Enform expands Sun Micro partnership
HOUSTON, Dec. 15 (LocalBusiness.com) -- Enform technology, a high-tech 
consultant, said it has expanded the company's strategic partnership with Sun 
Microsystems Inc. Privately held Enform said Palo Alto, Calif.-based Sun 
Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW) is letting the company employ its integrator 
technology called iForce eIntegrators, for use in creating Web applications 
and building back-end systems that connect to the site. Sun will help Enform 
build its service offerings and create custom consulting services, which will 
be jointly marketed.  How much more business this will bring to Enform is not 
clear, and company officials today were not available to discuss the deal. 
Enform, which is run by John McNevin, a former partner at Ernst & Young, has 
grown quickly in its three-year existence. The Houston company helps 
businesses reinvent themselves by upgrading their systems or finding new 
technologies they need to remain competitive. Since its inception, Enform has 
apparently been profitable. It hasn't needed any venture capital to operate. 
The company has about 200 employees, with branch offices in Dallas and 
Austin, and expects to post sales of about $21 million this year. Enform 
recently told LocalBusiness.com that it expected to log about $100 million in 
sales next year, if the economy holds. Its client list includes Microsoft 
Corp., Engage Energy and Continental Airlines. 
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o Public MarchFirst Gets $150 Million from Francisco Partners

CHICAGO -- MarchFirst, a publicly traded Internet
services company, said that Francisco Partners,
a private equity firm focused on investments in
technology companies, has agreed  to invest $150
million in the company in exchange for an eventual
32% equity stake. MarchFirst said it will use the
new capital to focus on operations. The company
assists business with services such as brand building.
David M. Stanton and Neil M. Garfinkel, both of
Francisco Partners, will join MarchFirst's board
of directors, bringing the total to nine members.
http://www.marchfirst.com/
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o Aether Systems Buys RTS Wireless in $103 Million Deal

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Aether Systems, a publicly
traded provider of wireless data products and services,
said it signed a definitive agreement to acquire
RTS Wireless, a developer of software systems that
connect the Internet to wireless devices. Aether
will acquire RTS for a total of approximately $103
million, which includes $26 million in cash and
1.3 million shares stock, trading at $59.25. Aether
will gain a team of 120 wireless engineers among
RTS's 200 employees. RTS's investors include America
Online and individuals.
http://www.aethersystems.com /
http://www.rtswireless.com/
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o E-Numerate Solutions Secures $9 Million in Round One

MCLEAN, Va. -- e-Numerate Solutions, which provides
technology that allows users to compare and analyze
numerical data on the Web, said it has raised $9
million in its first round of funding led by Carlyle
Venture Partners, which provided $3 million. Undisclosed
individual investors also participated in the round.
The company said it will use the funding to continue
its expansion.
http://www.e-numerate.com/
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o Digital Broadband Cuts Staff Due To Faltering Funding Talks

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Digital Broadband, which provides
broadband communications services, said it would
lay off "a substantial portion of its workforce."
The company attributed the layoffs to "adverse market
conditions and its inability to attract sufficient
additional financing to fund its business plan."
According to CNET'S News.com, the company will lay
off 450 of its 526 employees, or 86% of its workforce.
The company raised capital from THL, Alta Communications,
BancBoston Ventures, and individual investors.
http://www.digitalbroadband.com/
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o E-Business Services Firm Bigstep.com Lays Off 34-Employees

SAN FRANCISCO -- Bigstep.com, which provides small
businesses with electronic business services, said
it has laid-off 34 employees. Bigstep.com now has
110 employees. The company said the staff reduction
will allow it to shift with market changes and remain
a viable business. Employees received a severance
package as compensation, the company said. Bigstep
is backed by Worldview Technology Partners, InterWest
Partners, Cardservice International, Compaq Computers,
Office Depot, U.S. Venture Partners, Mayfield Fund,
the Washington Post Company, Angel Investors LP,
Partech International, Draper Richards, Argus Capital,
Staenberg Private Capital, and undisclosed private
investors.
http://www.bigstep.com/
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o Business Firm iReality Group Acquires Consulting Firm Semtor

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Hong Kong-based iReality
Group, a business services firm, said it acquired
the U.S. consulting firm Semtor for an undisclosed
amount of stock. Semtor chairman and CEO Harold
Gubnitsky said that Bloomberg and the Miami Herald
listed the transaction at being valued between $70
million and $90 million, but he could not confirm
that valuation. iReality Group will absorb Semtor
and retain all of its employees. Both companies
are backed by individual investors, and the new
company may hold a round of mezzanine funding before
seeking an IPO next year.
http://www.irealitygroup.com/
http://www.semtor.com/
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