Strategy in TECH...
Although many analysts criticize slowing innovation at industry powerhouse Apple, Inc., final results for global smartphone shipments shows Apple with four of the top five models. Not bad for a technology slacker!
Network systems provider Access Networks announced this week that it has hired Roy Beiser, a former Intel executive, as its first ever Director of IT. But even more than that, Beiser, who is said to be highly credentialed in network technologies and cyber security issues, will assist in helping Access Networks to establish “the highest IT and cyber security standards for the company’s base of integration professionals and their clients.”
New research that came out at the end of last year shows that most small businesses are turning to social media as their top marketing tactic. This relatively new form of marketing has seen its adoption soar recently, but this is the first time we’ve seen it ranked as the top choice of small businesses.
Delaware District Judge Richard G. Andrews has delivered a decision that is sure to be a blow against D&M Holdings’ defense in its now long-running patent infringement dispute with Sonos, originally filed in October 2014. Judge Andrews has denied a motion by D&M to invalidate four key Sonos patents at the heart of their dispute and a key part of Sonos’ claim that D&M’s HEOS products infringe upon these and other patents.
Specialty audio and automotive electronics supplier AudioControl announced this week that it has selected Rich Jackson in Northern California as its Rep of the Year for their home products category. For AudioControl, Rep of the Year means that “independent sales organization that has delivered outstanding overall performance, dedication to the AudioControl brand and exceptional service” in their region.
Middle Atlantic Products announced today that CEDIA selected it as part of a group of industry products for a unique theater project at the Portland International Airport. A joint effort by Hollywood Theater, a nonprofit group in Portland, CEDIA, the integration industry’s leading trade association, and Portland’s PDX Art program (Portland International Airports designation is PDX), this unique art project opened in late February.
In yet another clear sign that the era of the gadget is over, once prodigious gadget-seller Radio Shack files for bankruptcy on Wednesday…again. This is the second bankruptcy filing for the company in just two years. A strategy of partnering with Sprint didn’t produce the revenue the new owner’s anticipated and this second filing was unavoidable. So what happens now?
Bloomberg News is reporting that, after a long wait, Google Alphabet’s Nest division is finally preparing to launch multiple new models. Nest, which is seeking to become a dominant player in the connected home space, has laid relatively dormant in the wake of the tumultuous exit of founder Tony Fadell. Now, Bloomberg tells us, things will begin to heat up with new models to expand the product segments in which the company participates.
Melrose Industries PLC, an engineering turnaround company that recently acquired Nortek, Inc. (parent company of Core Brands) announced last week that it sees margins improving at Nortek already, even though it only acquired the company just last year. Not only that, but thanks to adding Nortek to its stable of investments, Melrose has seen its revenues triple – driving its stock to a record high.
B. Riley & Co., a full service investment bank, announced the closing of a series of refinancing transactions that have completely restructured the outstanding significant debt of Gibson Brands, Inc. Gibson, as we have reported on regularly, entered the consumer electronics space back in 2012, investing in brands such as Onkyo/Integra, Teac, and buying Philips accessory business. Recently, the company appeared to be running into debt difficulties, perhaps from taking on debt to purchase these companies.
