Neoware tabbed by Deloitte

King of Prussia-based Neoware Systems, a maker of software for thin-client computing, was named to Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Program for the Delaware Valley, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the area.

Rankings are based on the percentage of growth in fiscal year revenues over five years, from 1999-2003. Neoware's thin-client computing lets applications run on centrally managed servers while users securely access them across a wired or wireless network.

USA Technologies lands hardware deal

Indianapolis-based International Vending Management Inc. will purchase more than $400,000 worth of hardware and services from Wayne-based USA Technologies Inc.

IVM will purchase 1,000 VendingMisers and SnackMisers and 350 e-Port secure-access and audit-management systems from USA Technologies. VendingMisers reduce the power to vending machines that sell cold drinks when no one is near them, while allowing the machines to use enough power to keep their products cooled. SnackMisers do the same thing to vending machines that sell non-refrigerated products. E-Port systems allow vending machines to be managed over the Internet.

Vantage changes name

Vantage Commercial, a Philadelphia-based company that provides B-to-B linguistic-based technology and search products, changed its name to Vantage Software Technologies (VST).

The company also announced its acquisition of AnswerWorks from WexTech Systems Inc. AnswerWorks is a question and answering engine that companies can add to the "Help" section on their Web sites.

MaMUGs board loses one, gains one

The Mid-Atlantic Apple Macintosh User Groups Team (MaMUGs) said Frank Petrie is stepping down as technology/products specialist on their board of directors.

MaMUGS also said that former ComputerUser contributor Dennis Sellers will join MaMUGs' board as technologies director. Sellers is founder of Macsimum News and editor-in-chief/publisher of Macsimum Perspective online.

ExclamationSoft updates WebWatchBot

Doylestown-based recently released an updated version of its WebWatchBot Web monitoring software.

New features in version 2.1 include advanced transactions. Transactions play a vital role in a server monitoring strategy, giving a deeper understanding of real-world performance. WebWatchBot 2.1 also provides the functionality to execute, in a defined sequence, one or more watch items that collectively form a transaction.

Unisys to lay off 1,400

Unisys Corp. plans to lay off about 1,400 employees, mostly in general and administrative areas.

The computer hardware, software and services company didn't say how many of the employees would be at its Blue Bell headquarters.

The layoffs are part of an ongoing effort by Unisys to reduce its cost base and enhance its administrative efficiency. Unisys also consolidated facility space as part of the effort.

LLR Partners sells portfolio

Philadelphia-based Partners sold its portfolio company, InnaPhase Corporation, to Thermo Electron Corp. of Waltham, Mass., for $68.5 million. Thermo Electron makes analytical instruments.

The sale completes a four-year period during which LLR Partners led three rounds of private equity financing for InnaPhase, helped build a successful management team, and worked with the company on several strategic acquisitions. LLR Partners was the largest shareholder of InnaPhase.

InnaPhase makes laboratory information management systems software used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.