Biztech

Efficiency in technology:

Microsoft presents Cloud Computing

Tipped to be the technology that will reduce the hardware weight a company has to bear; Cloud Computing allows companies to share resources via the internet instead of having a computer in a fixed location to handle specific applications. Microsoft Sri Lanka recently announced its readiness to provide cloud computing facilities, allowing companies the ability to run on a desktop 'on premises' and via Cloud or a combination of both simultaneously.

Microsoft Sri Lanka, Country Manager, Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne said, "We believe that Cloud Computing will change the way Sri Lankan businesses operate. The investments we have made in the Cloud will help bring about a revolution in how we measure efficiency. Some of the best known examples of Cloud computing are used already all over the world. Programs like Hotmail, Windows Live and Live Meeting services are the best known examples of Cloud Computing and we believe that by offering Cloud Computing in the local market we are opening up avenues that were unexplored and will change the face of efficiency in organizations."

With international clients such as Coca-Cola and McDonalds, Microsoft's Cloud services have gained a reputation for being the most user friendly applications available. By giving consumers the ability to quickly and effectively add tools and applications to customize their usage, the Cloud also allows consumers to access information on a vast variety of devices, creating a far more efficient system, customized for their needs.

Hidramani Group, Group CIO, Samath Fernando, one of Sri Lankas largest apparel manufacturing companies, said "After hearing testimonials from other companies that have used and are continuing to use Cloud Computing with the support of Microsoft, we decided to run a pilot on Windows Live Initiative. We already see potential to increase efficiency through the use of Cloud Computing and plan to go on premises and off premises as part of our overall strategy soon, since we believe that it will definitely take us far beyond what we had planned by the end of this year alone.

The potential for growth through the employment of Cloud Computing is a route that Sri Lankan industries have not yet explored. The benefits clearly stand to make an organization's productivity and efficiency rise like never before.

Royal Navy selects IFS for maintenance management

IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announced that the UK Royal Navy has selected IFS Defence to provide support and application hosting for the UK MoD Navy primary Maintenance Management System, (UMMS).

The contract outlines plans and options to procure services for up to five years, totaling up to Sterling Pound 7.9m.

The UK Royal Navy uses UMMS as the primary onboard maintenance management and scheduling tool for all major surface and subsurface vessels; it is also being deployed across the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

This product was acquired by IFS Defence through acquisition of ISC Ltd in July 2007. The service will commence in April 2010.

Aerospace and defence is one of IFS targeted market segments.

IFS applications includes advanced standard functionality that meets the demanding requirements of the armed forces.

IFS fully integrated MRO, performance-based logistics (PBL), project management, fleet management, supply chain management, and other IFS Applications components help to ensure asset visibility, sustainment, and availability three key objectives in managing weapons systems for optimal combat readiness.

IFS also provides an industry-specific solution for defense manufacturers that helps companies manage the design, manufacturing, and ongoing spare parts logistics and maintenance support of complex products throughout the product lifecycle.

Apple sells one million iPads in a month

Apple said Monday it sold one million of its freshly launched iPad tablet computers in just 28 days, half the time it took for the company to sell the same number of iPhones.

This file photo shows Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs announcing the new iPad as he speaks during an Apple Special Event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts San Francisco, California.

The millionth iPad was sold on Friday, the Cupertino, California-based firm said.

"One million iPads in 28 days - that's less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with (the) iPhone," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement. "Demand continues to exceed supply and we're working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more customers."

The level of demand in the United States alone, where the iPad launched on April 3, forced Apple to announce it would delay the tablet's international release by a month, until late May.

A second version of the iPad, featuring both Wi-Fi and 3G cellular connectivity, went on sale in the United States on Friday.

Both versions of the iPad are expected to go on sale simultaneously in late May in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and Britain.

The much-heralded tablet allows users to watch video, listen to music, play games, surf the web or read electronic books.

At 499 dollars, the cheapest model is priced to compete directly with Amazon's popular Kindle and users can download e-books from Apple's iBookstore, as well as applications from the online "App" Store. AFP

India, South Korea top sources of spam in Asia

India and South Korea were the top Asian sources of global junk mail in the first quarter of the year, while China has pulled itself out of the "dirty dozen" list, a study revealed Thursday. The United States remained the number one source of junk, or spam, emails accounting for 13.1 percent of the total sent during the three-month period, the survey by computer security firm Sophos said.

India was number two in the global rankings, accounting for 7.3 percent of junk messages. Brazil was third with 6.8 percent, followed by South Korea (4.48 percent), Vietnam (3.4 percent) and Germany (3.2 percent).

Rounding up the so-called "dirty dozen" list globally were Britain (3.1 percent), Russia (3.1 percent), Italy (3.1 percent), France (3.0 percent), Romania (2.5 percent) and Poland (2.4 percent).

China came in 15th, with just 1.9 percent of the world's spam, according to Sophos.

AFP