ORCL: Oracle Announces General Availability of Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Enterprise Edition 10g Release 3

Oracle today announced the general availability of Oracle(r) Business Intelligence Suite Enterprise Edition 10g Release 3 (Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE), a major new release of Oracle's comprehensive, standards-based suite of business intelligence (BI) infrastructure and tools products.
This latest release of Oracle Business Intelligence EE, a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware, delivers significant new product enhancements to further enable enterprise-wide BI including a number of usability features; tighter integration with Oracle Applications, other components of Oracle Fusion Middleware and Oracle Database products; and even broader "hot-pluggable" support for non-Oracle data sources. Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE, together with Oracle Business Intelligence Applications, delivers pervasive intelligence that:

* Provide relevant information to all users in time to affect business results;

* Enable access to information through virtually any reporting medium including alerts, dashboards, reports, and more;

* Integrate with existing business processes and workflows; and,

* Allow the cost-effective scalability of the BI platform over time to manage data growth and user needs.

"Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE enables the delivery of reporting and analysis in Oracle, non-Oracle or heterogeneous environments," said Henry Morris, Group Vice President and General Manager, Integration, Development and Application Strategies, IDC. "With roots in the Siebel analytics technology acquired a year ago, the Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE incorporates Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher to offer customers a comprehensive reporting and BI toolset at a competitive price."

New Product Features Enhance Usability
The new release of Oracle Business Intelligence EE delivers pervasive company-wide intelligence with improved usability with over 300 new features including:

* Data Mart Automation allowing Data Modeling and Creation starting from a Business View and automatically generating the physical data mart structure;

* Enhanced Microsoft Office Integration with enhancements to support output formats, data export, and live interaction with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint;

* Enhanced Performance and Scalability with enhanced clustering, native 64-bit support, a new hypercube infrastructure, multi-pass calculation optimizations and others;

* Improved Data Visualization and End User Personalization with drag and drop layout editing, enhanced presentation variables, financial reporting, customized report subscriptions, and secure search; and,

* Lower Total Cost of Ownership with integration with Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g, enhanced mobile analytics, automated workload management, and security enhancements.

Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE now offers users a full set of options to access the information they need including interactive dashboards self-service ad hoc analysis, proactive alerts, highly formatted reports, disconnected analytics on mobile laptops, and more. Release 3 enhancements to extend information to new and increased audiences include JSR-168 support, which enables organizations to embed BI portlets into any JSR-168 compliant portal. In addition, the product supports Really Simple Syndication (RSS) capabilities that enable RSS-aware applications to include BI Alerts and information as well as scalability and performance enhancements to enable even larger numbers of users.

The new release delivers sophisticated, pixel-perfect publishing and reporting capabilities via Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher, formerly Oracle XML Publisher. Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher provides a single solution for all reporting and document output needs, enabling organizations to produce a wide array of documents including financial statements, government forms, high-fidelity reports, invoices, labels, checks, electronic documents (EFT/EDI), purchase orders, and sales orders. Rather than rely upon a proprietary report design tool, the product enables report builders to format reports using a variety of familiar applications such as Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word or Excel. Documents and reports can be scheduled and delivered to email, fax, printer, WebDAV, or incorporated into interactive dashboards. Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher is available standalone or as an integrated component of Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE, providing a compete BI and reporting solution to meet all enterprise needs.

Integration with Oracle Products Helps Lower Costs, Delivers Increased Capabilities
Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE features pre-built integration with Oracle Applications, Oracle Database, and Oracle Fusion Middleware that helps lower total cost and complexity for customers -- while increasing the capabilities and value of the product. The product's integration with the OLAP option of Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition enhances access to information by consolidating server engines to store, view and analyze data in OLAP cubes. Additionally, the new product release offers increased authentication and security capabilities through broad integration with Oracle Virtual Directory, the Oracle E-Business Suite security model, Oracle Enterprise Single Sign-On Suite, and Oracle Internet Directory. Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE and Oracle Business Intelligence Publisher are being adopted by the family of Oracle Applications and will be the basis for BI in the next-generation Oracle Fusion Applications.

Extended Web services support and integration with Oracle Fusion Middleware further enables Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE to drive Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) business processes defined with Oracle BPEL Process Manager. The product can also support multiple methods of analytics-driven workflow by initiating BPEL processes, directing the execution of BPEL processes with intelligent decision points and conditional process steps based on analytics, and delivering analytic results to users.

Hot-Pluggable Architecture Supports Third-Party Applications and Data Sources
Built on open standards, Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE's hot-pluggable design allows it to fit into any existing IT architecture and support existing applications, data sources, end user tools, and security models. Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE enables simultaneous intelligence across relational, multi-dimensional, XML and flat file data sources. Release 3 builds upon this hot-pluggable design through increased certification and native, optimized support for third-party data sources and infrastructure products including the latest releases of IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and NCR Teradata, as well as expanded multi-dimensional support and new native access to SAP Business Information Warehouse (SAP BW).

Availability and Pricing
Oracle Business Intelligence Suite EE is now generally available for Linux and Windows platforms. The product is priced at $1,500 per named user or $225,000 per CPU.

GSK: GlaxoSmithKline files its new pre-pandemic influenza vaccine in Europe

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK plc) today announced that its new generation H5N1 split antigen pre-pandemic influenza vaccine has been accepted for review by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in Europe. This innovative vaccine utilises GSK’s novel proprietary adjuvant system technology which allows a very low amount of antigen (3.8µg) to be used to elicit a strong seroprotective response – the so-called ‘antigen-sparing’ effect.

In a recent pivotal clinical trial carried out in Belgium1 involving the new generation H5N1 influenza vaccine, it was shown that two very low doses of antigen (3.8µg), given 21 days apart, combined with the novel adjuvant system enabled over 80% of individuals to produce a high seroprotective response, a level which exceeds target criteria set by regulatory authorities for registration of influenza vaccines. This ‘antigen-sparing’ phenomenon permits a large number of vaccine doses to be produced for mass vaccination ensuring protection for more people. Furthermore, the magnitude of the immune response to the antigen, in the presence of the novel adjuvant system, is also expected to give protection against ‘drifted’ variants of the H5N1 virus. The vaccine also had an acceptable safety and reactogenicity profile.1

Jean Stéphenne, President of GSK Biologicals, the vaccine division of GSK, commented: “Today’s filing of our new generation pre-pandemic influenza vaccine marks another important milestone in our pandemic preparedness vaccine development programme. I believe the rapidity with which immunogenicity and safety data has been generated resulting in this filing, pays tribute to our ongoing commitment to provide, in as short a timeframe as possible, credible options against the threat of an influenza pandemic.”

“As our new generation pre-pandemic influenza vaccine is also believed to have the potential to offer a cross-protective response the vaccine could be used as part of a proactive pre-pandemic vaccination campaign, giving governments and health authorities the option to initiate vaccination before or at the onset of a pandemic and potentially offering a degree of early protection against the pandemic influenza virus,” added Jean Stéphenne.


