FPL Crews Support Northern Utility's Local Restoration Efforts After Hurricane Irene

FPL is now providing crews to aid in the recovery effort for Hurricane Irene. FPL has sent 160 employees to the Northeast to help in the restoration effort, by clearing vegetation and hanging new power lines.

Juno Beach, FL, USA, August 29, 2011 -- As Florida’s largest utility, Florida Power & Light Company has had its share of experience with hurricanes and their aftermath. FPL is now providing crews to aid in the recovery effort for Hurricane Irene. FPL has sent 160 employees to the Northeast to help in the restoration effort, by clearing vegetation and hanging new power lines.

One such crew member is Vic Arena, FPL Operations Leader. Vic was interviewed via telephone in Newark, Del., where he is assisting on the front lines of the restoration effort. He is responsible for supervising crews dispatched to Delaware over the weekend to support Delmarva Power’s recovery efforts. A storm restoration veteran, Vic understands how to restore power safely and efficiently.

Q: Where are you? What have you seen so far?

A: Our team arrived in Delaware on Aug. 28 around 8 p.m. Upon arrival, we were briefed by Delmarva Power (which services approximately 498,000 electric delivery customers in Delaware and the Delaware Peninsula.)

On the drive up, we could see some damage and we noticed that there were around 40 miles on I-95 in the area of Richmond, VA, where there were no gas stations in operation, due to lack of power. When we ventured off the interstate, we could see flooded roads and I saw a substation that was 3 feet under water.

From what we have learned today, much of the damage in this area is along the coastal areas. We are waiting for our “job packets” and are looking forward to getting out to the areas that have been impacted by Hurricane Irene and helping Delmarva Power get its customers’ lights back on.

Q: What are the biggest challenges moving a convoy like this through a disaster area?

A: The biggest challenge when you have so many trucks heading north for an extended distance is planning the trip so that you have enough fuel. We have to anticipate how far we can go on a tank, which is about 250 miles for our trucks, and we have to make sure we don't stretch it too far or we could run into an area without of fuel. We're traveling with our own fuel tanker but we don't want to use that unless we have to.

Q: Do you have a sense of the work you'll be called on to start today?

A: We are waiting to get our specific assignments from Delmarva Power, but it will likely involve putting wire back up and placing poles back in. Right now we are setting up our site and taking care of logistics on our end.

Q: What’s the morale like for your crews?

A: They're ready to get to work. It was a long drive and we are ready to get out into the field and help people.

Q: Why does FPL send crews like yours to other states to help in disaster situations?

A: We know what it’s like to experience major storms and just as we are helping Delmarva Power now, we have had to call for help from other utilities in the past.

Sometimes when you go on a trip like this, you see some of the people that came down to help you. It’s a bonding experience and this is an opportunity to give back.

Q: How long will you stay?

It depends on how long Delmarva Power needs our help. I can tell you that when we went to Texas to help out after Hurricane Ike a few years ago, we expected to go for a week and I think we were gone for three weeks. This time we've been told to pack for seven days, but I think we'll be doing laundry.

For more images, videos, and real-time updates on FPL's assistance following Hurricane Irene, go to http://www.flickr.com/fpl/storm, http://www.facebook.com/FPLConnect and http://www.twitter.com/insideFPL.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888

Telemedicine Market Witnessing Significant Growth in Europe

A recently released report by Technavio reveals that the Global Telemedicine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19 percent.

London, UK, August 29, 2011 -- A recently released report by Technavio, specialists in emerging technologies market research, reveals that the Global Telemedicine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19 percent.

The report, which covers the Americas as well as the EMEA and APAC regions, indicates that the market is being driven by the growth opportunities in Europe.

According to Technavio’s industry analyst, “Though the United States has been dominating the Global Telemedicine market, Europe and developing nations are rapidly catching up. This shift is occurring mainly of the increase in the number of patients with chronic diseases and the increasing availability of online healthcare services.”

The report also highlights that the lack of standardized classifications is hindering the growth of this market. However, the increase in remote monitoring of patients is expected to keep driving the market. The market is also being boosted by the increase in telesurgery.

These are just some of the important findings presented in the report that will enable companies to fully understand the potential in this market and formulate their own strategies.

Technavio’s report, Global Telemedicine market 2010–2014, is based on extensive research conducted with industry experts, vendors, and end-users. It examines the key trends, drivers, and challenges impacting the evolution of this market. The report also contains incisive insights and SWOT analyses regarding the key vendors in this market, including Philips Healthcare, Agfa Healthcare, Honeywell HomMed, and AMD Telemedicine Inc.

