Archives - July

. . . Homeland Security will refocus and spend more on technology. Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff announced a restructuring of the department - which will result in more spending on technology. The department will focus on preventing catastrophic nuclear, chemical and biological terror attacks. Another area of concentration will be ground transportation security, no doubt triggered by the bombings in London. Look for a number companies to benefits from the new strategy, including RAE Systems and OSI, which makes security inspection systems.

. . . 4 in a row - DataWave OTCBB: DWVS), developer of prepaid and stored-value programs and merchandising solutions, reported a 69% increase in fourth quarter revenue over the same period last year, and an increase of 35% in total revenue for fiscal 2005. It marks the 4th consecutive year of profitability for the company. DataWave pioneered systems that allow for point-of-sale activation of high value, high shrinkage products, such as cash cards, prepaid phone cards and prepaid wireless time. These systems work equally well over the Internet, through intelligent freestanding vending machines and POSA terminals, or with various card activation devices, including cash registers.

. . . A nose for explosives - Electronic Sensor Technology (OTCBB: ESNR), a provider of security sensor applications, has been awarded a government contract to validate its zNose(R) instrument for use in the U.S. Army inventory. Once verified, the zNose(R) vapor analyzer would be militarized for operating in combat environments. zNose(R) is an easy to use, ultra-high speed portable gas chromatograph. It has the ability to separate and quantify the chemistry of odors and chemicals from explosives of all kinds. EST's product line is positioned to address the key vulnerabilities in the maritime port, airport, border, and military security applications.

. . . Cargo security - It is widely acknowledged that the cargo security is one of the most vulnerable areas in international security. Bulldog Technologies (OTCBB:BLLD), a provider of wireless cargo security applications, has released the RB-600 RoadBOSS(TM) security solution, designed for securing and monitoring items in the transportation supply chain. When attached to the locking rods of any container or transport vehicle, the RB-600 provides a simple, reusable security and tracking device that provides the real-time knowledge of a secure cargo shipment, and the ability to locate that shipment anywhere in the world with GSM coverage. By combining security and asset tracking in one device, operational costs are significantly reduced thus providing both stronger supply chain security and improving customers ROI.

. . . Gambling in the Catskills - For years, investors have been salivating over the prospect of gambling in the Catskills, the mountain resort area near the huge population of metro New York and New Jersey. While a court battle of land usage has held up Empire Resorts' (NASDAQ:NYNY) efforts to develop a casino for the Cayuga Nation, the company has gone ahead with Mighty M, its gaming business at a refurbished Monticello Raceway, once one of the premier harness racing facilities in the country. After only one year in business, Mighty M is paying off. On-track betting is up 27% and, during the first six months of 2005, Monticello Raceway purses rose by 154%. The facility set an attendance record on Memorial Day Sunday, May 29, with an increase of 23% over the previous mark. Mighty M offers approximately 1800 video gaming machines.

. . . Hot real estate - Empyrean Holdings (OTCBB:EPYH), a national real estate holding firm, has initiated a plan to build over $20 million of new California residential construction with its partner, United Construction Group. These developments will include both single-family homes and multi-family apartment buildings in some of the hottest markets in the state including Monterey County, Santa Barbara County and Imperial County. Some of the properties in these areas have appreciated by 30% last year and in one area there is an 8-month waiting list for a new home.

. . . Useful waste - Startech Environmental Corporation (OTCBB: STHK), a waste industry company, has signed two contracts for multiple Plasma Converter Systems(TM) with Ercole Marelli HiTech srl of Milan, Italy, for more than $40 million with payments from Ercole Marelli to begin by July 29, 2005. The Plasma Converter System is Startech's proprietary plasma processing equipment that
destroys wastes, no matter how hazardous or lethal, and turns them into useful and valuable products.

. . . Basic profits - Basic Earth Science Systems (OTCBB: BSIC), oil and gas exploration and production company, reported a 62% increase in oil and gas sales revenue and a 166% increase in net income from operations for the year ended March 31, 2005. While commodity prices have propelled an unprecedented level of drilling activity for basic, the company also achieved solid gains in both oil and natural gas sales.

. . . More wi-fi - If you believe in the spread of wi-fi, take a look at Seamless Wi-Fi (OTCBB:SLWF). The company installs Wi-Fi for hotels, restaurants, coffee houses, and cafes - anywhere that people on the go need to get connected. It has just completed the installation of its newest hotel location at the Pasadena Inn, located in Pasadena, Calif. The Pasadena Inn is the seventh hotel the company has installed, with a total room count of 576 rooms. The hotel is offering the wireless service free to its guests and paying Seamless for maintaining the service and providing technical support. The hotel strategy generates reoccurring revenue for the growing company.