GSK are also planning to file the pre-pandemic vaccine in other countries around the world. This new generation vaccine could also be adapted for pandemic use once the causative influenza pandemic strain is identified. Indeed, GSK has already entered into active negotiations with various governments to supply pre-pandemic and/or pandemic influenza vaccines. GSK are also planning to file the pre-pandemic vaccine in other countries around the world subsequently.

Avian influenza
H5N1 avian influenza infections lead to severe disease in both birds and humans. To date, the WHO has reported 267 human cases of avian influenza (H5N1) from 10 countries resulting in 161 deaths2.

Public health experts fear that the H5N1 influenza virus may evolve into a strain that is easily transmitted between people, triggering a worldwide influenza pandemic3. Influenza pandemics are global outbreaks that involve viruses to which humans have little or no immunity.



References:

1. Borkowski A et al. Antigen sparing effect of a novel adjuvant system in a split H5N1 pandemic vaccine. International Vaccines for the World 2006

2. Cumulative number of confirmed human cases of avian influenza A/(H5N1) reported to WHO(accessed Jan 17, 2007)

3. Global pandemic influenza action plan to increase vaccine supply, WHO
( accessed Jan 17, 2007)

BRCM: Broadcom Announces a Complete Portfolio of New Solutions for Bluetooth Wireless Headsets

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced a new advanced silicon and software platform that significantly improves the user experience of wireless mono and stereo headsets. Based on Broadcom's field-proven Bluetooth® technology, the audio portfolio features two new single-chip solutions that support Bluetooth Version 2.0 with EDR (upgradeable to Bluetooth Version 2.1) and Broadcom's innovative SmartAudio™ sound enhancement technology. Targeting the greater than 80 million unit Bluetooth headset market(1), the new Broadcom® solutions enables the development of complete lines of high- and low-end headsets with sleek form factors, longer battery life and an improved audio experience.
"This new product targets the second largest application in the Bluetooth market and it provides an opportunity to drive further growth within this segment," said Celeste Crystal, Senior Research Analyst, Semiconductors at IDC. "As Bluetooth headsets continue to grow in popularity, form factor and sound quality will continue to convince consumers of the benefits of the wireless hands-free experience."

Previously existing Bluetooth headset silicon solutions suffered from inconsistent radio performance and inadequate power management, as well as excessive external circuitry and bulky batteries, while providing a disappointing audio experience (unless supplemented with complex and expensive external components). These limitations often resulted in unsatisfying headset size, weight, style and sound quality.

To address these shortcomings, Broadcom today announced its all-new Bluetooth audio portfolio that features two new chips optimized for high-end and basic headsets (the BCM2047 and BCM2044), its new SmartAudio voice clarity technology, and a specially tuned version of Broadcom's BTE Bluetooth software. Broadcom's mature Bluetooth technology has shipped in hundreds of millions of units and includes the highest performing radio and baseband technology, which resists interference from other devices and "blocking" by the human body that results in degraded radio performance. The power-efficient architecture extends talk and standby time and features many levels of software programmability with an ARM® architecture and tools to enable unique features for product differentiation.

"To achieve this breakthrough in audio clarity and quality, we've leveraged unique technologies from our deep communications portfolio, which, coupled with our considerable expertise in Bluetooth, has resulted in a powerful new platform that addresses existing audio headset deficiencies," said Scott Bibaud, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Wireless Personal Area Networking line of business. "By enabling smaller form factors, longer battery-life and significantly improved audio performance with the most cost effective bill of materials, Broadcom is enabling breakthrough wireless headsets and audio products."

DSP-Enhanced Solution for Premium Sound Quality

Broadcom's BCM2047 includes the industry's most powerful multi-core architecture for Bluetooth audio products enabling premium headset products. This device features unparalleled integration to achieve a truly single-chip headset, featuring an integrated digital signal processor (DSP) for premium sound quality. The audio processing capabilities of the BCM2047 are powered by an ARM® AudioDE™ data engine - a high-performance, industry standard DSP. With sufficient performance to easily handle stereo and audio, compression algorithms (i.e. SBC, MP3 and AAC), the DSP architecture is optimized for Broadcom's SmartAudio technology to achieve superior voice quality delivering a superior user experience for headset prodcuts.

Cost-Optimized ROM-Based Alternative

For basic audio headsets that don't require extensive feature programmability, the BCM2044 is an ideal choice. This ROM-based, single-chip Bluetooth device includes many of the benefits of the BCM2047 at significantly lower cost. Featuring the same low-power Bluetooth radio and high quality audio architecture as the BCM2047, the BCM2044 also integrates a full feature power management unit including comprehensive safety circuitry. The BCM2044 enables low cost headsets with the same range and power management capabilities as those based on the BCM2047, with no compromise in audio quality.

SmartAudio Voice Enhancement Technology

Broadcom's new audio platform features SmartAudio technology, a proprietary sound and voice enhancement technology that provides breakthrough performance, significantly improves audio quality in noisy environments by reducing background noise by 95%, and enables unique form factor designs with minimal unwanted acoustic echo. The platform also includes Broadcom's new BTE Audio software stack optimized for audio applications. Because the BTE Audio stack is derived from the widely used BTE-Mobile and BTW stacks in mobile phones and PCs, interoperability with Bluetooth audio sources is well proven and widely tested for interoperability. Broadcom also offers the easy to use BTE Insight Tool for Audio Software Development Environment, allowing customers to get to market quickly with added differentiation. The software features portability between the BCM2047 and BCM2044 chips, enabling developers to leverage software development across different products.

Availability and Pricing

Broadcom's new audio portfolio is now sampling to early access customers. The new platform also features development kits and reference designs. Demonstrations of the technology were held at the recent CES show and will appear at the upcoming 3GSM World Congress.



(1) IMS Research estimate for 2007

IBM to Acquire Softek

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Softek Storage Solutions Corporation, a privately held company based in Vienna, Virginia. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Upon completion of the agreement, Softek will become part of the Storage and Data Services business unit in IBM Global Technology Services.

The acquisition of Softek is the latest example of IBM's continuing strategy to blend software, hardware, and research into higher-margin, standardized services that can be used with multiple clients to help them transform their businesses.
IBM will integrate Softek's data mobility technology and best practices with IBM's methods and expertise in storage and data services. As a result, IBM and its business partners will help clients increase the flexibility, efficiency and reliability of moving data, enabling them to quickly respond to market needs and seize new opportunities.

Softek's patented Transparent Data Migration Facility (TDMF) solution enables a simple, unified approach to the non-disruptive movement and management of data across storage vendor platforms and operating system environments, as part of an information technology (IT) infrastructure change. By using Softek's solutions, clients can improve their ability to migrate data while keeping data online and applications available for end users.

Businesses increasingly require the ability to cost-effectively move data in a standard, reliable and timely manner, without impacting business operations. IBM has a significant opportunity to meet the market need for a standard solution for data migration, while extending its leadership in storage and data services.

"As data capacity and compliance requirements continue to increase, companies depend on continuous access to their business-critical information," said Val Rahmani, general manager, IBM Global Technology Services. "Softek's data migration technology will complement IBM's Information on Demand strategy and significantly bolster our Storage and Data Services portfolio."

