Posts Tagged ‘million’
Grant of 3.39 million Euro awarded to UK based Erlang Consortium for Property-based Testing Research
Grant of 3.39 million Euro awarded to UK based Erlang Consortium for Property-based Testing Research
(PRWEB UK) 31 October 2012
Erlang Solutions is part of a consortium that has been awarded a 3.39 million Euro grant for the ‘Prowess’ project – a research into Property-based testing of Web services. The grant is funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technological Development, the EU’s main instrument for funding research in Europe. Erlang Solutions is one of nine partners (universities and small to medium sized enterprises), spanning three member states (the UK, Spain and Sweden). Through Prowess’ Advisory Board and Erlang Solutions partner Basho, the project links into several more EU countries and the US. The joint proposal for ‘Prowess’ was submitted by the consortium in response to FP7’s call for proposals on the subject of ‘Cloud Computing, Internet Services and Advanced Software engineering’ under the ‘Computing in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)’ research category.
The objective of ‘Prowess’ is to provide the European software industry with efficient and effective testing tools and techniques for web services and internet applications. Erlang Solutions will develop a cloud based scalable testing framework that will provide testing as a service and enable realistic, controlled testing of non-functional requirements for web based applications. This will enable automating quality assurance, reducing its cost and improving effectiveness.
Property-based testing (PBT) provides a powerful, high-level, approach to testing. Rather than focusing on individual test cases to encapsulate the behaviour of a system, the new methodologies will take into account the following aspects:
Composition of property based testing models
Simplification of creation and understanding of models
Developing techniques to compare multiple implementations
Support testing of constantly evolving systems
Address non-functional requirements such as performance requirements
Define software assurance criteria to ensure the highest quality assurance.
Erlang Solutions will be managing the dissemination and exploitation of the output from the consortium to their customers throughout Europe in a variety of sectors.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with world class academic and industrial partners in this project. While reducing the time spent on testing, ‘Prowess’ also aims to develop approaches to improving quality assurance. Property-based testing is going through a technological evolution, and this grant shows Erlang Solutions’ commitment to ground breaking research in multi-core and cloud computing environments” declared Francesco Cesarini, Founder and Technical Director of Erlang Solutions.
About Erlang Solutions Ltd.
Erlang Solutions provides businesses true scalability through the creation, integration, delivery and lifetime support of products and services based on the Erlang programming language. Our customers obtain all the benefits of the speed to market, low lifetime cost and extreme reliability offered by Erlang-based solutions. Erlang Solutions has a special focus on Erlang and the Erlang community, offering industry-leading research, development, training and worldwide support. We have extensive experience in industries such as telecom, financial services, gaming, advertising, new media and automotive. Erlang Solutions has offices in London, Stockholm, Krakow, Copenhagen, Aarhus and Zurich.
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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Microsoft Grants $7.5 Million in Software and Technology to Youth Villages; Grant Boosts Technology for At-Risk Children
Microsoft Grants $ 7.5 Million in Software and Technology to Youth Villages; Grant Boosts Technology for At-Risk Children
Memphis, Tenn. (PRWEB) April 24, 2013
Microsoft has awarded a grant of $ 7.5 million in software and technology to Youth Villages, one of the nation’s largest providers of help to children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families.
The grant is part of Microsoft’s YouthSpark initiative, which is designed to create opportunities for 300 million youth around the world. It will provide software and support on Youth Villages’ residential campuses, supply technology for young adults being helped through its transitional living program and improve the organization’s internal and external communications systems.
“Microsoft is one of our most important partners,” said Patrick Lawler, Youth Villages CEO. “Since 1997, their generosity has allowed us to provide the best computer technology to our kids. This grant means Microsoft’s total support of Youth Villages’ children comes to nearly $ 13 million, which has helped our youth learn computer skills and allowed us to support our staff with modern clinical records and office technology.”
Microsoft YouthSpark is a global initiative committed to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries over the next three years. This companywide initiative includes company programs that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.
The grant allows children receiving help at schools on Youth Villages’ residential campuses to use the latest Microsoft software and curriculum to improve their computer literacy and learn the fundamentals of word processing, spreadsheets, the Internet and presentations. Youth Villages’ residential campuses are located in Memphis and Linden, Tenn., Atlanta, Boston and Portland, Ore.
Young adults in the Youth Villages transitional living program in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi and North Carolina use computers powered by Microsoft to study for their GED certificates, apply for colleges, prepare resumes and search for and apply for their first jobs.
“Microsoft’s continued support allows us to do our best work for children and families,” said Anne Coggin, director of education at Youth Villages. “For our kids, the computer lab is a wonder, offering diverse learning opportunities and a ticket to becoming technologically literate, something that will be crucial for their success as adults.”
The grant also provides the technology to enhance internal and external communications systems for more than 2,700 Youth Villages staff members who perform critical functions each day, such as accessing medical records, documenting treatment plans and reporting to parents and referral partners. Youth Villages’ counselors, teachers and staff will help more than 20,000 children and families this year from 67 offices throughout the country.
“Through YouthSpark, we’ve made a commitment to provide opportunities for youth to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace,” said Marietta Davis, general manager of Microsoft’s Greater Southeast District. “The Youth Villages grant will give at-risk youth the technology and training critical to success in the technology economy. I’ve been so impressed with the organization that I joined its national board of directors last year.”
