PRESS RELEASE

First Ukrainian International Bank (PUMB) Becomes the First Bank in Ukraine to Deploy Cisco TelePresence

Cisco Advanced Video Communications Technology to Enhance Collaboration Efficiency and Raise the Quality of Client Services

MOSCOW – July, 31, 2012 – Cisco today announced that the main offices of the First Ukrainian International Bank (PUMB) in Kiev and Donetsk deployed Cisco TelePresence®. The advanced video technology makes it possible to optimize internal and external communications in the bank, accelerate decision-making, organize collaboration at a higher level, and offer a better quality of service to bank customers in various regions of the country. The project was implemented by Winncom, a Cisco® Gold Certified Partner in Ukraine.

The bank installed Cisco TelePresence System 1300 Series enabling immersive "in-person" virtual meetings with up to six persons on each side.  Moreover, the bank received special equipment to integrate disparate systems into a single unified solution. 

Key Facts / Highlights:

• PUMB has been operating in the Ukrainian financial market for 20 years.  It is one of the top ten Ukrainian banks by key financial parameters (assets and liabilities, chartered and controlled capital). According to the RIA-Analitika Economic Research Center, PUMB is among one hundred largest banks of the CIS and among 1,000 largest banks of the world (the information was published in The Banker magazine).  By June 2012, the PUMB national sales network included 160 points of sale. 

• The decision to install Cisco solutions was motivated by the benefits of Cisco TelePresence technology, including accelerating decision-making, improving customer service, cost reduction, time savings, and growing efficiency of operations in the company.  Today nobody has to travel in order to meet specialists from the central PUMB office or the regional office in Donetsk.  Besides, bank employees will be able to use video communications to talk to customers and consultants worldwide. 

• Cisco TelePresence makes decision-making meetings more dynamic, as well as accelerates access to data located in various sources. Highly efficient collaboration systems enabling easy data exchange and content access in video environment, only recently considered impossible, will help to improve efficiency of such meetings. The Cisco TelePresence system installed in the bank can move content from one screen to another, demonstrate data from various sources and use dashboards (or "whiteboards") to highlight the main points and draw the audience's attention to key ideas. 

Tags, Keywords: CIS, Ukraine, Cisco, Cisco TelePresence, PUMB

RSS Feed for Cisco: http://newsroom.cisco.com/rss-feeds

Supporting resources:

• Cisco
• Cisco TelePresence®
• PUMB

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Russia is supplied through its authorized channel partners by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

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Microsoft Names Mark Penn as Corporate Vice President, Strategic and Special Projects

Press release:

Microsoft Names Mark Penn as Corporate Vice President, Strategic and Special Projects

July 19, 2012

Seasoned communications strategist to focus on key consumer initiatives and related marketing efforts for the company.

inShare3

REDMOND, Wash. — July 19, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Mark Penn will join the company as Corporate Vice President, Strategic and Special Projects, with an emphasis on key consumer initiatives for the company. Penn will lead a small interdisciplinary team and report to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

“Mark has an incredible background in research, demographics, marketing and positioning and a proven history in developing unique insights that drive success,” Ballmer said. “With a strong set of products and an exciting pipeline for the next year, Mark’s experience and out-of-the-box thinking will help us more effectively reach new consumers and grow market share.” 

Penn, 58, is currently the worldwide CEO of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller and CEO of the polling firm Penn Schoen Berland LLC. He has been active in national and international politics at the highest levels and has served as strategic consultant to top Fortune 500 companies, including Ford Motor Company, Merck & Co. Inc., Intel Corp. and McDonald’s. He has consulted with Microsoft since 1998.

In addition, Penn is the author of “Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow’s Big Changes,” a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller about the impact of small groups in politics, business and social change, building on his original identification of the “Soccer Moms” as a critical demographic bloc. He has also been a regular contributor to national publications such as TIME Magazine, Huffington Post and The Atlantic.

“I'm looking forward to applying my diverse skills and experience to some of the biggest new challenges in technology today, and there is no better place to do that than Microsoft,” Penn said.

