Computing articles from August 2006

Computing archives from August 2006

Mobile provider takes more calls with IP centres.(Carphone Warehouse contracts with Affiniti)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Tom Young Mobile provider takes more calls with IP centres Tom Young z Carphone Warehouse has installed three IP-based contact centres to improve customer support service. The centres have been equipped with Cisco...

research data.(Ethernet services demand expects to rise in Europe)(European firms are increasing investment in customer relationship management software)(Hewlett-Packard Co. plans to acquire Mercury Interactive)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... research data Giants rule retail IT z The 12 largest vendors in the European retail and wholesale IT sector accounted for 30 per cent of overall IT spending last year. IBM leads the way with revenues of $2.9bn ([pounds sterling]1.6bn)...

Eden adopts mobile ticketing.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Eden adopts mobile ticketing Tourist attraction aims to cut printing costs and reduce queues Dave Friedlos z The Eden Project, the UK's third largest tourist attraction, has become the first organisation...

Grid project to help cancer research.(Macmillan Cancer Support charity and research organisations get for supercomputing power for humanitarian projects)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: James Brown Grid project to help cancer research James Brown z Cancer researchers are using grid computing to access supercomputing power levels that will enable them to examine thousands of tissue samples. The...

WiFi to connect GNER trains to back office.
August 3, 2006... WiFi to connect GNER trains to back office Onboard wireless access for passengers will also provide real-time information for train operator Dave Friedlos z Train operator GNER is planning to use the installation of uninterrupted...

Cosmetics firm smooths email backup measures.(Dermalogica UK)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Cosmetics firm smooths email backup measures Lisa Kelly z Skincare firm Dermalogica has installed email management technology to protect it from viruses and spam, and to guarantee a standby email system. The company will also use...

Council saves [pounds sterling]1.7m with e-auctions.(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Council saves [pounds sterling]1.7m with e-auctions James Brown z Birmingham City Council has reduced its procurement costs by [pounds sterling]1.7m using electronic auctioning technology. The system, which uses reverse auctions to...

bulletin.
August 3, 2006... bulletin Tube Lines on track for communication savings z Tube Lines, the company that maintains and upgrades London's Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly underground lines, is saving 40 per cent on SMS communications after installing a...

Two-factor risks highlighted.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Tom Young Two-factor risks highlighted Attacks on payment portal emphasise potential threat to banks developing online authentication Tom Young z Attacks on an electronic currency web site have highlighted potential...

BA installs on-demand flight entertainment.(British Airways contracts with Rockwell Collins)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... BA installs on-demand flight entertainment Dave Friedlos z British Airways (BA) has started a two-year project to install audio and video on-demand systems in its entire fleet of aircraft. The company is lagging behind competitors...

Sensor network takes to sea.(British Telecommunications PLC developed a system of remote sensor networks to survey coastal erosion)
August 3, 2006... Byline: James Brown Sensor network takes to sea Buoy-based technology is developed to monitor environmental changes James Brown z BT has developed a system of remote sensor networks based in buoys to survey coastal erosion and...

BT confirms NHS subcontractor switch.(British Telecommunications PLC, Cerner Corp.)(National Health Service)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott BT confirms NHS subcontractor switch Sarah Arnott z NHS supplier BT has confirmed that it is switching its main software subcontractor for the London region of the [pounds sterling]6bn National Programme, as...

Lords to look at online security.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Tom Young Lords to look at online security Tom Young z The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee is to launch an inquiry into personal internet security. The inquiry, to start in October, will be the first...

Barclays tightens web security.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Tom Young Barclays tightens web security Card reading devices to authenticate online banking customers Tom Young z High-street bank Barclays is to issue handheld card readers to its 1.6 million active online...

UK skills gap hinders European growth potential.(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott UK skills gap hinders European growth potential Sarah Arnott z Improving UK IT skills is crucial to meeting European targets for economic growth, says IT trade body Intellect. According to the EU's Lisbon...

Mobile threats hit out of the blue.(Bluetooth (wireless communications) vulnerability)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams Mobile threats hit out of the blue As mobile devices increase in sophistication so do their security risks, writes Lara Williams in Santa Clara z Security threats to mobile devices are increasing and will...

