Word of the Day

Commodity

Even if you don't think you do, you already know plenty about commodities. Want us to prove it? No problem.

What makes oil produced in Saudi Arabia different from oil exported from Nigeria? It's the same thing that makes the corn you ate at last summer¿s barbecue different from the corn used to produce ethanol. Stumped? Well, don't feel bad, it's a trick question. The answer? Absolutely nothing. Corn is corn no matter where it comes from -- just as wheat is wheat and natural gas is -- right! -- natural gas. (Though the quality may differ, the make-up is uniform.)

So, in less elaborate terms, corn and oil (and all other commodities) are homogenous goods that can be processed, resold and more often than not, used as an input to the production of other goods or services. These goods are traded on a commodity exchange, thus setting the price-per-barrel (or other metric unit) used to value them.

Now pay attention, here's a question that indeed does have an answer: What is the difference between a commodity and a stock? While a stock can tank and become worthless, a commodity cannot have its value be wiped to zero. One other difference: Most commodities are traded in futures, meaning traders buy and sell where they think the price of a product will be at a certain point in the future. Stocks trade based on the value of the underlying company at that point in time.

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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Cepheid Selects Pilgrim Software for Integrated CAPA & Complaints Management

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Comtex

TAMPA, Fla., Jul 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----Pilgrim Software, Inc., a world-leading provider of Enterprise Compliance and Quality Management (ECQM) software solutions, today announced that Cepheid, an on-demand molecular diagnostics company based in Sunnyvale, CA, has selected Pilgrim's SmartCAPA(TM) and SmartComplaints(TM) solutions for tracking and managing its Complaints and CAPA processes across all Cepheid divisions worldwide.

Cepheid was seeking solutions that would provide a single source data center for tracking and managing all Complaints and related CAPA processes within its facilities across the U.S. and Europe, including France and Germany. Pilgrim's solutions provide Cepheid users with automated, streamlined and integrated solutions to manage business processes. SmartCAPA and SmartComplaints form a closed-loop CAPA and complaint management system that allows users to report, react to, and resolve issues as well as prevent recurrence through appropriate actions.

"Our rapid pace of innovation and growing expansion into the clinical molecular diagnostic market, places additional pressure on our systems," said Rick Fletcher, Vice President of Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs. "Pilgrim Software's scalable, integrated solutions will help us ensure that we keep our quality systems in pace with our growth and the ever increasing complexity of our business."

"Electronic records management of these two key quality processes with SmartCAPA and SmartComplaints, will help Cepheid meet FDA requirements for quality records, while enhancing communication with its customers," said Nikki Willett, Pilgrim's Vice President of Marketing & Regulatory Affairs.

In seeking automated CAPA and Complaints management systems, Cepheid's stated goal was to establish the foundation for a world-class Quality Management System by partnering with the best-in-class vendor. "Cepheid recognized that Pilgrim has established the benchmark for out-of-the-box complaints functionality, and through our demonstrations, we were able to show this to the Cepheid team, which created excitement around this project and solution, and ultimately led to our selection as the provider of choice," Willett said.

About Pilgrim Software, Inc.

Pilgrim Software, Inc. is a world-leading provider of Enterprise Compliance and Quality Management solutions for global organizations. Named 2007 & 2008 North American Enterprise Compliance & Quality Management Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan, Pilgrim helps organizations manage industry and regulatory compliance, reduce manufacturing costs and improve customer satisfaction. For more information, visit Pilgrim Software's website at www.pilgrimsoftware.com.

SOURCE: Pilgrim Software, Inc.

Pilgrim
   Software, Inc., Tampa Sandy Carson, 813-915-1663

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