News

26.07.2010 - Friedrich Schiller University in Jena votes with POLYAS

“Give freedom of thought.”
Friedrich Schiller, Don Carlos

Members of the graduate academy at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena voted for their council online for the first time using POLYAS, Micromata’s online election system, as their preferred election tool. The university thus makes a statement in favour of internet-based elections and consideration of new technologies when it comes to shaping of democracy.

“After the successful completion of the online election, the university is now considering to use the same process for the far more comprehensive election to the university’s committee.” emphasises Susanne Reichelt who is in charge of the organisation of election.

The council of the graduate academy at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena is made up of professors, university lecturers, Ph. D. students as well as post docs representatives. The graduate academy aims to create optimum graduation conditions for the Ph. D students of the university.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

20.07.2010 - Micromata and Deutsche Post DHL celebrate 10th anniversary of their business partnership

Micromata Ltd. and Deutsche Post DHL celebrated their successful 10-year business partnership with a lunch at the Micromata’s premises in Bonn.

“We enjoy working with Deutsche Post DHL and are pleased about the long-standing and constructive cooperation.” explains Kai Reinhard, Micromata’s director. “Not only we as business partners reap the benefits of such a fruitful cooperation, so does the city of Bonn itself as it has won a sustainable employer.”

How sustainable really Micromata is, prove the numerous projects, which the software developing company has completed successfully with the global market leader of logistics. A good example is the online franking system, which Micromata developed for DHL’s customer portal, thus adapting the good old stamp to the Internet era. Another would be the InWeSt Project - a project that was funded with €2.4 million by the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology to develop intelligent swap trailer steering processes. It was nominated with the Telematik Award 2010 thanks to the optimisation of logistical processes.

Furthermore on the list are the DHL pick-up portal, the customised (for the Benelux countries) e-data gate as well as numerous back-ground technologies and maintenance services. In line with the wealth of experiences and knowledge that had been gathered over the last ten years, the conversations between the guests of the celebratory lunch turned out equally rich, all filled with visions, strategies, new projects or IT solutions for demanding scenarios.“During the course of time we merged as a cooperative team” explains Gero Auhagen, manager of the Micromata Ltd Bonn branch, the fruitful conversations. “Meetings like these are always coined with helpful exchanges and long-standing know-how.”

Uwe Pelzer and Martin Adrian delivered musical entertainment during the celebration with guitar, saxophone and beautiful vocals.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

08.07.2010 - POLYAS: Micromata introduces new web pages for online election systems

POLYAS, an election software developed by Micromata, leads the old and up until now successful idea of democracy technologically into the 21st century. On www.polyas.de consumers learn everything about POLYAS: what it is, concrete examples of applications and who has successfully carried out elections POLYAS in the past. Furthermore, the opportunity for a test election is provided in order to show how user-friendly POLYAS is.

“POLYAS offers a suitable product for many common election scenarios whilst fulfilling highest security standards.” States Kai Reinhard, managing director of Micromata Ltd. “Regardless of whether it would be an election carried out by a club, by shareholders, by employers committees or whether a subject at hand needs to be decided upon. He adds: “Of course we guarantee the necessary data integrity.”
The right to vote is the most valuable asset democracy has to offer and as such is guaranteed by law to each citizen of full age as instrument of co-determination. Each single vote is protected by the constitution: any election has to be direct, general, free, equal and secret under all circumstances. The same holds true for online elections. Just as with postal or ballot votes the voter’s anonymity has to be guaranteed in the long run and no connection must be contrivable between the voter’s identity and the vote. At the same time the election must be transparent in order to allow any manipulation to be traced back to its source.

“We are very keen to promote awareness of online elections as alternative to ballot and postal votes.” emphasises Reinhard. “POLYAS disposes of an entire spectrum of effective security measurements and thus does justice to the ‘Common Criteria for the Compliance with all Electoral Rules of Law’.”
However, not only security is what counts. At www.polyas.de the consumer also learns that online elections with POLYAS cause far less of a carbon foot print then postal votes: around 96% less of the harmful CO2 is emitted into the environment when carrying out elections online. That is no surprise -  taking into consideration that the printing, sending out and the returning of the documents does not apply anymore.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

02.07.2010 - Passion meets Profession

Micromata present at the Business Fair in Kassel

As part of the University Summer Festival in Kassel on June 29th the Department for Electro-technology and Informatics organised a business fair at which Micromata Ltd. had its own stall with which it attracted many students.
Of particular interest was a talk held by Thomas Landgraf, graduate engineer and founder and director of Micromata Ltd., in which he discussed the opportunities that are emerging amongst middle-sized businesses. “Many people who enter the job market take established companies as reference point. For example, big players within the software market include Google, IBM and SAP.” Landgraf explains. “Furthermore, IT departments in successful businesses such as Deutsche Bank, BMW and Volkswagen are considered as popular work places. However, middle-sized businesses offer attractive opportunities for newcomers in their own right due to the flat hierarchies within the companies and the broad scope of duties each employee would get involved with.” Landgraf stresses that those who display passion for the profession and are keen on maintaining that are better off working for medium-sized companies. He continues: “Professionalism can be learned. Passion, on the other hand, is in your genes.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

23.06.2010 - A stall for young academics

Micromata visits the Trade Fair at the University of Kassel

Whilst complaints about a lack of skilled workers continue in Germany, Micromata has no reason to grumble: the company is still a popular employer for students and graduates of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Faculties. Reasons for Micromata’s excellent reputation are a mixture of a high technological standard of its IT projects and first-class personnel work. The Software Developing Company has been awarded the TOP-JOB 2010 Seal of Quality and came third in the Open Source Category during the Innovation IT Competition.
Those who would like to convince themselves personally about Micromata’s professionalism can get in touch with the company’s representatives during the Trade Fair at the University of Kassel on 29thJune where Micromata will be hosting a stall for the first time. “We are looking forward to entering into stimulating, professional dialogues with young academics from the IT Faculty.” states Thomas Landgraf, Micromata’s director. “Only those who take the exchange of knowledge between economy and science seriously, can design technological advancement and initiate innovations within the software market.” Landgraf himself was present during the early hours of Micromata’s foundation and promotes this know-how exchange between generations during his work for the ‘business advice board’ at the university.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

23.06.2010 - Market Analyses for Dialysis Patients

POLYAS Survey facilitates data acquisition for medical purposes

Leading medical technology supplier and pharmaceutical enterprise B.Braun provides hospitals all over the world with an entire array of products for the extra-corporal treatment of blood. Micromata supports this supply process with new survey software. In order to achieve an optimal level during the planning process of equipment supply to the ever-growing number of dialysis patients, a regular data acquisition of up-to-date market information is necessary. For this purpose Micromata designed a new survey tool called POLYAS Survey for B.Braun Avitum with which necessary data can be simply and quickly collated online. An excel spread-sheet is filled with questions by B.Braun and is then used as source by the software to generate an online questionnaire. This questionnaire is then linked with another excel list containing addresses of survey participants and sent to them together with an on-line access code. Participants are thus able to fill in the survey online and send it back immediately. POLYAS Survey does not only optimise the entire survey process, which was previously conducted laboriously via Email, it also validates as well as analyses all data provided.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

07.06.2010 - Project Management 2.0 – Micromata provides new ProjectForge free of charge

Kassel, May 2010. Micromata Ltd., Software Development Company located in Kassel, discloses source code of its own project management software

Modern project work demands from a company a professional project management, which is increasingly supported with software tools helping to coordinate the individual components and sites of a project in an optimal way. It allows companies to manage all work tasks and progresses of work and to check them with regard to specific criteria such as meeting deadlines and budgets.

Micromata uses ProjectForge for its own project management undertakings. “ProjectForge was developed with the goal in mind to create a friendly helper for project managers offering support during the course of an entire project without creating too much bureaucracy. In fact it is meant to reduce the administration associated with project work.” explains Kai Reinhard, Micromata’s director, who was leading developer of this web-based software and led it into its second generation. “ProjectForge is an all around package for any project manager helping not only with budget management but also with efficient and flexible resource planning.”

To find out more about how it works, go to www.projectforge.org where you can also download the software with its source code for personal use. “With the provision of ProjectForge as software without any limited user rights we once again avow ourselves to an Open Source Philosophy” claims Reinhard. “We would like to demonstrate that it is not about generating profit with ProjectForge. We rather want to put into the service of the general public and invite other developers to make contributions to the software.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

20.05.2010 - Micromata provides the new “GWIKI” as Open Source Software

Micromata GmbH, software development company located in Kassel, Germany, introduced a hypertext system which is far more dynamic than the common standard Wikis. Furthermore, the company makes the technology as open source software available. It’s name: GWiki.

Since the days of the electronic typewriters a paradigm shift has taken place in the field of text processing: from the isolated maintenance process of individual documents to collaborative and dynamic hypertext systems. The term ‘Wiki’ comes from Hawaii and means ‘quick’ and ‘agile’. In the field of software technology it describes a Content Management System for websites, which can be co-created by visitors online. The most famous example is Wikipedia, the global and interactive online encyclopaedia.

Everything is Wiki

“The GWiki lifts the pragmatic Wiki principle onto an entire new level.” claims Roger Kommer, leading software developer at Micromata GmbH. “Thanks to the modular design the GWiki can be adapted to the individual requirements of its users and integrated into the Java applications. GWiki is applicable as desktop version as well as capable of being integrated into a clustered Enterprise IT landscape. “It is important for Micromata to allow the software community to participate in the development of the GWiki.” Thomas Landgraf, the company’s director assures. “For this reason we introduce the software to the Java User Group Hessen this Friday during their 10th meeting and publish its source code at http://labs.micromata.de. And because GWiki is also intended for Rapid Development Platforms for web applications, we released it under the unreserved Apache 2.0 Licence.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

25.04.2010 - SOFTWARE IS FOR GIRLS

The purpose of the Girls’ Day is to create enthusiasm in females to become involved with technical and natural scientific professions. This year Micromata supported this initiative with a rally through the IT Company. Professions that had been considered ‘typical male’ since decades are now experiencing an image change thanks to initiatives such as the Girls’ Day. This development becomes apparent not only though the number of participants in the event but also through the course choices that female graduates make when they embark on a university degree: with more than 21,000 first-year students in engineering sciences more women than ever before began a technical field of study.

Micromata would like to support this trend and offered four young females during this year’s Girls’ Day to experience a different perspective of the world of software development. Bettina Henney, Luisa Wendler, Catharina Deeg and Sophia-Marie Henschel explored questions such as ‘What is Open Source?’, ‘What does a coffee bean have to do with software development?’, ‘Who is the mysterious energy frog?, and ‘How does POP help people to send their parcels online?’ both from a theoretical point of view as well as through practical approaches. The rally took place on 22nd April at Micromata’s offices and part of the programme was to carry out an online election and to build a website. “Information technology is far too exciting to leave it to the boys.” explains Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH, with a smile on his lips. The girls’ enthusiasm proves him right.

 
On the picture from left to right: HR Manager Stéphanie Naujock, then Catharina Deeg, Sophia Henschel, Bettina Henney, Luisa Wendler, and director Kai Reinhard.

http://www.girls-day.de/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

25.03.2010 - The potentially most intelligent swap trailer in the world

InWeSt-Mailing in the marketing year book
No doubt one of the biggest highlights during Micromata’s last year was its press appearance during the Transport Logistic in Munich. With an attractive presentation our project regarding intelligent control and steering of swap trailers (‘InWeSt’ in short) was introduced and questions such as ‘What is intelligent steering of swap trailers?’ and ‘How does the software help to improve the transportation of goods and at the same time reduce harmful CO2 emissions?’ were addressed.
In order to provide clients who were not present at the fair with the same kind of information, a DVD was created and sent to them. Thanks to the movie’s originality this marketing initiative made it into the yearbook of marketing.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

25.03.2010 - SOFTWARE IS FOR GIRLS

Micromata gets involved in this year’s Girls' Day
 
Since about 10 years there has been a day in Germany that has been dedicated solemnly to girls. This day is to inspire the female offspring to become involved with natural scientific professions. And success makes itself felt: the number of participants rose from 1,800 in 2001 to 127,000 in the last year. This development is accompanied by a change in perception of professions that have long been considered ‘male’. With more than 21,000 first-year students in engineering sciences more women than ever before began a technical field of study.

Micromata would like to support this trend and offers young females to experience a different perspective of the world of software development during this year’s Girls’ Day. Various questions are being explored including: ‘What is Open Source?’, ‘What does a coffee bean have to do with software development?’, ‘Who is the mysterious energy frog?, ‘How does POP help people to send their parcels online?’ Answers to these questions and many more girls will find on 22nd of April at the Marbachshöhe in Kassel. Apart from that they will get the opportunity to get practical and are able to build a small website. “Information technology is way too interesting to leave it up to the boys” explains Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH, with a smile on his lips.

http://www.girls-day.de/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

24.03.2010 - FEDERAL DELEGATE FOR DATA PROTECTION DISCUSSES ONLINE ELECTION WITH KAI REINHARD

At this year’s Information Technology Days Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH, expressed his acceptance of the application of online elections and timely data protection in front of Federal Data Protection Delegate Peter Schaar.

The Information Technology Days in Bonn, arranged every year by the Association of Information Technology (GI), have made a name for themselves. Every year selected newcomers are presented with the opportunity to network with renowned representatives of the software industry and to find out about economically viable IT projects. The congress climaxed with a talk show on the topic of data protection during online elections.

The podium was claimed by Kai Reinhard (one of Micromata’s directors), Federal Delegate of Data Protection Peter Schaar and moderator of the legendary WDR Computer Clubs Wolfgang Back.
All participants spoke in favour of data protection within the IT sector. Although Reinhard pointed out that the legal situation with regards to data protection must be readjusted to the demands of the modern IT era and those juristic instruments applied 30 years ago cannot achieve what is being strived for today. “It is of no use to block new technologies merely due to the lack of a legal framework.” Reinhard points out. Instead it is necessary to adapt the legal framework to the technical advancements.  Already now, Germany lags behind international developments with regards to the integration of modern technologies such as online elections into society’s everyday life.

Regarding the question of data protection during online elections Reinhard assured that the election software POLYAS in fact is far more secure than electronic polling machines and ordinary postal votes. “As manufacturer of an online election system we are taking democratic election guidelines very seriously. An election via the Internet has to be free and confidential and needs to guarantee equal opportunity – just like any other election.” POLYAS is far more advanced than polling computers and postal votes.” Reinhard explains further. “POLYAS offers optimum transparency whilst at the same time guaranteeing a high level of data integrity. On the contrary, during postal votes one needs to trust in the keeping of the secrecy of the post and with electronic polling stations it is very easy to retrace the computation of the voting results. Any attempt to manipulate the election process results in an immediate deviance of the checksum and can be impeded. When in doubt the election can be ceased and simply be repeated at a later stage.” Reinhard concludes: “It would be fantastic if that kind of healthy element of doubt towards information technology would be used as incentive to develop security standards even further and to be made standard through the worldwide implementation of certification procedures.

You can find the podcast of the talk show at http: http://www.gi-ev.de/informatiktage/informatiktage-2010.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

24.03.2010 - Micromata employees certified according to international standards

In 2010 Micromata GmbH was awarded with the TOP-JOB cachet for personnel work of exemplary standards which involves effective use of human resources as well as continuous professional development of all employees.

As a successful IT company Micromata feels obliged to achieve a high level of quality in all areas of operation in the long run. For example, in the field of software technologies or project management Micromata offers adequate education at the end of which an internationally recognised certificate is available.

Only recently ten of Micromata’s employees have acquired a certificate in ‘Requirements Engineering’, thus officially qualifying in the field of professional identification of customers’ needs.

What type of software exactly do customers picture in their minds? What do business processes look like within their company? Which unique requirements does the IT portal have to meet? All these questions need to be researched upon thoroughly before it is possible to find and realize an optimal solution.

Know-how is essential for success according to Thomas Landgraf, director of Micromata GmbH. “If you want to sell expertise, you have to purchase specific ingredients.” He explains further that “In order to anchor a high level of quality of services in a company on a long-term basis, a broad diversification into specific qualifications is recommended. Only then can good results be achieved in the future.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

17.03.2010 - Micromata’s presence at the Information Technology Days

Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH, and Java Champion Adam Bien are holding a work shop on Java Enterprise Edition 6

On March 19th and 20th the Society of Information Technology e.V. (GI) is holding ‘Information Technology Days’ in Bonn. It has been eleven years that the traditional congress of selected students and graduates of the faculty of Information Technology creates opportunities of getting to know economically relevant IT projects and of networking with IT specialists.

This year Micromata GmbH will participate for the first time presenting not only prominent Java developer Adam Bien but also a substantial topic: the Java Enterprise Edition 6, short JEE 6, which makes development processes considerably more efficient.

Since development processes during the formation of tailor-made software are linked with high costs, the application of JEE6 is also beneficial to the customer of the software since it has a positive effect on the price of the end product. JEE6 was created within the framework of the Java Community Process (JCP) and offers a high security to any potential investment thanks to ideas being influenced by market leaders such as Sun, IBM or Oracle during the creation process.

Micromata’s participation during the Information Technology Days 2010 corresponds to its philosophy of close links with research and science and extensive training programmes. “These types of endeavours are the only way of maintaining a high position in a high-tech market such as Germany and of confronting the shortage of skilled labour.” Reinhard explains Micromata’s efforts.

http://www.gi-ev.de/informatiktage/informatiktage-2010.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.03.2010 - Micromata comes in third during the Innovation Prize IT 2010

In front of hundreds of guests from the economy sector, the political sector as well as the Information and Communications sector (ITK) the ‘Initiative for Small and Medium Sized Businesses’ awarded the Innovation Prize IT 2010 during the NORD/LB forum at the CeBit for the best IT innovations of the year. Micromata came third in the Open Source category with its Java Api for KML – JAK.
 
