10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014

Second-screen technology was one of the big topics at the recent Cable Show in Washington, D.C. Motley Fool analyst Rex Moore was at the event and chatted with Akamai's (NASDAQ: AKAM  ) Kris Alexander about how so-called "couch commerce" is opening up new revenue streams for retailers, advertisers, and programmers.

In this segment, Kris talks about the explosion of connected devices such as Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) iPads and Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) Android tablets, and what it means for second-screen commerce.

Looking for the top dog
It's incredible to think just how much of our digital and technological lives are almost entirely shaped and molded by just a handful of companies. Find out "Who Will Win the War Between the 5 Biggest Tech Stocks" in The Motley Fool's latest free report, which details the knock-down, drag-out battle being waged among the five kings of tech. Click here to keep reading.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: Vertical Computer Systems Inc (VCSY)

Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. (Vertical), incorporated in March 1992, is a provider of Internet core technologies, application software, and software services through its distribution network with operations or sales in the United States, Canada and Brazil. The Company�� primary Internet core technologies include SiteFlash, Emily XML Enabler Agent, Emily XML Broker, which can be an alternative to Web services, and the Emily XML Scripting Language, which can be used to build Web services. The Company�� business operations are grouped into the units, including NOW Solutions, Taladin, OptVision Research, Vertical Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (VHS), Priority Time Systems, Inc. (Priority Time), SnAPPnet, Inc., Government Internet Systems Inc. (GIS), Vertical Internet Solutions, Inc. (VIS), EnFacet, Inc. (EnFacet), Globalfare.com, Inc. (Globalfare), Pointmail.com, Inc. (Pointmail), and minority and other limited interests, joint ventures, and partnerships.

Vertical�� application software, emPath, which is designed to handle payroll and human resources challenges, is marketed by NOW Solutions, Inc. (NOW Solutions). NOW Solutions, sells emPath in the United States and Canadian markets both as a software solution, as well as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering, also known as cloud-based (cloud-based) offering. As of December 31, 2011, the Company marketed a number of software products, including the HRMS emPath 6.5 (emPath) by its subsidiary, NOW Solutions; a physician credentialing solution known as SnAPPnet, and a time and attendance software known as PTS by its subsidiary Priority Time Systems, Inc. (Priority Time).

Application Software

The Company�� primary application software is emPath, a human resources/payroll software, which is developed, marketed and maintained by its wholly owned subsidiary, NOW Solutions. This software is Web-based and is offered as a cloud-based offering or as a software license. Vertical markets its SnAPPnet application directl! y to hospitals and to NOW Solutions��customer base, as well as through VHS to physicians in the United States.

Internet Core Technologies

Internet core technologies provide the software foundation to support Internet-based platforms for the delivery of individual software products that can be sold independently or combined with other software products for deployment of all software products throughout its distribution system. Its primary core Internet technology is SiteFlash. The SiteFlash technology utilizes XML and publishes content on the Web, enabling the user to build and operate Websites with the ability to separate form, function, and content. SiteFlash uses a component-based structure to separate, parse, and store the various components of Web pages, permitting these components to be named, organized, filed and eventually redeployed onto the Web pages of a Website. Once all of the components of a Web page are converted into objects, they can be grouped, as required by the user, into the three main types of Web page components: content, form and function. In this way, each element of a Website created using SiteFlash is interchangeable with any other similar element, and these elements may be grouped together in almost any combination to create complex Websites. SiteFlash architectural concepts enable integration with existing technological components within many organizations. SiteFlash�� additional key features are its affiliation/syndication capability, its multi-lingual capability and its multi-modal framework (enabling use on any output device, including wireless devices, such as smart phones, as well as cellular phones and other devices with Internet capability).

The Company offers SiteFlash as a stand-alone product and also as a technology platform for products targeted at specific vertical markets. The SiteFlash technology focuses on content management, e-commerce, and workflow and has led to the development of three additional software applicat! ion produ! cts: ResponseFlash, NewsFlash and AffiliateFlash. It has converted its SiteFlash product to offer it in a cloud-based configuration. The second core Internet technology it has developed is the Emily XML scripting language, a Markup Language Executive (MLE), which is Java compatible. The primary component of the Emily Framework is the Emily XML scripting language, a programming language that runs on Windows, Linux and several UNIX platforms. The Emily Framework is used to create Web-based applications that communicate via XML and HTTP. The third core Internet technology, the Company has developed is the combination of three components: the Emily XML Broker, the Emily XML Agent and the Emily XML Portal. The fourth core Internet technology is a Web server software that was licensed to the Company.

