Category Archives: Technology

hSo Launches Partner Programme for ICT resellers

February 3, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

hSo, the carrier-independent MPLS network provider, has launched a partner programme, providing ICT resellers access to its market leading network and cloud delivery services.

London, UK, February 02, 2012 – hSo, the carrier-independent MPLS network provider, has launched a partner programme, providing ICT resellers access to its market leading network and cloud delivery services.

A solid delivery infrastructure is critical to any cloud strategy but implementing these networks can prove complicated. hSo steps in to allow organisations, including IT consultants and Software as a Service providers, to ensure that their projects prove successful.

hSo works closely alongside IT consultants and service providers as a delivery partner allowing them to implement their preferred end-to-end solution. As Graham Walmsley of Inspired Networks puts it, “hSo were the only company to listen to our requirements and come back with a bespoke solution that exactly matched our needs … furthermore, they were cost effective”.

The hSo Business Partner certification allows companies to expand their portfolio without taking on significant credit risk with multi-year end user contracts. Selling with hSo provides partners with an additional revenue stream along with a trusted service for their clients.

The hSo Resale Partner certification, aimed at resellers with an established managed network offering, provides a competitive, whole-of-market platform for MPLS networks and Cloud services. Partners purchase services from hSo and embed them in their solutions to their clients.

Brian Hudson, Managing Director of Performance Telecom, explains the benefits of working in this situation: “hSo offers end-to-end solutions, which optimise both quality and cost. It’s been a pleasure to work with a company with such expansive knowledge of delivering IP network solutions across the UK.”

hSo’s partner services include a number of industry firsts:

* hSo:compare—an online instant pricing tool with UK-wide coverage and extensive circuit options (including Ethernet, EFM, broadband).

* Carrier independence—ensuring that hSo partners have access to the most competitive – pricing options, regardless of the location of their customers

* A wide range of Cloud services including SIP trunks, virtualisation, SSL VPN, online storage available for free proof-of-concept implementations.

The partners’ access to the hSo:compare pricing tool means that they can create solutions for their customers in real-time and manage their own opportunities. The wide range of cloud services means they can create a complete solution for their customers with end to end accountability—a very important aspect of network-based services.

About the company:
hSo is one of only a handful of providers to combine its own MPLS network with other Tier 1 carriers, providing an end-to-end next generation solution to its partners and customers. In addition, a substantial investment in data centre platforms allows hSo to provide managed solutions across the full spectrum of voice, data and security backed by a single technical support centre.

Contact:
Shirin MacDonald
hSo
Epworth House
25 City Road
London EC1Y 1AA
+44 (0) 20 7847 4500
shirin.macdonald@hso.co.uk
http://www.hso-compare.com

Technology

hSo:compare Leased Line Pricing Website Launched

February 3, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

MPLS network provider hSo has launched a UK-wide price comparison tool that provides best market pricing for connectivity in real-time, direct to the enquirer.

London, UK, February 02, 2012 – The carrier-independent MPLS network provider, hSo, has launched a new tool to help businesses pricing up their networks to budget their IT and telecoms expenditure.

A beta version of the hSo:compare website has been running for over 12 months, and has already provided thousands of quotes. With cost effective next generation access circuits, such as EFM, becoming available across the country, MPLS solutions are gaining popularity amongst companies looking to take advantage of new cloud strategies.

Replacing the traditional lengthy process of salesperson-led quotations, hSo:compare provides real-time, location-specific pricing for multiple sites. It has been developed with the company’s carrier partners and offers an all-inclusive cost of ownership, which includes the managed kit and 24/7 support for the service. It is currently the only site of its kind widely available on the Internet.

hSo:compare enables organisations across the UK and their IT consultants, to plan and budget for their network upgrade, an important part of implementing a sound cloud computing strategy. hSo’s networks are cloud-ready, which is vital for companies that safely operate multiple services between offices and cloud providers. Coupled with the scalable solutions on offer, allowing IT managers to expand or contract their networks and service as fast as they like, the communication system can evolve with the business making it effectively future-proof.

“Business users have become accustomed, as consumers in their own right, to the instant availability of pricing on the net. We believe it is time for business-class telecoms to become more transparent too”, said Avner Peleg, Director at hSo.

