Going, Going Gone Mobile

Mobile technology has inspired new products
and new ways to deliver tried-and-true services

To better serve its clients, its engineers and its sales force, 35-year-old Matcor is going cutting edge. “We’re implementing Apple technology in all aspects,” says Jeff Stello, CEO and President of Matcor, which is based in Doylestown, Pa., and has a Houston office. “Our people are already using iPhones — we see them as tools to improve our service offerings.”

The sleek devices add sizzle to what’s typically been a staid industry. Matcor provides engineering services and products in the cathodic protection arena, which involves controlling or eliminating corrosion in large infrastructure assets, such as pipelines and storage tanks.

“It’s a good way to get clients’ attention, and it’s different from the guy down the street,” says Stello of the Apple products.

But it’s not just style — there’s plenty of substance. Matcor employees on the road can easily access and share information, including sales data, presentations and photographs taken on a client’s site.


Carter Caldwell	Michael Phelan	Julia Rafferty

Caldwell, Phelan, Rafferty join imPACT Times Advisory Board

The imPACT Times Advisory Board now boasts three new members: Carter Caldwell, Michael Phelan and Julia Rafferty.

The Board is made up of leaders from Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) member companies. They represent a variety of market segments in technology and life sciences.

Board members meet periodically to discuss content for upcoming issues of PACT’s signature publication, imPACT Times.

The voice of the customer: Are you listening?

Consider these facts:

According to a recent study by American Express:

A majority of Americans will spend an average of 9% more with companies that provide excellent service.
Just 37% of Americans believe companies have increased their focus on providing quality service in the current economy.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, consumers are more inclined to talk up good experiences (75%) than they are to complain about bad ones (59%).

Member Survey

How are you using mobile technology in your company? (Click all that apply.)Market Research

Member Survey Results

In June, we asked readers to tell us how they use cloud computing for business. Here are the four top answers:

Social media (i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn)
Conferencing (i.e. Skype, WebEx)
(tie) Video tools (i.e. You Tube, Vimeo) and Email accounts (i.e. gmail, hotmail)

Events

PACT’s CIO Institute roundtable features Tasty Baking CIO Sept. 2

Senior IT Executives are invited to join Chan Kang, CIO of Tasty Baking for a morning interactive roundtable discussion about mobile mission on September 2 at Tasty Baking in Philadelphia.

With the push toward mobilizing core applications onto devices such as iPads, iPhones and Androids, this topic is front and center for many business executives.

Save the date for the MedTech Luncheon and Golf Outing: Sept. 16

The annual Medical Device Group Golf Outing brings medical technology executives together with senior executives from life sciences companies for a luncheon and an afternoon of golf, followed by a cocktail reception.

The event is by invitation only. It will be held on September 16 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Applebrook Country Club, in Malvern, Pa.

Members of PACT’s Medical Device Group are leaders of medical device, instrumentation and medical diagnostics companies who gather to network and discuss the trends, government initiatives and other topics relevant to their industry.

PACT presents Oct. 5
cloud computing conference

On Tuesday, Oct. 5, Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) will offer a full-day summit of hands-on workshops, exhibits, breakout sessions and live demonstrations geared to Chief Information Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Security Officers and business leaders. The Next Generation Architecture Summit: Cloud Computing on the Rise will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Penn State Conference Center, in Malvern, Pa.

PACT gearing up for Nov. 9-10 IMPACT 2010 venture conference

On November 9 and 10, IMPACT 2010 will bring the region’s emerging growth and entrepreneurial communities together for a day-and-a-half venture conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Crystal Tea Room.

IMPACT (formerly the MAC Conference) is the oldest, most-established venture conference in the Northeast. It will feature topical speakers, relevant panel sessions, cutting-edge company presentations, and networking and visibility opportunities for attendees and sponsors.

Stephen M. Goodman, a Partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, LLP, will be presented with the Legend Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2011 Enterprise Awards Gala.

The black-tie Enterprise Awards will be held May 4, 2011, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.

Hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT), the event honors the region’s life science, technology and venture capital community.