Software Services

The Company in addition to its emPath offering, provides a delivery model, software-as-a-service or cloud-based. Cloud-based is a software application delivery model, where a software company both develops and operates/hosts the application for use by its customers over the Internet. Other NOW Solutions software services include maintenance, custom maintenance, professional services and managed services offerings.

NOW Solutions, Inc.

NOW Solutions specializes in integrated human resources and payroll solutions. NOW Solutions has clients in the United States and Canada ranging from private businesses to government agencies. NOW Solutions markets emPath, which handles human resources and payroll situations where the clients may have employees from different unions, multiple locations in different states (the United States) and provinces (Canada). NOW Solutions has converted some of its existing customers to its cloud-based model.

Taladin, Inc.

Taladin is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In November 2005, Taladin and NOW Solutions entered into a license agreement whereby Taladin received the rights to emPath for! use by t! he United States federal, state and local governments and agencies in exchange for a license fee and royalties. Taladin has developed a module for emPath to meet payroll guidelines for law enforcement and fire departments but the finalization of the module was put on hold while final testing was performed and the underlying emPath cloud-based platform was finalized, coupled with emPath�� integration with PTS.

OptVision Research, Inc.

OptVision Research is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and was created to support the development of its fiber optic patent through either direct investment or Government grants. During the year ended December 31, 2011, OptVision Research had not generated any revenue.

Vertical Healthcare Solutions, Inc.

VHS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2010, VCSY licensed its products and technology to VHS for the physician market.

Priority Time Systems, Inc.

As of December 31, 2011, Priority Time developed PTS, a time and attendance product. The Company offers this prodcuts both as a standalone product and as an integrated product with emPath.

SnAPPnet, Inc.

SnAPPnet, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. On May 21, 2010, SnAPPnet, Inc. purchased Pelican Applications, LLC (Pelican). The assets acquired included a software application product known as SnAPPnet, which is used for physician credentialing, as well as Pelican�� customer base.

Government Internet Systems, Inc.

The Company�� 84.5%-owned subsidiary, GIS, was formerly named Emily Solutions, Inc. Vertical licensed ResponseFlash to GIS, in order to market and distribute this technology to government entities (excluding state universities and schools) in the United States.

Vertical Internet Solutions, Inc.

VIS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2011, VIS was inactive.

EnF! acet, Inc.

EnFacet is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2011, EnFacet was inactive.

Globalfare.com

Globalfare is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2011, Globalfare was inactive.

Pointmail.com, Inc.

Pointmail is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2011, Pointmail was inactive.

The Company competes with Oracle, Lawson, Cyborg /Hewitt, Kronos, DLGL, Ultimate, SAP, ADP, Ceridian, Ultimate Software, Quicken, Kronos, NOVAtime Technology, Asure Software, Insperity, Qqest Software Systems, Heathline Systems, Win/Staff, Medkinetics, Intellisoft Group, Inc., Sy.Med and CACTUS Software.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: FairPoint Communications Inc.(FRP)

FairPoint Communications, Inc. provides communications services in rural and small urban communities primarily in northern New England. The company offers an array of services, including high speed data, Internet access, voice, television, and broadband product offerings to residential, business, and wholesale customers. It provides local calling services, such as basic local lines, local private lines, and switched data services; data services comprising private line special access, fast packet, optical, Ethernet, and IP services; and Internet services, including IP addresses obtaining services, basic Web site design and hosting, domain name, content feeds, and Web-based email services, as well as carrier Ethernet services. In addition, the company offers network transport services, such as access services, which primarily include DS-1 and DS-3 services; and high speed digital services that primarily comprise Ethernet-based services provisioned over fiber and copper facil ities. Further, it provides billing and collection services for interexchange carriers; directories, which offer white page, yellow page, and community information listings; public (coin) telephone, and the sale and maintenance of customer premise equipment; and video services to its customers by reselling DirectTV content, and cable and IP TV video-over- digital subscriber lines. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated approximately 1.3 million access line equivalents in 18 states. It provides cellular backhaul connectivity to approximately 1,600 towers. FairPoint Communications, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Hot Insurance Companies To Own For 2014: Chinasing Investment Hldg Ltd (C16.SI)