“Decision makers should take best pricing for granted and look at service-related factors such as access to cloud services and high levels of customer service when making decisions about such a critical element of their IT infrastructure.”

Peter Rusling, IT Director at Parity Group, who found hSo through the comparison site, had this to say: “hSo’s online quoting tool is extremely useful … it gave us a really good sense of what we were looking for.”

The tool has proven to be extremely popular with IT consultants and resellers, working on behalf of clients. Accordingly, hSo has developed a range of features to allow those users to manage their own campaigns and clients’ requirements.

Furthermore, hSo:compare has proved a hit with the UK’s tier-1 carriers; according to Jason King, Head of Wholesale Voice & Data at Virgin Media Business: “hSo’s revolutionary pricing website enables business’ of all sizes to gain access to Virgin Media Business’ nationwide fibre optic network with ease and benefit from the advantages that superfast connectivity can bring.”

hSo:compare is available at www.hso-compare.com.

Contact:
Shirin MacDonald
hSo
Epworth House
25 City Road
London EC1Y 1AA
+44 (0) 20 7847 4500
shirin.macdonald@hso.co.uk
http://www.hso-compare.com

Technology

First for Antibody Labeling Company Launches New Flow Cytometry Guide

January 31, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Innova Biosciences the inventor of the world’s easiest to use antibody labeling kits (Lightning-Link™ or Lightning-Link™ Rapid), has produced a new informative guide for scientists

Cambridge, UK, January 30, 2012 – Innova Biosciences (United Kingdom) the inventor of the world’s easiest to use antibody labeling kits (Lightning-Link™ or Lightning-Link™ Rapid), has produced a new informative guide for scientists, A Beginners Guide to Flow Cytometry, which is available to view online. The new guide was designed to provide an overview of flow cytometry and its associated applications, the basic components of a flow cytometer and the outline the benefits of using Lightning-Link™ antibody labeling technology in flow cytometry applications.

Flow cytometry is a widely used method for cell analysis with a large range of applications that include DNA/cell cycle analysis, cell viability and proliferation. Brian Carpenter, Innova Biosciences’ Sales and Marketing Manager, commented ‘As part of our on-going effort to develop our website as an informative resource of technical information and guides, we are pleased to announce the availability of the new flow cytometry guide,’ he continued, ‘the complexity of experimental approach and data analysis can be daunting to those new to field of flow cytometry, this introductory guide has been developed to help scientists who are new to this type of analysis.’

About the company: Innova Biosciences is a growing, dynamic business, based in Cambridge, UK. At the core of Innova’s business is the Lightning-Link™, an innovative technology that simplifies production of labeled antibodies for use in R&D applications, drug discovery and in vitro diagnostics. The expanding Lightning-Link™ antibody labeling portfolio currently consists of over 40 products and is sold to research laboratories in over 30 countries around the world.

Innova Biosciences encourages everyone with an interest in flow cytometry, antibody and protein labeling technologies to please visit the website, it can be accessed at www.innovabiosciences.com.

Contact:
Mathew Taylor
Director
Algorythm Solutions Ltd
10 Torkington St
Stamford
Lincolnshire PE9 2UY
+44 (0)773 403 2112
mtaylor@algorythmsolutions.com

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Technology

Netkiller Takes Fire Safety Onto the Cloud

January 28, 2012 flashnewsrelease Leave a comment

RFSignalman, a division of Niemann Technology Inc. (NTI), implemented a Google Apps Engine-based system, designed by Netkiller, that allows them to streamline the process of helping their clients meet fire code specifications.

San Jose, CA (USA), Friday – January 27, 2012 — Pure Google Apps Solutions are finding their way into more and more industries, and Netkiller is helping them get there. This January, RFSignalman, a division of Niemann Technology Inc. (NTI), implemented a Google Apps Engine-based system, designed by Netkiller, that allows them to streamline the process of helping their clients meet fire code specifications*.

RFSignalman ( http://rfsignalman.com/fire-code-510-emergency-responder-radio-coverage/ ) is an independent testing company located in Elk Grove, CA that helps property owners comply with fire code regulations by meeting indoor radio coverage requirements. They work with both property owners and Public Safety, providing accurate data that is utilized to improve Public Safety communications.

