The information technology (IT) sector continues to experience solid
growth in several key areas including exports, employment, and research & development.
Success continues in the marine IT sector as well as in areas such as distance education,
new media and applications of technology in the health sector. New product development and
marketing is creating opportunities as reflected in a recent flurry of activity.
Recent Developments:
- Pivotal Networks, a first-of-its-kind network computing facility, was
launched in October. Pivotal will allow companies to develop applications using Java™
technology, network computing systems and related specialized applications. The
establishment of Pivotal Networks is an initiative of Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc.,
Operation ONLINE Inc. and College of the North Atlantic.
- A consortium comprised of Computers and Communications, Siemens and
Collaborative Network Technologies will pilot wireless technology and software to improve
the quality of medical services offered to patients at home.
- A consortium of companies and educational institutions (16 in total) was
formed to pursue distance learning opportunities around the globe.
- Phase one of the Health Information Network was recently initiated which
will see all health data linked to a Unique Personal Identifier and Client Registry
system.
- A Digital Resource Centre was launched which will give artists access to
new technologies and creative processes.
- A unique process is being implemented for the accreditation of
information technology (IT) programs offered through provincial educational institutions.
|
Successes:
- A consortium of companies was recently awarded a contract from the
European Space Agency to develop an integrated emergency medical network.
- Rutter Technologies Inc. recently signed a dealer agreement with Radio
Holland Singapore to sell and service Rutter’s black box technology for ships in the
Asian market.
- The Canadian Space Agency awarded Media Touch Technologies a contract to
develop a simulator game of the Mobile Servicing System for the agency’s web site.
- Media Touch Technologies signed a U.S. distribution agreement with Pitsco
Inc. which will see Pitsco distribute the company’s technology education CD-ROM
‘Invent T.H.I.S’.
|
Awards:
- Zeddcomm Inc., was one of twelve national winners of the Canadian
Airlines 1999 Export Awards. ZeddComm recently opened a sales office in California.
- Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and
Silverthaw Visual Arts received a silver award in the Best Private Sector Partnership
Category of the 1999 PRIX D'EXCELLENCE awards program for development of the CD-ROM
“Transport Canada Certification Courses for Alternate Delivery”.
- Curzon Village Productions Inc. and Sharon Halfyard, were recipients of
an AMTEC Award for Excellence at a media festival in Ottawa, Ontario.
- Guigné International Ltd., was the winner of the Newfoundland and
Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI) Achievement Award for Innovation for
its sonar technology called DRUMS™ (Dynamically Responding Ultrasonic Matrix System).
- xwave solutions received NATI’s Achievement Award for Company of the
Year.
- Mr. Sam Walters, Chairman of Operation ONLINE, won the NATI Achievement
Award for Leadership.
|
The IT sector continues to grow and is increasingly focused on external markets.
Employment has continued to show strong growth with a recent Operation ONLINE survey
indicating a 25% percent increase in employment in the industry. This follows 23% growth
in 1997-98. Of particular interest and importance for the future of the industry is the
fact that 58% of IT companies surveyed were involved in R & D activities. Also, 41% of
IT companies are involved in significant export activities. |