Avanquest Solutions would like all their Reseller Partners and Customers to know that following the takeover of Captaris, developer of server technology, by OpenText, provider of Enterprise Content Management (ECM), that business continues as usual.
Avanquest Solutions is the largest UK distributor Captaris products which include Alchemy document management, Workflow and RightFax. They have been helping customers to automate business processes using the Captaris suite for 16 years.
Chris Thompson, Managing Director, Avanquest Solutions said, 'I am delighted by this acquisition. We have enjoyed a great relationship with Captaris for many years and now we are looking forward to broadening our engagement with OpenText. They are a dynamic organisation with an excellent pedigree and portfolio. Early discussions confirm that we are ideally placed to interact with them in the UK and we are looking forward to positioning them into our enterprise client base, to our long-term mutual benefit.'
Avanquest Solutions manage information for all types of business. Customers such as Barclays Bank Plc, British Airways, BP, 10 Downing Street and National Grid Transco have saved costs and increased productivity using electronic fax, workflow and document management.
For further information, visit www.avanquest-solutions.co.uk
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Monday, 29 December 2008
IT Administrators Go ‘Rogue’: Minimising The Threat From Inside
IT Administrators Go ‘Rogue’: Minimising The Threat From Inside
By Marc Hudavert, vice-president and general manager EMEA, ActivIdentity
Tough times for the economy often mean that businesses need to look at reducing costs. Typically, a company’s largest overhead will be its staff, but IT managers may want to think twice before shrinking headcount in their department. A recent survey by Cyber-Ark highlighted that 88 per cent of IT administrators would steal passwords and valuable data from the network if they unexpectedly lost their jobs. This statistic, as concerning as it seems, doesn’t even touch upon the problem of those left behind, simmering in discontent at the sudden increase in workload for no extra pay. What power is being left in the hands of people who could potentially use their knowledge and expertise to wreak havoc on your network?
The city of San Francisco recently experienced the effect of this power at first hand when disgruntled system administrator Terry Childs held the city’s network to ransom by harvesting lists of colleagues’ usernames and passwords; attaching devices to the network that would enable illegal remote access; and creating a super password that gave him exclusive access rights to the IT system which he refused to surrender to police.
With much of the local government email traffic, payroll systems and police department communication conducted over this network, Childs was well aware of the level of control he could wield over his superiors with this kind of information at his fingertips. Not only was it likely to cost the city – and taxpayer - millions of dollars to repair the vulnerabilities in the network, his bosses’ embarrassment was deepening with every minute this sensitive data was being exposed.
So what can companies do to protect themselves from a potential Terry Childs situation? The key is to remember some basic principles that should underpin good working practices at any point in time, and to ensure that the appropriate technology is in place to help maintain the necessary equilibrium between access and control.
Segregation of duty: One of the key recommendations of Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, and a sensible principle for a company of any size or status, is the concept of segregation of duty. Ensuring that no single individual has control over two or more phases of a transaction or operation is a simple method to safeguard against workers undertaking processes from start to finish without being subjected to an internal audit procedure.
Unfortunately, however, the strength of this rule begins to wear down as departmental headcount reduces; fewer bodies are available for the checks to pass through and more responsibilities are loaded onto individual people. This is when IT managers need to be able to deal with administrative tasks as well as managerial responsibilities. Rather than adopting a hands-off management approach, they need to educate themselves as to the minutiae of the tasks and responsibilities of administrators so in the event of absence, sickness or redundancy, the manager isn’t left in the lurch and has the knowledge and understanding to step into the role when required.
Role-based access: In addition to segregation of duty, it’s important to work to the principle of least privilege. Each individual should only be awarded a level of network access that is essential for them to do their job. These access rights and privileges can be most effectively managed through a centralised system which grants staff access to both buildings and systems, facilitated by the use of smart card technology.
Smart card technology works on the principle of two factor authentication, requiring a form factor (something you have) with something you know (a password or pin number). This means that even if an employee leaves the company without surrendering the physical card, building and system access rights can be instantly revoked, rendering the password – and thus the smart card – invalid.
Password management: The use of one-time passwords (OTPs) can help protect the validity of passwords in the authentication process. Ensuring critical passwords are automated to change after each use (as opposed to static passwords) significantly diminishes the risk of rogue administrators harvesting individual log-ins for unauthorised remote access, or using the data to block all users from the network.
By removing the constant need to update, change and respond to forgotten password queries, the use of OTPs also reduces the administrative burden on the IT department. Any solution that minimises the stress and workload of the overstretched IT administrator definitely has to be welcomed.
Hardware: Conduct regular audits of all devices supplied to staff during a period of employment, ensuring no unauthorised equipment is attached to the network or removed from the building without permission. Siphoning data from the system to be stored elsewhere is often one of the first signs that an administrator is planning to operate below the radar.
Taming the rogue: Of course, it’s not 100 per cent possible to safeguard completely against the wrath of the IT administrator scorned. A clever individual with highly tuned technical abilities and a resentful nature will always find a way to get round the system. However, with the right operational policies and effective management technologies in place, there’s no reason why an equally clever IT manager can’t make it that bit more difficult for the rogues to try.
ActivIdentity is exhibiting at Infosecurity Europe 2009, the No. 1 industry event in Europe held on 28th – 30th April in its new venue Earl’s Court, London. The event provides an unrivalled free education programme, exhibitors showcasing new and emerging technologies and offering practical and professional expertise.
For further information please visit www.infosec.co.uk
Solaris Mobile Is Confirmed By The European Commission As An ‘Admissible Candidate’ For The Provision Of Mobile Satellite Services
Solaris Mobile Is Confirmed By The European Commission As An ‘Admissible Candidate’ For The Provision Of Mobile Satellite Services And Welcomes The Publication Of New Guidelines For Mobile TV
Solaris Mobile has on, December 19th 2008, been confirmed by the European Commission as an ‘admissible candidate’ for the two-stage application process for the provision of mobile satellite services across Europe.
Solaris Mobile was one of four companies to submit an application to the European Commission in October for the rollout of S-Band Spectrum mobile satellite services, under a single European selection procedure instead of under 27 different national systems. Its confirmation as an admissible candidate underlines the strength of the company’s application.
With a state of the art satellite due to be launched next Spring, Solaris Mobile is the only candidate operator that will meet European Commission expectations that cross border Mobile TV services are likely to start in 2009. The company will be in the unique position of being able to offer mobile satellite services that empower existing and next generation mobile hybrid networks and enable the provision of innovative services to consumers across Europe.
Solaris Mobile is actively establishing together with key industrial partners and media players a harmonised ecosystem to optimize the delivery of mobile TV services, and broadband. The company has also announced that it welcomes the recently published European Commission Guidelines for the provision of mobile TV services in EU countries.
“We look forward to the publication of similar guidelines for mobile satellite services,” says Solaris Mobile Chief Executive Officer Steve Maine. “We would especially support the commitment of the European Commission to award procedure guidelines that are public, transparent and defined in advance, as well as the aspiration that full interoperability and EU-wide mobile TV roaming will be important considerations for mobile TV service providers. The European Commission has also recognised that speed in service delivery will be key for global competitiveness, and therefore we are also in favour of the recommendation that frequencies made available for Mobile TV should be withdrawn if the service has not started within a reasonable time. With a focus on clear guidelines and light regulation, the European Commission is clearly supportive of the rapid roll out of mobile TV across Europe, and this is good news for companies such as Solaris Mobile. ”
FACT FILE
Solaris Mobile, a Eutelsat and SES Astra joint venture, was established earlier this year to develop next generation mobile TV services via satellite. Its corporate headquarters in Dublin officially opened in June 2008. The company plans to provide TV, video and radio plus two-way communication to a variety of handheld and vehicle-mounted mobile devices. Solaris Mobile’s range of services, scheduled for launch in early 2009, is aimed primarily at Broadcasters, Telco operators, the Automotive industry, and Data & Communication providers.
The company intends to operate in a 2.00 GHz frequency band, the S-band, reserved for the exclusive use of satellite and terrestrial mobile services. The S-band sits alongside UMTS frequencies that are already used across Europe for 3G terrestrial services.
Please visit http://www.solarismobile.com/
Daniela Genta
Since the submission of its application, Solaris Mobile has been strengthening its management team, most notably with the appointment of Daniela Genta as Director of Regulatory Affairs. Daniela has over ten years experience in the satellite, telecommunications and space industry.
Solaris Mobile has on, December 19th 2008, been confirmed by the European Commission as an ‘admissible candidate’ for the two-stage application process for the provision of mobile satellite services across Europe.
Solaris Mobile was one of four companies to submit an application to the European Commission in October for the rollout of S-Band Spectrum mobile satellite services, under a single European selection procedure instead of under 27 different national systems. Its confirmation as an admissible candidate underlines the strength of the company’s application.
With a state of the art satellite due to be launched next Spring, Solaris Mobile is the only candidate operator that will meet European Commission expectations that cross border Mobile TV services are likely to start in 2009. The company will be in the unique position of being able to offer mobile satellite services that empower existing and next generation mobile hybrid networks and enable the provision of innovative services to consumers across Europe.
Solaris Mobile is actively establishing together with key industrial partners and media players a harmonised ecosystem to optimize the delivery of mobile TV services, and broadband. The company has also announced that it welcomes the recently published European Commission Guidelines for the provision of mobile TV services in EU countries.
“We look forward to the publication of similar guidelines for mobile satellite services,” says Solaris Mobile Chief Executive Officer Steve Maine. “We would especially support the commitment of the European Commission to award procedure guidelines that are public, transparent and defined in advance, as well as the aspiration that full interoperability and EU-wide mobile TV roaming will be important considerations for mobile TV service providers. The European Commission has also recognised that speed in service delivery will be key for global competitiveness, and therefore we are also in favour of the recommendation that frequencies made available for Mobile TV should be withdrawn if the service has not started within a reasonable time. With a focus on clear guidelines and light regulation, the European Commission is clearly supportive of the rapid roll out of mobile TV across Europe, and this is good news for companies such as Solaris Mobile. ”
FACT FILE
Solaris Mobile, a Eutelsat and SES Astra joint venture, was established earlier this year to develop next generation mobile TV services via satellite. Its corporate headquarters in Dublin officially opened in June 2008. The company plans to provide TV, video and radio plus two-way communication to a variety of handheld and vehicle-mounted mobile devices. Solaris Mobile’s range of services, scheduled for launch in early 2009, is aimed primarily at Broadcasters, Telco operators, the Automotive industry, and Data & Communication providers.
The company intends to operate in a 2.00 GHz frequency band, the S-band, reserved for the exclusive use of satellite and terrestrial mobile services. The S-band sits alongside UMTS frequencies that are already used across Europe for 3G terrestrial services.
Please visit http://www.solarismobile.com/
Daniela Genta
Since the submission of its application, Solaris Mobile has been strengthening its management team, most notably with the appointment of Daniela Genta as Director of Regulatory Affairs. Daniela has over ten years experience in the satellite, telecommunications and space industry.
Toshiba To Build New SCiB Battery Production Facility
The Toshiba Corporation has announced plans to construct a new dedicated production facility for its safe, long-life rapid charge SCiB battery, in anticipation of strong future demand.
By setting up a second production facility Toshiba expects to position itself for a surge in demand for SCiB for industrial and automotive applications from fiscal year 2010 on. Toshiba aims to start construction of the new facility in the fall of 2009, and to start production in fall 2010.
SCiB-the Super Charge ion Battery-is Toshiba's breakthrough rechargeable battery that offers excellent safety, long-life and rapid charge. SCiB started to ship in April 2008, and the battery is attracting considerable interest from potential customers. Toshiba currently produces SCiB at Saku Operations in Nagano prefecture.
Toshiba has selected Kashiwazaki city in Niigata prefecture, north-west Japan, as the primary candidate for the new production site. Kashiwazaki seeks to realize a low-carbon society by promoting electric vehicles (EV) and to attract EV-related businesses. The city has applied for recognition as a model area for the "EV and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) town concept," which is promoted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to encourage adoption of EV and PHV. Toshiba found Kashiwazaki's approach consistent with its own goals in the SCiB business, and was also attracted by the city's subsidy program.
Details on the definitive site location and construction schedule will be decided from now, on the strength of market trends.
The market for lithium-ion batteries for industrial and automotive applications is expected to see significant demand growth from fiscal year 2010 on, and to contribute a growing share to a lithium-ion battery market that is expected to reach sales of 1.7 trillion yen (approximately
US$19 billion) worldwide in fiscal year 2015. Toshiba aims to make SCiB a mainstay of its industrial systems and automotive products businesses worldwide.
FACT FILE
SCiB Major Characteristics
1.Excellent safety
SCiB adopts a new negative-electrode material that offers a high level of thermal stability and a high flash point electrolyte, and has a structure resistant to internal short circuiting and thermal runaway. The possibility of rupture or combustion is very low.
2.Long cycle life
Capacity loss after 3,000 cycles of rapid charge and discharge is less than 10%. SCiB has an excellent long cycle life, and is able to repeat the charge-discharge cycle over 6,000 times. This means that the SCiB can be continuously used for more than 10 years with a once-a-day recharge-discharge cycle.
3.Rapidly rechargeable
The superb safety characteristics of SCiB allow recharge with a current as large as 50 amperes (A), allowing the SCiB Cell and SCiB Battery Module to recharge to 90% of full capacity in only five minutes(1).
(1) Five minutes is the recharge performance of the SCiB TBP Series Module. Actual recharge times are defined by the products into which SCiB is integrated and on the peripheral components used with SCiB.
4.High power (practical capacity)
SCiB has an input-output performance equivalent to that of an electric double layer capacitor. This feature is suited to high power applications.
5.Temperature
SCiB operates well in temperature extremes, with sufficient discharge at temperatures as low as -30°C. This characteristic also assures wide application in cold climates.
SCiB Major Specifications
The SCiB is housed in an SCiB Battery Module comprising ten 4.2 ampere-hour (Ah) SCiB cells aligned in series connection, plus a battery management system.
In addition to applications that include electric bicycles, motorcycles, automated guided vehicles, electric forklift trucks and construction machinery, which already use rechargeable batteries, the SCiB can be applied to electric power regeneration and stabilization in emergency power sources and wind power systems. Application in hybrid cars is also planned, with the intent of extending application to electric cars in the future, after advancing development of a high-performance SCiB cell.
For more about SCiB, please visit Toshiba's website:
http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/sic/english/scib/index3.htm
By setting up a second production facility Toshiba expects to position itself for a surge in demand for SCiB for industrial and automotive applications from fiscal year 2010 on. Toshiba aims to start construction of the new facility in the fall of 2009, and to start production in fall 2010.
SCiB-the Super Charge ion Battery-is Toshiba's breakthrough rechargeable battery that offers excellent safety, long-life and rapid charge. SCiB started to ship in April 2008, and the battery is attracting considerable interest from potential customers. Toshiba currently produces SCiB at Saku Operations in Nagano prefecture.
Toshiba has selected Kashiwazaki city in Niigata prefecture, north-west Japan, as the primary candidate for the new production site. Kashiwazaki seeks to realize a low-carbon society by promoting electric vehicles (EV) and to attract EV-related businesses. The city has applied for recognition as a model area for the "EV and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) town concept," which is promoted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to encourage adoption of EV and PHV. Toshiba found Kashiwazaki's approach consistent with its own goals in the SCiB business, and was also attracted by the city's subsidy program.
Details on the definitive site location and construction schedule will be decided from now, on the strength of market trends.
The market for lithium-ion batteries for industrial and automotive applications is expected to see significant demand growth from fiscal year 2010 on, and to contribute a growing share to a lithium-ion battery market that is expected to reach sales of 1.7 trillion yen (approximately
US$19 billion) worldwide in fiscal year 2015. Toshiba aims to make SCiB a mainstay of its industrial systems and automotive products businesses worldwide.
FACT FILE
SCiB Major Characteristics
1.Excellent safety
SCiB adopts a new negative-electrode material that offers a high level of thermal stability and a high flash point electrolyte, and has a structure resistant to internal short circuiting and thermal runaway. The possibility of rupture or combustion is very low.
2.Long cycle life
Capacity loss after 3,000 cycles of rapid charge and discharge is less than 10%. SCiB has an excellent long cycle life, and is able to repeat the charge-discharge cycle over 6,000 times. This means that the SCiB can be continuously used for more than 10 years with a once-a-day recharge-discharge cycle.
3.Rapidly rechargeable
The superb safety characteristics of SCiB allow recharge with a current as large as 50 amperes (A), allowing the SCiB Cell and SCiB Battery Module to recharge to 90% of full capacity in only five minutes(1).
(1) Five minutes is the recharge performance of the SCiB TBP Series Module. Actual recharge times are defined by the products into which SCiB is integrated and on the peripheral components used with SCiB.
4.High power (practical capacity)
SCiB has an input-output performance equivalent to that of an electric double layer capacitor. This feature is suited to high power applications.
5.Temperature
SCiB operates well in temperature extremes, with sufficient discharge at temperatures as low as -30°C. This characteristic also assures wide application in cold climates.
SCiB Major Specifications
The SCiB is housed in an SCiB Battery Module comprising ten 4.2 ampere-hour (Ah) SCiB cells aligned in series connection, plus a battery management system.
In addition to applications that include electric bicycles, motorcycles, automated guided vehicles, electric forklift trucks and construction machinery, which already use rechargeable batteries, the SCiB can be applied to electric power regeneration and stabilization in emergency power sources and wind power systems. Application in hybrid cars is also planned, with the intent of extending application to electric cars in the future, after advancing development of a high-performance SCiB cell.
For more about SCiB, please visit Toshiba's website:
http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/sic/english/scib/index3.htm
QNAP TS-509 Pro Turbo NAS Now Supports iSCSI And AES 256-bit Encryption
QNAP Systems, Inc. today unveils the new firmware version 2.1.0 for the high performance TS-509 Pro Turbo NAS to support iSCSI target service and a number of security solutions, e.g. AES 256-bit volume-based encryption, automatic policy-based IP blocking, instant SMS alert, and the powerful Surveillance Station for live video monitoring and recording of up to 4 network cameras.The new firmware of the TS-509 Pro has brought a number of benefits to the business users, specifically cost-effective and flexible storage expansion as well as secure data protection. The built-in iSCSI target service with Thin Provisioning on the NAS enables the server administrator to create up to 8 iSCSI devices for expanding the storage capacity of the existing application servers on the network, e.g. database server, mail server, or configuring the NAS as the backup destination of these servers. To meet the demand for high security data protection of the business users, the TS-509 Pro now supports AES 256-bit volume-based encryption. The encrypted disk volumes of the NAS must be unlocked by the encryption password to be accessed, which eliminates the fear of confidential data leakage if the hard drives or the NAS were stolen.
"The high performance and rich features of the TS-509 Pro are widely recognized and awarded by the worldwide media. By upgrading the NAS to version 2.1.0, the administrator can make use of the Thin Provisioning feature of the iSCSI target service for flexible allocation of the storage space to the application servers regardless of the actual storage capacity of the NAS. When more storage space is required in the future, the administrator can increase the storage capacity of the NAS by Online RAID Capacity Expansion or re-allocate the disk space assigned to the application servers. The TS-509 Pro is an ideal cost-efficient IP-SAN (Storage Area Network) solution for the business users," said James Wu, Product Manager from QNAP.
New features supported by the TS-509 Pro firmware version 2.1.0:
- AES 256-bit volume-based encryption to enhance secure data protection
- Up to 8 built-in iSCSI targets with Thin Provisioning feature for flexible storage expansion or backup destination of the application servers on the network.
- Automatic policy-based IP blocking to prevent unwanted intrusion or hacking
- Instant SMS/ email alert upon system errors or warning
- Surveillance Station, monitoring and recording from up to 4 network cameras
- Volume status report
- Advanced FTP write-only access
- SSL secure certificate
- Syslog server
- USB UPS function upgrade
For the firmware download and further information, please visit http://www.qnap.com/download.asp
FACT FILE:
About TS-509 Pro Turbo NAS
Powered by Intel Celeron 1.6GHz CPU and 1GB DDRII memory, the 5-bay TS-509 Pro provides unique DOM architecture with embedded fail-safe dual OS. The Linux OS and applications of the NAS are embedded in the flash DOM that higher stability is guaranteed. The two Gigabit LAN ports can be configured as Failover, Load balancing, or serving two different subnets. Also, the TS-509 Pro supports RAID 0/ 1/ 5/ 6/ 5+Spare and JBOD, hot swappable hard drive design, a handy LCD panel for "Touch-N-Go" PC-less RAID installation and basic server configuration, schedule power on/off and Wake on LAN. More information is available on http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=104.
QNAP Systems, Inc. is a dominant provider of Linux OS embedded network-attached storage (NAS) and network surveillance system. We have released numerous NAS and NVR (network video recorder) series, providing our customers high performance and high reliability backup and security solutions. Today, QNAP continues to lead the industry with our innovation in design and technology. Our products have gained worldwide recognition. Further information about QNAP products is available on www.qnap.com.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Happy Christmas to our readers
Saturday, 20 December 2008
BroadbandChoices.co.uk to provide comparison services to comparethemarket.com
www.BroadbandChoices.co.uk, the UK’s leading Ofcom accredited broadband price comparison site, is to partner with comparethemarket.com to provide broadband, home phone and digital TV comparison services.
Broadbandchoices.co.uk won the partnership through a competitive pitch and will give customers of comparethemarket.com the confidence of using an Ofcom accredited calculator when comparing broadband packages. Broadband services have enjoyed massive growth in the UK over recent years with 16.5 million households now online*. The burgeoning number of ISPs and different broadband packages on the broadband market further proves the need for a reliable and comprehensive source of comparative price information.
Michael Phillips, Product Director, BroadbandChoices.co.uk, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with a leading comparison service such as comparethemarket.com to provide their customers with even more ways to save money. The credit crunch has bitten into consumers’ disposable incomes and securing the best broadband deal to fit their specific needs saves them money when they most need it. With the BroadbandChoices.co.uk powering the comparethemarket.com website, together we can now offer more consumers more ways to cut down their monthly outgoings.”
Andrew Stocks, senior manager of product development, comparethemarket.com said:
“At comparethemarket.com, we are constantly striving to improve and update the service we provide our customers, and this new partnership with BroadbandChoices.co.uk helps achieve this. When looking for a partner, we were consistently impressed with the high quality of the BroadbandChoices.co.uk Ofcom accredited comparison service, which ultimately led to our decision to offer their services through our website. We look forward to giving visitors to our site the benefit of BroadbandChoices.co.uk’s expertise in this area, and even more ways to save money”
Broadbandchoices.co.uk won the partnership through a competitive pitch and will give customers of comparethemarket.com the confidence of using an Ofcom accredited calculator when comparing broadband packages. Broadband services have enjoyed massive growth in the UK over recent years with 16.5 million households now online*. The burgeoning number of ISPs and different broadband packages on the broadband market further proves the need for a reliable and comprehensive source of comparative price information.
