Finalists Named for 2005 Technology Innovation Awards

Finalists Named for 2005 Technology Innovation AwardsTwenty-four companies and not-for-profit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties have been nominated for the 2005 Technology Innovation Awards, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Business Review and 82 Degrees.In its fourth year, the awards event celebrates Sarasota and Manatee leaders in cutting-edge technology, highlighting achievers who create or apply technology to a business or not-for-profit venture in a way that changes an industry, creates greater profits or efficiencies or improves quality of life in a meaningful way.This year's event attracted 24 nominees, ranging from a large multistate telecom company (TelCove), to not-for-profits (three entries from Mote Marine Laboratory) to a one-man startup (P3P). Each of the nominees submitted detailed entries to a panel of judges, who included: Dan Miller, a principal of Startup Florida and a board member of 82Degrees Tech; Matt Walsh, editor and publisher of the Gulf Coast Business Review; Jonathan Fleece, attorney and principal at Blalock Walters, Held & Johnson; and John Wagner, a partner at the Sarasota law firm of Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen.Sponsors for this year's awards and breakfast include: the Gulf Coast Business Review and 82 Degrees Tech (presenting sponsors); Sarasota County Government (Champion of Progress sponsor); and DOS Computer Center, Anexio Inc., Startup Florida, WilliamsParker Harrison Dietz & Getzen, Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (Technology Showcase sponsors).The 2004 winner was Florikan E.S.A., and the 2003 winner was Biolife LLC.The finalists for the 2005 Technology Innovation Awards are, in alphabetical order:• Comdial, Sarasota - Comdial, a developer of VoIP enterprise communication systems to small to medium enterprises, has developed VoIP small-office communication systems consisting of a server and two client options. The small-office system includes the CONVERSip MP1000 Media Platform, EP200 Multimedia Endpoint and EP300 Voicew Endpoint systems. The system provides full multimedia supports - voice, video, text messaging) for local or remote workers with its EP200 soft phone. • Guardian Solutions, Bradenton - Guardian, which develops video surveillance software, has developed intelligent video surveillance for perimeter and buffer protection called GuardianWatch. The software protects and secures critical and strategic infrastructure assets by establishing and monitoring land and water-based buffer zones. • MadahCom, Sarasota - MadahCom, which provides digital wireless communications, manufacturers a mass notification/public warning system called WAVES (Wireless Audio Visual Emergency System). WAVES notifies U.S. military troops of "special situation insurgent attacks." The company specifically created a product for the U.S. Army that helps save soldiers' lives in the Middle East by warning them within seconds of insurgent attacks.• Med X Change Inc., Bradenton - Med X Change, a manufacturer of digital-recording systems for hospitals, surgery centers, sexual assault centers and forensics, has developed a digital recording system and a digital recording system with Web casting. The systems enable surgeons to records a surgery and edit it for a presentation for continual educational purposes. The systems alleviate the need for costly video staff, saving a hospital manpower and valuable time. • Medical Education Technologies Inc., Sarasota - Medical Education Technologies Inc., a developer of learning and education tools for the medical field, has developed a complete line of human patient simulators and surgical simulators that allow students and practitioners to practice without harming real patients. METI's goal is to improve patient safety and ultimately save more lives.• One to One Gulfcoast, Venice - One to One Variable provides fully variable, direct marketing, specifically to dramatically increate the fund-raising effectiveness of non-profit organizations. Its innovation not only increases the amount of funds raised but also increases the levels of donor participation, reduced the cost-per-response rates and increases the year-over-year giving rates by an average of 45% for its clients.• Rx Trocar Ltd., Punta Gorda -The company, which provides research and development of intellectual property for the medical-device industry, has developed a drug delivery system called RxTrocar. The innovation is used in the field of laparoscopic surgery and uses body access devices known as trocars. The innovation eliminates the risk of a needle stick as a result of traditional port site injections. The system is designed to reduce the patient's pain, thus saving money and time in the recovery room of a hospital.• Shepherd Systems, Bradenton - Shepherd Systems, a Web-based intelligence provider to the travel industry, has developed a product called Clarity. It is an integrated package of travel data and analytical tools that is delivered in an Application Services Provider model over the Internet. The product has enabled smaller airlines to access data and analytical tools that previously were only available to the major global airlines.• Telesis Technology Corp., Palmetto - Telesis, a federal aerospace and defense contractor, manufactures military diodes, rectifiers, semiconductors, transistors and integrated circuits. The innovation simplifies power-management solutions, communication ease and saves board space by minimizing the space required. The technology is used in military avionics systems, communication device, radar, consumer electronics and cell phones.• Vox2Data Inc., Sarasota - Vox2Data, a provider of voice-enabled electronic health software, has created a software system called Vox2Data Enterprise Edition. The voice-activated system allows physicians, clinics and hospitals to deliver electronic patient records in "real-time" instead of having to wait days or even weeks for the records to come back from the transcriptionist.Other nominees:• Beeman Holdings, Sarasota • Carbiz Inc., Sarasota • Chameleon Systems, Bradenton • DayStar Communications, Port Charlotte • DNAPrint Genomics Inc., Sarasota • Global Wireless Solutions and Technologies, Bradenton • Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota• Mote Aquaculture Park, Sarasota • P3P Tools Inc., Sarasota • Retrieval Dynamics Corp., Sarasota • Synergy Marketing LLC, Bradenton • Tansa Systems LLC, Bradenton• TelCove, Bradenton • WhiteSand Communications, Sarasota - David WexlerTO ATTENDIf you wish to attend the 2005 Technology Innovation Awards breakfast:Time and Date: 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28Place: Michael's On East. Cost: $30 per person or $200 for a table of eightWho attends: Technologists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, government officials and policymakers.Reservations: Call 228-9083 or e-mail events@review net. The deadline to RSVP is Oct. 24.