Chinasing Investment Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the provision of computer consultancy services; and the design, development, and sale of computer software and hardware systems in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Europe, the United States, Singapore, and other Asian countries. It also involves in property and investment holding, and general trading activities; and the manufacture and trading of consumer electronic products and components, and satellite communication products, including low-noise block converters, transceivers, and digital video broadcasting decoders, which are used in satellite broadcasting, satellite telephone, satellite monitoring, and global positioning systems. In addition, Chinasing provides system integration and software installation services. The company was formerly known as Joinn Holdings Limited and changed its name to Chinasing Investment Holdings Limited in April 2008. Chinasing Investment Holdings Limited was incorpo rated in 2000 and is based in Central, Hong Kong.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: North American Oil & Gas Corp (NAMG)

Calendar Dragon Inc., incorporated on April 7, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company was formed to create a new calendaring tool that incorporates a range of features not offered by other providers, all in one lean online package. Its Website www.calendardragon.com was formed to bridge the gap between current social networking, e-mail and calendaring / scheduling activities for the individual, with applications to business, government, law enforcement, and medical.

The calendardragon.com Website focuses on having each of the various windows within the interface: Contacts like an email app, traditional left location; Events & to do lists along with ability to hide / show events and to do lists with others; Calendar customizable view; Message text (thread), along with list of participants in a separate pane, and Options. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2010, the Company did not generate any revenue.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  What�� the Catch With New Western Energy Corp? According to various disclosures, transactions of $3k and $4k have or will occur to mention New Western Energy Corp in various investment newsletters. Last Tuesday, New Western Energy Corp announced it had drilled the Anna #1 well to 1,793 ft. and the presence of coal gas was confirmed. If the quantity of gas is sufficient, the New Western Energy Corp will construct a gas gathering pipeline for no more than $200k to connect the field to the nearest sales point. Investors should be aware that the New Western Energy Corp has reported revenues of $19k (most recent reported quarter), $31k, $24k and $15k for the past four quarters along with net losses of $181k (most recent reported quarter), $1,025k, $106k and $110k.�Nevertheless and at the end of March, New Western Energy Corp had $793k in cash to cover $521k in current liabilities. That could be enough cash to sustain the company until it gets more revenue pumping in.

  North American Oil & Gas Corp (OTCBB: NAMG) Has Announced a Completed Strategic Review

  Small cap North American Oil & Gas Corp is focused on the prolific San Joaquin Basin in onshore California with existing foundation assets targeting exploration and exploitation of high impact oil and gas projects located near infrastructure and existing discoveries. On Friday, North American Oil & Gas Corp fell 1.05% to $0.940 for a market cap of $56.52 million plus NAMG is up 276% since November 2012 according to Google Finance.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: EntreMed Inc (ENMD)

EntreMed, Inc. (EntreMed), incorporated in 1991, is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. EntreMed's drug candidate is ENMD-2076, an Aurora A and angiogenic kinase inhibitor for the treatment of cancer. ENMD-2076 has completed Phase I studies in patients with advanced solid tumors, multiple myeloma and leukemia and is completing data for a multi-center Phase II study in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer. The Company�� other product candidates have includes MKC-1, ENMD-1198 and 2-methoxyestrdiol (2ME2, Panzem) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

ENMD-2076 is a novel orally-active, Aurora A/angiogenic kinase inhibitor with potent activity against Aurora A and multiple tyrosine kinases linked to cancer and inflammatory diseases. ENMD-2076 is relatively selective for the Aurora A isoform in comparison to Aurora B. Aurora kinases are key regulators of the process of mitosis, or cell division, and are often over-expressed in human cancers. ENMD-2076 exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms of action, including anti-proliferative activity and the inhibition of angiogenesis. ENMD-2076 has demonstrated significant, dose-dependent preclinical activity as a single agent, including tumor regression, in multiple xenograft models (such as breast, colon, leukemia), as well as activity towards ex vivo-treated human leukemia patient cells.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: Monitise PLC (MONI)

Monitise plc is a United Kingdom-based holding company. The principal activity of the Company is as a technology company delivering mobile banking, payments and commerce networks worldwide. The Company�� segments include Live Operations, Investment in future operations and Investment in technology platform. Live operations include both territory deployments and development contracts, which consist of Monitise United Kingdom, Monitise Americas and Global accounts. Investment in future operations segment represents the Company�� operations which are not live operations covering both pre-sales and start-up period. Investment in technology platform segment comprises the ongoing development, enhancement and maintenance costs of the Monitise technology platform. On June 25, 2012, the Company acquired US mobile banking and payments specialist, Clairmail Inc. (Clairmail). Effective September 5, 2013, Monitise PLC acquired the entire share capital of Grapple Mobile Ltd.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: Clearwire Corporation(CLWR)

