Computing articles from November 2007

Computing archives from November 2007

Business Hardware Supplier of the Year.(EqualLogic Inc.)(Hitachi Data Systems Corp.)(Mirapoint Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies Business Hardware Supplier of the Year z EqualLogic's storage area networks (Sans) can be up and running in less than an hour, helping organisations to cope with changing demand. The European division of wine...

Business Software Supplier of the Year.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies Business Software Supplier of the Year z Citrix Online launched the latest version of GoToAssist in May. The software is delivering more than 12 million remote sessions a year to more than 6,500 customers, and has...

IT Services Supplier of the Year.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies IT Services Supplier of the Year z BT provides networked IT services to 18 million customers in 170 countries and over the past four years has transformed itself into a leading IT supplier. Liverpool City Council...

Networking and Communications Supplier of the Year.(Cisco Systems Inc.)(iPass Inc.)(Neos Networks)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies Networking and Communications Supplier of the Year z Over the past year, Cisco has launched several new products, including Cisco TelePresence, which has generated $150m ([pounds sterling]73.5m) in savings on...

Big businesses must keep green promises.(BT Group PLC uses renewable energy)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Big businesses must keep green promises BT's green commitment is impressive but, says Tom Young, what are other such companies' motives, and will their good intentions last? z In its swanky Cheapside auditorium...

Doni?1/2t blame lack of skills if you cani?1/2t get the staff.(companies must recruit employees with sufficient IT skills)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Richard Forkan Don't blame lack of skills if you can't get the staff Companies should forget about agency margins and reclaim control of recruitment, says Richard Forkan z A side-effect of the buoyant market for IT staff...

Microsoft barely scratched by EU decision.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Microsoft barely scratched by EU decision Allowing third-party access to its code may not dent supplier's dominance, reports Tom Young z Microsoft's agreement to open up its operating system source code may not...

Working together.(business enterprises must use computer intergration)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Linda More Working together In the first of a four-part weekly guide to integration, Linda More outlines recent advances in technologies that help organisations connect their systems z Integration is driven...

Five suppliers that could have the integration answers.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Linda More Five suppliers that could have the integration answers Edge IPK z A UK company with interesting technology for integration at the user interface. Recognising the need for front-end applications, it offers a...

Five key technologies.(Service oriented architecture (Software design))(Open source integration products)(Voice integration)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Linda More Five key technologies Service-oriented architecture (SOA) z Already widely talked about, SOA is an architectural style, not a product. It allows the creation of an IT architecture that supports business services...

Five top tips for integration projects.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Linda More Five top tips for integration projects While the modularisation and virtualisation of hardware and software architectures promises to significantly enhance IT agility, the ability to deliver business-class service...

How to become a social climber.(information technology used for social interaction)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Austin How to become a social climber Tom Austin looks at how technology can nourish the growing influence of social networking z Social software, emerging from the primordial ooze of Web 2.0 startups and mash-ups, is...

Cyber war moves up Nato agenda.(North Atlantic Treaty Organization uses computer systems for military activities)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Cyber war moves up Nato agenda Increasingly co-ordinated assaults are alarming defence ministers, writes Tom Young z Nato countries' defence ministers met last week to finalise the organisation's first policy...

Recruitment Consultancy of the Year.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies Recruitment Consultancy of the Year z Elan IT has built up a presence in 18 countries around the world, expanding into nine more in 2007/08. Acquired by Manpower in 2000, Elan has achieved year-on-year growth in...

IT has key role as Lloydi?1/2s rings changes.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Lara Williams IT has key role as Lloyd's rings changes New chief information officer relishes the prospect of leading insurance giant into the digital age Lara Williams z Lloyd's of London began life as a small...

CV: Peter Hambling.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Lara Williams CV: Peter Hambling 1992-93 Project manager, Midland Bank A- working on the IT architecture supporting the merger with HSBC. 1993-95 Project manager, HSBC FX & MM trading systems . 1995-97 ...

University gets smart with building controls.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly University gets smart with building controls Neon Kelly z A Cornish university is using its IP network to control building systems such as lighting and heating, as well as to provide communications services. ...