At Microsoft, Penn will lead a cross-functional team focused on consumer initiatives and will draw on his experience in strategic development, branding and positioning to develop and deliver breakthrough ideas that meet consumers’ changing and dynamic needs. He will continue to write about consumer, demographic and social trends but will not be involved in public policy issues for Microsoft. Penn will remain based in Washington, D.C., but will spend substantial time in Redmond.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Oracle Press Release

Oracle Introduces Newest Version of Oracle Documaker Enterprise Edition

Release Provides Financial Services Institutions with Enhanced Self-Service for Customers and Improvements for Knowledge Workers

Redwood Shores, Calif. – July 12, 2012

News Facts

Oracle today announced the availability of Oracle Documaker Enterprise Edition 12.1, the leading Enterprise Document Automation (EDA) solution that helps to create, manage and deliver enterprise communications, when and how customers and stakeholders want them.

With the newest release, companies can create documents more quickly – with less IT assistance – through enhanced collaboration features, including:

Editable text areas in the solution’s Work-in-Process workflow, enabling users to efficiently collaborate to create documents, contracts and agreements, while tracking all changes with a full audit trail.

Enhanced Microsoft Word Add-In functionality that enables users to easily move documents from Oracle Documaker to Microsoft Word and back again, preserving design, formatting and output quality. This capability facilitates document review, within and outside the company, and is especially useful for negotiated documents that involve multiple iterations and parties, many of whom work in Microsoft Word.

Support for Microsoft Word 2010 and 2007 that gives business users more options to create and design documents.

To help accelerate time-to-market for new products, Oracle Documaker Enterprise Edition 12.1 features Library Project Management (LPM) that introduces a project management-style library, helping users more easily manage the wealth of documentation associated with the release of a new product – such as a new insurance offering or new type of bank account. It supports product development best practices, providing role-based task and action prompts – such as notification to update associated documents – as a product moves through development, review, testing and regulatory approval.

Users now have the ability to perform a “Print Preview” on an entire document package, rather than one document at a time. Users can pull documents out of a batch run, preview, edit and approve them without interrupting the print run, helping to speed up production.

Oracle Documaker Enterprise Edition has achieved Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) certification for conformance with the Rehabilitation Act’s Section 508 accessibility standards, which require access for people with disabilities to electronic and information technology provided by the Federal government.

Supporting Quote

“Organizations today are constantly seeking to make their business users more efficient and improve their overall operations. The new features in Oracle Documaker Enterprise Edition 12.1 significantly improve ease-of- use for business users, allowing them to collaborate on mission-critical documents more easily and quickly. The application also helps companies get new products to market faster, giving them better ways to manage the extensive documentation that goes along with introducing a new product. Oracle Documaker is the most widely used application of its kind, and we expect these new features to further expand the application’s appeal in the market,” said Srini Venkatasanthanam, vice president, insurance products, Oracle.

Supporting Resources

Oracle Insurance

Oracle Insurance on Facebook

Oracle Insurance on Twitter

Oracle Insurance on LinkedIn

Oracle Insurance on Diigo

About Oracle

Oracle engineers hardware and software to work together in the cloud and in your data center.  For more information about Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL), visit www.oracle.com

About Oracle in Industries

Oracle industry solutions leverage the company's best-in-class portfolio of products to address complex business processes relevant to insurance, helping speed time to market, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge.

Nextiva Launches NextOS VoIP and Call Center Communications Platform

News release:

Nextiva Launches NextOS VoIP and Call Center Communications Platform
NextOS technology takes business VoIP communications to a new level

Scottsdale, Arizona (May 15, 2012)

Nextiva (www.nextiva.com), a leading provider of cloud-based business VoIP services, announced today that it now offers and supports a next generation communications platform, NextOS, to the small and midsize business market, including its current customer base of 60,000 companies. The new platform includes enhanced calling features, as well as hosted call center services, that make companies more productive and profitable.

The NextOS technology platform is a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure that allows a company's employees to conduct their business from anywhere. The platform utilizes the world's leading VoIP communications technology and is supported by 1,500 expert engineers. Nextiva will offer plans for various business requirements including front office, hosted PBX, SIP trunking, mobile business and call centers.

NextOS delivers a range of over 25 easy-to-use features and tools designed to make controlling incoming and outgoing business calls easier. The Auto Attendant acts as a professionally automated receptionist and offers flexible greeting and routing options. Nextiva AnywhereT enables customers to dial one number and reach the employee at whichever phone line they choose - desk, home or mobile - and allows for seamless transitions between lines while any of the phones are in use. The Call Me Now feature creates a unique hyperlink that can be sent to a prospect or customer which requests them to enter their phone number and initiates a call from you to their line. These elements, to name a few, are all controlled by the innovative Nextiva Assistant Enterprise, which acts as a management toolbar across Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox and allows users to manage incoming and outgoing messages, maintain up-to-date availability information and configure call controls.