How Bluesnipers target mobile data Bluetooth-based mobile attacks are increasing. Attacks can be carried out without the device-owner knowing they are being targeted. The problem is exacerbated by users having Bluetooth enabled on their device without.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams How Bluesnipers target mobile data Bluetooth-based mobile attacks are increasing. Attacks can be carried out without the device-owner knowing they are being targeted. The problem is exacerbated by...

metrics.
August 3, 2006... metrics More consumers take up online banking 1 Online banking is booming, according to analyst Forrester Research. There has been a sharp rise for every age group engaging in online activities such as making transfers between bank...

Google growth continues.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Google growth continues Ad placement contributes to a successful quarter, writes Dave Friedlos z Search engine giant Google has announced another impressive quarter of growth, at the same time as rivals MSN...

Cost the main barrier to train connectivity.
August 3, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Cost the main barrier to train connectivity Operators are pushing ahead with wireless plans, writes Dave Friedlos z When GNER completes the rollout of wireless broadband access across its fleet later this...

Your new software: best before...(companies buy applications to suit specific requirements)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Mark Samuels Your new software: best before... The lifespan of a piece of software is shrinking as more companies buy applications to suit specific requirements, says Mark Samuels z How long should a piece of...

All factors considered.(Two-factor authentication technology for control the internet fraud)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... All factors considered z So you think you are clever? Well, if you really are smart, you will know that there is always someone even more clever than you. This rule applies to the IT security industry perhaps more than anywhere. ...

Target the sellers in the spam war OWe seem to be into another round of hand wringing over the problem of spam (Whitehall mulls spam law change, 27 July). No doubt politicians will mouth the usual empty words and nothing will be done. It is futile to leg.(Letter to the editor)
August 3, 2006... Target the sellers in the spam war OWe seem to be into another round of hand wringing over the problem of spam (Whitehall mulls spam law change, 27 July). No doubt politicians will mouth the usual empty words and nothing will be done. ...

Talking point.(power companies plans for installing smart meters)(government admits spam law changes)(web marketers spending for online advertising)
August 3, 2006... talking point On smart metering Utilities query smart meter plan, 20 July z If power companies say the cost of installing smart meters outweighs the cost to the planet, then put power back in the consumers' hands. A cheaper and...

The right connection.(Reuters Group PLC contracts with iPass Inc. for deploying a corporate access service)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams The right connection Constant network availability for its globally scattered staff was a key concern for Reuters when deploying a corporate access service. Lara Williams reports Reuters, the world's...

A seat of learning.(technology was a key consideration in the building of a new education facility)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Linda Moore A seat of learning Linda More looks at how technology was a key consideration in the building of a new education facility Doncaster Education City is a [pounds sterling]90m theme park-style building...

From database to fan base.(Fulham Football Club's Matthew McGrory plans to improved customer relationship management)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly From database to fan base Fulham Football Club's IT director has a strategy in place to boost the club's relationship with its supporters, says Lisa Kelly Matthew McGrory, IT director of Fulham Football...

A sporting exhibition.(Fulham football club)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Byline: Linda More A sporting exhibition z Fulham's IT director Matthew McGrory believes that scoring goals for the business relies on training and teamwork -- even if that means working with rival teams. 'Football teams compete...

Online archive speeds up access to research.(UK PubMed Central)(Brief article)
August 3, 2006... Online archive speeds up access to research Wider availability of science papers will help medical developments Lisa Kelly z The British Library is leading a project to create an online research archive that will speed up...

online.
August 5, 2006... online Computing.co.uk's most popular stories this week Boeing abandons in-flight broadband z Boeing is discontinuing its in-flight broadband service amid spiralling costs and disappointing take-up. Connexion by Boeing...

Read between the lines to find high-quality cryptography.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Luther Martin Read between the lines to find high-quality cryptography It is not always easy to tell the good products from the bad, writes Luther Martin z In the days of unscrupulous snake oil vendors two factors made it...

