BOSTON - A new IDC study has revealed that among small to medium-sized businesses, concern about the economy outweighs interest in potentially innovative new technologies and "green" initiatives. The far-reaching survey, entitled "Taking the Temperatures of SMBs Worldwide: Regional Attitudes and Technology Interests, Mid-Year 2008," assessed the current level of interest or concern in five
TRAVERSE CITY - Despite sharply declining industry sales in North America, TI Automotive plans to achieve an annual growth rate of 15 percent or more globally over the next several years, the company's CEO said Thursday at Automotive Research's Management Briefing Seminars. Bill Kozyra, the company�??s new chairman and CEO, said auto suppliers need to
ANN ARBOR - Fry Inc., one of Michigan's leading eCommerce solutions providers, has been acquired by Micros Systems Inc. for $31 million. Founder David Fry will remain as president of Fry, which was folded into the Micros-Retail group. David Fry and other Fry shareholders are eligible for an additional $17 million if the company hits
SOUTHFIELD - Lower industry volumes and the massive decline in truck and SUV sales have put as many as one-third of automotive suppliers in North America at risk of bankruptcy, according to the Summer 2008 Automotive Industry Review prepared by Grant Thornton Corporate Advisory and Restructuring Services. At the same time, bankruptcy concerns for the
BATTLE CREEK - Food maker Kellogg Co. said Monday that John Bryant, chief financial officer and president of the company's North American division, has been promoted to chief operating officer. Bryant will also continue as CFO. Chief Executive David Mackay was the last to hold the COO post. He left the position to become CEO
CUPERTINO, Ca. - A financial analyst contends Apple's iPhone 3G reception issues may be the result of some faulty chips. Richard Windsor of Nomura published a research note (spotted at GigaOm) Tuesday singling out the iPhone 3G's chipset, made by Infineon, as the probable culprit for the reception problems, CNET News.Com reported. The dropped calls,
LANSING - The Michigan House has canceled plans to meet for session Wednesday, following news the Senate had nixed its meeting because no agreement has been reached on the energy package. The House is scheduled to convene on August 20 while the Senate is set to meet next on August 27. However, Senate officials expect
LANSING - While Governor Jennifer Granholm and others have publicly said they hope the Legislature can vote on an agreement on developing energy from renewal sources and reforming utility regulations when it returns this week, it appears such an agreement is unlikely at this time. Meetings have been ongoing between lawmakers and interest groups trying
LANSING - The group opposing the embryonic stem cell research ballot question in Michigan will not be challenging signatures as the deadline approaches, a spokesperson said during a Monday meeting introducing the opposition group's co-chairs. Instead, opponents will focus their efforts to convince voters to oppose the proposal. Dave Doyle, speaking for Michigan Citizens Against
CUPERTINO, Ca. - After his third iPhone 3G continued to cut him off in the middle of his conversations, Ryan Shaw had seen enough. "The phone was a disappointment from the standpoint that it couldn't maintain a consistent connection with the 3G network...All the other features were fantastic," Shaw, a sales professional living in a