Michael Phillips, Product Director, BroadbandChoices.co.uk, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with a leading comparison service such as comparethemarket.com to provide their customers with even more ways to save money. The credit crunch has bitten into consumers’ disposable incomes and securing the best broadband deal to fit their specific needs saves them money when they most need it. With the BroadbandChoices.co.uk powering the comparethemarket.com website, together we can now offer more consumers more ways to cut down their monthly outgoings.”
Andrew Stocks, senior manager of product development, comparethemarket.com said:
“At comparethemarket.com, we are constantly striving to improve and update the service we provide our customers, and this new partnership with BroadbandChoices.co.uk helps achieve this. When looking for a partner, we were consistently impressed with the high quality of the BroadbandChoices.co.uk Ofcom accredited comparison service, which ultimately led to our decision to offer their services through our website. We look forward to giving visitors to our site the benefit of BroadbandChoices.co.uk’s expertise in this area, and even more ways to save money”
Datacentre Leaders’ Awards 2008: EDS, Fujitsu, London City Airport, Morgan Stanley and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office among the winners announced
The best companies in datacentre design, operation and management were recognised at the prestigious Datacentre Leaders’ Awards 2008 ceremony held in London last night.
The Future Thinking and Design Concept Award went to BNB Developments and 5Nines Datacentres for the UK’s “most energy efficient datacentre” at the Elean data campus near Cambridge. The datacentre uses waste heat from a nearby bio-mass power station.
Fujitsu won the Innovation in the Mega Datacentre Award for its London North Datacentre. The 1,600 rack datacentre is Europe’s first to be given confirmed, official Tier III certification by the Uptime Institute for a design which delivers CO2 emission savings of 11,788 tonnes per year – equivalent to 7,000 UK homes.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office scooped two awards, one for Innovation in the Medium Datacentre and another for Leadership in the Public Sector for the development at its Hanslope Park Facility in partnership with Hoare Lea Consulting Engineers.
London City Airport’s Modular Datacentre in partnership with Red Vista won in the Innovation in the Micro Data Center category.
The Green Datacentre Award went to EDS in partnership with Norman Disney & Young and Houseman Henderson Architects for the SMC4 Datacentre near Sunderland. Recognising that cooling was the most significant opportunity for energy saving and that the mean ambient temperature in the North East of England was low, the team decided to use the cool northern air to directly cool the IT equipment and plantrooms. This approach is expected to provide an annual energy saving of about 40% compared to a typical datacentre design.
Digital Realty Trust’s IBM project Paris collected the award for Innovation in an Outsourced Environment.
Operational Team of the Year went to Morgan Stanley Enterprise Data Centres Group in partnership with Norland Managed Services and Redstone Converged Solutions.
Greg Metcalf of ARUP was named Young Mission Critical Engineer of the Year.
This year’s Datacentre Leaders’ Awards attracted unprecedented interest and a record number of entries and over six hundred data center professionals attended the ceremony at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Zahl Limbuwala, Chairman, Data Centre Specialist Group at the British Computer Society (BCS) oversaw the judging process. He said: “The judging panel of industry experts were rigorous in their approach and all of the awards were hotly contested. Congratulations to the deserving winners.”
Contacts:
The Future Thinking and Design Concept Award went to BNB Developments and 5Nines Datacentres for the UK’s “most energy efficient datacentre” at the Elean data campus near Cambridge. The datacentre uses waste heat from a nearby bio-mass power station.
Fujitsu won the Innovation in the Mega Datacentre Award for its London North Datacentre. The 1,600 rack datacentre is Europe’s first to be given confirmed, official Tier III certification by the Uptime Institute for a design which delivers CO2 emission savings of 11,788 tonnes per year – equivalent to 7,000 UK homes.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office scooped two awards, one for Innovation in the Medium Datacentre and another for Leadership in the Public Sector for the development at its Hanslope Park Facility in partnership with Hoare Lea Consulting Engineers.
London City Airport’s Modular Datacentre in partnership with Red Vista won in the Innovation in the Micro Data Center category.
The Green Datacentre Award went to EDS in partnership with Norman Disney & Young and Houseman Henderson Architects for the SMC4 Datacentre near Sunderland. Recognising that cooling was the most significant opportunity for energy saving and that the mean ambient temperature in the North East of England was low, the team decided to use the cool northern air to directly cool the IT equipment and plantrooms. This approach is expected to provide an annual energy saving of about 40% compared to a typical datacentre design.
Digital Realty Trust’s IBM project Paris collected the award for Innovation in an Outsourced Environment.
Operational Team of the Year went to Morgan Stanley Enterprise Data Centres Group in partnership with Norland Managed Services and Redstone Converged Solutions.
Greg Metcalf of ARUP was named Young Mission Critical Engineer of the Year.
This year’s Datacentre Leaders’ Awards attracted unprecedented interest and a record number of entries and over six hundred data center professionals attended the ceremony at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Zahl Limbuwala, Chairman, Data Centre Specialist Group at the British Computer Society (BCS) oversaw the judging process. He said: “The judging panel of industry experts were rigorous in their approach and all of the awards were hotly contested. Congratulations to the deserving winners.”
Contacts:
Foviance launches emotional engagement research
Foviance, the expert in customer experience, has launched a pioneering new method of measuring customer experience for ecommerce and gaming website visitors. Electroencephalography (EEG) research provides the means to gather detailed information on a user’s emotional relationship to a brand or service.
Neuropsychologists have shown that 85% of decision making happens at a subconscious level. Foviance has also tested and proven emotionally engaging websites to provide higher commercial returns.
EEG involves measuring electrical activity in different parts of the brain in response to certain stimuli. Once the preserve of the clinical lab, Foviance has pioneered the use of EEG in the assessment of user experiences. By recording reactions at different stages of interaction with a website - with emotions ranging from excitement and anticipation through to anxiety and boredom - Foviance can provide detailed and specific site design recommendations that improve customer conversion.
Foviance customers have already started to benefit from EEG. So far, Foviance has analysed the emotional responses of online poker players, measured response to imagery alternatives on a travel site and identify effective merchandising strategies for an online retailer. EEG can be used to assess emotional response to various types of stimuli and Foviance plans to apply the method to understand the multi-channel user experience. For example, it is possible to gauge people’s emotional engagement while on the phone to a call centre.
Marty Carroll, consultancy director, Foviance said: “We recognise that differentiation in user experience for many brands means moving beyond simple efficiency, performance and functionality, towards connecting with consumers emotionally. We are incredibly excited to be bringing this complex neurological science to the marketing industry for the benefit of businesses and consumers.”
EEG on PKR gaming research
PKR is an online poker playing site that uses advanced gaming technology to provide 2.25 million subscribers with personal, involving and highly entertaining poker games. Foviance and PKR used EEG to measure players’ visceral responses to different stages of gameplay and gameplay outcomes. Foviance research revealed that for the novice player, PKR offered much higher levels of emotional engagement compared to competitors’ sites. Foviance was also able to identify the peaks and troughs in concentration, the areas that cause confusion for the novice player and the importance of the tutorial stages in engaging customers. Now PKR is also aware of how high levels of concentration and focus on what is happening in some stages of the game mean that the company can optimise cross-marketing and up-selling opportunities during the game.
Simon Prodger, marketing director at PKR Technologies said: ”This method of user research helps us understand the all important emotional experience that customers go through when using our site. This is very important to PKR as we aim to provide the most engaging poker experience online. Foviance’s insight has helped us identify how we can harness and develop the unique aspects of PKR’s engaging and immersive approach to online poker to ensure that our customers enjoy the highest quality experience possible.“
Foviance EEG measures factors ranging from cognitive and visual attention to emotional attraction and engagement, revealing the pattern of visceral activity during an experience. It uses an Apprehension/Excitement index to reveal how people respond to specific incidents and allows for comparison with other everyday activity benchmarks.
The service, developed in tandem with Neuroco is available immediately from Foviance.
FACT FILE
PKR is a revolutionary new concept in online poker that has changed the way that online poker is played.
Featuring stunning real-time 3D graphics and a uniquely engaging and immersive gaming system, PKR brings an unparalleled and previously unseen level of realism to online poker.
Developed by some of the brightest stars in the video games and poker industries, PKR was founded in 2005 by President Jez San, one of Europe’s most respected technology entrepreneurs and the first person to ever be awarded an O.B.E for services to the computer games industry.
Neuropsychologists have shown that 85% of decision making happens at a subconscious level. Foviance has also tested and proven emotionally engaging websites to provide higher commercial returns.
EEG involves measuring electrical activity in different parts of the brain in response to certain stimuli. Once the preserve of the clinical lab, Foviance has pioneered the use of EEG in the assessment of user experiences. By recording reactions at different stages of interaction with a website - with emotions ranging from excitement and anticipation through to anxiety and boredom - Foviance can provide detailed and specific site design recommendations that improve customer conversion.
Foviance customers have already started to benefit from EEG. So far, Foviance has analysed the emotional responses of online poker players, measured response to imagery alternatives on a travel site and identify effective merchandising strategies for an online retailer. EEG can be used to assess emotional response to various types of stimuli and Foviance plans to apply the method to understand the multi-channel user experience. For example, it is possible to gauge people’s emotional engagement while on the phone to a call centre.
Marty Carroll, consultancy director, Foviance said: “We recognise that differentiation in user experience for many brands means moving beyond simple efficiency, performance and functionality, towards connecting with consumers emotionally. We are incredibly excited to be bringing this complex neurological science to the marketing industry for the benefit of businesses and consumers.”
EEG on PKR gaming research
PKR is an online poker playing site that uses advanced gaming technology to provide 2.25 million subscribers with personal, involving and highly entertaining poker games. Foviance and PKR used EEG to measure players’ visceral responses to different stages of gameplay and gameplay outcomes. Foviance research revealed that for the novice player, PKR offered much higher levels of emotional engagement compared to competitors’ sites. Foviance was also able to identify the peaks and troughs in concentration, the areas that cause confusion for the novice player and the importance of the tutorial stages in engaging customers. Now PKR is also aware of how high levels of concentration and focus on what is happening in some stages of the game mean that the company can optimise cross-marketing and up-selling opportunities during the game.
Simon Prodger, marketing director at PKR Technologies said: ”This method of user research helps us understand the all important emotional experience that customers go through when using our site. This is very important to PKR as we aim to provide the most engaging poker experience online. Foviance’s insight has helped us identify how we can harness and develop the unique aspects of PKR’s engaging and immersive approach to online poker to ensure that our customers enjoy the highest quality experience possible.“
Foviance EEG measures factors ranging from cognitive and visual attention to emotional attraction and engagement, revealing the pattern of visceral activity during an experience. It uses an Apprehension/Excitement index to reveal how people respond to specific incidents and allows for comparison with other everyday activity benchmarks.
The service, developed in tandem with Neuroco is available immediately from Foviance.
FACT FILE
PKR is a revolutionary new concept in online poker that has changed the way that online poker is played.
Featuring stunning real-time 3D graphics and a uniquely engaging and immersive gaming system, PKR brings an unparalleled and previously unseen level of realism to online poker.
Developed by some of the brightest stars in the video games and poker industries, PKR was founded in 2005 by President Jez San, one of Europe’s most respected technology entrepreneurs and the first person to ever be awarded an O.B.E for services to the computer games industry.
Invomo Launches Invomo2go for sole traders and SMEs
Invomo launches Invomo2go – affordable business telephony to help sole traders and small and medium enterprises improve their marketing, customer contact and service abilities
Web-hosted service enhances the customer’s experience and helps retain and win new business
Invomo today announced the launch of Invomo2go (www.invomo2go.com), a new, dedicated service offering web-hosted business telephony and call management for sole traders and small and medium sized enterprises. Invomo2go makes it easy for businesses to access affordable, added-value telephony services and improve their customer contact and customer service capabilities.
Invomo2go is self-service and accessible through a simple web interface that has been designed to ensure ease of use. It delivers call statistics and basic call routing as well as flexible options to choose additional functionality, such as call divert, voicemail and call queuing - whatever best suits the business’ needs.
An interactive guided tour on the homepage at Invomo2go.com guides the potential customer through the services available on the site. Additionally, tailored segments of the interactive guide provide relevant help and support to the customer while they select and set up their required numbers and services.
Telephony-based customer service tends to be the territory of larger organisations, making them better placed to win and retain business. Invomo2go seeks to empower SME’s by reducing that gap in capability while also offering significant reductions in the cost and effort required to set up and manage business telephony.
Www.Invomo2go.com offers a searchable database of the wide portfolio of telephone numbers available for purchase from Invomo. SMEs can select a number that reflects the business’ operations (e.g. a number ending in 247 for a business offering 24-hour service) or simply a memorable repeating number sequence. The types of numbers available include 0800 freephone, 0845 / 0844 Lo-call numbers, 0870 / 0871 / 0872 National Business numbers, 09 Premium Rate and 070 Personal Numbers. The SME can combine the number(s) with a choice of call management packages, all of which include easy to administer web management. All services are available immediately except 09 numbers that require additional compliance steps - these may take up to 48 hours to go live.
Setup is fast and efficient - the SME simply pays by credit card on the site and the selected numbers and services are available within 48 hours, if not immediately.
Stuart Hillston, Constellation Capital Ltd said: “Invomo2go made it easy for me to select a number for my new business and the online setup process was a piece of cake. I need to redirect my calls regularly because I am based at my work and home offices on different days. Now anyone can get hold of me when they need to, no matter where I am. The Invomo2go portal means I am in control – for example, I can re-route my incoming calls in seconds. Moreover, the basic package I purchased is exactly what I need at the moment but it’s reassuring to know that additional functionality is available from Invomo2go as my business telephony needs change.”
Nick Wiley, CEO of Invomo said: “Today’s consumers have very high expectations of customer service and want to be able to reach the right person with the minimum of delay but it can be hard for sole traders, small office / home office workers and SME’s to make sure that customer contact is handled well. Invomo2go is completely self service so SME’s can pick and choose the products and services that will help them improve this aspect of their business while benefiting from total transparency in terms of costs. Moreover, they can be assured of quality and reliability of service, thanks to our ultra-reliable carrier-grade networks and technology partnerships, all backed by 24/7 support. It’s big-business service for smaller businesses, at a sustainable price.”
Web-hosted service enhances the customer’s experience and helps retain and win new business
Invomo today announced the launch of Invomo2go (www.invomo2go.com), a new, dedicated service offering web-hosted business telephony and call management for sole traders and small and medium sized enterprises. Invomo2go makes it easy for businesses to access affordable, added-value telephony services and improve their customer contact and customer service capabilities.
Invomo2go is self-service and accessible through a simple web interface that has been designed to ensure ease of use. It delivers call statistics and basic call routing as well as flexible options to choose additional functionality, such as call divert, voicemail and call queuing - whatever best suits the business’ needs.
An interactive guided tour on the homepage at Invomo2go.com guides the potential customer through the services available on the site. Additionally, tailored segments of the interactive guide provide relevant help and support to the customer while they select and set up their required numbers and services.
Telephony-based customer service tends to be the territory of larger organisations, making them better placed to win and retain business. Invomo2go seeks to empower SME’s by reducing that gap in capability while also offering significant reductions in the cost and effort required to set up and manage business telephony.
Www.Invomo2go.com offers a searchable database of the wide portfolio of telephone numbers available for purchase from Invomo. SMEs can select a number that reflects the business’ operations (e.g. a number ending in 247 for a business offering 24-hour service) or simply a memorable repeating number sequence. The types of numbers available include 0800 freephone, 0845 / 0844 Lo-call numbers, 0870 / 0871 / 0872 National Business numbers, 09 Premium Rate and 070 Personal Numbers. The SME can combine the number(s) with a choice of call management packages, all of which include easy to administer web management. All services are available immediately except 09 numbers that require additional compliance steps - these may take up to 48 hours to go live.
Setup is fast and efficient - the SME simply pays by credit card on the site and the selected numbers and services are available within 48 hours, if not immediately.
Stuart Hillston, Constellation Capital Ltd said: “Invomo2go made it easy for me to select a number for my new business and the online setup process was a piece of cake. I need to redirect my calls regularly because I am based at my work and home offices on different days. Now anyone can get hold of me when they need to, no matter where I am. The Invomo2go portal means I am in control – for example, I can re-route my incoming calls in seconds. Moreover, the basic package I purchased is exactly what I need at the moment but it’s reassuring to know that additional functionality is available from Invomo2go as my business telephony needs change.”
Nick Wiley, CEO of Invomo said: “Today’s consumers have very high expectations of customer service and want to be able to reach the right person with the minimum of delay but it can be hard for sole traders, small office / home office workers and SME’s to make sure that customer contact is handled well. Invomo2go is completely self service so SME’s can pick and choose the products and services that will help them improve this aspect of their business while benefiting from total transparency in terms of costs. Moreover, they can be assured of quality and reliability of service, thanks to our ultra-reliable carrier-grade networks and technology partnerships, all backed by 24/7 support. It’s big-business service for smaller businesses, at a sustainable price.”
Nearly Three Quarters Of Techies Believe UK's IT Skills Gap Is Growing Finds The IT Job Board -Outsourcing And Better Training Would Address Issue
A skills shortage exists in the UK IT sector, according to research undertaken by The IT Job Board, www.theitjobboard.co.uk – with 56 percent of respondents underlining this.
Furthermore, 72 percent of those interviewed believe that the skills gap will continue to grow year-on-year. And when asked why, IT professional cited a lack of professionals (55.5 percent), and the rapid changes within the IT sector (55 percent).
44.5 percent of IT professionals believe that companies can cover this shortage by outsourcing to overseas. And, 70 percent think that better training in the workplace would also work towards conquering the skill gap.
Respondents did also point towards other markets, with 88 percent stating that the skills gap is not just confined to the UK, but something that exists elsewhere.
Alex Farrell, managing director of The IT Job Board, commented: “The IT sector is a rapidly evolving one, and it is down to employers to invest in their staff, both via systems and training, to ensure they stay up-to-speed with the changes.
“If the UK is to stay ahead, it needs to attract high quality staff both nationally and internationally. And, it needs to tackle the ever-growing skills gap.
“As a leading IT job board, it is also down to us to identify the key roles being introduced and to help find the right talent and skills set to meet this.”
Furthermore, 72 percent of those interviewed believe that the skills gap will continue to grow year-on-year. And when asked why, IT professional cited a lack of professionals (55.5 percent), and the rapid changes within the IT sector (55 percent).
44.5 percent of IT professionals believe that companies can cover this shortage by outsourcing to overseas. And, 70 percent think that better training in the workplace would also work towards conquering the skill gap.
Respondents did also point towards other markets, with 88 percent stating that the skills gap is not just confined to the UK, but something that exists elsewhere.
Alex Farrell, managing director of The IT Job Board, commented: “The IT sector is a rapidly evolving one, and it is down to employers to invest in their staff, both via systems and training, to ensure they stay up-to-speed with the changes.
“If the UK is to stay ahead, it needs to attract high quality staff both nationally and internationally. And, it needs to tackle the ever-growing skills gap.
“As a leading IT job board, it is also down to us to identify the key roles being introduced and to help find the right talent and skills set to meet this.”
Symantec Announces New Norton Internet Security for Mac
Comprehensive Security Solution Protects Against Online Threats and Identity Theft
Symantec Corp., makers of Norton security software, today announced the availability of Norton Internet Security 4 for Mac, a next-generation security suite that integrates an all-new firewall and antivirus protection with tools to help protect against identity theft. The newest version of Norton Internet Security for Mac installs in about one minute and features an improved user interface with fast, unobtrusive updates. In addition, the solution includes fully configurable settings for more technical users.
Symantec also launched today Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection, securing Mac users running Boot Camp or other Windows virtualisation software – programs that allow users to run both Mac OS X Leopard and Windows operating systems. This solution provides comprehensive protection from both Mac and Windows-based vulnerabilities and malicious code. With Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection, Mac users benefit by receiving Symantec’s newest security suite for the Mac and the award-winning Norton Internet Security 2009 for Windows.
While automatically blocking computers attempting to exploit vulnerabilities from connecting to the Mac using different protocols, Norton Internet Security for Mac’s firewall now also offers application control, which allows users to manage the applications that are connecting to the Internet, protecting Macs from spyware. Also, new location awareness controls let users specify different connection settings for every network to which the computer is connected. Norton Internet Security for Mac is also integrated with Symantec’s DeepSight Threat Management System, updating the firewall rules at least once a day to protect against the latest attacking IP addresses.
According to the Symantec Report on the Underground Economy, credit card and financial information make up more than 50 percent of the stolen goods advertised by cyber criminals online. To help consumers protect their personal information online from phishing threats, Norton Internet Security for Mac now includes Norton’s commercial antiphishing solution for Safari and Firefox browsers. By blocking fake Web sites and authenticating popular Web sites, Norton Internet Security for Mac allows users to bank, shop and browse online with confidence.
“Even Mac owners are susceptible to online threats, and when it comes to phishing, it doesn’t matter what platform you’re using,” said Rowan Trollope, senior vice president, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec. “The data we are seeing from Symantec’s Security Response is showing that Macs can be a target for viruses and malware. Norton Internet Security for Mac now helps safeguard users from phishing threats, malware and hackers, without compromising system performance.”
In addition to comprehensive antivirus protection, Norton Internet Security for Mac also features vulnerability protection, addressing the avenue where many of today’s attacks occur – through applications connected to the Internet. This technology prevents threats from infecting systems and deletes and blocks malware and viruses from installing.
Pricing and Availability
Norton Internet Security for Mac and Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection will be available for purchase in the UK from January 2009 through the Symantec online store at www.symantecstore.co.uk as well as various retail locations and online.
The suggested retail price for Norton Internet Security for Mac is £49.99, which includes a one-year subscription to Symantec protection updates. The suggested retail price for Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection is £69.99, which includes a one-year subscription to Symantec protection updates.
FACT FILE
Symantec’s Norton products protect consumers from traditional threats with anti-virus, anti-spam and spyware protection , as well as bots, drive-by downloads and identity theft-- while also being light on system resources. The company also provides services such as online backup and PC tuneup, and is a trusted source for family online safety.
Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and organisations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. More information is available at www.symantec.co.uk
Symantec Corp., makers of Norton security software, today announced the availability of Norton Internet Security 4 for Mac, a next-generation security suite that integrates an all-new firewall and antivirus protection with tools to help protect against identity theft. The newest version of Norton Internet Security for Mac installs in about one minute and features an improved user interface with fast, unobtrusive updates. In addition, the solution includes fully configurable settings for more technical users.
Symantec also launched today Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection, securing Mac users running Boot Camp or other Windows virtualisation software – programs that allow users to run both Mac OS X Leopard and Windows operating systems. This solution provides comprehensive protection from both Mac and Windows-based vulnerabilities and malicious code. With Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection, Mac users benefit by receiving Symantec’s newest security suite for the Mac and the award-winning Norton Internet Security 2009 for Windows.
While automatically blocking computers attempting to exploit vulnerabilities from connecting to the Mac using different protocols, Norton Internet Security for Mac’s firewall now also offers application control, which allows users to manage the applications that are connecting to the Internet, protecting Macs from spyware. Also, new location awareness controls let users specify different connection settings for every network to which the computer is connected. Norton Internet Security for Mac is also integrated with Symantec’s DeepSight Threat Management System, updating the firewall rules at least once a day to protect against the latest attacking IP addresses.
According to the Symantec Report on the Underground Economy, credit card and financial information make up more than 50 percent of the stolen goods advertised by cyber criminals online. To help consumers protect their personal information online from phishing threats, Norton Internet Security for Mac now includes Norton’s commercial antiphishing solution for Safari and Firefox browsers. By blocking fake Web sites and authenticating popular Web sites, Norton Internet Security for Mac allows users to bank, shop and browse online with confidence.
“Even Mac owners are susceptible to online threats, and when it comes to phishing, it doesn’t matter what platform you’re using,” said Rowan Trollope, senior vice president, Consumer Business Unit, Symantec. “The data we are seeing from Symantec’s Security Response is showing that Macs can be a target for viruses and malware. Norton Internet Security for Mac now helps safeguard users from phishing threats, malware and hackers, without compromising system performance.”
In addition to comprehensive antivirus protection, Norton Internet Security for Mac also features vulnerability protection, addressing the avenue where many of today’s attacks occur – through applications connected to the Internet. This technology prevents threats from infecting systems and deletes and blocks malware and viruses from installing.
Pricing and Availability
Norton Internet Security for Mac and Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection will be available for purchase in the UK from January 2009 through the Symantec online store at www.symantecstore.co.uk as well as various retail locations and online.
The suggested retail price for Norton Internet Security for Mac is £49.99, which includes a one-year subscription to Symantec protection updates. The suggested retail price for Norton Internet Security for Mac Dual Protection is £69.99, which includes a one-year subscription to Symantec protection updates.
FACT FILE
Symantec’s Norton products protect consumers from traditional threats with anti-virus, anti-spam and spyware protection , as well as bots, drive-by downloads and identity theft-- while also being light on system resources. The company also provides services such as online backup and PC tuneup, and is a trusted source for family online safety.
Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and organisations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. More information is available at www.symantec.co.uk
Xbox Bolsters Music Credentials With Secret UK Gig
Leading communications planning agency goodstuff has developed a unique music-led campaign for Xbox, as the games console giant seeks to align itself with a music loving audience.goodstuff has developed a unique campaign platform for a games console by launching Xbox Campfire Sessions – an exclusive winter warmer gig taking place in a secret countryside location.
Set in atmospheric campfire surroundings with a very limited number of guests, the December 19th event is being presented by Nick Grimshaw and will be broadcast by Channel 4 and 4Music in January.
Featuring live performances from some of the UK’s hottest bands including The Wombats, Noah and the Whale, Little Boots and Twisted Wheel, Xbox will be giving ten lucky winners the opportunity to attend the gig with their closest mates - with one very lucky winner given the chance to be part of a closed interview and acoustic session with the bands around a campfire.
The accompanying nationwide consumer campaign will be initially digitally-focussed as the driver to the live event, with an Xbox Campfire Sessions MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/xboxcampfire that will act as the competition hub.
Fans are asked to submit the one question they would most like to ask their favourite band or artist, while visitors to the site can vote on which they find the most interesting. Nick Grimshaw and Xbox will finally select the top ten entrants to attend the gig with their ten best friends, and give them the chance to direct their winning question to the artists in their own mini interview around the campfire.
Video footage from the event, including out-takes, behind the scenes and interviews, will also be streamed on MySpace.
Press advertising will follow the digital activity and drive fans to Channel 4 and 4Music.
Simon Wilden, Planning Partner at goodstuff, says: “We’re doing something distinctive in an otherwise over-subscribed brand space and creating a unique social music experience for the winners. The competition and eventual gig connects current and potential gamers to the music they love in a new and compelling way.”
Alex Weller, Brand Experience Manager for Xbox, adds: “The Campfire Sessions have enabled us to connect with a key audience on a personal level through tapping into a shared passion for music”
Universal McCann will handle media planning & buying.
AKQA will handle all digital creative.
Ingenious New Hand-Held Dock Lets You Roam Free With Your Ipod
IS301 hand-held iPod dock £219.90One of the iPod’s greatest charms is its tactility: in your hand, it simply feels ‘right’, while you also have total control at your fingertips. However, though hooking up an iPod to a hi-fi system unleashes its full sonic potential, this action also leaves your beloved iPod firmly anchored to the ground. Until now, that is….
Marantz’s hand-held IS301 brings all the sonic benefits of an audiophile dock and, for those who wish to, literally, stay in touch with Apple's wonderful and familiar interface, this ingenious bit of kit is the answer.
A hand-held dock you say? Sure, so please let us explain: the Marantz IS301 package includes a compact, detachable Bluetooth-equipped module. Simply plug this adapter into your iPod and it sends audio information, via Bluetooth (A2DP), to the docking station. In turn, the docking station is connected to your hi-fi via a supplied receiver unit. This set-up lets you control the Apple device as usual, while enjoying hi-fi quality sound.
If you prefer, the iPod can be docked in the conventional manner, in the Marantz cradle, where it will be charged and, via USB, can connect iTunes. The cradled approach also means you can even deliver video from your iPod’s library when this is wired to the RX receiver unit. The cradle’s flexible design means it can be put on a table or wall mounted. Further neat touches are the source and volume controls, making operation a complete breeze.
And the IS301’s charms are not restricted to the iPod. Almost any A2DP-supporting mobile can connect to the IS301 as well.
Enabling even further flexibility of placement, the dock communicates with the supplied RX receiver unit. This comes with an extensive list of audio and visual connections, including analogue audio, video and remote control inputs. Outputs comprise audio, component video, S-Video, and CVBS.
Oh, and to top-off this new unit’s list of ‘friendly’ features, no iPod connection adapters are required.
The Marantz IS301 will be available from January 2009.
The Marantz group has 628 employees in over 50 countries. Marantz is a part of D&M Holdings Inc. The company can trace its roots back to the dawn of the first mono LP, when Saul Bernard Marantz, a native of New York, was unhappy with the equipment available to play his cherished record collection on. So he to built his own! Saul officially founded the Marantz Company in 1953. Then, as now, the company’s cornerstones were quality and innovation. For over half a century Marantz has been developing unique technologies and bringing landmark hi-fi and home entertainment products to market through its tireless and extensive R&D programmes. Such commitment to audio and video excellence ensures each Marantz design delivers class-leading performance. Additional information is available at www.marantz.com.
D&M Holdings Inc. is a global operating company providing worldwide management and distribution platforms for premium consumer, automotive, commercial and professional audio and video businesses including Denon®, Marantz®, McIntosh® Laboratory, Boston Acoustics®, Snell Acoustics, Escient, Calrec Audio, Denon DJ, Allen & Heath, D&M Professional and D&M Premium Sound Solutions. Our technologies improve the quality of any audio and visual experience. All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of D&M Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries. For more information visit www.dm-holdings.com.
Dreaming Of A High Definition Christmas - Customers Rush To Get The New Freesat+ Box At John Lewis
The new Freesat + box from Humax at John Lewis is selling out as soon as it comes into store, as customers rush to get this new technology in time for Christmas. John Kempner, central buyer for Vision at John Lewis says, “Demand is phenomenal. We sold a box every two minutes when they arrived in store, selling out in less than 48 hours. Stock will be arriving every week and I expect them to fly off the shelves, as customers look to get the most out of their High Definition Ready TV.”
The new FOXSAT HDR Freesat Digital TV Recorder, £292, gives viewers with High Definition Ready TVs the freedom to pause, rewind and record live HD programmes. It stores up to 80 hours of HD programming, while the eight-day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to plan your viewing. Two Freesat channels can even be recorded at the same time.
Freesat offers 140 digital TV & Radio channels including high definition (HD) programming from the BBC and ITV. Freesat is available to 98% of the population, without subscription. For a single, one off payment, you will receive the Freesat digital box or HDTV with Freesat built-in, the satellite dish and installation. Standard installation from John Lewis costs £100.00
The new FOXSAT HDR Freesat Digital TV Recorder, £292, gives viewers with High Definition Ready TVs the freedom to pause, rewind and record live HD programmes. It stores up to 80 hours of HD programming, while the eight-day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to plan your viewing. Two Freesat channels can even be recorded at the same time.
Freesat offers 140 digital TV & Radio channels including high definition (HD) programming from the BBC and ITV. Freesat is available to 98% of the population, without subscription. For a single, one off payment, you will receive the Freesat digital box or HDTV with Freesat built-in, the satellite dish and installation. Standard installation from John Lewis costs £100.00
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Enhanced Software Development Kit from Lantronix
Lantronix, Inc., a leading provider of secure, remote device networking and data centre management technologies, has announced an enhanced Software Development Kit (SDK) for its 32-bit MatchPort products, providing an easy-to-use development environment for creating custom, powerful applications for Lantronix’ products. This release layers upon the company’s MatchPort AR SDK released in March, by incorporating wireless support for its secure, embedded wireless networking module, MatchPort b/g Pro. The SDK allows customers to seamlessly add wired and wireless network connectivity into devices, making them accessible and manageable via the Internet.
The new MatchPort SDK adds comprehensive support for 802.11 technology, including the ability to monitor the status, signal strength and connection type of existing wireless local area networks (WLANs). It also features active scanning for available access points and the capability to configure multiple WLAN profiles. Ideal for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and systems designers, this new SDK further accelerates a product’s time to market.
“We’ve seen a high demand from our customers for a versatile development environment using well-known tools, enabling them to quickly create innovative solutions,” said Daryl Miller, Vice President of Engineering at Lantronix. “Lantronix has committed several years of development in this area so our customers don’t have to invest in added resources. The addition of this robust SDK provides us yet another way to empower our customers to bring state-of-the-art wired and wireless products to market.”
In addition, the SDK grants access to the Evolution application programming interface (API), which allows developers to customise and enhance the Lantronix’ Evolution operating system (OS) for their applications. Evolution OS is Lantronix’ Network Operating System for device servers that incorporates open standards, extensible technologies and enterprise-grade networking security. CodeSourcery’s Sourcery G++, a complete GNU-based development ecosystem and a trial version of the Eclipse-based IDE (integrated developer environment) are also included in the kit. The integration of these advanced programming tools with the SDK, offers developers a flexible, inexpensive and sophisticated way to create applications for MatchPort b/g Pro and MatchPort AR.
The kit includes a development board, Evolution user guide and API reference manual, sample code, tools and access to the Lantronix user-supported community, available at forums.lantronix.com.
For further information on Lantronix and its solutions, please visit http://www.lantronix.com.
FACT FILE:
Lantronix, Inc. is a global leader of secure communication technologies that simplify remote access, management, and control of virtually any electronic device. Our innovative solutions enable businesses to make better decisions based on real-time information and help gain a competitive advantage by generating new revenues streams, improving productivity and increasing efficiency, and profitability.
Easy-to-integrate and deploy, Lantronix product families include: DeviceLinx™ - remote connectivity and control solutions for electronic equipment via the Internet; ManageLinx™ - powerful application services platform providing secure remote access to firewall-protected equipment; and SecureLinx™ - secure, remote management for IT equipment over the Internet.
With more than 20 years of networking experience, Lantronix solutions are used in virtually every major vertical market including security, industrial and building automation, medical, transportation, retail/POS, financial, government, consumer electronics/appliances, IT/data centre, and pro-AV/signage. The company’s headquarters are located in Irvine, Calif. For more information, visit www.lantronix.com.
The new MatchPort SDK adds comprehensive support for 802.11 technology, including the ability to monitor the status, signal strength and connection type of existing wireless local area networks (WLANs). It also features active scanning for available access points and the capability to configure multiple WLAN profiles. Ideal for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and systems designers, this new SDK further accelerates a product’s time to market.
“We’ve seen a high demand from our customers for a versatile development environment using well-known tools, enabling them to quickly create innovative solutions,” said Daryl Miller, Vice President of Engineering at Lantronix. “Lantronix has committed several years of development in this area so our customers don’t have to invest in added resources. The addition of this robust SDK provides us yet another way to empower our customers to bring state-of-the-art wired and wireless products to market.”
In addition, the SDK grants access to the Evolution application programming interface (API), which allows developers to customise and enhance the Lantronix’ Evolution operating system (OS) for their applications. Evolution OS is Lantronix’ Network Operating System for device servers that incorporates open standards, extensible technologies and enterprise-grade networking security. CodeSourcery’s Sourcery G++, a complete GNU-based development ecosystem and a trial version of the Eclipse-based IDE (integrated developer environment) are also included in the kit. The integration of these advanced programming tools with the SDK, offers developers a flexible, inexpensive and sophisticated way to create applications for MatchPort b/g Pro and MatchPort AR.
The kit includes a development board, Evolution user guide and API reference manual, sample code, tools and access to the Lantronix user-supported community, available at forums.lantronix.com.
For further information on Lantronix and its solutions, please visit http://www.lantronix.com.
FACT FILE:
Lantronix, Inc. is a global leader of secure communication technologies that simplify remote access, management, and control of virtually any electronic device. Our innovative solutions enable businesses to make better decisions based on real-time information and help gain a competitive advantage by generating new revenues streams, improving productivity and increasing efficiency, and profitability.
Easy-to-integrate and deploy, Lantronix product families include: DeviceLinx™ - remote connectivity and control solutions for electronic equipment via the Internet; ManageLinx™ - powerful application services platform providing secure remote access to firewall-protected equipment; and SecureLinx™ - secure, remote management for IT equipment over the Internet.
With more than 20 years of networking experience, Lantronix solutions are used in virtually every major vertical market including security, industrial and building automation, medical, transportation, retail/POS, financial, government, consumer electronics/appliances, IT/data centre, and pro-AV/signage. The company’s headquarters are located in Irvine, Calif. For more information, visit www.lantronix.com.
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Aquarium Help Firms Save Money With Latest Software Release
Aquarium Software has announced the latest release of its suite of claims, case and process management software solutions. Aquarium version 2.5 contains a raft of beneficial new features that span the application, most notably: improved mutli-level/multi-office security permissions, enhanced "slice & dice" reporting, a Microsoft Outlook-style calendar feature and an option to encrypt data fields.
However, the most significant new feature is the introduction of Aquarium's WebPortal product.
Aquarium's sales & marketing director, Mark Colonnese, commented: "Our solution delivers significant new benefits to our customers. Not only can they allow their clients to find out what's going on with their claims without having to pick up the phone, but they can also enable them to participate in the progressing their cases themselves. Our customers can offer new and innovative ways of working, whilst at the same time streamlining their process, removing cost and improving customer service levels."
The new and improved version of Aquarium Claimsbook claims management software makes the process of handling claims simpler, smarter and speedier for claims companies. AquariumClaims is a state-of-the-art case management software solution specially designed for fast growth claims companies.
Aquarium Claimsbook is designed to be quick to set up and is available at a comparatively lower cost. It uses the latest web-based technology giving users a powerful solution at a cost that traditional software providers cannot match. For further information contact Aquarium Software, free of charge, on 0800 781 7570 or visit www.aquarium-software.com
However, the most significant new feature is the introduction of Aquarium's WebPortal product.
Aquarium's sales & marketing director, Mark Colonnese, commented: "Our solution delivers significant new benefits to our customers. Not only can they allow their clients to find out what's going on with their claims without having to pick up the phone, but they can also enable them to participate in the progressing their cases themselves. Our customers can offer new and innovative ways of working, whilst at the same time streamlining their process, removing cost and improving customer service levels."
The new and improved version of Aquarium Claimsbook claims management software makes the process of handling claims simpler, smarter and speedier for claims companies. AquariumClaims is a state-of-the-art case management software solution specially designed for fast growth claims companies.
Aquarium Claimsbook is designed to be quick to set up and is available at a comparatively lower cost. It uses the latest web-based technology giving users a powerful solution at a cost that traditional software providers cannot match. For further information contact Aquarium Software, free of charge, on 0800 781 7570 or visit www.aquarium-software.com
Forward Thinking Businesses Will Use IT To Gain Competitive Advantage
- Technology trends predicted by industry experts -
There is no doubt that 2008 has been a turbulent year for a broad range of organistions including those in the IT sector. But as 2009 draws near, it’s clear that enterprises with a forward-thinking approach and a solid grasp of technology will have a distinct competitive advantage.
Andrew Watson, sales and marketing director at business and technology consultancy, WTG, states: “SaaS, virtualisation, Web 2.0 and social networking, among others, are likely to shape the IT landscape in the coming year, as they provide organisations with the advantage they need to succeed in business in this challenging economic environment.”
WTG’s top ten IT tips include:
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 tools can already handle everything from asset management to business intelligence and analytics. Some companies are now exploring Twitter or Facebook-like applications within their business, to allow individuals to push information out and create a simpler communications structure.
Social networking
Next-generation social networking tools are increasingly being used to conduct sophisticated business intelligence and analytics. In many cases, they are mining data and looking for trends and patterns, such as which customers seem to have the biggest influence with others online.
Web based collaboration
Collaboration tools are set to go mainstream. According to the research firm Aberdeen Group, 63 percent of companies say they will be using video conferencing and so-called tele-presence systems by the end of 2010.
Project management
Applications such as Primavera are providing tools to mesh diverse workgroups, such as finance, marketing, human resources and IT together, enabling viewing groups of initiatives, while understanding the underlying relationships across an organisation.
eDiscovery
Today, anything electronic is discoverable as any part of litigation. Throughout 2009 and beyond, the focus will be moving beyond ERP and enterprise systems and into the broader realm of both structured and unstructured information and data.
The mobile business
Web browsers for PDAs and the expansion of push technology are now making it possible to keep contacts, calendars and data synced at all times. This trend is set to continue as developments such as Cloud computing expand.
Security, risk and compliance
Security and compliance processes will start to be automated and embedded throughout the enterprise and beyond.
Carbon
More energy-efficient components will be developed including improved memory and resource management, given that energy costs are now having a huge impact on the enterprise.
Virtualisation
The growth area of the last two years is set to continue as enterprises aim to educe server inefficiencies and lower costs.
The Cloud!
Cloud computing environments will contribute to the expansion of SaaS into areas beyond ERP, CRM and HR management systems, as organisations wake up to the substantial benefits gained, by moving large-scale software expenses from the capital budget to the operating budget.
Andrew concluded: “In every downturn there are always clear technology winners and losers. There is no doubt in my mind that those technologies that deliver real operational and capital cost reductions, whilst at the same time improve business agility, will be the forefront of the market recovery.”
FACT FILE:
WTG is a business and technology consultancy focused on the delivery of innovative web based solutions for the public and commercial sectors. Its strategy is to work with best of breed product vendors in portal, CMS, collaboration and search. WTG delivers solutions to customers that meet their strategic goals by changing the way that companies work using web based technology, connecting the extended enterprise and by providing a secure infrastructure for all business information.
There is no doubt that 2008 has been a turbulent year for a broad range of organistions including those in the IT sector. But as 2009 draws near, it’s clear that enterprises with a forward-thinking approach and a solid grasp of technology will have a distinct competitive advantage.
Andrew Watson, sales and marketing director at business and technology consultancy, WTG, states: “SaaS, virtualisation, Web 2.0 and social networking, among others, are likely to shape the IT landscape in the coming year, as they provide organisations with the advantage they need to succeed in business in this challenging economic environment.”
WTG’s top ten IT tips include:
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 tools can already handle everything from asset management to business intelligence and analytics. Some companies are now exploring Twitter or Facebook-like applications within their business, to allow individuals to push information out and create a simpler communications structure.
Social networking
Next-generation social networking tools are increasingly being used to conduct sophisticated business intelligence and analytics. In many cases, they are mining data and looking for trends and patterns, such as which customers seem to have the biggest influence with others online.
Web based collaboration
Collaboration tools are set to go mainstream. According to the research firm Aberdeen Group, 63 percent of companies say they will be using video conferencing and so-called tele-presence systems by the end of 2010.
Project management
Applications such as Primavera are providing tools to mesh diverse workgroups, such as finance, marketing, human resources and IT together, enabling viewing groups of initiatives, while understanding the underlying relationships across an organisation.
eDiscovery
Today, anything electronic is discoverable as any part of litigation. Throughout 2009 and beyond, the focus will be moving beyond ERP and enterprise systems and into the broader realm of both structured and unstructured information and data.
The mobile business
Web browsers for PDAs and the expansion of push technology are now making it possible to keep contacts, calendars and data synced at all times. This trend is set to continue as developments such as Cloud computing expand.
Security, risk and compliance
Security and compliance processes will start to be automated and embedded throughout the enterprise and beyond.
Carbon
More energy-efficient components will be developed including improved memory and resource management, given that energy costs are now having a huge impact on the enterprise.
Virtualisation
The growth area of the last two years is set to continue as enterprises aim to educe server inefficiencies and lower costs.
The Cloud!
Cloud computing environments will contribute to the expansion of SaaS into areas beyond ERP, CRM and HR management systems, as organisations wake up to the substantial benefits gained, by moving large-scale software expenses from the capital budget to the operating budget.
Andrew concluded: “In every downturn there are always clear technology winners and losers. There is no doubt in my mind that those technologies that deliver real operational and capital cost reductions, whilst at the same time improve business agility, will be the forefront of the market recovery.”
FACT FILE:
WTG is a business and technology consultancy focused on the delivery of innovative web based solutions for the public and commercial sectors. Its strategy is to work with best of breed product vendors in portal, CMS, collaboration and search. WTG delivers solutions to customers that meet their strategic goals by changing the way that companies work using web based technology, connecting the extended enterprise and by providing a secure infrastructure for all business information.