The jury with its 80 members including professors, scientists, industry experts, journalists and IT experts evaluated the products that were submitted by the two thousand contenders according to the following criteria: novelty, relevance in practice and suitability for small and medium-sized businesses.

http://labs.micromata.de/display/jak/Home

http://www.imittelstand.de/innovationspreis/2010/kategoriesieger/open-source.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

04.03.2010 - Java Champion Eberhard Wolff is a guest at Micromata GmbH

Micromata GmbH, specialist developer of company software based in Kassel, organises a work shop of a special kind: Java Champion Eberhard Wolff offers Micromata’s employees the opportunity to dive deeply into the innovations of Spring 3.0.

Eberhard Wolff acts as principal consult within the Spring Source Division of VMware and is an internationally celebrated authority when it comes to software engineering. The Java Community awarded him with the title of ‘Java Champion’ in order to honour his achievements in the field of Java developments. This puts him into the same category of living legends such as Rod Johnson or Gavin King.

The content of the workshop was of high interest to Micromata’s employees: Spring is the most successful JEE framework. A broad spectrum of functionalities allows its users the development of applications and the optimisation of business logic and makes the interaction between various development platforms and tools possible. A workshop content that certainly caught Micromata’s employees’ attention.

According to Thomas Landgraf, director of the company, Micromata’s ingredients for success include not only long standing experience and technological know-how but also the willingness to participate in continued professional development in the light of its customers’ needs. He adds that it is of particular delight to notice that at Micromata employees possess as much expertise of as passion for the business matter. Indeed this became apparent during the workshop with Eberhard Wolff.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

01.03.2010 - Micromata enables the second season of a series of inspirational readings at Bar Caricatura

Miromata GmbH – specialist developer of company software – supports Kassel’s cultural development yet another year and arranges a sequel to the successful sequence of readings “luminous path”.
Those who were lucky enough to score a seat last year for one of the three readings can look forward to yet another sequence of those popular readings at Bar Caricatura. Those who were unfortunate to miss it, will get another chance! Following Jan Off’s, Horst Tomayer’s and Wenzel Storch’s memorable appearances, this year’s guests are similarly entertaining.

On March 4th Thomas Kapielski will be visiting. The educational artist from Berlin is author of articles published in renowned magazines and newspapers such as ‘Die Zeit’, the FAZ and the ‘Frankfurter Rundschau’ and known to many as musician and performer in the ‘Oberkreuzberger Nasenflötenorchesters’ (the Nose Flute Orchestra in Oberkreuzberg). Since years he has mastered the art of capturing his audience with unpredictable humour.  

For April 8th Heiko Werning’s name is on the guest list. A member of the ‘Berliner Brauseboys’ Werning says about himself that he is a researcher of reptiles because of a calling, a protector of frogs because of necessity, an author because of ‘reasons’ and a song writer because of his passion.  
Finally, on Mai 6th Sarah Schmidt pays a visit as first female guest to the reading sequence. She is a founding member of the ‘Reformbühne Heim und Welt’ (Reform Stage Home and World) in Berlin and innovator of Berlin’s ‘Salon Pröppke’. For many years she was the only female representative on reading stages across capitals, plus she has also been a successful screenwriter for TV shows.
The readings start at 8 p.m. on each of the evenings with the venue being Bar Caricatura at the Kulturbahnhof Kassel.

Micromata considers its involvement in those readings as contribution to the preservation and promotion of Kassel’s cultural variety and hopes that the audience enjoys themselves.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

15.02.2010 - Micromata denotes growth even during the recession in 2009

The software developer Micromata with their know-how was highly in demand in 2009. Contrary to the economic downward trend, Micromata was able to hold its position in the market. The management considers this a sign of a high level of customer satisfaction. ‘We were able to exceed the turnover in 2008 by 4%.” Kai Reinhard, Micromata’s co-director alongside Thomas Landgraf. Both directors claim that the positive development is a result of Micromata’s business philosophy. “A consistent high level of both quality of work and personal dedication lead to customer satisfaction and helped us to generate follow-up orders.” explains Landgraf, who can pride itself with 14 years of successful business management. “We always focused on healthy company development: phases of consolidation follow after periods of growth.  Such a sustainable business development generates benefits during times of recession and crises.” Reinhard adds.

Micromata creates new jobs in Kassel
According to Micromata’s directors, additional positive factors contributing to the company’s development are the central location and the good infrastructure of the city of Kassel, which means that Kassel attracts lots of highly qualified workers. Based on the positive outlooks of Micromata’s clientele and in the light of full order books, Micromata invested a higher-than-average amount of money into human resources in order to satisfy the growth that took place after the world economic crisis. In 2009 the total number of permanent employees thus increased by more than 20% (from 59 to 71). The prognosis for the following year is positive, too. Full order books suggest another successful twelve months ahead.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

11.02.2010 - Hibernate history: Micromata’s new tool provides IT systems with a memory

Micromata GmbH, specialist for corporate software located in Kassel, developed a component for the administration of the history of changes in IT systems. ‘Hibernate history’ logs all data bank entries in an application, thus improves the transparency of the work flow executed. ‘Hibernate history’ is an addition to the familiar Java framework ‘Hibernate’ which is used to save persistent data in relational data banks. It allows a clean and gap-free backtracking of all data modification and writes these into a separate table.

“In-house software is used by many.” Thomas Landgraf, one of Micromata’s directors, explains the situation in companies. “In many cases, employees are not based in the same office nor at the same location. However, they access the same system on a daily basis during their work in order to perform entries or make changes.” In order to allow for an improved adjustment of all changes ‘Hibernate history’ keeps a log book on all entries, thus allowing for a more efficient work flow between employees.

According to Landgraf, the benefits are huge: “Transparency is imperative for successful team work. Unnecessary friction losses occur during the coordination of daily work processes if transparency is not present. A representation of the history of changes in a software is an improvement that is highly welcome.” ‘Hibernate history’ is freely available as open source software at http://labs.micromata.de/display/hh/Home, thus corresponding to its developer’s philosophy on the benefits of contributing to the free transfer of know-how through the application of the programming language Java instead of proprietary technologies.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

09.02.2010 - Micromata’s appearance at the University of Kassel is very much related to practice

Kai Reinhard and Roger Kommer – both holders of chairs in computer sciences at the University of Kassel - are giving lectures on DHL Online Franking

Theory, regardless of which subject it is off, will always be dull! Certainly for academic students whose heads are constantly buried in books. Thus, a digression into a practical approach can be very refreshing and is very welcome. Students of the faculty of electro-technology and computer sciences enjoyed this during Kai Reinhard’s (graduate physicist) and Roger Kommer’s (graduate engineer) visit at the University of Kassel - giving a lecture on the DHL Online Franking system.

About Deus ex Machina
Micromata’s software operates with an entire range of Java technologies and transforms it into an extremely user-friendly IT solution: whilst users of the DHL Online Franking system can enjoy a simple frontend design, a highly intelligent configuration management at the backend delivers an impressive application performance.

”The software’s high level of availability as well as reliability results from the its ability to support clusters.” explains Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH. ”Even during perturbation the continuous operation of the application is guaranteed, thus minimising the risk of damage.” The scalability of the online franking system is exemplary. ”A software product is considered having good scalability when resources increase reciprocally to the data load rather than exponentially.” illuminates project manager Roger Kommer. ‘”This is decisive for its efficiency.” In the event of unexpected technical problems during the online franking process, a reliable monitoring process allows for a fast localization of the cause as well as a swift rectification of the problem – without the customer noticing anything.

Mr Reinhard’s and Mr Kommer’s visit at the faculty of computer sciences reflects Micromata’s business philosophy: “The principle of close cooperation between economy and science lies at the heart of our company.” emphasises Reinhard. “Both sides benefit from this: whilst the students are gaining knowledge from our experiences, our software is always state-of-the-art thanks to the vivid exchange with people in science.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.01.2010 - SUN Microsystems ceased the support fpr Java 2 SE 5.0

Dear Customers,

Software programmes are being continuously developed – a fact that holds true also for Micromata’s software and its components. The application of Java platforms constitutes an important component of our programmes. During the last few years Micromata mostly used Java 2 SE 5.0, which is now being replaced with the more advanced Java SE 6 Version.

In this context, we would like to point out that Sun Microsystems ceased the support for Java 2 SE 5.0; the period for the provision of the support had been announced on the Sun Microsystems Website and that period has now ceased. Thus the provision of updates and increments for the generations prior to Java SE6 is not guaranteed anymore by Sun Microsystems.

However, Sun Microsystems reserves the right to offer some assistance following the cessation of the technical support. However, Sun Microsystems lists some limitations with regards to that, which are listed at http://www.sun.com/service/eosl/index.jsp. The most important restrictions are as follows:

- There is no guarantee for the quality or availability of spare parts.
- Software or hardware updates are not offered anymore. Possibly, patches for software or hardware might be offered. However, it might not be possible to close any security holes coercively, which affects the security of the system.

For a limited amount of time, Sun Microsystems offers the opportunity to still obtain support services for Java 2 SE 5.0. – pre-condition for this is the closure of a contractual support extension at a cost. However, even though you might receive support for your Java version, you will not be able to benefit from the advanced Java SE6 version.

For this reason, we recommend to convert your current Java version to Java SE 6. Thus, you obtain the most up-to-date Java platform inclusive of all new functions and advancements, plus you are able to make use of Sun Microsystems’s support service.

We will gladly provide you with offers for Java SE6 upgrades. Please don’t hesitate to notify us.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

29.01.2010 - Micromata is one of the best employers amongst medium-sized businesses

Wolfgang Clement is to present this Kassel-based IT company with the Top Job accolade for its exemplary HR management

Kassel – Micromata GmbH is one of the best employers among Germany’s medium-sized companies, according to the results of the latest Top Job survey, a nationwide, corporate-benchmarking competition encompassing all sectors of the economy. The judges in the eighth round of this renowned business initiative were impressed by the company's successful approach to human resources management, which has helped it through the economic crisis. Wolfgang Clement, Germany’s former economics minister and mentor of the Top Job initiative, will be presenting the company with the prestigious Top Job seal of approval this Thursday at a ceremony in Duisburg-Nord Industrial Landscape Park.

In making this award, he will be recognising Micromata’s achievements in the categories of Leadership & Vision, Motivation & Dynamism, Culture & Communication, Staff Development & Prospects, Family Awareness & Demography and Internal Entrepreneurship.
Micromata, a software development house whose customers include Volkswagen, K & S, Wingas, Deutsche Post DHL and other prominent DAX companies, performed especially well in the ‘Internal Entrepreneurship’ category. The company, with its headquarters in Kassel and another office in Bonn, allows its 71 employees plenty of autonomy; it provides them with access to new knowledge, imposes little bureaucracy and encourages teams to manage themselves within their project groups.
More than 80 per cent of their staff works in self-directed teams that are reconfigured for each new customer-specific project. During this type of project work, the project group first finds out what the customer’s requirements are, decides which skills and specialist knowledge are required and sets out a timetable, then it selects the most suitable developers. Staff uses an in-house knowledge-management system to record the progress of individual projects, the challenges they pose and for sharing information about innovative concepts. "Our ambition is to be the best employer in our region," says Kai Reinhard, one of Micromata’s directors.

The company had to pass a stringent, two-stage process devised by the Institute for Leadership and Human Resource Management at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The institute's director, Professor Heike Bruch, evaluates the HR management tools used by the participating companies and carries out a detailed staff survey. The company has also made a commitment to treat its employees fairly, even in economically difficult times, and it has signed the Top Job code of conduct.
"The top employer award confirms that we are on the right track. In writing it documents how important our employees are to us and that our workforce appreciates our commitment. Signing the Top Job code of conduct is just the next logical step, because fair treatment of employees is a top priority, particularly when times are hard", says Thomas Landgraf, Micromata GmbH’s other director.

Starting from the left the photograph shows: director Kai Reinhard, Human Resource Manager Stéphanie Naujock and Federal Minister of Economics Wolfgang Clement

http://www.topjob.de/documents_topjob/uebersicht_detail.php?id=1339

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.01.2010 - Micromata supports new founding generation

Thomas Landgraf was appointed to the board of entrepreneurs at the University of Kassel

At the board of entrepreneurs at the University of Kassel renowned representatives of various industries are making it their business to support young academics on their way to self-employment.

Within the framework of Initiative UniKasselTransfer they offer students advice and support with regards to questions on anything to do with entrepreneurship and self-employment. This includes a comprehensive conultation as well as the provision of premises. As board member Thomas Landgraf assumes the role of a mentor which is of high value to young entrepreneurs who are often left on their own after their graduation. Even if they have good ideas, they often do not know how to turn these into a successful reality. Consequently, students welcome personal contacts and practical support directly from the enterprises.

"I feel honoured to have been appointed to the board of entrepreneurs." Thomas Landgraf proudly mentions. "After all, me too, I am one of the children of the University of Kassel and I have a lot to thank Alma Mater for. Thus, I am very pleased to be able to give something in return through my work with the board of entrepreneurs."

Dr. Oliver Fromm, director of UniKasselTransfer, considers Landgraf's appointment as a great benefit for the board of entrepreneurs: "Micromata is one of the outstanding new companies that have been founded by previous students of the University of Kassel. Consequently, Landgraf's contribution to the board of entrepreneurs is highly valued. Entrepreneurs such as him communicate valuable experience and industry knowledge which is elemental and indispensable to young entrepreneurs. We are very pleased to have been able to allure Mr Landgraf for this special task."

Software developer Landgraf knows how a a business idea is turned into reality. Together with fellow students from the University of Kassel he founded Micromata in the midst of the New Economy Boom in the 90s and led it successfully all the way into 2010.

His first entrepreneurial experiences Landgraf made at the age of 15. He emphasises: “Both pioneer spirit and risk awareness are important elements of being a successful entrepreneur, but more important is the faith in the idea. Without that you will not be prepared for the fluctuations in business and money that self-employment brings along. With my membership with the board of entrepreneurs I am hoping to boost the confidence of our new founding generation.“

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

19.11.2009 - E-voting is finding its way into shares

With POLYAS Micromata provides the necessary technical infrastructure for the realisation of the Law of Implementation of Shareholders' Rules of Action

Kassel, December 2009 - Micromata GmbH, specialist of tailor-made software engineering located in Kassel, offers shareholders the opportunity of co-determination with its on-line voting system. According to a directive shareholders with immediate effect are able to co-decide through an on-line polling system, thus actively influencing the development of the corporation.

The Law of Implementation of Shareholders' Rules of Action (ARUG) passed by the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) has come into effect in August. With the main goal of increasing the presence of shareholders at meetings passing ARUG resulted in making the stock coporation law more suitable for the age of Internet.

The application of New Media is used to present shareholders with all necessary information before and during shareholders‘ meetings and to facilitate their rights to exercise votes.

One of the most important points of the revision of the statute includes the requirement to transform the listed companies‘ websites into central platforms on which all relevant information must be made accessible. In addition to that, the Internet also plays a role during the shareholders‘ meetings themselves. Leading up the introduction of ARUG shareholders had already the opportunity to follow meetings on-line, however, now they are able to actively participate with questions, comments and objections and to pass their vote on-line. The direct casting of votes on-line is completely new territiory for shareholders.

Micromata has been a long-standing professional in the area of on-line elections and with the e-voting software POLYAS it offers corporations the opportunity to carry out on-line elections. Consequently, Micromata provides the technical infrastructure for the implementation of the law amendment and helps shareholders to exercise more co-determination in business affairs.

‘The opportunity to cast votes on-line allows shareholders to exercise their rights much easier. As experts in matters of on-line elections we consider ARUG a great chance to raise awareness in Germany of the potentials of e-voting.‘ explains Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH.

With POLYAS Micromata provides the first and to this day the only software solution that can be used to carry out legally binding on-line elections and it is well prepared for ARUG with more than half a million users world-wide. However, in order to grant their shareholders virtual co-determination rights all corporations have to change their charters, which in turn needs to be decided during a general meeting of shareholders.

’All involved parties will benefit from the possibility to electronically cast votes: each shareholder regardless of their place of residence – whether it is Bangkok or Berlin – can vote directly according to their opinion without having to rely on a representative.‘ Reinhard summarises the advantages of the on-line election system. ‘Consequently, due to the possibility of on-line participation companies will expect a higher presence during meetings. On the one hand this reduces the probability of majority by chance and on the other hand it increases the influence of small investors.‘

Micromata is currently developing some guidelines for corporations to list the things they have to take account of in order to allow for a smooth conduction of on-line voting. With these guidelines and with the application of a proven and tested on-line voting system such as POLYAS the ground will be prepared for a goal-oriented implementation of the ARUG rules of action. The guidelines can be obtained directly from Micromata.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

19.11.2009 - Volkswagen’s Wall Calendar goes Singapore

Micromata GmbH, local to Kassel and specialist for custom-fit software products, is operating a marketing platform for car dealerships in Germany on behalf of Volkswagen AG. With immediate effect the portal will also be available to all Volkswagen dealerships abroad.

Successfull marketing via the internet: the corporate marketing platform www.vw-service-werbung.de offers an all-in-one service of a special kind! Volkswagen dealers not only can order various marketing tools designed by Volkswagen via the Internet, they also can adapt them to the conditions regarding their locations. For instance, via the portal they can order the customer magazine NORA aktuell® as well as the up-to-date Service & Zubehör Markt®-Prospekte (service and accessories magazine) and can adapt these to local requirements. In practice it looks like this: a VW dealer in Oberbayern can offer a rental service for snow chains during the winter time, whilst another dealer can react to decrease in demand by offering discounts. All this is possible thanks to Micromata’s software which strictly keeps the VW corporate design.

