Business Bits

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Roche Molecular Systems

A new diagnostic test made by Roche Molecular Systems has received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Called the AmpliChip Cytochrome P450 Genotyping Test, the new tool measures a specific genetic trait in humans to determine an individual's ability to break down certain drugs and other compounds. The cyytochrome P450 genes, as they are known, will cause some people to metabolize drugs at different speeds or, in some cases, not at all. "Physicians can use the genetic information from this test to prevent harmful drug interactions and to assure that drugs are used optimally, which in some cases will enable patients to avoid less effective or potentially harmful treatment choices," says Lester Crawford, acting commissioner for the U.S. FDA. The FDA adds that this is the first laboratory test system that will allow physicians to consider unique genetic information from patients in selecting medications and doses of medications for a variety of common conditions such as cardiac disease, psychiatric disorders, and cancer.
Trapeze Networks

The Trapeze Networks wireless local area network (WLAN) Mobility System won InfoWorld magazine's Technology of the Year Award. InfoWorld Test Center editors and analysts made their selection based on the stellar performance of Trapeze's flagship MX-20 Mobility Exchange switch, which underwent a battery of tests earlier this year at the Advanced Network Computing Laboratory (ANCL) testing facility at the University of Hawaii. The test suite involved speed benchmarks on the number of authentication cycles the WLAN switches can handle per second; a "loudmouth" test to determine if wireless protocols were properly implemented by preventing hackers from seeing broadcast traffic; and a trio of roaming tests between multiple access points using data, video on demand and constant bit-rate voice. "Trapeze's Mobility System takes the gold for polish, flexibility, granular management, and seamless roaming," InfoWorld's Test Center analysts and editors say in a public statement.
AdventNet

Hacienda's AdventNet has released ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer 4, a web-based bandwidth monitoring tool that gathers NetFlow statistics from Cisco devices to provide in-depth analysis of network traffic and bandwidth usage. The software helps administrators understand the impact of application traffic on network performance and determine which applications consume excessive bandwidth. Using this information, administrators can take corrective measures to improve network performance and proactively manage bandwidth availability.
Dahlin Group

The work of Hacienda architects the Dahlin Group can be seen on ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," in an episode that will be aired Sunday, January 23, and in the follow-up program "How'd They Do That?," which will air Monday, January 24. The reality series shows a fast-track construction project in which four months of work is squeezed into just seven days as a team of designers, contractors, and several hundred workers rebuild each room of a house, plus the exterior and landscaping.

Also in this issue...

January Business Bits

Business Bits