Foothill Ranch-based Applied Voice & Speech Technologies Inc., which makes software that manages companies’ telephone systems, inked a deal to buy some software assets of Canada’s Voice Mobility International Inc.
Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close by year’s end, weren’t disclosed.
Applied Voice is set to get Voice Mobility’s Internet-based software that sets up the backbone for telecommunication networks, along with related patents and its customers.
Applied Voice plans to integrate the software technology into its own offering.
Voice Mobility sold off the unit as part of a restructuring.
Applied Voice develops and markets software that manages voicemail, e-mail and fax messaging systems. The software answers calls, takes messages and notifies callers of events and alerts from the company.
What’s different about Applied Voice’s software is that it can be added to an existing telephone system, making it a cheaper upgrade rather than a complete overhaul.
Applied Voice sells to companies via distributors and specialized telecom resellers.
It targets customers in higher education, manufacturing, healthcare and the government.
Some of its customers include the city of Phoenix, Del Monte Foods Co. and the University of Maryland.
Applied Voice has raised some $25 million in venture funds to date.
It doesn’t disclose financials, but it is profitable.
‘WoW’ Movie?
Die-hard fans of “World of Warcraft,” the online game by Irvine’s Blizzard Entertainment Inc., are on pins and needles for any word about its upcoming plans to turn the epic fantasy saga into a movie blockbuster.
Blizzard’s Vice President of Creative Development Chris Metzen took the stage at Comic-Con International in San Diego last month and said the movie’s treatment “is still being hammered out,” according to video game website Joystiq.com.
A movie adaptation of the “Warcraft universe,” which takes place in the mythical world of Azeroth, was first announced in 2006.
The movie is said to have a $100 million budget and is set to be produced by Burbank-based Legendary Pictures Inc.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. is funding the film.
Although the process has slowed recently, the movie still is happening, said Metzen, who is coproducing the film.
Director Sam Raimi, of “Spider-Man” and “Evil Dead” fame, is also a producer and still is “very, very passionate” about getting the movie made, he said.
Frank Pearce, Blizzard’s executive vice president of product development, echoed Metzen.
A few weeks ago he said the movie “is still really early in the planning stages.”
Integrien Patent
Irvine-based software startup Integrien Corp. was awarded its third patent last month.
The technology is Integrien’s “Alive” product, which helps online retailers monitor their transactions.
Integrien’s technology chief, Mazda Marvasti, was named as the inventor.
Integrien’s software helps manage e-commerce, stock trading and other programs that are costly if they fail.
The software crunches data and tells technology workers when to pay attention and what to pay attention to in order to head off problems.
The Business Journal estimates Integrien has raised nearly $40 million in venture funding to date.
It targets customers in healthcare, banking, payment processing and online retail—including locals Western Digital Corp. and QLogic Corp.
BlueCava Execs
Irvine-based BlueCava Inc., a former unit of Irvine software maker Uniloc Inc. that split off earlier this year, is filling in its executive ranks.
The new senior executive team includes Dean Harris, who is chief marketing officer, John Sherrod, who is vice president of partner development, James Brentano, who is vice president of product development, and Eric Johannsen, who is vice president of engineering.
BlueCava was spun off from Uniloc as a sales and marketing arm for its device identification software. Uniloc, which sees about $100 million in yearly sales, now is focused on research and development, and overseeing patents.
BlueCava snagged a few executives from Uniloc, including finance chief Michael Lin and Frank Rodorigo, who is vice president of business development.
BlueCava recruited serial entrepreneur David Norris late last year to run it as chief executive.
Norris most recently headed up Seattle’s OnRequest Images Inc., which manages a database of photos used in marketing and promotions.
