GE Industrial Systems, a unit of the General Electric, has acquired International Fiber Systems, a provider of advanced, digital fibre optic transmission products and systems for electronic security and intelligent transportation systems.

There haven't been too many bright technology stories recently. However, one of Australia's leading software component manufactures, it-partners.com, is set to change this with the release of its ActiveX component, itGrid.

The Australian Information Industry Association and Gilbert + Tobin have launched the Software Legal Guide. Written in layman's terms the guide provides a broad overview of both the legal and business issues involved in running a software business.

The Fieldbus Foundation, HART Communication Foundation and Profibus Nutzerorganization have begun an unprecedented collaborative project to extend the specification for device descriptive language (DDL), the most important and widely used digital communication descriptive language in the manufacturing and process industries.

A global survey of confidence among workers has shown Australians are quite insecure about their jobs, despite a strong economy.

Port Kembla steelworks was partially evacuated recently after a 20 tonne overhead coal trolley was ignited by a gas fire.

Cisco Systems announced a rugged switch designed for deployment in harsh environments.

WhereNet provides wireless location and communications solutions for managing mobile resources. Siemens, by partnering with WhereNet, expands its suite of MOBY radio frequency identification (RFID) systems to include wireless, real-time applications for locating, tracking and providing status information on mobile assets.

Rockwell Automation has expanded its Allen-Bradley VersaView industrial computer line with the VersaView CE industrial computer, combining the Microsoft Windows CE platform with rugged computer hardware designed specifically for industrial applications.

A specialist training program introduced by South Australian pipe fittings manufacturer Philmac is providing managers with the opportunity to further their careers by obtaining formal business administration qualifications while at work.

Queensland-based IT company Technisyst Computing has formed a strategic alliance with a leading US software developer, to deliver cutting edge software that will help companies and organisations increase their productivity.

Citect has announced two separate partnership agreements with major European automation companies Felten Automation GMbH and Brains in Motion (BIM) to provide integrated solutions for the regulated manufacturing industries.

The CKR Automatic Vision Inspection System has won the 2003 Advanced Imaging Award in the Machine Vision category. This is an annual US Imaging award.

Willett International Limited announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Danaher Corporation.

ABB has signed a full service maintenance agreement with Carter Holt Harvey, an Australian-Asian forest products company. The five-year contract, worth US$10 million annually, covers all maintenance services for the Kinleith mill in Tokoroa, New Zealand.