Tim Said What?

Initiate Systems, Inc., a leader in master data management (MDM) solutions, announced today completion of a $26 million financing. Paladin Capital Group led the round, which also included participation from new investors Dunrath Capital, EMC Corporation (NYSE:EMC) and Informatica Corporation (NASDAQ:INFA) as well as existing investors, Sigma Partners, Apex Venture Partners and First Analysis Group. “Investors have been very enthusiastic about participating in this round of funding,” said Bill Conroy, Initiate’s president and CEO. “The influence of these investors is a strategic advantage, as we capitalize on new opportunities and extend our leadership in MDM. This funding empowers us in our mission: Helping customers unlock the value of their data assets.”

Securing these recent investments is the latest success in a continuing series of achievements for Initiate. In 2007, the company increased its revenue and customer base by approximately 50 percent over 2006. In response to this rapid growth, Initiate added more than 85 employees last year. Crain’s Chicago Business recognized Initiate as one of Chicago’s fastest growing companies in 2007, and Intelligent Enterprise magazine included Initiate as a “company to watch” among its 2008 Editors’ Choice Awards. The company’s Initiate Master Data Service(TM) software received the 2007 Product of the Year Award in the category of data integration from SearchDataManagement.

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Happy 4th of July everyone. I didn’t make it down to the parade this year (so I put this picture from last years parade up), but it is important to show how much we back up our troops, and how we support them.

Tonight, when you are setting off those fireworks and enjoying what a good time you are having; just remember what they are going through, and just what all of them are fighting for! Our country - all of us.

Most of them are away from there families and there loved ones. So just not tonight - but all of the time - keep them close to your heart - and pray to keep them out of harms way.

You are free, you are safe. Let’s keep it that way!

Happy Independence Day!

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Cummins Inc., (NYSE: CMI) and Navistar International Corporation (Other OTC: NAVZ) announced that they have extended their engine supply agreement for class 8 on-highway diesel engines through 2013. The agreement provides for the ongoing supply of Cummins ISL, ISM and ISX engines for use in International(R) brand class 8 trucks. “The North American on-highway markets have long been important to Cummins, as is our relationship with an important customer like Navistar,” said Tim Solso, Cummins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to the exciting growth opportunities this partnership represents.”

“Navistar has a long-standing association with Cummins and the ISX engine enjoys significant share in our Class 8 products” said Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased that this agreement will extend our relationship through 2013.”

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Powercode, a leading provider of customer and network management systems for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), announced today a partnership with Solutions4ebiz, an Internet technology solutions provider and key distributor of ImageStream routers and accessories. ImageStream routers are currently the exclusive Bandwidth Management Units for Powercode-managed networks. Solutions4ebiz will offer both the Imagestream routers and the integrated Powercode software available for purchase through its e-commerce website, http://www.imagestreamsolutions.com. “Solutions4ebiz is a great sales partner for Powercode,” said Martin Frey, Chairman and CEO of Powercode. “Their ability to sell our ISP management platform directly with the ImageStream routers that serve as our network “controllers” will enable our customers to get an integrated solution from a single provider.”

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OBS Medical announced today that it has been awarded $2M from the Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. The company plans to use the Fund to accelerate development of its BioQT(TM) technology, an exciting innovation for pharmaceutical cardiac safety. BioQT(TM) is an advanced signal processing technique for efficient and accurate measurement of ECG QT interval, T wave morphology and other cardiac safety parameters assessed in drug trials. This unique technology provides cardiac safety profiles for new and existing drugs thoroughly, accurately and efficiently. BioQT(TM) can support either semi-automated processing (with cardiologist oversight) or fully-automated processing (based on pre-trained scientific model). In addition, BioQT can be used for both pre-clinical and clinical analysis.

“We are honored and excited to receive this award,” said Frank Cheng, President and CEO of OBS Medical. “The Fund is highly selective in its scientific and business evaluation processes. This award validates the importance of patient safety innovations and the strength of our BioQT(TM) technology.”

