August 31, 1999 - Ameritrain, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based computer training company, has announced plans to open a 10,000 square-foot training facility in Columbia. The center will house five computer laboratories and will be able to accommodate up to 100 students and faculty. Ameritrain was attracted by the growth of the technology sector in Howard County. The company currently operates training centers in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

IT*CareerNet Brings Services to Web

August 30, 1999 - The IT*CareerNET, owned and operated by Infocall Communications Corporation in McLean, is a technology recruiting solutions company. They provide recruiting, staffing and career service for both companies and job seekers. The site allows users to browse the job database and post their resume online. Other features include a links page, chat room and information technology news.

Cyber-Advocacy Firm Launched

August 27, 1999 - Capitol Advantage, a developer of Internet tools and services, has launched e-advocates. E-advocates is a full service Internet advocacy consulting firm helping clients achieve legislative and political priorities by using technology to complement traditional lobbying and grassroots organizing strategies. Their services include e-mail activist recruitment and list management; online advertising design and placement as well as other services.

Voting Records Available Online

August 26, 1999 - Merrifield-based Capitol Advantage and Dulles-based America Online, Inc. have teamed to produce VoteNote, a weekly email publication that tracks the voting records of U.S. lawmakers. The service is currently available only to AOL customers, however VoteNote will be available to all visitors to AOL's Web site by the end of September.

PSINet Expands Services

August 25, 1999 - PSINet Inc., based in Herndon, recently agreed to purchase Transaction Network Services, Inc. (TNS), based in Reston. TNS, whose focus is on ecommerce, is expected to function as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Internet service provider PSINet. The pairing of the two will allow one-stop shopping and resources for entrepreneurs interested in building ecommerce businesses.

Liveprint.com Provides Marketing Tools

August 24, 1999 - Alexandria-based Liveprint.com is an online communications and marketing partner to growing businesses, allowing the creation and distribution of high quality marketing communications products. Liveprint.com helps business grow and promote themselves by providing companies with all the resources they need to create their corporate identity, stationary, logos, hats and more. New features are expected to be added to the site in the coming weeks, including "liveStudio," a Web-based application that will allow users to design their own products from scratch.

Audiobooks Available Online

August 23, 1999 - Audio Diversions, a McLean-based company, offers audiobooks to purchase or rent from its Web site. The site offers nearly 4,000 different titles that can be rented for 30 days or bought. Users who sign up for the "Literature for Listening Club" receive discounts on purchases.

Talk For Free Online

August 20, 1999 - ZeroPlus.com has unveiled its "White Pages" so that users can get in contact with one another. ZeroPlus.com allows users to bypass long distance charges by using the Internet. Users on both ends need a PC with a microphone and speakers as well as an Internet connection. ZeroPlus.com is an Internet-based long distance phone service based in Germantown.

StoreTr@x Locates Retail Space

August 19, 1999 - StoreTr@x, based in Rockville, helps users find retail space in the Greater Washington region. StoreTr@x covers shopping centers, malls, free standing retail buildings, retail ground, and first floor retail space in office buildings. The listing information includes a picture of the property, tenants in the area, space available, and a contact person from whom more information can be obtained.

Silent Watch Monitors Web Usage

August 18, 1999 - Adavi, based in Dunkirk, is a software company that has recently launched Silent Watch. Silent Watch is surveillance software that allows a single network administrator to monitor the use of up to 49 computers in real time from a single screen. The software can detect and alert the administrator to unacceptable behavior and provide the information that can put a stop to it in the workplace or classroom environment.

NVRP Provides Networking Academies

August 17, 1999 - The Northern Virginia Regional Partnership (NVRP), based in Herndon, will provide funding for nine Cisco Local Training Academies in six Northern Virginia school districts during the next two school years. The districts receiving funding are Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudoun, Manassas Park and Prince William. The Network Academy curriculum is localized to meet the individualized needs of high school students and features hands-on, project-driven training in Information Technology (IT) job skills.