In order to accommodate the large volume of data and communication between property owners, field engineers, and Public Safety, Netkiller needed to build an application that could provide discrete functions for different groups of users, as well as store data, generate reports, and streamline communication. All of this, with the addition of security, remote access, and reliability meant that the Google Apps Engine was the clear choice.

The result is an application which accommodates separate functions for the customer, the field engineer, Public Safety, and administration through discrete and secure access interfaces. Customers use the application to request radio coverage measurement services for their properties. Then, the field engineer gathers measurement data from the physical location into CVS files. These files are uploaded to the application, which then generates PDF reports to certify that the building complies with fire codes. Public Safety then uses the application to review and export information about buildings with signal data under their jurisdiction.

The powerful application developed by Netkiller ( http://www.netkiller.com ) supports four separate levels of access, streamlining the process and keeping it secure by separating the information presented to customers, field engineers, and Public Safety into separate user interfaces. Each user interface connects to a Google doc-based database that stores customer information and field test data. The information is then used to produce online map displays of tested buildings, certification test reports, summary and adhoc reports for Public Safety, as well as online billing, scheduling, and more. Netkiller built the entire application on the web using the Google Apps Engine, and the entire process occurs online.

Paul Niemann, President of RFSignalman.com said, “By integrating automated measurement equipment, a powerful custom application developed for us by Netkiller and Google technologies to collaborate and share information, RFSignalman is able to provide an economical field service and an accurate documentation platform. Having on-line access to radio coverage data directly improves the safety for our emergency responders and our community.”

*Since the events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent investigation into building safety by both FEMA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), fire codes have been modified by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to include a mandatory annual certification of sufficient radio coverage for Public Safety emergency responders within buildings. Meeting these codes is the responsibility of the property owner.

About Netkiller:
Netkiller is an Information Technology integration firm based in San Jose, Seoul, and Tokyo. The name originated from the ‘Network Trouble Killers’ community (over 25,000 members), which has been active since 1997 and was incorporated in 2004. Netkiller has almost a 10 year history of innovation in IT and Cloud Computing.

Press & Media Contact:
Harry Jung
Netkiller
2033 Gateway Place, Suite 500
San Jose, CA 95110 – USA
+1-408-573-6891
admin@netkiller.com

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Technology

Vircom Releases Preliminary Results from Spam Survey

January 27, 2012 flashnewsrelease Leave a comment

The survey is open to the public and relates to how users protect themselves against spam and phishing threats.

Montreal, Canada, Thursday – January 26, 2012 – Vircom Inc, a leader in email security has just released its preliminary findings from an ongoing spam survey. The survey is open to the public and relates to how users protect themselves against spam and phishing threats. The 3 minute survey can be found at www.vircom.com/u/spamsurvey.

Preliminary analysis reveals 45% of the respondents openly share address book and email credentials on social networks and more than three quarters connect to unencrypted WiFi hotspots in public locations. Both these types of activity lead to stolen and abused email credentials which are then used by spammers to collect email intelligence and spread additional spam and malware. Research also suggests that a quarter of respondents don’t regularly check email headers when reading bank emails. Such relaxed attitudes make users prone to spam(particularly phishing campaigns) which ultimately lead to stolen bank account credentials, and fraud.

“What’s the most interesting is how people react to spam once in their inbox. One out of 3 users are likely to read spam if the subject line strikes a chord with them. And more than half of them are likely to click spam links or download attachments,”said Marc Chouinard, Head of Anti-Spam and Malware Operations at Vircom Inc. “This goes to show the challenges corporate IT administrators face in curbing spam related security threats. Even with the most robust spam filters,end-user training is required to correctly handle spam.”

The survey will continue for the next few weeks. Participants are eligible to win regular prizes such as gift cards from BestBuy, Subway and Apple iTunes, along with a grand prize of the new iPhone 4S. After survey completion, Vircom plans to use the research data to optimize its spam fighting software as well as enhance corporate training for clients. Parts of the research will also be shared with the public.

About Vircom:
Vircom Inc. is a software development and professional services company focused exclusively on email messaging security. Founded in 1994, Vircom is the only email security vendor to offer a wide range of deployment options, proprietary anti-spam technology, complete Windows™ infrastructure integration and premium customer service. Its award-winning products include modusMail™, modusGate™, modusGate™ VM and modusGate™ Appliance. Vircom technology is made available to several major security providers and businesses, and deployed through third-party vendors to customers in more than 100 countries. For additional information, please visit http://www.vircom.com or call 1-888-484-7266.

