Stories by Len Rust

Look on the dark side

Because of the recent turmoil in credit markets around the world and continued uncertainty about the future economic climate, CIOs should create two IT budgets for 2008, according to research group Gartner.

Mobile phones are set to take the place of cash

Around 52 million consumers will adopt new mobile technologies such as near field communication (NFC) and other physical mobile payment methods to pay for everyday goods and services by 2011, according to British industry research company Juniper Research.

Becoming future smart

As technology continues to progress, connectivity to improve, and standards to emerge, industries will have the wherewithal to become more networked. Since only a few large companies will be able to span the full range of products in a vertically integrated manner, most will focus on areas where they have a comparative advantage.

Aussies worth watching

CoolRock Software, GTS Interactive, Myriax, RP Data, Scientific Analytics, and SpectrumData

PC chip shipments hit record levels

PC microprocessor shipments worldwide grew 14.3 per cent sequentially to reach record levels in the third calendar quarter of 2007 (3Q07), according to IDC. Consequently, worldwide PC microprocessor revenue rose 14.8 per cent to $US7.95 billion in the quarter.

Increasing challenge in Web apps

When it comes to custom Web applications most companies are struggling to manage releases, ad hoc fixes, and global distribution in the time required to be competitive online, especially as rapidly shifting customer expectations and increased pressure to speed time-to-Web place a greater burden on IT.

Concerns about colleagues' security bug CIOs

The average IT manager is more concerned about what their colleagues get up to in the estimated 1.5 hours per day they spend engaged in personal activities on the Internet than about direct attacks from hackers, phishers, and other external threats.

Aussies worth watching

Bestrane, Bijingo, Energetica, Enikos, Imarda, and Webit Online come under the spotlight

Mobiles make it into money transfer

Transferring funds safely and securely using mobile phones has the potential to revolutionise the way people around the world utilise their money, and it holds the promise of driving great social benefits in the developing world.

Aussies overspend on dud software

At a time when CIOs are crying out for more funding, a report has revealed Australia's large organisations are bleeding software development projects at an average rate of $A86.7 million each year.

Hot rupee hurts Indian outsourcing suppliers

The recent rise in the rupee against the US dollar is expected to continue for some time to come, barring any political crisis or natural disaster, according to the Indian press.

Age gap strikes IT

IT SHOPS are facing a demographic time bomb, according to a report by research firm Ovum. Two challenges are certain, said Tom Kacharvy, senior vice president of Ovum. "The impending mass retirement of baby boomers will deplete staff and starve many companies of critical skills. Meanwhile, a shortage of replacements due to a smaller crop of college graduates and a dramatic decline in students planning to enter IT-related fields will compound both the problem and the urgency facing user corporations."

Users turn to IT service management consultants

A broad range of external IT service management (ITSM) consultants are being used by IT organisations within mature Asia Pacific IT markets such as Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, according to research from Hydrasight. While this is not unexpected -- given current market demand and enthusiasm -- it has created a fragmented market being served by numerous players of various sizes and descriptions. This market reality can, however, represent a key project risk for IT organisations embarking on a major ITSM initiative in the Asia/Pacific region.

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