Softek's clients include British Telecom, KeyCorp, Lufthansa, the Principal Financial Group and more than half of the Fortune 1000 companies. IBM has been a Softek global partner since 1996, and has used Softek's award-winning products to migrate data on thousands of services engagements worldwide. In addition to IBM, Softek has a strong global network of partners, distributors and resellers.

"Clients are looking for greater flexibility and choice when selecting solutions that can reduce the risk and complexity associated with managing and moving data regardless of distance or vendor," said Steven Murphy, president and chief executive officer of Softek. "Our market-leading TDMF solution is trusted by many of the world's top companies to move data non-disruptively. We are excited to become a key player in IBM's strategy to provide clients a simple and unified portfolio of services that help them minimize business interruptions when optimizing and transforming their businesses."

The transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of the 2007 calendar year.

For more information about IBM, go to www.ibm.com For more information about Softek, go to www.softek.com

IBM Advancement to Spawn New Generation of Chips

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced it has developed a long-sought improvement to the transistor – the tiny on/off switch that serves as the basic building block of virtually all microchips made today.

Working with AMD and its other development partners Sony and Toshiba, the company has found a way to construct a critical part of the transistor with a new material, clearing a path toward chip circuitry that is smaller, faster and more power-efficient than previously thought possible. As important, the technology can be incorporated into existing chip manufacturing lines with minimal changes to tooling and processes, making it economically viable.

The achievement is expected to have widespread impact, leading to improvements in electronic systems of all kinds, from computers to consumer electronics. IBM has inserted the technology into its state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing line in East Fishkill, NY and will apply it to products with chip circuits as small as 45 nanometers (billionths of a meter) starting in 2008.

"Until now, the chip industry was facing a major roadblock in terms of how far we could push current technology," said Dr. T.C. Chen, vice president of Science and Technology, IBM Research. “After more than ten years of effort, we now have a way forward. With chip technology so pervasive in our everyday lives, this work will benefit people in many ways.”

The technology, called “high-k metal gate,” substitutes a new material into a critical portion of the transistor that controls its primary on/off switching function. The material provides superior electrical properties compared to its predecessor, enhancing the transistor’s function while also allowing the size of the transistor to be shrunk beyond limits being reached today.

As a result, the use of this material could allow the industry to continue on the path defined by “Moore’s Law,” the chip industry axiom that predicts a doubling of the number of transistors on a chip every 12-18 months, thereby allowing chip performance and function to increase as well. The semiconductor industry has been able to maintain this rate of improvement for decades, but was reaching the limits of current technology, threatening a slowdown in further advancements.

As important as the new material itself is the method for introducing it into current manufacturing techniques. The creation of this transistor component with the new material was accomplished by the IBM team without requiring major tooling or process changes in manufacturing – an essential element if the technology is to be economically viable.

Incremental work leading up to this achievement had been published earlier by IBM in scientific journals and presented at chip technology conferences. IBM plans to publish the summary of this final achievement in a similar forthcoming venue.

IBM Research Division
IBM Research is the world's largest information technology research organization, with about 3,000 scientists and engineers in eight labs in six countries. IBM has produced more research breakthroughs than any other company in the IT industry. For more information on IBM Research, visit http://www.research.ibm.com

BAYE: New indication for YAZ approved in the U.S.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new indication for the company’s oral contraceptive YAZ® (3 mg drospirenone/20 mcg ethinyl estradiol), to treat moderate acne in women who desire an oral contraceptive for birth control.

With this approval, YAZ becomes the first and only oral contraceptive ever approved by the FDA for three distinct indications. YAZ received FDA approval as an oral contraceptive in March, 2006, and as a treatment for the emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in October, 2006. YAZ has demonstrated statistical and clinical significance in treating mood swings, irritability, headaches, feeling anxious, bloating and food cravings caused by PMDD that impact a woman’s life.

“We are delighted to have received the approval for YAZ in this third indication. Through its innovative active ingredient drospirenone, it offers additional benefits to women who want reliable birth control,” said Phil Smits, Head of the Business Unit Womens’ Healthcare at Bayer Schering Pharma. “YAZ is the fastest growing oral contraceptive brand in the U.S. We are convinced that through its unique features, YAZ will further strengthen our worldwide leading market position in the field of female contraception.”

Additional information
Two multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials of over 1000 patients revealed the statistically significant efficacy of YAZ in treating acne. In the trials, treatment with YAZ resulted in significant reductions in total lesion counts and in inflammatory/non-inflammatory lesion counts. Further, investigator ratings of “clear” and “almost clear” skin as rated on the Investigator’s Static Global Assessment (ISGA) scale were nearly four times greater in the YAZ treatment group than in the placebo group.

Bayer Health Care
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The Pharmaceuticals division, Bayer Schering Pharma, comprises the following business units: Women's Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging, Specialized Therapeutics, Hematology/Cardiology, Primary Care, and Oncology. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

MSFT: Microsoft and AMD Conclude “Vanishing Point” Game With a Bang

To celebrate the upcoming consumer release of the Windows Vista™ operating system, AMD and Microsoft Corp. have launched “Vanishing Point,” the largest puzzle game in the world. Although many clues have been disclosed online, parts of the puzzle are being revealed at real-world events, including a first-ever takeover of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino fountains, cryptic skywriting messages, and projections appearing on iconic structures around the world. These spectacular sights have driven millions of people to find out more, with hopes of winning the grand prize: a trip to space. Today at 6 p.m. PST, the final real-world event will reveal more clues through an amazing spectacle: an incredible fireworks show at Seattle’s Gas Works Park.

“Vanishing Point” raises the stakes in online games with tougher challenges, bigger rewards and events scheduled around the globe. Players worldwide are competing for nearly a half-million dollars in prizes, and the eventual winner will secure a ride to space courtesy of Rocketplane Limited Inc.

“Vanishing Point” challenges players to work together to solve an international game, drawing clues from spectacular events at various locations to decipher online puzzles. The action hinges on the true identity of the mysterious Microsoft Puzzle Master.

Representatives will be available on site to discuss the game, the grand prize and the roles that Microsoft, Windows Vista and AMD play in the game. Online conversations about “Vanishing Point” can be found at http://www.technorati.com/search/vanishing+point+game. More information, official rules and coverage of the offline events are available at http://vanishingpointgame.com

ENL: Global Law Firm, Foley & Lardner LLP, Selects LexisNexis Data Center for Systems Hosting Services

LexisNexis announced today that Foley & Lardner LLP has selected the LexisNexis data center in Dayton, Ohio as its primary systems hosting center.

A leading law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 U.S. and two international offices, Foley & Lardner selected LexisNexis to host their primary data center, using their own data center as back-up.

“IT has become such a critical part of our client service offerings that an ‘industrial strength’ 24x7x365 data center was quickly becoming a necessity. Operating globally there is no longer room for downtime,” said Doug Caddell, CIO at Foley & Lardner.

