Computing articles from May 2006

Computing archives from May 2006

metrics.
May 4, 2006... metrics Password use lacks variation 1Businesses around the world must teach employees better password discipline, according to research. A survey from IT security company Sophos suggests that just 14 per cent of users have a different...

New projects good, old elearning bad.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Mark Samuels New projects good, old elearning bad The legacy of failed elearning projects such as UKeU is hampering the development of new online learning initiatives, writes Mark Samuels z 'I don't object to Socialism, but...

Nano chips to maximise space.
May 4, 2006... Byline: James Brown Nano chips to maximise space Developments in processor insulation technology promise savings in storage costs, says James Brown z An international research team from University College London's (UCL) Centre for...

The cyber crime war gathers in intensity.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas The cyber crime war gathers in intensity Security industry committed to making the net safe, reports Daniel Thomas z Even as more than 12,000 IT security professionals gathered at London's InfoSecurity...

Nanotech.
May 4, 2006... Byline: James Brown Nanotech ... in 30 seconds Quantum computing z Nano experts at universities and labs globally are working to make highly-advanced computers capable of huge processing speeds, using quantum waves. A quantum...

Storing up a plan to beat IT complexity.(Interview)
May 4, 2006... Byline: Bryan Glick Storing up a plan to beat IT complexity Bryan Glick met EMC chairman and chief executive Joe Tucci in Boston to discuss the challenge of information management z EMC is best known as a supplier of big storage...

Centrica takes back IT project.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Centrica takes back IT project Accenture will no longer run the [pounds sterling]400m transformation project Sarah Arnott z Energy giant Centrica has moved its [pounds sterling]400m...

Elearning body strengthens commercial footing.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Byline: Mark Samuels Elearning body strengthens commercial footing Mark Samuels z The University for Industry (Ufi) is to use ecommerce to cut its reliance on the public purse. The government's online learning project, which...

Email attack ruling disputed.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas Email attack ruling disputed Crown Prosecution Service to challenge court's decision on 'unauthorised modification' to system dANIEL THOMAS z The government is to appeal against a court ruling made...

AA thin clients cut support costs.
May 4, 2006... Byline: James Mortelman AA thin clients cut support costs JAMES MORTLEMAN z The AA has installed a thin-client architecture and drastically reduced desktop support and licensing costs. The breakdown and insurance group's...

New Whitehall CIO appointed.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott New Whitehall CIO appointed SARAH ARNOTT z John Suffolk has been appointed as the government chief information officer (CIO), replacing Ian Watmore following his move to head the Prime Minister's Delivery...

Server upgrade boost.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly Server upgrade boosts journey-planning site Rising user demand prompts London travel guide to increase performance lisa kelly z Transport for London (TfL) has increased the performance of its Journey...

BBC lays foundations for move to SOA.(service oriented architecture)(British Broadcasting Corp)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly BBC lays foundations for move to SOA lisa kelly z The BBC is introducing a programme to create an interoperable IT infrastructure and lay the foundations for a move to a service-oriented architecture (SOA). ...

Battlefield medics view files.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Battlefield medics view files Clinicians will be able to upload treatment details via radio links SARAH ARNOTT z Armed forces personnel will be able to access electronic health and dental records from any...

Eden project clocks on to timekeeping system.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly Eden project clocks on to timekeeping system LISA KELLY z The Eden Project is implementing an automated timekeeping system to improve operational efficiency and make staff planning and scheduling more accurate....

User group calls for IT defences rethink.(information technology)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas User group calls for IT defences rethink Traditional network protection outdated, says Jericho Forum Daniel thomas z Organisations must rethink how they secure their IT systems or face massive security...

Banking firms use outsourcing for cost savings.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas Banking firms use outsourcing for cost savings daniel thomas z Financial services firm ING has agreed a A[currency]200m ([pounds sterling]138m), six-year outsourcing contract with IT services firm LogicaCMG....

