FieldCentrix Lands New Client; Gateway Launches Program
This is my last column for the Orange County Business Journal. By the time this is published, I will be working for Bloomberg LP in Los Angeles. It’s been a fun ride for the past three years, and I’d like to thank the Business Journal’s readers for their assistance, constructive criticism and compliments.
Irvine-based Blizzard Entertainment’s Battle.Net online game service has been a little embattled lately.
Hackers recently broke into the site’s servers for the game “Diablo II” and left hundreds of virtual characters dead and stole player accounts, which contain up to eight characters that a player can use to battle others.
Fans of the mythical role-playing game have been livid about the digital vandalism. They’ve been venting on the “Diablo II” bulletin board. Some took aim at the hackers themselves, while others blamed Blizzard for the security lapse, according to online accounts.
“Blizzard had better be restoring some backups RIGHT NOW or they have one hell of a mess on their hands,” wrote one player.
For its part, Blizzard, a unit of France’s Havas SA, confirmed that characters and items had disappeared, but did not admit that the system had been exploited.
“During the past week, some players have experienced character losses,” a Blizzard representative said in a posting. “Instances have ranged from hardcore characters dying to the loss of items, skill points, and experience in normal characters.”
Blizzard has promised to resurrect any dead characters and restore the levels and experience that they had on Dec. 19.
One player’s online advice: “Hey, it’s only a game. Don’t take it seriously!”
FieldCentrix Lands Clients
Irvine-based FieldCentrix Inc., a provider of wireless and Internet-based software for the field service industry, has signed a pact with Norristown, Pa.-based Maxwell Systems Inc., a maker of accounting and project-management software.
Maxwell, which serves the construction and service management industries, plans to resell FieldCentrix software for managing field technicians to its customers and prospects.
FieldCentrix also announced that 15 technicians of Upland-based Pacific Mechanical Service, an air-conditioning equipment service provider, is running its field service operations under the FieldCentrix wireless program, FX Central.
Electrical Contractor magazine recently awarded FieldCentrix a Showstopper award. Publisher John McKenzie said electrical contractors, who chose the winners, found FieldCentrix products easy to use and they saved work-hours.
Gateway Pilot Program
In a program managed by its Lake Forest facility, Gateway Inc.’s O.N. (Online Network) Solution launched in Southern California as part of a pilot program that the computer maker expects to go national at the end of the month.
Gateway is offering a package that combines digital subscriber line Internet access, an office network, Web hosting, on-site support services and training, Internet “manager” server equipment, online payroll services, and more. Gateway is targeting small companies by saying the program will help them more effectively compete against larger companies.
Kudos to DDi
Electronic Buyers’ News named Anaheim-based DDi Corp. the “best managed company” within the contract electronics manufacturers market in the annual revenue category of $1 billion or less. The magazine praised the company for managing its acquisitions, its technical expertise in prototyping,a key strategic focus,and the strength of its prototyping and quick-turn business.
Legacy Product Certification
Electronics manufacturer Legacy Electronics Inc. of San Clemente said its PC133 dual in-line memory module for network servers was certified by Computer Memory Test Labs, based in Huntington Beach.
Legacy Electronics, which began in 1993, recently purchased and moved into a new 15,000-square-foot headquarters in the Amanecer Industrial Complex in San Clemente. The move accommodates recent expansions and the purchase of $3 million in surface-mount technology and automated test equipment, as well as the hiring of additional personnel.
Technology Pay-Off
A survey of mid-career professionals unhappy in their present jobs and taking computer training classes found that 90% expect to earn a significantly higher salary upon completion of training, according to a survey done by Santa Ana-based New Horizons Computer Learning Centers Inc.
More than half of the students taking computer certification training already hold an undergraduate degree. Most are male and mid-career professionals. Fifty-eight percent are between the ages of 30 and 49.
ATL Backup System Gets Award
Quantum/ATL, an Irvine-based unit of Quantum Corp., said its LANvault 200 received the “back-up hardware of the year” award from Windows 2000 magazine at the publication’s annual awards ceremony held in Australia. The Windows 2000 Awards are based on reviews conducted by Windows 2000 sister companies overseas, such as Future Publishing in the U.K. and Duke Publishing in the U.S. David Richards, editorial director of Windows 2000, said, “We track products that have made a positive impact on the Windows 2000 market, and this award to Quantum/ATL’s LANvault 200 certainly reflects this philosophy.”
Bits:
Santa Ana-based Procom Technology Inc. said that General Dynamics Corp.’s Advanced Technology Systems unit plans to buy Procom’s NetForce 1500 storage appliance … San Juan Capistrano-based Virtual CEO Inc., announced Virtual CEO Express, a new online tool to make management consulting services available for small businesses. In November, the company received $2 million in venture financing … Hotel Information Systems, a division of MAI Systems Corp., Irvine, announced the addition of BASIS International’s ODBC Driver 3.01 to its product line.