“The firm looked at a number of data centers from major providers,” Caddell said. “After a nine month review process LexisNexis was selected for a number of reasons. LexisNexis knowledge of the legal industry was a benefit, and the company’s reliance on their own data centers to support their core business 24x7 was an important factor as well. At Foley we look for partners. We believe that LexisNexis will be a significant partner in our IT future.”

The LexisNexis Data Center in Dayton, Ohio is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world, serving businesses in over 100 countries and boasting greater than 99.99 percent availability. As a result of this long-standing success, LexisNexis is a leading member of Uptime Institute for Data Center Management. In 2005, LexisNexis opened a second data center in Springfield, Ohio, with each facility serving as a backup and disaster recovery facility for the other.

“LexisNexis understands the gravity of choosing a partner for data hosting. The core of our business rests in the same data centers we use to serve customers,” said Ralph Calistri, senior vice president of LexisNexis Practice Management. “Firms like Foley & Lardner recognize our expertise in data management for the legal market and trust LexisNexis with their data protection. We are extremely pleased to assist Foley & Lardner with its critical data needs, and we look forward to working with the firm to ensure the on-going effective storage and management of their data.”

LexisNexis Managed Network Services is a comprehensive suite of solutions which provides data storage and management services tailored to a firm’s needs, providing support as well as requirements assessment, design and cost modeling throughout the entire implementation process.LexisNexis Managed Network Services includes: Data backup and protection, disaster recovery services, systems hosting, networking services, and design consulting.

LexisNexis Managed Network Services are one component of the LexisNexis Total Practice Solutions, which help legal professionals achieve excellence in both the business and practice of law by providing better tools to increase productivity and profitability, and grow the practice. LexisNexis offerings are designed for the way legal professionals work, in all of the areas essential to their success, including Client Development, Research Solutions, Practice Management, and Litigation Services.

About LexisNexis

LexisNexis® (www.lexisnexis.com) is a leading provider of information and services solutions, including its flagship Web-based Lexis® and Nexis® research services, to a wide range of professionals in the legal, risk management, corporate, government, law enforcement, accounting and academic markets. A member of Reed Elsevier Group plc [NYSE: ENL; NYSE: RUK] (www.reedelsevier.com ), LexisNexis serves customers in 100 countries with 13,000 employees worldwide.

In the United States, LexisNexis® (www.lexisnexis.com) offers its customers total practice solutions comprised of an extensive range of online and print legal, regulatory, news and business information products, tools, customized Web applications and critical filing services that help legal professionals achieve excellence in the business and practice of law.

About Foley & Lardner LLP

Foley & Lardner LLP provides the full range of corporate legal counsel. Our attorneys understand today’s most complex business issues, including corporate governance, securities enforcement, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property counseling and litigation, outsourcing and information technology, labor and employment, and tax. The firm offers total solutions in the automotive, emerging technologies, energy, entertainment and media, financial services, food, golf and resort services, insurance, health care, life sciences, nanotechnology, and sports industries. The firm’s Web site can be found at www.foley.com

SunGard Acquires XRT's High-end Treasury Product Lines

SunGard (http://www.sungard.com) announced that it has acquired XRT's high-end treasury product lines, Globe$ and TWS. The acquisition includes all current customer contracts, intellectual property, sales, marketing and development assets relating to these product lines as well as responsibility for customer support and maintenance of these products lines. The acquisition, the terms of which were not disclosed, is not expected to have a material impact on SunGard's financial results.


Last year XRT announced it would cease development of its high-end treasury products. Through this acquisition, SunGard can now offer Globe$ and TWS customers a high level of support, along with a future development path. AvantGard offers subject matter expertise and technical consulting, to help bring ongoing value to this customer base.

"With AvantGard's award winning customer service and strong portfolio of solutions we feel we are able to offer Globe$ and TWS customers a sound future, with a viable product support program and growth path," said Ken Dummitt, president of SunGard's AvantGard business unit.

"We do not take a one size fits all approach, which means that our customers benefit from solutions that are tailored to meet their treasury, risk and cash management requirements," continued Mr. Dummitt. "Further, we offer a comprehensive approach, bringing together treasury, receivables and payments management for a single view of cash and liquidity management. Globe$ and TWS customers can benefit from our long-term vision and the strength of our global customer community."

About AvantGard
SunGard's AvantGard is a leading liquidity management solution for corporations, financial institutions and the public sector. AvantGard provides chief financial officers and treasurers with real-time visibility into cash flows and increased operational controls around treasury, receivables and payments management. The solution helps aggregate data for a single view of cash, helps drive productivity through automation, and helps foster collaboration between trading partners. For more information, visit www.sungard.com/avantgard


About SunGard
With annual revenue of $4 billion, SunGard is a global leader in software and processing solutions for financial services, higher education and the public sector. SunGard also helps information-dependent enterprises of all types to ensure the continuity of their business. SunGard serves more than 25,000 customers in more than 50 countries, including the world's 50 largest financial services companies. Visit SunGard at www.sungard.com

NYX:Seven New Listings Joined NYSE Group in the Week Ended January 26, 2007

In the week ended Jan. 26, 2007 , seven new listings joined the roster of NYSE-listed companies.
On Jan. 26, Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund began trading on the NYSE as an initial public offering. Headquartered in Bynum , AL , the Fund issued 176 million shares at an initial price of $20 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $3.52 billion making it the largest closed-end fund initial public offering in history. Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AOD.

The Gabelli Global Deal Fund began trading on Jan. 26 as an initial public offering on the NYSE. Headquartered in Rye , NY , the company is a closed-end management investment company. The Gabelli Global Deal Fund trades under the ticker symbol GDL.

On Jan. 23, the first 5 HealthShares™ ETFs, created by XShares Advisors LLC, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the following ticker symbols: HealthShares™ Cardio Devices ETF (NYSE:HHE), HealthShares™ Diagnostics ETF (NYSE: HHD), HealthShares™ Emerging Cancer ETF (NYSE: HHJ), HealthShares™ Enabling Technologies ETF (NYSE: HHV), and HealthShares™ Patient Care Services ETF (NYSE: HHB). The initial 5 HealthShares™ ETFs are the first in a series of “verticals” representing specific areas of the healthcare sector, including life science, biotechnology and patient care. HealthShares™ family of funds tracks groups of large, mid and small cap companies concentrating on treatment innovations in cancer, infectious diseases and cardiology, among others.

Options Exchanges Begin Penny Quoting Pilot

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that today the six options exchanges began quoting certain options on Whole Food Market, Inc. (WFMI) in pennies. This important move marks the first time options were quoted in penny increments and represents the beginning of a six-month pilot in which series of 13 options classes will be quoted in pennies.

“While stocks have been quoted in pennies since 2001, options currently are quoted in nickels and dimes,” said SEC Chairman Cox. “Quoting in penny increments has the potential to permit investors to trade options at better prices.”

Last summer, Chairman Cox urged each of the options exchanges to begin quoting a limited number of options in pennies by Jan. 29, 2007. “I thank the options exchanges and their members for putting in the work necessary to prepare for Friday’s milestone,” he said today.