The year 2010 in Singapore: new on the platform is the Volkswagen wall calendar which is available in various different languages and is met with great enthusiasm abroad. From Panama to Singapore, from Australia to Zimbabwe – more than 24,000 times the wall calendar was printed in 36 countries and in 22 different languages! VW dealers could upload their own company’s logo onto the marketing platform designed by Micromata as well as translate the VW claim into their national language.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

10.11.2009 - Micromata participates at the World Usability Day: Reason for conciliation between man and technology

On November 12th the World Usability Day is taking place. Kassel as a location with a high level of concentration of top-notch technology will be particiapting with a morning of talks. Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH and graduate of physics, will be coming along.

The World Usability Day promotoes the improvement of the serviceability of technical products. 8 speakers from fields such as Information Technology, Business Informatics, Medical Engineering, System Technology as well as Digital Media will be talking about the main problems and corresponding methods of resolutions when it comes to the design of the userfriendly devices and technologies.

Genome, a next generation technology developed by Micromata GmbH, is taking the centre stage in Kai Reinhard’s talk. Genome constitutes the blueprint of each software that is being designed by Micromata and allows for a good adaptability of the newly developed software to existing system landscapes. “Reason for this is a custom-made and process-orientated interface configuration“ explains Kai Reinhard. “Apart from that Genome disposes of a highly efficient early-warning system in the event of a perturbation.“ Unexpected incidents can be handled long before the end-user notices them. Disposing of that kind of information, customer support has thus got a crucial advantage and is able to consult clients purposefully and directly.

Naturally, the user does not become aware of the complicated technology that is running in the back-ground. All surfaces are extremely user-friendly and custom-made to the user’s needs.

http://worldusabilityday.de/groups/kassel

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

18.11.2009 - Micromata sponsors the Golden Cube at the Documentary Celebration in Kassel for the best installation during the ‘Monitoring‘ exhibition

On Sunday evening the 26th documentary celebration in Kassel drew to a close with an awards ceremony. Satisfied guests praised the selection, organisation and in particular the ambience of the festival. A whopping 10,500 visitors (that is 1,500 more than in 2008) used the opportunity to network, which demonstrates the popularity of the documentary festival both nationally and internationally to be used as an outstanding platform for documentary movies and media affairs.

Micromata GmbH sponsored the Golden Cube - endowed with €2,500 - for the best installation of the exhibition ’Monitoring‘, which was awarded to Sophie Ernst for her multipart media installation HOME.

A commendatory reference was made to Ignas Krunglevicius for ‘Interrogation‘, a piece of video work, which depicts the psychologically demanding situation of a police interrogation.

‘Just like any other year before the documentary festival in Kassel demonstrated once again the amazing possibilities in the area of conflict between art and technology.‘ claims Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH regarding the award ceremony. ’We are pleased to have awarded the Golden Cube to yet another creative artist this year!“

The jury statements as well as photographs and information on the excellent work can be found at http://www.filmladen.de/dokfest

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

09.11.2009 - Micromata sponsors prize money to Golden Cube Winners

Between the 10th and 15th of November 2009 the annual documentary and movie festival will take place in Kassel again. As per usual the exhibition ‘Monitoring‘ runs alongside the international film programme and culminates in the awarding of the Golden Cube.

The south wing of the ‘Kulturbahnhof‘ will be the stage for 16 installations of renowned media artists and new and up-coming talents of which one will be awarded with the Golden Cube.

‘As software developers we are highly interested in the creative handling of modern media.‘ explains Thomas Landgraf, director of Micromata GmbH. ‘The documentary and movie festival has repeatedly shown in the past that from the supposed area of conflict between art and technology often remarkable things can emerge. Hence, we are delighted to once again provide the prize money for this year’s Golden Cube Winner.‘

The documentary and movie festival forms an important part of Kassel’s cultural programme. With the repeated financial support that Micromata provides, the company contributes to the prservation of the city’s cultural diversity.

For more information on the documentary and movie festival go to

http://www.filmladen.de/dokfest/aktuelles/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.10.2009 - Micromata becomes a leading example for the university of Kassel

In the context of the Unikat Ideas Competition 2009 organised by the university of Kassel ten companies have been selected by UniKasselTransfer – Inkubator to obtain somewhat of an exemplary function for the region.

The companies are being introduced during a permanent exhibition and are supposed to encourage the students‘ own business ideas.

One of the selected companies is Micromata GmbH whose directors Thomas Landgraf and Kai Reinhard have studied at the university of Kassel.

The eye-catchers that are being put up in the exhibition are presenting portaits of the respective companies.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.10.2009 - Micromata becomes a leading example for the university of Kassel

In the context of the Unikat Ideas Competition 2009 organised by the university of Kassel ten companies have been selected by UniKasselTransfer – Inkubator to obtain somewhat of an exemplary function for the region.

The companies are being introduced during a permanent exhibition and are supposed to encourage the students‘ own business ideas.

One of the selected companies is Micromata GmbH whose directors Thomas Landgraf and Kai Reinhard have studied at the university of Kassel.

The eye-catchers that are being put up in the exhibition are presenting portaits of the respective companies.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

07.10.2009 – Marbachshöhe instead of Silicon Valley: Micromata and Yatta are entering a close cooperation

Micromata GmbH, specialist for high-end custom-made software and located at Marbachshöhe in Kassel, is currently testing a technology made by Yatta Solutions GmbH, based in Kassel as well.

Within the scope of an archetype scheme for the promotion of applied research and development projects Micromata is momentarily trying out a modelling tool made by Yatta Solutions GmbH and is adapting it to the needs of a current project. The added value for both companies is obvious: Yatta’s tool is being applied in a concrete industrial environment, thus being scrutinised extensively by experts, and Micromata benefits from the convenient development processes the tool involves.

“The cooperation between the software development companies Micromata and Yatta Solutions demonstrates that the technology base at Marbachshöhe releases synergies which prove to be extremely useful for Kassel as a centre for technological innovation.” Thomas Landgraf (graduate engineer), director of Micromata GmbH points out.

The technology centre Marbachshöhe is within splitting distance to the ICE railway station Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe, thus offering a great infrastructure for young and innovative high-tech companies. That and the close proximity to the research and development facilities at the University of Kassel offer a highly beneficial environment for co-operations between companies at the highest level.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.10.2009 – New business portal for business clients in the gas industry

Micromata programmes the tailor-made on-line platform 'my.WINGAS.de'

The new clientele portal introduced as a pilot project in 2009 by WINGAS GmbH & Co. KG turns out to be user-friendly, aesthetic and customised to meet the individual needs of its users. Clients from Germany, Belgium and the UK receive daily news feeds about what is happening on the market, up-to-date prices as well as secure access to individual contract data, invoices and figures relating to the amount of gas sourced.

The 'my.WINGAS' platform provides business clients, public gas providers and distributors not only with a wealth of information but also with an excellent planning tool. Daily updated predictions of the development of the energy price as well as the simulation of a take-or-pay-fulfilment help to make informed decisions about how much and where from gas will be sourced. Both activity and contract values are displayed in graphs and made highly transparent to the users who can download this data either as a PDF or excel file.

Finally, the portal supplies suitable contact and enquiry forms. Each client has access to their individual contact person including all contact details. As an added bonus, the account manager can log into the platform in a way that allows the same screen view as their client should any problems exist that need resolving. Thus 'myWINGAS' has grown into an efficient communication and work platform supporting the relationship between clients and account managers.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.08.2009 – Micromata supports the Junior Elections 2009 with its POLYAS

Micromata GmbH, specialist for the development and integration of tailor-made software solutions, supports Germany’s biggest school project ‘Junior Elections 2009’ with its online software POLYAS. Micromata thus offers a valuable contribution to raising voter participation in the elections to the ‘Bundestag’.
For the third time now, the Junior elections begin one week prior to the elections to the ‘Bundestag’ with 250,000 pupils participating at more than 1,000 schools in all 16 German federal states, plus in numerous German schools abroad. This is the biggest nationwide networked school project. In Kassel the Friedrichs grammar school (Friedrichsgymnasium) is participating in the Junior Election 2009.

Syllabus includes democracy
The project ‘Junior Elections’ is an initiative of the association Kumulus e.V. in conjunction with the Federal Central Office for Political Education. The alliance aims to develop democratic awareness amongst pupils in all types of schools. Pupils prepare the elections with their teachers during the weeks leading up to the election and they receive support through the IT company Micromata GmbH located in Kassel. Micromata works in the field of custom-made software solutions.
With the software product POLYAS Micromata created already back in 2002 the foundation for the implementation of the Junior Elections. At that time about 60,000 pupils participated in the simulation of such a junior election. Pupils were able to cast their votes for the candidates for the ‘Bundestag’ via the Internet. This online election system was developed in Finland already in 1996.

An effective remedy for “political dolefulness”

Through supporting the Junior Elections Micromata contributes to overcoming the “political dolefulness” found amongst adolescents. Positive side effects of the Junior Elections include a 4% rise in voters’ participation amongst parents of the participating children as research carried out by renowned universities in Stuttgart and Stanford showed.

For further information as well as for results of the elections, please visit http://www.micromata.de and http://www.juniorwahl.de on 27.09.2009 after 18:00 hour.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.08.2009 – Micromata supports the state theatre in Kassel: ‘Mobile Theatre’ is now roaming Nordhessen’s streets

Each season the Kassel’s state theatre prides itself with attractive productions and an eclectic playing schedule thus reaching a broad audience.

In order to maintain popularity, the theatre sought out support from the software company Micromata since the theatre’s budget decreased due to declining public grants and the little money left is mainly being poured into its productions.

Micromata is happy to contribute to the state theatre’s mobility with the new ‘Mobile Theatre’ and wishes a good trip!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.08.2009 – E-Data Gate Belgium: New feature is coming up soon!

Micromata is programming the additional ‘Purchase Order Tool’

Micromata’s project team demonstrated an incredible spurt with the newest e-datagate feature: it only took two weeks from order to implementation of the Purchase Order Tool (PO) – without any alterations after installation.

The new tool provides customers of the internal DHL logistics portal numerous options during the allocation of transfer orders. Interested forwarding companies are able to specify exact pick-up and delivery times to their potential clients, which could be a decisive factor in job allocation and thus could create an important competitive advantage for forwarding companies. DHL’s project manager Serge Gregoir positively comments "In name of the whole DHL team I would like to thank you for the very good quality and high speed of this delivery! Thanks again and looking forward to new challenges in future."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.08.2009 – Micromata Labs present: Java API for KML (JAK)

World's first Java interface for the description of geographical data now available to download

Micromata GmbH, specialist for tailor-made software engineering, headquartered in Kassel, presents the first Java interface for easy access to KML (Keyhole Markup Language). Micromata will release JAK (Java API for KML) to the community as open source software. The open source project is now available to download at: http://code.google.com/p/javaapiforkml/ and http://labs.micromata.de/display/jak/

The project was developed at Kassel University within the framework of a master's thesis commissioned by Micromata. The Kassel experts for software engineering clearly defined their objective: to develop an open source based Java interface, which would enable direct and easy access to KML. KML is an XML-based programming language that describes and visualizes geographic data. Originally developed for the client components of Google Earth, KML is now frequently used to program web-based maps in 2D, virtual globes in 3D and as a means of exchanging geographic data. KML was defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) as a standard in April 2008; many virtual globes, such as NASA's World Wind or Microsoft's Virtual Earth, are based on KML.

In spite of the high adaptation rate of KML, until now, there was no interface that enabled convenient and easy use of KML in existing Java environments, thus enabling access to geographic data in KML. Because digital information with spatial information – i.e. geospatial data - is becoming increasingly important, Micromata felt that it was high time to take action. In the past, the measurement of land masses was a tedious and time-consuming process requiring vast resources. These days, data are recorded via satellite, or underground using radar wagons, and the results are digitalized.
The challenge now is to integrate existing geographical data in a geobrowser, such as Google Earth. The majority of KML-based documents are created manually. However, the more complex and sophisticated the documents become, the more they require computer scripts able to generate data-driven KML on a large scale. Because these individually created KML documents vary enormously, they need to be adapted – an extremely laborious and costly process.

In cooperation with Kassel University, Micromata GmbH supported a master's thesis in the Information Technology degree program to develop a simple solution for just this task. It was clear from the outset that the results of this work would be made available to the community as an open source version.

"When developing our customized solutions, we also benefit considerably from all the tools, solutions and codes available in the open source community", explained Micromata Managing Director, Thomas Landgraf. "It therefore goes without saying that we are also keen to share our knowledge and innovations with this community – so we are extremely proud that, as a result of this master's thesis, we have provided the world's first Java API for KML and thus been able to give back some of that know-how and expertise.

Micromata GmbH has worked closely with Kassel University for some years now and regularly oversees master and diploma theses.
With JAK, the open source community now has a universal interface for KML.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.08.2009 – Micromata Labs is online

http://labs.micromata.de is the home of all open content developed by Micromata GmbH. Owing to our philosophy that shared mastery is twice as effective as working in an ivory tower we would like to invite you to participate in our best practices. Along the way we also want to thank the Open Source Community for what we got and would like to give something in return.
Enjoy browsing!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.08.2009 –First round of the Internationalization of the Volkswagen Marketing Platform

The Volkswagen online platform www.vw-service-werbung.de has been extended by another function: with immediate effect the Volkswagen original parts wall calendar for 2010 is individualised and available in 41 languages.

Since the beginning of July not only German Volkswagen associates but VW importers from all over the world are able to order the VW wall calendar online. About 300 international hits onto the platform are expected before the end of the order period, for instance, from Italy, Japan or Senegal. Whilst before the order process was carried out via mail and fax, it now can all be completed via the Internet. For importers this means that parts are delivered to the market in far less time.
Furthermore, traders have the opportunity to place their own logo as well as their company’s name onto the calendar as well as translate the slogan into their national language. For example, Swiss importers can issue calendars in Italian, French or German - depending on where their business is located within Switzerland. However, any alterations must be strictly in line with the Corporate Design of the Volkswagen brand. A ‘preview’ function allows to take a look at the calendar and possibly edit it before submitting the order.
Volkswagen in collaboration with Micromata have thus placed another stepping stone within their marketing platform for the internationalization of the VW brand. As a result of it, international traders of Volkswagen vehicles will benefit from new marketing tools as much as their German counterparts. The tools on the marketing platform are extremely user-friendly and very easy to handle.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

28.07.2009 – Excellent Micromata Software

The internal quality of IT systems is the deciding factor when it comes to the system’s ability to react to changes. The ServiceLine Technical Quality Assurance (TQS) of the German Post DHL’s Department of Technical Architecture (TesA) verifies this internal quality of software projects. A component of the internal quality is the adherence to coding guidelines.

With the performance test on June 8th 2009 the ServiceLine TQS certifies the excellent coding quality of the IT systems that Micromata delivered to the German Post DHL. The java-based system which is
furnished with a stringent SOA architecture (Sopera) is linked with 8 external systems and replaces an existing back-end system.
It takes about three years to develop the software and according to the TesA it set optimal conditions for a flexible and cost-efficient maintenance as well as further development.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

22.07.2009 – Micromata launches Java user group in Hessen

New Java Community is formed to make use local as well as international synergies

Micromata GmbH, specialist in tailor-made software development and located in Kassel, introduces a forum for the Java community in Hessen. JUGH! is the short version for Java User Group Hessen. The group belongs to an international network of numerous Java communities, a voluntary organisation dedicated to propagate world-wide Java specific know-how.

Micromata assumed lead managment during the event that was organised to introduce the new forum. Approximately 40 Java experts attended the occasion in order to network and exchange information and expertise. Apart from discussing new Java projects, members also defined the goals of the user group: the most important aspect is to promote the Java scene in the locality of Hessen as well as to exchange know-how during seminars and work shops. Talks held by Thomas Landgraf and Bernd Kratz from Micromata preluded the introduction of JUGH!, the speakers shared news and impressions on the JavaOne event that took place in June in California.

'We are delighted that JUGH! has been received so well!" Micromata's director and assigned Jug-Leader Thomas Landgraf explaims joyfully. 'The event was a huge success thanks to a high number of Hessen's Java users being present.'

Think globally - act locally. As co-founder of JUGH! Micromata fully supports the maxim that speaks of world-wide exchange. The specialist for tailor-made software bases its solutions on Java and has been a very keen supporter of this programming language and the corresponding philosophy for a very long time. Java stands for the free transfer of know-how and, in essence, the world-wide Java network practices a kind of global democracy. In contrast to proprietary IT technologies, Java demonstrates a multivendor capability. Java enables free applications as well as further development through Java applicants. In this spirit, JUGH! allows Java community members in Hessen to share their knowledge in order to find answers to subject-specific and technical questions and in order to grow into Java specialists.

Landgraf explains: 'On the one hand, JUGH! will focus on its goals within its locality; on the other hand, it will pursue its vision of a world-wide Java community. Development in today's society cannot only be confined to national borders, it must be a world-wide process. Exchange of know-how on a global scale is important, and with those user groups we create an optimal platform for a structured knowledge transfer.'

The next JUGH! event is already set in stone: on 31st of July at Micromata's space at Marie-Calm Straße 1-5, 34131 Kassel at 4 p.m. Anyyone interested may attend. The first point on the agenda will be the 'Friday talk' during which participants will discuss any program-technical topics. At 5 p.m. the lecture on 'Hibernate and Hibernate Search' will begin. For further information on JUGH! please visit http://www.jugh.org

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

30.06.2009 – With support from Micromata GmbH the geotechnical information system designed by K+S reaches the next level

K+S GeoBASE®II provides K+S Ltd with a more secure and efficient way for the keeping of data
Micromata GmbH develops tailor-made software for businesses. An example would be the geotechnical information system of the K+S IT-Services GmbH. K+S is one of the leading suppliers of special as well as standard fertilizers and care products and salts for plants. With the new software version K+S GeoBASE®II the company benefits from a more secure and efficient way of data management.

