Surfin' IPA

RER's annual Innovative Product Awards competition recognizes a company that has introduced a progressive new product to the rental market. Companies submit the products they see most worthy of the honor, and those products compete in several categories. The category winners are then pitted against each other for the top prize. This year, Gehl's radio remote control system, which allows a telescopic handler operator to control boom functions from outside the cab, received the top accolade and will be recognized at an RER-sponsored reception during The Rental Show in February. Visit RER's homepage at www.rermag.com and click on the Innovative Product Award icon (pictured) in the left column to view this year's category winners, silver medalists Centreville Manufacturing and Compact Power, and other honorable products.

Software Solutions

Avon, Conn.-based RMI Corp. released a new version of its website, www.rmiusa.com, in an effort to provide site visitors with a higher level of information regarding the company's Advantage Solution software. The new Industries tab on the homepage allows visitors to see how the software can help their business. The company plans to add flash video to give the user a more enhanced online experience. If that level of interactivity isn't enough, site visitors can schedule live online demonstrations or order demo CDs. The site reflects the company's dedication to the equipment rental, sales and service industries by giving a more detailed understanding of RMI, its Advantage Solution and additional services and support it offers. Michael Shelburne, vice president of sales for RMI, says the site now offers a greater level of understanding of its offerings to prospects and future clients. “We will continue to add new information and features to further enhance the content and the overall navigation of our site,” he says.

Meet EVA

The Electronic Virtual Assistant from Virtual Management is a hybrid technology that blends digital record-keeping with the intuition of a real person to bring the efficiency of a personal assistant to busy people who are always on the go. For a monthly fee, users can have a U.S.-based assistant available around the clock to help with data storage and retrieval, send e-mail on their behalf, schedule meetings and more. The EVA is a voice-based data-entry system where users dictate important action items, calendar events or meeting summaries to a dedicated 800-number or onto a handheld unit. The system can also be used to update business contact information or log expense report and tax-related items. Users can log in from any web browser and view custom databases and activities or have the information sent electronically. Visit www.webcasting.com/eva to watch an 18-minute video demonstration of the system in action or visit www.evaforhire.com for more information.

Heavy Metal

Looking for deals on equipment? BigIron, based in Monroe, N.C., has purchased and sold heavy earthmoving equipment since 1975. The company's website, www.bigironusa.com, is a no-frills site that gives visitors the basic information without any hype. On the homepage, clicking on the equipment link pulls up a page with various equipment categories: crawler tractors, crawler loaders, excavators, wheel loaders and forklifts, to name a few. Clicking on the category allows the site visitor to view the equipment listings and prices, and link to photos of the machines as well. Most listings have several images posted to enable customers to get several different views of the machine. The zoom feature allows the user to enlarge the picture, while navigation arrows allow scrolling side to side and up and down to look at specific parts of the machine.

Submit new technology, computer products and websites for consideration in Megabytes to Erin Whitehead at ewhitehead@rermag.com.