One simple system handles a complex environment.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Lara Williams One simple system handles a complex environment z The technology transformation programme at London's oldest insurance exchange includes an electronic claims systems that is cutting settlement times by 40 per...

E-sourcing set to deliver for Royal Mail.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Young E-sourcing set to deliver for Royal Mail Purchasing software streamlines operations and cuts costs Tom Young z Royal Mail expects to save [pounds sterling]300m over the next two years thanks to an electronic...

Digital switchover sparks debate over use.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly Digital switchover sparks debate over use Neon Kelly z When the analogue television signal for BBC2 was turned off in Whitehaven, Cumbria, last month, the UK took its first steps to a digital future. But...

First online health accounts go live.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Sarah Arnott First online health accounts go liveSarah Arnott z NHS patients will this month have electronic access to their medical data for the first time through the HealthSpace project developed as part of the [pounds...

HSBC banks on fraud system.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Lara Williams HSBC banks on fraud system Successful US trials mean fraud technology will be used in the UK Lara Williams z HSBC is rolling out a real-time card fraud detection system in the UK following its successful...

Electrolux rethinks IT management.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Electrolux rethinks IT management Tom Young z Home appliance company Electrolux expects to save more than a[logical not]1.1m ([pounds sterling]700,000) per year by improving the way it manages IT resources. ...

New regulation comes into force.(United Kingdom. Financial Services Authority peoposed new cost reduction rule on financial services)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Lara Williams New regulation comes into force Lara Williams z The Markets in Financial Instruments (Mifid) directive to create a single market for financial services across Europe comes into force today (1 November). ...

e-Borders winner set to sign.(Raytheon Systems Limited receives contract for delivering defence security systems)
November 1, 2007... Byline: Sarah Arnott e-Borders winner set to sign Raytheon poised to be announced as preferred bidder for security deal Sarah Arnott z A consortium led by US defence technology supplier Raytheon is expected to be confirmed as...

E.on presses on with IT consolidation strategy.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies E.on presses on with IT consolidation strategy Janie Davies z Energy giant E.on is consolidating its data centres from 26 locations across Europe to just three sites in Germany and the UK, as part of its One...

This job is a task for your CIOs only.
November 1, 2007... Byline: Bryan Glick This job is a task for your CIOs only z James Bond fans will be familiar with the codenames of M and Q. They will also be used to the arsenal of gadgets compulsory for budding super spies. But how would...

Lifting the share value.(service provided by information technology services industry)
November 7, 2007... Lifting the share value The government CIO wants an open environment where organisations can share problems and solutions As one of the UK's largest IT customers in any industry, UK government chief information officer John Suffolk...

Nurturing the next generation.
November 7, 2007... Nurturing the next generation BCS outsourcing expert Elizabeth Sparrow discusses how offshoring can have both a positive and negative influence It is clear that the increased prominence of outsourcing as a business strategy...

The power of relationships.
November 7, 2007... The power of relationships Leslie Willcocks has a clear understanding of what it takes to guarantee a successful outsourcing contract There is one key factor in outsourcing that is more important than any other A- the power of...

Going round in negative circles.
November 7, 2007... Going round in negative circles Martyn Hart says suppliers and users have equal responsibility to improve the quality of outsourcing Martyn Hart believes that most outsourcing is dogged by the opposite of a virtuous circle; what might...

Outsourcing is making its mark.
November 7, 2007... Outsourcing is making its mark Marks & Spencer chief information officer Darrell Stein has a valuable user-based insight on what makes contracts work A- and fail There are few business environments as challenging as retail A- and...

Lessons to learn.
November 7, 2007... Lessons t o learn Phanish Puranam on how more offshoring will have far-reaching effects on the UK's skills base Phanish Puranam has been involved in research programmes following the explosive growth of business process outsourcing...

More mergers, greater value.
November 7, 2007... More mergers, greater value An increasing number of acquisitions will lead to less focus on cost reduction in service delivery, says David Leigh Services provider Steria Group purchased outsourcing specialist Xansa earlier...

