Alumni Gerry Pompa wins TeleSpan’s 2007 Pace Award

Congratulations to Pitt CS Alum and Industry Board member, Gerard Pompa, who was a recipient of the 2007 TeleSpan Pace Award. The TeleSpan Pace honors collaboration professionals
who have a definitive positive impact on shaping the industry. Gerard Pompa works for Compunetix.

Gerard Pompa, Vice-President and Division Manager for the organization’s Communications Systems Division, has acted as a visionary for the future of collaboration, leading the product development and building relationships that have helped pave the way to Compunetix’s decades of success.

To read the official press release, please click here and Congratulations Gerry!

Compunetix celebrates 40 Years!

Compunetix celebrates it's 40th anniversary. View the official Press Release here.

2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of Compunetics by Dr. Ing Giorgio Coraluppi, one of the pioneers of Pittsburgh’s technology community. What began as a small system designer and manufacturer for the federal government in 1968 now stands as three distinct global companies – Compunetics (ICS), Compunetix (IX) and Chorus Call – all with distinct specialties in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry.

“Every founder is taught that he should have a business plan, but I didn’t have any such thing when I started,” Coraluppi admitted. “I was at a point in my life where I thought I could do anything. When I started Compunetics, I didn’t have any capital, a business plan or a product, just the anticipation that the company could do great things.

“Early on, I developed an intellectual environment with a lot of emphasis on the human element,” Coraluppi continued. “We were bidding for federal contracts against the big boys of the industry. It took a little bit of nerve and a bit of luck, but one-on-one, we could compete against anybody.”

Now, at the 40-year benchmark for the tech triumvirate, it’s quite evident that Coraluppi was dead on. Not only has Compunetics become one of the premier printed circuit board production shops in the country, offering highly sophisticated circuitry to niche markets, Compunetix and Chorus Call are competing at the highest level in their respective markets as well.

Compunetix, the industry leader in developing and manufacturing multipoint collaboration platforms for the teleconferencing industry, finds itself in an enviable market position. Due to the shrinking nature of the global industry, most of Compunetix’s traditional competition was bought out, leaving a considerable gap in the market space.

The company’s most recent conferencing bridge offering, the Contex Summit, has redefined the industry standard in terms of capacity, scalability, footprint and flexibility. Capable of hosting up to 9,600 ports, the Summit is fully Internet-enabled, supporting Web control, voice-over IP, streaming and data conferencing.

“When we started Compunetix, teleconferencing didn’t exist,” Coraluppi said. “It was an opportunity that we uncovered along the way. We have been very adaptive to the teleconferencing landscape evolving in front of us and by doing this Compunetix became a standard of reference in the teleconferencing industry.”

Since Chorus Call was officially spun out of Compunetix in 1996, the teleconferencing service provider has made a name for itself globally with excellent customer service and reliable, state-of-the-art conferencing capabilities. Over the last five years, Chorus Call has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its global reach to include Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Australia. With nine satellite offices, Chorus Call caters to Fortune 1000 companies on six continents, delivering integrated, customer-centric conferencing capabilities built on the Compunetix collaboration platform. This unique relationship empowers Chorus Call to provide innovative and customized solutions to each customer.

“The organizations interact with one another to achieve a vertical value chain for each other’s customers,” explains Coraluppi. “For example, Chorus Call benefits from exposure to the rich Compunetix think tank environment. Conversely, it offers stand-by capacity to Compunetix customers, as well as early market validation of Compunetix software solutions.”

Just as Compunetix served as the genesis for Chorus Call, the company has been integral in the formation of the wider technology community here in Pittsburgh. Both ICS and IX have mentored and financially supported for-profit and non-profit companies alike over the years including Dielectric Solutions, Design Advance, TalkShoe, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse and The Technology Collaborative.

“We have contributed a significant amount of time and resources to the regional technology industry,” Coraluppi said. “From mentoring, to investments, to providing our credentials to secure investments, we have been a strong supporter of the technology community.”

Innovation Works Launches AlphaLab

Innovation Works, one of the country’s most active investors in seed-stage technology companies, is launching AlphaLab to accelerate the development of software, interactive games and Internet-related companies. AlphaLab provides funding, free office space, and intense business mentoring for up to twelve companies per year that will be selected in two, six-month cycles.