Shared services plan cuts county's running costs.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Shared services plan cuts county's running costs sarah arnott z Staffordshire local authorities are saving nearly half a million pounds a year on running costs using a single customer relationship management...

bulletin.
May 4, 2006... bulletin Kraft signs EDS for [pounds sterling]940m services deal z Kraft Foods has signed a $1.7bn ([pounds sterling]940m), seven-year IT services agreement with EDS. Under the terms of the contract, EDS will take responsibility ...

Mobiles help utility manage workloads.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Byline: James Brown Mobiles help utility manage workloads JAMES BROWN z Severn Trent Water is using a sophisticated scheduling system to organise the workload of more than 1,000 mobile staff. The utility had been using a...

Security risk with VoIP, say experts.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas Security risk with VoIP, say experts DANIEL THOMAS z Businesses should think twice before deploying internet telephony because of its potential security risks, warn IT experts. Product flaws in corporate...

Are criminals going free because of non-technical juries?
May 4, 2006... Byline: Joel Tobias Are criminals going free because of non-technical juries? Joel Tobias says court cases involving complex computer data need jurors with strong technical knowledge z In England and Wales the only qualifications...

Frailty, thy name is outsourcing.
May 4, 2006... Frailty, thy name is outsourcing z To outsource, or not to outsource: that is the question. If Hamlet were to be reborn as an IT director, that is surely the topic he would be pondering today. Perhaps Centrica could advise on the...

Ensuring customer dissatisfaction.
May 4, 2006... Ensuring customer dissatisfaction OSimon Orosz (Letters, 27 April) comments on the move by Dixons away from the high street to internet-only sales: 'Translating to the web the knowledge and service demonstrated by shop-floor staff is...

talking point.
May 4, 2006... talking point On employee fraud Threatened by the enemy within, 20 April z The figures from BDO Stoy Hayward indicating that employee fraud has risen dramatically should come as no surprise in light of the significant take-up...

Will you be an awards winner?
May 4, 2006... Will you be an awards winner? We want to hear about your nominations for the 2006 Project of the Year awards z This year's Computing Awards for Excellence are open for entry -- and one of the most competitive categories will be the...

Wireless: the next generation.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Gary Flood Wireless: the next generation It was a technology that promised much when it first appeared yet failed to convince customers that it could deliver -- could the time now finally be right for 3G? Gary...

Fife Constabulary.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Gary Flood Fife Constabulary z Fife Constabulary is one of eight Scottish police forces and the second smallest, with about 1,000 officers and 500 staff working in support roles. The organisation has its headquarters in a new...

Business class.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Mark Dye Business class A move to mainstream technology has allowed BA to offer customers a more efficient service, says Mark Dye The management of British Airways (BA) wants the company to be the world's leading airline...

Mobility to the max.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Linda Moore Mobility to the max WiMax is the latest wireless technology to promise more than current standards can deliver. Linda More reports Fuelled by media visions of paramedics at scenes of accidents ...

A successful operation.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Sally Flood A successful operation Sally Flood reports on how one hospital coped with setting up a new network from scratch When Darren Barnaby joined the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust (NNUH)...

Backbytes.
May 4, 2006... Byline: Tim Philips A stab of pride for the Welsh z We hate to brag, but what other column could make a bodkin controversial? 'I presume that Graham Morgan, in referring to "medieval English archers", is in fact referring...

Sensing the future in a wireless world.(Andy Stanford-Clark)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Bryan Glick Sensing the future in a wireless world Bryan Glick meets Andy Stanford-Clark, whose work on sensor networks has led him to tracking llamas on the Isle of Wight z Andy Stanford-Clark knows his bathroom window is...

Speech recognition is starting to take off.
May 11, 2006... Byline: James Brown Speech recognition is starting to take off Past problems with the technology have been fixed. James Brown reports z Last week, holiday firm First Choice joined the growing number of UK businesses to introduce a...

