Software Industry Announcements and News
Intel to Acquire McAfee
[ No Comments ] Posted on 08.19.10 under Business
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 19, 2010 – Intel Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire McAfee, Inc., through the purchase of all of the company’s common stock at $48 per share in cash, for approximately $7.68 billion. Both boards of directors have unanimously approved the deal, which is expected to close after McAfee shareholder approval, regulatory clearances and other customary conditions specified in the agreement.
The acquisition reflects that security is now a fundamental component of online computing. Today’s security approach does not fully address the billions of new Internet-ready devices connecting, including mobile and wireless devices, TVs, cars, medical devices and ATM machines as well as the accompanying surge in cyber threats. Providing protection to a diverse online world requires a fundamentally new approach involving software, hardware and services.
Inside Intel, the company has elevated the priority of security to be on par with its strategic focus areas in energy-efficient performance and Internet connectivity.
McAfee, which has enjoyed double-digit, year-over-year growth and nearly 80 percent gross margins last year, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intel, reporting into Intel’s Software and Services Group. The group is managed by Renée James, Intel senior vice president, and general manager of the group.
“With the rapid expansion of growth across a vast array of Internet-connected devices, more and more of the elements of our lives have moved online,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. “In the past, energy-efficient performance and connectivity have defined computing requirements. Looking forward, security will join those as a third pillar of what people demand from all computing experiences.
“The addition of McAfee products and technologies into the Intel computing portfolio brings us incredibly talented people with a track record of delivering security innovations, products and services that the industry and consumers trust to make connecting to the Internet safer and more secure,” Otellini added.
“Hardware-enhanced security will lead to breakthroughs in effectively countering the increasingly sophisticated threats of today and tomorrow,” said James. “This acquisition is consistent with our software and services strategy to deliver an outstanding computing experience in fast-growing business areas, especially around the move to wireless mobility.”
“McAfee is the next step in this strategy, and the right security partner for us,” she added. “Our current work together has impressive prospects, and we look forward to introducing a product from our strategic partnership next year.”
“The cyber threat landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years, with millions of new threats appearing every month,” said Dave DeWalt, president and CEO of McAfee. “We believe this acquisition will result in our ability to deliver a safer, more secure and trusted Internet-enabled device experience.”
McAfee, based in Santa Clara and founded in 1987, is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company with approximately $2 billion in revenue in 2009. With approximately 6,100 employees, McAfee’s products and technologies deliver secure solutions and services to consumers, enterprises and governments around the world and include a strong sales force that works with a variety of customers.
The company has a suite of software-related security solutions, including end-point and networking products and services that are focused on helping to ensure Internet-connected devices and networks are protected from malicious content, phony requests and unsecured transactions and communications. Among others, products include McAfee Total Protection™, McAfee Antivirus, McAfee Internet Security, McAfee Firewall, McAfee IPS as well as an expanding line of products targeting mobile devices such as smartphones.
Intel has made a series of recent and successful software acquisitions to pursue a deliberate strategy focused on leading companies in their industry delivering software that takes advantage of silicon. These include gaming, visual computing, embedded device and machine software and now security.
Home to two of the most innovative labs and research in the high-tech industry, Intel and McAfee will also jointly explore future product concepts to further strengthen security in the cloud network and myriad of computers and devices people use in their everyday lives.
On a GAAP basis, Intel expects the combination to be slightly dilutive to earnings in the first year of operations and approximately flat in the second year. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding a one-time write down of deferred revenue when the transaction closes and amortization of acquired intangibles, Intel expects the combination to be slightly accretive in the first year and improve beyond that.
Intel was advised by Goldman Sachs & Co. and Morrison & Foerster LLP. McAfee was advised by Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
About Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.
About McAfee
McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE), headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world’s toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse, and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com.
McAfee Labs: Proactive on Cybersecurity
[ No Comments ] Posted on 08.19.10 under Security & Privacy
McAfee Labs: It’s Time to Be Proactive on Cybersecurity
McAfee, Inc. Security Journal Examines Strategies for Shifting From Defense to Offense in Cybersecurity
SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new report published by McAfee, Inc. (NYSE:MFE) stresses the need for the security industry to take a more proactive position against cybercriminals. In light of recent cyberespionage, the breakup of cybercrime rings, and the threats that sophisticated malware such as Stuxnet present to critical infrastructures, McAfee Labs™ researchers and industry experts call for a more proactive strategy for fighting cybercrime.