BestBuy, Subway Restaurants, iTunes and iPhone are all trademarks owned and maintained by their respective owners.

Press & Media Contact:
John Kurien
Vircom Inc
460 Ste-Catherine West, suite 600
Montréal, Québec H3B 1A7 CANADA
+1.514.845.1666 ext. 253
john.kurien@vircom.com

Home – Email Security Solutions For Cloud Based and On Premise Protection

Technology

Ecotech Institute’s Student Population Grows Nearly 400 Percent in One Year

January 26, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

With jobs in renewable energy and sustainability on the rise, students from across the country are coming to Ecotech to gain hands-on training

Denver, CO, January 25, 2012 – Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, announced today that its January quarter kicked off with 100 new students, the largest start to date. With total current enrollment at 473 students, Ecotech witnessed a student population increase of almost 400 percent in just one year.

Ecotech Institute started classes in a temporary facility in June 2010 as it completed an overhaul of an existing vacant building. In January 2011, Ecotech’s 119 students began attending school in its LEED gold-certified campus in Aurora, Colorado. Since then, the facility’s offerings, faculty and student enrollment have continually experienced growth and improvement.

This June, the first graduating class of 39 students is expected to receive their degrees and in December 2012, another 50 students are expected to graduate. Of these students, the most popular degrees include Wind Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology.

“We knew we had something special when Ecotech opened its doors, and it’s inspiring to see increasingly more students come from across the country to pursue a degree that can truly make a difference in the world,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “With our first group of graduates in June, we can’t wait to see where they go and to hear their stories of success. This is definitely going to be a big year for us.”

Today, 90 percent of Ecotech’s students are men and 77 percent of the students are from Colorado. However, every day more and more students are moving from other states to pursue a degree at Ecotech, with students from 37 states and Puerto Rico currently represented. The top states from which Ecotech students have relocated include California, New Jersey, Wyoming, Illinois and Texas.

With the growth in students comes a growth in faculty as well. When Ecotech first opened, the school had one program director and two instructors. Ecotech now has three program directors and 24 instructors who teach in 11 hands-on learning labs. Ecotech’s holistic teaching approach gives students a chance to learn first-hand about the technology they will use in the field of their future career. At Ecotech, students also learn soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), math and science basics and technology skills.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in April and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, the college offers seven associate’s degrees and a certificate program designed by experts in the industry for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger or Jenny Foust
CSG|PR
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com or jfoust@csg-pr.com

About Education Corporation of America
Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of almost 20,000 students. The ECA website is www.ecacolleges.com. In addition to Ecotech Institute, ECA schools include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Nursing and more in eighteen different cities. Virginia College campuses are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida; Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah, Georgia; Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Spartanburg, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina; Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richmond, Virginia; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Austin, Texas. The Virginia College website is www.vc.edu. Virginia College also offers classes worldwide via the Internet, with student services and admissions facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida, and a Military Student Center also in Tampa. Information about online classes at Virginia College is available at www.vconline.edu. Additionally, ECA operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, with locations in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Florida. The website is www.culinard.com. ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Golf Academy website is www.golfacademy.edu.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
CSG|PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Business, Construction, Industrial, Marketing, Real Estate, Technology

Acoustiblok Named “Best Practices” Customer by Hubspot Internet Marketing

January 26, 2012 EPR Network Leave a comment

Eighteen months after adopting Hubspot’s all-in-one marketing platform, Tampa, Florida-based Acoustiblok has increased website traffic by 210 percent, increased organic search leads by 307 percent, and increased customer transactions by 40 percent, contributing to Acoustiblok’s record sales increases in 2011.

Hubspot named Acoustiblok a “Best Practices” customer based on its application of Hubspot marketing tools for website management, blogging, search engine optimization (SEO), lead management, marketing analytics, social media monitoring, and website analysis.

“Being recognized by an industry leader as a “best practices” customer is a real accomplishment, and one we’ve worked hard to achieve,” said Liz Ernst, director of public relations for Acoustiblok, Inc. “We have a small marketing and PR team, and we had been trying different approaches to increasing traffic and drawing attention to our Acoustiblok soundproofing product line, and our Thermablok aerogel insulating strips.