"One of the benefits of choosing Nextiva is knowing that you will always be offered the latest VoIP technology," said Nextiva Chief Information Officer, Joshua Lesavoy. "NextOS is a revolutionary platform that supports the expanding needs of our customers, as well as many prospects that are waiting for this Fortune 500-level service at prices they can afford. We are driven by the goal of continually supporting our customers' growth and success."

Nextiva formally announced the NextOS launch at a recent interactive media event held at their Scottsdale headquarters, and the products and services are now available on their newly released, enhanced website. For more information on Nextiva's business communication solutions, please visit http://www.Nextiva.com.

ABOUT NEXTIVA
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Nextiva (www.nextiva.com / @nextiva) is a privately held member of the Unitedweb (www.unitedweb.com) family. Nextiva is one of the country's leading providers of cloud-based, VoIP business communication services. Nextiva has won more than 30 Independent Technology & Telephony Awards, including numerous "Product of the Year Awards" by Internet Telephony magazine. Nextiva delivers "Fortune 500" phone service at start-up prices and serves thousands of small-to-midsize companies across the United States. For more information call 800-983-4289 or visit http://www.nextiva.com.

PRESS RELEASE

First Public Telepresence Room in Russia Welcomes Clients

Full HD Video Communications, Virtual Presence Technologies and Pay-as-You-Go Option Open New Global Business Collaboration Opportunities

MOSCOW – May 11, 2012 – Cisco today announced that Russia's first public telepresence service has been launched by Cisco, Tata Communications and BizKomm, a Cisco Registered Partner in Russia. The public telepresence room located in Moscow's Monarch business center offers immersive virtual communications, fully imitating personal face-to-face meetings. Unlike traditional video conferencing solutions that employ standard-quality video and audio, Cisco TelePresence® technology fully immerses the participants in a virtual communications environment with full-size high-definition images. The environment looks astonishingly realistic as if the participants are sitting together in one room.

Tata Communications will offer channel provisioning and management of the Russian public telepresence room that will be linked with all public and private telepresence rooms of the Tata Communications Global Meeting Exchange – one of the world's largest telepresence networks available today.  Access will also be provided to the world's largest Tata Communications Public Room Telepresence Network, which includes 40 rooms in five continents. This network coverage makes telepresence a viable tool of international collaboration.

The services of Russia's first public telepresence room will be especially attractive and valuable to international companies, local companies with foreign partners and suppliers, international recruiting agencies, and international business schools and universities with distance-learning courses, as well as to research and development teams distributed among different countries.

In 2012 the partners plan to open public telepresence rooms in Russia in the cities of St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Sochi and Khabarovsk.

Supporting Quotes:

Alexander Strakhov, regional sales director, Tata Communications, Russia, CIS, and Baltics:

"Telepresence is a game-changing technology for business. Russia has joined our global network, which is an important step forward in our video business strategy aimed at making the technology available to as many organizations as possible through our global telepresence network."

Roman Mornev, CIO, BizKomm:

"Public telepresence makes it possible for businesses to meet remotely at the top management level without capital expenses related to procurement, installation, management and software upgrades.  By opening telepresence rooms in Russia, we try to make advanced video technologies more available in order to enhance the quality of corporate communications."

Irina Stepanova, regional director, Collaboration Technologies, Cisco, Russia, and CIS:

"Cisco TelePresence makes it possible to call stakeholders from all regions of the world, put them in one virtual room, and give them the feeling of personal presence to accelerate data exchange and raise efficiency of communications.  Rented public telepresence rooms enable productive meetings with customers, partners and suppliers worldwide to cut travelling expenses and optimize office hours of the employees."

Tags, Keywords: Russia, Cisco, Cisco TelePresence, Public TelePresence services

RSS Feed for Cisco: http://newsroom.cisco.com/rss-feeds

Supporting resources:

• Cisco
• Cisco TelePresence®
• Public telepresence services in Russia
• Video about the first public telepresence room in Russia
• Tata Communications Public Telepresence Network

About Tata Communications

Tata Communications is a leading global provider of a new world of communications.  With a leadership position in emerging markets, Tata Communications leverages its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multi-national enterprises, service providers and Indian consumers.

The Tata Global Network includes one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks, a Tier-1 IP network, with connectivity to more than 200 countries across 400 PoPs, and nearly 1 million square feet of data center and collocation space worldwide.

