If you're planning to order a Gateway computer, maybe you should have your AAA card handy because Gateway is going to start offering American Automobile Association members a 10% discount on a range of Gateway business and consumer PCs, plus a 25% discount on Gateway educational products, which are online and CD-ROM-based classes. It will also offer AAA members discounts on electronics such as plasma televisions and digital cameras. Gateway reported that it is the first PC maker to join the association's Show Your Card and Save program, which provides members with discounts on goods and services on a national level.

Internet service provider America Online plans to make an aggressive advertising play during this year's Super Bowl to hold on to its core dial-up subscriber base by using the venue to promote a new service called TopSpeed, which accelerates the pace of moving through the Web, as well as a spruced-up brand image. Advertising experts say no other televised event can compete with the Super Bowl for driving home a marketing message to the widest possible audience. In 2003, the company jumped into the Super Bowl ad battle, where advertisers trot out some of their agencies' best creative work, at the last minute with a hastily composed 15-second spot and a replay of the game's commercials on its Internet site. This year, AOL will debut three new commercials during the game, where 30-second spots have commanded an average of $2.3 million apiece. AOL will also sponsor the Super Bowl's half-time show and keep viewers plugged in to its Internet site with special game-related entertainment, including footage of posh celebrity parties. AOL.com will replay the commercials after the game and allow people to vote for their favorite ads.

Health insurer WellPoint announced a $40 million program to equip doctors with handheld computers and PCs. The program, a partnership with Microsoft, Dell and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, will be offered to 19,000 physicians in WellPoint's regional network. Doctors will have the choice of a wireless handheld based on Microsoft's PocketPC software and outfitted with special software and services for electronic submission of prescription orders, or a Dell PC and printer combo to help with processing claims and using Internet resources.

CinemaNow, an online movie rental company, is launching a service that lets people buy permanent downloads of Hollywood films for a PC. As part of a Web site overhaul, the company added several features to its digital movie service for PCs, introducing a download-to-own feature which lets people buy and download a permanent copy of a film for unlimited playback. Customers can also choose to subscribe to a monthly service or watch movies on a pay-per-view basis. One hurdle the company faces is that people are accustomed to watching feature films on a big screen--not on a PC display. The company's new download capabilities for broadband customers allows people to begin watching a newly rented movie within 30 seconds of the start of the download and also lets people view films when they're not connected to the Internet.

E-COMMERCE RELATED EVENTS AND INFORMATION

The following are links to upcoming seminars and other events that our readers might have an interest in and/or other information related to e-commerce.

NETCOMM SOLUTIONS, INC., Friday, JANUARY 16, 2004

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

MARLA EARLEY ( MARLAE@NETCOMM.CC | (717) 791-5275 ext.134)

NetComm Solutions, Inc. would like to announce the addition of Paul Roos as the Director of Business Development.

Mark Wilson, President & CEO of NetComm Solutions, Inc., expressed his enthusiasm by stating, “[t]he numerous relationships Paul has developed in the mid-state business community, along with his experience, energy, and presence, will help elevate NCSI to the next level.”

Paul Roos' technology specific career encompasses over 20 years of diverse experience in commercial, government, and civic sector work. Paul has held a variety of positions including his selection by Governor Schweiker's administration to serve as the Executive Director for the Office of PA Open for Business. From 1998 to 2001 Paul was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania. Roos has also worked in a range of senior technical positions, managing information systems for Keystone Health Plan Central, as well as participating in a 5 year engagement working abroad in Rota , Spain as a technology consultant for the United States Military, providing intelligence support for Operation Desert Storm.

Paul is currently the Chair of the Information Technology Board of Advisors at Pennsylvania State University 's Harrisburg campus. He also participates on the Board of Advisors for Schoffstall Ventures, the Harrisburg Young Professionals, and PA CommNet. A United States Navy veteran, Roos is a graduate of the University of Maryland .

NetComm Solutions, Inc. is a regional systems integrator. NetComm Solutions, Inc. provides comprehensive business solutions based on upon the latest information technology available. Our certified technical professionals provide consulting on the latest infrastructure and operating system technologies. Our business consultants analyze a client's current business practices and provide recommendations on how to leverage information technology to improve their processes.

For more information regarding NetComm Solutions, Inc. services, please contact NCSI Sales Consultant at (717) 791-5275 or info@netcomm.cc . Please feel free to visit our web site at www.netcomm.cc . Thank you for your interest in NetComm Solutions, Inc.

PROCUREMENT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a listing of recently published technology procurement or Federally funded opportunities with various governmental entities. We hope our readers take the opportunity to investigate these postings and increase their business :

USAF - Air Force Materiel Command
AFRL - PL "Directed Energy Directorate"
A -- Laser Development, Engineering, and Research Applications (LADERA) Synopsis, Solicitation 01
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLDED/BAA03%2DDE%2D06/listing.html

USAF - Air Force Materiel Command
AFRL - PL "Directed Energy Directorate"
A -- Laser Communications (LASERCOM)
Solicitation 01, Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLDED/BAA04%2DDE%2D02/listing.html

HHS - Program Support Center
Division of Acquisition Management
D -- Substance Abuse Web-Based Group Services
Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/HHS/PSC/DAM/Reference%2DNumber
%2DHHSFOHSUBSTANCEABUSE2004/listing.html

DISA - Acquisition Directorate
DITCO-Scott
D -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - POINT OF SALE SERVICES
Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/DISA/D4AD/DITCO/Reference%2DNumber
%2DDECAPOS01/listing.html

USA - Defense Contracting Command-Washington
Defense Contracting Command-Washington
R--Optimizing the U.S. Army Marketing Strategy Process Marketing Research Director Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/DSS%2DW/DASW01/W74V8H
%2D04%2DR%2D0420/listing.html

Source: www.eps.gov

Commonwealth of PA – IT Hardware Maintenance. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on 01/28/04 at 9:00 AM. PROPOSAL RESPONSE DATE: 02/11/04 @ 2:00 PM General Services Contact: Jack Banks, (717) 787-6586 , jbanks@state.pa.us
source: www.dgs.state.pa.us

The DARPA Advanced Technology Office also is soliciting proposals for research, development, design and testing to support its Radio Frequency Guided Munitions program. This program seeks to develop enabling technologies for guided munitions capable of homing on enemy RF wireless communications . Approximately $14 million is expected to be available over 18 months, or two phases, for 1-3 awards. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the government's needs may submit proposals, which are due March 1, 2004, for the first round of funding. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA04%2D06/listing.html

NASA is soliciting comments on requirements established for a space-qualified Single Board Computer . The goal is to gather information for a subsequent solicitation that will seek to improve NASA's knowledge of industry's capabilities in the area of commercially available space-qualified single board computers. NASA invites potential offerors to submit information that will be used to determine eligibility to be participants in one-on-one discussions. Interested firms are requested to submit capability statements by Jan. 28, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/NASA/GSFC/OPDC20220/RFI%2DSDO%2DGFH%2D001/listing.html

NSF invites applications for funding to support fundamental research in mathematics and statistics and the integration of mathematical and statistical research across the full range of science and engineering disciplines. Initial investments will focus primarily on three scientific themes: (1) mathematical and statistical challenges posed by large data sets, (2) managing and modeling uncertainty, and (3) modeling complex nonlinear systems. Approximately $18.67 million is expected to be available in FY 2004 to fund 70-80 awards in two categories. Funding for two additional categories is anticipated. The categories of proposers identified in the Grant Proposal Guide are eligible to submit proposals, which are due April 7, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf04538

Source: www.ssti.org