Keeping supply on the rails.(Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd. manages the infrastructure amd information technology)
November 7, 2007... Keeping supply on the rails Network Rail's Catherine Doran on why a solid infrastructure is vital to keeping the trains running Network Rail is an old hand at managing suppliers, having worked with various IT providers for many...

Big Blue is turning green.
November 7, 2007... Big Blue is turning green IBM's Bruce Ross says research into green initiatives will lead to significant changes in the outsourcing arena IBM has an annual research budget in the region of $6bn ([pounds sterling]3bn), more than the...

Choosing the right road.
November 7, 2007... Choosing the right road Denise Plumpton reveals why The Highways Agency opted to outsource, and what she expects from its IT service provider The Highways Agency runs a complex IT operation, spanning the length and...

Keep the customer satisfied.(overview of National Institute of Information Technology )(Company overview)
November 7, 2007... Keep the customer satisfied Traditional Indian values have placed NIIT Technologies at the vanguard of new outsourcing ideas, says its chief executive Arvind Thakur is a man on a mission A- to take the education...

Welcome to a brave new world.
November 7, 2007... Welcome to a brave new world A focus on what the user specifically wants is changing the traditional view of outsourcing, says Andy Mulholland Capgemini chief technology officer Andy Mulholland recently published a book on Web...

Multiple choice.(information technology services industry can be best source for outsourcing)
November 7, 2007... Multiple choice A multi-dimensional approach to outsourcing can provide opportunities, says BT Global Services' J P Rangaswami JP Rangaswami is a well-known commentator on technological change, with his blog Confused of Calcutta...

Calor Gas lights slow fuse for web services.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly Calor Gas lights slow fuse for web services Lisa Kelly z Calor Gas is embarking on a Web 2.0 implementation to improve service to its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) customers. LPG accounts for about half the...

High-tech overhaul to woo students.(students must get the right technical knowledge)(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly High-tech overhaul to woo students Neon Kelly z Stockport College is launching a [pounds sterling]100m project to renovate its city centre campus, with state-of-the-art IT facilities to support 8,500 students....

Chinese telecoms firm sets its sights on Europe.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Sarah Arnott Chinese telecoms firm sets its sights on Europe China Netcom's London headquarters signals a new approach, reports Sarah Arnott z China's second-largest telecoms company is setting up a London office to...

Rising costs force India to shift focus to partnerships.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Rising costs force India to shift focus to partnerships Tom Young in New Delhi z The strongest impression at Indian outsourcer HCL's New Delhi conference last week was of the offshoring sector trying to...

Is the tech balloon about to go up?
November 8, 2007... Byline: Bryan Glick Is the tech balloon about to go up? It's not the crazy stockmarket valuations of Google and Facebook that we should be worrying about, says Bryan Glick z Google is now the fifth biggest company in the...

IT managers admit that they feel overwhelmed.(survey of information technology workers managing their job)(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly IT managers admit that they feel overwhelmed Lisa Kelly z Senior IT executives are struggling to manage their workload, with an adverse effect on strategic planning, according to a survey by the Chartered...

TNT wears its technology well.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly TNT wears its technology well Delivery firm speeds up loading with wearable scanning technology Lisa Kelly z Wearable scanning technology has helped cut loading times at TNT Express parcel warehouses by 30...

Network Rail needs i?1/2430m to stay on track.(Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd. to spend on high technology and information technology)
November 8, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly Network Rail needs [pounds sterling]430m to stay on track Principal system replacements and technology updates make for an expensive wishlist Lisa Kelly z Network Rail needs to spend [pounds sterling]430m on...

Utilities want mandate for smart meters.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies Utilities want mandate for smart meters Janie Davies z Pressure is mounting on the government to mandate the installation of networked electricity meters. The government's energy billing consultation...

Tube vision to bridge the gap.(underground architecture to get help from information technology)
November 8, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly Tube vision to bridge the gap John Connolly will bring an engineer's perspective to his new role on London's underground network neon kelly z With a career that has spanned coke oven building at Scotland's...

