Thursday, September 20, 2012

Bancafe Panama of the Davivienda Banking Group, Implements AuraPortal Process Management (BPM) Software to Automate and Control its Banking Operations

The implementation of AuraPortal will allow Bancafe to automate and optimize the performance of the operational areas and the customer service.

Boca Raton, Florida, September 20, 2012 - AURA (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of Business Process Management (BPM) Software has announced the immediate implementation of the AuraPortal (*) Business Process Management Suite (BPMS) at the prestigious Panamanian bank, Bancafe. Bancafe is a subsidiary of Colombian Davivienda and has operated in Panama since 1966.

(*)The AuraPortal Process Management Platform has recently been distinguished by the independent market analyst firm Ovum in the Decision Matrix 2011 report as the most advanced BPM in the market.

Bancafe decided to implement a flexible solution that would allow them to manage and optimize the performance of the strategic areas of Operations and Customer Service, adapting them to the increasingly demanding needs of the market. After an exhaustive selection process, Bancafe decided for AuraPortal.

This represents a great technological breakthrough for the bank, as the implementation project foresees the expansion of the platform to other branches.

Among the many benefits that Bancafe will gain through the use of AuraPortal, is the flexibility to quickly re-configure the processes, significantly reducing the time it takes to approve and respond to banking service requests from all customers in the Panamanian market. Likewise, there will be a considerable improvement in the control of document flows, execution time reductions through the automation of processes and a reduction in the learning curve because of AuraPortal's user friendliness and usability.

The project implementation will be performed by Innova Consult, AuraPortal's Technology Partner in Panama.

About Bancafe:
Bancafé was first established in Panama in 1966 in the northern city of Colon in order to facilitate customer transactions in foreign trade, especially supporting the coffee industry. In 1972 it relocated its headquarters to Panama City. Today, Bancafé operates both the offices to provide the best geographical coverage.

About Aura (http://www.auraportal.com):
AURA is a global BPMS (Business Process Management Suite) provider delivering a solution that creates, without the need of IT programming, Business Process Workflow Execution Models. AuraPortal is 100% Web-based, and is complementary to existing ERP and CRM systems.

AURA has a presence in 50 countries with more than 400 customers including, among others: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Toyota, Yamaha, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), ArcelorMittal, Eletrobras, Royal KPN, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sodexo, etc., as well as many Government Agencies and Departments in several countries.

AURA Headquarters are located in North America (Florida) and Europe (Holland) whereas the software development facilities are located in Spain and India.

Contact:
Scott Rich
Auraportal
400 Trade Center
Woburn, MA 01801-7472
978-808-6340
diana.farrington@auraportal.com
http://www.auraportal.com

Sweet Honey In The Rock and Bill Banfield Present “Symphony 10: Affirmations for A New World”

New Orchestral Collaboration Set For Harris Theater In Chicago, October 4, 2012

New York, NY, September 19, 2012 - Iconic and Grammy Award-nominated a cappella ensemble SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK will present their first ever orchestral collaboration, “Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World,” with music composed by William C. Banfield and lyrics written by the ensemble members: Ysaye M. Barnwell, Carol Maillard, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, and Louise Robinson. The performance will be conducted by Banfield, in collaboration with the Sphinx Virtuosi (America’s most celebrated and influential African-American and Latino youth orchestra ensemble), and The Chicago Children’s Choir (directed by Josephine Lee), at the prestigious Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, Chicago, IL, on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

In addition, to “Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World, the Harris Theater engagement will also feature individual performance sets by SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK and the Sphinx Virtuosi.

“Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World,” was co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director), and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC; the Minnesota Orchestra, (Osmo Vänskä, Music Director), Minneapolis, MN; and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Chicago, IL. The work premiered with the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins and the Morgan State Choir, (directed by Eric Conway), at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The Minnesota Orchestra presented the work at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, which was conducted by Mark Russell Smith with the Vocal Essence Choir (directed by Philip Brunelle). Both were presented in late April 2012.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK and Banfield began collaborating on “Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World,” five years ago. The final thirty minute work comprises five movements including: “A Higher Note” by Aisha Kahlil, ”Dreams,” by Carol Maillard, “The Day the World Awoke,” by Nitanju Bolade Casel, “Discourse of Change,” by Ysaye M. Barnwell and “Yes,” by Louise Robinson.

“Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World”, is a labor of love and one of the most challenging and adventurous projects we've undertaken as a group," stated Ysaye Barnwell. "It has been a dream to one day blend our unique sound, artistry, and lyrics with a symphony orchestra, and we're very fortunate to have fulfilled it by partnering with such a gifted and talented composer as Bill Banfield,” she added. “We thank the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra, for co-commissioning, “Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World”, and we are delighted to be performing it in Chicago.”

Banfield cited some of the musical inspiration and concept for the score by offering, "Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World," affirms every human power we have: love, imagination, fear and courage, will to change, dreaming, to ask the question and to touch someone else's soul. It is stepping out as the text asks for ‘a higher note,’ to redefine the traditions in our art that need new fueling.”

For more information regarding tickets, visit: www.harristheaterchicago.org or call 312.334.7777

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK www.sweethoneyintherock.org

Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
P.O. Box 93157
Hollywood, CA 90093
323-806-0400
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com/