In
This Edition...
Tell Congress
Your Thoughts On "The Stimulus: Part II" (sidebar to the right)
Voyant
Setting Up Yet Another Revenue Stream
Bio-Matrix
Acquisition Questions Answered (Like "Who's Acquiring Who?")
Voyant
Ventures Into the Final Frontier... Mobile Data Transfer
If
you're a current user of Internet-enabled cell phones, or if you
connect your laptop to the web through a cellular service, then you're
likely to be pretty impressed by just how easily your device can now connect
to the web. There's just one hitch... transferring big files still takes
too long. If a cellular carrier could just offer a speedy solution
to the problem, it would be one of those "million dollar ideas"
we'd all like to invest in.
As
it turns out, Voyant
International (OTCBB: VOYT) investors are on the right side of a solution
to the problem - the company soon intends to deploy software that will
hyper-accelerate large file transfers over a cellular connection.
And
as you might imagine with anything cellular related, some big revenue
could be involved.
Here's
the deal....
You
know how RocketConnect makes it faster for web users like you and me to
send and receive files using the Internet? Rather than using the conventional
means to send a large document via the web (like a movie, or large e-book),
RocketConnect can use a different protocol and do the job a couple of hundred
times faster.
Technically
you can send the same file through a web-enabled phone or PDA, such as
a BlackBerry. Guess what though - it could take you hours to do it (assuming
you stayed connected for that long) unless you had access to the
mobile-device version of RocketConnect.
Voyant
has partnered with mobility-software designer Sunbay A.G. to create
and market RocketConnect for web-enabled devices like smart phones, PDAs,
and laptops that connect to the web through a cellular service. It's a
smart partnership too. Voyant has the technology, while Sunbay has
a powerful marketing arm... they're already a major name in mobile
web applications.
The
upside to cellular carriers is obvious - better service for their business
customers, and possibly more incremental revenue (if they choose to
charge a little extra for the use of RocketConnect). Best of all, it's
easy to implement - it's just software that installs on the carrier's
side of the cellular connection.
The
upside to end users is also pretty obvious - faster file transfer speeds.
We suspect the 'demand' side of the equation will be pumped up considerably
when users realize they can increase their file transfer speed by up
to 500% (and no, that's not a typo).
All
well and good, but what does this mean for investors? That's the
most exciting part of all.
Since
day-one of our coverage of Voyant we've been preaching the merits
of sustainable, recurring revenue. RocketConnect for mobile devices
will also generate recurring revenue, and possibly a whole lot of
it.
As
with the existing RocketStream and RocketConnect software, Voyant is paid
a small portion of a user's regular monthly payment. In many cases (though
not always), the subscriber doesn't even realize it... the cost is
included in the normal billing amount. On a per-user basis, the revenue
Voyant collects each month may barely even register. We're not talking
about collecting small amounts from individual subscribers though.
We're talking about cell-service carriers, ISPs, and other telcos paying
Voyant a portion of the subscription fees for hundreds of thousands
of
their customers.
Care
to guess how big the mobile data-transfer business is globally? My
gut guess was somewhere in the neighborhood of hundreds of millions per
year. To the benefit of Voyant's investors though, the actual figure
is about 1000 times north of my guess.
That's
right - the mobile data transfer industry was worth $148 billion in
2007; it is expected to be worth $347 billion by 2013. RocketConnect
may even help boost that number.
Now
think about this... if Voyant can capture just 0.1% (a tenth of a percent)
of
that business in 2013, it would still translate into $347 million worth
of business each year.
Get
the point? A tiny fraction of the world's data transfer business
could be huge for this small cap company. Yet, Voyant's got the
needed technology right in their hand.
Just
another reason to start - or continue - accumulating Voyant shares
as a long-term holding. Today's press release is below.
Bio-Matrix
Acquisition Questions Answered
Some
of you have asked about the somewhat-confusing 8K that Bio-Matrix
Scientific Group (OTCBB: BMSN) filed a few days ago. We were able
to get some clarification and draw some conclusions since then.
If
you have no idea what we're talking about though, a little background explanation
may be in order.
Last
week, Bio-Matrix filed documentation with the SEC that detailed a likely
joint venture with a company called NeoCell Inc. The terms of the deal
indicated Bio-Matrix would acquire NeoCell (or NCI), and by default would
inherit NCI's existing cryogenic-storage customers.
The
partnership was referred to as a joint venture, and a marketing relationship
was specifically called for in the paperwork.
Further
into the document, the possibility was posed that NCI's parent company,
ViviCell International (VCII), might acquire a controlling interest in
BMSN shares.
Though
the time frames given in the letter of intent were not set in stone, the
NeoCell relationship was hoped to be forged by the beginning of February.
ViviCell's partial acquisition of Bio-Matrix was nowhere near as close
to being a foregone conclusion, though if it did happen, the target
date for the purchase was no later than July 1st.