EMI tunes up digital strategy.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Tom Young EMI tunes up digital strategy Recording label seeks advice on the changing online model Tom Young z Global recording company EMI is talking to financial services' IT departments about how to deal with a...

Galileo report due in December.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly Galileo report due in December Lisa Kelly z The government-commissioned cost/benefit analysis of Europe's [pounds sterling]5.5bn Galileo global positioning system will be completed next month. The...

IT drives plan for low-carbon transport.(Brief article)
November 8, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly IT drives plan for low-carbon transport Lisa Kelly z Technology is at the heart of government plans to ease traffic problems and meet carbon reduction targets. Plans for an environmentally-friendly transport...

Insurance firm cancels i?1/2160m EDS contract.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly Insurance firm cancels [pounds sterling]160m EDS contract Lisa Kelly z Insurance company Liverpool Victoria (LV) is terminating a [pounds sterling]160m, 13-year outsourcing deal with EDS after only four years....

Bus system chokes at startup.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Bus system chokes at startup Bus drivers having to use mobile phones to report their positions Tom Young z London's [pounds sterling]117m satellite bus communications project has run into early problems...

Sharper skills for a shrinking world.
November 8, 2007... Byline: Computing Sharper skills for a shrinking world z To say that globalisation is everywhere may seem tautological, but the statement is not as simplistic as it appears. Clearly, national distinctions are less relevant as...

Integration skills in most demand.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Jim Mortleman Integration skills in most demand Architecture experts z Analysts and IT directors agree that the number one integration skills challenge for organisations over the next three years will be finding people who...

Fitting the skills together.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Jim Mortleman Fitting the skills together In the third of a four-part weekly guide to information management, Jim Mortleman identifies the essential skills organisations need to make new projects and software work...

Sectors in search of integration skills.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Jim Mortleman Sectors in search of integration skills z The biggest demand for integration skills has always come from the financial services sector. Integration here is being forced to a certain extent by regulatory...

Case study: Vocalink.(Case study)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Jim Mortleman Case study: Vocalink z Most people use Vocalink's services on a daily basis, although unless you work in banking and finance you may not be familiar with the name. The company handles most of the UK's...

Key metrics can be magic numbers for sales teams.
November 15, 2007... Byline: John Connor Key metrics can be magic numbers for sales teams BCS view: If selling IT is a numbers game, does it matter if your salespeople can't count? asks John Connor z What numbers do IT sales teams count best? When...

To catch a data thief.(interview )(Richard Hackworth employee of HSBC Holdings PLC)(Marcus Alldrick employee of Abbey National PLC)(David Luijerink employee of KPMG)(Interview)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Tom Young To catch a data thief Collaboration between banks, the police and customers is crucial in helping financial services firms curtail the activities of identity fraudsters. Tom Young asked an expert panel for...

Written for you, but is it yours?
November 15, 2007... Byline: Peter Wainman Written for you, but is it yours? Commissioning software does not give a business automatic rights to its exploitation, warns Peter Wainman z Businesses that engage third parties to develop software on their...

Culture clash for justice IT.(Administration of criminal justice manage by IT)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Sarah Arnott Culture clash for justice IT Sarah Arnott z This month, three more Magistrates' courts have gone live on the national Libra case management system, taking the total now using the technology to 60. But the...

Security concerns equal big profits for Sophos.(virus fear gains revenue to Sophos Inc.)(Company overview)(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Security concerns equal big profits for Sophos z The announcement that Sophos is to float on the London Stock Exchange is a sign of growing strength in the IT security market, according to experts. With billings...

Fight for your right to be innovative.(award ceremony for information technology services industry)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Mark Samuels Fight for your right to be innovative Computing's Awards evening highlighted the best that UK IT has to offer. We must maintain our position at the top, says Mark Samuels z Unless you have turned straight to...

Excellence gets its just rewards.(Oscars of the IT )
November 15, 2007... Byline: Bryan Glick Excellence gets its just rewards The Computing Awards for Excellence, the Oscars of the IT industry, just get better and better. This year's awards were handed out at a glittering ceremony in London last week A-...

