November 6, 2007

Southeast Michigan Information Security
Regional Skills Alliance

Under the new leadership of Jennifer Bowden, the Southeast Michigan Information Security Regional Skills Alliance (MiRSA) is gearing up with several new initiatives to ensure that Southeast Michigan has a trained workforce in information security.

A major component of the MiRSA will now be to examine information security and how it affects the everyday business person. To help address this need, the MiRSA is developing a toolkit for small to mid-size businesses that includes an information security overview, needs assessment tools to develop an information security plan, and a list of training providers and vendors who can offer assistance.

Another new initiative is to create a training pipeline so that companies can view information security resources in one location. Interested organizations can contact the MiRSA and get paired with a training provider who best suits their needs.

The MiRSA is also planning to educate the future workforce on information security. As the new tools and processes mentioned above are developed, the MiRSA plans to conduct outreach to students at all levels to raise awareness of information security as a career choice. The MiRSA will work with its partners to develop meaningful internships for students and promote information security as a part of existing technology-focused programs, such as summer technology camps.

As the MiRSA continues to develop, be sure to read future editions of the AlleyUpdate, as we will feature an information security tip, fact or article.

To kick-off these new initiatives, the MiRSA will hold an informational meeting at Automation Alley Headquarters from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. on November 15. To register or for additional information, contact Jennifer Bowden at (248) 457-3205 or bowdenj@automationalley.com.

X-OLOGY

Are you looking to promote your business to the technology industry in Southeast Michigan? If so, then take advantage of reduced advertising rates in X-OLOGY, Automation Alley's magazine that focuses on Southeast Michigan's growing technology industry with a lifestyle flair.

The magazine is distributed to all Automation Alley contacts free of charge, as well as to local colleges and universities, in economic development offices and bookstores. It's distributed to nearly 4,000 Automation Alley contacts, at various events across the state, in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation office, the Detroit Science Center, Metro Airport and Bishop International Airport. In addition, Checker Sedan features the magazine in all of its vehicles and the Palace of Auburn Hills showcases the magazine in all of its suites.

The next issue, which is set to be released January 2, 2008, focuses on engineering. A special section on finance will also be included.

For additional information, visit www.xology.com or contact the Resource Center at (800) 427-5100 or info@automationalley.com.

November 13, 2007
Measurably Smarter Choices for Growth

November 13, 2007
Alternative Energy Manufacturing 101

November 14, 2007
B2B Business Development Series: Laying the Foundation to Attract your Ideal Customer

December 6, 2007
Business Lifecycle Finance Series: Emerging and Developing Companies

December 11, 2007
Emerging Smart Sensors and Devices: Computer Assisted Robotic-Enhanced System (CARES)

December 12, 2007
B2B Business Development Series: Connecting with Potential Customers: Looking for Customers who are Looking for You I

January 31, 2007
2008 Annual Meeting: State of the Alley

The Entrepreneur's Initiative of Southeast Michigan (EISEM) will hold its next Entrepreneur's Forum at Automation Alley Headquarters on Thursday, December 6.

The Entrepreneur's Forum is a bi-monthly program that features business plan presentations by three emerging technology-driven companies. The short presentations are critiqued by attendees, including venture capitalists, angel investors and business professionals, who will provide constructive criticism and guidance. Participating companies include ProductBase LLC and SAM Systems.

There is no cost to attend this event. The event runs from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. at Automation Alley Headquarters. For more information or to register, contact the Resource Center at (800) 427-5100 or info@automationalley.com.

As a sponsor of the International Business Center, Miller Canfield offers Automation Alley assistance with planning and conducting trade missions and educational seminars and events.

Miller Canfield is among the top 200 law firms in the U.S. and is Michigan's largest. From I.P. and advanced manufacturing to cross-border business, in-bound investment and M&A, clients rely on the firm's 155-year reputation and legal leadership. The first law firm in the state to expand internationally, Miller Canfield has offices in the U.S., Canada and Poland and clients and contacts throughout the world.

For more information, visit www.millercanfield.com.

Technology Businesss Committee
B2B Series

The Automation Alley Technology Business Committee is once again hosting its popular Business to Business (B2B) series, aimed at educating participants with ideas and techniques to help sales sky rocket to the next level.

The next event, "Connecting with Potential Customers: Looking for Customers who are Looking for You I," will be held at Automation Alley Headquarters on Wednesday, December 12 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Speakers include Terry Bean of Networked Inc. and Charlie Wollborg of Curve Detroit.

This session will discuss:
-List building
-Developing referral sources
-Networking/relationship building
-Strategic account examples
-Web-based research
-Cold calling
-Voice mail messages
-Marketing materials

The cost to attend is $20 for members and $40 for non-members. To register, click here.

The most recent news from our member companies is listed below:

Pure Entropy Technologies' Jumble Encryption Software Passes Initial Evaluations by Several Federal Government Agencies
Kettering University to building new Science & Technology Incubator Building
Oakland Schools Mandarin Chinese Program
Teoma Systems Recognized as Technology Partner
TransTech Consulting Services Awarded Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Status

To view the entire press release section, click here.

Mott Community College

Member since: 1999

Mott Community College (MCC) serves more than 18,000 students each year on its main campus in Flint and branches in Fenton, Lapeer, Clio and Howell. A fully-accredited college with more than 80 years experience, MCC offers customized business and industrial training and provides expert resources, tailored curriculum, flexible scheduling, access to rapid prototyping and 3D visualization.

In Flint, MCC's award-winning Regional Technology Center (RTC), built in 2002, features a 10,000 sq ft industrial high bay and 180,000 sq ft total training facility, housing technical programs from high-tech manufacturing simulation to the traditional skilled trades. The RTC is near the junction of I-75 and I-69, near Bishop International Airport, and less than a mile from I-475. In Howell, the MCC-Livingston training facility, built in 2001, features two computer labs, a welding lab, a machining lab, an HVAC lab, a construction lab, a fluid power lab, and an electrical lab. MCC-Livingston stands at the junction of I-96 and M-59. To contact MCC, call (810) 762-0506 or visit www.mcc.edu.

Congressman Mike Rogers

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers represents Michigan's 8th District. Congressman Rogers reaches out to assist citizens in dealing with federal agencies on issues related to Social Security, veterans care, education, IRS, health care, and many others. He also is proactive in helping workers and businesses with job growth and retention, and supporting communities with a variety of development, funding, and service-related matters.

Congressman Rogers serves on two major committees, the powerful Energy and Commerce panel and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

To continue reading this article, click here.

For more than 40 years, whenever a union was voluntarily recognized by an employer based on a 'card-check,' the employees were unable to challenge that recognition for an extended period or 'reasonable' period - normally a year. Card-check recognitions are the labor movement's current favored way or organizing employees they serve to side-step the otherwise normal secret ballot election process. On September 29, 2007, the National Labor Relations Board reversed this rule toward protecting the employees' right to hold an election before being bound by the outcome of a card check.

For more information, click here.

Mark your calendars for Automation Alley's Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 31. To register, click here.

Automation Alley recently opened service offices in Genesee and Macomb counties to support the growing technology community in those areas. For additional information, click here.

Lisa Lasser, former administrative assistant, has been promoted to Automation Alley's Supervisor of Customer Relations. Lisa assists members through the Resource Center's hotline and email address.