US Army Awards Band XI Phase II Grant

WEST HARTFORD, CT. -- November 12, 2007 -- Band XI International, LLC, an agile software and systems company, today announced the award of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant of nearly $730k.

The topic solicitation was offered by the US Army, who seeks a stable, modular long range architectural solution to address the demands for integrated vehicle and soldier mounted battlefield and logistical computer systems.

The award supports research into the assembly and construction of an open source Mobile Embedded Component Suite (MECS) that will facilitate rapid integration of devices, communications, and human machine interfaces.

Mobile Embedded Component Suite (MECS)

Band XI International will assemble and build an embedded component suite that addresses the need for tight, efficient, and usable:

1. Bitmap oriented user interface framework,
2. Pluggable off board messaging framework,
3. Device connection framework, and
4. Remote software provisioning.

Band XI intends to develop these components in an agile manner, driven by real scenarios and through a transparent and continuous build process. The firm employs a specification by reference implementation approach, wherein any specifications, designs, or architecture decisions are supported by a running reference implementation to prove their viability.

The software components and tools will be driven by working within the framework of other current research areas being investigated by the US Army Tank Automtive Research, Development, and Engineering Center in Warren, MI. These areas include addressing areas such as:

• Unmanned ground vehicle (robot) payload and sensor deployment
• Force protection and situational awareness of HAZMAT threats
• Vehicle diagnostics and prognostics on-board enablement

Band XI International offers nearly a decade of experience in developing embedded Java applications that rely on a loosely coupled, highly cohesive component model. Band XI engineers have deep experience working with similar proprietary components and frameworks and know their comparative strengths and weaknesses. As a member of the Eclipse Foundation and the Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi), Band XI can call upon the breadth and depth of those communities for validation and assistance in bringing the Mobile Embedded Component Suite to fruition.

About the SBIR/STTR Program

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) programs allow small, high-tech U.S. businesses (less than 500 employees) and academia the opportunity to provide innovative research and development solutions in response to critical Army needs. By capturing the tremendous and agile talents of the U.S. small business community, the SBIR and STTR Programs benefit the Department of Defense (DoD), the private sector, and our national economy.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a Congressionally-mandated program which was established in 1982 (with subsequent reauthorizations in 1986, 1992, and 2000 until 2008) to increase the participation of small businesses in federal research and development (R&D). The goal of the dual-use SBIR program is to tap into the innovativeness and creativity of the small business community to help meet government R&D objectives. At the same time, these small companies develop technologies, products, and services which they can then commercialize through sales in the private sector or back to the government.

About Band XI International

Band XI is a small, agile, boutique problem-solving software and systems shop that specializes in using open-source and open standards-based software tools and frameworks to solve real-world problems. Band XI offers their customers years of experience crafting OSGi architected Java™ application, framework, component and tooling solutions. Band XI personnel have two decades of successful agile management and technical experience in a variety of domains, spanning mobile and embedded applications, database backed websites, and enterprise level applications.

Band XI International is a corporate member of the Agile Alliance and its staff are also members of the Agile Project Leadership Network (APLN), and the Scrum Alliance. Band XI is engaged in delivering mentoring and systems delivery projects for both commercial and government customers, including the US Army.

With headquarters in West Hartford, CT and offices in Scottsdale, AZ and Bracey, VA, Band XI International supports both open source values and corporate customers' needs in a profitable, sustainable business. For more information about Band XI, please visit www.bandxi.com.

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Band XI is a registered trademark of Band XI International, LLC in the USA and other countries. Other products mentioned may be trademarks of their respective companies.