Learning at their fingertips.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Joe Devo Learning at their fingertips Initiatives to provide schoolchildren with constant access to educational information through handheld devices is boosting interest and results, writes Joe Devo Ask Dave Whyley to...

metrics.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Tom Young metrics UK leads Europe in outsourcing spending 1 IT services spending in the UK is the highest of 27 European countries, according to Forrester Research. In the next five years, it will increase from...

Businesses cool on biometrics.
August 10, 2006... Byline: James Brown Businesses cool on biometrics Private sector organisations are wary of unproven technology, reports James Brown z Lewisham Primary Care Trust has started installing fingerprint scanning technology to protect...

Smart buildings help Elephant forget past.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Tom Young Smart buildings help Elephant forget past London area set for regeneration with IP-based buildings, says Tom Young z A [pounds sterling]1.5bn regeneration project in south London will see networking technology...

A well-oiled security machine The oil industry faces increasing threats to IT systems and physical security from terrorists and saboteurs. Here are the security measures central to maintaining operations and protecting assets, according to defence system.
August 10, 2006... Byline: James brown A well-oiled security machine The oil industry faces increasing threats to IT systems and physical security from terrorists and saboteurs. Here are the security measures central to maintaining operations and...

Aspire fuels Capgemini.(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Aspire fuels Capgemini Outsourcing deal drives growth for services firm, writes Dave Friedlos z The success of its Aspire outsourcing deal with HM Revenue & Customs continues to drive growth for Capgemini,...

financial world.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos financial world Capgemini z French IT services vendor Capgemini's second-quarter results saw revenue grow 8.6 per cent to A[currency]1.9bn ([pounds sterling]1.3bn). Second-quarter bookings reached...

The powers that might not always be.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Emma Nash The powers that might not always be Following a power cut, businesses in Soho learned the hard way that a recovery plan for minor incidents is vital, says Emma Nash z The discovery of electricity changed our...

Passengers use mobiles for station car parking.(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Passengers use mobiles for station car parking Dave Friedlos z Rail operator c2c has started trials of cashless payment at three of its station car parks, enabling passengers to purchase parking tickets using...

Recruitment firm adds search tool to aid database.(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly Recruitment firm adds search tool to aid database Lisa Kelly z Recruitment firm Hudson is using search technology to manage its European database of candidates more effectively. The adoption of Google Search...

research data.
August 10, 2006... research data Healthcare RFID boom z RFID in healthcare will become a $2.1bn global business by 2016, according to IDTechEx. The analyst says smart packaging for healthcare will offer products such as blister packs of tablets that...

Zurich retires legacy IT to support growth.(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams Zurich retires legacy IT to support growth Financial services group replaces cumbersome system with SOA suite Lara Williams z Zurich Financial Services is replacing legacy banking systems to enable...

The key to ID card success.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott The key to ID card success z In the past week important points have been made about the government's proposals for biometric identity cards. Trade body Intellect is right to raise the question of industry...

Childcare group sees benefits of IP.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly Childcare group sees benefits of IP Lisa Kelly z The National Childminding Association (NCMA) is deploying IP technology to improve communications with the public and its dispersed workforce. Some 100 staff...

First NHS patient system in South goes live.(Sarah Arnott)(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott First NHS patient system in South goes live Sarah Arnott z The Southern region of the [pounds sterling]6bn National Programme for NHS IT has its first major hospital up and running on Cerner's patient...

bulletin.
August 10, 2006... bulletin Waitrose shops for greater intelligence z Supermarket chain Waitrose is to extend trials of business intelligence software over the Christmas period to improve management of its supply chain at the busiest time of the year....

Oil company IT systems under doubled threat.(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Oil company IT systems under doubled threat sarah arnott z Cyber attacks on oil and gas company systems have more than doubled since 2000, according to defence company Thales. Alongside rising global...

ID card plan needs IT advice, say MPs.(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott ID card plan needs IT advice, say MPs Sarah Arnott z MPs are calling for an independent IT assurance committee to advise on the government's national ID card programme. Planning of the proposals is patchy...