BCS Urges IT Professionals To Maintain Skills In Economic Downturn
Keeping skills up to date has never been more important than during this economic downturn. As part of its professionalism initiative and to help IT professionals maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly tough employment market, the British Computer Society (BCS) has signed a three year agreement with Pearson VUE.
The agreement means that candidates for Foundation Certificates in Software Testing (FCSWT), Business Analysis (FCBA), Systems Design (FCSD) and ISO20k, can now take electronic tests via a professional network of over 5000 testing centres.
The innovative online registration system allows candidates greater flexibility when booking and paying for their tests. Candidates can book online, anytime, anywhere via Pearson VUE’s web site, or by calling one of the company’s three main contact centres and speaking to experienced multi-lingual staff.
The system also makes it extremely easy for candidates to change the time or day of their test at no charge and at short notice. Candidates also receive instant on-screen and follow-up email confirmations of appointment details.
Michiel van der Voort, BCS International Director, says: “This agreement is an important element in the BCS professionalism programme. IT is a demanding profession where skills need to be maintained and never more so during an economic downturn. We believe that the flexibility this system offers IT professionals will allow many professionals the opportunity to broaden their careers and further establish BCS as a major global IT qualifications provider.”
Pearson VUE’s network of Authorised Test Centres™ offers an extremely high level of exam security and control including an array of biometric technologies to ensure that candidates are identified correctly. The Authorised Test Centres™ all comply with stringent security measures and the company is examining the possibility for the Authorised Test Centres to have digital signature pads and digital photography equipment to address the industry’s demand for increased levels of security.
Suzana Lopes, Vice President EMEA Sales and Marketing for Pearson VUE, comments: “We are proud to be working with the BCS and to be contributing to its work to build IT professionalism. It is our strong network of secure testing centres and innovative technology which enables us to deliver this professional and customer-friendly service on such a large scale.”
FACT FILE:
The British Computer Society (BCS) is the Chartered industry body for IT professionals, the Chartered Engineering Institution for Information Technology and a Chartered Science Institution. With our rapidly growing membership, BCS is playing an increasingly pivotal role in leading the development and implementation of world class standards for the IT profession through innovative products, services and support.
Through our specific “Professionalism in IT” programme, BCS is leading and building IT professionalism to levels which are currently only seen in more traditional long standing professions such as law, medicine, and accountancy but which will increasingly become the de facto standards for IT professionals.
About Pearson VUE:
Pearson VUE is the global leader in computer-based testing, offering exams through one of the world's largest network of test centres in over 162 countries. We have offices in the United Kingdom, United States, India, Japan and China, and provide testing services for Health & Medicine, Information Technology, Academic/Admissions, Transport, Employment & Human Resources and Financial Services clients. Our innovative technology offers the highest levels of security and programme control, while our commitment to service provides clients and individual test takers with an unmatched testing experience.
Pearson VUE delivers tests globally for both the Professional and IT markets. In the United Kingdom, Pearson VUE works with the DSA to deliver the Driving Theory Test, the largest on-demand testing programme in the world. Pearson VUE also delivers university admissions exams for LNAT and UKCAT as well as numerous IT exams-such as Cisco, CompTIA and VMware.
Pearson VUE acquired the former Company Promissor in 2006, thereby extending not only our test centre network, but also our leadership in the certification market.
Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international media company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education and the Penguin Group
www.bcs.org
The agreement means that candidates for Foundation Certificates in Software Testing (FCSWT), Business Analysis (FCBA), Systems Design (FCSD) and ISO20k, can now take electronic tests via a professional network of over 5000 testing centres.
The innovative online registration system allows candidates greater flexibility when booking and paying for their tests. Candidates can book online, anytime, anywhere via Pearson VUE’s web site, or by calling one of the company’s three main contact centres and speaking to experienced multi-lingual staff.
The system also makes it extremely easy for candidates to change the time or day of their test at no charge and at short notice. Candidates also receive instant on-screen and follow-up email confirmations of appointment details.
Michiel van der Voort, BCS International Director, says: “This agreement is an important element in the BCS professionalism programme. IT is a demanding profession where skills need to be maintained and never more so during an economic downturn. We believe that the flexibility this system offers IT professionals will allow many professionals the opportunity to broaden their careers and further establish BCS as a major global IT qualifications provider.”
Pearson VUE’s network of Authorised Test Centres™ offers an extremely high level of exam security and control including an array of biometric technologies to ensure that candidates are identified correctly. The Authorised Test Centres™ all comply with stringent security measures and the company is examining the possibility for the Authorised Test Centres to have digital signature pads and digital photography equipment to address the industry’s demand for increased levels of security.
Suzana Lopes, Vice President EMEA Sales and Marketing for Pearson VUE, comments: “We are proud to be working with the BCS and to be contributing to its work to build IT professionalism. It is our strong network of secure testing centres and innovative technology which enables us to deliver this professional and customer-friendly service on such a large scale.”
FACT FILE:
The British Computer Society (BCS) is the Chartered industry body for IT professionals, the Chartered Engineering Institution for Information Technology and a Chartered Science Institution. With our rapidly growing membership, BCS is playing an increasingly pivotal role in leading the development and implementation of world class standards for the IT profession through innovative products, services and support.
Through our specific “Professionalism in IT” programme, BCS is leading and building IT professionalism to levels which are currently only seen in more traditional long standing professions such as law, medicine, and accountancy but which will increasingly become the de facto standards for IT professionals.
About Pearson VUE:
Pearson VUE is the global leader in computer-based testing, offering exams through one of the world's largest network of test centres in over 162 countries. We have offices in the United Kingdom, United States, India, Japan and China, and provide testing services for Health & Medicine, Information Technology, Academic/Admissions, Transport, Employment & Human Resources and Financial Services clients. Our innovative technology offers the highest levels of security and programme control, while our commitment to service provides clients and individual test takers with an unmatched testing experience.
Pearson VUE delivers tests globally for both the Professional and IT markets. In the United Kingdom, Pearson VUE works with the DSA to deliver the Driving Theory Test, the largest on-demand testing programme in the world. Pearson VUE also delivers university admissions exams for LNAT and UKCAT as well as numerous IT exams-such as Cisco, CompTIA and VMware.
Pearson VUE acquired the former Company Promissor in 2006, thereby extending not only our test centre network, but also our leadership in the certification market.
Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international media company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education and the Penguin Group
www.bcs.org
Live Software Solutions’ Christmas Present Of Free Software
Live Software Solutions (LSS), a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner which develops and delivers software for, among others, the insurance and publishing sectors, has entered into the ‘spirit of Christmas’ by offering all visitors to its website – www.lss.co.uk – a free utility, called ‘LiveDataScript’.
Mike Goatly, LSS’s technical director explained: “Software developers and database administrators alike often have the need to populate a database with a known set of data. LiveDataScript provides a quick and easy way to accomplish this for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2008 by extracting existing data into a set of SQL insert statements that can be re-used time and again.”
LiveDataScript’s features include:
• Scripting multiple tables, a single table or selected rows from a table.
• Connecting to multiple servers, allowing you to script from different servers into one file.
• Scripting straight to a file, to the clipboard or to a new window.
• Scripting derived columns or even completely arbitrary SQL - scripts are not confined to the columns currently in a table.
• Scripting with identity insertion for tables that have identity columns
Tom Boother, LSS’s business development manager, explained: “In the ‘spirit of Christmas’ we want to help every friend of LSS spend more time focusing on their products and services by providing them with a utility that we have found invaluable at LSS.”
FACT FILE
Live Software Solutions (LSS) makes software that creates a difference.
Focusing on helping businesses that use Microsoft technologies, LSS – founded in 2004 – uses its business and software expertise to provide end-to-end solutions, from concept to implementation. In addition to software development services and consultancy, LSS also provides off-the-shelf packages. LLS’s approach is based on four core values:
• Service Excellence - achieving client confidence by truly understanding the business drivers and the project requirements, delivering the agreed solution to plan, managing issues and communicating clearly and regularly - while being easy to do business with and enjoyable to work with.
• Integrity - applying professional and technical expertise to ensure the right solution for the right reasons, as well as being open, honest and fair in all of our dealings.
• Teamwork - deploying the right blend of talent and experience to get the job done, and integrating effectively with client and third party personnel and activities.
• Development - continually seeking to enhance our own capabilities and processes, enabling us to remain innovative and challenging - and sharing this with our clients.
Mike Goatly, LSS’s technical director explained: “Software developers and database administrators alike often have the need to populate a database with a known set of data. LiveDataScript provides a quick and easy way to accomplish this for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2008 by extracting existing data into a set of SQL insert statements that can be re-used time and again.”
LiveDataScript’s features include:
• Scripting multiple tables, a single table or selected rows from a table.
• Connecting to multiple servers, allowing you to script from different servers into one file.
• Scripting straight to a file, to the clipboard or to a new window.
• Scripting derived columns or even completely arbitrary SQL - scripts are not confined to the columns currently in a table.
• Scripting with identity insertion for tables that have identity columns
Tom Boother, LSS’s business development manager, explained: “In the ‘spirit of Christmas’ we want to help every friend of LSS spend more time focusing on their products and services by providing them with a utility that we have found invaluable at LSS.”
FACT FILE
Live Software Solutions (LSS) makes software that creates a difference.
Focusing on helping businesses that use Microsoft technologies, LSS – founded in 2004 – uses its business and software expertise to provide end-to-end solutions, from concept to implementation. In addition to software development services and consultancy, LSS also provides off-the-shelf packages. LLS’s approach is based on four core values:
• Service Excellence - achieving client confidence by truly understanding the business drivers and the project requirements, delivering the agreed solution to plan, managing issues and communicating clearly and regularly - while being easy to do business with and enjoyable to work with.
• Integrity - applying professional and technical expertise to ensure the right solution for the right reasons, as well as being open, honest and fair in all of our dealings.
• Teamwork - deploying the right blend of talent and experience to get the job done, and integrating effectively with client and third party personnel and activities.
• Development - continually seeking to enhance our own capabilities and processes, enabling us to remain innovative and challenging - and sharing this with our clients.
UKFast Says Shop Safely Online This Christmas
The hosting provider behind thousands of UK ecommerce websites is warning Christmas consumers to remain vigilant in their last minute online shopping.
As people swarm the e-street in the days before Christmas, UKFast is cautioning shoppers to maintain their security principles.
“When people are struggling to find the perfect present they may use any old website,” said Lawrence Jones, managing director of UKFast. “Without checking its security credentials these hasty shoppers are potentially opening themselves up to identity theft.”
UKFast offers consumers these tips for last-minute shopping on the net:
• Make sure the website has an SSL certificate. This prevents others intercepting the personal information you send.
• Using a credit card online is safer. Purchases made with a credit card are protected by the Consumer Credit Act of 1974.
• Research the company. Use a reputable dealer or well known retailer if possible. If you’ve never heard of the company it is worth giving them a call to make sure they are legitimate.
UKFast also advises online businesses to secure their websites and make the internet a safer marketplace.
Lawrence Jones commented: “It is of vital importance that consumers and businesses be vigilant in their online dealings especially at this time of year. Hackers know there will be a huge increase in ecommerce this year and are looking for victims. Don’t let it put you off shopping online. The internet is a wonderful platform for finding a Christmas bargain – as long as you take the necessary precautions.”
UKFast secures its network thoroughly with industry-leading McAfee anti-virus technology and robust Cisco Firewalls to ensure its clients provide safe websites to their customers.
As people swarm the e-street in the days before Christmas, UKFast is cautioning shoppers to maintain their security principles.
“When people are struggling to find the perfect present they may use any old website,” said Lawrence Jones, managing director of UKFast. “Without checking its security credentials these hasty shoppers are potentially opening themselves up to identity theft.”
UKFast offers consumers these tips for last-minute shopping on the net:
• Make sure the website has an SSL certificate. This prevents others intercepting the personal information you send.
• Using a credit card online is safer. Purchases made with a credit card are protected by the Consumer Credit Act of 1974.
• Research the company. Use a reputable dealer or well known retailer if possible. If you’ve never heard of the company it is worth giving them a call to make sure they are legitimate.
UKFast also advises online businesses to secure their websites and make the internet a safer marketplace.
Lawrence Jones commented: “It is of vital importance that consumers and businesses be vigilant in their online dealings especially at this time of year. Hackers know there will be a huge increase in ecommerce this year and are looking for victims. Don’t let it put you off shopping online. The internet is a wonderful platform for finding a Christmas bargain – as long as you take the necessary precautions.”
UKFast secures its network thoroughly with industry-leading McAfee anti-virus technology and robust Cisco Firewalls to ensure its clients provide safe websites to their customers.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Proxama provides simplest route to Miniweb powered interactive TV Keys and TV Sites services
Technology solutions company Proxama today announced the launch of a service to help brands with web and mobile internet sites take advantage of Miniweb’s new interactive TV service – TV Keys.
Proxama helps brands repurpose existing web content, build TV Sites and develop new transactional services for this cost-effective interactive TV service. Proxama covers the whole process of creating a TV Site from content and design strategy, to service innovation – including integration with other technologies such as mobile and near field communications – hosting and go-live. Proxama has already worked on many TV services, including for John Lewis, QED, SkyCard, Message2mobile, AOL and Domino’s Pizza.
TV Keys associate brands or memorable words with numeric codes that can be entered using the remote control to allow viewers to visit web-like TV Sites. For example, the word HOLIDAYS would match the numbers 46553297 (H=4 on the keypad, etc) taking you to a relevant TV Site. TV Keys can be included in programming and TV advertising or any other media, just like a website address, to encourage viewers to interact at any time with the TV Site content or service. Miniweb Interactive launched the TV Keys service in November 2008. There are already more than 9 million Sky subscriber homes with access to TV Keys, with plans to rapidly grow this reach.
Proxama CEO Dr Neil Garner said: “Developing an interactive TV presence has never been as simple or cost-effective as this and it is a great opportunity for brands looking for new ways to engage with customers as part of a multi-channel strategy. What’s more, because this web-like TV presence can be clearly targeted at specific customer groups, the results are easy to measure.”
He added: “The launch of TV Keys is a really exciting development for brands that may have been prevented from building TV into their multi-platform strategy due to the cost and timescales. We have been involved in the development of Miniweb Interactive’s TV platform since the beginning and are well placed to help companies get the best from it.”
Miniweb’s Marketing Director Andrew Noble said: “TV Keys linked to TV Sites present a step change in the economics and delivery of interactive TV services. As a trigger for consumer interaction, TV Keys are affordable, personalised and actionable at any time. We have been working with Proxama since the early days of the service’s development and it is in a strong position to help broadcasters, content owners and advertisers create new value-adding interactive TV services.”
Proxama helps brands repurpose existing web content, build TV Sites and develop new transactional services for this cost-effective interactive TV service. Proxama covers the whole process of creating a TV Site from content and design strategy, to service innovation – including integration with other technologies such as mobile and near field communications – hosting and go-live. Proxama has already worked on many TV services, including for John Lewis, QED, SkyCard, Message2mobile, AOL and Domino’s Pizza.
TV Keys associate brands or memorable words with numeric codes that can be entered using the remote control to allow viewers to visit web-like TV Sites. For example, the word HOLIDAYS would match the numbers 46553297 (H=4 on the keypad, etc) taking you to a relevant TV Site. TV Keys can be included in programming and TV advertising or any other media, just like a website address, to encourage viewers to interact at any time with the TV Site content or service. Miniweb Interactive launched the TV Keys service in November 2008. There are already more than 9 million Sky subscriber homes with access to TV Keys, with plans to rapidly grow this reach.
Proxama CEO Dr Neil Garner said: “Developing an interactive TV presence has never been as simple or cost-effective as this and it is a great opportunity for brands looking for new ways to engage with customers as part of a multi-channel strategy. What’s more, because this web-like TV presence can be clearly targeted at specific customer groups, the results are easy to measure.”
He added: “The launch of TV Keys is a really exciting development for brands that may have been prevented from building TV into their multi-platform strategy due to the cost and timescales. We have been involved in the development of Miniweb Interactive’s TV platform since the beginning and are well placed to help companies get the best from it.”
Miniweb’s Marketing Director Andrew Noble said: “TV Keys linked to TV Sites present a step change in the economics and delivery of interactive TV services. As a trigger for consumer interaction, TV Keys are affordable, personalised and actionable at any time. We have been working with Proxama since the early days of the service’s development and it is in a strong position to help broadcasters, content owners and advertisers create new value-adding interactive TV services.”
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Digital entrepreneur Darren Fell named as one of top UK business people in ‘Courvoisier Future 500’ league table
Digital entrepreneur Darren Fell has been named as one of the top UK business people in Courvoisier’s prestigious national league table, The Future 500.
The Courvoisier network, in partnership with The Observer, is split into ten categories including science and innovation, media, fashion and retail and business. Fell is profiled among the top 100 people; one of 13 in the business category as featured in The Observer’s ‘Generation Next’ supplement published on 30 November.
Fell, who also won Entrepreneur of the Year at Sussex Business Awards 07/08, recently launched FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk, the advice and networking website for freelancers and contractors. The site’s aim is to unite the UK’s surging community of self-employed as growing uncertainty forces people to look at their skillsets and consider working for themselves. FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is sponsored by online accounting system Crunch.co.uk. Fell began work on both new ventures after selling his successful email marketing company, Pure360.com earlier this year for $7.8million.
“Being recognised as one of the UK’s top business people in the Courvoisier league table feels a fantastic achievement,” said Darren Fell. “I’ve spent this year building the team and product for online accounting system Crunch.co.uk, while our site to genuinely help the growing freelance industry in the UK - FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk - has taken off in an unbelievable way. This high ranking in the Future 500 will be an additional aid in our discussions with investors.”
Courvoisier’s Future 500 searches for the UK’s most innovative business brains and creative talent. The league table brings together a network of dynamic business individuals, who then attend exclusive networking events throughout the year.
FACT FILE:
www.FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is an advice and networking website for freelancers and contractors. Its aim is to unite the UK’s surging community of 1.4 million self-employed people*, offering guidance on setting up and working efficiently; covering all aspects of the lifestyle. The site is written by experts from all industries within the freelancing community - 14 articles are published each month along with a podcast featuring an influential figure. A specialist social network allows freelancers to collaborate and find work. FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk was founded by award-winning online entrepreneur Darren Fell. Fell appears in this year’s ‘Courvoisier The Future 500 in association with The Observer’; a league table of the UK’s most talented business people and was also named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards 07/08. FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is sponsored by online accounting system www.Crunch.co.uk
The Courvoisier network, in partnership with The Observer, is split into ten categories including science and innovation, media, fashion and retail and business. Fell is profiled among the top 100 people; one of 13 in the business category as featured in The Observer’s ‘Generation Next’ supplement published on 30 November.
Fell, who also won Entrepreneur of the Year at Sussex Business Awards 07/08, recently launched FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk, the advice and networking website for freelancers and contractors. The site’s aim is to unite the UK’s surging community of self-employed as growing uncertainty forces people to look at their skillsets and consider working for themselves. FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is sponsored by online accounting system Crunch.co.uk. Fell began work on both new ventures after selling his successful email marketing company, Pure360.com earlier this year for $7.8million.
“Being recognised as one of the UK’s top business people in the Courvoisier league table feels a fantastic achievement,” said Darren Fell. “I’ve spent this year building the team and product for online accounting system Crunch.co.uk, while our site to genuinely help the growing freelance industry in the UK - FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk - has taken off in an unbelievable way. This high ranking in the Future 500 will be an additional aid in our discussions with investors.”
Courvoisier’s Future 500 searches for the UK’s most innovative business brains and creative talent. The league table brings together a network of dynamic business individuals, who then attend exclusive networking events throughout the year.
FACT FILE:
www.FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is an advice and networking website for freelancers and contractors. Its aim is to unite the UK’s surging community of 1.4 million self-employed people*, offering guidance on setting up and working efficiently; covering all aspects of the lifestyle. The site is written by experts from all industries within the freelancing community - 14 articles are published each month along with a podcast featuring an influential figure. A specialist social network allows freelancers to collaborate and find work. FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk was founded by award-winning online entrepreneur Darren Fell. Fell appears in this year’s ‘Courvoisier The Future 500 in association with The Observer’; a league table of the UK’s most talented business people and was also named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards 07/08. FreelanceAdvisor.co.uk is sponsored by online accounting system www.Crunch.co.uk
New Australian Research Highlights Close Relationship Between Online Search And Offline Behaviour
Marketers who ignore the role of online research in the various stages of consumer purchase behaviour do so at their own peril, with new Australian research showing 80% of consumers use online research to inform their purchase decision.
The research, which covers 40 categories and was commissioned by Outrider, a GroupM search marketing company, highlights the necessity for online and offline marketing campaigns to be aligned in order to achieve maximum benefit for their investment.
"Without an integrated approach to online and offline media, advertisers can significantly reduce the effectiveness of their marketing. It's vital to understand that consumers are taking their online experience and incorporating it into offline purchase behaviour," said Head of GroupM Search Marcelo Silva.
The study, conducted by Research International, showed that a third of consumers start their online research at a search engine.
In addition, the majority of those using a search engine first conducted a generic (or unbranded) keyword search.
"Without a search marketing campaign that caters for this - and for the keyword terms used across offline marketing for a product or service - marketers will be behind the eight ball," said Silva.
Of those looking to buy a laptop, for example, 64% used a search engine and 40% of them began with a generic keyword search - only 23% start with a branded keyword search.
Additionally, search engines are used throughout the consumer research process: 27% conduct keyword searches midway through, and 9% search just prior to purchase.
"It is all about how consumers behave and marketers must embrace the new purchase decision cycle from the earliest stages of their media planning. What is fascinating is the lack of barriers between online and offline now - one does not exist in a vacuum from the other and consumers are more and more adept at operating in both worlds," said Research International Strategy Director Jonathan Sinton.
The study also highlighted the increase in consumers going online to research Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), traditionally a category not heavily associated with online research.
The research showed there is a great deal of variation between categories ranging from 24% to 79% for people researching online before their purchase.
Recent Purchasers Who Researched Online:
Travel: 79%
Electronics: 47%
Auto: 46%
Insurance: 45%
Telecommunications: 44%
Finance: 44%
FMCG: 30%
Furniture/White goods: 24%
FACT FILE:
Outrider (formerly known as 24/7 Real Media Search) is a global search marketing agency and a division of GroupM, WPP's media buying and planning arm with 30 offices serving more than 40 countries. Outrider has pioneered holistic, advanced search marketing strategies and integrated cross- media planning for global, national and local category-leading clients. Services include paid search, search engine optimisation, and advanced search strategy (social search, mobile search, local search, video search and more).