K+S’ mineral salts constitute the basis of many products for agriculture, industry and private consumers. In order to be able to meet the ever-growing worldwide demand and to coordinate the numerous German as well as international production facilities, K+S require the newest technology. As a consequence, it was necessary to update the internal geotechnical information software. Micromata thus adapted the existing solution to the particular needs of the mineral salts mining industry and K+S GeoBASE®II is now continuously being improved and developed further by a highly professional project team with members from both companies.

‘There never was or is a standardized solution on the market for the particular needs that K+S Ltd has.’ states Udo Bickhardt, graduate engineer and lead controller of all information systems at K+S IT Services GmbH. ‘So much the better it was for us to find in Micromata a very reliable and highly competent partner close-by. Our cooperation is shaped through continuity and has been operating successfully since 5 years.”

Of particular concern was the real time transmission of a substantial bulk of data on individual boreholes between mines and centrally operating data banks - by meeting these requirements K+S GeoBASE®II disposes of features usually not available with commercial IT products. Instead of the traditional data synchronization between decentralized data with the central data bank over night, the new version allows for a transfer of a huge amount of data in real time, which saves a lot of time. Furthermore, the solution disposes of a high level of scalability of three-dimensional data, all the while guaranteeing an excellent performance level despite high data complexity. The generation of 3D models enables K+S a target-oriented planning of all degradation processes, thus offering economical as well as safety-related benefits.

‘For Micromata the further development of the K+S GeoBASE®-Software posed quite a challenge that involved a thorough knowledge of the conditions and facts of salt mining.’ explains Thomas Landgraf, founder and director of Micromata GmbH. ‘Consequently, it was particularly important to work closely with the entire K+S team in order to define all necessary requirements of the software solution in the run up to its development. This is a deciding factor during the development of tailor-made software and is standard procedure during all of Micromata’s projects’.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

14.06.2009 – Optimal freight service with evolutionary algorithms

This article introduces an approach to freight service planning with the aid of evolutionary algorithms. The aim is to create a support tool for schedulers when taking decisions with regards to planning and managing the daily transport of goods.

A very important goal is to schedule environmentally friendly transport routes, for example, through keeping the distances travelled at a minimum. DHL is testing the prototype introduced in this article with real data. The results of the transport planning are being compared to actual freight plans, plus, various settings for the evolutionary algorithm are being tested and verified through statistical tests.

Please refer to the original article (in German) for more information.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

14.06.2009 – POLYAS is POLYGLOTT

The leading Swiss life insurance company Swiss Life used POLYAS to carry out elections for their foundation board in three languages.

Approximately 24,000 enterprises who are associated with the BVG Foundation of Swiss Life have voted for the members of their foundation board, which will be in office for the four years. Instead of the usual absentee ballot, Swiss Life decided in favour of using the on-line election software POLYAS, which allowed everyone to vote for their candidates with a quick and simple mouse click whilst being assured that the election is meeting all requirements for an equal, free and confidential election. The software is extremely user-friendly, very cost-efficient and prides itself with a high standard of security.

"Bienvenue à l' élection / Benvenuti all' elezione / Willkommen zur Stiftungsratswahl"

The election was carried out in Switzerland's three official languages: Italian, French and German. Thanks to the internationalisation of POLYAS it was possible to give voters the choice of any of these three languages without having to alter the source code.

POLYAS has the additional benefit of offering a "managing committee client", which can be used by the committee that manages the election to monitor their election independently from the software developer's administrators. A virtual control centre allows the committee to monitor the electorate list, the ballot box and the validator all at the same time of the election taking place.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.06.2009 – Micromata’s presence at the JAVAONE

The most important event a year for a Java developer is the JavaOne. Micromata’s proprietors Thomas Landgraf and Bernd Kratz went to San Francisco between June 2nd and 5th 2009 in order to attend this conference.
Amongst exciting seminars on Enterprise JavaBeans, Spring Frameworks 3.0 and Upgrading OSGi the event offered great opportunities for networking. Bernd Kratz engaged in talks with Gavin King, founder and chief developer of Hibernate, the leading stability solution for Java. Adam Bien introduced Micromata’s leaders to key persons of the Java.net.

However, Landgraf and Kratz brought not only new contacts but also new technologies back to Kassel. Some of the new technologies they even tested right on the spot for compatibility with Micromata projects and declared them suitable. Some subjects such as ‘High Octane Development Team’ or ‘Mylyn: refending the „I" in IDE’ will be picked up again during our weekly Friday talks in order to update Micromata’s development team.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

03.06.2009 – Junior Elections 2009 with POLYAS

On June 7th 2009 European elections are taking place. In the run-up those elections, Junior elections are being organised as it happened during many other parliament elections.

The association Kumulus set up an initiative that allows pupils as of year 7 the opportunity to experience democracy. During a whole-school project the elections are being prepared, and then culminate in pupils actually casting their vote on-line sitting in a polling booth. The election software used for this project is called POLYAS and has been developed by Micromata, GmbH, a software development company situated in Kassel. POLYAS meets all requirements for an equal, free and confidential election, regardless of the size and purpose of the election.

For more information, we would like to invite you to view the documentary aired on 3rd June 2009 by ARD during the news report. Please click on the following link to access the programme.

http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/video507308.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

14.03.2009 – Adam Bien pays another visit to Micromata

Friday 13th was a lucky day this March, in particular for software developers at Micromata. Adam Bien came visiting in order to share his knowledge during a 2-day seminar.

The workshop mainly focused on design. What exactly is design and what does it mean in relation to software development? What are characteristics of ‘bad‘ designs and which requirements do ’good‘ designs meet? The programme of the workshop included topics such as Unified Modeling Language (UML), problem-solving during multi-layer architecture as well as concrete design patterns such as ’Factory‘, ’Registry‘ and ’Kompositum‘.

During the get-together on Friday evening Micromata’s employees had another opportunity to talk shop with Adam about the magic moments and future perspectives of Java development.

Adam Bien does not consider himself an expert in the field because to him this ‘title‘ equals stagnancy of knowledge and he in fact is an advocate of lifelong learning. Micromata’s software developers indeed share this view and are always ready for continued professional development.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

02.03.2009 – Press Release: Weatherman goes wind energy

Micromata signs a cooperation contract with the Fraunhofer Institute IWES

In order to support the rising tendency of wind energy Micromata GmbH recently signed a cooperation contract with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy Systems Technology (IWES – previously known as ISET) and made available an on-line service for wind park operators.

It is virtually certain: the future belongs to renewable energies. Especially wind energy is advancing both in Germany as well as on a European level. On the basis of the Wind Power Management System (WPMS) developed by ISET and the German meteorological service (DWD) – which has been used successfully by big German network operators since many years - Micromata developed a portal which will allow even small suppliers an easy distribution of wind energy.

At HYPERLINK "http://www.energiefrosch.de" www.energiefrosch.de wind park operators can conveniently compile performance projections for their wind parks. In the light of the new energy supply law this is a necessary service because wind energy can be traded at the energy market since the beginning of the year. Solid prognoses are vital at such markets because expected input data for the days to follow are used for trade. Given the trend towards a monolopolistic energy market the portal depicts a sensible step towards equal opportunities for medium-sized wind park operators.

This is how it works: The system uses so-called artificial neuronal networks which respond to a particular wind energy plant. Using the weather forecast of the German meteorological service (DWD) a reliable performance projection for the input data that can be expected for the following days is compiled. For that to happen the performance projection data that has been measured for this wind energy plant over the period of one year needs to be fed into the system.

The close cooperation between the new Fraunhofer Institute (IWES) and the Micromata’s software specialists is an important step towards the advancement of wind energy in Germany because it makes it competitive in an increasingly global market. Competition has become fierce: in 2007 the total revenue world-wide made from wind energy was 15.4 billion Euros of which 37% was German wind energy. For the year 2020 the forecast for the total revenue of German enterprises accessing renewable energies is between 24 and 30 billion Euros.

Provided that wind energy is delivering two thirds of this renewable energy as planned, that would mean a total revenue of 16 to 20 billion Euros.

In order for the Germany to defend its position in the market innovations like this are vital. The portal HYPERLINK "http://www.energiefrosch.de" www.energiefrosch.de is already making a fair contribution to that.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

17.12.2008 - 5th online election for the Steering Commitee of the Association for Computer Sciences completed successfully

Between October 5th and November 28th 2008 the members of the Association for Computer Sciences elected their new Steering Committee just like they have been doing for the past 5 years primarily using the online election software POLYAS designed by Micromata GmbH.

About 20,000 eligible voters were informed via mail about the 5 candidates and the two election possibilities: votes could be cast either online or by mail. However, only 2% of the votes were sent through by mail, the remainder of 98% was cast online.

As per usual for those who preferred casting their votes online, the application was available around the clock, seven days a week every week during the election period. However, there was one new element to it: for the first time the election results were saved in PDF/A format according to ISO 19005. This format guarantees the Association for Computer Sciences that results are saved in a legally correct way for the long-term archive.

Cornelia Winter, deputy director of the Association for Computer Sciences sang songs of praises: „We thank Micromata for the great and confident collaboration we have experienced and are very pleased about the successful completion of the 2008 election of the Steering Committee for the Association for Computer Sciences.“

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

17th November 2008 - STEFANOS TSIVOPOULOS is the new winner of the "GOLDEN CUBE"-Award

25th Anniversay of Documentary and Movie Celebration in Kassel
Micromata once again sponsors the “Golden Cube“

Kassel, 11th November 2008. For the second time around now Micromata GmbH sponsors the Documentary and Movie Celebration in Kassel, which was opened on November 11th. Just like in the previous year the local software company sponsors the “Golden Cube“. This prize worth €2,500 is handed over for the best media installations exhibited at an exhibition called “Moniting“. Micromata GmbH who develops individual software solutions for internationally renowned companies such as K+S, Volkswagen and DHL, puts emphasis on innovation and continuity. For Kai Reinhard and Thomas Landgraf, directors of the business founded in 1996, it is very important to support the famous regional celebration on a long-term basis.

“The growing economic success of a company increases its responsibility within the community.“, Reinhard explains Micromata’s involvement. Kassel’s Documentary and Movie Celebration has developed remarkably over the last 25 years, reflected in both an increase in attendance as well as greater interest from artists.

The exhibition “Monitoring“ was opened on 12th November at 19:00 hours in the “Kasseler Kunstverein“ (Art Club in Kassel). The international competitors for the “Golden Cube“ are exhibiting 17 media installations in the art club in the Fridericianum as well as in the “KulturBahnhof“. The awards ceremony has taken place on November 16th.

In the last year the Dutch artist Erik Olofsen received the prize for his video “Public Figures“. In his work he transforms a platform of a subway station into a kind of stage that combines public with private life.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13th November 2008 - Success is programmable

With Micromata for the first time a software company from Kassel arrives in Bonn and brings along its recipe for success.

In a period of financial crisis, decreased economic activity and prophesised recession a software company from the north of Hessen counters the prevailing spirit of the time:

On 13th November 2008 the software company Micromata GmbH has opened up a subsidiary and thus shines with optimism despite of the pessimistic economic prognosis. And rightfully so: The business has been growing ever since it was founded back in 1996 and rejoices in economic health and stability. During the last five years the IT specialists recorded a growth in sales of 171% and also the year 2008 has been full of contracts.

In 2006 Micromata was awarded the “Technology Fast 50 Award“ by Deloitte because it was acknowledged as one of the 50 most dynamic and fast-growing businesses - in this year alone the company has employed 14 new members of staff. The success of the business is based on the development and integration of tailor-made software solutions for renowned clients, particularly coming from the fields of logistics, automotive and the production of raw materials. Micromata’s established clientele includes businesses such as DHL, Volkswagen, K+S, E.ON and Wintershall.

Bonn will now become a second home of the company. Reason for this is that since a few years a huge percentage of contracts have originated from this region – with an upward trend.
The city is attractive not only due to its economic potential but also due to its cultural richness. And Micromata can now give something back to her: the new office is located in the ’Menuhinstraße’ and will offer many exciting opportunities and new projects for local IT specialists.

Clients in and around Bonn will of course beneift from the local proximity and Micromata will offer even better customer service. During each software project the client is considered an integral part of the team and now with the proximity of the subsidiary the needs of the local companies can be identified swiftly and can be integrated directly without any loopways into the development of a tailor-made, individual software. Consequently, the success of a completed application is guaranteed.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

21st October 2008 - Co-Determination 2.0: Micromata Completes the first Legally-binding online voting system

With the introduction of POLYAS voting new perspectives are opened up on how organizations can influence grass-roots democracy with electronic voting devices.
Micromata, a software company located in Kassel, a pioneer in the field of online elections and designer of the election software POLYAS introduces a new product: POLYAS VOTING. Clubs, societies, associations, businesses and institutions are invited to use this user-friendly and secure voting software very cost-efficiently, quickly and directly via Internet.

Co-determination is a foundation of democracy
The cornerstone of a democratic culture in a business or club is that each individual member has the right to participate in decision-making regardless of whether it is about voting for a person or voting for a factual issue. Co-determination of all members on the basis of parity is a matter of course for many businesses and institutions or is even dictated in the articles of the organization. POLYAS VOTING uses this concept as a starting point and supports the principle of grass-roots democracy within organizations both under public law and commercial law. To this end it is particularly tailored to the needs of panels, committees and boards. A typical field of application of the module would be an internal election of a board of directors and representatives or an election for the staff council.

Of sociopolitical Importance
Just like POLYAS, the new software POLYAS VOTING promotes co-determination and strengthens the principle of grass-roots democracy within organizations both governed by public and commercial law. Thus, it has a crucial contribution to the society’s democracy. Compliance with democratic principles POLYAS VOTING complies with all criteria and regulations of legally-binding and democratic elections. It allows for a free, confidential and direct vote. The system ensures that only those who are entitled to vote can do so and guarantees the anonymity of all voters – the vote cannot in any way be linked to the voter.

Easy and unbureaucratic
The practical application of POLYAS VOTING is multilateral: the overall time it takes to cast the votes and to count all of them is greatly reduced. The voters do not have to appear in person, instead they can vote directly via Internet. The creation of an election within the software is very easy: the election supervisor creates a new election within the election module and uploads the electoral register. Subsequently, all voters are invited via email to participate in the election and can cast their vote by the well-known online banking “PIN and TAN” method.
The election module is a cost-effective alternative to elections by mail due to postal charges being saved and bureaucratic effort being reduced to a minimum. Conclusion: The application of POLYAS VOTING leads to increased all-over voter participation as well as increased participation of each individual in internal decision-taking processes.
POLYAS VOTING is exclusively used via Internet, which does not require any external software. It is self-explanatory and very user-friendly.

A secure foundation
POLYAS VOTING is based on more than ten years of development and practical experiences both on national as well as international level. The first legally-binding online election was carried out with POLYAS in 2003. Since then approximately half a million votes have been cast and counted via POLYAS.
Presently, POLYAS is a strict certification process via the Common Criteria of the Federal Institute for Security of Information Technology (BSI).
Germany is at the forefront when it comes to safety requirements of online election.

Online at www.polyas.de
With immediate effect POLYAS VOTING is available at http://www.polyas.de/abstimmungen.jsp
Predefined election modules are lodged within the software to meet the common needs of elections within clubs, associations, private businesses and public institutions. Added-on services are the creation of electoral registers, pre-designed polling cards and a 24-hour hotline.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

14th August 2008 - 3. International E-Voting Conference in Bregenz between 6th and 9th of August

Between August 6th and 9th international experts and scientists met up in Bregenz in order to discuss technical, legal and social aspects of e-voting. Hands-on experience as well as up-to-date certification possibilities according to the Common Criteria took the center stage of the debate, which was of worldwide interest.

Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH and expert in the field of on-line elections, had been invited to participate in the panel discussion. He summarises the conference from Micromata's view point: "We are very proud and pleased that our on-line election software POLYAS is known worldwide. The consistently positive feedback informs us that we are indeed on the right track. Now it is time to meet the international demand and defend our leading position in the market."

More information regarding e-voting can be obtained at www.e-voting.cc

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

30.06.2008 Quality prevails - GENOME wins recognition

Micromata wins IT project for the coordination and management of pick-up assignments of DHL packages

For medium-sized businesses the finest recipe of success for prevailing amongst the big ones within an industry is a mixture of know-how, experience and of course the right product: The application management system GENOME designed by Micromata competed against product solutions of renowned software manufacturers and clearly asserted itself thanks to the standards applied as well as oustanding references.

With the integrated system, which operates as intelligent infrastruture for various applications, Micromata once again delivers proof of innovative and forward-looking work. GENOME incorporates the best features of both standard and individual software. It is as robust, efficient and reliable as a standard solution and simultaneously as flexible, transparent and cost-efficiently as an individual software system.

Already in the past Micromata successfully and convincingly demonstrated her ability with DHL projects such as the leading online franking software on www.dhl.de or e-datagate, an international and highly intelligent software used to plan routes. Consequently, very swiftly Micromata was able to position herself as competent IT service provider with the new project.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

01.07.2008 Federal Office for the Security within Information Technology (BSI) certifies protection profile for election software

The preparation for the certification of the protection profile BSI-CC-PP0037 has been supported crucially by Micromata GmbH in Kassel

The protection profile „Basic Set of Security Requirements of Online Election Products“ put forward by the The Society for Computer Sciences (GI) has been certified by the Federal Office for the Security within Information Technology.