Now,
the question everyone was asking (and the one we passed along) was simple...
what
does this ultimately mean?
First
and foremost, this is a good thing for Bio-Matrix owners.
The
obvious upside is the revenue that would accompany Bio-Matrix's purchase
of NeoCell. While it may not test Bio-Matrix's full storage capacity, we
believe it could possibly mean seven-figure revenues on an annual.
That cash flow would give Bio-Matrix a considerable amount of fiscal
flexibility.
The
less-obvious
upside is a strong marketing arm. Bio-Matrix's technology and facility
is second to none. However, NeoCell brings something to the table
that's very beneficial to Bio-Matrix - lots of experience with marketing
and selling such a service. Thus, it's one of those situations where
everybody wins, including investors.
As
for ViviCell's potential purchase of at least part of Bio-Matrix,
there are two things to keep in mind.
First,
the 8K document and letter of intent wasn't kidding when it said there
was no assurance that ViviCell would actually make any acquisition.
So from that standpoint, it's something of a non-issue.
Second...
if ViviCell did end up acquiring a controlling portion of BMSN shares,
it would actually be a good thing for current shareholders. Taking on that
kind of ownership stake would mean a lot of demand for a relatively
small stock issue, if bought in the open market. If it's a private
transaction, it would likely translate into a substantial cash injection
onto Bio-Matrix's books. In short, a win-win situation would be created.
I don't
get the feeling that a ViviCell acquisition is inevitable though, so let's
not dwell on that too much just yet.
Instead,
I think the NeoCell union is the focal point; some decent revenue could
be right around the corner, and the stock could really start to get some
traction as a result. If you're not already in a position, it may
not hurt to start averaging into one from this point.
RocketConnect
Goes Mobile as RocketStream Partners with Sunbay
RocketConnect
to Extend its Cost Savings and Speed Enhancements to Mobile Data Networks
MOUNTAIN VIEW,
Calif. and RUSCHLIKON, Switzerland, January 13, 2009 - RocketStream, Inc.,
a subsidiary of Voyant International Corporation (OTC-BB: VOYT) and a developer
of technologies and solutions to accelerate digital content delivery over
IP networks today announced a technology and sales partnership with Sunbay
A.G., a Swiss provider of high-value mobility software solutions for telecommunications
operators. Under the agreement, the two companies will bring RocketStream's
RocketConnect broadband access acceleration platform to mobile users. The
mobile version of RocketConnect is expected to provide both cost savings
to mobile network operators (MNOs) and bandwidth improvements to users
of mobile devices such as Internet-capable cell phones, PDAs or laptops
using cellular data connections.
Mobile data networks
suffer severe bandwidth bottlenecks between a user's mobile device and
the MNO's base station equipment. These bottlenecks are believed by many
to be the last barrier to mass adoption of wireless as the primary connectivity
method of choice for consumers. According to a new study by market research
firm Informa Telecoms and Media, mobile data revenues are predicted to
jump from $148 billion in 2007 to $347 billion by 2013, so removing barriers
to consumer adoption is clearly a priority.
RocketStream and
Sunbay have now reached an agreement to jointly create and market the mobile
version of RocketConnect. RocketStream intends to market this software
primarily in the U.S. and Canada, with other regions currently under consideration.
Under the agreement, Sunbay and RocketStream engineers will collaborate
in the integration of Sunbay's technologies with RocketConnect. The product
is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
RocketStream's
RocketConnect software solution addresses bandwidth bottlenecks in the
so-called "last mile" of the access link, primarily for landline connections.
RocketConnect increases the speed of these connections by up to 500%. This
is complemented by Sunbay's software solutions, which are focused on providing
comparable bandwidth enhancements to mobile devices, as well as on seamless
switching between various connectivity modes.
Consequently,
the mobile version of RocketConnect is intended to offer significant value
to both MNOs and their subscribers by providing:
MNO cost savings
through software-based bandwidth improvements that lead to infrastructure
savings
Enhanced customer
satisfaction through seamless switching between connectivity modes (e.g.,automatically
switching from Wi-Fi to GSM to Ethernet)
Customer convenience
through session persistence (e.g.,. maintaining session duration without
repeatedly entering passwords or providing VPN authentication)
Security of wireless
data through encryption
"This partnership
with RocketStream is a great way to combine the strengths of Sunbay and
RocketStream to bring a truly compelling mobile solution to the North American
market," said Juan M. Arimany, Sunbay's managing director of business development.
"We expect RocketConnect to maximize the utility of existing wireless infrastructure,
as well as complementing the rollout of 3G and 4G wireless technologies."
"The mobile edition
of RocketConnect is designed to provide telcos and other MNOs with a combination
of cost savings and service improvements to attract additional subscribers,
increasing recurring revenues for the MNOs and for us," said Jay Elliot,
president of RocketStream and general manager of software products and
services at Voyant. "Consistent with Voyant's business model, RocketStream
is always looking to combine our in-house technology with that of first-class
partners like Sunbay to bring compelling new digital content solutions
to the marketplace. This partnership with Sunbay moves us into the mobile
data solutions market, where traffic is more than doubling every year and
which is rapidly becoming one of the most important strategic components
of the broadband access toolkit."