The 13 options classes included in the penny pilot program represent a diverse group of options with varied trading characteristics. The Commission expects the penny quoting in these classes during the pilot to provide it and market participants with valuable information about the impact of pennies on spreads, transaction costs, payment for order flow, and quote message traffic. The knowledge acquired during the pilot will be essential to the Commission’s future decisions regarding penny quoting in options.

Prior to the pilot, none of the nation’s exchanges quoted options in pennies, although certain exchanges’ rules have permitted trading in penny increments at prices better than the public quote. During the penny pilot, options in the 13 pilot classes that are priced below $3.00 will be quoted in pennies; options priced $3.00 and above will be quoted in nickels. All options in the QQQQ will be quoted in pennies.

Each of the exchanges, and the Commission’s Office of Economic Analysis, will analyze the impact of penny pricing on market quality. In addition, because quoting options in pennies is likely to increase quote message traffic, each of the exchanges is implementing strategies designed to reduce the quotations disseminated and will evaluate the impact of penny quoting on quote messages.

The exchanges will roll out the remainder of the 13 options classes in the pilot program over the following two weeks.

• Friday, Feb. 2, 2007:


• General Electric Company (GE)


• Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
   




• Feb. 9, 2007:


• Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A)


• Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)


• Caterpiller Inc. (CAT)


• Flextronics International Ltd. (FLEX)


• Ishares Russell 2000 Index (IWM)


• Intel Corporation (INTC)


• NASDAQ-100 Trust Shares (QQQQ)


• Semiconductor HDLRs (SMH)


• Sun Microsystems, Inc. (SUNW)


• Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN).

Made in IBM Labs: IBM Software to Safeguard Consumer Identity on the Web With "Identity Mixer"

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced software that allows people to hide or anonymize their personal information on the Web, ensuring protection from identity theft and other misuse. Developed by researchers at IBM's laboratory in Zurich, Switzerland, the software -- called Identity Mixer -- will enable consumers to purchase goods and services on the Internet without disclosing personal information.

As consumers hand over personal details in exchange for downloading music or subscribing to online newsletters, they leave a data trail behind that reveals pieces of information about the size, frequency and source of their online purchases that can be traced back to the user. IBM's Identity Mixer software eliminates the trail by using artificial identity information, known as pseudonyms, to make online transactions anonymous. For example, the software allows people to purchase books or clothing without revealing their credit card number. It can confirm someone's spending limit without sharing their bank balance, or provide proof of age without disclosing their date of birth.

Unlike other identity management systems that transmit parts of a user's true identity, systems built using Identity Mixer software will help protect user privacy by sharing only pseudonyms, so real identity information can never be intercepted or exposed.

Identity Mixer works by allowing a computer user that has the software to get an anonymous digital credential, or voucher, from a trusted third party, like a bank or government agency such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. A bank would provide a credential containing a credit card number and expiration date, and when an online purchase is made, the Identity Mixer software digitally seals the information by transforming the credential so the user can send it to the online merchant. By using sophisticated cryptographic algorithms, the Identity Mixer software acts as the middleman confirming bank authorization for the purchase -- so the real credit card numbers are never revealed to the merchant. The next time a purchase is made, a new encrypted credential would be used.

"When people don't have to disclose their personal information on the Web, the risk of identity theft is dramatically reduced," explains John Clippinger, senior fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. "The ability to anonymize transactions using Identity Mixer has the potential to bolster consumer confidence, opening digital floodgates to new forms of Internet commerce."

Identity Mixer brings another dimension to IBM's industry-leading technologies that protect the privacy of consumers and businesses. IBM currently offers software, in use by large governments, healthcare organizations and financial institutions, which provides a way to compare data about their passengers, patients or clients to identify relationships, while never exposing people's sensitive information. The software irreversibly shreds personal artifacts such as names, addresses, phone numbers and social security numbers before the data is shared. The software analyzes the shredded information and alerts the company when a match is found between specific records, identifying only the record file number assigned by the software. It is then up to the organization to decide what amount of detail to share from the identified record. This protects the personal details within other records so they're not needlessly exposed during the comparison process.

Building Privacy into Eclipse Higgins Open Source Security Project

IBM will contribute its Identity Mixer software to Eclipse Higgins project, an open source effort dedicated to developing software for "user-centric" identity management. The current trend toward a user-centric approach means that individuals can actively and securely control who has access to their online personal information, such as bank account and credit card numbers, or medical and employment records, rather than having institutions solely manage that information as they do today.

"The ever-growing incidents of data loss, exposure, and theft on the Internet concern me," said Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Canada. "It's clear that the best way to protect sensitive information is never to reveal it at all. The ability of privacy-enhancing technology to mask sensitive personal information during online transactions makes real the privacy principle of data minimization, and will bring much needed privacy to the Web. I applaud IBM's leadership and openness in this area."

The Identity Mixer software will provide the required added layer of privacy to the Project Higgins framework for true user centric identity management. IBM plans to incorporate the Identity Mixer technology into its Tivoli software portfolio of federated identity management software.

Project Higgins was announced in February 2006 by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School, IBM, Novell and Parity Communications. It was the first user-centric identity management effort to follow the open source software model, whereby hundreds of thousands of developers contribute and continually drive improvements through collaborative innovation. The open source Higgins effort will support computers running any operating system, as well as any identity management system.

The Eclipse foundation is one of the industry's most influential open source communities and includes major technology vendors, start-ups, universities, research institutions and individuals.

Made in IBM Labs

IBM is dedicated to driving the development of promising new technologies. The Zurich Research Lab is part of IBM's globally integrated approach to innovation -- a network of 63 major software development and research labs worldwide that develop, test and support a wide range of emerging and established technologies that span software and services. IBM believes that these technologies have the potential to transform the way people live and work. But they are not created in a vacuum by IBM alone. They are increasingly the result of collaborative innovation among IBM's R&D engagements and its customers, business partners, universities and other parties. It is IBM's goal to bring its renowned R&D resources closer to its customers worldwide.

Identity Mixer is one of a host of emerging technologies being publicly unveiled as part of the Made in IBM Labs initiative at an upcoming event at IBM's Silicon Valley Lab.

FCS: Fairchild Semiconductor Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2006

Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS), the leading global supplier of power semiconductors, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2006. Fairchild reported fourth quarter sales of $418.3 million, flat from the prior quarter and 13 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2005.

Fairchild reported fourth quarter net income of $8.7 million or $0.07 per diluted share compared to net income of $25.1 million or $0.20 per diluted share in the prior quarter, and a net loss of $4.7 million or $0.04 per share in the fourth quarter of 2005. Gross margin was 29.0 percent, 170 basis points lower sequentially and 480 basis points higher than in the fourth quarter of 2005. Included in the fourth quarter 2006 results were $6.7 million in total equity based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), Share Based Payment. Also included in fourth quarter 2006 results was a restructuring charge of $3.2 million for costs related to the consolidation and simplification of certain supply chain planning processes and the streamlining and transfer of certain information systems support activities, as well as a reserve for potential losses of $8.2 million related to the previously announced unfavorable judgment in the legal proceeding with Zhongxing Telecom Ltd. (ZTE), which Fairchild intends to appeal.

