Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

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© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

The following files are available for download:

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

The following files are available for download:

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

Research and Markets: Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China Provides Insight ...

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/tjkmvq/business_opportuni) has announced the addition of the "Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China" book to their offering.

Due to the high population density in urban areas worldwide, China - with the world largest population - is facing the increased pressure with respect to resource management. In order to sustain its economic growth, China has begun seeking new opportunities and the smart city concept, boasting a potential market value worth trillions of RMB, seems to be an optimal solution to attract more investment funds from international and Chinese ICT companies. This report profiles the definition of a smart city and provides insight into the government policies, current industry development strategies and new opportunities expected to create for cities undertaking the smart city initiative in China.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Smart City Concept

3. Smart City Policy Development in China

4. Chinese Smart Cities in Reality

5. Major Smart City Vendors and Their Development Strategies in China

6. Smart City Opportunities in China

7. Conclusion

Appendix

List of Tables

List of Figures

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/tjkmvq/business_opportuni

View the original article here

Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China

NEW YORK, May 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0866974/Business-Opportunities-and-Development-Trends-of-Emerging-Smart-Cities-in-China.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Telecommunication_Services

Due to the high population density in urban areas worldwide, China - with the world largest population - is facing the increased pressure with respect to resource management. In order to sustain its economic growth, China has begun seeking new opportunities and the smart city concept, boasting a potential market value worth trillions of RMB, seems to be an optimal solution to attract more investment funds from international and Chinese ICT companies. This report profiles the definition of a smart city and provides insight into the government policies, current industry development strategies and new opportunities expected to create for cities undertaking the smart city initiative in China.

