The Netezza Corp. of Framingham, Mass. has announced that Shire, a global specialty biopharmaceutical company, has chosen the Netezza Performance Server appliance for its global enterprise data warehouse platform.

AlgoSec, Inc., a Reston, Va.-based provider of firewall operations and security risk management solutions, has unveiled the AlgoSec VPN Analyzer.

Hitachi, Ltd. of Japan has acquired a majority ownership interest in San Francisco-based M-Tech Information Technology, Inc., a provider of identity management software and services, and will change M-Tech's name to Hitachi ID Systems, Inc.

Kronos, Inc. of Chelmsford, Mass. has announced that long-term care provider Extendicare Health Services has selected the company's automated Kronos for Healthcare staff selection and hiring services.

Thru, an Irving, Texas-based provider of critical messaging solutions, has announced the availability of the Thru SCN Small Business Edition, a software-as-a-service offering powered by the Thru Secure Communication Network and designed for small businesses.

The Perot Systems Corp. of Plano, Texas has signed a five-year agreement with Surgical Care Affiliates to provide advanced technology solutions,

Chicago-based Grundig Business Solutions has launched a range of premium kits for digital dictation power users which come in three versions: DigtaDesktop for office-based use, DigtaMobile for use on the road and DigtaTranscription for secretaries and transcription services.