DTI strategy funds IT innovators.(Department of Trade and Industry)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott DTI strategy funds IT innovators Sarah Arnott z The government-funded Technology Strategy Board (TSB) opened the competition for the latest [pounds sterling]80m round of research funding last week and is inviting...

Microsoft takes a hit.(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Bryan Glick Microsoft takes a hit Software giant plots R&D influx as online rivalry grows. Bryan Glick reports z Microsoft shares fell to a three-year low last week following investor concerns about how the software giant...

Banks shift more IT offshore.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas Banks shift more IT offshore But experts say financial services firms still need to weigh up the pros and cons, reports Daniel Thomas z In the past month a number of financial services institutions have...

Smarter working is key to UK's success.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Emma Nash Smarter working is key to UK's success Government and the IT industry must do more to promote flexible working if we are to avoid a skills and productivity crisis, writes Emma Nash z Organisations should adopt...

financial world.
May 11, 2006... financial world Microsoft z Microsoft announced third-quarter revenue of $10.9bn ([pounds sterling]5.9bn), a 13 per cent rise over the same quarter of 2005. Net income was $2.98bn ([pounds sterling]1.6bn), up from $2.56bn ([pounds...

CRM helps Hearts manage fan data.
May 11, 2006... CRM helps Hearts manage fan data James Brown z Scottish Premier League runner-up Heart of Midlothian is updating its IT systems to help improve service to fans. The football club is implementing a customer relationship management...

Contact centre key to council's savings.
May 11, 2006... Contact centre key to council's savings James Brown z Dorset County Council is turning to IT to help deal with an expected shortfall in its budget. The local authority is looking to re-engineer its business processes to help...

Backbytes.
May 11, 2006... A load of Babel z 'I serve in a north English university, and we pass common persisted sends out the regular email name list Chinese director which mails to all staff members,' says an anonymous contributor, 'This gave me to use the...

Getting tough on cyber crime.
May 11, 2006... Getting tough on cyber crime z Organised crime gangs have realised that it is easier to con [pounds sterling]1 from one million people online than to steal [pounds sterling]1m from one organisation. This is the reality facing...

Expert views leave jurors wondering.(Letter to the editor)
May 11, 2006... Expert views leave jurors wondering OI sympathise with the views of Joel Tobias (Are criminals going free because of non-technical juries, 4 May). But he seems to have missed the point. Surely it is not the jurors' role to decipher...

talking point.
May 11, 2006... talking point On measuring training impact Elearning set to grow, 27 April z Your item on Forrester Research's prediction that businesses will look to increase their return on training investment through elearning ties in with...

Tetley extends global roaming for mobile staff.(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly Tetley extends global roaming for mobile staff LISA KELLY z The Tetley Group is extending a mobile working scheme to improve productivity. The tea company is working with virtual network operator Sirocom to...

Web tools help UPS to deliver.
May 11, 2006... Byline: David Friedlos Web tools help UPS to deliver Technology upgrade aims to simplify use for business customers Dave Friedlos z UPS has upgraded its web-based tools to deliver better service to small-business...

Insurer revs up black-box trial.
May 11, 2006... Insurer revs up black-box trial Norwich Union is to monitor more vehicles in tests to determine Pay as You Drive insurance premiums Daniel Thomas z Norwich Union is planning a major increase in its Pay As You Drive car insurance...

Board frowns on legacy systems.(Survey)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Board frowns on legacy systems Dave Friedlos z Legacy IT systems are a 'ticking time bomb', hindering business improvement and damaging the perception of IT in the boardroom, according to research. The survey by Atos Origin and...

online.
May 11, 2006... online Computing.co.uk's most popular stories this week Hearing for NHS IT z The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hear evidence on the progress of the [pounds sterling]6bn National Programme for NHS IT...

BA portal keeps tabs on catering kit.(British Airways PLC)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos BA portal keeps tabs on catering kit Online procurement software lets BA manage the location of catering equipment Dave Friedlos z British Airways has upgraded its web-based order management system...

