Contact:
CATAAlliance
388 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1R 5B2
info@cata.ca
Note: The CATA Executive DashBoard helps keep members aware of CATA's business activities. Please circulate internally. You can also use our RSS News Feed, for instant updates as well as participate in CATA FaceBook for Business and CATAAlliance(Global) powered by Viadeo. We welcome your views and participation in advancing Canada's high tech business growth.
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1. Innovation Nation: Moving to Number One Ranking
Canada’s lack of innovation, a 14th place ranking or a D Grade in Innovation, among the 17 OECD nations, is leading to mediocre socio-economic performance compared to other developed countries (Conference Board of Canada)
"If Canada is to become an Innovation Nation, we've got to do a better job of supporting, growing and retaining our high tech companies and the people that power them." (Terry Matthews, Chair, March Networks, and CATA National Spokesperson)
In many ways CATA is a political party, the party of the Canadian high tech industry. Our Innovation Nation Campaign is built from policy planks which will ensure success for Canada in the global economy. These include:
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Executives interested in assisting CATA with its Innovation Nation Campaign and/or who have recommendations to add should contact CATA President John Reid at jreid@cata.ca or call
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A team of CATA members has provided the Minister of Finance and senior officials with options and recommendations for improvements. Specific topics and themes covered included:
Now available: On-line Consultations on Administrative Aspects of the SR&ED Tax Incentive Program, 2007 Consultation Report, includes the observations of more than 200 participants on what is working in the administration of the SR&ED program and what needs to be improved. In response to industry concerns, the Minister of Finance did commit in his Budget to "identify opportunities to improve the SR&ED program including its administration."
Please read our latest SR&ED Update and Observations and then watch CATAnet TV SR&ED interviews with Russ Roberts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDrQE9zwrJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Ekv3XqtDA
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Executives with an interest in participating in CATA's SR&ED Advocacy and/or have specific issues they would like raised, should contact Russ Roberts, CATA's Senior VP at info@cata.ca.
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3. Export Revenue & Supply Chain Opportunities
CATA is expanding the opportunities for Canadian companies overseas:
In addition to CATA's political work to support industry growth, we are matchmaking company/organization capabilities and interests to prospective customers, collaborators and suppliers.
These collaboration and partnership opportunities remain open for members:
-- Diversity Procurement Study and Portal Update: CATAAlliance in conjunction with the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Suppliers Council (CAMSC) are pleased to announce the launch of a national study called: Business Drive for Diversity. The study will seek to create a better understanding of aboriginal and minority businesses and their operating challenges; corporate Canada’s diversity policies and practices; and measure the need and anticipated services that could be offered through a Procurement Portal for Minority and Aboriginal Business Owners.
-- International Governing Council: CATA's new Panel of International Advisors guide matchmaking and collaboration programs designed to help members find and connect with global partners, investors and markets.
-- China: a Chinese telecom distributor/system integrator database is near completion, to be shared with businesses in the Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen areas towards promoting potential outsourcing, joint venture, co-development, supply arrangement, and other business partnerships.
-- Related to the above is the creation of a Chinese telecom distributor/system integrator database that will be shared with businesses in the Shanghai/Beijing/Shenzhen areas towards promoting potential outsourcing, joint venture, co-development, supply arrangement, and other business partnerships.
-- Japan: a multi-stage study of the Japanese market, conducted in collaboration with the University of Quebec is now completed and available to CATA members.
Watch for New Export and Collaboration Alerts in the areas of Advanced Security and Public Safety, Automotive, Health Care Services and Aerospace. You will be notified via email communiqué.
4. VendorACT Campaign on Procurement Reform and Supply Chains
Since 2005, CATAAlliance, has been directing a VendorACT Campaign to present ICT vendor issues and concerns on the government-wide review of procurement and shared services initiative. The Campaign has included survey and research work, meetings with vendors, briefings of government and political representatives, media relations and development of communications materials. We are also developing Supply Chain Portals to facilitate the procurement process.
CATA EVP, Barry Gander is leading follow up discussions with senior officials of PWGSC on various dimensions of the Way Forward procurement reform. Themes include:
We have completed a Survey on Professional Services Procurement, in order to obtain feedback from our Government of Canada (GoC) clients as a basis for provding public policy guidance. Results are now available under the title: "Government Bureaucrats Say Federal Procurement Programs Falling Short of Objectives" .
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Executives with an interest in participating in CATA's VendorACT campaign and thus gaining access to critical research and organizational networks should contact John Reid at jreid@cata.ca
CATA has accelerated its advanced security activities to educate organizations about security compliance requirements and standards; contribute to the development of public policy; and, encourage greater awareness of Canada's advanced technology leadership.