WiFi to cover London's Square Mile.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams WiFi to cover London's Square Mile Lara Williams z London's Square Mile financial district will have near total WiFi coverage by the end of this year. The wireless network will be installed in street...

EDF extends smart metering.
August 10, 2006... Byline: James Brown EDF extends smart metering Energy firm to receive extra government funding for tests with more domestic and business users James Brown z EDF Energy is expanding its smart metering trial as part of...

London buses get real-time tracking onboard.(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos London buses get real-time tracking onboard Regular reports of bus locations will provide up-to-date information DAVE FRIEDLOS z Transport for London (TfL) will begin installing a new [pounds...

Mobiles cut paper use for Volvo subsidiary.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Mobiles cut paper use for Volvo subsidiary Engineers can deliver reports in real time and automatically invoice customers Dave Friedlos z Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) has deployed mobile data...

Remote checks for rail safety.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Remote checks for rail safety Network Rail to roll out remote monitoring as part of renewal works Dave Friedlos z Network Rail is planning remote monitoring of the condition of trackside assets to improve...

Manchester gets supercomputing.(University of Manchester installs supercomputer)(Brief article)
August 10, 2006... Byline: James Brown Manchester gets supercomputing James Brown z The University of Manchester is installing a supercomputer to carry out advanced experiments and physical process simulations. The Bull Novascale system will...

E-voting plans move ahead.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott E-voting plans move ahead Suppliers sought for management system as part of plans to modernise elections and boost trust Sarah Arnott z The government is looking for suppliers to pilot electoral...

In-car tracking trials extended.
August 10, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos In-car tracking trials extended Norwich Union to enlist 95,000 more volunteers for tests of Pay As You Drive insurance technology Dave Friedlos z Norwich Union is to increase its Pay As You Drive...

A plea to Timms the champion OYou report that new chief secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms is the first member of the Cabinet with a technology background (Government sets sights on IT-enabled transformation, 27 July). Yet we know from experience t.
August 10, 2006... A plea to Timms the champion OYou report that new chief secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms is the first member of the Cabinet with a technology background (Government sets sights on IT-enabled transformation, 27 July). Yet we...

talking point.
August 10, 2006... talking point On two-factor authentication Two-factor risks highlighted, 3 August z MessageLabs' Mark Sunner's conclusions about the problems with two-factor authentication are oversimplistic, and he is guilty of assuming that all...

Cabinet CIO sharpens up government IT act.(chief information officers)(information technology )(Interview)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Cabinet CIO sharpens up government IT act Head of eGovernment Unit John Suffolk discusses his role with Sarah Arnott z John Suffolk took on his new role as head of the eGovernment Unit (eGU) at the Cabinet...

Your essential public sector information at half-price.
August 17, 2006... Your essential public sector information at half-price z The successful Public Sector Report and Directory published by Computing Market Intelligence (mi) are available throughout August at half price. Both the report and...

metrics.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Tom Young metrics Recruiting IT workers a harder task 1 Just under a third of all UK businesses recruited or attempted to recruit staff during the final quarter of 2005, but of these only five per cent were seeking to...

Toughest tests still lie ahead for NHS IT.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Toughest tests still lie ahead for NHS IT Two core problems threaten the progress of the national programme for health service technology, writes Sarah Arnott z Having made it through the Public...

Driving benefits of satellites.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Driving benefits of satellites Integration and cost are key to the adoption of satellite tracking schemes, writes Dave Friedlos z Satellite-tracked pay-as-you-go road pricing schemes could be in place in the...

Cisco sales top [pounds sterling]4bn.(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Cisco sales top [pounds sterling]4bn IP phone shipments boost fourth-quarter results, writes Dave Friedlos z Strong sales have led to increased fourth-quarter revenues for Cisco, helped by shipments of eight...

financial world.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos financial world Cisco z Cisco announced fourth-quarter net sales of $7.98bn ([pounds sterling]4.2bn), compared with $6.6bn ([pounds sterling]3.5bn) last year, while net sales were up to $28.5bn ([pounds...