Research International was one of the first research agencies in Australia, conducting research since the 1930s. Today the company provides custom research solutions for its clients around innovation, market strategy, brand experience and service measurement issues. The firm operates in over 50 countries, with offices across Asia Pacific. It has more than 2,500 staff and works with blue-chip clients around the world.
www.outrider.com.au/
The research, which covers 40 categories and was commissioned by Outrider, a GroupM search marketing company, highlights the necessity for online and offline marketing campaigns to be aligned in order to achieve maximum benefit for their investment.
"Without an integrated approach to online and offline media, advertisers can significantly reduce the effectiveness of their marketing. It's vital to understand that consumers are taking their online experience and incorporating it into offline purchase behaviour," said Head of GroupM Search Marcelo Silva.
The study, conducted by Research International, showed that a third of consumers start their online research at a search engine.
In addition, the majority of those using a search engine first conducted a generic (or unbranded) keyword search.
"Without a search marketing campaign that caters for this - and for the keyword terms used across offline marketing for a product or service - marketers will be behind the eight ball," said Silva.
Of those looking to buy a laptop, for example, 64% used a search engine and 40% of them began with a generic keyword search - only 23% start with a branded keyword search.
Additionally, search engines are used throughout the consumer research process: 27% conduct keyword searches midway through, and 9% search just prior to purchase.
"It is all about how consumers behave and marketers must embrace the new purchase decision cycle from the earliest stages of their media planning. What is fascinating is the lack of barriers between online and offline now - one does not exist in a vacuum from the other and consumers are more and more adept at operating in both worlds," said Research International Strategy Director Jonathan Sinton.
The study also highlighted the increase in consumers going online to research Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), traditionally a category not heavily associated with online research.
The research showed there is a great deal of variation between categories ranging from 24% to 79% for people researching online before their purchase.
Recent Purchasers Who Researched Online:
Travel: 79%
Electronics: 47%
Auto: 46%
Insurance: 45%
Telecommunications: 44%
Finance: 44%
FMCG: 30%
Furniture/White goods: 24%
FACT FILE:
Outrider (formerly known as 24/7 Real Media Search) is a global search marketing agency and a division of GroupM, WPP's media buying and planning arm with 30 offices serving more than 40 countries. Outrider has pioneered holistic, advanced search marketing strategies and integrated cross- media planning for global, national and local category-leading clients. Services include paid search, search engine optimisation, and advanced search strategy (social search, mobile search, local search, video search and more).
Research International was one of the first research agencies in Australia, conducting research since the 1930s. Today the company provides custom research solutions for its clients around innovation, market strategy, brand experience and service measurement issues. The firm operates in over 50 countries, with offices across Asia Pacific. It has more than 2,500 staff and works with blue-chip clients around the world.
www.outrider.com.au/
Monday, 8 December 2008
Alterian and Unisys Partner To Deliver Industry’s First Marketing Automation Appliance
Highly scalable software and powerful enterprise server technology combine to create the industry’s most powerful, cost-effective marketing automation system for very large databases
Alterian, a leading international integrated marketing platform provider, today announced an agreement with Unisys Corporation, a worldwide information technology services and solutions company, which aligns Alterian’s software platform with Unisys enterprise server technology.
The Alterian solution, running on a Unisys ES7000 enterprise server, is designed to provide database marketers with a cost-effective way to accommodate large prospect database environments at a fraction of the cost of traditional legacy solutions while providing faster, more flexible options. The new offering helps marketing organizations control infrastructure costs while aligning revenue and expense.
The solution introduces greatly improved speed and flexibility to bring new capabilities that marketers have not seen before. Benchmarking tests show that the new offering reduces campaign cycle times, from file receipt to campaign fulfillment, by as much as 50 percent, while also reducing total cost of ownership over traditional legacy solutions by as much as 50 percent.
“This combination of Alterian’s software engine – its flagship high-performance analytical database – and the exceptional processing and storage capabilities from Unisys creates a unique environment where querying large amounts of data, high-volume data extraction, rigorous data analysis and campaign execution come together,” said Dan Hall, Vice President of Professional Services at Alterian. “Leveraging the powerful ES7000 Enterprise Server technology from Unisys, marketers can run end-to-end solutions incorporating operational marketing, content management, email marketing and database marketing at a fraction of the cost of their current solutions, yet with better performance. Partnering with Unisys builds on our success with Alterian’s recent database advancements, allowing marketers greater data access, improved speed, and higher ROI.”
Alterian and Unisys conducted benchmarking trials using a Unisys ES7000 Model 7600R Enterprise Server and large data sets, including a database of 206 million individuals and 114 million households. The benchmarking demonstrated increased speed in data load and analytic queries, as well as campaign processing. The marketing automation appliance processed campaigns in minutes instead of hours, when compared to legacy applications.
Moreover, the solution was benchmarked against seven multi-tenant databases identical to those in the individual trial mentioned earlier. No degradation in processing and performance was identified when the environment scaled to seven times its original size and seven campaign processes were run concurrently.
This relationship positions Alterian to expand its integrated marketing platform further into very large database environments in key industries such as financial services, telco and retail. The scalability of Alterian’s technology when combined with the power of Unisys ES7000 Model 7600R Enterprise Server creates the industry’s most powerful and cost-effective marketing automation solution.
“Unisys is proud that our ES7000 server delivers benchmark performance beyond Alterian’s expectations,” said Rod Sapp, Marketing Director, Enterprise Servers, Unisys Systems and Technology. “By powering a first-to-market solution for integrated marketing campaigns, Unisys and Alterian are providing a whole new range of solutions for clients with transaction- and database-intensive requirements.”
Michael Fisher, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Alterian, North America, said, “Aligning with a company such as Unisys, with a strong heritage in financial services and other key industries, allows Alterian to leverage this relationship to all large database prospect marketers, demonstrating the depth and breadth of the Alterian platform. The combination of our technologies allows organizations to manage prospect marketing campaigns with improved flexibility, increased speed, and at greatly reduced cost. Simply put, marketers can now run campaigns better, cheaper and faster.”
Alterian’s industry-leading integrated marketing platform is the winner of numerous industry awards and was named in Forrester’s EMP Wave. Alterian’s scalable platform is available for companies of all sizes, and in partnering with Unisys, is expanded to bring this marketing automation service available to a broader and much larger community of marketers.
The Unisys ES7000 Model 7600R Enterprise Server is powered by the latest 6-core Intel® Xeon® processors 7400 series and delivers superior scalability. It recently led all other enterprise servers in performance, value and scalability in the Transaction Processing Council TPC-E benchmark, the premier benchmark for online transaction processing.
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Former SC Johnson European Logistics Director Joins SCALA Logistics Consulting
John Potter, former European Logistics Director and Global Sales and Operations Planning Project Director of SC Johnson Europe, has joined SCALA Consulting and further strengthens their strategic supply chain management capability.
SCALA Group (www.scalagroup.co.uk) Managing Director John Perry said the appointment follows the growth in the companies looking to identify new supply chain strategies in the light of the current economic and market position. “There is a growing need for companies to improve their total supply chain management skills and in particular reduce the capital tied up. John’s experience in designing and delivering supply chain, inventory management, customer service, sales and operations planning will benefit our clients considerably”.
In addition to his considerable experience in supply chain and customer service management, Mr Potter also has a background in accounting as a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. His financial experience includes accountancy roles in financial accounting, budgeting, product costing, and manufacturing accounting. He was also the Finance Director and Company Secretary of SCJ Ireland.
Mr Potter believes there are significant market and economic factors which will cause companies to question their current strategies. “The business world has changed in recent months. Markets and economies are in recession and the costs of imported goods and values of exported goods are changing dramatically. In addition, the pressures from all sides – in particular from consumers – for a greener approach continue to grow. But, customers still demand high levels of service.
“Under this set of circumstances it is not possible to be successful with supply chain strategies designed for a different real world economy. Now is the time for companies to step back, take a deep breath and review their supply chain management strategy”.
SCALA Group (www.scalagroup.co.uk) Managing Director John Perry said the appointment follows the growth in the companies looking to identify new supply chain strategies in the light of the current economic and market position. “There is a growing need for companies to improve their total supply chain management skills and in particular reduce the capital tied up. John’s experience in designing and delivering supply chain, inventory management, customer service, sales and operations planning will benefit our clients considerably”.
In addition to his considerable experience in supply chain and customer service management, Mr Potter also has a background in accounting as a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. His financial experience includes accountancy roles in financial accounting, budgeting, product costing, and manufacturing accounting. He was also the Finance Director and Company Secretary of SCJ Ireland.
Mr Potter believes there are significant market and economic factors which will cause companies to question their current strategies. “The business world has changed in recent months. Markets and economies are in recession and the costs of imported goods and values of exported goods are changing dramatically. In addition, the pressures from all sides – in particular from consumers – for a greener approach continue to grow. But, customers still demand high levels of service.
“Under this set of circumstances it is not possible to be successful with supply chain strategies designed for a different real world economy. Now is the time for companies to step back, take a deep breath and review their supply chain management strategy”.
Receive An iPod Nano For Every Report Ordered In December
For this year's Christmas gift, Juniper Research are giving away a complimentary new iPod Nano for every report purchased throughout December.
To claim your complimentary iPod just go online to the juniper website and order one of their reports priced at £1700 and above and your brand NEW slimline edition of the iPod Nano will be delivered to your requested address.
Juniper Research now specialise in a number of key areas, recent reports are now available from the following streams:
Mobile Content & Applications Stream: Click here for more reports...
http://www.juniperresearch.com/shop/viewreports.php?category=2
• mobile gambling
• mobile games
• mobile TV
• mobile social networking
• mobile dating
Mobile Commerce Stream: Click here for more reports...
http://www.juniperresearch.com/shop/viewreports.php?category=70
• mobile banking (upcoming)
• mobile coupons
• mobile ticketing
• mobile payment markets
• mobile money transfer
• contactless NFC
• digital and physical goods
Mobile Markets, Players & Strategies Click here for more reports...
http://www.juniperresearch.com/shop/viewreports.php?category=73
• mobile content strategies & business models
• BRIC report
• mobile south America
• mobile Indian subcontinent
• mobile Africa & middle east
For a full list of reports please visit the website at www.juniperresearch.com
This is the perfect way for us to say thank you for a great year and we look forward to seeing you in 2009!
Order your report today and you receive your iPod before Christmas!
To claim your complimentary iPod just go online to the juniper website and order one of their reports priced at £1700 and above and your brand NEW slimline edition of the iPod Nano will be delivered to your requested address.
Juniper Research now specialise in a number of key areas, recent reports are now available from the following streams:
Mobile Content & Applications Stream: Click here for more reports...
http://www.juniperresearch.com/shop/viewreports.php?category=2
• mobile gambling
• mobile games
• mobile TV
• mobile social networking
• mobile dating
Mobile Commerce Stream: Click here for more reports...
http://www.juniperresearch.com/shop/viewreports.php?category=70
• mobile banking (upcoming)
• mobile coupons
• mobile ticketing
• mobile payment markets
• mobile money transfer
• contactless NFC
• digital and physical goods
Mobile Markets, Players & Strategies Click here for more reports...
http://www.juniperresearch.com/shop/viewreports.php?category=73
• mobile content strategies & business models
• BRIC report
• mobile south America
• mobile Indian subcontinent
• mobile Africa & middle east
For a full list of reports please visit the website at www.juniperresearch.com
This is the perfect way for us to say thank you for a great year and we look forward to seeing you in 2009!
Order your report today and you receive your iPod before Christmas!
Denon Launches World's First Universal Blu-Ray Player
Denon, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment products, is planning to release its long-awaited top-of-the-line universal Blu-ray player, the DVD-A1UD, in March 2009. It joins the award-winning reference class AVP-A1HDA pre-amplifier and the POA-A1HD 10-channel power amplifier in the company’s flagship HD home entertainment system.
The DVD-A1UD lets users enjoy not only Blu-ray discs at the very highest level but also Super Audio CD (SACD), DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and CDs in the impeccable picture and sound quality that is expected from a Denon player. With the combination of the newly developed, proprietary 4th generation Denon Link in conjunction with HDMI transmission technology, digital signals from discs can be transmitted with negligible jitter to produce a pure, high-quality sound, and the world's first fully-balanced two channel transmission in a Universal Player has been made possible for analogue signals.
Hirofumi Ichikawa, president of Denon said: "Further advances in digital signal processing technology have been improving the quality of pictures and sound played from packaged media. As the industry's first universal player with Blu-ray, the DVD-A1UD is the successor model for the Denon DVD-A1XV universal DVD player that featured a newly-developed, high-accuracy mechanism based on a wealth of expertise in digital playback technology that Denon has accumulated since the advent of PCM recording.
Such advances have come not only as a result of improved chip performance but also serious manufacturing demanded by systems delivering Hi-fi picture and sound quality. Denon has combined its analogue and digital signal processing technology and precision mechanism engineering to reproduce the delicate aesthetic details of video and sound recorded on the disc. The DVD-A1UD universal player with Blu-ray embodies not only new concepts that have been applied to Denon’s wealth of technology and expertise, but it has been completed with considerable passion. We urge all devotees of home entertainment systems to experience the best that Blu-ray as well as DVD-Video/Audio, Super Audio CD, and CD can offer."
Denon is planning to release the new DVD-A1UD across Europe in March 2009 at a suggested retail price of £3,299. It will be available in a premium silver and a black colour finish to add perfectly to either existing Denon AVP-/POA- or AVC-A1HD A/V components, or other manufacturers’ home theatre systems.
Main Features:
The world’s first high-end universal player with Blu-ray that also plays Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio
The DVD-A1UD delivers unparalleled picture and sound quality from multiple formats including Blu-ray discs, Super Audio CD, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and CDs. It is also equipped with the Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and other decoders that reproduce surround sound with the best possible quality for the disc's content.
Use of Denon Link to achieve the world's first jitter-free transmission of digital audio via HDMI
Denon Link is a proprietary high-quality digital audio transmission technology that utilizes a real-time balanced transmission system to protect the signal from external noise. Denon Link 3 achieved DSD transmission of Super Audio CD signals, earning high praise for the superior quality of digital signal transmission. With the more advanced Denon Link 4 used in conjunction with an HDMI connection, for HD audio read from Blu-ray disc as well, the master clock that operates the D/A converters of the A/V surround amp is transmitted to the player, enabling the circuitry to be operated while sharing the same clock in order to achieve digital audio transmission with negligible jitter. Sound localization becomes more precise, and a greater sense of space is produced in the sound images. When combined with a Denon A/V surround amplifier that supports Denon Link 4(*), users will be able to enjoy the level of sonic quality that is expected from HD audio.
(*) Denon is planning upgrades to Denon Link 4 for the AVP-A1HD and AVC-A1HD A/V surround Pre-amplifier or amplifier that have already been released. Denon is also planning to include Denon Link 4 in high-end Denon A/V surround receivers slated for future release.
The world's first fully balanced transmission of two-channel analogue sound in a universal player with Blu-ray
Fully balanced transmission circuitry for the entire signal path to the output port has been adopted for the DVD-A1UD's dedicated 2-channel analogue circuit. When combined with the AVP-A1HD and POA-A1HD, fully balanced transmission is possible from the D/A converter of the player to amplification of the power amp. The balanced circuit is resistant to noise, as the plus and minus sides of the music signal are transmitted separately. Noise theoretically flowing to the ground can be ignored. If external noise occurs and disturbs the mutual waveform, the disturbance is canceled out at the end of the transmission when the plus and minus sides are combined, enabling the original music signal to be output free of noise. Superior-quality sound expected of a flagship system is produced.
Construction:
• Direct Mechanical Ground Construction, embodying concepts for thorough vibration resistance
• Denon’s original Advanced S.V.H. mechanism, newly developed for low specific gravity, vibration resistance, quiet operation, and high precision.
• Seven block structure, to thoroughly prevent mutual interference caused by electrical and magnetic factors; 18.9 kg weight
Audio Quality:
• Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit-HD (DDSC-HD), achieving high-quality sound
• Denon Link 4th to achieve the world’s first jitter-free transmission
of digital audio via HDMI
• Advanced AL32 Processing Multi Channel, Denon’s proprietary technology that optimizes audio performance, used for the first time in the DVD-A1UD
• Discrete 192-kHz, 32-bit D/A converters for all channels
• Multi-channel support from Denon’s proprietary Compressed Audio Restorer function (2 Channel for MP3/WMA, Mutli Channel for Dolby Digital/DTS)
• A/V Pure Direct (two HDMI output ports)
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS Neo:6 decoding, in addition to Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
• Support for SACD, DVD-Audio and HDCD
Video Quality:
• Denon’s video circuitry for high picture quality, to produce a richer video image from DVD [REALTA, highly acclaimed Silicon Optix video processor]
• Digital Noise Reduction, effective for both HD content from BD media and SD content from DVD media
• 1080/24p output, for maximum enhancement of film texture
• Denon Pixel Image Correction (D.P.I.C.), for more natural curvature correction
• Dual HD video processing to individually select HD resolutions for HDMI & Component out
• Vertical Stretch (supporting the CinemaScope aspect ratio for anamorphic lense),
a world's first in a universal player with Blu-ray
• Source Direct, to output disc content in its original resolution
• HDMI (ver. 1.3a, supporting Deep Colour, High Bit Rate Audio output), for transmission of high-definition video and audio signals
User Friendliness:
• Easy-to-read and easy-to-operate G.U.I. (Graphical User Interface)
• Support “BONUSVIEW” functions
• “BD-Live” ready
• Support for HDMI Control (Consumer Electronics Control)
• Backlight for all remote control unit buttons
The DVD-A1UD lets users enjoy not only Blu-ray discs at the very highest level but also Super Audio CD (SACD), DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and CDs in the impeccable picture and sound quality that is expected from a Denon player. With the combination of the newly developed, proprietary 4th generation Denon Link in conjunction with HDMI transmission technology, digital signals from discs can be transmitted with negligible jitter to produce a pure, high-quality sound, and the world's first fully-balanced two channel transmission in a Universal Player has been made possible for analogue signals.
Hirofumi Ichikawa, president of Denon said: "Further advances in digital signal processing technology have been improving the quality of pictures and sound played from packaged media. As the industry's first universal player with Blu-ray, the DVD-A1UD is the successor model for the Denon DVD-A1XV universal DVD player that featured a newly-developed, high-accuracy mechanism based on a wealth of expertise in digital playback technology that Denon has accumulated since the advent of PCM recording.
Such advances have come not only as a result of improved chip performance but also serious manufacturing demanded by systems delivering Hi-fi picture and sound quality. Denon has combined its analogue and digital signal processing technology and precision mechanism engineering to reproduce the delicate aesthetic details of video and sound recorded on the disc. The DVD-A1UD universal player with Blu-ray embodies not only new concepts that have been applied to Denon’s wealth of technology and expertise, but it has been completed with considerable passion. We urge all devotees of home entertainment systems to experience the best that Blu-ray as well as DVD-Video/Audio, Super Audio CD, and CD can offer."
Denon is planning to release the new DVD-A1UD across Europe in March 2009 at a suggested retail price of £3,299. It will be available in a premium silver and a black colour finish to add perfectly to either existing Denon AVP-/POA- or AVC-A1HD A/V components, or other manufacturers’ home theatre systems.
Main Features:
The world’s first high-end universal player with Blu-ray that also plays Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio
The DVD-A1UD delivers unparalleled picture and sound quality from multiple formats including Blu-ray discs, Super Audio CD, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and CDs. It is also equipped with the Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and other decoders that reproduce surround sound with the best possible quality for the disc's content.
Use of Denon Link to achieve the world's first jitter-free transmission of digital audio via HDMI
Denon Link is a proprietary high-quality digital audio transmission technology that utilizes a real-time balanced transmission system to protect the signal from external noise. Denon Link 3 achieved DSD transmission of Super Audio CD signals, earning high praise for the superior quality of digital signal transmission. With the more advanced Denon Link 4 used in conjunction with an HDMI connection, for HD audio read from Blu-ray disc as well, the master clock that operates the D/A converters of the A/V surround amp is transmitted to the player, enabling the circuitry to be operated while sharing the same clock in order to achieve digital audio transmission with negligible jitter. Sound localization becomes more precise, and a greater sense of space is produced in the sound images. When combined with a Denon A/V surround amplifier that supports Denon Link 4(*), users will be able to enjoy the level of sonic quality that is expected from HD audio.
(*) Denon is planning upgrades to Denon Link 4 for the AVP-A1HD and AVC-A1HD A/V surround Pre-amplifier or amplifier that have already been released. Denon is also planning to include Denon Link 4 in high-end Denon A/V surround receivers slated for future release.
The world's first fully balanced transmission of two-channel analogue sound in a universal player with Blu-ray
Fully balanced transmission circuitry for the entire signal path to the output port has been adopted for the DVD-A1UD's dedicated 2-channel analogue circuit. When combined with the AVP-A1HD and POA-A1HD, fully balanced transmission is possible from the D/A converter of the player to amplification of the power amp. The balanced circuit is resistant to noise, as the plus and minus sides of the music signal are transmitted separately. Noise theoretically flowing to the ground can be ignored. If external noise occurs and disturbs the mutual waveform, the disturbance is canceled out at the end of the transmission when the plus and minus sides are combined, enabling the original music signal to be output free of noise. Superior-quality sound expected of a flagship system is produced.
Construction:
• Direct Mechanical Ground Construction, embodying concepts for thorough vibration resistance
• Denon’s original Advanced S.V.H. mechanism, newly developed for low specific gravity, vibration resistance, quiet operation, and high precision.