Table of Contents1. Introduction

1.1 Research Background

1.2 Research Objective

1.2.1 Clarifying the Smart City Concept and Provide

Supplementary Research Information

1.2.2 Understanding Current Smart City Development in

China and Estimating Potential Market Size

1.3 Research Framework

1.4 Research Scope

1.5 Research Methodology

1.5.1 Data Collection

1.5.1.1 Primary Data

1.5.1.2 Secondary Data

1.5.2 Inductive Data Analysis

1.5.2.1Basic Development Elements

1.5.2.2 Key Government Policies

1.5.2.3 Secondary Data Compilation

?2. Smart City Concept

2.1 Definition of a Smart City

2.1.1 Research Organization Viewpoint

2.1.2 ICT Company Viewpoint

2.1.3 MIC Project Definition

2.2 Framework and Scope of a Smart City

2.2.1 Framework

2.2.2 Scope

2.2.3 Smart City Indicators

2.2.3.1 Degree of Smart Development Indicator

2.2.3.2 Cluster Grouping Indicator

3. Smart City Policy Development in China

3.1 The Chinese Central Government

3.2 The Chinese Local Governments

3.2.1 Beijing Municipality

3.2.2 Shanghai Municipality

3.2.3 Chengdu Municipality

3.2.4 Shenzhen Municipality

3.2.5 Zhongqing Municipality

3.2.6 Nanjing Municipality

3.2.7 Qingdao Municipality

3.2.8 Hangzhou Municipality

3.2.9 Tianjin Municipality

3.2.10 Wuhan Municipality

3.3 Current Pilot Projects

3.4 Smart Development Dimensions

3.4.1 Origin and Development Framework

3.4.1.1 Four Main Dimensions

3.4.1.2 Examples in China

4. Chinese Smart Cities in Reality

4.1 Smart City Development in Shanghai

4.1.1 City Profile

4.1.2 Progress and Planning

4.1.3 Operating Model

4.1.4 Success Stories

4.1.4.1 Smart Healthcare Launched by Mingxing

4.1.4.2 China Telecom's "Wireless Digital Healthcare" project at the Mingxing District Centre Hospital

4.2 Smart City Development in Ningpo

4.2.1 City Profile

4.2.2 Progress and Planning

4.2.3 Success Stories

4.2.3.1 Smart Logistics

4.2.3.2 Smart Healthcare

4.2.3.3 Smart City Management

4.3 Smart City Progress in Foshan

4.3.1 City Profile

4.3.2 Progress and Planning

4.3.3 Success Stories

5. Major Smart City Vendors and Their Development Strategies in China

5.1 Competition between Vendors in China

5.1.1 Smart City Market Development in China

5.1.2 Development Strategies of International Vendors

5.1.3 Development Strategies of Chinese Vendors

5.2 Major Smart City Vendors in China

5.2.1 Huawei Technology

5.2.1.1 Company Profile

5.2.1.2 R&D

5.2.1.3 Products and Services

5.2.1.4 Business Development

5.2.2 Digital China

5.2.1.1 Company Profie

5.2.1.2 Products and Services

5.2.1.3 Development Status

5.2.3 Insigma

5.2.3.1 Company Profile

5.2.3.2 Products and Services

5.2.3.3 Development Status

5.2.4 Enjoyor

5.2.4.1 Company Profile

5.2.4.2 Business Performance

5.2.4.3 R&D

5.2.4.4 Products and Services

5.2.4.5 Business Model

5.2.4.6 Customer Profiles

6. Smart City Opportunities in China

6.1 Estimating the scale of overall business opportunities

6.1.1 Smart Grid

6.1.2 Smart Transportation

6.1.3 Smart Home

6.1.4 Smart Manufacturing

6.1.5 Smart Finance

6.1.6 Smart Government

6.1.7 Smart Logistics

6.1.8 Smart Healthcare

6.1.9 Smart Tourism

6.2 Smart City Opportunity Exploration

6.2.1 Regional Smart Development

6.2.2 Differences in City Characteristics

6.2.3 Main User Requirements

6.3 Regional and Industrial Opportunity Exploration

6.3.1 Environmental Assessment

6.3.2 Demand Assessment

7. Conclusion

7.1 Policy Incentives to Spur Huge Smart City Opportunities in China

7.2 Smart City Promotions in China to Cover the Entire Industry Chain

7.3 Competition between System Integrators to Intensify; Alliances Expected to Stand a Better Chance of Winning

Appendix

List of FeaturesFigure 1 Smart City Research Framework

Figure 2 Smart City Application and Technology Development Roadmap

Figure 3 Smart City Framework

Figure 4 Scope of a Smart City

Figure 5 Smart City Development Directions of China

Figure 6 Smart City Development Framework of Ningpo

Figure 7 IoT Solution Designed for the Chancheng District of Foshan

Figure 8 Huawei Technology Revenues, 2009 - 2010

Figure 9 Huawei e-City Business Scope and Deliverables

Figure 10 Huawei e-City Platform Architecture

Figure 11 Smart City Business Expansion of Huawei

Figure 12 Enjoyor R&D Spending, 2006 - 1H 2011

Figure 13 Architecture of Enjoyor Smart Transportation Solution

Figure 14 Architecture of Enjoyor Smart Healthcare Solution

Figure 15 Smart City Clusters and Preparedness Levels in China

To order this report:Telecommunication Services Industry: Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China

More  

Market Research Report

Check our  

Industry Analysis and Insights

Nicolas Bombourg
Reportlinker
Email: nbo@reportlinker.com
US: (805)652-2626
Intl: +1 805-652-2626

View the original article here

Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China - TMCnet

NEW YORK, May 28, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China http://www.reportlinker.com/p0866974/Business-Opportunities-and-Development-Trends-of-Emerging-Smart-Cities-in-China.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Telecommunication_Services Due to the high population density in urban areas worldwide, China - with the world largest population - is facing the increased pressure with respect to resource management. In order to sustain its economic growth, China has begun seeking new opportunities and the smart city concept, boasting a potential market value worth trillions of RMB, seems to be an optimal solution to attract more investment funds from international and Chinese ICT companies. This report profiles the definition of a smart city and provides insight into the government policies, current industry development strategies and new opportunities expected to create for cities undertaking the smart city initiative in China.

Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 Research Background 1.2 Research Objective 1.2.1 Clarifying the Smart City Concept and Provide Supplementary Research Information 1.2.2 Understanding Current Smart City Development in China and Estimating Potential Market Size 1.3 Research Framework 1.4 Research Scope 1.5 Research Methodology 1.5.1 Data Collection 1.5.1.1 Primary Data 1.5.1.2 Secondary Data 1.5.2 Inductive Data Analysis 1.5.2.1Basic Development Elements 1.5.2.2 Key Government Policies 1.5.2.3 Secondary Data Compilation ?2. Smart City Concept 2.1 Definition of a Smart City 2.1.1 Research Organization Viewpoint 2.1.2 ICT Company Viewpoint 2.1.3 MIC Project Definition 2.2 Framework and Scope of a Smart City 2.2.1 Framework 2.2.2 Scope 2.2.3 Smart City Indicators 2.2.3.1 Degree of Smart Development Indicator 2.2.3.2 Cluster Grouping Indicator 3. Smart City Policy Development in China 3.1 The Chinese Central Government 3.2 The Chinese Local Governments 3.2.1 Beijing Municipality 3.2.2 Shanghai Municipality 3.2.3 Chengdu Municipality 3.2.4 Shenzhen Municipality 3.2.5 Zhongqing Municipality 3.2.6 Nanjing Municipality 3.2.7 Qingdao Municipality 3.2.8 Hangzhou Municipality 3.2.9 Tianjin Municipality 3.2.10 Wuhan Municipality 3.3 Current Pilot Projects 3.4 Smart Development Dimensions 3.4.1 Origin and Development Framework 3.4.1.1 Four Main Dimensions 3.4.1.2 Examples in China 4. Chinese Smart Cities in Reality 4.1 Smart City Development in Shanghai 4.1.1 City Profile 4.1.2 Progress and Planning 4.1.3 Operating Model 4.1.4 Success Stories 4.1.4.1 Smart Healthcare Launched by Mingxing 4.1.4.2 China Telecom's "Wireless Digital Healthcare" project at the Mingxing District Centre Hospital 4.2 Smart City Development in Ningpo 4.2.1 City Profile 4.2.2 Progress and Planning 4.2.3 Success Stories 4.2.3.1 Smart Logistics 4.2.3.2 Smart Healthcare 4.2.3.3 Smart City Management 4.3 Smart City Progress in Foshan 4.3.1 City Profile 4.3.2 Progress and Planning 4.3.3 Success Stories 5. Major Smart City Vendors and Their Development Strategies in China 5.1 Competition between Vendors in China 5.1.1 Smart City Market Development in China 5.1.2 Development Strategies of International Vendors 5.1.3 Development Strategies of Chinese Vendors 5.2 Major Smart City Vendors in China 5.2.1 Huawei Technology 5.2.1.1 Company Profile 5.2.1.2 R&D 5.2.1.3 Products and Services 5.2.1.4 Business Development 5.2.2 Digital China 5.2.1.1 Company Profie 5.2.1.2 Products and Services 5.2.1.3 Development Status 5.2.3 Insigma 5.2.3.1 Company Profile 5.2.3.2 Products and Services 5.2.3.3 Development Status 5.2.4 Enjoyor 5.2.4.1 Company Profile 5.2.4.2 Business Performance 5.2.4.3 R&D 5.2.4.4 Products and Services 5.2.4.5 Business Model 5.2.4.6 Customer Profiles 6. Smart City Opportunities in China 6.1 Estimating the scale of overall business opportunities 6.1.1 Smart Grid 6.1.2 Smart Transportation 6.1.3 Smart Home 6.1.4 Smart Manufacturing 6.1.5 Smart Finance 6.1.6 Smart Government 6.1.7 Smart Logistics 6.1.8 Smart Healthcare 6.1.9 Smart Tourism 6.2 Smart City Opportunity Exploration 6.2.1 Regional Smart Development 6.2.2 Differences in City Characteristics 6.2.3 Main User Requirements 6.3 Regional and Industrial Opportunity Exploration 6.3.1 Environmental Assessment 6.3.2 Demand Assessment 7. Conclusion 7.1 Policy Incentives to Spur Huge Smart City Opportunities in China 7.2 Smart City Promotions in China to Cover the Entire Industry Chain 7.3 Competition between System Integrators to Intensify; Alliances Expected to Stand a Better Chance of Winning Appendix List of Features Figure 1 Smart City Research Framework Figure 2 Smart City Application and Technology Development Roadmap Figure 3 Smart City Framework Figure 4 Scope of a Smart City Figure 5 Smart City Development Directions of China Figure 6 Smart City Development Framework of Ningpo Figure 7 IoT Solution Designed for the Chancheng District of Foshan Figure 8 Huawei Technology Revenues, 2009 - 2010 Figure 9 Huawei e-City Business Scope and Deliverables Figure 10 Huawei e-City Platform Architecture Figure 11 Smart City Business Expansion of Huawei Figure 12 Enjoyor R&D Spending, 2006 - 1H 2011 Figure 13 Architecture of Enjoyor Smart Transportation Solution Figure 14 Architecture of Enjoyor Smart Healthcare Solution Figure 15 Smart City Clusters and Preparedness Levels in China To order this report:Telecommunication Services Industry: Business Opportunities and Development Trends of Emerging Smart Cities in China More Market Research Report Check our Industry Analysis and Insights Nicolas BombourgReportlinkerEmail: nbo@reportlinker.comUS: (805)652-2626Intl: +1 805-652-2626 SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To Smart Grid Home's Homepage ]

