BIZZ BUZZ

NetAccess Systems Inc. has acquired Clear Advantage Solutions, a leading-edge network solutions provider of digital phones, IP cameras and wireless networking products.

"The acquisition is part of our strategy to implement our own infrastructure and expand our offering of Internet-based products and services for our clients," says NetAccess president and CEO Gary Bannister. "The integration of the Clear Advantage products enables us to deliver new, advanced services with significant cost savings for our clients."

NetAccess is Hamilton's first locally-based Internet service provider, for more than 5,000 users and 600 businesses in greater Hamilton, Halton and Niagara.

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Grade 4 students in Hamilton are again competing for the opportunity to become a "builder for a day," donning work boots and a hard hat to learn firsthand how a house is built. The Hamilton-Halton Home Builders' Association is hosting the second annual Builder for a Day contest, where children are invited to draw and describe their "dream home." Entry forms have been distributed to classrooms in the public and separate school boards.

"We know many children are fascinated by building and of course we want to encourage young people to consider a career in the construction industry," says association president Steve Spicer. "This is a fun way for children to get an up-close look at how a house comes together."

Spicer said the 2008 pilot project succeeded "beyond our wildest expectations," with more than 600 children submitting entries. "The level of interest, and the creativity displayed in the entries, was amazing," he said. Completed entry forms will be handed in through the school boards and returned to the association for judging. The winner will spend a half-day on June 3 with local builder Brandon Campbell of Starward Homes.

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Hamilton's Heather Wilkinson wants to wrap the world. Her home-based business, called Window of Opportunity, "wrapped" more than 50 businesses and vehicles in the Hamilton area in its first eight months of business. They've also branched out to other communities across southern Ontario, including Milton, Brantford and London.

To "wrap" a store or vehicle means graphic images are printed on high-tech, adhesive vinyl film and then positioned on windows of buildings or vehicles. "It really brings a store to life," Wilkinson says. "It displays outside what you will find inside and draws people in."

Tricia Hellingman is president of Hellingman Communications, a Hamilton-based public relations and marketing agency. E-mail her at thellingman@hellingman.com. BizzBuzz appears every other Friday.