About BizKomm

BizKomm is a Russian high tech start-up company, focusing on deployment of UC, video and telepresence solutions; creation of complex IT infrastructures; consulting in the field of IT solutions' optimization; elaboration and implementation of service programs; professional project management, based on international experience and standards. For more information please visit www.bizkomm.ru.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Russia is supplied through its authorized channel partners by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

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Cisco and the Cisco logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

PRESS RELEASE

Bermudan Ministry of Government Estates and Information Services and Cisco launch Networking Academy program

Networking Academy program to provide certification training for Bermudians and prepare them for employment opportunities in information and communications technology

Hamilton, Bermuda, May 7, 2012 - Cisco announced today that it has joined forces with the Ministry of Government Estates and Information Services in Bermuda to launch the Cisco Networking Academy™ in the island. The Networking Academy® program will provide Bermudians with the opportunity to receive information and communications technology (ICT) education through effective in-classroom learning combined with innovative cloud-based curricula and tools to prepare students for careers in the 21st-century global economy.

The first academy in Bermuda will be located at Bermuda College, the only tertiary-level institution in Bermuda. The college is committed to setting Bermuda's students on the path to success through the provision of comprehensive academic and technical education, along with professional training, personal and academic support services, quality facilities, and interactive partnerships with local and international entities.

The first course for the CCNA® certification will begin in July 2012 at the Bermuda College. The academy expects to train 36-40 students and nine instructors during 2012, and hopes to  significantly increase this number in 2013.

The Networking Academy began in 1997 with 64 schools and has grown to become one of the world's largest classrooms, with 10,000 academies in 165 countries, and nearly 4 million students having participated in the program to date.

A pioneering example of cloud-based education delivery, the Networking Academy teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot and secure computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world. Students who complete the program often go on to secure entry-level career opportunities, participate in continuing education and achieve globally recognized career certifications.

Networking Academy courses are delivered in multiple languages through a cloud-based learning system. Courses are supported by classroom instruction, hands-on learning activities, and interactive online assessments that provide personalized feedback. Networking Academy instructors receive extensive training and support to help ensure a consistently enriching learning experience for students around the world.

Supporting Quotes

Hon. Michael J. Scott, JP, MP, Minister of Government Estates and Information Services

"The Cisco local academy initiative dovetails with the Government's overall commitment to develop the Island's human potential by means of enhanced training opportunities in various areas, in particular, training that will meet the emerging needs of the next few decades. IT stands at the forefront in this regard."

Evelyn James-Barnett, director of communications, Bermuda College

"Bermuda College welcomes the opportunities that this new partnership brings to both Bermuda and to the Bermuda College as its host venue. We have long recognized the need for this type of training to be available on the Island. While Bermuda College's associate degree programs deliver a quality academic track to the IT industry, Cisco Networking Academy equips students with networking skills by providing practical experience on a wide range of Cisco equipment, and through virtual learning, makes practical industry readiness immediately available."

Gustavo Sorgente, operations director, general manager Cisco Cansac

"Countries throughout the world have a great chance to benefit from the digital era. Cisco is committed to providing the infrastructure as well as the knowledge and tools required to assist countries such as Bermuda take full advantage of the innovations in today's global economy."  

Cristina McGlew, regional manager, Corporate Affairs, Latin America and the Caribbean, Cisco

"The launch of the Cisco Networking Academy at Bermuda College marks a major milestone for the program. Through this valued partnership, together, we are supporting the next generation of ICT leaders by preparing students for 21st-century opportunities – building ICT, business, and critical-thinking skills."

Navid Ghandeharioun, senior territory business manager, Cisco

"Creating ICT talent in today's competitive global marketplace is a key concern of many governments and organizations alike.  The Cisco Networking Academy in Bermuda could become a catalyst in development of an educated ICT workforce on the island and ultimately help propel Bermuda's economic standing to the next level of prominence globally."   

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, visithttp://newsroom.cisco.com.

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L-3 Announces Appointments of Craig Reed and John Heller to its Services Group

Press Release

L-3 Announces Appointments of Craig Reed and John Heller to its Services Group

New Hires Will Further Strengthen Engility's Management Team

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 30, 2012-- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today the appointments of Dr.Craig Reed and John Heller to the L-3 Services Group’s (LSG) executive leadership team. They will report to Tony Smeraglinolo, currently executive vice president of LSG, who will be appointed Engility’s chief executive officer upon completion of the spin-off. Dr. Reed and Mr. Heller will assist with the implementation plans for the Engility spin-off and then transition to Engility once the transaction is complete.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Craig and John to L-3,” said Mr. Smeraglinolo. “Both are demonstrated strategic leaders within our core services markets and will contribute new perspectives to fuel our growth in the current environment.”

