The 14^th annual Webby Awards are in and we’ve got something to celebrate!  From more than 8,000 entries submitted fewer than 15% were distinguished as Official Honorees, and the Medi-CareFirst.com website designed and built by G.1440 was one of them.

The Webby Awards are the Internet’s equivalent of the Academy Awards and entries are drawn in from all 50 states and 60 countries worldwide. Winners are chosen by well-renowned judges at the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. Members of this organization include: Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson, Internet Inventor Vinton Cerf and Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. This award represents a certain standard of excellence and demonstrates the outstanding caliber of work here at G.1440.

The Webby Award categories are broken down into Websites & Mobile, Interactive Advertising, and Film & Video, and then further divided into subcategories of criteria. Medi-CareFirst.com was recognized under the Websites & Mobile category and was assessed on the following criteria: content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity, and overall experience.

Our excellent team of web designers and developers made this award possible – G.1440 boasts the best and most creative web designers in the region. Our Consulting Solutions team offers an extensive suite of products and solutions that help enhance our clients’ business and we have an unmatched reputation built over a decade for having high quality, on time, and on budget delivery. We offer company specific customized solutions – see for yourself! Our Design Portfolio showcases some of our websites, user interfaces, and marketing solutions.

G.1440’s award winning team delivered a website for Medi-CareFirst.com that possesses unparalleled qualities. The website has proven to be user-friendly, informative, and interactive, which has helped it succeed. This Webby Award proves that G.1440 uses innovative technology combined with technical expertise to help differentiate businesses from the rest of the pack.

Check out the website here for a look at its award winning quality design:  Medi-CareFirst

Baltimore, MD, January 4, 2010 – G.1440 today announced the completion of an agreement to be acquired by Constellation Software, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Constellation HomeBuilder Systems. The talent and technology of G.1440 will remain in Baltimore, where the company will continue to operate under the same name and management team. With a portfolio of over 20,000 customers in over 30 countries, Constellation will help solidify G.1440’s position in the market and help it grow as Baltimore’s technology leader.

Founded in 1998, G.1440 provides a range of technology services, including web design, online marketing, custom application development, and IT staffing. The Baltimore company’s depth and range of services made it attractive to CSI.

“By bringing expert teams in web design, marketing, development, and tech staffing together, G.1440 offers a hybrid solution unlike any we’ve seen,” says Dexter Salna, President of Constellation HomeBuilder Systems. “With a 12 year history of growth fueled by repeat business from an impressive client list that includes many of Maryland’s premier companies, G.1440 was a natural fit for the Constellation family.”

“With Constellation we’re in an even better position to empower our clients through technology,” said Larry Fiorino, G.1440’s President and Founder. “We’re excited that CSI has recognized what our clients have experienced – the immense value that our design, development, marketing, and staffing teams bring when they work together. This acquisition is great news for Baltimore!”

Financial details of the acquisition are not being made public.

About Constellation Software, Inc.

Constellation Software Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “CSU”. Constellation is an international provider of market leading software and services to a number of industries across both the public and private sectors. The Company acquires, manages and builds vertical market software businesses that provide mission-critical software solutions to address the specific needs of its customers in those industries. Constellation Software, Inc. is in no way affiliated with Constellation Energy – a Baltimore based energy company.

About G.1440, LLC.

G.1440 is a 12 year old Baltimore based technology firm that provides End-to-End IT solutions that Get IT to Work for leading companies nationwide. With services including custom web application development, web design, online marketing and tech staffing, G.1440 stands out by offering hybrid IT solutions – the right mix of technology, the people, and price – working with clients however clients need us to. G.1440 was founded by Larry Fiorino in 1998 and was previously a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group.

Media Inquiries
Tim Kassouf
marketing@g1440.com
(410) 843-3823

Just as 3G wireless technology is hitting its stride, the national carriers are testing and launching wireless 4G.  Sprint struck first with WiMax (think really big WiFi hotspots), but Verizon is on its heels with lte (Long Term Evolution).  Other carriers are on board with 4G, and the bottom line is that mind-blowing wireless data speeds are here, and will be mainstream soon.

This means more people going online with all kinds of mobile devices.  Netbook sales are soaring, but research shows people might be seriously regretting their mini computer purchase.  iPhone sales are way up, but can a pocket sized computer really take full advantage of 100Mbps data speeds?  Maybe 4G will mean more powerful large screen laptop computers will be relevant again. (I’m writing this on my 17inch laptop, so you can guess what I’m rooting for…) But we’ll likely see the same trends continue – faster & more powerful mobile devices giving people ready access to the Internet all the time.

But is your business ready for everyone to have the real Internet in their pocket or backpack?

Ultimately, you need a mobile strategy – and one that takes into account both small screen browsing and anytime access.  Are you giving people the opportunity to buy or connect with you quickly?  Does your site give users the information they need right away?  (I keep hearing Jakob Nielsen whisper, “Usability” in my ear…)

Faster Internet rocks, but is your business positioned to take advantage or miss out?

On Friday we launched a brand new redesign of g1440.com, and as cliche as it must sound… we’re pretty excited!

Here’s what John Hill, our Vice President of IT Solutions had to say:

Good People of G.1440, you gotta check out our new website! At the end of a Friday workday and workweek, take a moment and check it out. You’ll be very impressed with your company and your team of web designers, developers and marketing experts. The new site is a GEM.

Kudos to Matt Deville for leading the effort (and producing most of the design and graphics all by his little ‘ole self) and special thanks to Tim, Buddie, Nat, and Adam for all their hard word. It’s a real beauty, folks…

Stay tuned… spring is springing and so is G.1440.

Have a great weekend. We’ve got a lot to celebrate!”