“Hubspot gave us some serious one-on-one attention and guidance to understand where to best devote our efforts for the greatest return on our marketing and PR campaigns.”

Acoustiblok President and Founder Lahnie Johnson says that Hubspot provided the traffic building tools he had been looking for in order to achieve the huge growth goals the company had set for itself.

“We knew we had to get more web traffic, and that more traffic would equate to more leads,” Johnson said. “We were able to use the HubSpot software to help us with our traffic building initiatives, and our leads increased dramatically as our traffic increased.”

HubSpot, Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provides an all-in-one marketing software platform used by more than 5000 companies in 34 countries. HubSpot is also the developer of WebsiteGrader.com, a website analysis tool with more than 3 million users. HubSpot, Inc. was founded in 2006.

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Technology

LAN Systems CEO Named to the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2012

January 24, 2012 flashnewsrelease Leave a comment

Today, LAN Systems, a leading Atlanta IT Support and Service firm, announced that CEO Mary Hester was named to the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2012.

Norcross, GA (USA), Monday – January 24, 2012 — Today, LAN Systems, a leading Atlanta IT Support and Service firm, announced that CEO Mary Hester was named to the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2012.

Leadership North Fulton identifies and develops leaders by promoting community awareness, instilling civic responsibility and building relationships. This leadership program selects individuals from various backgrounds and provides an environment that develops their leadership skills.

“It is an honor to be selected for the Class of 2012,” said CEO Mary Hester. “The program has much to offer a business leader who wants to be more involved in North Fulton. There are course days, projects and team building activities. It will be like going back to business school.”

Mary has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA from the University of Georgia at Athens. She volunteers for several not-for-profit organizations that promote engineering education and careers to young people. She is active in promoting engineering as a career to young women and serves on the Board of Utility Technology Associates, a not-for-profit dedicated to the advancement of education and training for electric power utilities.

About the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce:
The mission of the North Fulton Chamber is to be the catalyst for economic development, business growth, and quality of life in North Fulton. The GNFCC promotes the interests of our members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play and stay. We provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live. To learn more, visit: http://www.gnfcc.com

About LAN Systems:
LAN Systems is a leading Atlanta Computer Support company that provides people-focused IT solutions. As technology experts, LAN Systems helps companies make the most of their existing IT investment and choose the right solutions to fuel growth. LAN Systems is a leading provider of IT Solutions for growing businesses in the Metro Atlanta. For more information, visit: http://www.lansystems.com

Press & Media Contact:
Lauren Maxwell
VP of Sales and Marketing
LAN Systems
6015-D Atlantic Blvd
Norcross, GA 30071
770 662-0312
lauren@lansystems.com
http://www.lansystems.com

Technology

CEO Mary Hester Principal for a Day at JC McGill EC

January 23, 2012 flashnewsrelease Leave a comment

LAN Systems, a leading Atlanta IT Consulting firm, CEO Mary Hester was the “Principal for a Day” at JC McGill Elementary School in Loganville, Georgia.

Norcross, GA (USA), Monday – January 23, 2012 — LAN Systems, a leading Atlanta IT Consulting firm, CEO Mary Hester was the “Principal for a Day” at JC McGill Elementary School in Loganville, Georgia. The program is a joint venture of the Gwinnett County Board of Education and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. Its objective is to provide CEO-level business leaders a firsthand, authentic look at the operations of today’s schools and the principals who lead them. Leaders observe the rewards, challenges, and satisfaction that come with being the instructional and managerial leader of a modern public school.

Mary shadowed MS. Crystal Collins, Principal of JC McGill EC, during her normal and very busy schedule. Starting by greeting students and staff, they moved to the media center for the morning television broadcast. Classroom visits, a special Thanksgiving lunch with students and parents was a highlight of the day.

“It builds confidence in our future to see happy, engaged students,” said Hester. “The activities were challenging and many focused on science and math. Ms. Collins is a very involved principal who knows all her students and staff. Her level of commitment is remarkable.”

JC McGill is in Loganville, Georgia and serves over 1100 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

About the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce:
Gwinnett County remains one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States and has led the state of Georgia in job creation for the past five years. At the center of Gwinnett’s growth and development is the Gwinnett Chamber.