Part of the approach involves the mapping of key organizations and decision makers and the profiling of Canadian capabilities to customers, collaborators, suppliers and the trade press and media.
-- First Responder Survey and Research: CATAAlliance and the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) have completed another national study to gain greater insight into First Responder's technology, product and research challenges and needs. The study develops and fosters a solid understanding of the challenges addressing Canada's First Responders - the Nation's Police, Fire, Paramedic and Emergency Aid Organizations as they are called upon to deliver emergency response and emergency preparedness solutions.
Now Available:
-- Keeping Canadians Safe - A Technology, Research and Development, and Emergency Preparedness Situational Analysis of Canadian First Responders.
-- Canadian Security Technology Readiness Intelligence Report, designed to serve as a security benchmark tool in order to provide insight and guidance in current Canadian IT security practices and concerns. The project was initiated by CATA member, CMI, who commissioned the research.
-- Canadian Aviation Security: Twenty-two expert reports and briefings are now available from the 2008 Canadian Aviation Security Conference, a venue that provided aviation and security professionals and managers with the most up-to-date information, tools, trends, legislation and strategies for addressing today's security challenges.
-- Public Policy Consultations: CATA's guidance is based on a position paper entitled, "New National Security Measures Critical to Canada's Economic Growth - CATA calls for better public-private collaboration, analysis centres, compliance assistance and Security Auditor."
-- Vendor Outreach Forum: CATAAlliance, together with the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) are launching the pilot of a national series of Vendor Outreach Forum (VOF) consultations in Toronto on June 23-24. The Forum will bring Canadian ICT companies together with Canada’s First Responders in order to help shape the future direction of industry R&D efforts and help lay the foundation for a technology roadmap for First Responders.
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Executives with an interest in participating in CATA's Public Safety and Security Community and thus gaining access to critical research and organizational networks should contact John Reid at jreid@cata.ca
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6. Surveys and Research Reports, Gain Competitive Insights
Members can access original, timely and unique information that helps them to make more informed, fact-based decisions in order to optimize and grow their businesses.
Research Reports are now available on:
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If you are interested in more information about how CATA Research can assist your enterprise, please take a few minutes to review CATA Research Services and our Research Advantage and then contact Kevin Wennekes, VP Research, at kwennekes@cata.ca or by calling 613.769-8614.
7. Canada's First Mobile Content Industry Profile
Sponsored by Desjardins, and supported by well-known business analyst Graham Sibthorpe, the first-ever public study on the Canadian Mobile Content (MoCo) industry is now available. The research team was led by Canadian Telecom expert and CATA VP, Jean-Guy Rens, and focused on the current shift from voice to data and video services in the wireless industry.
Key questions addressed included:
The Study also identifies stakeholders in order to produce an index of both content creators and application developers for the purposes of promoting export, investment, partnerships and media awareness.
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Executives with an interest in receiving the Mobile Content Research Report should contact jreid@cata.ca . Integral to this work our recommendations for public policy changes to support the sector.
8. Business Services, Save Money and Add Value
-- Group Employee Benefits Insurance: The combined purchasing power of the CATAAlliance allows us to negotiate Group plans and preferred prices for a wide variety of products and services.
CATAAlliance Group Insurance Services Division recently announced the addition of Industrial Alliance as one of the providers of all Group Insurance Benefits for CATA members. Industrial Alliance has over 1.5 million clients and is one of the 100 largest public companies in Canada. We also offer a Special Plan for companies under 25 employees.
-- Salary Survey: CATAAlliance has teamed with IT World Canada and CareerDoor Inc. to provide the new 2007 IT Salary Survey and Hiring Manager’s Guide to Canada’s high-tech companies. The second annual Salary Survey is the only all-Canadian compensation survey exclusive to the IT profession completed by IT professionals and their hiring managers.
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If you are considering a Group Employee Benefits Plan for your company, or if you currently have a Group Employee Benefits Plan, we will develop and/or review your program and provide a complete proposal. And, if you require compensation information to attract and retain talent, please contact CATAAlliance President John Reid at jreid@cata.ca to confirm your interest.
9. Innovation Awards Gala 2008
For two decades, the CATAAlliance has been celebrating the best in Canadian advanced technology. Our June 10, 2008 Gala was a stunning success, helping to reinforce the Innovation Nation Platform. Read about the Award Winners, Canada's Innovation all-stars.
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10. CATA WIT (Women in Technology) Forum
The CATA WIT Forum helps women entrepreneurs advance their careers through mentoring, professional development, networking and advocacy. Our reach is now 3000 women executives, comprising members and future members of the CATA WIT Forum Chapters.
-- Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver WIT Forum Chapters: CATA WIT Forum chapters in both Calgary and Vancouver are now being launched, adding to the recent opening of the Montreal Chapter. Companies and individuals interested in participating in the development and leadership of these chapters are welcome.