Fairchild reported fourth quarter adjusted net income of $26.7 million or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $30.6 million or $0.25 per diluted share in the prior quarter and adjusted net income of $13.6 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2005. Adjusted net income excludes amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, restructuring and impairments, lawsuit settlement gains or reserves for potential losses, net gain on the sale of the LED lamps and displays product line, and associated net tax benefits of these items and other acquisition-related intangibles. Adjusted results include equity based compensation expense in 2006.

Full year revenues for 2006 were $1.65 billion, an increase of 16 percent compared to $1.43 billion in 2005. Fairchild reported net income of $83.4 million or $0.67 per diluted share in 2006, compared to a net loss of $241.2 million or $2.01 per share in 2005. On an adjusted basis, the company reported 2006 net income of $111.7 million or $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $20.9 million or $0.17 per diluted share in 2005.

“Fairchild delivered excellent 2006 results while taking a number of important steps towards our goal of building a highly valued company,” said Mark Thompson, Fairchild’s president and CEO. “Financially, we delivered a 434 percent increase in adjusted net income on a 16 percent increase in sales for 2006 compared to 2005. We grew our Analog Products Group (APG) sales 20 percent in 2006 compared to the prior year on the strength of a greater than 55 percent annual increase in analog switches and a 26 percent increase in video filter sales. We also recorded robust µSerDes™ sales and bookings in the fourth quarter, and we believe this trend will continue in 2007, driving a significant increase in year-over-year sales for these products. Our Functional Power Group (FPG) also grew about 20 percent year over year paced by a 27 percent increase in low voltage MOSFET sales. Our Standard Products Group (SPG) reported less than a 5 percent increase in annual sales and substantially higher margins during 2006 as we continue to manage this business to maximize cash flow and earnings contribution. Operationally, we managed our internal and channel inventories within our target range during what has proven to be a dynamic year for most of the industry. We also tightly controlled 2006 capital spending to be approximately 7 percent of sales for the year as per our business model. We made good progress in 2006 and have set the stage for further improvement in 2007.”

Update on the Tender Offer for System General

“I’m pleased to announce that as of January 24, 2007, approximately 71 percent of System General shares have been tendered in response to our offer to purchase all System General stock,” stated Thompson. “Therefore, subject to regulatory approvals which we expect to obtain, we anticipate successfully completing the tender offer in early February and then begin the steps toward completing the share swap and final merger transaction. We expect to complete this acquisition during the third quarter of 2007.”

End Markets and Channel Activity

“Our trade sales were roughly in-line with expectations across the various end markets but we observed a deceleration in distributor sell-through in the last few weeks of December, leaving channel inventories at the upper end of our target range,” said Thompson. “Sales of our products supporting the computing end market were lower than seasonal, which we expected prior to the launch of Microsoft’s Vista operating system.”

Utilization and Lead Times

“Blended utilization rates were sequentially lower in the fourth quarter, especially in our South Portland fab, as we successfully reduced our internal inventories,” stated Thompson. “Average lead times decreased slightly to 9 to 10 weeks, with the longest lead times on our analog power conversion and leading-edge functional power products that continue to generate strong demand.”

Fourth Quarter Financials

“Fourth quarter gross margins decreased 170 basis points due to lower factory utilization as we reduced inventories during the quarter,” said Mark Frey, Fairchild’s executive vice president and CFO. “We reduced internal inventories $3.8 million, or 1 day, in the fourth quarter. R&D and SG&A expenses were at the low end of our forecast range as a result of previously announced streamlining actions, spending controls, and adjustments to the bonus accrual.

“We increased cash and marketable securities by $30.4 million to $586.4 million in the fourth quarter,” stated Frey. “Our net interest and other expenses were $3.3 million in the quarter and benefited from our shift to investments with higher interest rates and overall higher cash balances invested.”

First Quarter Guidance

“Excluding the impact from the expected System General acquisition, we anticipate that first quarter revenues will be 3 to 6 percent lower and gross margins to be down 50 to 100 basis points sequentially due to lower sales volume during our typically soft first quarter,” said Frey. “At the start of the quarter, we had nearly 90 percent of this first quarter sales guidance booked and scheduled to ship. We expect R&D and SG&A spending, including equity based compensation, to be approximately $87 to $90 million for the first quarter. Equity based compensation expense is forecast to be between $6.5 million and $7.5 million in the first quarter.

“We expect to successfully complete the tender offer for System General in the first quarter and consolidate their financial results with ours, with a deduction for the minority interest subtracted from net income,” said Frey. “Given that 71 percent of System General’s shares have been tendered, we would expect to report at least this percentage ownership for most of February and all of March and possibly more as additional shares are tendered in the next week. This accounting treatment will continue to be used until the expected share swap is completed this summer, with exact timing dependent on regulatory approval.

“I also want to update some general guidance for the full year of 2007,” stated Frey. “Assuming that first quarter is the trough in sales and gross margins and normal seasonality for the rest of 2007, we expect gross margins to exit the year at 32.5 percent to 33.5 percent. This target incorporates expectations for new product revenues at higher margins, certain manufacturing cost reductions we are targeting in the second half, and the impact of operating leverage from second half sales growth. We forecast operating expenses to be in the range of $87 to $91 million per quarter which should drive solid net income improvement as sales growth resumes in 2007. We estimate the 2007 GAAP effective tax rate to be approximately 17 percent, plus or minus 3 percent.”

This press release includes references to adjusted net income (loss) (which excludes amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, restructuring and impairments, lawsuit settlement gains or reserves for potential losses, net gain on the sale of the LED lamps and displays product line, and associated net tax benefits of these items and other acquisition-related intangibles), statements of operations prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) (which include these expenses and other items), and a reconciliation from adjusted net income (loss) to GAAP net income (loss). GAAP and adjusted results both include equity based compensation expense. Adjusted results are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but are included solely for informational and comparative purposes. Fairchild presents adjusted results because its management uses them as additional measures of the company’s operating performance, and management believes adjusted financial information is useful to investors because it illuminates underlying operational trends by excluding significant non-recurring or otherwise unusual transactions. Fairchild’s criteria for determining adjusted results may differ from methods used by other companies, and should not be regarded as a replacement for corresponding GAAP measures.

Financial Tables
View the pdf file.

Jury Finds Broadcom Does Not Infringe 2 Qualcomm Patents,Recommends Findings That Qualcomm Engaged in Inequitable Conduct and Abused Industry Standard

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, announced that afternoon a federal jury in San Diego found that the company had not infringed two patents for digital video compression owned by Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM).
The nine member U.S. District Court jury reached its unanimous verdict after six hours of deliberation, rejecting Qualcomm's claims of infringement following a nine day trial that included testimony from multiple experts as well as the companies' chairmen, Broadcom co-founder Dr. Henry Samueli and Qualcomm co-founder Dr. Irwin Jacobs.