View the original article here

China's Smart Cities Offer $153 Billion Opportunity - Marketwatch

BOSTON, Mar 20, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- China’s build-out of “smart cities” is significantly smaller than suggested by the hype, but still represents a $153 billion opportunity across 54 projects, mostly in the southern and eastern provinces, according to a Lux Research report. Among the 54 “real” projects, 35 are scoped at city level -- in some of the country’s largest and most crowded cities, including Beijing and Shanghai -- and account for $76.2 billion, nearly half the total investment. Seventeen projects are at the sub-city level and two at the city cluster level.

“The big winners from this investment activity in the next five years will be telecommunications providers and infrastructure suppliers with the best market channels in the Yangtze Delta and Pearl Delta,” said Jerrold Wang Lux Research Analyst and one of the lead authors of the report titled, “Intelligent Navigation of China's Smart Cities.”

“For prospective foreign participants in China’s smart city growth, opportunities still exist,” added Zhuo Zhang, another lead author. “However, care is needed to navigate China’s increasing sensitivity about information security while still leveraging the ability to introduce advanced technologies and systems integration experience.”

Lux researchers assessed real on-the- ground realities through a detailed project-by-project analysis, supplemented by extensive interviews with government officials, state-owned enterprises, academics, and technology providers. Among their conclusions:

-- Telecom will be the biggest beneficiary. The bulk of the spending on smart cities will be on telecommunications because of the need to build robust infrastructure to support the proliferation of data transmission. From 2011 to 2015, Lux Research estimates the investment on data transmission at $96 billion, or more than 60% of the total investment.

-- Sub-city projects have the most reliable stakeholders. City cluster projects have the highest average project investment but are hindered by the weak ability of lower tier cities to manage large projects. In contrast, sub-city projects are, on average, more investment intensive because of the leading cities’ higher GDP and the resulting stronger ability to make large investments.

-- Foreign companies’ future unclear. Foreign IT companies like Ericsson, IBM and Cisco have enjoyed early access to China’s market but their future is cloudy due to expected Chinese demand for reciprocity and government concerns about information security. There is no definitive threshold that could preclude foreign companies but the barriers will get higher with the rise of the big three telecoms and entities such as CASIC, Digital China and State Grid.

“Intelligent Navigation of China's Smart Cities” is part of the Lux China Innovation Intelligence service. For more information on how Lux Research can help your organization make strategic technology decisions, see www.luxresearchinc.com .

About Lux Research

Lux Research provides strategic advice and on-going intelligence for emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our clients. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.

SOURCE: Lux Research

Lux Research, Inc. Carole Jacques, 617-502-5314 carole.jacques@luxresearchinc.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

View the original article here

Cities Summit aims to grow business

Pakistan PM bemoans 'trust deficit' with US

Pakistan's prime minister said on Saturday there was "a trust deficit" between Islamabad and Washington as he criticised …

View the original article here

Saying "sí" to business opportunities - Twin Cities Planet

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Saying "sí" to business opportunities ShareCommentEmailPrintReprint rights By Lee Egerstrom, Minnesota 2020January 18, 2012

Manny and Vicky Gonzalez are reminded each day that it isn’t only Spanish speaking people who stop to purchase Mexican (“tortas”) sandwiches at their two restaurants in Minneapolis.

“A lot of Minnesotans have learned that there is more to Mexican food than tacos,” said Manny, who with his wife started Manny’s Tortas along Lake Street in 1999.