EU security measures could hit supply chains.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Tom Young EU security measures could hit supply chains Tom Young reports on the possible effects on firms of forthcoming customs rules z European customs regulations due to be implemented in January could delay the flow...

Road ahead for satellites The government is considering tracking all vehicles by satellite to accommodate a national road pricing scheme. This could lead to radical changes in the way organisations exploit the technology.(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Road ahead for satellites The government is considering tracking all vehicles by satellite to accommodate a national road pricing scheme. This could lead to radical changes in the way organisations exploit the...

research data.
August 17, 2006... research data Record PDA shipments z Gartner says PDA shipments reached a record high of 3.7 million in the second quarter of 2006, a 2.7 per cent increase from the corresponding period in 2005. Continuing integration of wireless...

Fulham lines up RFID smart tickets for fans.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Fulham lines up RFID smart tickets for fans Premiership club issues 20,000 smartcards after successful trial Dave Friedlos z Football fans entering Fulham FC's Craven Cottage ground next week to...

BMA boosts IT security system.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Tom Young BMA boosts IT security system Tom Young z The British Medical Association (BMA) is implementing OneSign enterprise single sign-on (Esso) to increase password security and make IT systems easier to access for its...

Fruit-grower tracks pickers via mobile handsets.(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams Fruit-grower tracks pickers via mobile handsets Lara Williams z Fruit--grower S&A Produce is saving more than 2,000 man hours a day after implementing an advanced mobile communications system to monitor and...

IT profession makes headway.
August 17, 2006... IT profession makes headway z The creation of a 'technology in business' stream as part of Whitehall's fast-track application process for talented graduates should be supported unequivocally. For some years Computing has championed the...

Food body serves up certification for documents.(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Tom Young Food body serves up certification for documents Tom Young z International food certification body Cert ID has introduced new security technology to stop electronic reports and certificates being tampered with....

bulletin.
August 17, 2006... bulletin US Senate signs the cybercrime convention z The US Senate has signed the international Convention on Cybercrime. The Convention is the first treaty on computer-related crime and the collaboration of electronic investigation,...

Midlands stations get real-time information.(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Midlands stations get real-time information Dave Friedlos z Real-time information systems and visual display screens are to be installed at all West Midlands rail stations to encourage use of public transport...

Headway on low-energy chip.
August 17, 2006... Byline: James Brown Headway on low-energy chip Cambridge scientists grow carbon nanotubes at low temperatures in bid for energy savings James Brown z Scientists at Cambridge University have developed a process to make...

Social sites open door to malware.(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Tom Young Social sites open door to malware Tom Young z One in 600 profile pages on social networking sites hosts some form of malware, according to an analysis of more than five billion web requests in July. The...

Road body mulls IT overhaul.(information technology)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Road body mulls IT overhaul Existing providers may have to hit the road as Highways Agency looks to streamline services Dave Friedlos z The government body responsible for operating, maintaining and...

Rail maintenance staff issued with handhelds.(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Rail maintenance staff issued with handhelds Dave Friedlos z Network Rail is issuing handheld devices to telecoms and signal maintenance staff to improve efficiency of repairs and cut paper and administration...

Airlines get final call for e-ticket deadline.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams Airlines get final call for e-ticket deadline Airline association says universal capability for e-ticketing is required to meet 2007 deadline Lara Williams z More than half of all airline tickets...

Firms given Sox breathing space.(Sarbanes-Oxley Act)(Brief article)
August 17, 2006... Byline: Lara Williams Firms given Sox breathing space Lara Williams z Businesses could save significant sums in auditing costs following last week's decision to give US-listed foreign companies a year's grace to meet...

Beware exploding traffic lights.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Tim Phillips Beware exploding traffic lights z Jon Szwer, a man who has featured in our pages before, seems to be the sort of chap we can do business with: a thorough reader of the technology press, with time on his hands and a...

Delayed rail wireless links get back on timetable.
August 17, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Delayed rail wireless links get back on timetable Testing to begin on GSM-Railway system in Scotland next year Dave Friedlos z Network Rail will start testing the delayed GSM-Railway (GSM-R) radio...