For further information and to obtain your copy of this report, please visit http://technavio.com/content/global-telemedicine-market-2010-2014. Follow us on Twitter: @technavio for daily updates.

Media Contact:
Ludmila Berkesova
Program Manager
Technavio
8 Wimpole Street
W1G 9SP London UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7291 0880
Fax: +44 (0) 84 5280 2825

Integrated RIS-PACS Adoption Increasing due to Government Initiatives

A recently released report by Technavio reveals that the Integrated RIS-PACS market in North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8 percent.

London, UK, August 29, 2011 -- A recently released report by Technavio, specialists in emerging technologies market research, reveals that the Integrated RIS-PACS market in North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8 percent.

The report, which focuses specifically on North America, indicates that the market is being driven by government initiatives to encourage the move toward e-health records.

According to Technavio’s industry analyst, “Governments across the world have recognized the importance of IT in healthcare and are encouraging the electronic storage of patient records. Healthcare IT systems not only improve ease of use, but also the management of a large amount of patient records, one benefit of which is improved transparency in the medical insurance claim process. The United States government especially has made serious efforts to encourage the adoption of IT healthcare products such as hospital information systems and RIS-PACS to maintain e-health records.”

The report also highlights that security and privacy concerns are hindering the growth of this market. However, the increase in operational efficiency gained by using integrated RIS-PACS is expected to boost market growth. There is also is also a shift from paper-based systems toward digital imaging and information workflow in the Healthcare sector.

These are just some of the important findings presented in the report that will enable companies to fully understand the potential in this market and formulate their own strategies.

Technavio’s report, Integrated RIS-PACS Market in North America 2010–2014, is based on extensive research conducted with industry experts, vendors, and end-users. It examines the key trends, drivers, and challenges impacting the evolution of this market. The report also contains incisive insights and SWOT analyses regarding the key vendors in this market, including GE Healthcare, McKesson Corp., Philips Healthcare, and Merge Healthcare.

For further information and to obtain your copy of this report, please visit http://technavio.com/content/integrated-ris-pacs-market-north-america-2010-2014. Follow us on Twitter: @technavio for daily updates.

Media Contact:
Ludmila Berkesova
Program Manager
Technavio
8 Wimpole Street
W1G 9SP London UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7291 0880
Fax: +44 (0) 84 5280 2825

Demand for Sophisticated Medical Devices Driving Growth of Semiconductor IC Market

A recently released report by Technavio reveals that the Global Semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5 percent.

London, UK, August 29, 2011 -- A recently released report by Technavio, specialists in emerging technologies market research, reveals that the Global Semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5 percent.

The report, which covers the Americas as well as the EMEA and APAC regions, indicates that the market is being driven by the growing demand for high-end medical devices.

According to Technavio’s industry analyst, “Semiconductor ICs are used extensively in high-end medical devices. The demand for such devices has been growing consistently with technological advancements in healthcare. Smart chips in particular have been aiding doctors to diagnose critical illnesses. As a result, there is increasing demand for semiconductor ICs.”

The report also highlights that the demand for more economic ICs is hindering the growth of this market. However, the demand for advanced telecommunications infrastructure is expected to keep driving the market. There is also a trend in this market of semiconductor vendors going fabless. These are just some of the important findings presented in the report that will enable companies to fully understand the potential in this market and formulate their own strategies.

Technavio’s report, Global Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Market 2010–2014, is based on extensive research conducted with industry experts, vendors, and end-users. It examines the key trends, drivers, and challenges impacting the evolution of this market. The report also contains incisive insights and SWOT analyses regarding the key vendors in this market, including Intel Corp., Samsung Electronics, Toshiba Corp., and Texas Instruments.

For further information and to obtain your copy of this report, please visit http://technavio.com/content/global-semiconductor-integrated-circuit-market-2010-2014. Follow us on Twitter: @technavio for daily updates.

Media Contact:
Ludmila Berkesova
Program Manager
Technavio
8 Wimpole Street
W1G 9SP London UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7291 0880
Fax: +44 (0) 84 5280 2825

Movea and SMK Partner to Deliver SmartMotion® Enabled "RemoPad™"

New motion enabled remote control creates opportunities for Cable, Satellite & IPTV Operators to enhance Digital TV services.

