Atmel Corporation (NASDAQ: ATML), a global leader in microcontroller (MCU) and touch solutions, will debut two new Power-line Communication (G3- PLC) solutions compliant with the G3-PLC specification at the European Utility Week 2014 to be held November 4-6 in Amsterdam.

The new Atmel^® G3-PLC products include the SAM4CP16C System-on-Chip (SoC) and ATPL250A modem that are pin-compatible with PRIME-compliant members of the Atmel | SMART portfolio of energy metering solutions already in production. The SoC option is similar to the rest of the SAM4Cx products built around a dual-core 32-bit ARM^® Cortex^®-M4 architecture with advanced security, metrology and wireless and power-line communications (PLC) options. This unique and highly flexible platform addresses OEM’s requirements for flexible system partitioning, lower bill of materials (BOM) and improved time-to-market.  

“Utilities worldwide require OEMs to meet very high reliability standards at aggressive cost points for smart meters which embed advanced feature sets in connectivity, security and flexibility,” said Colin Barnden, principal analyst, Semicast Research. “Additionally, smart meters to be deployed in several countries are required to be certified for compliance with the latest specifications including G3-PLC, PRIME and IEEE 802.15.4g. Atmel’s smart metering solutions now meet the required criteria for emerging standards based smart metering deployments from a reliability, performance, interoperability and cost perspective.”

The new products address the European (CENELEC), American (FCC) and Japanese (ARIB) profiles defined by the G3-PLC Alliance.  Atmel is an active participant in the G3-PLC Alliance certification program and expects full CENELEC certification this November followed by FCC and ARIB band certifications in the coming months.

A distinguishing feature of the ATPL250A and SAM4CP16C is an integrated Class-D line driver, which provides outstanding signal injection efficiency and improved thermal characteristics compared to competing technologies. This will help eliminate reliability issues encountered in the field as a result of thermal overheating. Additionally, common architecture, software environment and tools ensure that our customers’ R&D investments can be shared and re-utilized over multiple projects which address various connectivity standards.

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CULS) have developed new mobile apps that will enhance the campus experience by empowering students to better manage personal finances and providing access to campus services — from cafeteria menus to upcoming lectures.

CULS is the third largest university in Prague with more than 25,000 international students. With millennials increasingly incorporatingmobile devices into nearly every aspect of their lives, the University viewed mobile as a valuable opportunity to engage around everyday campus activities, and evolve it to a primary communications channel between teachers, administrators and students.

CULS selected the IBM MobileFirst Platform to develop and deploy the “My CZU” platform and initial apps in just three months. These apps were developed by a team of millennial developers from IBM who designed for specific student habits and user expectations.

“We have a large, diverse student population, and mobile is the best, most efficient channel to communicate directly with our international students and staff,” said Petr Dvorak, CIO, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. “The collaboration with IBM enabled us to quickly execute on our mobile strategy and create a rewarding user experience, while also developing a longer term plan that will map to the evolving communications needs of our students.”

Currently, My CZU apps help students have greater control over their budgets and spending, and provide access to food services information such as viewing menus from various campus cafeterias and snack bars. The CULS financial app enables students to receive notifications about low cash balances on their campus debit card, view a list of transactions, set spending limits and compare spending to the University average. Students can also lock their account from their smartphone if their card is lost or stolen.

“Universities around the world are looking to technologies like mobile and social to transform how they interact with students and provide access to new services, like distance learning, that improve the experience of and outcomes for their students,” said Michael King, vice president, Global Education Industry at IBM. “Mobile in particular can create a rewarding user experience and provide students with instant access to the campus resources and services they rely on most.”

Future apps on the My CZU platform will include access to the CULS course catalog, campus maps and details on upcoming lectures and events, as well as connection to social media.

Today at European Utility Week 2014, Atmel Corporation (NASDAQ: ATML), a global leader in microcontroller (MCU) and touch solutions, announced a new family of wireless transceivers. Atmel’s AT86RF215, the first sampling device, is the industry’s first dual-band sub-1GHz / 2.4GHz transceiver compliant to IEEE 802.15.4g-2012 and ETSI TS 102 887-1. Expanding the Atmel^® | SMART metering portfolio, the new devices include the AT86RF215M, a single band sub-1GHz transceiver, and the AT86RF215IQ, a dual-band I/Q radio. All three devices deliver an output power of up to 14dBm. With receiver sensitivities down to -123dBm, an outstanding link budget of 137dB can be achieved.

The AT86RF215 offers superior flexibility by supporting a variety of data rates with three modulation schemes: multi-rate and multi-regional frequency shift keying (MR-FSK), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MR-OFDM), as well as offset quadrature phase-shift keying (MR-O-QPSK). This includes the physical layer used for ZigBee^® PRO and ZigBee IP. Simultaneous operation at sub-1GHz and 2.4GHz enables new capabilities and the right cost structure in smart metering, smart lighting, home energy gateways and other industrial and automation equipment.

