Worldwide PC shipments in Q4 2009 posted strongest growth rate in 7 years: Gartner
January 14, 2010

According to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc., in the fourth quarter of 2009, worldwide PC shipments surpassed 90 million units, a 22.1 % increase from the fourth quarter of 2008.

It was the strongest quarter over quarter growth rate the worldwide PC market has experienced in the last seven years. It should be noted that these numbers are compared to a very weak quarter a year ago due to the economic downturn at that time.

According to Ms. Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst, Gartner, “These preliminary results indicate the recovery of the PC market on a global level. The U.S. and Asia/Pacific has already shown positive indicators last quarter; however the fourth quarter 2009 results were more concrete evidence of the recovery. The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region entered the economic downturn later than the U.S. and Asia/Pacific, so it has been slower to recover. The EMEA region returned to positive shipment growth for the first time in three quarters, and Latin America and Japan also recorded shipment increases.”

In Asia/Pacific, PC shipments surpassed 27.1 million units, a 44.4 % increase from the fourth quarter of 2008. China was key to the region’s performance, as the country accounted for more than 61 % of all PCs shipped in the region.

For the year, worldwide PC shipments totaled 306 million units, a 5.2 % increase from 2008. PC shipment growth was driven by the consumer mobile PC market with acceleration of Average Selling Prices (ASPs).

Gartner forecasts for IT Organizations and Users in 2010 and beyond
January 13, 2010

Gartner, Inc., the information technology research and advisory company, has highlighted the key predictions that herald long-term changes in approach for IT organizations and the people they serve for 2010 and beyond. The research firm’s top predictions for 2010 showcase the trends and events that will change the nature of business today and beyond.

These predictions were selected from across Gartner’s research areas as the most compelling and critical predictions. The trends and topics they address this year speak to the changing balance of power and focus in IT.

Gartner analysts said last year's themes of shifting ownership and revenue flows continue, becoming more pronounced and more sharply focused. As the macro-economic environment adjusts to a new balance between supply, consumer demand and regulation, the focus of this year's top predictions has expanded to encompass shifts in the way that users interact with IT.

VeriSign survey reveals low awareness of online security among Indian Internet users
January 12, 2010

A survey of more than 5,000 active Internet users across 10 cities in India suggests that users are becoming increasingly concerned about online security. Ninety one percent of the respondent Internet users have experienced one or the other case of cyber fraud. But, despite the exposure to cyber fraud, a majority of respondents were unaware of ways to combat it.

The survey, commissioned by VeriSign and conducted by IMRB highlighted that 60% of respondents access the Internet frequently – at least four to six times a week—and 44% shop online with 53% engaging with user generated content. Despite the Internet-savvy of the respondents, the survey further revealed:

• 38% of survey respondents use the same passwords for multiple log-ins
• 11% look out for the authenticity of the Web site by looking at the security provider
• 32% create a secret question that only they can answer
• 83% do not look for secure Web sites (https:)

Ongoing work at ITU sets out roadmap for highly advanced new broadcasting systems that mimic real-life visual experience
January 14, 2010

Television viewers could soon be enjoying their favourite programmes or feature films in 'stereoscopic 3D', thanks to ground-breaking work being undertaken at ITU. Study Group 6 of ITU's Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has released a new Report outlining a roadmap for future 3D TV implementation, which envisages systems so smart they accurately mimic the way our eyes and brains perceive the visual world.

The new roadmap would see 3D TV technology rolled out in three successive generations (technically known as profiles). The first generation — 'plano-stereoscopic television' — calls for two views to be delivered to viewers’ TV sets. The second generation will provide for multiple views, with head movement changing the view, for a viewing experience that more closely mimics real life. The third generation will feature systems that record the amplitude, frequency, and phase of light waves, to reproduce almost completely human beings’ natural viewing environment.

