Enfrastructure Finds a Worker Fast; Other Companies Keep Searching
Struggling Irvine computer seller eMachines Inc. is celebrating its second anniversary with the announcement that it has shipped its 3 millionth PC.
Unfortunately for the company, its stock became a party pooper, refusing to budge from a near-low of 1. The stock has traded as high as 10 per share in the past 12 months.
The company was one of the first to break the $1,000 barrier for PCs, but as more competitors joined the fray and eroded market share for the segment, officials have sought other sources of revenue, such as selling “sponsorships” for particular spots on the keyboard.
Founded in September 1998, eMachines started as a joint venture of South Korean PC maker TriGem Computer Inc. and monitor maker Korea Data Systems.
BridgeGate Boosts Blum
Scott Blum isn’t the only one touting the launch of Enfrastructure, the well-funded Aliso Viejo startup that wants to set up high-tech business facilities around the country.
Irvine headhunting firm BridgeGate LLC is patting itself on the back for finding Enfrastructure’s chief information officer David Watson, a 20-year industry veteran.
Watson has worked with a variety of technology companies, most recently as chief information officer for Irvine heart-valve maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp.
According to BridgeGate officials, the search took less than 45 days, a record time for the company.
Enfrastructure has raised more than $100 million from the likes of Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp. and Arthur Andersen. In addition to a full suite of business services, the facilities offer a host of employee-focused features such as on-site dry cleaning, a 24-hour cafeteria and gym.
Hunt for Workers
Finding qualified workers continues to top the list of concerns of area executives, according to a recent survey by accounting firm Deloitte & Touche.
As part of the its annual Fast 50 program recognizing the top-growing companies in Orange County and San Diego, the firm asked chief executives of participating companies to name the issues that most affect their business.
About 70% mentioned the hunt for qualified workers, the highest-ranking issue. Other responses included employee retention (58%) and keeping up with technology (44%).
Some of the ways the executives hope to attract and retain workers included setting up stock options programs (93%), a positive corporate culture (84%) and boosting employee benefits (72%).
For more findings in the survey: www.us.deloitte.com/fast500/media_center/press-releases/orange.shtm
IPNet Adopts UCC Standard
Newport Beach software company IPNet Solutions Inc. says it will support UCCnet, the newest incarnation of the decades-old Uniform Code Council, a standard used for exchanging information about manufactured products and electronic transactions.
IPNet plans to incorporate the standard into its “virtual exchange” system, which allows businesses to share information more transparently with suppliers, distributors and customers.
The UCC standard is touted as one of the most comprehensive, incorporating 240,000 member companies, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers in 23 industries.
For more: www.ipnetsolutions.com
Bits:
Nexgenix Inc., Irvine, won a contract to set up the customer-relations functions of EcoLab’s Web site. EcoLab is a St. Paul, Minn., company that makes industrial cleaning products Irvine software maker eLiberation has released the first test version of its file-sharing application. The company hopes to create a version of the popular peer-to-peer file-sharing technique, popularized by programs such as Napster, that allows artists to receive compensation for their work. For more: www.eliberation.com High-speed computer storage system maker QLogic Corp. has signed an agreement that will allow Tech Data Corp. of Clearwater, Fla., to distribute QLogic’s product line. Tech Data is the second-largest technology distribution company, behind Ingram Micro Inc. Santa Ana Web design firm Epic Partners is introducing a system that allows companies to customize their intranets and Internet systems for specific partners, employees and customers. For more: www.epicpartners.com JMR Electronics is introducing a line of RAID storage products compatible with controllers made by CMD Technology Inc. of Irvine Parsec Automation Corp., Brea, announced it will incorporate Allaire Corp.’s back-end Web software into its Web design and application services.
So long, farewell
I should take the last few inches of this column to announce that this will be my last dispatch for the OCBJ, as I’ll be heading up to Silicon Valley to cover technology for the San Jose Business Journal. It’s been a good run,Orange County has much to be proud of and look forward to in this burgeoning sector. From here on out, tech coverage will fall into the exceedingly capable hands of senior reporter Peter Brennan, who can be reached at Brennan@ocbj.com or via a quaint old device called the telephone at (949) 833-8373, Ext. 226.