About Youth Villages
Youth Villages is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and their families live successfully. Founded in 1986, Youth Villages helps more than 20,000 children and families each year from more than 20 states and Washington, D.C., through its Evidentiary Family Restoration ™ approach. Involving intensive work with the child and family, as well as a focus on measuring outcomes, keeping children in the community whenever safely possible and providing accountability to families and funders, EFR produces lasting success for children.
Youth Villages uses its EFR approach in a wide array of programs, including intensive in-home services, residential treatment, foster care and adoption, transitional living services, mentoring and crisis services. EFR consistently produces success rates twice that of traditional services at one-third the cost of traditional care. Named one of the Top 50 Nonprofits to Work For by Nonprofit Times and Best Companies Group in 2010 and 2011, Youth Villages has been recognized by Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report, and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations. For more information about Youth Villages, visit http://www.youthvillages.org.
Microsoft grant to Youth Villages-add two –
About Microsoft YouthSpark
Microsoft YouthSpark is a global initiative that aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years. This companywide initiative includes Citizenship and other company programs — both new and enhanced — that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. Find out more at http://www.microsoft.com/youthspark.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.
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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Project Wild Thing attempts to convert one million children to the benefits of outdoor play
Project Wild Thing attempts to convert one million children to the benefits of outdoor play
(PRWEB UK) 21 September 2012
A nationwide nature marketing campaign has been launched by film producers Green Lions, aiming to persuade one million children to play outdoors and enjoy the benefits of nature.
The UK-wide nature campaign is big, bold and innovative – to be seen on billboards, in maternity units and on screen. Running the campaign is filmmaker David Bond, who has appointed himself Marketing Director for Nature, in an attempt to advertise the benefits of nature to the nation. In the film David Bond takes advice from nature, psychology and marketing specialists, including Simon Middleton, author of Build A Brand In 30 Days and CEO of brand consultancy firm Brand Strategy Guru.
The campaign backed by the National Trust, NHS Sustainable Development Unit, Play England, Play Wales, Playboard NI, Arla, Good For Nothing and Britdoc.
David Bond said: “According to UNICEF we are raising the unhappiest kids in the developed world. Fewer than 10% of children play in wild places, compared with 50% a generation ago, kids roam far less and half of kids have been stopped from climbing trees, and 20% from playing conkers or tag.
“The lure of the indoors – with TV, the internet and computer games – is creating a generation that has no connection with the natural world. My kids are 3 and 5 and they scream if I switch off the TV. I’m now fighting to get my kids back before it’s too late. I’ve spoken to teenagers across the UK many of whom say, ‘Why would I want to go outside – staying indoors is much more fun’. I don’t want to hear that from my children.”
As well as a traditional advertising campaign, PROJECT WILD THING will deliver:
OUT AND ABOUT baby packs for new parents (example attached). After giving birth and alongside the ubiquitous Bounty Pack, mothers will receive a pack to help them think about how they can spend time outside with their baby. Run as a trial study across three major hospitals, this pack will aim to tackle the problem at the source by encouraging parents to help their kids be outdoors right from the start.
The WILDTIME app, available from projectwildthing.com, is a technological toy that delivers information about where the best fun is really to be found. WILDTIME is designed to help parents and kids who are looking for fun in the outdoors, but are not sure where to find it.
A WILD PLEDGE for people to sign that affirms commitment to the natural world by pledging to match screen time with outdoor time. By gathering signatures, Bond is attempting to lobby government for more natural learning and playtime in schools.
According to David Bond, “I’m blown away by the number of people wanting to join the campaign. Big brands like Apple, Shell and BP all use symbols of nature to advertise their products for a profit. I am advertising nature because it’s good for you and it’s free. My crusade is one small step towards encouraging people to spend less time watching screens, and more time outside.”
The Project Wild Thing campaign challenges parents and children in towns, cities and the countryside across the UK to leave behind the cosy indoors and get outside into the wild. With the help of advertising and marketing experts, Bond’s goal is to persuade one million children of the benefits of Nature – an amazing, free, wonder-product – in just two weeks.
“Spending time outdoors is fun, it’s good for you and it’s free. Given the opportunity, kids love being outdoors. They just need to be given the opportunity. If we don’t act now, a generation of children will miss out on developing a fundamental connection with nature. Without future custodians of the natural world, who will look after our planet 50 years from now?”
Bond’s marketing campaign is being filmed for a documentary. The British feature-length documentary PROJECT WILD THING, is being produced by film producers Green Lions, in conjunction with the BRITDOC Foundation (britdoc.org). It is due to be released nationwide in cinemas in Summer 2013. A major campaign to encourage children to spend more time in nature will accompany the film’s release.
Company Information:
David Bond is available for interview. Stills and video footage from the campaign are also available.
For further information contact:
Ashley Jones, Producer, Project Wild Thing
ashley (at) greenlions (dot) com / 07881 828 928 / projectwildthing.com
UK
Simon Middleton is a brand consultant and author whose book ‘Build A Brand In 30 Days’ advises businesses and organisations how to establish brand stories quickly and effectively.
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©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.