Based on the Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (in short Common Criteria) the protection profile takes into consideration all essential criteria for data protection and thus safeguards the compliance with the standard principles of law for election rights in Germany.

Cutting-edge election software manufacturer Micromata GmbH from Kassel was significantly involved in the formulation of the draft of the protection profile. „Defining a protection profile for online elections makes them more legally binding and fundamentally strengthens the confidence potential users have in the product - inviting a broader acceptance of the new technology.“ explains Kai Reinhard, Micromata’s executive director, who had been appointed to join the advisory committee of the BSI specially for this project.

The technological requirements for a secure election software are anything but mundane. Just like any other election, online elections must of course be free, equal, confidential and direct. The identification of a voter must be reliable and he or she must be elligible to participate in the election. Furthermore, it must be ensured that each person can only cast one vote and that no link can be made between a voter and his or her vote. The latter not only plays a legal role but is also important  psychologically because an election software can only be successful if the user considers his or her privacy unviolated.

Hence, the list of experts who were involved in the development of the protection profile naturally contains the nomenclature of the German IT competence:  The Society for Computer Sciences (GI), German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, Federal Institute of Physical-Technical Affairs, the Federal Office for the Security within Information Technology as well as various universities. Professor Dr. Rüdiger Grimm of the Univeristy Koblenz-Landau was appointed as project manager.

The results of the co-operation is an effective tool for consumer protection. As future seal of approval it will guarantee the security of any certified online election software. Micromata aims for POLYAS to be certified according to the protection profile.

The protection profile is published on the following website:  www.bsi.bund.de  

Further information can be found in the press release on the Heise website.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

30.06.2008 Bank security check passed with flying colours

The number of Micromata’s satisfied clients is ever-rising. At the end of 2007 Micromata took over the updating and maintenance of the web application for asset accounting for the Ratiodata IT Solutions & Services GmbH.

Ratiodata looks after renowned German corporations within the financing sector with accordingly high quality and security requirements. Originally the respective application – which is used by approximately 240 banks in Germany to manage their capital assessts was serviced by a different external service provider. Micromata was expected to overhaul the asset software in a way so that it would meet the current and any future security requirements. Since January the application as revised by Micromata has been on-line and already has already proved of value: „The internal GAD revision has carried out a penetration test. Fortunately, the results are very positive.“ says Mr Schwamberger from Ratiodata.

Micromata’s project manager Manfred Menze claims: „Thanks to our domain knowledge in the field of on-line elections we are very familiar with the priority of highly confidential data as well as their protection against external assaults. Consequently, the positive results of the revision did not come as a surprise for us.“ A second roll-out in April this year shows how fast Micromata’s developers become aquainted with the required domains - the users’ specific technical requirements have already been implemented.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

14.04.2008 - Micromata GmbH: €1,000 for "Tiger Ducks"

Micromata GmbH will once again support the 'Association for Social Aid' (registered) with €1,000 for the sixth "Tiger Duck Race". This year the popular charity event will take place on May 1st at the shores of the River Fulda. The event's motto will be "Together for the welfare of the city".

"Statistics drawn up on poverty amongst the population show us that the number of finically disadvantaged children increases annually. We hope that with our small contribution we are able to raise awareness on the importance of social welfare amongst all of us." Kai Reinhard, director of Micromata GmbH, points out. Since years the software company has been getting involved in social issues.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

14.04.2008 - Micromata goes international

DHL Freight Benelux adopts online platform e-datagate

The transport and logistics solution e-datagate continues on the road to success: Since 2003 DHL Freight Germany has been distributing their routes via the online platform e-datagate, which was developed by Micromata GmbH. Every day thousands of transfer orders for about 16,000 swap trailers (lorry containers) are being scheduled. They are being allocated to a suitable freight forwarder in order to reach their destinations in time.

As of July the software will also be used by DHL Freight Benelux in order to coordinate international freight traffic to Italy and Spain amongst other things.

The new software will then enable ad-hoc tours and a more accurate tracing of routes, and will create a higher level of flexibility especially for those transports that are critical in terms of time.

A further advantage is that end customers, too, will soon be able to comfortably authorise and monitor transports via the platform. As a result of this DHL achieves a higher level of process security as well as a faster and more efficient flow of the processing and management of transport orders.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

22.01.2008 - E-Voting and Identity

Micromata: "Compliance of POLYAS with the BSI Protection Profile - Basic Requirements for Remote Electronic Voting Systems"

Abstract: "In the past year and a half a group of experts in electronic voting developed a Common Criteria Protection Profile describing basic requirements for remote electronic voting systems. This work was lead-managed by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and initiated by the German Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI - society for informatics). To complete this work Micromata’s Polyas system, which is used for the GI elections needs to be evaluated against this Protection Profile. As a first step a high-level evaluation based on the security objectives has been carried out. The results are presented in this paper."

For more information regarding the article, please find the book: ISBN 978-3-540-77492-1

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

21.01.2008 - Junior Elections 2008 in Hessen

Micromata supports the national school project: Political Education of the Youth 

During the course of this week – 21st till 25th of January 2008 – approximately 5,000 adolescents under the age of 18 in 27 schools in Hessen will be able to enjoy the opportunity to participate in a trial election of the parliament in Hessen. With this project the organisers hope to arouse interest in politics amongst the youth.
 
During the course of this ‘project week’ teachers will be discussing topics such as democracy and election of parliament at the end of which pupils are asked to organise an election by distributing ballot papers, creating electoral registers, forming an election board and finally casting votes under real conditions.
 
However, unlike the upcoming elections this Sunday votes will not be cast on paper but instead on-line. The official ‘Hessen Junior Election Results’ will be published on 27th January 2008 at 18:00 hours at  http://www.juniorwahl.de.
 
The on-line software that is applied for the Junior election has been designed by Micromata, a software company in Kassel, which supports the entire project this year.
 
On 17th January the winners of the competition “Youth debates” met for a debate with party representatives Andrea Ypsilanti (SPD), Karin Wolff (CDU), Tarek Al-Wazir (Grüne) und Ruth Wagner (FDP). Questions such as “Shall study fees be abolished in Hessen?” and “Is it feasible to expand wind energy in Hessen” have been part of the agenda.

   
The debate can be listened to as audio pod cast at YOUFM http://www.you-fm.de.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.12.2007 - EBay certifies the coporatelinerSTORE

Use Micromata’s application to present your products “shop-in-shop” on the auction platform

It is now official: Micromata’s corporatelinerSTORE has passed through eBay’s certification process and has been accepted

eBay’s certification criteria ensure the smooth data exchange via the API interface (Application Programming Interface) and thus guarantee speed, flexibility and stability for all users. The corporatelinerSTORE is a “shop-in-shop system” within eBay, which enables Micromata’s clients to present their products and services in their own corporate design on the trade platform. The Volkswagen plc already uses the application in order to offer original Volkswagen parts and services via eBay motors.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

04.12.2007 - Proyecto Esperanza e.V.

The club in Kassel is helping street kids in Ecuador

Within the next three months employees of the club in Kassel will be supporting locally in Rio Negro the construction and extension of the ‘finca’ that has existed since four years.

Within the framework of the relief project children who live on the streets in Ecuador will receive a home that offers them familial structures, regular meals, education as well as medical care.

Aim of the project is to offer those children an appropriate upbringing to build up their self-esteem, develop their social skills and teach them responsibility in order to prepare them for a future in which they can care for themselves independently. Micromata is pleased to be able to contribute to this good cause.

For more information with regards to "Proyecto Esperanza", please visit the following website: http://www.proyecto-esperanza.de

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

19.11.2007 - DOKFEST-FINALE IN KASSEL

Micromata sponsors the Golden Cube: Erik Olofsen wins with his creation ‘Public Figures’

At this year’s 24th documentary film festival Kai Reinhard, one of the directors of Micromata, handed over the "Golden Cube" (worth €2,500) for the best media installation at the Monitoring exhibition.

During his speech at the award ceremony on 18th November in the ‘Kulturbahnhof’ in Kassel Kai Reinhard stressed the fact that in line with the growing economic success of his business his social responsibility grows as much. By quoting the 18th century art scholar Joachim Johann Winckelmann with the words: “The artist has to design with fire and to perform with meticulousness.”, Kai Reinhard thus drew parallels between art and the philosophy of ‘Softwareschmiede’, which develops software for companies in Kassel such as K+S and Wintershall. He then proceeded to describe Micromata’s engagement in sponsoring regional culture in order to appreciate all those activities that are happening in the culture centre Kassel also during the times before and after the documentary film festival. Finally, Kai Reinhardt announced the winner and handed over the Golden Cube.

This year’s prize was awarded to the installation "Public Figures" designed by artist Erik Olofsen. All 16 media installations were displayed between November 13th and 18th 2007 in the south wing of the ‘Kulturbahnhof’. Kai Reinhard announced that in the following year he would be more than happy to donate the Golden Cube once again.

'Public Figures', Erik Olofsen:

http://www.erikolofsen.com/

For more information regarding the DOKFEST and MONITORING please refer to the website: http://www.filmladen.de/dokfest/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

09.11.2007 - Volkswagen’s service shop goes online with eBay

Micromata programmed the ‘shop-in-shop system’ for the automobile concern

Since November 9th it is possible to buy more than one hundred original Volkswagen parts and services on the eBay platform – directly offered from more than four hundred local Volkswagen partner. The Volkswagen Service Shop is thus one of the biggest within eBay Motors.

A special query form – displayed in Volkswagen’s Corporate Design – located at http://stores.ebay.de/volkswagen-service-shop enables shoppers to search for the desired product with criteria such as post code, radius, model, category and product group.

Of course shoppers can also search via the ‘normal’ search function on eBay and will be directed to the online Volkswagen shop and its products.

When developing the application Micromata focused on intuitive user navigation inside the shop, easy link to the Volkswagen Dealer as well as adaptation of the corporate designs to the strict eBay framework.

The data import onto the eBay platform is processed via our corporateliner application, which has been used by Volkswagen already since four years for the customization of their promotional material. With one mouse click the customized products and services can be put online. Micromata’s goal is that all 2,500 Volkswagen partners will use the shop offer within the next few months.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

05.11.2007 - Green light for 100,000 eligible voters

The German Research Association (DFG) vote for their colleagues with POLYAS online

On 5 November 2007 at 14:00 hours Micromata’s POLYAS went online with a user surface specifically designed for the DFG election. More than 100,000 voters of 100 German universities, colleges and scientific facilities will partake in the election. Eligible voters will be given four weeks in order to cast their vote for the 1,300 candidate scientists and thus are given the opportunity to influence the decision process about who will carry out the evaluations of applications put forward to the DFG.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

15.08.2007 - Auctions’ Watchdog

Micromata software now manages the auctions within E.ON’s buying department

E.ON developed INDICUM, a purchase manager which is used by the concern. On this e-procurement platform the requirements of all subsidiaries are captured, bundled, published for any announcements and supplier auctions, and finally evaluated.

Within this application Micromata newly developed the so-called auction monitor. This tool enables the buyer to monitor all auction processes almost to the second!
To do so, the buyer opens the desired auction and can then switch backwards and forwards between four different configurable views: either according to the best bids or according to the respective bid history. The information can be displayed either in the form of a table or diagram.
Here, the client can simultaneously open various views of one auction and arrange them according to individually defined qualifiers – this allows the client to monitor all price changes at any time.
The monitoring can be carried out in both English or German. It is very important that all data is always up-to-date.
As per usual, also for this project Micromata’s motto was: “If there is a way to improve things, find it!” (Thomas A. Edison) With Micromata’s auction monitor version, we managed to replace a less successful forerunner version.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

09.07.2007 - Election via Mouse Click: Professional Council of the German Research Community uses POLYAS in 2007

Micromata technology renders possible the biggest legally binding Internet election in Germany.

For the first time members of the Professional Council of the German Research Community will be elected this autumn by more than 90,000 scholars via the Internet. Each single voter has a selection  of almost 1,400 candidates. Elected members’ main task will be to inspect and evaluate research contracts.

The online platform of choice for this venture will be Micromata’s election software POLYAS. Micromata’s director Kai Reinhard points out: “Shifting the polling station into the Internet means eliminating mistakes, preserving resources and saving costs because the production and dispatch of election papers, the setting up of polling stations and a time-consuming manual enumeration of votes all do not apply anymore.”

For further information, please visit

http://www.dfg.de

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

30.05.2007 - New: Worldwide Shipping and Express pick-up with DHL-Online-Franking

DHL-Online-Franking Service in germany will be expanded thanks to Micromata’s Software.

Germany: with the release of the DHL-Online-Franking Software DHL customers’ comfort has been increased tremendously. There are six new features that Micromata programmed and made available online.

Despite the area expansion, you can still book the pick-up service with an express collection as an option. As customer you can choose between collection in the morning, at noon or in the afternoon and independent of a stamp order.

Up until now, Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader has been the popular program for the printing of the parcel labels. However, for those users who experience problems with the installation of the Acrobat Reader they have an alternative print option via a Java Applet ever since the new release. This user-friendly solution was already applied by more than 50% of the users a few days following the introduction, thus reducing the amount of calls made to the DHL customer support.

With the application of the new print client it is not necessary anymore to load each label individually but instead you have the option of carrying over the entire shopping basket at once, preview all labels in a window and then print them all out of course.

Micromata assists DHL also behind the scenes in customer support. Our software optimizes the workflow of the telephone customer service and minimizes waiting times for customers.

For further information, please visit

http://www.dhl.de

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

27.04.2007 - Call for entries to the 24. Dokfest has already started

Micromata sponsors this year’s “Golden Cube” prize for the best media installation of the exhibition MONITORING.

The 24th anniversary of the documentary and video film festival is celebrated between 13th and 18th November 2007 in Kassel. Here, young artists are given the opportunity to apply for prizes such as the “Golden Key”, the “Golden Hercules”, the “Golden Cube” or for the “A38 Production Scholarship”.

The “Golden Cube” is handed out for the best media installation. In this category the 15 best of all submitted entries are being selected and displayed in the ‘Kulturbahnhof’ during the 6 days of the festival.

Due to Micromata’s special engagement with cubes, we would like to sponsor young artists who range somewhere between the “White Cube” of the exhibition room and the “Black Box” of the movie theatre painted in black.

For further information, please visit

http://www.filmladen.de/dokfest/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

12.03.2007 - New Feature for the DHL Online prepayment for postal labels

Thanks to Micromata software DHL is now able to offer all Ebay customers an additional feature with the online prepayment for postal labels.

After a successful Ebay auction, the seller is now offered the possibility to import all contact details of the buyer onto the portal of the DHL online franking system – without having to enter the details separately for each single product. The seller can select a 30-day overview listing all auctions for which online labels have been chosen, prepaid and printed and how each product is being sent.

For further information, please visit

http://www.dhl.de

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

27.11.2006 - Micromata is laureate of the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Competition

After Micromata Ltd. has been awarded at the ‚Technology Fast 50 Competition’ - organised by the auditing company Deloitte with support from the business publication Capital - the company also received the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Award last week.

Micromata Ltd. Ranked number 370 in the list of fastest growing technology enterprices within Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 ranking list is compiled on the basis of the percentage of turnover growth rate over a period of five years. Mr. Thomas Landgraf and Mrs. Tanja Henkel attended the Award Ceremony 2006 on Monday, 27th November 2006 in Paris and are both very proud that the software company from Kassel received this European award.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

13.11.2006 - Micromata puts the secure authentication taglib Transec under GPL

While developing the internet-election-plattform Polyas (http://www.polyas.de) Micromata invented a component for secure PIN/TAN/passwort input via untrusted, insecure web-browsers. Transec is freely embeddable and redistributable for non-commercial projects. A commercial license with support is also available - please ask.

The input of PIN/TAN/password via standard web controls such das HTML-foms is under attack by spy- and malware. Transec enables user-authentication using a 100% server-side control - only images and coodinates are transferred to the untrusted browser. Transec can be integrated in each Java-Webapplication easily.

The Transec-taglib can be included in exisiting HTML-authetication dialogs.
Convince yourself by trying our demo-application or inspect the transec sourcecode available on our homepage http://www.micromata.de/en/produkte/transec.jsp

How it works
Transec generates the graphical user interface (GUI) dialog for PIN/TAN/Password input on the server-side as a simple image. The insecure browser does nothing else than displaying this image as an HTML-imagemap. The browser sends coordinate information of each click on this imagemap directly back to the server. Then the server responds with a new image. The PIN/TAN/Password is never known by the insecure browser.

If the browser is affected by spy- or malware, this spy- or malware has no possibility to get the PIN/TAN/Password since this information is'nt known by the browser.
Transec also protects your application against unwanted cache oder save functionality of the browser.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

02.11.2006 - DHL online franking: made by micromata

Since 2nd November 2006 DHL customers have found a new online franking solution on the DHL home page (www.dhl.de) – programmed by Micromata. A technical masterstroke in the field of programming. Before going online the web application had to meet very strict performance and capacity requirements. „Creation of 50 PDFs per second“ – the software is currently capable of producing more than 4.3 million individual parcel labels per day ready for print. Clearly arranged masks guide the end user via a secured interface through product selection, input of address details, payment and finally the printing of the prepaid labels on the home printer. Customers do not need to register or install a special franking software in order to use this function. The customer can easily pay for the DHL parcel label via Paypal or Giropay which are connected via professional interfaces. Apart from that, ebay sellers can change from www.ebay.de to DHL on-line franking with one click and the address details of the respective buyer and seller are automatically taken across onto the parcel label, which is ready for printing.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

10.10.2006 - Polyas: 10 Years of online voting

Since ten years Micromata’s software Polyas has been used to carry out online elections, demonstrating a proven track record as first (and first legally binding!) online election system in the world. In Germany Polyas is the only established legally binding online voting system. The very first time Polys was applied was in 1996 – exactly 10 years ago. Since then Polyas has continuously been developed further. Consequently, the highest security and quality can be guaranteed. The integrated digital signature allows for legally binding elections with anonymous votes and clean processing of the results.