Clearwire Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides fourth generation wireless broadband services in the United States. The company builds and operates mobile broadband networks that offer high-speed mobile Internet and residential Internet access services. It serves retail customers through its CLEAR brand. The company markets its products and services directly to consumers, as well as through cellular retailers, consumer electronics stores, satellite television dealers, and computer sales and repair stores; and through company-operated retail outlets. As of December 31, 2011, it had approximately 1.3 million retail and 9.1 million wholesale subscribers. The company is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Clearwire Corporation is a subsidiary of Sprint HoldCo LLC.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alyce Lomax]

  Regardless, this week a U.S. security committee cleared the SoftBank deal despite the hysteria. Meanwhile, Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR  ) , a provider of 4G services, has postponed its shareholder vote regarding Sprint's overture to buy its remaining stake for $3.40 per share, citing DISH Networks' bid to buy it for $4.40 per share.

• [By Dan Radovsky]

  Are we watching two companies engaging in the usual mergers and acquisition maneuvering between rivals? Or are the daily moves and countermoves of SoftBank and DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH  ) , as they eye a pot containing Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S  ) and Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR  ) , more reminiscent of high-stakes five-card stud?

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: iGo Inc(IGOI)

iGo, Inc. provides accessories and power management solutions for the electronics industry in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes various products for computers and mobile electronic devices. Its products include power products that allow users to charge a range of mobile electronic devices from a single power source; rechargeable alkaline batteries; skins, cases, and screen protectors for mobile electronic devices; audio products, such as earbuds, headphones, and speakers; and stands for portable computers and pico projectors, and other accessories. The company offers its products primarily for portable computers, mobile phones, smartphones, e-readers, portable media players, and portable game consoles. It markets and sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, private-label resellers, retailers, resellers, distributors, and wireless carriers, as well as directly to end users through its igo .com and aerial7.com Websites. The company was formerly known as Mobility Electronics, Inc. and changed its name to iGo, Inc. in May 2008. iGo, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: Zebra Technologies Corporation(ZBRA)

Zebra Technologies Corporation offers products and solutions that assist in identifying, authenticating, and tracking assets, people, and transactions. The company?s products include direct thermal and thermal transfer label and receipt printers, radio frequency identification printer/encoders, dye sublimation card printers, real-time location solutions, and related accessories and support software. It also designs, manufactures, and sells specialty printing devices that print variable information on demand at the point of issuance. The company offers its printers to print bar code labels, receipts, plastic identification cards, wristbands, and tags, as well as to encode passive RFID smart labels and cards. In addition, it provides printer management, label design, and driver solutions under the ZebraNet brand name. The company?s printer supplies consist of stock and customized thermal labels, wristbands, plastic cards, card laminates, and thermal transfer ribbons. Its p roducts have applications in inventory control, small package delivery, baggage handling, automated warehousing, just-in-time manufacturing, employee time and attendance records, file management systems, patient barcode wrist banding, medical specimen labeling, shop floor control, in-store product labeling, employee ID cards, driver?s licenses, and access control systems. The company sells its products worldwide through distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers. Zebra Technologies Corporation was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Andy Obermueller]

  I first told StreetAuthority readers about this game-changing technology in an article about another stock in this sector I like: payment processing firm Zebra (Nasdaq: ZBRA).

10 Best Tech Stocks To Own For 2014: Wipro Limited(WIT)

Wipro Limited provides information technology (IT) products and services, consumer care and lighting products, and infrastructure engineering services primarily in India, the United States, and Europe. The company?s IT Services segment offers IT and IT enabled services, including software application development, application maintenance, research, and development services for hardware and software design, data center outsourcing services, and business process outsourcing services. Its IT Products segment produces and sells a range of Wipro personal desktop computers, Wipro servers, and Wipro notebooks. This segment also operates as a reseller of desktops, servers, notebooks, storage products, networking solutions, and packaged software for various international brands. The company?s Consumer Care and Lighting segment manufactures, distributes, and sells personal care products, baby care products, lighting products, and hydrogenated cooking oils in India and rest of Asia. Wipro Limited also manufactures and sells hydraulic cylinders, truck cylinders, and their components and solutions to original equipment manufacturers, as well as provides water treatment systems and solutions. The company was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Bangalore, India.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Stoffel]

  That helps explain why Accenture and IBM,�the industry's two biggest players, have been able to gobble up so much market share. But there's a second tier of technology-consultants -- in terms of sheer size -- as well. That's where Cognizant, as well as its main competition --�Infosys (NYSE: INFY  ) and Wipro (NYSE: WIT  ) �-- come in to play.