Queensland-based mobile data capture and wireless network solutions specialist, BarCode Products Pty Ltd has been named as one of Australia's 50 fastest-growing technology companies by leading global business professional services group, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd has formed its new global division, known as Sumitomo Drive Technologies.

With a focus on Europe, Omron and Yaskawa have formed a joint venture company called Omron Yaskawa Motion Control BV, based in Hoofddorp, Holland.

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.