In addition to finding the two patents not infringed, in an advisory opinion to the presiding judge the jury found that Broadcom proved by clear and convincing evidence that Qualcomm knowingly violated a duty to disclose its patents to the Joint Video Team, or its parent organization, during the JVT's preparation and eventual adoption of the video compression industry standard known as the H.264 standard.

Additional evidence of Qualcomm's effort to unfairly leverage the H.264 standard emerged during trial, with testimony that the company requested a royalty for a single patent allegedly reading on H.264 that is twice the amount charged by the entire MPEG LA licensing organization for its pool of 160 essential patents -- and with Qualcomm's attempt to enjoin Broadcom's future sales of H.264-compliant products.

In a second advisory opinion to the judge, the jury found that Broadcom proved by clear and convincing evidence that Qualcomm committed inequitable conduct before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) by breaching its duty of honesty and good faith in dealings with the USPTO.

"We are obviously very pleased and very grateful for this jury's diligence in working to arrive at the truth, even when presented with some very complex and intricate engineering testimony," said David A. Dull, Broadcom's Senior Vice President and General Counsel. "This is a victory not just for Broadcom but for the entire digital video community, against an attempt by Qualcomm once again to tax an important new technology -- in this instance based upon the claims of a single patent. The trial not only showed that Qualcomm was wrong about Broadcom's alleged infringement, but also cast a bright light on Qualcomm's penchant for abusing the rules and procedures of industry standards-making bodies."

Today's victory marks Broadcom's second consecutive win against Qualcomm involving intellectual property issues. Last fall, a United States International Trade Commission (ITC) judge ruled that Qualcomm's cellular baseband chips infringe five claims of a Broadcom patent. The full Commission affirmed that ruling in December and is now considering remedies against many Qualcomm products. The ITC action was the first of several patent disputes between the companies to go to trial.

Additional Patent Actions

Broadcom is now in the final stages of preparing additional cases that go to the heart of its patent infringement disputes with Qualcomm concerning cellular baseband chips. In March 2007, the U.S. District Court in San Diego is scheduled to try Broadcom's claims that Qualcomm infringes two Broadcom patents relating to Bluetooth® technology in cellular phones. Then in May 2007, the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, Calif. is scheduled to try Broadcom's claims that Qualcomm infringes three additional Broadcom patents relating to cellular technology. Qualcomm and Broadcom have other, later-filed patent disputes pending in U.S. District Court in San Diego that are also expected to be tried this year. Following conclusion of the ITC proceeding, expected this March when the Commission is scheduled to rule on remedies for Qualcomm's infringement, Broadcom will also litigate in the Santa Ana court the same three patents that were tried last year in the ITC.

Altogether, Broadcom currently has infringement claims from 14 different Broadcom patents awaiting trial against Qualcomm.

Broadcom is a major technology innovator in the global communications industry, with over 1,900 issued U.S. and 750 issued foreign patents, about 5,900 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video and data.

Antitrust Actions

Separately, in other actions, Broadcom has joined five other leading mobile wireless technology companies in filing complaints with the European Commission alleging that Qualcomm has engaged in anticompetitive conduct in the licensing of its patents and the sale of its chipsets for mobile wireless devices and systems. The six companies assert that Qualcomm is violating EU competition law and failing to meet the commitments it made to international standards bodies to license its technology on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. Broadcom and other wireless technology companies have filed similar complaints before the Korean Fair Trade Commission. Broadcom is also appealing last year's dismissal without prejudice of its federal antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm. The dismissal, by a U.S. District Judge in New Jersey, was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in September 2006. A number of standards development organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and other mobile wireless firms have filed amicus briefs with that court in support of the position that violations of industry standards-making processes can give rise to antitrust liability.

Siemens A&D acquires software producer UGS for US$3.5 billion – IPO for Siemens VDO Automotive planned

With its acquisition of U.S. software producer UGS Corp., of Plano, Texas, the Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) Group will expand its product spectrum in automation technology to include industrial software for planning, design and simulation in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). As a trendsetter in industrial automation, A&D will now be able to offer its customers worldwide solutions for creating digital factories. The purchase price for the deal is around US$3.5 billion including debt. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
In addition, Siemens AG plans an IPO of its automotive supply business Siemens VDO Automotive (SV), in which Siemens would hold a majority stake. This move would give SV the necessary financial resources and greater entrepreneurial flexibility for ensuring further sustainable and profitable growth.

UGS generated just under US$1.2 billion in sales and an EBITDA of US$241 million in fiscal 2005. The company is one of the world’s market leaders for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), a critical part of industrial manufacturing that allows the digital control of product development and manufacture. The market for PLM software and services has an annual volume of around US$13 billion and growth rates between 7 and 9 percent. Combining the PLM solutions of UGS with Siemens’ automation technology will enable Siemens to provide integrated offerings covering the entire product life-cycle for the first time. Siemens is thus the first company in the world able to offer its customers fully integrated solutions for creating digital factories that will give the customers decisive competitive advantages through reduced costs and improved quality assurance.

“With the acquisition of UGS, we can combine its competence in the sector of digital factories with our leading know-how in industrial automation. This combination makes our customers’ processes faster, better and more cost efficient. With this unique combination, we will underscore our position as a trendsetter in automation systems and propel this business into a new dimension,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, President and CEO of Siemens AG. A&D and UGS, two world-class companies which have successfully worked together in the past, will join forces and generate substantial growth synergies.

At the same time, Siemens plans an initial public offering (IPO) of SV. With sales of €10 billion in the past fiscal year, SV is one of the largest and most successful Siemens Groups. Since being established at Siemens more than 20 years ago, the automotive Group has rapidly grown an average of ten percent a year through organic growth and acquisitions. SV met its margin target set as part of Operation 2003 and has continued to improve its profitability in a challenging competitive environment. “An IPO would give SV greater flexibility, further reinforce its strong position in the market for automotive electronics, and actively tap the market consolidation opportunities for its growth,” stated Kleinfeld. The expansion of the very successful and profitable, yet capital-intensive business of SV has long been the subject of intensive discussion at Siemens. “We are convinced that a listing of SV would be a highly attractive option for continuing to drive the further expansion of SV. This would write a new chapter in the SV success story and open up enormous future opportunities for the company and its employees,” said Kleinfeld. Preparations for the IPO will be initiated immediately. Further details have not yet been finalized.

HPQ: Unilever Engages HP to Conduct Due Diligence for Enterprise Computing

HP and Unilever today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into due diligence of Unilever’s Enterprise Computing operations.

Under the terms of the memorandum, data center operations, server and database management, and application hosting for Unilever’s operations in the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey would be outsourced to HP if an agreement is reached. The companies hope to reach a definitive agreement in the first half of this year.

“In this space, HP has demonstrated a distinctive collaborative approach combined with a clear expertise in the delivery of global services,” said Neil Cameron, chief information officer, Unilever. “This potential agreement would be a natural extension of our current relationship. The intention between both parties is to leverage HP’s scale, expertise and industry leadership to ensure Unilever has access to world-class technology at substantially lower costs.”