In the past century, long-time Minnesota families learned there was more to Italian cuisine than pizza, and that Chinese food is regional and far more complex than chow mein. Now, Minnesotans with newly acquired tastes for the Gonzalez’s Mexican sandwiches drive from throughout the Twin Cities metro area to their two shops in Minneapolis’ Mercado Central and Midtown Global Market.    

U.S. Census data from 2010, anecdotal evidence about immigrant entrepreneurship, and a recently released study from the Immigration Policy Center show Minnesota is rapidly changing. Days of sputtering along and resisting change should be behind us. New Minnesotans are changing the demographic portrait of the state and communities. New ethnic entrepreneurs are changing the mix of businesses and the products and services being offered in commerce.

Hector Garcia, executive director of the Chicano Latino Affairs Council (CLAC), refers to the benefits of this commerce as “cultural complementarities.” The long established Minnesota society learns from immigrants and refugees entering the state in search of opportunities, he said, and new arrivals learn from established businesses, groups and people.

What’s more, new Census data show that immigrants now comprise 8.3 percent of the Minnesota workforce. From them, Garcia said, existing Minnesota businesses and its large corporations gain knowledge for opening even more trade and business relationships with countries and businesses abroad, paving the way for even more economic activity.

The never-ending task for CLAC and other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and community leaders is to educate people to see new arrivals to the state and to business activity as “assets,” and not “liabilities” that need services, he said.

This year, 2012, is the next scheduled survey of business owners in America by the U.S. Census Bureau. Its findings should reveal explosive growth by ethnic entrepreneurs since the last survey in 2007.

Data on this growth is mostly anecdotal but was examined in a Minnesota 2020 November report. It showed the Hispanic/Latino community is reviving business activity in Willmar, Worthington and various other rural Minnesota communities, as are ethnic entrepreneurs throughout neighborhoods in the Twin Cities metro area.

Tom Webb, writing in Sunday's Pioneer Press, observed that the combined Hmong Village and Hmongtown Markeplace in St. Paul have more merchants and service providers on site than the Mall of America, for instance. Garcia said the 2012 survey of  business owners should provide similar information for Hispanic/Latino owners. The 2007 survey showed Latino-owned businesses had $1.6 billion in revenue and employed 5,970 people. Both figures are expected to swell in the coming study.

From anecdotal evidence, business startups from the ethnic communities are believed to be young and within the five-year range from the last business owner survey. That makes Manny’s Tortas, now entering its 13th year, a long established enterprise both by restaurant standards and by ethnic ownership experience.    

That baker’s dozen of years experience in Minneapolis gives Manny Gonzalez a perspective on how economic activity builds and how markets change. When the Gonzalez family first opened shop in Mercado Central (1515 East Lake Street), most of the customers were fellow Hispanics, he said. Now, the customer base is “a good mix of everyone who wants a good, different sandwich.”

This mix of customers spills over on Minnesota and Minneapolis economies. Manny and Vicky Gonzalez now employ 12 people.

Much of the Immigration Policy Center report for Minnesota is gathered from earlier government and academic studies referenced here before. New findings, however, include:

The 2010 purchasing power of the Latino community in Minnesota was pegged at $5.1 billion, a 909.5 percent increase since 1990, according to research by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia. The Asian community in Minnesota had purchasing power of $5.9 billion in 2010.Roughly one in 11 Minnesotans are Latino or Asian, the IPC center said. The Latino share of Minnesota’s population grew from 1.2 percent in 1990, to 2.9 percent in 2000, to 4.7 percent (249,587 people) in the 2010 Census. The Asian share of the population grew from 1.8 percent in 1990, to 2.9 percent in 2000, to 4.0 percent (212,423 people) in 2010.The IPC findings show the future for Minnesota is even brighter. It cited 2009 data where 86.3 percent of immigrant children in Minnesota are U.S. citizens, including 90.3 percent of Latino families’ children. And it showed 79.1 percent of all immigrant children were “English proficient” that year, including 84.8 percent of Latino children.

That strengthens Garcia’s argument that our new Minnesotans are assets, not liabilities. In basic business terminology, we must assure that our education system and our other institutions do not waste our assets.

Copyright:  © 2012 Minnesota 2020 Lee Egerstrom

Lee Egerstrom is an Economic Development Fellow at Minnesota 2020. 

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