By Jenny Callison
The Cincinnati Enquirer

GatewayDefender protects e-mail

Spam protection is the specialty of newly established GatewayDefender of Cincinnati LLC.

"GatewayDefender offers more than just software," owner Paul Buelterman said. "It offers a managed service which detours spam and e-mail borne viruses before they enter a business enterprise or ISP mail server. After most of the spam and all of the viruses are removed, legitimate e-mails are then forwarded to the enterprise mail server."

GatewayDefender is already well established in northern Ohio, Mr. Buelterman said.

Within the next few months, the Florence company plans to expand its services to include a program that can monitor and control employee Internet surfing. Information: (859) 468-6904.

Web site in works for Furniture Fair

Fairfield-based Furniture Fair has chosen Independent Computing Group LP to develop a consumer Web site for its seven locations.

ICGLP, also located in Fairfield, said the Web site will contain a home page with Flash Animation, about 20 product pages, and an online ordering service.

Information: 942-7869.

Business Forms, Prograde merge

Business Forms Unlimited, a supplier of printed products to the financial, insurance and manufacturing industries, will be acquired by Prograde Inc.

The purchase agreement, signed last month, will allow Prograde to pair its Internet procurement expertise with Business Forms Unlimited's industry experience to provide Web-based print products to customers throughout the country.

"Business Forms Unlimited has done a fantastic job of building a solid and successful operation," Dan Schroer, Prograde's president and CEO, said. "Prograde and Business Forms Unlimited share a strong customer focus, and the combination of the companies' strengths will help deliver a more comprehensive product offering to our clients."

"By teaming up with one of the leading print eProcurement companies, Business Forms Unlimited is able to leverage Prograde's eBusiness resources to enhance its presence and impact a larger audience nationwide," said Ken Johnston, president of Business Forms Unlimited.

All employees of Business Forms Unlimited will now be part of Prograde, which is based at 8860 Beckett Road in West Chester. It has branches in Blue Ash and Lima as well as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Ind. Business Forms Unlimited is in Sycamore Township.

Information: 942-9202.

Budget Blinds comes to Mason

Sarah Baker and her tape measure make house calls.

Ms. Baker is the owner of Budget Blinds of Mason, Ohio's newest Budget Blinds franchise. Her company serves the communities surrounding Mason, including Maineville, Blue Ash, West Chester, Lebanon and northeastern Cincinnati.

Budget Blinds specializes in on-site consultations at both residential and commercial locations with its portfolio of products, which include Hunter Douglas, Levolor, Graber, Alta, Lafayette, Castec and Kirsch. The company also sells its own private label products and performs the installation on all orders.

"Our shop-at-home-convenience feature is most appealing to today's busy consumers and those engaged in buying or selling a home that needs remodeling," Ms. Baker said.

Budget Blinds Inc., based in Orange, Calif., has 317 independent franchises in 37 states.

Information: 745-0710 or Web site.

Charter yacht has new name, owners

The Lady Dean II has a new name and new owner.

The charter yacht has been purchased by Capt. Shawn Somers and Mike Shirley, who christened their craft Destiny. The 110-foot yacht, which cruises the Ohio River, is Coast Guard certified for 149 guests. It is the largest in the Tristate and is rented for corporate events, business meetings, wedding-related events and other private parties.

Mr. Somers and Mr. Shirley served as crew under former owners Mel and Dean Scott, who have since retired. The new owners have a combined 30 years' boating experience.

Information: 921-3210.

Sales, marketing to be discussed

Small-business owners and other professionals can meet with their peers to discuss issues related to marketing when a new series debuts this month.

BizChat Live Marketing and Sales Roundtable Discussions offers its first session Jan. 27. The topic is "Promoting Your Business Affordably." The meeting is moderated by small-business consultant Elaine Milstein.

"Monthly discussions will cover specific marketing and sales topics with opportunities to ask questions and discuss particular problems that have come up in running a business. Everyone will have a chance to talk," Ms. Milstein said.

The roundtable takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. at Johnny Chan 2, located at Harpers Point in Symmes Township. Thereafter, the sessions will take place the fourth Monday of each month.

Meeting fee is $15 and can be paid at the door. Attendees are responsible for their own meal cost. Reservations deadline is 6 p.m. Jan. 26.

Information: 891-7015.

E-mail jcallison@cinci.rr.com or fax 564-6991 with openings, expansions and other news about neighborhood businesses.