Medical Devices

The future of the 510(k) process

Fresh off the heels of healthcare reform, medical device manufacturers are now facing new challenges at the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the agency that regulates the industry.

Ask most device manufacturers who have submitted a 510(k) application over the past 18 months, and they will likely tell you about regulatory hurdles unlike any experienced in their professional careers. The agency is reviewing the process responsible for providing regulatory approval for the majority of medical devices.

Startup and established companies alike have experienced noticeable slowdowns in their device applications to the FDA. While pre-market approval (PMA) devices have always required significant clinical data and scrutiny by the agency, the 510(k) clearance process has been a recent target for critics with claims that not enough data is being provided to the agency.

Why economic downturns
are an opportune time
for private equity investments

Many private equity investors instinctively avoid investing during recessions. For a variety of reasons, however, recessions and other economic downturns present some of the most advantageous investment opportunities for private equity.

The historical evidence regarding investing during recessions is undeniable: Private equity investments made during recessions have historically delivered the best returns, as investors take advantage of bargain company valuations. According to data from the London-based research firm Preqin, the median return for buyout vehicles in the prior recession of 2001 was 28%, while top-quartile funds that year returned at least 40%. Similar data for 1991 showed the median buyout returned at least 25%, with the top quartile starting above 35%.

Abundant opportunities
for investors in growing India

Mark Twain called India an “extraordinary country,” and he was right. India, a country that was a dot on the financial map not long ago, has catapulted into the 21st century, experienced unprecedented growth and found itself in the global spotlight.

India has even managed to stay largely unaffected by the slowdown in the global economy due to its strict control on interest rates and its reluctance to invest in sub-prime debt markets. India’s economy is now the fourth largest in the world. Its rapid growth has been possible through virtually unlimited opportunities coupled with liberalized foreign investment policies.

PPL EnergyPlus: Ready
to help business and industry
save on energy costs

On behalf of all PPL EnergyPlus employees, it’s an honor to be part of the Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) and help advance the goal of supporting entrepreneurship and the growth of successful businesses in the greater Philadelphia region.

One of the ways to achieve that goal is by businesses choosing their electricity and natural gas supplier. Choice leads to innovation, improved service and opportunities to save money.

Institute attracts top thought leaders

What a year we’ve had thus far! With the merger of the Eastern Technology Council and the Mid-Atlantic Capital Alliance, two of the region’s premiere organizations driving business and technology have created a unique environment for the cultivation of ideas, talent and opportunity.

As the CTO of the new Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technology (PACT) and Chairman of the CIO Institute, I’ve had the honor to sit among many of the top business and technology thought leaders as they chart the future for their businesses and for entire industries. With its charter to bring together the top CxOs in the region to share best practices, challenges overcome and future visions, the PACT CIO Institute hits on the hottest industry trends and how to realistically respond to them in specific business environments.

Member Reports

We want to hear from you.
Send us your news.

If you want your company’s news included in the October 5 edition of imPACT Times, please send your press releases to Dianne Strunk at dstrunk@philadelphiapact.com by September 17.

Click here to view news from the companies below.

Alteva
Brandbridge Ltd.
Edison Venture Fund
Deacom, Inc.
Fiberlink
Hollister Creative
Moda Technology Partners
NewSpring Capital
Nimlok Company SunGard
SunGard Higher Education
University City Science Center

imPACT Times is published six times a year as a service to members of Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT), as well as those who actively participate in the business, life sciences, investment and technology communities in Greater Philadelphia

Publisher: Dianne Strunk, Vice President of Business Development, PACT

Hollister Creative, Wynnewood, Pa.,
provides creative services as follows:

Editor: Kim Landry
Managing Editor: Martha Michaela Hutchman Brown
Contributing Editors: Pamela George
Art Director: Georgette Klotz

This publication is distributed with the understanding that neither the publisher nor any other party is rendering expert advice. If expert assistance is required, seek the advice of a competent professional. ©2010 Greater Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies, 200 South Broad Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19102-3896 215-790-3800

Going, Going Gone Mobile

Mobile technology has inspired new products
and new ways to deliver tried-and-true services

Caldwell, Phelan, Rafferty join imPACT Times Advisory Board

Member Opinion