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Embarcadero RAD Studio XE Sneak Preview
[ No Comments ] Posted on 08.10.10 under Development
Coding and Productivity Enhancements for New Development Suite
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Embarcadero Technologies, a leading provider of multi-platform database tools and developer software, today announced the first of three Embarcadero® RAD Studio XE sneak previews leading up to the launch of the new application development suite in early September. The upcoming “2011” release will be named RAD Studio XE and will include Delphi® XE, C++Builder® XE, Delphi Prism™ XE and RadPHP™ XE.
This first sneak preview showcases developer and team productivity enhancements that will be made possible with the new release, along with enhancements to the IDE and new tool chain, modeling and debugging capabilities. These new core productivity enhancements will enable developers to better manage their source code and, ultimately, streamline the development process.
New RAD Studio XE features revealed in this first preview include:
* Subversion version control integration to help manage source code revisions in the Delphi, C++Builder and Delphi Prism IDEs
* Rapid PHP web development added to RAD Studio with RadPHP XE
* New debugging features for Delphi, C++Builder and RadPHP XE
* Modeling enhancements in Delphi XE, including enhanced code generation from the modeler for higher quality code, as well as the ability to generate sequence diagrams from methods
“Developers are constantly challenged to keep productivity high, yet they’re also required to manage source code revisions for themselves and within their team,” said Michael Swindell, senior vice president of marketing and product management for Embarcadero Technologies. “These new capabilities offer very specific benefits that will enable developers to save time on coding, increase productivity and focus on developing quality applications faster.”
The RAD Studio XE release also marks the extension of the new XE brand and capability set to Embarcadero’s application development line, including RAD Studio and each standalone tool in the suite. XE products are distinguished by three key components: support for multiple database types and deployment environments; Embarcadero® ToolCloud technology for centralized license management and on-demand tool access; and an easy upgrade path to Embarcadero® All-Access™ XE.
As with all Embarcadero tools, the RAD Studio XE suite of products will also be available via the Embarcadero All-Access toolbox.
Throughout August, Embarcadero will be showcasing sneak previews to show what’s in store for RAD Studio XE with its new versions of Delphi XE, C++Builder XE, Delphi Prism XE and, now, RadPHP XE.
To view the latest sneak peek blogs and videos on RAD Studio XE, visit http://www.embarcadero.com/rad-studio-xe-preview.
About Embarcadero Technologies
Embarcadero Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of award-winning tools for application developers and database professionals so they can design systems right, build them faster and run them better, regardless of their platform or programming language. Ninety of the Fortune 100 and an active community of more than three million users worldwide rely on Embarcadero products to increase productivity, reduce costs, simplify change management and compliance and accelerate innovation. Founded in 1993, Embarcadero is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices located around the world. Embarcadero is online at www.embarcadero.com.
Embarcadero, the Embarcadero Technologies logos and all other Embarcadero Technologies product or service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Embarcadero Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Spiceworks Adds Features to Help MSPs Manage Multiple Client Networks
[ No Comments ] Posted on 08.09.10 under ASP Member Companies, Network & Internet
Free Software Integrates Centralized Help Desk with Time and Cost Tracking for Client Sites
CompTIA Breakaway 2010
SAN ANTONIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today at the CompTIA Breakaway 2010 conference, Spiceworks™, Inc. announced the release of a new version of its free IT management software with features specifically designed to help Managed Service Providers (MSPs) better service their client networks.
Some of the top new capabilities requested by the 150,000 IT service providers using Spiceworks include customizable client portals as well as a centralized help desk that allows multiple client service requests to be managed from a single console. In addition, the upgraded help desk provides ways for MSPs to track and bill for time and new technology purchases authorized by clients. These features are available in the latest beta release of Spiceworks 5.0 and can be downloaded for free at http://www.spiceworks.com/5.0.