Zaventem, Belgium - August 29th, 2011 -- SMK Europe N.V. today unveiled its new RemoPad that integrates Movea’s SmartMotion® technology to create a next generation remote control for Cable, Satellite and IPTV operators. Movea’s advanced motion sensing technologies enable the RemoPad to use gesture recognition that simplifies navigating through the user interface, reduces the button count of traditional remotes, and offers a more natural, intuitive way to interact with next generation TV services.

We are excited to see SMK, the world’s largest remote control manufacturer, expanding our partnership around Movea’s MotionIC platform,” said Sam Guilaumé, CEO of Movea, “and we are delighted that they have built on it to create an innovative device that will set the standard for the next generation of interactive multimedia entertainment.”

Patrick Delanoeije, General Manager of SMK Europe, added, “At IBC 2011, SMK will showcase new and intuitive paradigms for navigating and consuming rich digital media, based on Movea’s SmartMotion Technology and SMK’s advanced remote control devices. Movea has been a very supportive partner in helping us rapidly develop exciting new motion-driven capabilities that enable unique ways of interacting with content, drive adoption of TV applications such as interactive games, and improve User Interface navigation for an enhanced entertainment experience that drives subscriber retention.”

As the world leader in the development and production of remote control solutions, SMK has partnered with Movea to drive technology and create control devices for the new wave of Set-Top Boxes (STBs) and Interactive TV services. Through product demonstrations and discussions with Service Providers and STB suppliers, SMK is reinforcing its commitment to integrate motion sensing with advanced pointing devices that deliver the vision of motion-driven UI’s for navigating digital media.

Movea’s SmartMotion technology, perfected and commercially proven with over more than 20 years of development, ensure jitter-free, pixel accurate control with smooth and precise movement that is as simple and intuitive to use as “point and click”. Advanced gesture recognition is also available for an even more interactive user experience. Libraries of gestures can enable remote controls with custom gestures to interact with content and applications, as well as air signature authentication for each member of the family which loads up a personalized set of favorite stations and preferences, as well as enabling targeted advertising and more.

SMK will be exhibiting within RAI Convention Center in addressing leading Service Providers and STB suppliers on September 9-13th within Stand 1.C90, in addition to hosting private meetings rooms on September 10th & 12th. Through these product demonstrations and discussions with Service Providers and STB suppliers, SMK is reinforcing its commitment to integrate motion sensing with advanced pointing devices, using Movea’s MotionIC technology, and deliver on the vision of motion-driven UI’s for navigating digital media. Additionally, SMK will make a limited production of “RemoPad” prototypes available to strategic Middleware, Service Provider and STB targets to enable partners to validate business case, feature-set, and his extended pointing device capabilities.

SMK Europe N.V.
SMK Europe is a subsidiary of SMK Corporation. SMK Corporation is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and was first established in 1925. It manufacturers, develops and markets components used by major OEM’s in the field of Communications, Information, Audio-Visual, Car Electronics and Home Electronics. With European Sales operations in Brussels, Belgium and R&D in UK, and with local manufacturing facilities in Hungary, in addition to SMK’s global 12 factories, SMK is strategically positioned to supply electronics solutions to OEM’s and market leaders engaged in Personal Computing, Consumer Electronics manufacturers and the Subscription Television industry. SMK maintains the dominant worldwide position in the supply of remote controls, producing greater than 70 million units annually, and has strongly invested in the market of devices supporting rich media, interactive and advanced TV features. Further information can be found at http://www.smk.co.jp.

SMK contact
Patrick Delanoeije
+32 (0)2 720 98 83

Movea
Movea is a leading provider of motion processing chips, software, firmware, and IP for the Consumer Electronics industry. Movea's unique motion processing capabilities enable customers and partners to quickly add motion intelligence to their products, meaning reduced risk, cost, and Time-to-Market for delivering compelling new motion-based features that create more end-user value. Movea has a global reach with headquarters in Grenoble, France, a U.S. subsidiary in Silicon Valley, California, as well as technology partners, manufacturing partners and distributors around the world. Further information about Movea can be found at http://www.movea.com.

Movea contact
UK/EMEA
Nigel Robson, Vortex PR
+44 (0) 1481 233080

North America
Mark Karayan, Stearns and Johnson
+1 415-397-7600

SmartMotion and MotionIC are registered trademarks of Movea SA
RemoPad is a trademark of SMK Europe N.V.