WRAL Tech Wire

Microsoft cuts some 200 people in marketing positions

"Some of these changes involved the reduction of a small percentage of marketing positions to better align our resources with our business needs and clarify roles across the marketing function," the company said.

North Carolina's economic 'index' declines in December

However, N.C. State economist Dr. Michael Walden, who compiles the report, says the outlook for 2002 is a "continuing, slow improving state economy."

Tracking NC's economy

Entrepreneurship is big business: 40,000 jobs, 1,823 firms in RTP over 20 years

Startups also drew $7.7 billion in investments between 1992 and 2011, according to a report from the Council for Entrepreneurial Development and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Cary-based communications firm Connexion lays off 'about 80'

The privately held company, which is led by former Cary Mayor Glen Lang, says the layoffs are part of its decision to move to wireless rather than fiber-optic technology. Connexion says "some senior people" were cut.

Talking ends, work begins to make Raleigh an innovation hub

An "Innovation Summit" draws a much larger than expected crowd of civic and corporate leaders as well as entrepreneurs. After mulling numerous ideas, the organizers set about preparing a full report and recommendations that will be released next month.

A wall of ideas at the Innovation Summit

Raleigh's innovation event - Call it 'Summit of Smarts'

Civic and corporate leaders are gathering in Raleigh today to discuss how to turn the capital city into a hub for new company creation and growth of more emerging companies. Several committees have already been meeting to plot strategy. The next steps in creating a go-forward strategy will be taken today.

Quintiles to open new center, hire 500 in China

The world's largest life science services firm says the center will feature a multilingual staff focused on providing a variety of services to China, Japan and South Korea.

IT job openings climb 7.5% in NC in December

The number of information technology jobs in North Carolina increased 7.5 percent in December, according to new data from the North Carolina Technology Association.

IT job openings increase in NC

BASF to move genetic crops division to RTP from Germany

The unit's plant science headquarters in Limburgerhof will shift to Research Triangle Park, and development and commercialization of products targeted solely at cultivation in Europe will be halted, BASF said. Some 140 jobs in Europe are involved.

BASF's genetically altered potato Amflora

After suicides at China parts plants, Apple agrees to outside inspections

The electronics giant joins the Fair Labor Association, which monitors manufacturing facilities. Apple is the first big tech company to join. The firm also discloses its suppliers for the first time and says it increased audits by 80 percent from 2010.

Workers at a China parts plant (Apple photo)

Novartis to cut 1,960 jobs in US at HQ, from sales force

The drug giant, which operates a huge vaccine plant and research and development complex in Holly Springs, said the cuts are due to anticipated declining sales for two hypertension drugs.

Red Hat, Raleigh to discuss shared future

Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst and Nancy McFarlane, the new mayor of Raleigh, will talk to the media Friday about the "mutually beneficial future" of the capital city and the world's leading provider of open-source software.

Blue Cross forms venture for claims, other services

The Chapel Hill-based health insurer and BCBS of Kansas City have formed a company called Topaz Shared Services. Both firms are recruiting current employees to fill 40 jobs. It's "too soon to tell" if the move will create job cuts, a BCBSNC spokesperson says.

Social networks open doors for healthcare job seekers

However, candidates need to be specific in seeking help from their networks, says editor of MedReps.com.

Red Hat plays job recruiter, persuading software firm to pick Raleigh

Chief Executive Jim Whitehurst says he has already persuaded another open-source software development company to open a 12-person office in Raleigh, but he declined to identify the firm.