The online votes are counted electronically and are presented in a graph. The operating guidelines are particularly user-friendly and understood even by the layperson. On an international level, more than 400,000 votes have been cast with the help of Polyas.

For political elections online voting systems are not authorised (as yet). However, Polyas is particularly useful for the implemenation of legally binding elections within clubs, societies and associations – alongside or alterantively to the traditional voting system.

Experience shows that with online elections participation increase by about 20%. In comparison to voting via mail or going to the polls, costs are decreased with online elections.

At present the certification of Polyas is being pushed forward.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

08.11.2005 - D21 committee online election with Polyas

From 24.10.2005 untill 07.11.2005 D21-members voted the committee in an electronic election using Micromata's online voting system Polyas. After 2003 the German Iinitiative D21, a society of leading German industrial companies, chose Polyas the second time for their election.
Again the participation could be increased.

Find further information under http://www.initiatived21.de/ssi/fragmente/102.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

09.09.2005 - Friedrich-List-Schüler üben Bundestagswahl

400 Kasseler Jugendliche bei bundesweiter Juniorwahl beteiligt.

Vom 12. bis 18. September 2005 werden bundesweit in allen 16 Ländern mehr als 50.000 Jugendliche unter 18 Jahren an ca. 180 Schulen die Gelegenheit haben, eine Übungswahl zum Deutschen Bundestag durchzuführen.
Darunter auch Schüler der Friedrich-List-Berufsschule in Kassel. Zudem beteiligen sich weltweit Deutsche Auslandsschulen.
Ziel ist es, Demokratie für Jugendliche erlebbar zu machen. Das Projekt „Juniorwahl 2005“ will so einen Beitrag zur Förderung des Demokratieverständnisses und zur Überwindung von Politikverdrossenheit unter Jugendlichen leisten. Wie bei der echten Bundestagswahl werden Wählerverzeichnis, Wahlkabinen und Wahlbenachrichtigungen eingesetzt. Höhepunkt ist die simulierte Bundestagswahl. Der Ablauf ist der echten Wahl am 18. September 2005 original nachempfunden. Mit einem Unterschied: Gewählt wird online – ganz modern am Computer über das Internet.

Kasseler Wahl-Software im Einsatz

Die Stimmabgabe der Jugendlichen erfolgt via Internet über das Softwareprodukt Polyas der Kasseler Firma Micromata GmbH, Neben mehreren Juniorwahlen zu Landtagswahlen seit 1999, wurde die Wahl-Software begleitend zur Bundestagswahl 2002 bei der ersten bundesweiten Juniorwahl eingesetzt. Seit 2003 werden mit Hilfe der Online-Wahl-Software Polyas auch rechtsverbindliche Vereinswahlen durchgeführt. – Als erste deutsche Vereine wählten die Initiative D21 e. V. und die Gesellschaft für Informatik e. V. (GI) ihre Vorstand beziehungsweise Präsidium rechtsverbindlich online über Polyas.

Politische Bildung im Kampf gegen Politikverdrossenheit

Seit der Ankündigung von Neuwahlen steht das Thema „Demokratie und Bundestagswahl“ in
den teilnehmenden Schulen auf dem Stundenplan. Begleitet und vorbereitet wird das Projekt
„Juniorwahl 2005“ mit Hilfe eigens dafür konzipierter Unterrichtseinheiten, etwa zur Bedeutung von Wahlen in der Demokratie, zum Wahlsystem in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, dem Fernsehduell und zu den Wahlkampfstrategien der Parteien. Mit Hilfe der Unterrichtseinheiten setzen sich die Schülerinnen und Schüler vorab im Schnitt rund 8 Stunden mit der Thematik auseinander.

Erfahrungen der Juniorwahl

Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen verschiedener renommierter Universitäten (Universität Stuttgart, Stanford University) zum Projekt haben unter anderem aufgezeigt, dass die Wahlbeteiligung der Eltern teilnehmender Jugendlicher bei der tatsächlichen Wahl um durchschnittlich vier Prozent höher lag. Die Zahl jugendlicher Zeitungsleserinnen und -leser lag um 50 Prozent höher als bei nicht teilnehmenden Jugendlichen.
Die Wahlergebnisse werden am 18. September 2005 um 18.00 Uhr im Internet unter www.juniorwahl.de bekannt gegeben.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

03.07.2005 - Micromata successfully takes part in the 3. WVC-Company Cup

On Sunday 3 July 2005 Dr Wilfried Lyhs, and directors Kai Reinhardt and Ralf Wiedmann represented the Micromata team at the 3. WVC-Company Cup. They competed against more than 60 regional company teams. This triathlon was organised by the water sports association Cassel (registered association). The short triathlon included 500 m swimming, (in the river Fulda), 20 km cycling as well as 5 km running.

Director Kai Reinhard prepared well in order to successfully complete the 500m swimming in the river Fulda. Ralf Wiedmann then mounted his bicycle in order to complete the tour starting from the Kasseler Aue, going to Doernhagen – Denhausen and back. Wilfried Lyths finally ran along the other participants through the Buga territory in order to return to the WVC area where he was welcomed by the audience.

The three Micromats had a lot of fun in participating in the competition and during the brunch that followed in front of the Orangerie they could fill up their energy reserves together with other Micromats.

A successful event – maybe at the net WVC company triathlon two or three Micromat teams will go ahead….

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

17.02.2005 - MICROMATA lectures at the 2. RFID-Symposium

The lecture “Cost advantages through the implementation of RFIDs” pointed out possible applications as well as cost saving opportunities of the RFID technology.

A documentary of the symposium as well as a summary of the lecture can be downloaded from http://www.micromata.de/produkte/rfid_integration.jsp.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

10.12.2004 - IT Society votes for the Steering Committee for the first time on-line

Through the implementation of Polyas on-line voting software designed by Micromata – the IT Society could increase the participation in the Steering Committee election by 56% in comparison to the previous year.

Go to press release

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dez. 2004 - Micromata unterstützt den Verein Proyecto Esperanza e. V.

Micromata verzichtete in diesem Jahr auf teure Weihnachtsgeschenke und unterstützte stattdessen mit einer Spende den Verein bei seiner Zielsetzung, bedürftigen Kindern und Jugendlichen in Ecuador zu helfen.

www.proyecto-esperanza.de

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

15.12.2003 - Erwin Staudt: Rekordbeteiligung dank Online-Wahl

Micromata realisierte im Herbst 2003 die Online-Vorstandswahlen der Initiative D21 und verhalf zu einer Rekordbeteiligung bei einer Kosteneinsparung von geschätzten 130.000 EUR. Der Vorstandsvorsitzende Erwin Staudt (Präsident des VfB Stuttgart und ehemaliger IBM-Chef Deutschland) bedankte sich mit folgendem Brief bei Micromata:

Berlin, 15. Dez. 2003

Sehr geehrter Herr Reinhard,

die Initiative D21 hat als erster eingetragener Verein in Deutschland ihren Vorstand rechtsgültig online gewählt - mit einer Rekordwahlbeteiligung von über 50 Prozent und Kosteneinsparungen von grob gerechnet 130.000 Euro. Fast ein Drittel der Wähler nutzte elektronische Signaturkarten. Zwei Drittel der Wähler nutzten das Pin-Tan-Verfahren.

Ihr tatkräftiges Engagement hierfür in unserer Projektgruppe "Online-Wahlen" hat maßgeblich zu diesem tollen Erfolg beigetragen. Dank Ihrer Hilfe haben wir es geschafft, das Thema Online-Wahlen einen guten Schritt voran zu bringen.

Im Namen des neu gewählten Vorstands bedanke ich mich sehr herzlich dafür!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Ihr

Erwin Staudt

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

15.12.2003 - Original Interview der Initiative D21:

Kai Reinhard, Micromata GmbH   

Herr Reinhard, der Vorstand der Initiative D21 wurde online mit einer so genannten Fernwahl-Variante gewählt. Was ist eine Fernwahl?

Eine Fernwahl ist die konsequente Erweiterung der so genannten Nahwahl: Bei der Nahwahl müssen die Wähler vor Ort im Wahllokal ihre Stimme abgeben. Die Fernwahl ermöglicht dem Wähler, die Stimme alternativ auch von einem beliebigen Ort, beispielsweise aus dem eigenen Büro oder auch von zu Hause, aus zu wählen.

Welche Vorteile bieten Online-Wahlen per Fernwahl-Variante?

Häufig ist es nicht möglich, alle Wähler in einem Wahllokal zusammenzubringen. Dies ist insbesondere auch eine Kostenfrage, vom organisatorischen Aufwand einmal abgesehen. Über eine Fernwahl-Variante können flexibel und kostengünstig Wahlen zu jeder Zeit durchgeführt werden. So können beispielsweise die virtuellen Wahllokale über mehrere Tage rund um die Uhr kostengünstig und weltweit geöffnet sein.
Unser Wahlsystem bietet je nach Anwendungsfall alle Möglichkeiten: Wahlterminals in Wahllokalen oder die Fernwahl jeweils kombinierbar mit unterschiedlichen Authentifizierungsmöglichkeiten, wie Digitaler Signatur oder das aus dem Online-Banking her bekannte PIN/TAN-Verfahren. Auch eine Mehrsprachfähigkeit ist enthalten. Entscheidungsfaktoren für das jeweils passende Wahlsystem sind die speziellen Anforderungen, wie beispielsweise Kosten pro Wähler, Anzahl der Wähler, geforderter Anonymisierungsgrad der Stimmabgaben, rechtliche Verbindlichkeit, Sicherheit usw. Ein Wahlsystem muss also modular und anpassbar sein.

Welche Perspektiven sehen Sie künftig für die breite Nutzung von Online-Wahlen?

Gerade im Bereich von Vereinswahlen oder Betriebsratswahlen ergeben sich enorm große Einsparpotenziale. Betrachten Sie allein die Anzahl der Betriebsräte oder großen Vereine, die regelmäßig Wahlen durchzuführen haben. Elektronische Wahlen lassen zusätzlich zeitnahe und flexible Abstimmungen zu. Die Wahlbeteiligung kann durch den Einsatz von Online-Wahlen erhöht werden. Dies ist insbesondere wichtig, wenn für die Gültigkeit von Abstimmungen eine absolute oder gar 2/3 Mehrheit notwendig ist.
Über Polyas haben bereits über 250.000 Wähler ihre Stimme abgegeben, das Wahlsystem ist auch für große Massen ausgelegt und getestet, so dass große Vereine und Betriebsräte vom Einsatz dieses Systems profitieren können.
Landtags- oder Bundestagswahlen im umfangreichen Stile sind jedoch noch Zukunftsmusik. Gerade aber für diesen Einsatz ist ein offenes System notwendig, d. h. jeder muss die interne Technik des Systems einsehen und prüfen können. Als professionelle und erprobte Open Source Lösung bietet Polyas hierfür die notwendigen Voraussetzungen.

Original Website

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

11.12.2003 - Rekordbeteiligung dank Online-Wahl

Initiative D21 wählt neuen Vorstand - Original News der Initiative D21:

 
Alfons Rissberger bei der Schließung der Nahwahlkomponente           

Die Intitiative D21 e. V. hat heute in Berlin als erster eingetragener Verein in Deutschland rechtmäßig ihren Vorstand online gewählt. "Die Wahlbeteiligung lag schon nach der Fernwahl mit 50 Prozent deutlich höher als bei vorangegangenen Wahlen", so Alfons Rissberger, amtierender Vorstand der D21, heute auf der Info-Veranstaltung vor rund 80 geladenen Gästen aus Wissenschaft, Politik, Unternehmen und Vereinswelt. Der neue Vorstand wurde mit einer so genannten Fern- und einer Nahwahl-Variante gewählt und umfasst nun 26 Personen:
Der neue Vorstand der Initiative D21 - in alphabetischer Reihenfolge:
1. Wilhelm K. Barthelmeß (Sprecher des Vorstands, Fiducia IT AG)
2. Andreas Bernhardt (Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung, Alcatel Deutschland GmbH)
3. Dr. Rainer Bernnat (Geschäftsführer, Booz Allen Hamilton GmbH)
4. Holger Bill (Geschäftsführer Post & Public Services, Accenture GmbH)
5. Thomas Braun (Präsident, ANGA Verband Privater Kabelnetzbetreiber e. V.)
6. Josef Brauner (Mitglied des Vorstands, Deutsche Telekom AG)
7. Andreas Dohmen (Geschäftsführer, Cisco Systems GmbH)
8. Thomas Ganswindt (Bereichsvorstand ICN, Siemens AG)
9. Jürgen Gallmann (Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung, Microsoft GmbH)
10. Thomas Geitner (Mitglied des Vorstands, Vodafone Group plc)
11. Werner Keller (Vice President Sales, Oracle Deutschland GmbH)
12. Ulrich Kemp (Geschäftsführer Bereich Sales, Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH)
13. Stan Laurent (Geschäftsführer, AOL Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG)
14. Jürgen Maidl (Bereichsleiter Zentrale Informationstechnologie, BMW Group)
15. Harald Melcher (Geschäftsführer, Ernst Klett Verlag GmbH)
16. Walter Raizner (Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung, IBM Deutschland GmbH)
17. Alfons Rissberger (Geschäftsführer, DVZ Datenverarbeitungszentrum Mecklenburg-Vorpommern GmbH)
18. Hartmut Scheffler (Geschäftsführer und Sprecher der Geschäftsleitung, TNS Emnid)
19. Andreas von Schoeler (Vorstandsmitglied, CSC Ploenzke AG)
20. Hannes Schwaderer (Country Manager Deutschland, Österreich & Schweiz, Intel GmbH)
21. Barbara Schwarze (Geschäftsführerin, Frauen geben Technik neue Impulse e.V.)
22. Richard Seibt (Vorsitzender des Vorstands, Suse Linux AG)
23. Roland Sing (Vorsitzender des Vorstands, AOK Baden-Württemberg)
24. Erwin Staudt (Präsident, VfB Stuttgart 1893 e. V.)
25. Karl-Heinz Streibich (Vorstand, Software AG)
26. Peter M. Wagner (Vorsitzender des Vorstands, debitel AG)
"Der bislang amtierende 16-köpfige Vorstand hat die größere Zahl zuvor einstimmig beschlossen, um dem gemeinnützigen Engagement und der Branchenvielfalt der Initiative D21 noch mehr Gewicht zu geben", so Rissberger.
"Die Durchführung der Vorstandswahl als Online-Wahl, hat den 110 wahlberechtigten D21-Unternehmen allein Personal- und Reisekosten von grob geschätzt 130.000 Euro gespart", so Marc Mausch, Leiter des D21-Projekts "Online-Wahl".
Die Wahl wurde nach zweijähriger Vorlaufzeit in Form einer Fern- und einer Nahwahl-Variante online durchgeführt:
Von Samstag, 06. Dezember 2003 bis Mittwoch, 10. Dezember 2003 konnten die wahlberechtigten Vertreter aus den Mitgliedsunternehmen der Initiative D21 per Fernwahl von einem beliebigen PC aus wählen. Für die Fernwahl erhielt jedes D21-Mitglied kostenfrei eine Signaturkarte nebst Lesegerät der Firma Kobil. Diese gewährten den Wahlberechtigten einen persönlichen und gesicherten Zugang zum web-basierten Online-Wahlsystem Polyas der Projekt-Partner-Firma Micromata GmbH, welches den Wahlberechtigten durch den Wahlvorgang führt.
Die Nahwahl-Variante wurde heute von Alfons Rissberger, amtierender Vorstand der Initiative D21, im Rahmen einer Info-Veranstaltung eröffnet. Die Wahlberechtigten, die sich zuvor nicht an der Fernwahl-Variante beteiligt hatten, hatten heute hier die Möglichkeit, ihre Wahl an elektronischen Terminals vor Ort in Berlin durchzuführen. Hierfür wurden ihnen Signaturkarten zur Verfügung gestellt, die Sie zur Identifikation an den stationären Wahlterminals verwenden konnten. Die Nahwahl-Variante wurde von den Projekt-Partnern des vom Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit geförderten Projekts W.I.E.N. - Wählen in elektronischen Netzwerken (LDS Brandenburg, T-Systems CDS GmbH, Universität Osnabrück) entwickelt.
Grund der vergleichbar langen Vorbereitungszeit waren unter anderem rechtliche, technische und organisatorische Fragen, die erst gemeinsam mit fachkundigen Partnern im Projekt "Online-Wahlen" erfolgreich bewältigt wurden. So war zu Beginn im Oktober 2001 der von der Mitgliederversammlung beschlossene Paragraph zu Online-Wahlen beim zuständigen Amtsgericht nicht in die Satzung aufgenommen worden. Bemängelt wurden Punkte wie die Frage des Online-Wahl-Prozederes und der Anschaffung von technischem Equipment zur Wahlbeteiligung. Das Projekt "Online-Wahlen" sorgte für eine Neu-Formulierung des Paragraphen. Dieser wird nach Projektabschluss von der Initiative D21 e. V. als Mustersatzungsparagraph zur Verfügung gestellt.
Im Rahmen einer Zwischenverfügung des Amtsgerichts im Juli 2003 musste bei allen 110 wahlberechtigten Mitgliedsunternehmen mit Stempel und Unterschrift nachgefragt werden, ob sie über einen PC sowie Internetzugang verfügen, um an der Wahl teilnehmen zu können - was nicht nur bei Unternehmen der IT-Branche zu gewissem Schmunzeln führte. Nach Erledigung der Zwischenverfügung wurde der Paragraph in die Satzung eingetragen. Der Weg für die Online-Wahlen war frei.