Purchase 8a Goods Online

August 16, 1999 - Onlinesuppliers.com Corporation (OLS), based in Vienna, introduces Online8a.com, a US Small Business Administration certified 8a (minority owned) company offering an electronic catalog on the Internet. Online8a.com enables Information Technology buyers to search and purchase products, services and supplies online. Merchandise is listed with the lowest price first and can be purchased via credit card or purchase order.

ITAT Offers Skills Training

August 13, 1999 - Information Technology Advanced Training Corp. (ITAT), based in Tysons Corner, has recently launched the Rent for Information Technology Education (RITE) program. The RITE program allows companies to rent its facilities to train administrative and other employees in introductory IT skills, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Oracle and Internet programs. The classrooms hosts up to 20 students and provides upgraded Pentium MMX personal computers with T1 Internet Access.

Crimereports Delivers Community Crime News

August 12, 1999 - Crimereports.com, based in Arlington, is a service that helps police communicate with their communities. Users can subscribe to an email service and receive daily notices of crimes in their neighborhoods. The site also features a list of crime links including the FBI's most wanted, the National Crime Prevention Council's Online Resource Center and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Infodata Of Fairfax Teams With GTE

August 11, 1999 - Infodata and GTE have collaborated to produce InfoWorkSpace, a real-time Web conferencing service. Infodata, based in Fairfax, brought their document management and workflow solutions to GTE's InfoWorkSpace. GTE is a provider of communications systems and equipment, Information Technology and systems integration. InfoWorkSpace allows globally dispersed users to meet online with such tools as audio and video conferencing, electronic whiteboards and participation in online presentations.

PriceInteractive Receives Nomination

August 10, 1999 - PriceInteractive has recently been nominated for a Users Choice Award. The Users Choice Awards are given to businesses providing customer relationship products or services. PriceInteractive, based in Reston, provides Interactive Voice Response (IVR) services with employees that act as consultants, program managers and strategic partners. Their Web site offers more information on the company, the services they offer and employment opportunities.

Association Focuses On ISP Business Issues

August 9, 1999 - The Internet Service Providers Business Forum (ISPBF) has been launched to focus on ISP business issues. Their mission is to support the needs of the ISP industry through education, networking between companies and business conferences. ISPBF is an independent non-profit association headquartered in Washington, D.C.

TecHead Unveils Job Database

August 6, 1999 - TecHead has recently expanded their Web site to include database resume searches for employers and job search opportunities for those looking for a career. TecHead, based in Richmond, provides staffing, training and graphic services for the Central, Northern and Tidewater areas of Virginia. TecHead has also expanded their authorized Macromedia training to include classes in Director, Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks.

Help Narrow Searches With iAtlas

August 5, 1999 - IAtlas Corp., based in Laurel, is a search engine that eliminates "information overload" through their filtering technology. Users can narrow their searches through business, geographic, Web and content filters. The site also offers a directory of online businesses as well as Infolens, a search engine specializing in business research.

TechnoSurf Provides Internet Marketing

August 4, 1999 - TechonSurf.com provides businesses with an Internet presence, with direct marketing services. TechnoSurf.com, based in Locus Point, currently maintains a network of Web sites in which they manage their advertising. Their Web site offers more information about the company and webmaster and advertiser services.

AF Provides Business Services

August 3, 1999 - The Advisory Foundation (AF), LLC has recently opened their doors. The AF, based in Bethesda, is a membership organization providing discounts and access to products, services and information. AF offers BizNeeds for a member's business and HomeNeeds for a member's family. Visit thier Web site to view the benefits of these programs.

ABAecom Aims to Secure Financial Transactions Online

August 2, 1999 - ABAecom, a subsidiary of the Washington based American Bankers Association (ABA), is an online resource for information and products related to the electronic authentication of Internet transactions and communications. ABAecom's latest release, SiteCertain, provides Web site authentication for the financial services industry. In turn, ABAecom hopes that SiteCertain will increase online customers' level of comfort by providing access to more information concerning Internet security. ABAecom teamed with Utah based, Digital Signature Trust to create SiteCertain.