BUSINESS BRIEFS

MidAmerican Energy Co. announced a $10 million investment in Racom Corp., an enhanced specialized mobile radio network operator. Racom has developed and owns a digital ESMR network that spans the upper Midwest. The company also provides hardware and equipment that enables customers to communicate voice, data, two-way radio, E-911 telephone, closed circuit television, CD ROM digital records and computerized dispatching. “Our partnership with Racom will enable us to provide the services and technology that Iowa must have to remain competitive in a global economy,” said Stan Bright, president and chief executive officer of MidAmerican.

Tactica Corp. has selected RAM Mobile Data to provide wireless service for its Caprera software. Tactica said its Caprera programmable server software uses RAM’s service to extend transaction-oriented systems to mobile workers. Caprera coordinates the flow of information between databases and applications found in the mobile and remote environment. Caprera-based applications work across telephone land lines, the Internet and wireless networks, said Tactica. Tactica also announced it seamless support for Motorola Inc.’s AirMobile Wireless Software for cc: Mail from within Caprera. “With Caprera and AirMobile Wireless Software, salespeople, insurance adjusters and mobile workers can send e-mail and transparently send transaction-oriented data at the same time,” said Rolf Kraus, director of market development at Tactica. “The AirMobile software is our wireless option that will appeal to organizations who are already using cc: Mail.”

Reflection Technology Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with Unplugged Communications, a wholesale distributor of cellular phones and accessories. The agreement allows Unplugged Communications the right to distribute and supply Reflection’s FaxView personal fax reader to cellular communications resellers across the nation, said Reflection. In addition, Unplugged Communications will feature FaxView in its wholesale distributor catalog.

Metrocall Inc. has formed a joint venture with Brightpoint Inc. to market, resell and distribute paging products and services throughout the United States. The joint venture, named Wireless L.L.C., will market under the trade name America Unplugged, and will develop marketing alliances with established distribution partners, develop new marketing channels and market directly to end users in selected markets. Bill West, the former president and chief operating officer of Dial Page, will head the Greenville, S.C.-based joint venture. He will lead the marketing and distribution efforts by providing alliance partners with turnkey, nationwide paging products as well as developing and implementing specific marketing plans for selected markets, said Metrocall.

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