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30Maritime Reporter & Engineering News planned information from and betweenfire departments, for example,? said GEOcommands Koenigsberg. The ports are a critical infrastructure, These are open, critical infrastructures that pres-ent huge threats, and if we cant bring these technologies together to better pro-tect our ports, than shame on us.? GEOCommand was brought into the fold in the autumn of 2010, whenKoenigsberg was researching public safety on the internet, and he discovered the Balfour technology. That is some super cool technology.? Strategic Planning Partners (SPP) LLC is one of the small, partners in the Mor- relly Homeland Security Center, but it is strategically key to opening the centers offerings to the maritime community, said Michael Griffin, co-founder and Di- rector of Emergency Preparedness Serv- ice at SPP, with Peter Sammis, both former U.S. Coast Guard officers with a plethora of industry insight and contacts.Coming off of active duty, we decided that we really wanted to help bridge the gap between government and the private sector,? said Michael Griffin, co-founder and Director of Emergency Preparedness Service at SPP. At the Morrelly Center, we are helping the partners to advance the system, to open the pathways to the world of port security. As we are the only non-technical partner at the center, we act as a sounding board to look at the new technologies being developed.? I always, as a small business, see the strength in partnerships,? said Griffin. When companies can share expertise as we do at the center, it strengthens the whole, as everyone in that building has a hand in the world I work in,? said Griffin of SPP. We put our heads together to help solve problems, and as a non-profit entity, it helps to bring a lot of the poten- tial customers in the door.? TURNING A PROFIT While each of the partners is dedicatedto building a solution to myriad home-land security needs, each also is engagedin private business with the need to oper- ate efficiently and profitably. Most admit that the center is in its infancy and the long-range return on investment is still not clear. The companies at the center pay rent, a rent which is fairly higher than market value because of all of the ameni- ties, particularly the access to other like- minded companies and connections tothe end customer,? said LIFTs Otto. Have I made any money there? No. Will I make money there? Probably, but it will take some time,? said Retlifs Poggi. We have done several small projects because we are primarily in the infancy of the business development stage now,? said Globecomms Scardino. But we continue to bring in prospective clients and partners. It is still open and evolving and all Resident Research Partners are excited by the potential capabilities.? Griffin of SPP is quick to point out that, as a smaller company member, the center is a boon for him to help open doors. Ifwe approach (potential customers) as in-dividual companies, we are just another company knocking on the door looking for business. It carries significantly more weight if the foundation comes knock-ing.? said Griffin. V.C.O.R.E.s Browne is bullish on not only the direction of the center, but the business as well. We have been booking business, and we have been hiring people and continue to grow. Today we have nearly 20 people; we intend to doublethat in 12 months,? said VCore Solutions Browne. Ken was clear from the outset that we were going to build a business channel, and he has proven to be right.? 2011 YEARBOOKMARITIME SECURITY(Photo Courtesy GEOCommand) GEOcommand offers a comprehensive, multi-community solution for informa- tion sharing among emergency responders. (Photo Courtesy Retlif) Retlif is the partner tasked with testing the new technologies, to ensure not only that they work, but that they work in the intended environment. Retlifs role is to ensure that the products work in the real-world environment for which they are designed. Thats the expertise we bring to the center,? said Walter Poggi.