Read the Official Press Release

About AlphaLab (www.iwAlphaLab.org)

AlphaLab provides the essential elements for startup companies to get off the ground successfully: funding, space, advisors, services, and a supportive entrepreneurial community. By combining these ingredients in an intensive six-month program, AlphaLab provides companies a unique opportunity to accelerate their growth and development. Twice a year, AlphaLab will select up to six companies to participate in the program. The application deadline for the Summer/Fall 2008 session is March 31^st, 2008! Selected companies will receive:

Funding

Innovation Works will invest $25,000 in each AlphaLab company in return for 3% of the common stock of the company. This funding should support company operations during the AlphaLab program. As Innovation Works utilizes funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, each company receiving funding is expected to maintain a significant presence in Pennsylvania after the program.

Space

Free office space is provided to AlphaLab companies for five months of the program. Through co-location in AlphaLab's collaborative environment, companies will have the opportunity to share ideas and gain exposure to the breadth of Pittsburgh's entrepreneurial, investment and software expertise. Located at 2325 East Carson Street in Pittsburgh's historic Southside neighborhood, AlphaLab's location is easy to reach and near coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, and dozens of other startup software technology companies.

Advisors

Throughout the six-month cycle, AlphaLab companies receive guidance and hands-on assistance from the AlphaLab team and advisors, including experienced entrepreneurs, investors and other leading experts in various software, game design and Internet-related fields. AlphaLab companies will meet regularly with and learn from these experts in one-on-one sessions and group discussions that cover topics about running and building a successful business. The collaborative nature of AlphaLab fosters peer learning as well, as entrepreneurs and company teams go through the program together. At the end of the program, companies will have an opportunity to network with and present their company to potential investors.

Services

The AlphaLab team will provide hands-on assistance in critical areas that support product and company development. AlphaLab team members will help companies develop plans to define and build their products by: conducting market and competitive analyses, soliciting user feedback on prototypes, recruiting alpha/beta users through the AlphaLab Community, and working with companies to conduct end-user tests.

AlphaLab will also provide strategic business guidance to help companies develop a business model, marketing plans and fundraising strategies. The AlphaLab team has deep experience preparing companies to present their business plan to investors with maximum impact and will help hone the investor pitch. Finally, AlphaLab will help companies access other types of startup support including technical, legal, accounting and IT services.

Join the AlphaLab Community!

Want to test new apps before they launch? Stay plugged in to what’s happening in the software and Internet community? Interested in testing new gaming technology? Sign up for the AlphaLab Community to receive early invites to participate in private alpha and beta tests of our companies’ products. If you have a Facebook account, search AlphaLab and become a fan of our page! If you are not on Facebook, send an email to info@iwAlphaLab.org and we will send you updates!

Spring Alumni Social- Change of Date

NOTICE: The date for our next Alumni Social has changed! The event will now be held on Wednesday May 14, 2008.

We invite you to join us at our Alumni Social this May!!

WHEN: Wednesday May 14, 2008 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
WHERE: Claddagh Irish Pub, Southside Works, Pgh PA
WHAT: Networking opportunities & a chance to see your old friends!

Hors d'oeuvres will be provided compliments of the host.
Cocktails will be provided through a cash bar.

Please visit the webpage for additional details and updated information.
RSVP to Ashley Nagy.

Bank of New York Mellon to Add Wealth Management Positions in Pittsburgh

The Bank of New York Mellon is planning to add at least 60 new positions in its BNY Mellon Wealth Management operations area in Pittsburgh this year. These positions are in information security, which manages and protects personal data for the business line’s private client relationships, and general wealth management operations which oversees control of investment vehicles, accounting, performance measurement and reporting. These new positions will bring BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s total Pittsburgh workforce to about 600.

“We are pleased that the continued growth of several of our key businesses provides the opportunity to deliver on our promise of increasing our local staffing and brings new jobs to the Pittsburgh region,” said Robert P. Kelly, chief executive officer of The Bank of New York Mellon. “This latest announcement reinforces our long-term commitment to continue expanding our presence in the Pittsburgh area, bringing to about 620 the number of new positions we have announced in just over a year.” At the end of 2007, the Company employed nearly 6,400 in the region, up from just under 6,100 at the start of 2007.

The Bank of New York Mellon has said that an estimated 1,000-2,000 new jobs will be created in the Pittsburgh area as a result of the merger between Mellon Financial Corporation and The Bank of New York. Previous announcements include approximately 210 positions within BNY Mellon Shareowner Services moving from Jersey City to Pittsburgh, some 200 positions created at the Company’s data center northeast of Pittsburgh as part of a $70 million expansion project and 150 new Corporate Trust positions added to the Pittsburgh office.