IT revamp improves energy supply chain.
May 11, 2006... Byline: James Brown IT revamp improves energy supply chain British Energy is working with IBM to improve reliability James Brown z British Energy is turning to IT to support plans for an overhaul of its supply chain...

Online car tax scheme falls behind schedule.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Parliamentary reporter Online car tax scheme falls behind schedule Parliamentary reporter z The Department for Transport's (DfT) electronic car tax scheme faces significant delays, say MPs. A report from the House of...

BAE renews IT outsourcing contract.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly BAE renews IT outsourcing contract Lisa Kelly z BAE Systems has renewed an outsourcing agreement with CSC in a deal worth $1.9bn ([pounds sterling]1bn) over the next five years. Under the new contract, which...

bulletin.
May 11, 2006... bulletin BHF opts for web host z The British Heart Foundation has upgraded its web site infrastructure to boost performance and reliability in preparation for increased online donations. The site, www.bhf.org.uk, has some 450,000...

Choosing the right ingredients.(Lyndale Foods Group)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly Choosing the right ingredients Drawing up business cases for new technologies allowed food manufacturing group Lyndale to select the most beneficial systems without wasting time or money, writes Lisa...

How to deal a good hand.(transformational outsourcing)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Katy Ring How to deal a good hand Drawing up the best contractual agreement possible is vital when entering into outsourcing deals, says Katy Ring Given the trend to multi-sourcing and selective sourcing in Europe, the...

The right contract for you.(Discussion)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Rex Parry and Simon Gamlin The right contract for you When setting up or breaking a sourcing contract it is important to be clear on the pitfalls and aware of regulations that could affect the deal. Rex Parry and Simon...

A change can do you good.(restructuring of outsourcing agreements )
May 11, 2006... Byline: Duncan Aitchison A change can do you good The restructuring of major outsourcing agreements has become big business, but organisations must be aware of the stumbling blocks, reports Duncan Aitchison More than...

Reliable sources.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Sally Flood Reliable sources Sally Flood reports on how the traditional approach to outsourcing is being replaced by more modern methods In many ways, Peter Baxter is a typical 21st century IT director. His department...

Gateway to India.(National Association of Software and Service Companies)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Mark Kobayashi-Hillary Gateway to India Knowledge process outsourcing is being touted as the future for Indian outsourcing firms, reports Mark Kobayashi-Hillary Last summer, Kiran Karnik, president of India's National...

The way ahead for services.(outsourcing contracts)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Mark Samuels The way ahead for services Technology leaders are placing greater emphasis on the service provision they receive, writes Mark Samuels Oh, for the simple life. Five -- maybe even 10 -- years ago, UK IT...

metrics.
May 11, 2006... metrics Phone still top for customer service 1 Firms have better data about consumers, but the growing number of ways customers can interact with companies is making it much harder to deliver a common, coherent service across all...

Data analysis slashes fraud at New Look.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas Data analysis slashes fraud at New Look DANIEL THOMAS z Fashion retailer New Look cut in-store fraud by [pounds sterling]4m last year after upgrading its anti-theft and detection technology. The high...

research data.
May 11, 2006... research data Big spending on IT services z European companies will spend A[currency]146bn ([pounds sterling]100bn) a year on IT services by 2011, driven largely by business process outsourcing and application outsourcing, according to...

IT bodies join forces to boost professionalism.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Lias Kelly IT bodies join forces to boost professionalism Initiative focuses on seven key guidelines for organisations to follow LISA KELLY z Four of the UK's most influential IT industry bodies are teaming up to...

Schools urged to speed up IT refreshes.(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Schools urged to speed up IT refreshes sarah arnott z Schools and colleges are not renewing their IT equipment fast enough to keep up with changing technology, says the British Education Communications and...

New crackdown on cyber crime.
May 11, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas New crackdown on cyber crime Agency announces its strategy for tackling organised crime gangs DANIEL THOMAS z The UK's new FBI-style crime fighting agency has unveiled plans to get tough on cyber...