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Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller, announced it has signed a lease agreement to open a new Barnes & Noble bookstore in Mishawaka, Indiana. The bookstore, expected to open in spring 2009, will be located in the University Park Mall at 6501 North Grape Road. The day prior to the opening of the new store, the existing Barnes & Noble in at 4601 Grape Road in Mishawaka will close. The new store will stock close to 200,000 book, music, DVD and magazine titles and include a cafe serving Starbucks coffee. Barnes & Noble’s bookselling innovations have established it as America’s top bookseller brand. For the fourth year in a row, the EquiTrend(R) Brand Study by Harris Interactive(R) named Barnes & Noble bookstores number one in overall brand equity, which is based on a brand’s strength in familiarity, quality and purchase intent. The new store will feature:

— The Barnes & Noble Membership Program. Designed for Barnes & Noble’s best customers, this program gives Members 40% off hardcover fiction and nonfiction bestsellers, 20% off all other adult hardcover books, and 10% off virtually everything else in Barnes & Noble stores and online at Barnes & Noble.com. The annual fee is $25.

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Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced its Whitestown, Ind. fulfillment center, operated by Amazon.com.indc LLC, is looking to hire several hundred full-time hourly positions ahead of the facility’s opening in late summer 2008. The fulfillment center will be more than 600,000 square feet, located in Whitestown, Ind., 20 miles northwest of Indianapolis. The new facility will allow Amazon to serve its customers in the Midwest more efficiently. The company also plans to hire up to 1,700 temporary associates during peak seasons to meet demand for its products.

Amazon is currently recruiting for individuals seeking full-time employment opportunities. Candidates should be highly motivated with drive, ambition and a passion for giving customers a first-class shopping experience. Available positions include hourly roles in Picking, Packing and Receiving/Shipping.

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CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, announced today that PowerDVD receives certification by DTS for the support of DTS-HD Master Audio technology. The combination of CyberLink PowerDVD and DTS’s latest technology enables the ultimate entertainment experience when playing high-definition content and Blu-ray discs movies on PCs. DTS-HD Master Audio allows bit-for-bit reproduction of the original studio master soundtrack and supports up to 7.1-channel output, for a lifelike audio performance.

“We are pleased to work with DTS in enabling superior high definition video and audio experience on PCs,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. “PowerDVD users can now enjoy lossless compression audio quality when watching their latest high definition Blu-ray discs.”

CyberLink PowerDVD featuring DTS-HD Master Audio support will be available as an upgrade to existing users in July 2008. An HDMI 1.3a-enabled audio system is necessary to enjoy the high-definition DTS-HD Master Audio. For more information about CyberLink’s high-definition solutions, please visit http://www.cyberlink.com

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Pinnell Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox Corporation, and Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America today announced a new five-year purchasing contract that enables Pinnell to continue supplying and servicing customers as an authorized dealer of Sharp multifunction products, printers, fax machines, supplies, parts and accessories. The contract runs for an initial term of three years followed by two one-year renewals based on growth.

“Pinnell’s success in the marketplace has always been based on our strong relationships with customers, and for more than 15 years, on our equally strong partnership with Sharp,” said Brian Landgren, president of the Northwest Group which includes Pinnell. “This renewed relationship with Sharp helps Pinnell to continue meeting our customers’ needs with the right mix of technology, supplies and service.”

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The Orchard, a global leader in digital music and entertainment, and TVT Records, one of America’s premier independent labels, today announced that The Orchard was selected as the winning bidder in a bankruptcy auction held yesterday in New York City to purchase TVT Records. Under the terms of its bid, The Orchard would assume control of TVT’s catalogue of recorded masters, artist contracts and physical record distribution infrastructure, among other assets, but excluding its holdings in its music publishing subsidiary. The acquisition is expected to close on or before July 3rd, 2008, although there can be no assurances that the transaction will close as it is subject to court approval, customary closing conditions and finalization of the purchase agreement between the parties.

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