BNY Mellon Wealth Management is among the nation's leading wealth managers, with more than two centuries of experience in providing investment management, wealth and estate planning, and private banking and finance services to financially successful individuals and families, their family offices and business enterprises, charitable gift programs, and endowments and foundations. It ranks as one of the top 10 US wealth managers with approximately $170 billion in private client assets and an expansive network of more than 80 offices globally. BNY Mellon Wealth Management products and services are provided by subsidiary banks and trust companies of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

Official Press Release

Bank of New York Mellon

This month, we feature:

The Bank of New York Mellon.

The Bank of New York Mellon, a global leader in asset management and asset servicing, was recently ranked #1 in its category in FORTUNE magazine's 2008 rankings of America's most admired companies.

Each year, FORTUNE surveys thousands of executives, directors and analysts to compile its list of most admired companies. The Bank of New York Mellon was voted best overall in its category, with top scores across five of the magazine’s key attributes of reputation, including Quality of products/services, Innovation, People management, Financial soundness, and Long-term investment. Complete results are available at www.fortune.com, and will appear in the March 17 issue of the magazine. Ranked no. 1 in 2006 and 2007 among Superregional Banks in FORTUNE’S survey of America’s Most Admired Companies, The Bank of New York merged last year with Mellon Financial — itself ranked number one in its FORTUNE survey category in 2005 — to create The Bank of New York Mellon. The new company ranked first among the top ten Superregional Banks in the 2008 FORTUNE survey.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and highnet- worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing,issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has more than $23 trillion in assets under custody and administration, more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management and services $11 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at bnymellon.com.

Official Press Release
For a list of quick facts on the company, please check out At a Glance.

Enterprise 2.0: What Enterprises are Thinking

TiE-PITTSBURGH Presents...




Enterprise 2.0
What Enterprises are Thinking

Thursday March 20, 2008
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Greentree

Enterprise 2.0 applications consist of new technologies such as Web 2.0, Wiki's, and Software as a Service (SAAS). These applications are dramatically changing the way people work and interact with customers, trading partners, and employees. This event will discuss both the opportunities and challenges that face entrepreneurs, companies and individuals.

Some topics to be discussed include:

• Entrepreneurial opportunities in Enterprise 2.0 applications
• Users of these applications
• Features users are looking for in an Enterprise 2.0 application
• How Enterprise 2.0 applications enhance their user experience

This even will provide insight from successful local developers and vendors of Enterprise 2.0 applications and representatives from local corporations using them.

Confirmed Panelists:
Anuj Dhanda, CIO, PNC Bank
Bob Evans, Information Week Magazine
Tom Tabor, CIO, Highmark

Moderators:
Ravi Koka, Founder, CTO and Strategy Officer, SEEC, Inc.
Madhavi Vuppalapati, CEO, Prithvi Solutions

Sponsored by:
Birchmere Ventures & Draper Triangle Ventures

http://www.tiepgh.org/

CS Alumni Social

The February Alumni Social has come and gone.

Despite the "wintry mix" that was falling outside, over 55 guests attended the event held Friday February 22, 2008. Guests included CS faculty members, CS Alumni and local Industry representatives.

Representatives from industries such as CEI, FedEx, Compunetix, Bank of NY Mellon, Google and Microsoft attended the event. Many alumni attended, some even driving in from Michigan and the D.C. area! Guests enjoyed cocktails and some light hors d'oeuvres before heading home.

The next Alumni event will take place in May 2008. Details will be sent once the day/time/location are finalized. We hope you will be able to join us!

8th Annual CS Day

It's that time of year again- when local high school students, current undergraduate and graduate students, industry representatives, and faculty members all take part in a day long event packed full of computer science related fun!

This year, the 8th annual CS Day will take place on Friday, February 22. The event, held in Sennott Square (home of the CS Department) will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the High School CS Bowl. The event, organized by the Pitt Geeks, gives high school and college students the opportunity to face off in a Jeopardy style competition. Good luck to all participants!

After the CS Bowl, students are encouraged to stake place in the Electronic Scavenger Hunt, browse through the Marketplace, or participate in the poster exhibit competition. Even better, free PIZZA will be served for lunch!

At 2:00, CS entrepreneurs will discuss how you can turn CS ideas into a successful business at the Panel discussion, “From Code to Cache”. Panel participants are: D. Raja, of CEI. Peter Karlovich, of E-Transport and Mike Gualtieri, of Kiddix Computing.