Dr. Reed will serve in the newly created position of senior vice president for strategic development. Prior to joining LSG, Dr. Reed was senior vice president, strategy and corporate development at DynCorp International. He also held several executive-level positions at Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin and senior positions within the federal government. Dr. Reed has a Ph.D. in public policy with a specialization in national security studies from George Washington University.

John Heller has been appointed president of the C2S2 division. Mr. Heller has more than 25 years of IT leadership experience, and recently served as president of Harris IT Services. He also held several senior executive positions in the defense industry, as well as in consulting and capital management. Mr. Heller is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, has a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh and sits on multiple advisory boards.

L-3 Services Group is based in Alexandria, Va., and has more than 15,000 personnel working in 60 countries around the world.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 employs approximately 61,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in C³ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems, aircraft modernization and maintenance, and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of electronic systems used on military and commercial platforms. The company reported 2011 sales of $15.2 billion.

To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s website at www.L-3com.com. L-3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding L-3 is routinely posted on the company’s website and is readily accessible.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “will,” “could” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company’s Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements included in the company’s recent filings, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Social Media's New Innovators

Video from CNBC (5:54)

A look at the next generation of inventors that are changing the world of business, media and even society, with Joe Weisenthal, Business Insider deputy editor.

http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000086224&play=1

New Packet Processor from GE Delivers the Outstanding Performance Demanded by Communications Companies and the High Frequency Trading (HFT) Market

25 April 2012

New Packet Processor from GE Delivers the Outstanding Performance Demanded by Communications Companies and the High Frequency Trading (HFT) Market

 

• Innovative solution designed for communications equipment manufacturers, HFT applications and systems integrators features fastest Cavium OCTEON™ processor

• GE’s expertise, experience and customer support reduces cost and time-to-market
• Robust Product Lifecycle Management program provides long term lower cost of ownership

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — APRIL 25, 2012—Recognizing the need of a broad range of communications companies and telecommunicationsequipment manufacturers (TEMs) for the highest performance in packet processing, GE (NYSE: GE) today announced the WANic™ 66512 PCI Express® Packet Processor.

Designed for ease of development and deployment – resulting in reduced risk, faster time-to-market and faster time-to-revenue – and supported by GE’s renowned expertise and experience in fulfilling the requirements of Tier 1 TEMs, the WANic 66512 delivers exceptional performance and flexibility through its implementation of the fastest Cavium OCTEON® II processor, its PCI Express form factor, and the provision of board-level diagnostic tools and driver development kits.

The latest addition to the industry’s broadest range of PCI/PCI Expresspacket processors, and benefiting from GE’s extensive experience in their development, the WANic 66512 is distinguished by its use of Cavium’s 10-core 1.5GHz OCTEON™ II processor delivering very low latency and very high throughput to a broad range of applications, such as deep packet inspection, lawful intercept, secure access, network address translation, traffic management and session border control, as well as to high frequency trading applications.

“At GE Intelligent Platforms, we understand that every microsecond counts,” said Vibhoosh Gupta, Telecommunications Segment Leader, GE Intelligent Platforms. “Whether processing transactions on the trading floor or performing deep packet inspection for secure network access, the WANic 66512 Packet Processor is engineered to deliver the utmost performance. We also know that time-to-market is critical and therefore we complement the technical aspects of the WANic 66512 with world class expertise and a focus on exceptional customer service.”

The WANic 66512 benefits from GE’s extensive experience in providingextended support for the long term deployments that are typical of the telecommunications industry and a range of innovative programs designed to minimize cost of ownership by providing regular technology refresh opportunities as well as mitigating the effects of obsolescence.

It is designed for NEBS compliance and has been tested for interoperability, industry certification and regulatory compliance to ensure compatibility and rapid application deployment.

For more information: http://www.ge-ip.com/products/family/packet-processors
For data sheet: http://www.ge-ip.com/files/files/13174.pdf
A high resolution image to illustrate this release can be found at:www.genewscenter.com/imagelibrary/detail.asp?MediaDetailsID=4600

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

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