LSI expands its R&D facility in India
January 15, 2010

LSI Corporation, a leading provider of silicon, software and system solutions for storage and networking, announced that it has expanded its research and development (R&D) facility in Pune. With more than twice the previous capacity, the expanded center will enable the company to significantly increase its workforce in Pune over the next 24 months. The additional engineering capacity will broaden the scope of development in the areas of network security, enterprise networking and data storage.

Mr. Abhi Talwalkar, LSI president and chief executive officer said, "India is a major component of our long-term strategic plan. The world-class R&D capabilities we are deploying in India will allow us to deliver even more innovative, industry-leading products and services to meet our customers' and partners' most pressing needs."

Wipro and Oracle launch Process Integration Pack for the retail industry
January 12, 2010

Wipro Technologies, the global IT services division of Wipro Limited and Oracle announced the launch of the co-developed Oracle Application Integration Architecture (AIA) Process Integration Pack (PIP) for the retail industry. The Oracle AIA PIP integrates Oracle Retail Merchandise Operations Management and the Oracle E-Business Suite Financials using Oracle Application Integration Architecture (AIA) to offer customers a pre-configured, supportable and upgradeable integration of the retail merchandising execution applications with the financial operation control applications.

This Oracle AIA PIP addresses some of these key financial operation control processes for retail merchandising system including - Inventory Valuation, Revenue Recognition and Merchandising Procure to Pay.

Speaking on the occasion Langbert Walker, Global Head Oracle Practice, Wipro Technologies said "This co-development initiative is in line with our strategy to invest heavily in Oracle technology to provide industry specific solutions. The PIP has been developed keeping in mind the industry necessity to have an integrated solution across retail operations and financial back office accounting."

Merino Services Limited wins UAE based METITO as a customer
January 12, 2010

Merino Services Limited (Merino), one of the leading Partners of Infor, announced its first success in the Middle East. METITO (Overseas) Limited a UAE based water and waste water solutions provider selects Merino as a Patner-2- Progress to migrate from Baan IV c4 to Infor ERP LN. Infor ERP LN is one of the leading ERP producers from Infor Global which is one of the leading business software providers.

As partners to progress to any customer, Merino designs and implements various business solutions for them keeping in mind their needs and go the extra mile to ensure that the customers get the expected business benefits from the investment made in various business solutions.

METITO selected Merino after thorough evaluation of more than six Infor ERP LN implementation partners/ companies. Merino’s domain expertise, Infor ERP LN technical and Functional Skills, robust and proven Migration Methodology along with Historic Data Migration methodologies and professional approach during the evaluation cycle were key factors to choose Merino over other competitors.

METITO is already using Baan IV c4 for the transaction system and because of excellent growth and prospects in business across, METITO decided to complete a fresh implementation of Infor LN FP5.

On this occasion Mr. Rishi Bansal, Vice President (Global Business) Merino said, “METITO is a very strategic win for us as this is our first project in Middle East market which we see as a very potential Market in future. It is also an important milestone for us in positioning ourselves as global Infor ERP LN Services Company.”

Sparsh BPO launches delivery centre in Dehradun
January 11, 2010

Sparsh BPO Services, the domestic BPO subsidiary of Intelenet Global Services Pvt Ltd (Intelenet) launched a delivery centre in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The new centre will service India’s leading telecommunications services operator to provide customer support services in the circles of UP (east & west) and Uttaranchal. The centre has an existing headcount of 1200 agents making Sparsh one of the leading employers in Dehradun.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Susir Kumar, managing director and chief executive officer, Intelenet Global Services said, 'We are delighted to partner with India’s leading telecom giant to set up this facility. In addition to expanding our footprint in North India, this centre will also strengthen our delivery capability in the telecom vertical."

Ms. Radhika Balasubramanian, COO, Sparsh added, “Dehradun offers good connectivity with the major cities in North and also provides a young talent pool qualified with several north Indian languages including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Dogri, Himachal, etc. Our foray in the city will provide us access to a skilled workforce while providing employment opportunities to potential domestic candidates."