After the panel, the Digital Media Contest finalists will present their best clips of life in Computer Science, or life of CS at Pitt! Winners will receive a prize. After the DMC finalists have presented, awards will be given out for the undergraduate honor roll recipients, the outstanding CS student, graduate research awards, best poster awards and the digital media contest winners.

Finally, the day will convene with a social gathering. Faculty, Alumni and Industry Representatives are invited to attend a "cocktail hour" event at the Wyndham Hotel. Event details can be found on the webpage.

We hope you can attend our 8th annual CS Day!

CEI, Computer Enterprises Inc.

Each month, we plan to feature an Industry Board company. The Industry Board is a collaboration of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Computer Science and leaders in industry.

For the University, the Industry Board provides a means of keeping the University of Pittsburgh in touch with industry to facilitate feedback on the "state of industry" and ensure that course offerings align with the latest industry needs.

For Industry, the Industry Board works to build a business environment to attract and retain prospective students and employees. It also facilitates the development and hiring of qualified candidates from the University of Pittsburgh and supports initiatives to educate computer science professionals on the latest technology and security trends.

This month, we feature:

CEI, Computer Enterprises, Inc.

Founded in 1992, Computer Enterprises Inc. (CEI) is an information technology contracting and solutions company. We specialize in providing staff augmentation for application development and infrastructure, maintenance, outsourcing and consulting services to clients across the United States including 60% of the Fortune 50. CEI has enjoyed continuous growth and profitability. We have been able to create distinct competencies by delivering high quality solutions that help our clients meet their business objectives. We embrace technology and innovation and actively support a highly qualified staff that delivers positive results.

CEI’s innovation in the industry has been recognized by Forrester Research as one of the few companies in the world that has successfully coupled agile development methodologies with CMMI Level 5 processes. CEI has been ranked three times consecutively in the Inc. 500 List of fastest growing privately held companies in the United States and the Smart 100 List of America’s most innovative information technology service providers. The company has also been recognized four consecutive times by VARBusiness as one of the country’s top 500 solution providers.

CEI is CMMI Level 5 both on-shore and off-shore. We are also one of the first mid-size companies to pilot the eSourcing Capability Model for Service Providers (eSCM-SP) developed by Carnegie Mellon University, a set of best practices for creating and sustaining outsourcing relationships.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA with locations in California, Indiana, and Chennai, India we support a consultant staff of over 341 and offer exceptional quality and service, resulting in successful client engagements.

Raja-Juvenation

D. Raja, the Chair of the CS Industry Board, was recently featured in the Pittsburgh magazine.

In the fall of 2007, Raja ran for public office (Commissioner in Mt. Lebanon) and won! Congratulations Raja! The article features his plans to build a dynamic district for business and technology.

Write to Us!

Attention all CS Alumni:

We would like to start featuring stories about our alumni on the blog. We encourage you to write to us and talk about yourself! Where are you? What have you done since you graduated from our Department? Have you launched your own business? Have you done any interesting research? Let us know!

If you have any news to share about yourself, please email the blog administrator (CSatPitt@gmail.com). We look forward to hearing from you!

Computer Science Alumni Social

We're having an Alumni Social!

For the past several months, we've been trying to enhance the relationship with our Alumni. To date, we have hosted three successful Alumni gatherings! We intend to host an Alumni event each quarter.

This winter's Alumni event will coincide with the Department's 8th annual Computer Science Day. Computer Science Day is where educators, students, alumni and industry gather for a day of computing science, computing business and computing fun! Check out what we have planned for this year's CS Day!

The Alumni Social will be held after the day's many events on Friday, February 22, 2008. The event, which will be hosted by the Department and the Industry Board, will be a great networking opportunity. Alumni will have the chance to meet Industry Board Members from Pittsburgh's leading technology companies. Alumni will also mingle with Computer Science Faculty Members and fellow Alumni.

Appetizers and your first drink will be provided by the Department and Industry Board. A cash bar will follow.

DETAILS
Where: Wyndham Pittsburgh, University Place
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Visit the event website for detailed information.
We hope to see you there!

To RSVP, please contact Ashley Nagy:
nagya@cs.pitt.edu
(412) 624-5755

Happy New Year

Dear Alumni,

Happy New Year and welcome to the Pitt CS Alumni blog!

Part of our New Year's resolution is to enhance our relationship with the thousands of students who have graduated from the Computer Science Department over the past 41 years. We encourage you to check our blog often for updated news regarding alumni events and current Department activity.

If you would like to feature a post on the blog, please email the blog administrator.

CS at Pitt