-- Read about the 2008 Sara Kirke Award Winners for Women in High Tech
Read CATAWIT e-news for your more updates.
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Companies/organizations interested in playing a lead role in the evolution of WIT should contact Joanne Stanley at jstanley@cata.ca
The Canadian Association of Internet Providers (CAIP) and CATA have combined to expand the industry's Telecom and independent ISP voice.
-- CAIP Legislative Alert (Traffic Shaping): A recent decision to quietly restrict the amount of file-sharing traffic (i.e., traffic shaping or throttling) flowing through internet networks during peak times has ignited a fierce debate over the level of competition permitted in the industry and the number of options available to internet users seeking speedy service. Read more.
12. Product Showcase, new Canadian Internet Database
Leading telecom market research and analyst firm Maravedis has introduced its new Canadian Internet Database, called CID. In addition to providing information on Canadian Internet penetration rates by year, region and technology, CID offers the unique capability to access precise information classified by Postal Code, a first in the industry. Of particular interest to Internet Service Providers (ISP) looking to enhance revenues, improve customer loyalty, identify new prospective clients, create new customized service offerings and increase addressable market.
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Contact Cathi Malette at cmalette@cata.ca for information on obtaining the new Canadian Internet Database and to receive preferred member pricing. CATA regularly showcases members' products and services to prospective buyers. For more information, on how your company can participate, please contact us directly.
-- CATAAlliance, together with the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) are launching the pilot of a national series of Vendor Outreach Forum (VOF) consultations in Toronto on October 10-11, 2008.
-- bi monthly Alumni Breakfast series, in partnership with the University of Ottawa, Telfer School of business.
-- a 2008 Executive Roundtable series, in partnership with the Access Group, our next event addresses the theme of "Green IT".
++ Action Item: Please check the CATA@Canada Events Section (upper right corner) of the CATA web site for the latest updates.
14. Board of Governors, Expanded Mandate
CATA's new Governing Council and International Council is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and rich expertise in Canada's advanced technology community. Their individual and collective leadership experience and knowledge support CATA's mission through acting as Champions of specific topics, such as, Supply Chain management, Procurement legislation, AceTech, Outsourcing, Talent and Education, SR&ED Tax Credits and International Market development.
The Governing Council also serves as a National Speakers Bureau and Mentorship Network with a two fold goal of strengthening enterprise leadership and advancing CATA's Advocacy platforms through high profile venues.
15. A Special Welcome to New Members
We are asking you to demonstrate your interest and corporate leadership by getting involved with CATAAlliance and its mission to promote the growth of advanced technology industries. Many of you are members and we thank you for your support. But, if you have not yet made the commitment, please join with your peers and increase membership support and corporate involvement. Be counted as one of our leaders.
These companies have recently joined CATAAlliance to be able to reap the benefits quickly, simply and first-in-line: Adecco Employment Services Limited, Adlib Software, Allan Vanguard Corporation, AmikaNow! Corporation, Amon International Consulting Ltd., Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc., AR Challenges Ltd, AirRoamer Inc., Aithent Technologies, BC Institute of Technology, bitHeads, Canada-Arab Business Council, the Canadian Red Cross, CAPRA International Inc., Casero, Celestica, Corporate Mentoring Services Inc., Ciel Satellite Group, CSS Inc., Ceridian, Channel Management International, Comcast, Comprehendex Corporation, Curtiss Wright Controls Inc., Epic Information Solutions, Fire Monitoring Technologies International Inc., Foreman Consulting, Flintbox, GS1, Gentec, GlobalTox International, France Telecom, HaiVision Systems Inc., IBM Canada, IDC, INSA Integrated Network Security Alliance, IT/Net Consultants Inc., JADE, Raytheon JPS Communications, Kanotech Micro, Kinetrics, Liquid Computing, Maravedis, Medical Intelligence Technologies Inc., Medshare Inc., Motorola, neuroLanguage Corporation, Northern Communications, North Carolina Canadian Office, PAPRICAN, Pathway Group, Partnering and Procurement Inc., Plasco Energy Group, Progrid, Ross Video, Salient, SAB Corporation, Sierra Atlantic Inc., SAS Institute Inc., Sierra Systems, Siemens Business Services, Sophos Inc., Stantec, Stakeholder Relations Division, SR&ED Directorate, Spetgang & Associates, CRA, Summit Insight, Telco Link Inc, T-Stop Vehicle Protection Inc., Trade Merit Corp., Ubiquity Software Corporation, US Army International Technology Centre, U.K. Trade & Investment, Wi-LAN Inc., Workopolis, Versature Corporation, Versa Systems, YCS.