Weitere Informationen und Bilder von der Wahl: www.initiatived21.de/online-wahlen

Katharina Ahrenskatharina.ahrens@initiatived21.de
Leiterin der Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit (Initiative D21)
Tel: 030/3115-1312

Original Website

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mai 2003 - Pressemitteilung: Bremer Schulen wählen die Bürgerschaft mit Polyas.

In der Woche vor der Bürgerschaftswahl am 25. Mai 2003 haben Schüler in Bremen die Möglichkeit an einer simulierten Bürgerschaftswahl teilzunehmen. Wie bei den vergangenen Projekten, geben die Schüler aller Schulformen ab der 7. Klasse ihre Stimme am PC ab. Nach dem großen Erfolg der "Juniorwahl"-Projekte, an der sich über 250.000 Schüler hochmotiviert beteiligten, sind auch diesmal wieder viele Schulen und Schüler dabei.

Das Ziel der Initiative von Kumulus e.V. und von Micromata ist, den Jugendlichen zu ermöglichen, Demokratie zu erlernen, und damit das Interesse an Politik zu wecken.

Vorab wurden die Schüler und Lehrer mit speziell entwickelten Lehrmaterialien (ausgearbeitete Unterrichtseinheiten und Videos) auf die Wahl vorbereitet.

In den Schulen sind mindestens zwei Wahlkabinen mit PCs installiert. Der Stimmzettel im PC sowie der Wahlakt an sich ist der realen Wahl bzw. dem realen Stimmzettel sehr ähnlich. Nachdem der Schüler seine Transaktionsnummer (TAN-Code) per Losverfahren erhalten hat, gibt er einmalig seine Stimme ab. Um Wahlmanipulationen auszuschließen wurden technische Maßnahmen ergriffen, wie z. B. Protokolldateien, die nachträglich nicht verändert werden können oder die schon erwähnten TAN-Codes. Außerdem ist der Datenaustausch zwischen Wahl-PC und Server stark verschlüsselt (SSL, https).

Die eingesetzte Software Polyas wurde von der Firma Micromata aus Kassel entwickelt und ist eine Fortführung der Wahlsoftware, die von Micromata bereits 1996 und 1999 in Finnland für jeweils 70.000 Schüler erfolgreich eingesetzt wurde. Insgesamt haben mit der Software bereits über 250.000 Schüler gewählt.

Das System sowie die Wahlsoftware arbeitet auf der Grundlage von Open-Source-Software (Linux, Apache/Tomcat und PostgreSQL). Das System ist so ausgelegt, dass pro Stunde 20.000 Schüler ihre Stimme abgeben können, ohne dass längere Wartezeiten z. B. durch den Seitenaufbau entstehen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

12.05.2003 - Micromata veröffentlicht Schrödinger V1.0.1

Was ist neu in Schrödinger 1.0.1?

Fokus der Version 1.0.1 des JSP Entwicklungstools Schrödinger lag auf der Integration in die jeweiligen Betriebssysteme, Fehlerbeseitigung und der Unterstützung von Rendezvous. Diese von Apple im Sommer 2002 vorgestellte Technik implementiert den IETF Standarf "ZeroConf" und ermöglicht den Aufbau von sogenannten "ad hoc" Netzen ohne jegliche Konfiguration. Schrödinger nutzt Rendezvous, um eine JAVA Webapplikation als HTTP Dienst im LAN bekannt zu machen. Schrödinger ermöglicht diesen Dienst auch für nicht Apple Betriebssysteme, es wird lediglich ein einziger Rendezvous fähiger Apple, Linux oder UNIX Rechner im Netz benötigt, um für alle Schrödinger dieses Feature nutzbar zu machen.
Die neue Version 1.0.1 von Schrödinger kann hier aus dem Internet geladen werden - Schrödinger Community Edition ist Freeware.

Schrödinger Version 1.0.1 wurde am 2003-05-12 veröffentlicht. Gegenüber der vorhergehenden Version 1.0 änderte sich folgendes:

Rendezvous (ZeroConf) Unterstützung

Die im Schrödinger integrierte Unterstützung der Rendezvous bzw. ZeroConf Technologie ermöglicht die Nutzung von JSP Webapplikationen in AdHoc Netzen. Schrödinger registriert die Applikation als Rendezvous (oder ZeroConf) Dienst im LAN der mit einem geeigneten Browser (z.B. Safari) automatisch gefunden werden kann. Die Teammitglieder brauchen sich nicht um lästige Dinge wie IP Adresse, Netzwerknamen oder Ports zu kümmern. Selbst unter nicht Rendezvous fähigen Systemen ist Schrödingers Rendezvous verfügbar, es braucht lediglich einen Apple (mit MacOS > 10.2) oder einen Zeroconf fähigen Linux bzw. UNIX Recher im LAN, und schon kann sich jeder Schrödinger dieses LAN Segments bei Rendezvous registrieren.

Verbesserung der Benutzerschnittstelle unter MacOS

Das Benutzerinterface von Schrödinger erfüllt in der neuen Version die HI Guidelines von Apple für Applikationen viel besser. Läuft Schrödinger auf einem Rechner mit MacOS 10.2 und einem installierten JDK 1.4.1, so wird statt dem Swing Filechooser nun der Dateiauswahldialog von MacOS genutzt. Dieser Dialog ermöglicht den Zugriff auf die Favoriten des Nutzers und ist wesentlich ergonomischer zu benutzen als sein Swing Gegenstück.

Schrödinger registriert sich nun für die Dateiendung WAR als Applikation. So kann eine WAR Datei auf das Dockicon gezogen werden. Schrödinger veröffentlicht dann diese Webapplikation.

Neues Readme

Das Readme aus Version 1.0 war fürchterlich... das Micromata Team entschuldigt sich hiermit in aller Form bei der Nutzergemeinschaft. Mit dem neuen readme sind wir ein wesentliches Stück in Richtung Handbuch vorangekommen. Kapitel über "Erste Schritte", "Servlet Integration" und ein Benutzerleitfaden vereinfachen den Einstieg in Schrödinger.

JSP Community

Kein wirklich neues Feature von Schrödinger, aber eine nützliche Hilfe für jeden JSP Entwickler... Die Micromata JSP Community. Unter http://jsp.micromata.de veröffentlicht Micromata Artikel rund um die Themen JSP, JSTL, Java und natürlich Schrödinger. Das BLog ist offen, so daß jeder frei Artikel zu diesen Themen einstellen kann. Aus redaktionellen Gründen ist Das Forum zur Zeit noch in der Sprache deutsch - wir bitten dies bei unseren englischsprachigen Nutzern zu entschuldigen.

Verbesserung des HTTP-Inspektors

Der HTTP-Inspektor misst die Zeit, die Schrödinger für das beantworten eines HTTP Requests benötigt. So können die Aufrufe ermittelt werden, die die Webapplikation langsam machen.

KDE support

Unter Linux integriert sich Schrödinger in die KDE Umgebung.

Examples

Der Schrödinger Distribution wurden einige JSP Beispiele beigelegt, die den Einstieg in Schrödinger und die Welt der JSP Programmierung begleiten.

Tomcat 4.1.24

Schrödinger arbeitet nun intern mit der JSP/Servlet Engine 4.1.24 des Jakarta Projekts Tomcat.

... zu Schrödinger:

Für JSP-Anwender und für die, die es werden wollen, gibt es jetzt aus dem Hause Micromata Schrödinger als effektives und einfach zu bedienendes Gratis-Tool.

Schrödinger verfügt über sämtliche Programmiervorteile von Java und Tomcat, lässt sich jedoch einfacher erlernen und bedienen. Eine mitunter schwierige Serverkonfiguration entfällt und macht Platz für das Kreieren, Entwickeln und Design von Webapplikationen. Das Herunterladen der Community Edition von Schrödinger ist minutenschnell und kostenlos.

Schrödinger protokolliert jeden HTTP Zugriff detailliert, etwaige Fehler werden so schnell gefunden. Mit blitzschnellem Re-Start (2 Sek.!) kann der integrierte Tomcat in den Urzustand zurückversetzt werden.

Mit Schrödinger sind Bearbeitungen auch im Hintergrund möglich, während im Vordergrund Powertools (Dreamweaver, GoLive, Texteditor) zur Verfügung stehen.

Die individuelle Installierbarkeit auf jeden Rechner ermöglicht individuelle Nutzung und Teamwork gleichermaßen. Via Fileshare kann Schrödingers Arbeitsverzeichnis geöffnet und eine JSP auf beliebige Team-Rechner kopiert werden.

Seinen Namen verdankt das Tool Erwin Schrödinger. Der österreichische Physiker erdache 1935 in einem fiktiven Experiment der Quantenmechanik die psi-Funktion innerhalb eines Systems. Dabei spielte eine Katze in einer Box eine tragende und tragische Rolle - der Tomcat in der Box wird zum intelligenten Schrödinger.

Schrödinger ist 100% pure Java und somit auf allen Java-fähigen Plattformen lauffähig. Für Windows NT/2000/XP, MacOS 10.2 und Linux existieren spezielle Installationsscripte. Schrödinger V1.0.1 kann von http://www.micromata.de/technologien/schroedinger_download.jsp kostenfrei herunter geladen werden.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

März 2003 - Micromata packt den Tomcat in die Box

Mit Schrödinger schnell und erfolgreich durch den Java-Irrgarten

Für die JSP-Gemeinde, vor allem aber für jene, die in diese Gemeinde hinein wollen und bisher am schwierigen "programmus clausus" scheiterten, gibt es jetzt ein äußerst effektives Gratis-Tool: Schrödinger vom Kasseler IT-Unternehmen Micromata.

Schrödinger überzeugt durch einfache Erlernbarkeit und schnelle Bedienbarkeit. So kommen alle jene in den Genuss bewährter aber diffiziler Programmiervorteile von Java und Tomcat, die lieber Webapplikationen schreiben als sich mit der Serverkonfiguration ärgern. Damit vor allem die Kreativität und weniger der logistische Aufwand Entwicklung und Design kleiner Web-Applikationen beherrscht.

Das Herunterladen der Community Edition von Schrödinger ist minutenschnell und kostenlos.

Weil Schrödinger jeden HTTP Zugriff detailliert protokolliert, können etwaige Fehler schnell gefunden werden. Geht der Überblick verloren, kann der integrierte Tomcat mit blitzschnellem Re-Start (2 Sek.!) in dien Urzustand zurückversetzt werden.

Produktivität und Kreativität des Anwenders unterstützt Schrödinger auch im Hintergrund, während im Vordergrund per Powertool (Dreamweaver, GoLive, Texteditor) Mehrwert geschaffen wird.

Schrödinger ist der persönliche JSP-Server. Durch die individuelle Installierbarkeit auf den eigenen Rechner ist konfliktfreies und reibungsloses Miteinander von Nutzer und Kollegen gewährleistet. Es sei denn, der Job verlangt Teamwork: Via Fileshare kann Schrödingers Arbeitsverzeichnis geöffnet und eine JSP auf beliebige Team-Rechner kopiert werden.

Woher nur hat das neue Tool seinen merkwürdigen Namen? Erwin Schrödinger erdache 1935 in einem fiktiven Experiment der Quantenmechanik die psi-Funktion innerhalb eines Systems. Dabei spielte eine Katze in einer Box eine tragende und tragische Rolle. Der Tomcat in der Box wird zum intelligenten Schrödinger.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Febr. 2003 - Pressemitteilung: Finnische Schüler wählen das finnische Parlament über das Internet mit Polyas.

Die finnischen Schüler haben in dem Zeitraum vom 26.Februar bis zum 11. März die Möglichkeit an einer simulierten Parlamentsswahl teilzunehmen. Wie bereits in den bisherigen Projekten, der Bundestagswahl in Deutschland letzten Jahres, Landtagswahl in Hessen diesen Jahres, geben die Schüler aller Schulformen ab der 7. Klasse ihre Stimme am PC ab. Nach dem großen Erfolg der letzten "Juniorwahl"-Projekte, an der sich über 200.000 Schüler hochmotiviert beteiligten, sind auch diesmal wieder viele Schulen und Schüler dabei. Es sind über 600 Schulen mit ca. 150.000 Schüler aufgerufen, das finnische Parlament zu wählen.

Das Ziel der Initiative ist den Jugendlichen zu ermöglichen, speziell Demokratie zu erlernen, und damit das Interesse an Politik zu wecken. Die Initiative wird von Allianssi, dem Dachverband der finnischen Jugendorganisationen organisiert und von dem finnischen Jugendministrium, dem Innenministerium, und dem Justitzministerium unterstützt.

Vorab wurden die Schüler und Lehrer mit speziell entwickelten Lehrmaterialien auf die Wahl vorbereitet.

In den Schulen sind mindestens zwei Wahlkabinen mit PCs installiert. Der Stimmzettel im PC sowie der Wahlakt an sich ist der realen Wahl bzw. dem realen Stimmzettel sehr ähnlich. Nachdem jeder Schüler seine Transaktionsnummer (TAN-Code) per Losverfahren erhalten hat, gibt er einmalig seine Stimme ab. Um Wahlmanipulationen auszuschließen wurden technische Maßnahmen ergriffen, wie z. B. Protokolldateien, die nachträglich nicht verändert werden können oder die schon erwähnten TAN-Codes. Außerdem ist der Datenaustausch zwischen Wahl-PC und Server stark verschlüsselt (SSL, https).

Die eingesetzte Software Polyas wurde von der Firma Micromata aus Kassel entwickelt und ist eine Fortführung der Wahlsoftware, die von Micromata bereits 1996 und 1999 in Finnland für jeweils 70.000 Schüler erfolgreich eingesetzt wurde. Insgesamt haben mit der Software bereits über 200.000 Schüler gewählt. Im Mai wird es eine Fortführung des Projektes bei der Senatswahl in Bremen geben.

Das System sowie die Wahlsoftware arbeitet auf der Grundlage von Open-Source-Software (Apache/Tomcat und PostgreSQL). Das System ist so ausgelegt, dass pro Stunde 20.000 Schüler ihre Stimme abgeben können, ohne dass längere Wartezeiten z. B. durch den Seitenaufbau entstehen.

Die Hardware für das Projekt wurde von der Firma Sun Microsystems zur Verfügung gestellt. Zum Einsatz kamen redundat ausgelegte Server-Systeme, die besonders für Internet-Anwendungen geeignet sind.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jan. 2003 - Pressemitteilung: Hessische Schüler wählen per Internet

Eine Woche vor der Landtagswahl am 02. Februar 2003 haben Schüler in Hessen die Möglichkeit an einer simulierten Landtagswahl teilzunehmen. Wie schon bei der Bundestagswahl im September letzten Jahres, geben die Schüler aller Schulformen ab der 7. Klasse ihre Stimme am PC ab. Nach dem großen Erfolg der letzten "Juniorwahl", an der sich 60.000 Schüler hochmotiviert beteiligten, sind auch diesmal wieder viele Schulen und Schüler dabei.

Das Ziel der Initiative von Kumulus e.V. und der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung unter der Schirmherrschaft von Johannes Rau ist, den Jugendlichen zu ermöglichen, Demokratie zu erlernen, und damit das Interesse an Politik zu wecken.

Vorab wurden die Schüler und Lehrer mit speziell entwickelten Lehrmaterialien (ausgearbeitete Unterrichtseinheiten und Videos) auf die Wahl vorbereitet.

In den Schulen sind mindestens zwei Wahlkabinen mit PCs installiert. Der Stimmzettel im PC sowie der Wahlakt an sich ist der realen Wahl bzw. dem realen Stimmzettel sehr ähnlich. Nachdem der Schüler seine Transaktionsnummer (TAN-Code) per Losverfahren erhalten hat, gibt er einmalig seine Stimme ab. Um Wahlmanipulationen auszuschließen wurden technische Maßnahmen ergriffen, wie z. B. Protokolldateien, die nachträglich nicht verändert werden können oder die schon erwähnten TAN-Codes. Außerdem ist der Datenaustausch zwischen Wahl-PC und Server stark verschlüsselt (SSL, https).

Die eingesetzte Software Polyas wurde von der Firma Micromata aus Kassel entwickelt und ist eine Fortführung der Wahlsoftware, die von Micromata bereits 1996 und 1999 in Finnland für jeweils 70.000 Schüler erfolgreich eingesetzt wurde. Insgesamt haben mit der Software bereits über 200.000 Schüler gewählt. Im März werden in Finnland 150.000 Schüler zur Polyas-Wahlurne gehen.

Das System sowie die Wahlsoftware arbeitet auf der Grundlage von Open-Source-Software (Linux, Apache/Tomcat und PostgreSQL). Das System ist so ausgelegt, dass pro Stunde 20.000 Schüler ihre Stimme abgeben können, ohne dass längere Wartezeiten z. B. durch den Seitenaufbau entstehen.

Zwei Webserver mit "herkömmlicher" PC-Hardware servieren im Round-Robin-Verfahren das Wahlsystem. Der eigentliche Wahlserver ist ebenfalls ein PC mit einem gespiegelten Festplattensystem, mit dem nur die Webserver direkt kommunizieren.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jan. 2003 - Micromata unterstützt durch eine Spende den Verein Proyecto Esperanza e. V.

Das Vereinsziel ist es, Straßenkindern in Ecuador ein menschenwürdiges Leben zu ermöglichen.
Ein Grundstück und der Bau eines Hauses mussten finanziert werden, Landwirtschaftliche Nutzfläche und anderes mehr werden noch benötigt.
Micromata hat für dieses Vorhaben einen kleinen Beitrag geleistet.

www.proyecto-esperanza.de

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jan. 2003 - Micromata schaltet nun auch offiziell die Seite www.projectforge.org frei.