GNERi?1/2s e-tickets pull in.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly GNER's e-tickets pull in Lisa Kelly z Train operator GNER is preparing to launch a new web site and online ticket sales system later this month. The ticket booking engine has been developed by IT services...

Google goes mobile with Android plan.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly Google goes mobile with Android plan Open source operating system for mobile phones aims to encourage new applications Neon Kelly z Google is leading the development of an open source mobile phone...

Web 2.0 gives power to the people.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly Web 2.0 gives power to the people Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales tells Neon Kelly about the business benefits of collaboration tools z Next-generation collaboration and social networking tools are helping to...

Web 2.0 in business.(Brief article)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly Web 2.0 in business z Almost half of the UK's senior managers are unable to see the business benefits of Web 2.0 technology, according to new research. Only 32 per cent of companies surveyed by IT services...

Galileo flies into controversy.(finance for launching the satellite and managing communication system)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Galileo flies into controversy Government warned project could become an "orbiting Railtrack" Tom Young z The UK's involvement in the controversial Galileo satellite communications programme came under...

Silverjet upgrades to a gold-level service.(travel agency software used for customer satisfaction)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Lisa Kelly Silverjet upgrades to a gold-level service Lisa Kelly z Business-class airline Silverjet has implemented new contact centre software to improve customer service by providing operators with complete passenger...

Euro debit card scheme links up.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Euro debit card scheme links up Tom Young z The Link cash machine network is to join forces with five other countries to create a pan-European debit card scheme. The Euro Alliance of Payment Schemes (EAPS)...

Telecoms spending boosts UK R&D.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Neon Kelly Telecoms spending boosts UK R&D Neon Kelly z Strong investment in the telecommunications sector has helped push the UK's research and development (R&D) spending ahead of the global average. Fixed-line...

Travelex widens currency offering.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Tom Young Travelex widens currency offering Tom Young z Foreign exchange company Travelex has installed a payment processing system that allows cash machines to issue multiple currencies. New regulations for foreign...

WWF to emphasise green IT.(information technology services in to reduce carbon dioside emission)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Janie Davies WWF to emphasise green IT Charity to report on how use of IT can help meet CO2 reduction targets Janie Davies z Conservation charity WWF has started a search to identify companies using technology to cut...

Credit crisis to hit IT industry.
November 15, 2007... Byline: Tom Young & Lara Williams Credit crisis to hit IT industry UK IT budgets could shrink if global banking difficulties continue Tom Young & Lara Williams z The global credit crunch has started to hit the UK IT industry as...

Credit crisis shows ITi?1/2s importance.(financial services uses IT service)
November 15, 2007... Byline: Bryan Glick Credit crisis shows IT's importance z It was probably inevitable that the crisis engulfing the US and UK financial markets would work its way through to IT spending. Banks and other finance firms have tightened...

A laptop for every child.(One Laptop per Child )
November 22, 2007... Byline: Nicholas Negroponte A laptop for every child Nicholas Negroponte explains why his One Laptop per Child project will help to educate those who need it most I was invited recently to give a presentation, and when I...

The OLPC laptop.(One Laptop per Child )(Brief article)
November 22, 2007... Byline: Nicholas Negroponte The OLPC laptop z You can use the device like a conventional laptop, or a flat tablet PC. It has retractable antennae ears that provide a wireless link. z After turning on the laptop, users see...

How to unearth buried treasures.(training employees on using information technology)
November 22, 2007... Byline: Dale Vile How to unearth buried treasures Senior managers know the information they need is on a system somewhere in the organisation. Dale Vile explains the best way to give users what they want, when they want it...

The impact of data fragmentation.(Brief article)
November 22, 2007... Byline: Dale Vile The impact of data fragmentation In a recent study, Freeform Dynamics interviewed 50 senior managers in City of London financial institutions, who ranked the three most common information access problems, in order of...

SOAi?1/2s deadly dozen.(mistakes while using Service oriented architecture (Software design))
November 22, 2007... Byline: Massimo Pezzini SOA's deadly dozen In this final instalment of our four-part weekly guide to integration, Massimo Pezzini identifies the biggest SOA blunders, and Dale Vile explains where to focus your efforts to...