Tuesday, October 28, 2008Epicor Spurns Buyout Offer, AgainIrvine-based software maker Epicor has spurned a buyout offer from Elliott Associates LP, saying that the $9.50 per share offer for the firm was "not in the best interests of Epicor and its stockholders." The rejection--the second announced by Epicor's board--came after Elliott Associates said it would approach shareholders directly with the deal. Among reasons for the rejection named by Epicor were the number of conditions in the offer, timing of the offer, the firm's current stock price and i (More info...)
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Yammer Adds Groups FunctionalityLos Angeles-based Yammer, the corporate focused instant messaging service spun out of Geni.com, said today that the firm is updating its service and adding a new groups feature. According to Yammer, its new Groups feature allows messages and members on the site to be managed around specific groups within companies. The new feature allows companies using the firm's service to subdivide members into specific groups, rather than to an entire company. Yammer launched to much fanfare in September at (More info...)
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Internet Brands Buys Two Web Sites, Looks To Future AcquisitionsLos Angeles-based Internet Brands disclosed Tuesday as part of its earnings report that the firm has purchased two web sites, BensBargains.net, and GrooveJob.com. Financial terms of those buys were not disclosed, however Internet Brands said it spend $10.7M on the buy of four companies during Q3. The firm also said it has acquired another unnamed site, which was completed subsequent to Q3. BensBargains.net is a discount and coupon shopping site, and becomes part of the firm's Shopping vertical; (More info...)
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Boingo Wireless Expands In IndiaLos Angeles-based Wi-Fi network operator Boingo Wireless said Tuesday that the firm has expanded its network in India. According to Boingo, it has linked up with Tata Communications to add over 500 new hotspots in restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and airports throughout India. Boingo Wireless provides access to a network of various Wi-Fi network providers throughout the world, using its own login software to provide unified billing and access to those networks. The firm says it now has access t (More info...)
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Access 360 Media Gets $8MVenice Beach-based Access 360 Media, which operates an out-of-home advertising network, said today that it has raised $8M in a Series B funding round. The round was led by Mission Ventures, and also included Bessemer Venture Partners. Access 360 media operates a content-based network of programming for physical retailers, focused on the youth market. According to Access 360, the new funding will go towards accelerating company growth. The firm has partnerships with such firms as Macy's, Sony, Un (More info...)
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RealD Installs In JapanBeverly Hills-based RealD, which provides technology for projecting 3D movies, has installed a system in Japan. According to Japanese post-production service provider Q-tec, it installed the first RealD system in Japan. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. According to Q-tec, the system will begin full scale operation in November. The firm "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D" was just released into the Japanese market this week. Q-tec claimed that the install was the first domestic (More info...)
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Broadcom Completes AMD Digital TV BuyIrvine-based Broadcom has completed its acquisition of AMD's digital TV business, the firm announced this morning. According to Broadcom, it paid $141.5M in cash for AMD's DTV business--a drop from the previously announced purchase price of $192.8M. Broadcom said the drop in the price was due to a decreased amount of fourth quarter revenue, between $15M and $20M. Broadcom had said it would buy AMD's DTV business on August 25th. AMD's digital TV business provides processors for everything from se (More info...)
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inQ Becomes TouchCommerceAgoura Hills-based inQ, a provider of outsourced web sales services, has renamed itself TouchCommerce, the firm said today. inQ did not detail reasons for the name change. inQ offers web chat services for e-commerce web sites, which helps to close online sales and guide users to select and find products. The firm has previously raised funding from Dolphin Equity, Emergence Capital Partners, Hudson Ventures, Partech International, and Vertrue.
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U.S. Auto Parts Buys AutoMD.comCarson, California-based U.S. Auto Parts, a online retailer of aftermarket auto parts and accessories, announced today that it has acquired the assets of AutoMD.com, an online auto diagnosis and repair web site. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to U.S. Auto Parts, AutoMD.com helps customers understand what is ailing their vehicles and guides them to solutions to those problems. AutoMD is based in San Jose. U.S. Auto Parts said it will enhance the AutoMD.com site a (More info...)
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Networkcar Renames Itself To NetworkfleetSan Diego-based Networkcar, a provider of automotive products used to monitor auto fleets, said this morning that it has renamed itself to Networkfleet. According to the firm, the name change and new brand reflects the firm's "sole focus" on commercial and government fleets. Networkfleet is a subsidiary of Hughes Telematics. The firm makes systems which are used to remotely monitor engine diagnostics and other vehicle information via wireless links. Networkfleet also said it has moved to a new, (More info...)
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Smith Micro Gets Win With DellAliso Viejo-based Smith Micro Software has scored an agreement with Dell, to include the firm's Universal Connection Manager application in a line of Dell notebooks. According to Smith Micro, Dell is using the software--used to manage 3G/4g mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Dialup, and Ethernet connections--within Dell's new Dell ControlPoint software. Financial impact of the OEM win was not disclosed. Smith Micro is a developer of a range of communications software licensed by OEMs or availab (More info...)
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Astute Networks Adds Board MemberSan Diego-based blade storage manufacturer Astute Networks said Monday that it has added John C. Shoemaker to the firm's board of directors. Shoemaker is currently chairman of the board of SonicWALL, and serves on the boards of Altera and Extreme Networks. Shoemaker has previously served at Sun Microsystems, where he was EVP Computer Systems until 2004, when he retired. Shoemaker also has served at Xerox. Asute Networks develops blade storage and is backed by Tallwood Venture Capital, Sevin Rose (More info...)
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