Was ist ProjectForge?
ProjectForge (=Projektschmiede) ist eine vollständig webbasierte und von Micromata entwickelte Groupware, die eine verteilte Projektabwicklung mit vielen Teammitgliedern ermöglicht. Folgenden Funktionsumfang besitzt das ständig ausgebaute und von mehreren Firmen bereits produktiv eingesetzte Werkzeug:
• Aufgabenverwaltung mit Verantwortlichkeiten (Aufgabenhierarchien)
• Komplette Versionierung aller Änderungen (Änderungshistorien werden angezeigt)
• Vollständige Internationalisierung (aktuell Englisch und Deutsch)
• Fehlerverwaltung und Verfolgung (Bugtracking)
• Zeitberichtsmanagement
• Viele kleine Addons für die Benutzer (ToDo- und Memolisten, Adressverwaltung, Terminkalender (im Aufbau), Webmailclient für weltweiten Zugriff auf IMAP-, POP3-Postfächer usw.)
• Umfangreiche Zugriffsrechte (Zugriffshierarchien, Rollenkonzepte, Gruppen- und Nutzerverwaltung usw.)
• Zugang auch für externe Mitarbeiter und Kunden durch stringente Zugriffssteuerung
• Unterstützung (fast) aller Webbrowser, da keine proprietären Erweiterungen zum Einsatz kommen.

Technologien
Auf folgenden Technologien basiert ProjectForge:
• Betriebssystem: Unix (z. B. Linux)
• Datenbank: PostgreSQL (freie, leistungsstarke Datenbank, bei Bedarf werden auch andere Datenbanken unterstützt)
• Java: Applikationsserver ist in Java implementiert
• Codegenerierung mittels JavaTemplates /XSLT (viele Klassen, SQL-Skripte und Webseiten ähneln sich und werden automatisch generiert)
• JavaServerPages (JSP) und JavaScript

Was kostet ProjectForge?
ProjectForge ist zunächst für die eigene Benutzung frei. Sämtlicher Quellcode liegt offen und kann heruntergeladen und modifiziert werden. ProjectForge wird unter dem Lizenzmodell der GPL vertrieben.

Support und Erweiterungen
Micromata bietet Benutzern bei Bedarf Support an und erweitert ProjectForge entsprechend ihren persönlichen Anforderungen.

http://www.projectforge.org/index.html

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sept. 2002 - Bundesweite Juniorwahlen

In dieser Woche sind direkt vor der Bundestagswahl am 22. September bundesweit 60.000 Schüler aufgerufen, ihre Erst- und Zweitstimme für die Bundestagsparteien über das Internet abzugeben.
Die Schulen, die an der Wahl teilnehmen, haben jeweils zwei oder mehr Wahlkabinen installiert, die einen gewöhnlichen Internet-PC mit Monitor, Webbrowser, Maus und Internetanbindung enthalten.
Vor der Wahl wurden an die Schulen Didaktikpakete mit Unterrichtseinheiten und Videos versandt. Die Schüler ziehen beim Wahlakt jeweils einen TAN-Code (Transaktionsnummer) im Scheckkartenformat aus einer Lostrommel, mit der sie dann an der Wahlurne ihre Stimme einmalig abgeben können. Der Stimmzettel am PC entspricht dem Aussehen der "richtigen" Stimmzettel. Der eigentliche Wahlakt ist eng an den Wahlurnengang angelehnt; auf Nachvollziehbarkeit wurde großen Wert gelegt.

Jeder Wahlurnen-PC muss für den eigentlichen Wahlakt durch unabhängige Wahlvorstandsmitglieder in den Schulen, über die Eingabe von sogenannten PIN (persönliche Identifikationsnummer) freigeschaltet werden. Das System setzt somit die beim Onlinebanking etablierte Technik PIN/TAN ein.
Die eingesetzte Wahlsoftware wurde von Micromata entwickelt und ist eine erfolgreiche Fortführung der Wahlsoftware, die von Micromata bereits 1996 und 1999 in Finnland ebenfalls für 70.000 Schüler entwickelt und eingesetzt wurde.
Hintergrundinformationen sind auch unter www.juniorwahl.de zu finden.

Zur Technik
Das Wahlsystem arbeitet ausschließlich auf Grundlage von Open-Source-Software (Linux, Apache/Tomcat und PostgreSQL). Die Wahlsoftware selber ist ebenfalls unter eine Open-Source-Lizenz gestellt. Redundante Server zur Lastverteilung erhöhen die Ausfallsicherheit. Belastungstests für derartige Wahlvorhaben wurden durchgeführt: Das System ist so ausgelegt, dass pro Stunde ca. 20.000 Wähler ihre Stimme abgeben können, ohne dass der zügige Wahlgang durch schnellen Seitenaufbau während des Wahlgangs gefährdet ist.
Zwei Webserver mit "herkömmlicher" PC-Hardware servieren im Round-Robin-Verfahren das Wahlsystem. Der eigentliche Wahlserver ist ebenfalls ein PC mit einem gespiegeltem Festplattensystem, mit dem nur die Webserver direkt kommunizieren. Das System ist skalierbar, sodass mit Hilfe von noch mehr Webservern und verteiltem Wahlserver wesentlich größere Zahlen an Stimmabgaben bewältigt werden können.
Der Einsatz von Signatur/Chipkarten sieht die Wahlsoftware zwar vor, wurde aber aus Kostengründen auch bezüglich des Aufwands bei der Installation der Wahl-PCs nicht gewählt. Die notwendigen TAN-Scheckkarten wurden per Computer mittels PDF-Generierung erzeugt.
Wahlmanipulationen möglicher Systemangreifer werden durch technische Maßnahmen wie nicht nachträglich manipulierbare Protokolldateien verhindert. Der Datenverkehr zwischen Wahl-PC und Server findet stark verschlüsselt statt (SSL, https). Die TAN und PIN Codes sind nach einem Einwege-Hash-Algorithmus verschlüsselt in der Datenbank abgelegt. Die zuverlässige Anonymisierung der Wähler findet durch das Lostrommelverfahren der TAN-Codes statt.
Alles in allem ein System, welches um Größenordnung höhere Wählerzahlen bedienen kann.
Interessant ist dieses Wahlsystem insbesondere auch für Betriebsratswahlen, Wahlen zu Aktionärsversammlungen usw.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Juli 2002 - das Werkzeug Java_Profiler der Micromata_GmbH steht den Entwicklergemeinden der Welt als Open-Source frei zur Verfügung.

Unter http://www2.micromata.de/technologien/java_profiler.jsp können Werkzeuge und Quellcode kostenlos herunter geladen werden.

Java Profiler nimmt sich dem komplexen Thema der Performanceanalyse von großen Java-Applikationen an. Die Performanceanalyse von Enterprise-, Web- und Desktopapplikationen gestaltet sich sehr kompliziert, da die Leistung nicht in einem einzigen Algorithmus (wie z. B. bei einer Simulation) verbraucht wird -- vielmehr versickert sie in den zigtausend Methoden, die letztendlich die Businesslogik abbilden.

Durch den Einsatz von Java_Profiler erreichte Micromata_Objects erhebliche Effizienzsteigerungen der Java basierten Applikationen vieler Kunden. Die frei gewordene Leistung wurde zur Einsparung zusätzlicher Hardware, einer Erweiterung des Nutzerstammes oder der Verbesserung der Antwortzeiten genutzt.

Die Standard Profiling-Methode mittels -Xrunhprof von Java arbeitet nach einem Zeitscheibenverfahren. Es werden in festem Intervall Stacktraces aller Threads bezogen. Daraus ermitteln Auswertungswerkzeuge den Verbleib aller Threads in Methoden. Wenn eine hohe Genauigkeit gewünscht ist, hat dies eine extreme Verlangsamung der Applikation zur Folge, da alle Threads angehalten werden.

Java_Profiler geht wesentlich weiter. Durch die JVMPI-Erweiterung der VM protokolliert Java_Profiler die Methodenein- und Austritte konfigurierter Klassen (Packages) mit Zeitstempel. Der Vorteil ist, das nicht nur die Applikation in Echtzeit abläuft, sondern auch der Programmablauf in einer XML-Datei abgespeichert wird. Dies macht Java_Profiler auch zu einem Werkzeug in der Codeanalyse.

Diese Daten stellen ein umfassendes Leistungsprofil der Applikation dar. Die Frage wo Leistung unnötig verbraucht wird kann hingegen nur von den Systemingenieuren selbst entschieden werden. Das Datamining auf den Profildaten ist somit missionskritisch für die folgende Optimierung. Java_Profiler verfügt mit der TreeMap-Darstellung über ein Visualisierungs- und Navigationstool, welches ein intuitives Gesamtbild des Leistungsverbrauchs der Applikation vermittelt.

Die plattformunabhängigen Teile von Java_Profiler sind Java und somit auf jeder VM >= 1.2 lauffähig. Die plattformabhängige Erweiterung der VM ist in C++ implementiert und für die Betriebssysteme Linux, Windows NT/2000/XP und SUN Solaris vorkonfiguriert. Die Portierung auf MacOS X ist geplant.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Juni 2002 - Vorstellung des Projekts Juniorwahl 2002

Auf dem Jahreskongress der Initiative D21 in Leipzig stellt Micromata gemeinsam mit Kumulus e.V. das Projekt Juniorwahl 2002 vor.
Mit dem diesjährigen, unter dem Motto "Vom Vater Staat zum Partner Staat" stattfindenden Jahreskongress der Initiative D21 jährt sich das Bestehen der Initiative D21 zum vierten Mal. Neben den Keynotes von Erwin Staudt und Otto Schily werden spannende Beiträge zu den Themen eGovernment und eDemocracy erwartet.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

März 2002 - Micromata ist nun offiziell als Lieferant der European Space Agency (ESA) gelistet.

Bernd Kratz und Dipl.-Phys. Kai Reinhard besuchten eine Woche lang zwei ESA-Workshops.

Quality Assurance
Die ESA stellt sehr hohe Ansprüche an die Qualität der Produkte ihrer Lieferanten. Dazu werden ihre Lieferanten regelmäßig auditiert, um die hohen Qualitätsanforderungen beizubehalten. Zur Sicherung der Qualität ihrer Lieferanten bot die ESA einen Workshop mit folgendem Inhalt an:
• Qualitätsstandards der ESA, NASA und internationale Standards (ISO)
Die Qualitätsstandards der ESA basieren auf den ISO-Standards, gehen jedoch über diese weit hinaus.
• Sicherung der Qualität
• Grundlegende Prinzipien und Techniken
• Häufige Verstöße gegen die Standards
Die beiden Micromata Mitarbeiter schlossen den Workshop erfolgreich mit einem Zertifikat ab.

Software Engineering
Softwareprojekte unterscheiden sich teilweise stark von Nicht-IT-Projekten. Deshalb hat die ESA sich im Rahmen der 'European Cooperation for Space Standardization' (ECSS) intensiv der Spezialisierung auf Softwareprojekte gewidmet. Die Standards für Softwareprojekte finden sich in den ECSS-E-40 Standards wieder, mit denen sich ein Workshop mit folgendem Inhalt beschäftigte:
• ECSS-E-40 Standards für Software im Rahmen der allgemeinen ECSS Standards.
• Zuschneiden (Tailoring) der ECSS-E-40 Standards auf konkrete Softwareprojekte.
• Dokumentation von Softwareprojekten
• Die hauptsächlich unterstützten Software-Technologien
• Software-Modellierung u. a. mit der Standard Definition Language (SDL) im Lebenszyklus eines Softwareprojekts.
• SDL vs. UML: "Nicht-Echtzeitfähigkeit" von UML, SDL als formale Sprache im Gegensatz zu UML erlaubt Vollständigkeitprüfungen etc.
• Audits
Auch dieser Workshop konnte erfolgreich mit zwei Zertifikaten abgeschlossen werden.

Interessante Fragestellungen
Im Rahmen der Workshops wurden interessante Fragestellungen erörtert wie:
• Sicherstellung des Supports von Soft- und Hardware über Jahrzehnte!
• OpenSource-Software wird mehr und mehr gefordert und eingesetzt (Unabhängigkeit von Herstellern / Ländern).
• Hardware-Echtzeitanforderungen an die Systeme
• Fernsteuerung und Wartung von Plattformen (Satelliten)
Die Anforderungen an Space-Software sind selbstverständlich sehr hoch, weil über Jahrzehnte die Software zuverlässig funktionieren muss. Wenn nicht so können Missionen verloren gehen bzw. Menschenleben gefährdet sein!

Auswirkungen auf die Zusammenarbeit mit Micromata
Die ESA-Standards geben ein sehr gutes oberes Maß an die Abwicklung von Softwareprojekten, müssen jedoch gewissenhaft auf die Anwendung an Nicht-ESA-Projekte angepasst werden (Tailoring, Budgets etc.).

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Febr. 2002 - Vortrag: Erfolgsfaktoren für E-Business-Projekte

Die Danzas Euronet GmbH hat am 26. Februar 2002 das 48. Regionalgruppentreffen des BVL-Niedersachsen ausgerichtet. Zum Thema "B2B: Erfolgsfaktoren für E-Business-Projekte" referierte Dipl.-Phys. Kai Reinhard, Geschäftsführer der Micromata, auf Anfrage von Danzas Euronet.

Erfolgsfaktoren für E-Business-Projekte
Anhand der Projektphasen am konkreten Projekt www.e-komplett.de wurden die Erfolgsfaktoren für E-Business-Projekte von der Idee bis zum fertigen Produkt beleuchtet:
• Idee, Wunsch, Bedarf beim Kunden
• Formulierung
• Lastenheft als Grundlage für die Ausschreibung
• Ausschreibung
• Pflichtenheft
• Umsetzung / Tests
• Abnahme
• Inbetriebnahme und Betrieb
Dabei konnten mittels vieler konkreter Beispiele aus anderen Projekten auch Faktoren veranschaulicht werden, anhand derer eine Großzahl von Projekten scheitert.

ISO-Zertifizierung
Im Herbst 2001 wurde das System im Zuge der Zertifizierung nach ISO 9001:2000 im Hause DANZAS auditiert. Dieser Teil des Audits wurde äußerst positiv bewertet:

"Danzas Euronets e-business application was choosen to audit design and development activities. This project is well documented. All relevant phases including functional and performance requirements, reviews, tests and verification/validation are described in a clear and comprehensive manner.
Responsibilities and tasks of the external software company and of in-house experts are precisely laid down.
This project could serve as role model for other software projects."

Fazit
Das Projekt www.e-komplett.de wurde "In time, in scope und in budget " erfüllt.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Okt. 2001 - Linux auf Hermes Router

Im Herbst 2001 ist der Micromata_GmbH aus Kassel die Anpassung des freien Betriebsystems Linux auf den ISDN Router Hermes der Firma Multidata aus Darmstadt gelungen. Die Hermes ISDN Router basieren auf dem PowerPC-Prozessoren 860 der Firma Motorola. Ausgehend von den Implementierungen der DENX Software Engineering, Olching, wurden das Kernel 2.4, die zugehörigen Gerätetreiber und Administrationssoftware in den 2MByte Flashprom untergebracht. Nach der Bootphase muss das System mit 15 MByte RAM auskommen. Neben der Verwaltung der Ressourcen CPU Zeit und Speicher steuert Linux im Hermes Router die TCP/IP Schicht, Firewall und die Web basierte Administrationsoberfläche. Oberhalb des Linux Kernel werden die Protokolle CAPI, V.23, mittels einer von Multidata eigens entwickelten Netzwerkschicht etabliert. Die Hermes Router der Multidata GmbH werden dank ihrer Stabilität und Abwärtskompatibilität vornehmlich von Apotheken eingesetzt. Durch die Ablösung von LynxOS durch Linux spart Multidata erhebliche Lizenzkosten.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Okt. 2001 - Positive Auditierung von www.e-komplett.de

Im Herbst 2001 wurde das System http://www.e-komplett.de im Zuge der Zertifizierung nach ISO 9001:2000 im Hause Danzas Euronet GmbH auditiert.
Eine Zusammenfassung des Ergebnisses dieses Audits gibt folgender Briefausschnitt, den Danzas Euronet an die Geschäftsführung von Micromata am 08.02.2002 verfasste:

Ergebnisse der ISO-Zertifizierung
Projekt Internetbestellsystem e-komplett.de - Ergebnisse der ISO-Zertifizierung

Hannover 08. Februar 2002

Sehr geehrter Herr Reinhard,

Ihr Unternehmen war als Software-Dienstleister an der Konzeption des o. g. Projektes maßgeblich beteiligt und hat die Programmierung unseres Internet-Bestellsystems www.e-komplett.de ausgeführt. Wir freuen uns Ihnen mitteilen zu können, dass im Herbst 2001 das System im Zuge unserer Zertifizierung nach ISO 9001:2000 hinsichtlich der Projekteinführung und Konzeption von der Fa. SGS - ICS Gesellschaft für Zertifizierungen m.b.H., Hamburg, auditiert wurde. Dieser Teil des Audits wurde äußerst positiv bewertet. Wir möchten Ihnen im Folgenden einen Ausschnitt aus dem Gutachten zitieren:

"Danzas Euronets e-business application was choosen to audit design and development activities.
This project is well documented. All relevant phases including functional and performance requirements, reviews, tests and verification/validation are described in a clear and comprehensive manner.
Responsibilities and tasks of the external software company and of in-house experts are precisely laid down.
This project could serve as role model for other software projects."

Zum Schluß möchten wir uns nochmals für die erfolgreiche Projektarbeit bedanken und freuen uns auf eine weitere erfolgreiche Zsammenarbeit.

Peter Kuhlmann

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++