits. If your main consignments is sort of lgt, commonly an auto could possibly have an additional step including coverage. Nevertheless, when the occupy will likely be major, which will help by using reason for injury, tues insurance protection are actually reduced plus premium fees become higher.

In spite of this, dump truck insurance processes are usually more problematic. In the first place, a great deal to consider these items that your truck consists of. If you just observe the pickups sprinting whereas getting behind the wheel, with the intention to probably will having numerous perilous necessities which include flammable cold drinks. Should these kinds of products are mishandled, the actual result is pretty miserable. That is definitely something an insurance provider and also vendor might center on. The actual charges interested tend to be really relying on how big the truck or van that is certainly covered by insurance. As well, this out of the pounds which usually bears may also be reviewed. Significantly more unsafe or even pricey products may make bigger charges due to the stability injury connected with throughout the accidental injuries having much larger vehicles. In reality, the products will have to be taken into account whenever acquiring insurance plan for a pick-up.

The third range of factors affecting dump truck insurance price quotes demands the car themselves. Its format, for instance elements utilized for it has the improvement seem to be known thoroughly as far as create being able to execute it’s venture. Any truck’s mature can certainly be fundamental. Proof against the assembly from the motor business, aging adults vans have got more robust degrees of insurance coverage as they’re viewed as “tried and even tested” later. Not what a motorist have to examine is definitely the techniques relating to his / her pickup a friend as well as tires, car tire, rims together with engine. Any time these are typically trapped in wonderful doing work ailment, it’s going to simply supply you with a more effective benefit inside insurance coverage.

Dump Truck Insurance is specialized in Dump truck insurance quote for Owner Operators.We are able to provide with a variety of Dump Truck Insurance policies according to your requirements.Call us today at 1-800-513-3135.

Monogram Cake Toppers 2012 – Get an Insight into Different Kinds of them

30th April 2012 – Monogram cake toppers are increasingly gaining popularity especially on wedding events owing to their simplicity and unique appeal. They are designs comprising of letters which may be one or more. They usually are derived from the initials from the name of any person. These beautifully crafted pieces sit on top of the cake and draw the attention of every visitor. These toppers usually signify few traits of the groom as well as the bride.

There are many things that you may need to consider prior to finalizing such cake toppers. They are available in specifically two different types; contemporary and formal and you can be very experimental when it comes to choosing any of the two styles.

Formal style is fancy, elegant and slightly more effeminate. Contemporary style is comparatively less fancy and presents a more modern feel.

You can read contemporary style initials with great ease as the letters themselves do not undergo any scripting or formal style. Instead curls are often used at the end of the letters to impart them the required beauty and appeal.

But in case of formal style, it would be often difficult to decipher the letters as they are calligraphic or scripted letters.

To depict the panache or grace of the bride, formal style is more suitable as it tends to lean towards the bride. But if the intention is to depict both the groom and the bride on cake toppers, contemporary style should be taken into consideration.

However, the final decision ought to be made on the personal choices of the groom and the bride and it should be a mutual decision.

After you have finalized whether you want contemporary or formal style of monogram cake toppers, your next step should be to choose the letters. You must decide before hand the letters you would want on your cake toppers and how many they should be in number. If you have clear vision about the style, letters and their numbers then it would be easier for the baker to come up to your expectations. Being very creative with numbers and initials can render the uniqueness to your cake toppers which you had desired.

For more information visit,

http://www.weddingcollectibles.com/Monogram-Cake-Toppers.html