As one of the largest and most successful chambers in the Southeastern United States, the Gwinnett Chamber has a finger on the pulse of the community and is able to identify and target issues of importance to businesses in the county. Within the Chamber, businesses of all sizes have a strong voice and powerful impact on important community issues. For more information, visit: http://www.gwinnettchamber.org

Press & Media Contact:
Lauren Maxwell
VP of Sales and Marketing
LAN Systems
6015-D Atlantic Blvd
Norcross, GA 30071
770 662-0312
lauren@lansystems.com
http://www.lansystems.com

Business, Construction, Environment, Industrial, Technology

Coca-Cola Installs Acoustifence(r) Noise Barrier Fencing On Its Bay City Michigan Plant

January 20, 2012 EPR Network Leave a comment

Coca-Cola has completed installation of Acoustifence® noise barrier fencing along the west perimeter of its Bay City plant, bringing to an abrupt halt those noise issues that had been plaguing neighbors in the surrounding community and attracting local news organizations as the outcry from area residents grew.

Architect Jack Zelazny of Dearborn, Michigan, acting as a consultant to Coca Cola’s contractor Kirco Manix, chose Acoustifence noise barrier fencing for the core of the 300 foot wide noise barrier project designed to alleviate noise from idling delivery trucks at the plant that had been plaguing neighbors in the South End Community.
Zelazny said the initial plan was to construct a 30 foot acoustical metal fence along the perimeter roadway to address the problem, but he nixed the idea in favor of something significantly less expensive and more aesthetically pleasing to the community’s residents.

“I didn’t think it was appropriate for the neighbors to have to stare at a 30 foot industrial metal fence from their small residential yards,” Zelazny said. “I really wanted to find something more organic and natural.”

After researching sound barrier fencing options, he found Acoustifence, a product of Acoustiblok, Inc. in Tampa Florida, and discussed his options with acoustical consultant Paul Getts of Acoustiblok. After conferring with Getts, Zelazny moved ahead with construction of a grass covered, 300 foot wide berm that incorporated a nine foot high Acoustifence barrier and landscaping for an attractive roadside aesthetic. The project was completed in the final weeks of December, and both company officials and neighbors rang in the New Year with their new found peace and quiet.

“The Acoustifence went up flawlessly, and it’s not unpleasant to look at,” Zelazny said. “When we covered it with the dark green acoustical fabric covering it looked natural and organic, as we had hoped.

“But the real surprise was the immediate impact it had on the noise.”

Zelazny said the plant noise measured at 89 decibels before installation of the Acoustifence began, and registered at 68 decibels immediately after the Acoustifence went up. His hope was to lower the noise by 20 decibels, a figure that was exceeded at the plant, and more than doubled at the neighboring residence as soon as the Acoustifence was put in place. A reading taken at the adjacent residential property registered in the low to mid 40 decibel range.

“It exceeded my expectations, I think it exceeded everyone’s expectations,” he said.“The people at Coca Cola are happy with it, and most importantly the neighbors in the surrounding community are happy with it.

“I couldn’t speak more highly of it.”

Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok, Inc., said that the application of Acoustifence in the bottling plant’s noise barrier berm was the soft drink company’s best alternative for significantly reducing noise, and respecting the surrounding community’s call for peace and quiet.

“I think Coca Cola acted quickly and responded to the area’s residents as a good corporate neighbor should,” Johnson said. “It’s particularly important that they sought out a serious noise blocking option while respecting the fact that neighboring residents would be living with whatever solution they chose, and viewing it every day – some from their own back yards.”

Acoustifence was designed to address outdoor noise pollution in residential communities, or any community that cares about its appearance.”

ABOUT ACOUSTIFENCE:
Originally developed as a noise barrier on loud offshore oil rigs, Acoustifence is a simple and economical first-step noise abatement solution for both residential and commercial usage.

A 1/8-inch (3mm) thick unique sound deadening material measuring 6 feet (1.82 meters) high by 30 feet (9.14 meters) long with black anodized brass eyelets along the top and bottom edge for easy attachment to any existing fence or structure. Heavy-duty nylon ties are included with each roll. Easily installed or removed in less than one hour, impervious to mold, mildew, and UV, Acoustifence is virtually indestructible. The soundproofing material in Acoustifence is a proprietary formula of the Acoustiblok Corporation, developed and refined over a 10-year period.

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