• Seven block structure, to thoroughly prevent mutual interference caused by electrical and magnetic factors; 18.9 kg weight
Audio Quality:
• Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit-HD (DDSC-HD), achieving high-quality sound
• Denon Link 4th to achieve the world’s first jitter-free transmission
of digital audio via HDMI
• Advanced AL32 Processing Multi Channel, Denon’s proprietary technology that optimizes audio performance, used for the first time in the DVD-A1UD
• Discrete 192-kHz, 32-bit D/A converters for all channels
• Multi-channel support from Denon’s proprietary Compressed Audio Restorer function (2 Channel for MP3/WMA, Mutli Channel for Dolby Digital/DTS)
• A/V Pure Direct (two HDMI output ports)
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS Neo:6 decoding, in addition to Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
• Support for SACD, DVD-Audio and HDCD
Video Quality:
• Denon’s video circuitry for high picture quality, to produce a richer video image from DVD [REALTA, highly acclaimed Silicon Optix video processor]
• Digital Noise Reduction, effective for both HD content from BD media and SD content from DVD media
• 1080/24p output, for maximum enhancement of film texture
• Denon Pixel Image Correction (D.P.I.C.), for more natural curvature correction
• Dual HD video processing to individually select HD resolutions for HDMI & Component out
• Vertical Stretch (supporting the CinemaScope aspect ratio for anamorphic lense),
a world's first in a universal player with Blu-ray
• Source Direct, to output disc content in its original resolution
• HDMI (ver. 1.3a, supporting Deep Colour, High Bit Rate Audio output), for transmission of high-definition video and audio signals
User Friendliness:
• Easy-to-read and easy-to-operate G.U.I. (Graphical User Interface)
• Support “BONUSVIEW” functions
• “BD-Live” ready
• Support for HDMI Control (Consumer Electronics Control)
• Backlight for all remote control unit buttons
Software Paradise Passes On AVG Discounts To Customers
Software Paradise, a software sourcing specialist, is now able to pass on to their reseller and business customers, large discounts on all AVG anti-virus and security software – they have just become a top level AVG partner.
Software Paradise recognises that sourcing software takes up valuable time and that individual one-off purchases are not likely to receive much discount. “Our relationships with software vendors allow us to buy at more competitive prices and pass this onto our reseller and business customers” said Sarah Muirhead, Business Development Manager at Software Paradise. “Let us do the shopping for you, while you get on with the job of making your customers happy.”
Sarah went on to say, “Software Paradise aims to source and deliver every type of software at the best prices - from mainstream to the more hard to find “weirdware” software titles. By building strong relationships with publishers like AVG, Software Paradise is able to maintain its position as the number 1 Source for Business Software at discounted prices.”
The Software Paradise team is able to advise users on the best software for the job and react quickly, working to maintain any customer Service Level Agreements in place.
Visit www.softwareparadise.com for further information.
Software Paradise recognises that sourcing software takes up valuable time and that individual one-off purchases are not likely to receive much discount. “Our relationships with software vendors allow us to buy at more competitive prices and pass this onto our reseller and business customers” said Sarah Muirhead, Business Development Manager at Software Paradise. “Let us do the shopping for you, while you get on with the job of making your customers happy.”
Sarah went on to say, “Software Paradise aims to source and deliver every type of software at the best prices - from mainstream to the more hard to find “weirdware” software titles. By building strong relationships with publishers like AVG, Software Paradise is able to maintain its position as the number 1 Source for Business Software at discounted prices.”
The Software Paradise team is able to advise users on the best software for the job and react quickly, working to maintain any customer Service Level Agreements in place.
Visit www.softwareparadise.com for further information.
E-Consultancy Announces Innovation Awards Winners
Thomas Cook, lastminute and mydeco named among 14 digital marketing and e-commerce award winners
London, 5 December, 2008 - E-consultancy this week announced the results of its inaugural Innovation Awards for digital marketing and ecommerce.
Winners included Thomas Cook, which scooped the awards for both Email Marketing and Online Conversion, and lastminute.com who won the Multichannel Marketing category. There were more than 230 entries for a total of 14 different awards categories.
Summit Media managing director Hedley Aylott was named the Most Innovative Person in Digital Marketing. Aylott has gained a reputation for cutting-edge tools for clients whilst also using trained prisoners as an integral part of his digital agency’s account teams.
Www.mydeco.com, the interior design site launched by www.lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman, won the award for User Experience.
Ashley Friedlein, co-founder and CEO of E-consultancy, said: “We were delighted by the response to our awards, which included some outstanding submissions. It is great to see such passion and commitment to excellence across our industry from in-house digital teams as well as from agencies and technology vendors.”
The Innovation Awards were decided by a global judging panel known for their innovation including Google, Orange, Apple, innocent drinks, Dyson and the BBC.
Winners
Innovation in Affiliate Marketing
TradeDoubler / Dell - winner
(www.sunshine.co.uk - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Work for Dell including use of pay-per-call functionality to convert online traffic to sales over the phone. (TradeDoubler)
What the judges said about winner:
“TradeDoubler’s entry stood out for opening a whole new sales mechanism. Taking advantage of a limitation in capability, the innovative approach has created a truly cross-channel, modern, mobile service that links the device with (arguably) a more appropriate form of communication – voice rather than just the web."
Innovation in Email Marketing
Thomas Cook – winner
(Database Group - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Interactive magazine Holiday Hotspot, containing resort features, video footage including actual interviews with customers, clickable editorial features such as an Interactive Calendar that offered month-by-month editorial and video advice on where to go (and why). (Thomas Cook)
Judges comments about winner: “The multi-channel, multi-media nature of this initiative was truly impressive and lifted this out of the realms of simply being ‘best practice’. The digital team managed to convince an entire organisation to shift gears and try something very different.”
Innovation in Online Advertising
ad pepper media - winner
What they won for (summary): SiteScreen network, the first safe blind network, which protects brands’ reputations online.
Judges comments about winner: "Highly innovative solution to a genuine industry problem of brands appearing on inappropriate websites. As more above the line spend is directed online, the problem of bad placement will continue to grow. Ad pepper has provided an innovative and real-time solution to this problem."
Innovation in Multichannel Marketing
www.lastminute.com - winner
What they won for (summary): “fonefood”, a mobile website to find and book restaurants all over Europe.
Judges comments about winner: “This is a stand-out winner for having taken an emerging technical capability and turned it into an engaging, polished and sustainable service. Of particular note is the ability to cancel reservations – this is more than a directory listing – and the promotional integration means that this is a commercial tool not simply a profile-raising activity."
Innovation in User Experience
www.mydeco.com - winner
(Endeca/Kiddicare - highly commended)
(Skyscanner - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Interior design website which allows users to select products against a range of criteria like colour, dimension and price, and to visualise products in the home. (mydeco)
Judges comments about winner: “The 3D room planner is a useful online tool, built on Adobe’s Flex application that allows customers to design and build their own room. There is a lot of hype about next-generation social shopping and aggregator sites and this is one which actually works really well and provides people wanting to decorate their home with a genuinely good experience.”
Innovation in Social Media & Communities
www.Photobox.co.uk – winner
(Essence - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Online community for photo printing and personal publishing which enables anyone to create personalised products using their own digital photos. (Photobox)
Judges comments about winner: “Obvious they just 'get it' and are focused on relevant innovation not just the latest gimmick or gadget ... There are all manner of tools out there on the web, but these only become really exciting for the average consumer when they are made to converge seamlessly. This innovation shows an understanding of the importance of that seamlessness."
Innovation in SEO & Natural Search
Quirk eMarketing - winner
What they won for (summary): Mash-up with Google Earth on South African Tourism website.
Judges comments about winner: “All the judges felt that the tie-up with Google Earth was a highly innovative way of driving engagement, which proved itself to be extremely effective in driving links and improving natural search visibility.”
Innovation in Paid Search & PPC
Unique Digital – winner
(Greenlight - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Driving traffic to Sky News website by tapping into search volumes on breaking news stories at competitive CPCs. (Unique Digital)
Judges comments about winner: “This was a very clever way of systematically driving traffic to a publisher website by exploiting the lack of competition in sponsored listings for specific news searches. A very well-thought-out and strategic initiative.”
Innovation in Web Analytics & Optimization
TagMan/Positive Feedback - winner
What they won for (summary): Dedicated tag management system which allows companies to meet their entire tagging needs from a single container tag, bridging the gap between the content management system, ad serving and web analytics.
Judges comments about winner: “The creation of a single system and interface through which tags can be deployed is a significant innovation which can help to remove the burden caused by the proliferation of tags as well as enabling complete campaign tracking.”
Innovation in Online Acquisition
GAME Stores Group - winner
(Five by Five - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Created an innovative and engaging online game where users play to win the wish list they have created on www.game.co.uk. (GAME)
Judges comments about winner: "Great idea, highly engaging and entertaining ... they created a compelling game which drove repeated sales as well as virally boosting positive sentiment towards the brand."
Innovation in Online Conversion
Thomas Cook - winner
(Imano - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Customer interface and adaptable booking journeys that make finding a holiday easier to research, easier to locate, and then easier to book. (Thomas Cook)
Judges comments about winner: “They have successfully used individual visitor activity and previous booking history to present relevant and personalised offers based on behaviour by way of personas. They score most highly for innovation in organisational management - educating and convincing an entire company that this would be a good investment. And it was."
Innovation in Online Retention
Coast Digital - winner
What they won for (summary): Personalised and dynamic email marketing which is helping to drive long-lasting relationships with customers.
Judges comments about winner: “Dynamic content in emails makes the most of customer segmentation by leveraging customer behavior. Past purchases are the best indicator of future action and Wiltshire Farm Foods is on track to increase customer retention as well as customer satisfaction by getting their individual messaging right each time.”
Innovation in Digital Marketing Team Management
Jellyfish Online Marketing - winner
What they won for (summary): Performance-based paid search campaigns and auctions among their own account managers to see who manages client campaigns.
Judges comments about winner: “There are other search agencies now working purely on a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) basis for their clients but Jellyfish has introduced a new dimension to this model by holding internal auctions to decide who wins the account, and a well-thought-out bonus scheme based on profit and CPA which has helped them to retain key staff.”
Most Innovative Person in Digital Marketing
Hedley Aylott, Summit Media
Judges comments about winner: “Hedley is a true innovator in the digital marketing and e-commerce space who is widely admired both for the technology introduced by Summit Media and also for his pioneering work in training prisoners in digital marketing.”
London, 5 December, 2008 - E-consultancy this week announced the results of its inaugural Innovation Awards for digital marketing and ecommerce.
Winners included Thomas Cook, which scooped the awards for both Email Marketing and Online Conversion, and lastminute.com who won the Multichannel Marketing category. There were more than 230 entries for a total of 14 different awards categories.
Summit Media managing director Hedley Aylott was named the Most Innovative Person in Digital Marketing. Aylott has gained a reputation for cutting-edge tools for clients whilst also using trained prisoners as an integral part of his digital agency’s account teams.
Www.mydeco.com, the interior design site launched by www.lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman, won the award for User Experience.
Ashley Friedlein, co-founder and CEO of E-consultancy, said: “We were delighted by the response to our awards, which included some outstanding submissions. It is great to see such passion and commitment to excellence across our industry from in-house digital teams as well as from agencies and technology vendors.”
The Innovation Awards were decided by a global judging panel known for their innovation including Google, Orange, Apple, innocent drinks, Dyson and the BBC.
Winners
Innovation in Affiliate Marketing
TradeDoubler / Dell - winner
(www.sunshine.co.uk - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Work for Dell including use of pay-per-call functionality to convert online traffic to sales over the phone. (TradeDoubler)
What the judges said about winner:
“TradeDoubler’s entry stood out for opening a whole new sales mechanism. Taking advantage of a limitation in capability, the innovative approach has created a truly cross-channel, modern, mobile service that links the device with (arguably) a more appropriate form of communication – voice rather than just the web."
Innovation in Email Marketing
Thomas Cook – winner
(Database Group - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Interactive magazine Holiday Hotspot, containing resort features, video footage including actual interviews with customers, clickable editorial features such as an Interactive Calendar that offered month-by-month editorial and video advice on where to go (and why). (Thomas Cook)
Judges comments about winner: “The multi-channel, multi-media nature of this initiative was truly impressive and lifted this out of the realms of simply being ‘best practice’. The digital team managed to convince an entire organisation to shift gears and try something very different.”
Innovation in Online Advertising
ad pepper media - winner
What they won for (summary): SiteScreen network, the first safe blind network, which protects brands’ reputations online.
Judges comments about winner: "Highly innovative solution to a genuine industry problem of brands appearing on inappropriate websites. As more above the line spend is directed online, the problem of bad placement will continue to grow. Ad pepper has provided an innovative and real-time solution to this problem."
Innovation in Multichannel Marketing
www.lastminute.com - winner
What they won for (summary): “fonefood”, a mobile website to find and book restaurants all over Europe.
Judges comments about winner: “This is a stand-out winner for having taken an emerging technical capability and turned it into an engaging, polished and sustainable service. Of particular note is the ability to cancel reservations – this is more than a directory listing – and the promotional integration means that this is a commercial tool not simply a profile-raising activity."
Innovation in User Experience
www.mydeco.com - winner
(Endeca/Kiddicare - highly commended)
(Skyscanner - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Interior design website which allows users to select products against a range of criteria like colour, dimension and price, and to visualise products in the home. (mydeco)
Judges comments about winner: “The 3D room planner is a useful online tool, built on Adobe’s Flex application that allows customers to design and build their own room. There is a lot of hype about next-generation social shopping and aggregator sites and this is one which actually works really well and provides people wanting to decorate their home with a genuinely good experience.”
Innovation in Social Media & Communities
www.Photobox.co.uk – winner
(Essence - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Online community for photo printing and personal publishing which enables anyone to create personalised products using their own digital photos. (Photobox)
Judges comments about winner: “Obvious they just 'get it' and are focused on relevant innovation not just the latest gimmick or gadget ... There are all manner of tools out there on the web, but these only become really exciting for the average consumer when they are made to converge seamlessly. This innovation shows an understanding of the importance of that seamlessness."
Innovation in SEO & Natural Search
Quirk eMarketing - winner
What they won for (summary): Mash-up with Google Earth on South African Tourism website.
Judges comments about winner: “All the judges felt that the tie-up with Google Earth was a highly innovative way of driving engagement, which proved itself to be extremely effective in driving links and improving natural search visibility.”
Innovation in Paid Search & PPC
Unique Digital – winner
(Greenlight - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Driving traffic to Sky News website by tapping into search volumes on breaking news stories at competitive CPCs. (Unique Digital)
Judges comments about winner: “This was a very clever way of systematically driving traffic to a publisher website by exploiting the lack of competition in sponsored listings for specific news searches. A very well-thought-out and strategic initiative.”
Innovation in Web Analytics & Optimization
TagMan/Positive Feedback - winner
What they won for (summary): Dedicated tag management system which allows companies to meet their entire tagging needs from a single container tag, bridging the gap between the content management system, ad serving and web analytics.
Judges comments about winner: “The creation of a single system and interface through which tags can be deployed is a significant innovation which can help to remove the burden caused by the proliferation of tags as well as enabling complete campaign tracking.”
Innovation in Online Acquisition
GAME Stores Group - winner
(Five by Five - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Created an innovative and engaging online game where users play to win the wish list they have created on www.game.co.uk. (GAME)
Judges comments about winner: "Great idea, highly engaging and entertaining ... they created a compelling game which drove repeated sales as well as virally boosting positive sentiment towards the brand."
Innovation in Online Conversion
Thomas Cook - winner
(Imano - highly commended)
What they won for (summary): Customer interface and adaptable booking journeys that make finding a holiday easier to research, easier to locate, and then easier to book. (Thomas Cook)
Judges comments about winner: “They have successfully used individual visitor activity and previous booking history to present relevant and personalised offers based on behaviour by way of personas. They score most highly for innovation in organisational management - educating and convincing an entire company that this would be a good investment. And it was."
Innovation in Online Retention
Coast Digital - winner
What they won for (summary): Personalised and dynamic email marketing which is helping to drive long-lasting relationships with customers.
Judges comments about winner: “Dynamic content in emails makes the most of customer segmentation by leveraging customer behavior. Past purchases are the best indicator of future action and Wiltshire Farm Foods is on track to increase customer retention as well as customer satisfaction by getting their individual messaging right each time.”
Innovation in Digital Marketing Team Management
Jellyfish Online Marketing - winner
What they won for (summary): Performance-based paid search campaigns and auctions among their own account managers to see who manages client campaigns.
Judges comments about winner: “There are other search agencies now working purely on a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) basis for their clients but Jellyfish has introduced a new dimension to this model by holding internal auctions to decide who wins the account, and a well-thought-out bonus scheme based on profit and CPA which has helped them to retain key staff.”
Most Innovative Person in Digital Marketing
Hedley Aylott, Summit Media
Judges comments about winner: “Hedley is a true innovator in the digital marketing and e-commerce space who is widely admired both for the technology introduced by Summit Media and also for his pioneering work in training prisoners in digital marketing.”
IBM And Business Partners Introduce A Linux-Based, Virtual Deskt
Virtual Bridges and Canonical has announced general availability of a Linux-desktop solution designed to drive significant savings compared with Microsoft-desktop software by amplifying Lotus collaboration software and Ubuntu to a larger user base through virtualisation.
This solution runs open standards-based email, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and other software to any laptop, browser, or mobile device from a virtual desktop login on a Linux-based server configuration.
A virtual desktop looks like a traditional desktop but is not limited to a single physical computer. Instead, many virtual Linux desktops are hosted on a server. The combined solution includes:
Virtual desktop provided by Virtual Bridges called Virtual Enterprise Remote Desktop Environment (VERDE); Ubuntu, the worldwide leading Linux desktop operating system, from Canonical; and IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution software (OCCS) based on IBM Lotus Symphony, IBM Lotus Notes and Lotus applications. IBM Lotus Symphony is built on the Open Document Format (ODF).
The news builds on announcements throughout 2008 around delivering Microsoft-alternative desktops in conjunction with our partners. This solution is now a key component of IBM's financial services front office transformation offering as well as part of the IBM public sector industry solution framework.
"When we look back several years from now, I think we'll see this time as an inflection point when the economic climate pushed the virtual Linux desktop from theory to practice," said Inna Kuznetsova, director, IBM Linux Strategy. "The financial pressures on organisations are staggering and the management of PCs is unwieldy. Today's virtual desktop is delivering superior collaborative software, an innovative delivery method, and an open-source operating system that is demanding clients' consideration."
Compared to Microsoft-based desktops, this virtual desktop solution, including industry-leading components from IBM, Virtual Bridges and Canonical, is estimated on average to deliver cost savings from:
Licensing: cost avoidance of $500 to $800 per user on software license for Microsoft Office, Windows and all related products;
Hardware: cost avoidance of around $258 per user since there is no need to upgrade hardware to support Windows Vista and Office 2007;
Power consumption: cost avoidance of $40 to $145 per user from reduced power to run the configuration and $20 to $73 per user from reduced air conditioning requirements from lower powered desktop devices annually;
and IT services: 90 percent savings of deskside PC support; 75 percent of security/user administration; 50 percent of help desk services such as password resets, and 50 percent for software installations, which are replaced by software publishing
"With the benefits of open standards over a proprietary platform come the freedom to select software in a heterogeneous environment," said Malcolm Yates, vice president, Canonical. "Combining Ubuntu with IBM's Open Client software applications we can break out of Microsoft dependencies completely and significantly reduce total cost of ownership."
Two Views of the Virtual Desktop
From the end user's point of view, the virtual desktop combining solution from IBM, Virtual Bridges and Canonical looks like a traditional desktop but is not limited to a single physical computer. Instead of the software and data being saved on a user's desktop, the hosted applications permit the user to access the screen data. That means users can access their computers on any network-connected device anywhere they happen to be. Software fixes are automatically inherited to the user sessions without anyone having to visit the decentralised access point. All the applications that a user might need -- such as email, calendaring, word processing and team collaboration -- are available.
From the IT department's view, the difference between virtual and physical desktop is significant. For this virtual system, all administrative intervention is done on consolidated virtual machines in the data center through deployment of standard images. When there is a software update required, the IT manager can do it centrally. The IT manager can run concurrent Linux desktop sessions from any x86 Linux server, such as a blade server. Users can access their Linux desktop sessions from not only endpoints running Linux, but Windows and Mac as well, which is critical as users seek standard application environments across heterogeneous physical desktops. The solution includes a seamless remote printing capability without the need to maintain drivers.
"The wave of virtualisation has hit the datacentre but bypassed the front office," said Jim Curtin, president and CEO of Virtual Bridges. "Protecting the security of each desktop individually is a Herculean task for most organisations. Today, understaffed IT departments can't afford deskside visits and the help desk requests that accompany traditional desktop maintenance. With a virtual desktop, centralised control means the loss or theft of a laptop is no longer a corporate crisis. The IT staff can instead focus on ramping up capacity and services as the business demands."
IBM Global Technology Services
IBM services can help roll out this offering, as well as other customised virtual desktops. IBM Virtual Infrastructure Access service helps customers transform their distributed IT architectures into virtualised, open-standards-based frameworks. It provides centralised IT services, and robust application and desktop delivery. It combines hardware, software and services to connect customers' authorised users to platform-independent, centrally managed applications and full client images running in virtual machines.
The IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution
The Open Collaboration Client Solution provides email, calendaring, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, unified communication, social networking, team collaboration and portals, based on IBM Lotus Notes 8 and IBM Lotus Symphony. The software is built on open standards, based on the open-source Eclipse Rich Client Platform and supports Open Document Format (ODF). For more information visit, http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/occs-overview/
Virtual Bridges' VERDE
VERDE is the first true Linux-only (host, guest and client) virtual desktop infrastructure solution offering integrated connection broker, robust KVM-based VM technology, multimedia and sound support, local printing support and many other features typical only found in Windows-based solutions. VERDE surpasses Windows-based VDI systems with lower cost-of-ownership, ease-of-use, security, flexibility as well as easier deployment and ongoing management.
Availability and Pricing
The virtual desktop is generally available now in most geographies and many languages by contacting IBM or Virtual Bridges. Standard pricing for a 1,000-user VERDE deployment is $49 per user. Additional volume discounts are available by contacting Virtual Bridges at sales@vbridges.com.
This solution runs open standards-based email, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and other software to any laptop, browser, or mobile device from a virtual desktop login on a Linux-based server configuration.
A virtual desktop looks like a traditional desktop but is not limited to a single physical computer. Instead, many virtual Linux desktops are hosted on a server. The combined solution includes:
Virtual desktop provided by Virtual Bridges called Virtual Enterprise Remote Desktop Environment (VERDE); Ubuntu, the worldwide leading Linux desktop operating system, from Canonical; and IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution software (OCCS) based on IBM Lotus Symphony, IBM Lotus Notes and Lotus applications. IBM Lotus Symphony is built on the Open Document Format (ODF).
The news builds on announcements throughout 2008 around delivering Microsoft-alternative desktops in conjunction with our partners. This solution is now a key component of IBM's financial services front office transformation offering as well as part of the IBM public sector industry solution framework.
"When we look back several years from now, I think we'll see this time as an inflection point when the economic climate pushed the virtual Linux desktop from theory to practice," said Inna Kuznetsova, director, IBM Linux Strategy. "The financial pressures on organisations are staggering and the management of PCs is unwieldy. Today's virtual desktop is delivering superior collaborative software, an innovative delivery method, and an open-source operating system that is demanding clients' consideration."