Pressure for staff cuts prolongs benefits backlog.(Jobcentre Plus)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Pressure for staff cuts prolongs benefits backlog SARAH ARNOTT z Performance problems at Jobcentre Plus (JC+) are being caused by government targets to cut staff before IT-enabled procedural changes have had...

Step out of the shadows.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Gary Flood Step out of the shadows Demonstrating to the board the value of internal IT resources will help you establish and secure a better profile, writes Gary Flood If the word 'marketing' makes you a bit...

Financial world.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Bryan Glick Financial world Cisco Systems Cisco Systems reported third quarter revenue of $7.3bn ([pounds sterling]3.9bn), up from $6.2bn ([pounds sterling]3.3bn) for the same period in 2005. Net income was $1.4bn ([pounds...

The business approach to getting at your data.
May 18, 2006... Byline: John Morris (BCS) The business approach to getting at your data Planning a system migration? John Morris looks at ways to keep both you and your users satisfied z Modern post client-server organisations are thick with data,...

Career-savvy staff go back to the classroom.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Joe Devo Career-savvy staff go back to the classroom Experience and an MBA prepare CIOs for the boardroom, says Joe Devo z Research suggests the UK's leaders are not too strong on the sort of formal training that might...

metrics.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Bryan Glick metrics Malware goes for the money 1 Some 70 per cent of malware detected in the first quarter of 2006 was related to cyber crime and financial gain, according to security firm PandaLabs. Some 40 per cent was...

Businesses warned to comply.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Daniel Thomas Businesses warned to comply Daniel Thomas reports on a campaign against companies using unlicensed software z The Federation Against Software Theft (Fast) is getting tough on companies that have a lax...

Why the UK needs to capture impact of IT.(information technology)
May 18, 2006... Byline: Sarah Arnott Why the UK needs to capture impact of IT The government must change the way it measures economic progress, says report SARAH ARNOTT z The way UK productivity is measured is old-fashioned. It neither...

Time to revise the teaching of IT.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Bryan Glick Time to revise the teaching of IT Computing will go the way of other unpopular university subjects unless we make lessons at school more exciting, writes Bryan Glick z Schoolchildren will be taking their GCSE...

New security threats a.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Emma Nash New security threats a risk to world economy Emma Nash reports from Symantec's Vision 2006 user conference z The IT landscape is on the brink of major change that will generate increased security and data...

Dell share price drops.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Bryan Glick Dell share price drops Competition grows, but firm remains biggest PC supplier, says Bryan Glick z Dell shares fell last week after a profit warning caused by growing competition and price cutting in the PC...

Backbytes.
May 18, 2006... Byline: Tim Phillips The long and the short of it z Last week we asked: do 'shorter working hours' exist, or are there just fewer of them? The answer comes first from what used to be known as the time-and-motion departments of our...

RHS cultivates its online resources.(Royal Horticultural Society)(Brief article)
May 18, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly RHS cultivates its online resources Lisa Kelly z The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has upgraded its internet infrastructure to improve access to online information and meet demand for its services. RHS...

Mobile devices help tackle street crime.(Brief article)
May 18, 2006... Byline: Lisa Kelly Mobile devices help tackle street crime Lisa Kelly z Castle Morpeth Borough Council is integrating mobile data with its core operational systems to tackle street crime. The technology is allowing the local...

Council expects IT initiatives to save [pounds sterling]34m.(Brief article)
May 18, 2006... Byline: James Brown Council expects IT initiatives to save [pounds sterling]34m James Brown z Surrey County Council has overhauled its IT systems to cut costs and cope with increasing public service expectations. The council...

Hotel chain boosts online operations.(Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide contracts with Progress software Corp.)
May 18, 2006... Byline: Dave Friedlos Hotel chain boosts online operations Dave Friedlos z Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is replacing legacy reservation systems with applications running on Linux servers to improve its online operations....