About Sunbay,
A.G.
The Sunbay Group
of Companies produces customized software solutions for customer-specific
needs. Founded in Switzerland in 1983, Sunbay Software has developed solutions
for financial service providers, telecommunications companies, marketing
organizations and various other fields of business. Sunbay's subsidiary,
Sunbay Europe AG, is an international company with over 80 employees concentrating
on sophisticated mobility software solutions for telecom network operators.
The headquarters of Sunbay Europe AG / Sunbay Group of Companies are located
in Ruschlikon, Switzerland. Sunbay Europe AG / Sunbay Group of Companies
has a worldwide presence, with sales and service centers in Europe and
Asia. Sunbay's research centers and software development centers are located
in Eastern Europe and South Asia. More information can be found at http://www.sunbay.com.
About RocketStream,
Inc.
RocketStream,
Inc. develops and markets software-based data transfer acceleration solutions
that make Internet data transfers fast, easy to use, secure, and reliable.
RocketStream(tm) is the ideal way to transfer large data over long-distances,
without requiring additional spending on new hardware. Available in client/server
and point-to-point architectures, the RocketStream suite is capable of
speeds up to 200 times faster than traditional methods. The powerful RocketStream
Protocols overcome the detrimental effects of network latency on file transfers
and operate over any IP network - private line, VPN, or Internet - regardless
of whether the physical medium is electrical, fiber, satellite, or wireless.
RocketConnect provides broadband access providers with low-cost, software-based
solutions to maximize the value of their access infrastructure by effectively
multiplying the bandwidth of those connections. RocketStream, Inc. is a
subsidiary of Voyant International Corp. (OTC-BB: VOYT). More information
can be found at http://www.voyant.net
and http://www.rocketstream.com.
Safe Harbor
This news release
contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, those
that refer to the companies' future development plans or operating results.
Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to risk
factors that include, but are not limited to, lack of timely development
of products and services; lack of market acceptance of products, services
and technologies; inadequate capital; adverse government regulations; competition;
breach of contract; inability to earn revenue or profits; dependence on
key individuals; dependence on outside parties for sales, customer support,
and/or customer retention; inability to obtain or protect intellectual
property rights; ; inability to reach or execute mutually agreeable business
plans; inability to obtain listing for the companies' securities; lower
sales and higher operating costs than expected; technological obsolescence
of the companies' products; litigation; limited operating history and risks
inherent in the company's markets and business; and other factors discussed
in Voyant's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Investors are advised to read the Annual
Report, quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K filed after the
most recent annual or quarterly report. The forward-looking statements
in this press release represent the companies' current views as of the
dates of individual pages, and the companies disclaim any obligation to
update these forward-looking statements.
###
Voyant Media and
Investor Contact:
Sean Collins
CCG Investor
Relations
+1 310-477-9800,
ext. 202
Sean.Collins@ccgir.com
Sunbay Media Contact:
Andre Wattenhofer
Sunbay Group
+41 43 388 2050
andre.wattenhofer@sunbay.com
Speak Out to Washington, Help
CEL-SCI and Yourself in the Process
I don't have room here in this sidebar
to repeat everything I posted in a blog entry yesterday, so I'll just link
it below. I will, however, offer this brief glimpse into the intent of
those comments...
One way or another, your Congress
is going to 'stimulate' the economy to the tune of another $350 billion.
I don't think it's a matter of 'if' - I simply think it's a matter of 'how'.
While we can't do anything about
the hand they've got in our pocket at this point, we may at least be able
to do something about what they decide to do with that money.
If you understood and agreed with
this weekend's newsletter ("Obama
& Co. To Turn Pharma Switch On?"), then you may be able to help
ensure the very legislation I was describing... giving cash to corporations
now in lieu of tax write-offs later. That cash can do far more good today
than it would be able to do as tax breaks over the next few years, since
some companies may not survive until 'later'.
While I don't think CEL-SCI
(AMEX: CVM) as at risk of going under, I do think they have much
more to gain from a dose of cash now than they could fiscally gain with
tax breaks in the future. Specifically, they may be able to partially -
or even fully - fund Phase III testing of their cancer drug Multikine.
That would be a victory not only for the company and its investors, but
for cancer patients too.
So, if you agree and are inclined
to share your feelings with your Senators and Representatives, here
are some instructions and a form letter here to get you started on the
process. You'll also find the needed contact information for your elected
officials.
Of course, even if you're not necessarily
an advocate of this specific stimulus idea but would still like to send
a message to your Congressmen, you'll still be able to use the contact
information.
If there was ever a time to make
your voice heard, this is it.