Compared to Microsoft-based desktops, this virtual desktop solution, including industry-leading components from IBM, Virtual Bridges and Canonical, is estimated on average to deliver cost savings from:
Licensing: cost avoidance of $500 to $800 per user on software license for Microsoft Office, Windows and all related products;
Hardware: cost avoidance of around $258 per user since there is no need to upgrade hardware to support Windows Vista and Office 2007;
Power consumption: cost avoidance of $40 to $145 per user from reduced power to run the configuration and $20 to $73 per user from reduced air conditioning requirements from lower powered desktop devices annually;
and IT services: 90 percent savings of deskside PC support; 75 percent of security/user administration; 50 percent of help desk services such as password resets, and 50 percent for software installations, which are replaced by software publishing
"With the benefits of open standards over a proprietary platform come the freedom to select software in a heterogeneous environment," said Malcolm Yates, vice president, Canonical. "Combining Ubuntu with IBM's Open Client software applications we can break out of Microsoft dependencies completely and significantly reduce total cost of ownership."
Two Views of the Virtual Desktop
From the end user's point of view, the virtual desktop combining solution from IBM, Virtual Bridges and Canonical looks like a traditional desktop but is not limited to a single physical computer. Instead of the software and data being saved on a user's desktop, the hosted applications permit the user to access the screen data. That means users can access their computers on any network-connected device anywhere they happen to be. Software fixes are automatically inherited to the user sessions without anyone having to visit the decentralised access point. All the applications that a user might need -- such as email, calendaring, word processing and team collaboration -- are available.
From the IT department's view, the difference between virtual and physical desktop is significant. For this virtual system, all administrative intervention is done on consolidated virtual machines in the data center through deployment of standard images. When there is a software update required, the IT manager can do it centrally. The IT manager can run concurrent Linux desktop sessions from any x86 Linux server, such as a blade server. Users can access their Linux desktop sessions from not only endpoints running Linux, but Windows and Mac as well, which is critical as users seek standard application environments across heterogeneous physical desktops. The solution includes a seamless remote printing capability without the need to maintain drivers.
"The wave of virtualisation has hit the datacentre but bypassed the front office," said Jim Curtin, president and CEO of Virtual Bridges. "Protecting the security of each desktop individually is a Herculean task for most organisations. Today, understaffed IT departments can't afford deskside visits and the help desk requests that accompany traditional desktop maintenance. With a virtual desktop, centralised control means the loss or theft of a laptop is no longer a corporate crisis. The IT staff can instead focus on ramping up capacity and services as the business demands."
IBM Global Technology Services
IBM services can help roll out this offering, as well as other customised virtual desktops. IBM Virtual Infrastructure Access service helps customers transform their distributed IT architectures into virtualised, open-standards-based frameworks. It provides centralised IT services, and robust application and desktop delivery. It combines hardware, software and services to connect customers' authorised users to platform-independent, centrally managed applications and full client images running in virtual machines.
The IBM Open Collaboration Client Solution
The Open Collaboration Client Solution provides email, calendaring, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, unified communication, social networking, team collaboration and portals, based on IBM Lotus Notes 8 and IBM Lotus Symphony. The software is built on open standards, based on the open-source Eclipse Rich Client Platform and supports Open Document Format (ODF). For more information visit, http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/occs-overview/
Virtual Bridges' VERDE
VERDE is the first true Linux-only (host, guest and client) virtual desktop infrastructure solution offering integrated connection broker, robust KVM-based VM technology, multimedia and sound support, local printing support and many other features typical only found in Windows-based solutions. VERDE surpasses Windows-based VDI systems with lower cost-of-ownership, ease-of-use, security, flexibility as well as easier deployment and ongoing management.
Availability and Pricing
The virtual desktop is generally available now in most geographies and many languages by contacting IBM or Virtual Bridges. Standard pricing for a 1,000-user VERDE deployment is $49 per user. Additional volume discounts are available by contacting Virtual Bridges at sales@vbridges.com.
LG Kicks Off LOOP’s New Football Campaign
LG Electronics, a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, today announces a new football focused campaign as part of its image sharing website, LOOP http://www.lgloop.com.
LG will be staging a special event to launch this campaign on Saturday, 6 December at Craven Cottage, to coincide with the Fulham vs Manchester City game. Before and after the match, 25 LOOP branded referees in and around the stadium will be handing out competition flyers, inviting fans to register on the site. New members will be able to upload their pictures as well as comment and vote on other member’s images, with all those who enter as part of this campaign being entered into a draw to win £1,000.
Running alongside this special promo, registered members of LOOP will also have the opportunity to win £1,000 every week in a football competition. Each week the £1,000 prize will go to the person who takes the most memorable match-day image as voted for before by other users. Whether it’s choosing your lucky match-day socks, meeting friends in the pub before the game or the celebrations after a famous victory, there are many special match-day moments that can be captured and shared online with LOOP. To add an extra dimension to the competition, users will be competing against a Pro Sports Photographer as part of LOOP’s Pro V Joe challenge, where the public’s images are voted on alongside pictures taken by professional photographers. The Pro’s shots are submitted anonymously to avoid any favouritism and add excitement to the competition. The winners we be announced at 10am every Friday, starting from Friday, 12 December.
LG will be staging a special event to launch this campaign on Saturday, 6 December at Craven Cottage, to coincide with the Fulham vs Manchester City game. Before and after the match, 25 LOOP branded referees in and around the stadium will be handing out competition flyers, inviting fans to register on the site. New members will be able to upload their pictures as well as comment and vote on other member’s images, with all those who enter as part of this campaign being entered into a draw to win £1,000.
Running alongside this special promo, registered members of LOOP will also have the opportunity to win £1,000 every week in a football competition. Each week the £1,000 prize will go to the person who takes the most memorable match-day image as voted for before by other users. Whether it’s choosing your lucky match-day socks, meeting friends in the pub before the game or the celebrations after a famous victory, there are many special match-day moments that can be captured and shared online with LOOP. To add an extra dimension to the competition, users will be competing against a Pro Sports Photographer as part of LOOP’s Pro V Joe challenge, where the public’s images are voted on alongside pictures taken by professional photographers. The Pro’s shots are submitted anonymously to avoid any favouritism and add excitement to the competition. The winners we be announced at 10am every Friday, starting from Friday, 12 December.
Sony Unveils Another World First: The BRAVIA-Drome
World’s Oldest Motion Picture Technology Used To Demonstrate The World’s Newest Motion Technology – Motionflow 200Hz
What’s 10 metres across, spins at over 40kph in northern Italy and smashes world records? Easy, it’s the BRAVIA-drome - a massive zoetrope that is the star of Sony’s latest marketing campaign.
Sony is renowned for creating iconic commercials for its BRAVIA TV range, but the BRAVIA-drome, built to show consumers just how Motionflow works, looks set to raise the bar even higher. Not only that, but this is one phenomenon that looks set to go global, as BRAVIA-drome is Sony’s first ever worldwide creative campaign for its revolutionary TV brand.
The inspiration behind the BRAVIA-drome was the zoetrope, a device invented in the 19th century to create short ‘films’ from a series of static images. This device was seen as the perfect way to demonstrate just how Motionflow 200Hz technology creates super-smooth pictures in the modern day.
The television advert is currently being filmed in a square in Venaria, near Turin, and stars FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or holder, Brazilian soccer sensation Kaká. The FIFA World Cup winner will appear in a series of images inside the BRAVIA-drome performing some of his legendary skills.
The football theme was chosen as watching a match is one of the best ways to fully appreciate the effect of Motionflow 200Hz. The technology effortlessly eliminates all jerkiness and smoothes the flight of the ball as it crashes into the back of net, making sure the fans at home feel like they could be in the stadium themselves. Motionflow also makes fast-moving action sequences in movies much clearer and smoother.
To add to the spectacle, football juggling champion Dan Magness will be making an appearance at the shoot attempting to smash three Guinness World Records. Dan is already a record breaker and has trained some of the very best players in the world – from Francesco Totti to Michael Owen – in the art of controlling a football.
But there’s more to the campaign than just a television ad - the BRAVIA-drome will be appearing in print, digital and below the line elements of the overall campaign (as well as providing an unforgettable experience for anyone who gets to see it in action of course!). In addition, the spinning spectacle has been designed so it can be dismantled and easily transported, meaning it can have a life beyond the shoot itself.
Since the online community has been such an avid supporter of previous creative campaigns, Sony has also designed a whole range of content exclusively for bloggers, websites and social networks to allow them to have their very own BRAVIA-drome experience.
Once again, the advert is being produced by advertising agency Fallon London – the creative team who brought you the ‘Balls’, ‘Paint’ and ‘Play-doh’ trilogy of BRAVIA TV adverts for Sony – and is directed by up and coming director Vernie Yeung, who has previously helmed music videos for top artists including Kylie Minogue. The advert will be filmed using one of Sony’s own cameras, the F35 Professional HD.
“The BRAVIA-drome has been designed to explain the technology behind Motionflow in a way that makes it easy for anyone to understand”, says Giles Morrison, General Manager, Marketing Communications, Sony Europe. “As we have proved with previous campaigns, including ‘Balls’, ‘Paint’ and ‘Play-doh’, simple ideas effectively executed can be immensely powerful. This is about delivering a truly spectacular experience that people can believe in. The choice of Kaka was an easy one, as not only does he have that superstar quality but football is an ideal way to show our customers the full effect of Motionflow 200Hz.”
“I want to create an air of anticipation amongst the watching TV audience,” says director Vernie Yeung. “This is achieved by initially revealing some of the smaller details of the structure, then showing it in its entirety to demonstrate the sheer size and scale of the BRAVIA-drome and finally giving the viewer a glimpse of its surroundings. The suspense builds until the perfectly smooth images of Kaká showcasing his amazing skills are unveiled. This advert is a unique event, demonstrated by the look of sheer awe and amazement on the faces of the watching public.”
What’s 10 metres across, spins at over 40kph in northern Italy and smashes world records? Easy, it’s the BRAVIA-drome - a massive zoetrope that is the star of Sony’s latest marketing campaign.
Sony is renowned for creating iconic commercials for its BRAVIA TV range, but the BRAVIA-drome, built to show consumers just how Motionflow works, looks set to raise the bar even higher. Not only that, but this is one phenomenon that looks set to go global, as BRAVIA-drome is Sony’s first ever worldwide creative campaign for its revolutionary TV brand.
The inspiration behind the BRAVIA-drome was the zoetrope, a device invented in the 19th century to create short ‘films’ from a series of static images. This device was seen as the perfect way to demonstrate just how Motionflow 200Hz technology creates super-smooth pictures in the modern day.
The television advert is currently being filmed in a square in Venaria, near Turin, and stars FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or holder, Brazilian soccer sensation Kaká. The FIFA World Cup winner will appear in a series of images inside the BRAVIA-drome performing some of his legendary skills.
The football theme was chosen as watching a match is one of the best ways to fully appreciate the effect of Motionflow 200Hz. The technology effortlessly eliminates all jerkiness and smoothes the flight of the ball as it crashes into the back of net, making sure the fans at home feel like they could be in the stadium themselves. Motionflow also makes fast-moving action sequences in movies much clearer and smoother.
To add to the spectacle, football juggling champion Dan Magness will be making an appearance at the shoot attempting to smash three Guinness World Records. Dan is already a record breaker and has trained some of the very best players in the world – from Francesco Totti to Michael Owen – in the art of controlling a football.
But there’s more to the campaign than just a television ad - the BRAVIA-drome will be appearing in print, digital and below the line elements of the overall campaign (as well as providing an unforgettable experience for anyone who gets to see it in action of course!). In addition, the spinning spectacle has been designed so it can be dismantled and easily transported, meaning it can have a life beyond the shoot itself.
Since the online community has been such an avid supporter of previous creative campaigns, Sony has also designed a whole range of content exclusively for bloggers, websites and social networks to allow them to have their very own BRAVIA-drome experience.
Once again, the advert is being produced by advertising agency Fallon London – the creative team who brought you the ‘Balls’, ‘Paint’ and ‘Play-doh’ trilogy of BRAVIA TV adverts for Sony – and is directed by up and coming director Vernie Yeung, who has previously helmed music videos for top artists including Kylie Minogue. The advert will be filmed using one of Sony’s own cameras, the F35 Professional HD.
“The BRAVIA-drome has been designed to explain the technology behind Motionflow in a way that makes it easy for anyone to understand”, says Giles Morrison, General Manager, Marketing Communications, Sony Europe. “As we have proved with previous campaigns, including ‘Balls’, ‘Paint’ and ‘Play-doh’, simple ideas effectively executed can be immensely powerful. This is about delivering a truly spectacular experience that people can believe in. The choice of Kaka was an easy one, as not only does he have that superstar quality but football is an ideal way to show our customers the full effect of Motionflow 200Hz.”
“I want to create an air of anticipation amongst the watching TV audience,” says director Vernie Yeung. “This is achieved by initially revealing some of the smaller details of the structure, then showing it in its entirety to demonstrate the sheer size and scale of the BRAVIA-drome and finally giving the viewer a glimpse of its surroundings. The suspense builds until the perfectly smooth images of Kaká showcasing his amazing skills are unveiled. This advert is a unique event, demonstrated by the look of sheer awe and amazement on the faces of the watching public.”
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Cautious retailers rejecting half of ‘free laptop’ sales after credit checks
Mobile broadband has seen exponential growth in 2008, yet in the face of the credit crunch mobile providers and retailers are turning away 50% of their business due to very stringent credit checks. During October and November broadband comparison site Broadband Expert has witnessed on average 1 in 2 sales sent to retailers offering a mobile broadband and free laptop deal rejected after running a credit check.
In the run up to Christmas, Broadband Expert has seen a huge rise in the popularity of mobile broadband and free laptop deals, yet one mobile provider has rejected over 75% of sales after running credit checks. Broadband Expert Commercial Director Rob Webber believes certain retailers and mobile providers are being overly cautious, “companies are spending huge amounts on advertising campaigns promoting these offers yet when the consumer comes to sign up, there is a strong chance they will be refused, based on a credit check.”
Webber sees a certain irony in the high rejection rates of these contracts since the offer of spreading the cost of a laptop over an extended period is “particularly popular with students and those on lower incomes who can not afford the upfront costs of a new laptop, yet these are the people most likely to be excluded from these offers.”
Most mobile broadband and laptop deals have contract periods of between 18 and 24 months with a typical monthly cost of £25 to £40. Since these contracts carry no upfront charge for with the laptop or the dongle, there is a significant level of risk for the retailer. Webber believes the “stringency of credit checks is an interesting barometer of the confidence retailers have in consumers meeting repayments with many only unwilling to extend these deals to those without a very good credit rating.”
Broadband Expert noted a substantial difference in rejection rates between companies offering these deals with some having rejection rates of less than 1 in 2 whilst others turned away more than 3 in 4 customers. Webber notes that “these rejection rates demonstrate a different strategy with some companies prepared to take a more of a gamble to fill their order books and others choosing to play it safe by only targeting better off consumers they perceive as being low risk.”
Broadband Expert is part of RichWeb Media Ltd, a privately owned UK company. We aim to provide expert advice and information to allow consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing broadband or mobile broadband services.
In the run up to Christmas, Broadband Expert has seen a huge rise in the popularity of mobile broadband and free laptop deals, yet one mobile provider has rejected over 75% of sales after running credit checks. Broadband Expert Commercial Director Rob Webber believes certain retailers and mobile providers are being overly cautious, “companies are spending huge amounts on advertising campaigns promoting these offers yet when the consumer comes to sign up, there is a strong chance they will be refused, based on a credit check.”
Webber sees a certain irony in the high rejection rates of these contracts since the offer of spreading the cost of a laptop over an extended period is “particularly popular with students and those on lower incomes who can not afford the upfront costs of a new laptop, yet these are the people most likely to be excluded from these offers.”
Most mobile broadband and laptop deals have contract periods of between 18 and 24 months with a typical monthly cost of £25 to £40. Since these contracts carry no upfront charge for with the laptop or the dongle, there is a significant level of risk for the retailer. Webber believes the “stringency of credit checks is an interesting barometer of the confidence retailers have in consumers meeting repayments with many only unwilling to extend these deals to those without a very good credit rating.”
Broadband Expert noted a substantial difference in rejection rates between companies offering these deals with some having rejection rates of less than 1 in 2 whilst others turned away more than 3 in 4 customers. Webber notes that “these rejection rates demonstrate a different strategy with some companies prepared to take a more of a gamble to fill their order books and others choosing to play it safe by only targeting better off consumers they perceive as being low risk.”
Broadband Expert is part of RichWeb Media Ltd, a privately owned UK company. We aim to provide expert advice and information to allow consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing broadband or mobile broadband services.
Win £500! - PINoptic’s free on-line Braingame challenge is giving everyone the chance to win a holiday bonus this December
The PINoptic Braingame is an exciting online test of your memory skills, requiring you to memorise a series of 4 numbers and pictures before entering them in the quickest time possible. There are 76 levels in total getting more difficult as you progress with three attempts on each level. Who ever correctly reaches level 76 the fastest by December 24th will be walking away with an extra £500 in their pocket.
While the game is a fun free opportunity to challenge your memory skills and potentially win a fantastic prize there is a serious note behind the symbols and numbers. The PINoptic Braingame is based on a new security product challenging the security and safety provided by traditional PINs and passwords solutions.
“Most traditional security solutions are easily compromised leaving most of us extremely exposed,“ says PINoptic CEO Colin Allison. “For example, when you are entering your PIN it’s not difficult for someone to look over your shoulder, also known as shoulder surfing, and witness the code being entered. With a PINoptic solution it statistically would take someone watching you and a good view of the picture code 10 times to figure out what your PIN maybe.
Based on our standard image and symbol set, the Braingame was devised to be a lot of fun but to also highlight how easy a symbol based PIN can be remembered. We want to prove to people that it doesn’t have to be complicated to be secure.”
PINoptic is an innovative authentication security product that allows the user to ‘login' using a picture-based alternative that is up to 98 times more secure than most current products including the chip & PIN solution being used by most financial institutions.
PINoptic applies its Visual Probabilistic One Time Password (VPOTP) next- generation software to enhance security for password authentication. PINoptic maintains user simplicity through the use of pictures and symbols which appeals to a global market with differing literacy levels. Applications range from financial through to internet, mobile telecoms, corporate IT and access control. PINoptic’s vision is to become a defacto security standard and replace 99% of existing pin and password systems by 2012.
PINoptic
www.pinoptic.com
While the game is a fun free opportunity to challenge your memory skills and potentially win a fantastic prize there is a serious note behind the symbols and numbers. The PINoptic Braingame is based on a new security product challenging the security and safety provided by traditional PINs and passwords solutions.
“Most traditional security solutions are easily compromised leaving most of us extremely exposed,“ says PINoptic CEO Colin Allison. “For example, when you are entering your PIN it’s not difficult for someone to look over your shoulder, also known as shoulder surfing, and witness the code being entered. With a PINoptic solution it statistically would take someone watching you and a good view of the picture code 10 times to figure out what your PIN maybe.
Based on our standard image and symbol set, the Braingame was devised to be a lot of fun but to also highlight how easy a symbol based PIN can be remembered. We want to prove to people that it doesn’t have to be complicated to be secure.”
PINoptic is an innovative authentication security product that allows the user to ‘login' using a picture-based alternative that is up to 98 times more secure than most current products including the chip & PIN solution being used by most financial institutions.
PINoptic applies its Visual Probabilistic One Time Password (VPOTP) next- generation software to enhance security for password authentication. PINoptic maintains user simplicity through the use of pictures and symbols which appeals to a global market with differing literacy levels. Applications range from financial through to internet, mobile telecoms, corporate IT and access control. PINoptic’s vision is to become a defacto security standard and replace 99% of existing pin and password systems by 2012.
PINoptic
www.pinoptic.com
Webroot in Go Green bid for world!
Security SaaS Leader Partners with leading global recycler Centillion to Improve Security While Minimising the Global Environmental Impact of Obsolete Hardware
Webroot, a leading provider of security solutions for the consumer, enterprise and SME markets, today announced the launch of “Go Green,” a global program which offers businesses free, earth-friendly recycling of legacy security hardware. In partnership with Centillion, a leading global recycler, and its US-based subsidiary Guaranteed Recycling Xperts (GRX), one of the leading recyclers of computers and electronics in the US, Webroot will properly dispose of any legacy security hardware replaced by the purchase of a Webroot® Security Software as a Service (SaaS) solution.
“When we realised that the tremendous success of security SaaS solutions would be making hardware-based security obsolete, we took steps to provide a socially responsible alternative for recycling this influx of electronic waste,” said Peter Watkins, CEO, Webroot. “In conjunction with Centillion and GRX, leading global recyclers, this program is a natural fit with SaaS. The move to the software-as-a-service model will greatly reduce the need for on-premise hardware, which will help lower the amount of electronic waste and conserve energy.”
According to estimates by Centillion, 1.9 million tons of electronic and electrical equipment are discarded every year. There are over 65 million units of CRT products in circulation in UK at present with another 6 million units of CRT waste entering UK waste streams each year. And, according to estimates by US Environmental Protection Agency, 2.25 million tons of TVs, cell phones, and computer products have been discarded in the US. Only 18 percent (414,000 tons) was collected for recycling and the remaining 1.84 million tons was sent to landfills in the US and in third world countries.
“The European WEEE Directive calls for businesses to dispose of their electronic and electrical equipment efficiently and safely, and we’re excited to be working with Webroot on their Go Green initiative to aide those companies to become compliant with EU legislation,” said Craig Millward, Sales and Marketing Director, Centillion. “Centillion recycles 100 per cent of its IT equipment received. We collect, disassemble and shred or crush material, and then distribute the end product to certified downstream partners for reprocessing and recycling into new products or raw materials. We have seen a growth in the re-use of IT equipment and we expect to see a sharp increase in demand for our services as more IT departments convert to the SaaS computing model.”
Centillion guarantees it does not export hazardous waste material; it does not land-fill or incinerate hazardous waste material and operates according to the most rigorous set of environmental business standards for electronics recyclers. After electronic waste material is collected, dismantled and sorted in the Centillion facilities, a major business effort ensures that further re-processing and recycling meets its high standards.
“With only 20 percent of all electronic hardware getting properly recycled, the Go Green program allows us to respond to the increased demand for comprehensive security while providing an earth-friendly approach,” added Watkins. “We were early adopters in the Green movement internally and have always led by example – now we can offer the market better protection for their networks and our planet.”