“Managed Service Providers no longer have to pay thousands of dollars for software to run their businesses and manage client networks,” said Scott Abel, co-founder and CEO of Spiceworks. “The multi-client centralized help desk was the number one feature requested by our MSP user community. By including it in the latest release of Spiceworks, more MSPs can get into the business and existing ones can expand the services they offer.”
Spiceworks is enabling ‘Social IT’ by combining network management, network monitoring and help desk software with a rapidly growing and active Facebook-like community of IT professionals. Organizations of all sizes use the free Spiceworks IT management software and integrated online community to collaborate with each other and support the management of both cloud-based and on-premise technology products and services. Additional details on the new capabilities available to MSPs in this latest release of Spiceworks include:
* Centralized Help Desk – allows MSPs to manage help desk tickets for multiple clients through a single console, including the ability to assign tickets by client, priority and other attributes. Help desk requests use Active Directory for authentication and SSL for encryption.
* Custom Client Portals – give IT service providers the ability to create a custom portal and email alias for each client.
* Ticket Time & Billing Tracking – lets MSPs track the time spent on service tickets and the cost for each along with any associated equipment purchase costs. Reports can be exported for invoicing and accounting purposes.
* Help Desk Management Dashboard – gives service provider executives a simple way to manage and track the help desk activity their organization is overseeing, including team member ticket assignment and productivity information.
“Spiceworks has revolutionized how we do business by eliminating the cost of the software we need to serve more clients and grow,” said Lawrie Dalman, IT Director, Lawrie Dalman Consulting. “The newest features are specifically designed to make it simple for us to manage multiple client sites from one Spiceworks installation, which will help us to greatly expand our business.”
With more than 1 million users – including 150,000 IT service providers – in 196 countries, Spiceworks is the most widely deployed and fastest growing IT management application in history. The Spiceworks user community currently supports 35 million workers, manages 60 million computers and devices, and spends over $180 billion annually on technology products and services.
More information on Spiceworks can be found at http://www.spiceworks.com. Follow Spiceworks on Twitter: http://twitter.com/spiceworks. Connect with Spiceworks on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Spiceworks.
About Spiceworks
Founded in 2006, Spiceworks™ develops the first free social IT management application that combines network management and help desk software with a “Facebook-like” online community of IT professionals to help over 1 million IT pros and 150,000 IT service providers simplify everything IT. Spiceworks makes it easy for businesses to manage IT products and services on-premise or in the cloud, collaborate to solve technology problems, and find the IT knowledge and products they need day-to-day. Through its Voice of IT™ market research program, the company enables direct conversations with IT professionals, conducts surveys and provides insight on important technology usage, staffing and purchasing trends by small and medium businesses worldwide. Spiceworks is a privately held company headquartered in Austin, Texas with funding from Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), Austin Ventures and Shasta Ventures. For more information visit http://www.spiceworks.com.
FBI, Slovenian and Spanish Police Arrests Mariposa Botnet Creator, Operators
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 07.28.10 under Government News, Security & Privacy
The FBI, in partnership with the Slovenian Criminal Police and the Spanish Guardia Civil, announced today significant developments in a two-year investigation of the creator and operators of the Mariposa Botnet. A botnet is a network of remote-controlled compromised computers.
The Mariposa Botnet was built with a computer virus known as “Butterfly Bot” and was used to steal passwords for websites and financial institutions. It stole computer users’ credit card and bank account information, launched denial of service attacks, and spread viruses. Industry experts estimated the Mariposa Botnet may have infected as many as 8 million to 12 million computers.
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Discover a More Vivid Way to Value Your Memories
[ Comments Off ] Posted on 07.27.10 under ASP Member Companies, Desktop Publishing, Graphic Apps
PearlMountain Soft has announced immediate availability of CollageIt. It allows you to form inspiring collages for all your favorite photos in seconds. The program creates templates for any number of pictures, requires no additional training and transforms ordinary photo viewing into a much more amusing experience.
Let’s admit it, looking through familiar photos or showing them one by one to friends and relatives over and over again isn’t that exciting. Is there a more vivid way to value your memories? Yes, there is. CollageIt was designed to give everyone an opportunity to brighten up one’s photo collection. In a matter of seconds, it will turn any ordinary set of photos into an impressive array of collages.
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