“We would be delighted to work with Unilever, a world-class company, and free it to focus on its core strengths,” said Pablo Sanchez-Lozano, senior vice president, HP Services. “With our highly experienced services professionals and global capabilities, we propose to deliver a more simplified and flexible IT infrastructure that would deliver true business value and effectiveness, a better return on IT and reduced operational costs.”

About Unilever

Unilever’s mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world’s best known and most loved brands including twelve €1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as Knorr, Hellmann’s, Flora, Dove, Lynx, Persil, Domestos, Marmite and Pot Noodle.

Unilever has around 206,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated annual sales of €40 billion in 2005. For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com

BRCM: Nasdaq Confirms Broadcom Compliance with Listing Requirements

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM) announced that the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel has notified the company that it has regained compliance with the Nasdaq requirement relating to the filing of periodic reports with the SEC and has evidenced compliance with all other Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Accordingly, the Panel determined to continue the listing of Broadcom's Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, and the review of the company's listing status has been closed.

BAC: Bank of America Directors Authorize 200 Million Share Repurchase Program

Bank of America Corporation announced its Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 200 million additional shares of common stock, authorizing management to spend up to $14 billion during the next 12 to 18 months.

Over the last three years, Bank of America has returned 78 percent of its earnings in the form of dividends and share buybacks.

The new program is intended to be implemented through purchases made from time to time either in the open market or through private transactions. On December 31, 2006, Bank of America had 4 billion common shares outstanding. The Board of Directors last approved an authorization of 200 million shares in April 2006. As of today, there are about 63 million shares remaining in that authorization.

Separately, the board today declared a regular quarterly dividend on common stock of $0.56 per share, payable on March 23, 2007 to shareholders of record on March 2, 2007.

The board also declared three additional dividends. The first was a $1.75 regular cash dividend on the 7 percent Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series B. The dividend is payable April 25, 2007 to shareholders of record on April 11, 2007. The second was a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.38775 per depositary share representing the corporation's 6.204% Non Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D, payable March 14, 2007 to shareholders of record on February 28, 2007. The third declared dividend was a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40106 per depositary share representing the corporation's Floating Rate Non Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E, payable February 15, 2007 to shareholders of record on January 31, 2007.

ARBA: Ariba Reports Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2007

Ariba, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARBA), the leading spend management solutions provider, today announced results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007 ended December 31, 2006.

Financial Results
Total revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007 were $77.2 million, as compared to $76.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006. Subscription and maintenance revenues for the quarter were $34.0 million, as compared to $33.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006. Within subscription and maintenance revenues, subscription software revenue was $15.2 million for the quarter, as compared to $12.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006. Services and other revenues for the quarter were $43.2 million, as compared to $43.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.

Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007 was $4.1 million, or $0.06 per share, as compared to a net loss for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 of $3.7 million, or $0.06 per share. The net loss for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007 included charges of $3.9 million for amortization of intangible assets and $9.7 million for stock-based compensation. Excluding these items, non-GAAP net income was $9.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share.

"Spend management is becoming a strategic function and Ariba is consistently recognized by the market and industry analysts as the provider of choice," said Bob Calderoni, CEO, Ariba. "During the quarter, we saw demand for our solutions from enterprises expanding their spend management and operational excellence initiatives to accelerate the results they achieve. With our comprehensive range of offerings that support companies of all sizes and our ongoing commitment to innovation, we remain solidly positioned for growth as spend management continues to evolve."

Paving the Way to Excellence
Spend management is among the fastest, most efficient ways to reduce costs and improve profits and companies of all types and sizes rely on Ariba to help them do this. But spend management isn't just about savings. During the first quarter, an increasing number of companies expanded their portfolio of Ariba® Spend Management™ solutions and extended their use to strategic activities outside traditional procurement to help drive additional value across their operations.

"Spend management is a critical piece of the process we use to evaluate acquisitions and enhance the value of our portfolio companies," said Shant Mardirossian, Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C., one of the leading middle-market private equity firms in the United States. "With Ariba, we have access to a global services organization that helps us identify opportunities for savings as part of our diligence efforts as well as technology and commodity expertise we can leverage to drive them to the bottom line."

Driving Strategic Spend Management
Companies around the world continue to invest in spend management solutions to drive consistent global procurement processes and standards through technology, category expertise and services. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, more than 180 companies purchased Ariba solutions to power their spend management programs, including: Adidas AG, Accenture LLP, Altran Group, AstraZeneca, Booz Allen Hamilton, ConocoPhillips, Fairfield Manufacturing Company, Inc., Ingram Micro Inc., Kohlberg & Company, LLC, Onex Corporation, MeadWestvaco Corporation, Nova Southeastern University, Pfizer, Inc., Singer SVP Worldwide and RTE, among others.

"When we launched our strategic sourcing program, we knew we needed a sophisticated tool that could be quickly implemented to improve our cost structure and enhance the value we deliver to customers," said Peter Nguyen, Sourcing Operations Manager, Ingram Micro Inc., a Fortune 500 company that is the world's largest technology distributor. "With Ariba Sourcing™ On-Demand, we not only have access to leading technology that's easy to roll out, but category expertise and services we can leverage to drive savings and efficiencies that translate into bottom-line results."

Charting a Course for the Future
As the creator and leader of spend management, Ariba continues to focus on identifying and addressing emerging issues that companies are facing as they transform procurement and sourcing functions to help them achieve strategic goals. During the first quarter, Ariba released the results of a global survey of more than 550 of its customers which found that delivering measurable results and accessing and analyzing spend data remain the greatest priorities and challenges among procurement executives and professionals worldwide (http://www.ariba.com/go/priorities).

During the first quarter, Ariba released its latest on-demand offerings, which combine technology, category expertise, best practices and supporting services to help companies focus on their priorities and establish effective global procurement processes that deliver fast, measurable results.

IBM Completes Acquisition of Consul

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has completed its acquisition of Consul risk management international, B.V., a privately held software company headquartered in Delft, Netherlands, with a principal office in Herndon, Virginia.

IBM announced a definitive agreement to acquire Consul on December 5, 2006. Consul's operations will be integrated into the IBM Software Group's Tivoli software brand. More than 350 customers around the world rely on Consul to accelerate their security audit and compliance efforts, including Ford, Kroger, Office Depot, Hanes and Fidelity Bank.

"As a customer of Consul since 1994 and IBM since 1970, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange is excited about this acquisition," said Bernie Donnelly, Vice President, Quality Assurance Group, Philadelphia Stock Exchange. "We already use the Consul zSecure suite as a hub for our security management and are looking forward to expanding our Consul InSight suite with IBM Tivoli Security Management products for an even more comprehensive security management solution.”

This acquisition builds upon IBM's Service Management initiative by adding key data governance and compliance monitoring, auditing and reporting capabilities across mainframe and distributed environments, a unique capability unmatched by other competitors. Service management provides the backbone for a wide range of business services. It weaves together processes for executing stock trades or delivering voice over IP calls. It also integrates processes that protect sensitive financial data from being accessed by intruders and helps companies share information about their products and customers.

For more information, go to http://www-306.ibm.com/software/tivoli/welcome/consul/