The Webroot Go Green program is available to any customer who replaces a security appliance or an on-premise security solution with a Webroot Security SaaS solution. Webroot will send the customer a prepaid shipping label to transport the hardware to the closest Centillion facility in the UK. Once the hardware has been properly recycled, the customer will receive a certificate of authentication suitable for framing and a Webroot Go Green logo which signifies they have contributed to a cleaner planet.
Webroot Security SaaS Solutions
Webroot Security SaaS solutions give IT departments the ability to outsource their security applications to centralized data centers for better manageability, better value and better protection than hardware appliances and server-based solutions.
Webroot E-Mail Security SaaS protects against spam, viruses and data leakage, along with additional compliance, archiving and business continuity features.
Webroot Web Security SaaS provides protection against Web-based malware threats for corporate and mobile users while ensuring appropriate employee Web usage and data leak protection.
Webroot Security SaaS solutions are backed by free US-based support that includes 24x7x365 access to a robust knowledge base, toll-free telephone support and free product and defense updates for the duration of a subscription.
Webroot provides industry-leading security solutions to consumers, enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses worldwide. The Boulder, Colorado based company’s security software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings, Webroot E-Mail Security SaaS and Webroot Web Security SaaS, provide better manageability, better value and better protection than any other perimeter security solution available. Webroot’s award-winning endpoint products, Webroot AntiSpyware Corporate Edition and Webroot AntiSpyware Corporate Edition with AntiVirus are comprehensive, centrally-managed solutions that aggressively block, detect and eradicate malware on desktops across the network. To find out more visit www.webroot.com or call 800.772.9383.
Centillion Environment and Recycling Limited (“Centillion”) is a fully integrated provider of recycling and processing services for electronic waste with presence across North America, Asia and Europe. The Group provides services for recycling and processing electronic components and products in order to extract ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastics. Visit www.centillion-er.uk.com for further information.
About GRX
Guaranteed Recycling Xperts is based in Denver, CO and has been the leading electronic waste recycler since 1999. The company also maintains facilities in Colorado Springs, CO, Omaha, NE and Clearfield, UT. The company recycles all electronic devices and offers pick-up services for businesses and organizations. GRX provides complete data security processing and documentation. The company was acquired by Centillion in August 2008. http://www.grxrecycles.com
Webroot, a leading provider of security solutions for the consumer, enterprise and SME markets, today announced the launch of “Go Green,” a global program which offers businesses free, earth-friendly recycling of legacy security hardware. In partnership with Centillion, a leading global recycler, and its US-based subsidiary Guaranteed Recycling Xperts (GRX), one of the leading recyclers of computers and electronics in the US, Webroot will properly dispose of any legacy security hardware replaced by the purchase of a Webroot® Security Software as a Service (SaaS) solution.
“When we realised that the tremendous success of security SaaS solutions would be making hardware-based security obsolete, we took steps to provide a socially responsible alternative for recycling this influx of electronic waste,” said Peter Watkins, CEO, Webroot. “In conjunction with Centillion and GRX, leading global recyclers, this program is a natural fit with SaaS. The move to the software-as-a-service model will greatly reduce the need for on-premise hardware, which will help lower the amount of electronic waste and conserve energy.”
According to estimates by Centillion, 1.9 million tons of electronic and electrical equipment are discarded every year. There are over 65 million units of CRT products in circulation in UK at present with another 6 million units of CRT waste entering UK waste streams each year. And, according to estimates by US Environmental Protection Agency, 2.25 million tons of TVs, cell phones, and computer products have been discarded in the US. Only 18 percent (414,000 tons) was collected for recycling and the remaining 1.84 million tons was sent to landfills in the US and in third world countries.
“The European WEEE Directive calls for businesses to dispose of their electronic and electrical equipment efficiently and safely, and we’re excited to be working with Webroot on their Go Green initiative to aide those companies to become compliant with EU legislation,” said Craig Millward, Sales and Marketing Director, Centillion. “Centillion recycles 100 per cent of its IT equipment received. We collect, disassemble and shred or crush material, and then distribute the end product to certified downstream partners for reprocessing and recycling into new products or raw materials. We have seen a growth in the re-use of IT equipment and we expect to see a sharp increase in demand for our services as more IT departments convert to the SaaS computing model.”
Centillion guarantees it does not export hazardous waste material; it does not land-fill or incinerate hazardous waste material and operates according to the most rigorous set of environmental business standards for electronics recyclers. After electronic waste material is collected, dismantled and sorted in the Centillion facilities, a major business effort ensures that further re-processing and recycling meets its high standards.
“With only 20 percent of all electronic hardware getting properly recycled, the Go Green program allows us to respond to the increased demand for comprehensive security while providing an earth-friendly approach,” added Watkins. “We were early adopters in the Green movement internally and have always led by example – now we can offer the market better protection for their networks and our planet.”
The Webroot Go Green program is available to any customer who replaces a security appliance or an on-premise security solution with a Webroot Security SaaS solution. Webroot will send the customer a prepaid shipping label to transport the hardware to the closest Centillion facility in the UK. Once the hardware has been properly recycled, the customer will receive a certificate of authentication suitable for framing and a Webroot Go Green logo which signifies they have contributed to a cleaner planet.
Webroot Security SaaS Solutions
Webroot Security SaaS solutions give IT departments the ability to outsource their security applications to centralized data centers for better manageability, better value and better protection than hardware appliances and server-based solutions.
Webroot E-Mail Security SaaS protects against spam, viruses and data leakage, along with additional compliance, archiving and business continuity features.
Webroot Web Security SaaS provides protection against Web-based malware threats for corporate and mobile users while ensuring appropriate employee Web usage and data leak protection.
Webroot Security SaaS solutions are backed by free US-based support that includes 24x7x365 access to a robust knowledge base, toll-free telephone support and free product and defense updates for the duration of a subscription.
Webroot provides industry-leading security solutions to consumers, enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses worldwide. The Boulder, Colorado based company’s security software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings, Webroot E-Mail Security SaaS and Webroot Web Security SaaS, provide better manageability, better value and better protection than any other perimeter security solution available. Webroot’s award-winning endpoint products, Webroot AntiSpyware Corporate Edition and Webroot AntiSpyware Corporate Edition with AntiVirus are comprehensive, centrally-managed solutions that aggressively block, detect and eradicate malware on desktops across the network. To find out more visit www.webroot.com or call 800.772.9383.
Centillion Environment and Recycling Limited (“Centillion”) is a fully integrated provider of recycling and processing services for electronic waste with presence across North America, Asia and Europe. The Group provides services for recycling and processing electronic components and products in order to extract ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastics. Visit www.centillion-er.uk.com for further information.
About GRX
Guaranteed Recycling Xperts is based in Denver, CO and has been the leading electronic waste recycler since 1999. The company also maintains facilities in Colorado Springs, CO, Omaha, NE and Clearfield, UT. The company recycles all electronic devices and offers pick-up services for businesses and organizations. GRX provides complete data security processing and documentation. The company was acquired by Centillion in August 2008. http://www.grxrecycles.com
Monday, 1 December 2008
Stitches wanted for World's Largest Diffraction Pattern
>In the three weeks since its launch over 2000 stitches have already been contributed to what will be ' The World's Largest Diffraction Pattern' - a 3m x 3m squared piece of textile embroidery depicting an important new diffraction pattern discovered by Scientists from Evotec working at Diamond Light Source. This pattern may help unlock new types of treatment for neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
The project led by two dynamic women is widening knowledge of both science and embroidery by getting people who often think they can't stitch, to do just that and at the same time getting them to engage in the science behind the project. The diffraction piece received its initials stitches from the Science Minister, Lord Drayson and many Diamond staff. It was then taken to visit to the Paris City of Science Exhibition where the British Ambassador and his wife, Sir Peter and Lady Westmacott added their stitches along with over 1500 French visitors. Over the next few weeks the pattern will be on display at Diamond and at various public places around Oxfordshire for the public to add their stitches . It will also travel to Chicago where the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science will hold their annual meeting in February and, finally, its unveiling will take place in London at the World Conference of Science Journalists next June.
The project was the inspiration of Diamond Head of Communications, Isabelle Boscaro-Clarke who is passionate about getting people to look with fresh eyes at all things scientific. Equally passionate about stitching, the artist chosen to direct the project is leading textile artist, Anne Griffiths. Based in Oxfordshire, she has spent the past year as an Artist in Residence at Diamond Light Source exploring the diversity of science carried out at Diamond. One of the resulting delicate but durable artworks she has produced uses iron filings to reflect how 'iron' is the connection between a variety of beamline research projects conducted at the facility. She also helped create the very successful 'Designs Life Project' with Diamond bringing together over 2000 members of the WI to create 30 beautiful wall panels in textile and embroidery art depicting some of the viruses and cells that could be researched at Diamond. Scientists working at Diamond Light Source were able to inspire the project by talking about their structural biology experiments and the beautiful images that are created as part of the process.
The project led by two dynamic women is widening knowledge of both science and embroidery by getting people who often think they can't stitch, to do just that and at the same time getting them to engage in the science behind the project. The diffraction piece received its initials stitches from the Science Minister, Lord Drayson and many Diamond staff. It was then taken to visit to the Paris City of Science Exhibition where the British Ambassador and his wife, Sir Peter and Lady Westmacott added their stitches along with over 1500 French visitors. Over the next few weeks the pattern will be on display at Diamond and at various public places around Oxfordshire for the public to add their stitches . It will also travel to Chicago where the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science will hold their annual meeting in February and, finally, its unveiling will take place in London at the World Conference of Science Journalists next June.
The project was the inspiration of Diamond Head of Communications, Isabelle Boscaro-Clarke who is passionate about getting people to look with fresh eyes at all things scientific. Equally passionate about stitching, the artist chosen to direct the project is leading textile artist, Anne Griffiths. Based in Oxfordshire, she has spent the past year as an Artist in Residence at Diamond Light Source exploring the diversity of science carried out at Diamond. One of the resulting delicate but durable artworks she has produced uses iron filings to reflect how 'iron' is the connection between a variety of beamline research projects conducted at the facility. She also helped create the very successful 'Designs Life Project' with Diamond bringing together over 2000 members of the WI to create 30 beautiful wall panels in textile and embroidery art depicting some of the viruses and cells that could be researched at Diamond. Scientists working at Diamond Light Source were able to inspire the project by talking about their structural biology experiments and the beautiful images that are created as part of the process.
Land Registry Streamlines Purchase-to-Pay Processes with Version One
Land Registry, the government department that records who owns land and buildings in England and Wales, is centralising and streamlining its purchase-to-pay processes with the implementation of Version One’s document management and imaging systems (www.versionone.co.uk). These new systems, which will be made available to up to 100 authorised Land Registry staff across 26 different sites, are expected to go live by the end of 2008.
Version One’s software, which will be integrated into Land Registry’s Oracle E-Business Suite applications system, will enable the paperless storage and retrieval of purchase invoices and related documents. Authorised users will be able to view these imaged documents either by drilling down through Oracle E-Business Suite or via Version One’s web browser, DbWebQuery. Land Registry will also be using Version One’s electronic storage system in conjunction with Oracle workflows to electronically authorise purchase invoices. Version One’s optical character recognition (OCR) technology will enable the data on these invoices to be automatically captured and verified before being uploaded, significantly reducing manual data entry.
Debbie Wilkinson, Head of Financial Accounting at Land Registry comments, “We require a document management solution integrated into our Oracle system to speed-up the processing of purchase invoices and help us to become paperless. Version One’s systems used alongside a Kodak i260 scanner will enable us to centralise accounts payable, improve our payment performance, cut costs whilst both supporting our green agenda and aiding us in our ultimate aim of being a world class accounts payable department.”
Wilkinson continues, “By having central receipt of all invoices the accounts payable team will be able to instantly know where an invoice is in the approval chain. This will improve our relationships with suppliers and further improve our payment performance. In addition, Version One’s OCR will significantly reduce manual data entry minimising the associated risk of human error.”
Wilkinson adds, “Version One’s systems integrated into the Oracle E-Business Suite will play a key role in us becoming a more efficient accounts payable department so that in the future we will be able to act as a shared services centre for other government departments and agencies.“
Version One’s software, which will be integrated into Land Registry’s Oracle E-Business Suite applications system, will enable the paperless storage and retrieval of purchase invoices and related documents. Authorised users will be able to view these imaged documents either by drilling down through Oracle E-Business Suite or via Version One’s web browser, DbWebQuery. Land Registry will also be using Version One’s electronic storage system in conjunction with Oracle workflows to electronically authorise purchase invoices. Version One’s optical character recognition (OCR) technology will enable the data on these invoices to be automatically captured and verified before being uploaded, significantly reducing manual data entry.
Debbie Wilkinson, Head of Financial Accounting at Land Registry comments, “We require a document management solution integrated into our Oracle system to speed-up the processing of purchase invoices and help us to become paperless. Version One’s systems used alongside a Kodak i260 scanner will enable us to centralise accounts payable, improve our payment performance, cut costs whilst both supporting our green agenda and aiding us in our ultimate aim of being a world class accounts payable department.”
Wilkinson continues, “By having central receipt of all invoices the accounts payable team will be able to instantly know where an invoice is in the approval chain. This will improve our relationships with suppliers and further improve our payment performance. In addition, Version One’s OCR will significantly reduce manual data entry minimising the associated risk of human error.”
Wilkinson adds, “Version One’s systems integrated into the Oracle E-Business Suite will play a key role in us becoming a more efficient accounts payable department so that in the future we will be able to act as a shared services centre for other government departments and agencies.“
Thomas International affiliate with Taleo to provide business tools for the SME market
Taleo and Thomas International expand relationship with integrated Recruiting and Recruitment Assessment Solution directed at Small and Medium- Sized Enterprises (SME)
Taleo (Nasdaq: TLEO), the leading provider of on-demand talent management solutions and Thomas International, the global provider of on-demand business assessment tools, today announced a partnership to bring an integrated recruiting and talent assessment solution to the European market.
European small and medium-sized enterprises today face a number of challenges. Apart from the impending retirement of the “baby boom” generation, issues of diversity and equal opportunities legislation, talent is the key issue. Recent research by Boston Consulting Group shows managing talent and improving leadership development as the next five years’ top issue for organisations. Educational qualifications are mistrusted. Scientific, technical and soft skills are in short supply. Corporates are fighting the war for talent. Without robust recruiting and assessment systems, which contribute to a strong employee brand, SMEs could easily lose out. Once recruited, engagement and retention are becoming a huge issue, given the more mobile lifestyles and higher lifestyle expectations of Generation Y.
Under the terms of the agreement,
• Thomas International has integrated its personality assessment tools – based on 60 years of research, used in 60 countries and focused on core SME issues, with
• Taleo’s award winning Taleo Business Edition recruiting solution that is specifically designed for small and mid sized enterprises.
The combined offering includes a branded career website and the tools to attract, assess, hire and retain employees.
“Recruiting and retaining talent is the number one challenge for SMEs, and competing for world-class candidates is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Jason Blessing, group vice president and general manager, Taleo Business Edition. “With this alliance, Taleo and Thomas International are empowering SMEs with a compelling, high-value offering allowing them to better source and retain passive and active candidates. By comparing personality assessment reports to job profiles, candidate ‘Goodness-of-Fit’ can be measured and the candidate with the greatest potential for success identified.”
“Thomas International is pleased to expand it’s partnership with Taleo”, commented Rod Cornwell, International Development Director at Thomas International. “Combining Thomas’ 25 years in the behavioral assessment services business with a top tier SaaS provider of recruiting solutions, will provide our clients with robust talent acquisition tools to recruit, develop and retain top talent.”
Taleo (Nasdaq: TLEO), the leading provider of on-demand talent management solutions and Thomas International, the global provider of on-demand business assessment tools, today announced a partnership to bring an integrated recruiting and talent assessment solution to the European market.
European small and medium-sized enterprises today face a number of challenges. Apart from the impending retirement of the “baby boom” generation, issues of diversity and equal opportunities legislation, talent is the key issue. Recent research by Boston Consulting Group shows managing talent and improving leadership development as the next five years’ top issue for organisations. Educational qualifications are mistrusted. Scientific, technical and soft skills are in short supply. Corporates are fighting the war for talent. Without robust recruiting and assessment systems, which contribute to a strong employee brand, SMEs could easily lose out. Once recruited, engagement and retention are becoming a huge issue, given the more mobile lifestyles and higher lifestyle expectations of Generation Y.
Under the terms of the agreement,
• Thomas International has integrated its personality assessment tools – based on 60 years of research, used in 60 countries and focused on core SME issues, with
• Taleo’s award winning Taleo Business Edition recruiting solution that is specifically designed for small and mid sized enterprises.
The combined offering includes a branded career website and the tools to attract, assess, hire and retain employees.
“Recruiting and retaining talent is the number one challenge for SMEs, and competing for world-class candidates is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Jason Blessing, group vice president and general manager, Taleo Business Edition. “With this alliance, Taleo and Thomas International are empowering SMEs with a compelling, high-value offering allowing them to better source and retain passive and active candidates. By comparing personality assessment reports to job profiles, candidate ‘Goodness-of-Fit’ can be measured and the candidate with the greatest potential for success identified.”
“Thomas International is pleased to expand it’s partnership with Taleo”, commented Rod Cornwell, International Development Director at Thomas International. “Combining Thomas’ 25 years in the behavioral assessment services business with a top tier SaaS provider of recruiting solutions, will provide our clients with robust talent acquisition tools to recruit, develop and retain top talent.”
NewsNow and Opera Mini partner to bring quicker news updates
NewsNow integrated with award-winning Opera Mini mobile Web browser
NewsNow today announces its integration into the Opera Mini mobile Web browser published by Opera Software. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, Opera Software will pre-install NewsNow as an opening-screen bookmark on the latest British release of its free Opera Mini mobile Web browser, launched on Tuesday, 24 November 2008.
The deal brings NewsNow to the user-base of the award-winning mobile Web browser, and it brings Opera Mini to the user-base of the UK's leading independent news portal and aggregation website.
Struan Bartlett, founder and chairman, NewsNow Publishing Limited, said:
“Sadly, the Web browsers that come built in to mobile devices are too often slow and cumbersome and rarely cut the mustard. In our testing, however, Opera Mini – thanks to its unique compression technology – provided the fastest and best experience of NewsNow currently available on a mobile phone.
"We believe NewsNow really could be a new 'killer app' for mobile phones and we are delighted to have formed this association with Opera Software, which will give their users instant access to a new news-surfing experience on their phone.”
Nuno Sitima, VP of Consumer Marketing and Business Development, Opera Software, said:
"Opera Mini aims to bring the best Internet experience. By including NewsNow.net in our award-winning browser, we are bringing more speedier and quicker access to content on the go."
NewsNow Mobile
Tomorrow, Tuesday 2 December 2008, NewsNow will officially launch NewsNow Mobile, a new version of its Web site designed specifically for mobile devices.
NewsNow Background
NewsNow is a rolling news service. In real time, it files the headlines linking to 200,000 articles daily into over 2,500 'feeds' covering a wide array of current affairs, business & finance, technology, life & style, arts & entertainment, and sports topics.
A household name among football fans, NewsNow is a regular winner of the Website of the Year awards (http://www.websiteoftheyear.co.uk/). Hitwise Intelligence recently rated NewsNow no. 12 in the UK's Top 15 news sites above FT.com and independent.co.uk (see http://xrl.us/NewsNow1) and the 2nd most visited UK news aggregator, after Google News UK, with 23% of the market (see http://xrl.us/NewsNow2).
As a company, NewsNow derives revenue from ad sales, from delivering its feeds to third-party websites, as well as from its highly-acclaimed subscription press cuttings and news monitoring services.
The chairman of NewsNow, polymath number theorist, computer scientist and ex-journalist Struan Bartlett, prototyped the first NewsNow engine in 1997.
An independently-owned British success story, NewsNow was launched in February 1998, first turned profitable in 1999, received investment in 2000, saw off the .com crash and considers itself well placed to survive the latest economic downturn.
NewsNow today announces its integration into the Opera Mini mobile Web browser published by Opera Software. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, Opera Software will pre-install NewsNow as an opening-screen bookmark on the latest British release of its free Opera Mini mobile Web browser, launched on Tuesday, 24 November 2008.
The deal brings NewsNow to the user-base of the award-winning mobile Web browser, and it brings Opera Mini to the user-base of the UK's leading independent news portal and aggregation website.
Struan Bartlett, founder and chairman, NewsNow Publishing Limited, said:
“Sadly, the Web browsers that come built in to mobile devices are too often slow and cumbersome and rarely cut the mustard. In our testing, however, Opera Mini – thanks to its unique compression technology – provided the fastest and best experience of NewsNow currently available on a mobile phone.
"We believe NewsNow really could be a new 'killer app' for mobile phones and we are delighted to have formed this association with Opera Software, which will give their users instant access to a new news-surfing experience on their phone.”
Nuno Sitima, VP of Consumer Marketing and Business Development, Opera Software, said:
"Opera Mini aims to bring the best Internet experience. By including NewsNow.net in our award-winning browser, we are bringing more speedier and quicker access to content on the go."
NewsNow Mobile
Tomorrow, Tuesday 2 December 2008, NewsNow will officially launch NewsNow Mobile, a new version of its Web site designed specifically for mobile devices.
NewsNow Background
NewsNow is a rolling news service. In real time, it files the headlines linking to 200,000 articles daily into over 2,500 'feeds' covering a wide array of current affairs, business & finance, technology, life & style, arts & entertainment, and sports topics.
A household name among football fans, NewsNow is a regular winner of the Website of the Year awards (http://www.websiteoftheyear.co.uk/). Hitwise Intelligence recently rated NewsNow no. 12 in the UK's Top 15 news sites above FT.com and independent.co.uk (see http://xrl.us/NewsNow1) and the 2nd most visited UK news aggregator, after Google News UK, with 23% of the market (see http://xrl.us/NewsNow2).
As a company, NewsNow derives revenue from ad sales, from delivering its feeds to third-party websites, as well as from its highly-acclaimed subscription press cuttings and news monitoring services.
The chairman of NewsNow, polymath number theorist, computer scientist and ex-journalist Struan Bartlett, prototyped the first NewsNow engine in 1997.
An independently-owned British success story, NewsNow was launched in February 1998, first turned profitable in 1999, received investment in 2000, saw off the .com crash and considers itself well placed to survive the latest economic downturn.
The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.
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