WaterBriefs: ABS Group automates sales processes with Intelliquip software

In other news below:
-- Stantec, Fugro Consultants join CartêGraph Business Partner Program
-- Siemens aids treatment of CMP wastewaters
-- American Leak Detection holds international convention
-- Stevens Water hires new RF technician
-- New Deloitte research study touts common factors of effective public-private partnerships

• ABS Group automates sales processes with Intelliquip's Intelligent Front-End -- Global solution provider in wastewater technology relies on software for deployment of ABS Central Configuration Tool -- BETHLEHEM, PA, March 2, 2007 -- Intelliquip, a provider of web-enabled selection, configuration and quoting software for manufacturers of complex fluid handling equipment, announced today that ABS Group, a global manufacturer of pumps, mixers, aerators, agitators, compressors, and controls has begun deployment of their new ABS Central Configuration Tool (ACCT) in the USA this month. Roll outs throughout the rest of the world will continue throughout the year. Intelliquip's Intelligent Front-EndSM technology will power ABS Central Configuration Tool to provide streamlined selection, configuration, pricing, drawing generation, quotation generation and quotation management for ABS diverse product lines. ABS manufactures a wide array of complex equipment for the wastewater industry that allows it to provide complete solutions. The complexity and diversity of this equipment, along with the global presence of the ABS sales network, has presented challenges in rapidly and accurately disseminating product knowledge for the proper selection, configuration, and quoting of these solutions. ACCT will consolidate a number of ABS manual and disparate sales tools into a powerful web-based system that will incorporate the majority of ABS product and application knowledge in a robust selector and configurator allowing proposals to be developed quicker and more accurately by internal salesmen, distributors, agents, and OEM's. ABS expects this technology to provide more and better information to their sales force and channels, so that they may provide even higher levels of service to their customers...
Also see:
-- "ABS launches new dewatering range for pumping sludge and water mixed with solids"
-- "ABS wins Technology Innovation of the Year Award"

• Stantec joins CartêGraph Business Partner Program -- DUBUQUE, IA, March 2, 2007 -- Stantec joined the CartêGraph Business Partner Program to work closely with CartêGraph in providing total asset management solutions to Public Works and Utilities organizations nationwide, CartêGraph announced Feb. 7. Stantec provides professional design and consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, surveying, and project management. It supports public and private sector clients at every stage, from initial concept and financial feasibility to project completion and beyond. Services are offered through over 6,000 employees operating out of over 80 locations in North America and the Caribbean. Since 1978, the Infrastructure Management group of Stantec has had particular emphasis on pavement management and asset data collection. Broad-based services include: Pavement Management Systems Implementations, Automated Pavement Condition Data Collection, Mobile ROW Asset Data Collection using Inertial GPS and Digital Video Technology, GIS and Asset Management consulting...
Also see: "CartêGraph welcomes Fugro Consultants Inc. to the CartêGraph Business Partner Program"

• Copper selective resins, activated carbon processes aid treatment of CMP wastewaters -- WARRENDALE, PA, March 2, 2007 -- Microelectronics facilities demand large volumes of water -- as much at two thousand gallons per minute - to manufacture product. As the industry continues to expand and develop more advanced technologies, an even greater burden is being placed on limited water resources and local water support infrastructures. Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) is the largest user of ultrapure water at semiconductor fabrication facilities. Siemens has been providing treatment equipment for CMP wastewater since the CMP process was developed. Major process changes have occurred in the last few years as advanced semiconductor device technology has narrowed interconnect line widths to 45 nanometers (nm). These include 300-millimeter (mm) wafer platforms and the use of copper as the interconnect conductor. Earlier interconnect technology used aluminum and tungsten conductors for multilevel metal interconnects. As a result of these advances, the semiconductor industry must now treat wastewater from various processes associated with the use of copper...

• American Leak Detection holds international convention -- PALM SPRINGS, CA, March 2, 2007 -- American Leak Detection (ALD) Inc. is having its international Convention 2007 at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa (near its corporate office in Palm Springs) March 7-10. ALD has locations around the world -- from the United States to Canada to Spain to Belgium to Saudi Arabia to Australia to Venezuela to Brazil -- and its headquarters in Southern California. Entrepreneur Magazine has recognized ALD in their Top 500 Choice for 12 years running. It's considered a world leader in the non-invasive detection of hidden water and sewer leaks. Whether leaks are caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, rain or severe heat or cold (our recent freezing temperatures had their crews working around the clock repairing broken water pipes throughout the Coachella Valley), or wear and tear and natural decay, ALD is a critical link in maintaining our infrastructure, from small scale to large scale. We may not celebrate their industry with Academy Awards but if they weren't around to respond when leaks happen, whether a small household nuisance leak or a major valley-wide catastrophe, we would certainly miss their expertise, skill and knowledge...

• Stevens Water hires new RF technician -- PORTLAND, OR, Feb. 28, 2007 -- Stevens Water Monitoring Systems Inc. is pleased to introduce Mike Boulier as its new RF technician. Boulier has 22 years of military RF experience with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations and the Army including single and multi-channel ground radio and satellite tactical communications equipment. He had two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was recently stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Mike will be a valuable contributor in supporting Stevens' customers using satellite and other telemetry data collection systems...

• New Deloitte research study finds three common factors of effective public-private partnerships -- PPPs can help to address U.S. infrastructure needs -- NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2007 -- A new study released today by Deloitte Research, a part of Deloitte Services LP, found three common factors of effective public-private partnerships (PPPs). As a crucial tool to address critical infrastructure needs, PPPs enable state and local government agencies to team with the private sector to finance, design, build and operate everything from roads and ports to prisons and schools. The study, titled "Closing America's Infrastructure Gap: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships," uncovers the three essential elements in common among the most effective PPPs, including:
-- Adopt a "lifecycle" perspective: This means looking not only at the financial terms of the deal but at the entire life of the project;
-- Use more innovative models: Although standardizing PPP policies and practices is important, governments should also develop imaginative new approaches to fit the requirements of unique projects;
-- Unlock value from underutilized assets: Savvy governments are increasingly examining ways to best exploit the value of assets by exchanging them for other assets or services that might serve more pressing needs.
The study shows how federal, state and local agencies can learn from PPP trailblazers that have been using innovative partnerships for more than a decade to avoid some of the common early mistakes often made in PPPs...
Also see:
-- "Massachusetts: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success in Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "Arizona: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success in Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "Ohio: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success in Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "New Mexico: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success in Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "Minnesota: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success In Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "Illinois: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success in Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "New York: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success in Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "Michigan: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success In Public-Private Partnerships"
-- "Indiana: New Deloitte Research Study Identified Strategies for Success in Public-Private Partnerships"