“We are excited to see the widespread adoption of standards-based connectivity solutions for the utility industry worldwide,” said Kourosh Boutorabi, sr. director of smart energy products, Atmel Corporation. “Expanding our portfolio of smart metering solutions to include new wireless transceivers reinforces our commitment to serve this growing market. We are continuing to deliver new platform solutions for the smart energy market, including powerline carrier connectivity and industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of metering system-on-chip solutions.”

NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: NSSC), one of the world’s leading solutions providers and manufacturers of high-technology electronic intrusion security, connected home, video and fire systems, as well as enterprise-class access control and door locking products, announced today that Craig Szmania will be joining NAPCO’s Intrusion, Fire & Life Safety Division as the Vice President of Sales. Szmania will be responsible for supporting existing dealer relationships, managing new customer acquisition efforts, driving demand for iBridge connected home technology, and reinforcing NAPCO’s leading position in residential and commercial intrusion and fire products.

Reporting to Jorge Hevia, SVP of Sales and Marketing, Szmania will help spearhead the sales activities of the NAPCO Intrusion, Fire, & Life Safety Division, leverage strategic partnerships with firms in adjacent verticals, and give special focus to exciting new products and programs, including the NAPCO Gemini Commercial Fire & Intrusion Platform, iBridge Connected Home Dealer Program & StarLink Radio 3G/4G product line.  Szmania’s extensive and successful security industry experience, including his most recent position as Distribution Business Leader for United Technologies’ Access Control, Fire, Video, and Intrusion Systems Division, will immediately bolster the NAPCO sales team in its efforts to increase sales and achieve a more profitable product mix.

“We are pleased to have Craig on board,” said NAPCO CEO and Chairman Richard Soloway. “Craig has a reputation for driving considerable sales growth at his previous organizations. Both his leadership and innovative, strategic approach to security system sales will be a perfect fit at NAPCO, where pioneering and excellence are preeminent touchstones.”

Tens of thousands of leading security dealers, systems integrators, and locksmiths rely on NAPCO and its industry leading technology to protect their customers.  With more than 10 million systems and over 100 million functioning devices installed in residential and commercial buildings across 40 countries, NAPCO is the industry’s only publicly held ‘pure play’ security company, with 100% of revenues coming from alarms, access control, locking systems, and software services.

China Ceramics Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Market: CCCL) (“China Ceramics” or the “Company”), a leading Chinese manufacturer of ceramic tiles used for exterior siding and for interior flooring and design in residential and commercial buildings, today announced that it will hold its 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) at the Company’s principal executive offices in Jinjiang, Fujian, China, on December 17, 2014 at 8:15 a.m. ET. The Company’s shareholders of record as of November 10, 2014 will be eligible to vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting.

At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders will be asked to vote on a proposal to elect five directors to serve as members of the Board of Directors until the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualified.  The nominees for election as directions at the Annual Meeting are Huang Jia Dong, Jianwei Liu, Cheng Yan Davis, Shen Chiang Liang and Su Wei Feng.  The Company’s shareholders will also be asked to ratify the appointment of Crowe Horwath (HK) CPA Limited as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

China Ceramics’ shareholders who are able to can attend the Annual Meeting in person are welcome to do so.  Other shareholders will have the opportunity to listen to the Annual Meeting by dialing the toll-free number 1-844-822-0096; please dial-in to the call five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled time. Shareholders who do not attend the Annual Meeting in person will not be able to participate in the meeting over the phone. International callers should dial +1-970-315-0959. In order to connect to the listen-in mode, you will be required to provide the Call ID Number 27359141.

The Fusion Network, LLC today announced a new relationship with HomeStreet Bank, aWashington state-chartered savings bank with a network of 33 retail bank branches. HomeStreet Bank will now offer ClickSWITCH^TM, The Fusion Network’s industry leading automated account transfer solution.

“We are excited to announce the availability of this innovative service to our new and existing account holders,” said Paulette Lemon, HomeStreet Bank Senior Vice President and Retail Banking Director. “ClickSWITCH offers customers a fast and easy way to switch their automated payments and deposits. We believe this automation will give HomeStreet a competitive advantage in our markets.”

According to a recent Consumer’s Union study, one in five Americans would like to switch financial institutions. Yet, 59% of big bank consumers believe it’s “too much of a hassle” to switch, according to cg42. One of the main factors cited was the difficulty of switching their automated payments. The Fusion Network has resolved this problem by revolutionizing the switch process. With ClickSWITCH, HomeStreet Bank customers are able to switch their automated payments online with minimal data entry and track their switches, making the switch process transparent for consumers.

“We are excited to be working with HomeStreet Bank,” stated Michael Stromberg, Chief Technology Officer, The Fusion Network. “Bank customers will appreciate the fast and easy onboarding process we’ve developed, allowing customers to change banks without the previous inconveniences that hindered them.”