Stories by Len Rust

Aussies worth watching

Comtel Corporation (ASX:CMO) offers prepaid and post-paid phone services via its network of mobile virtual network operators (MNVO) -- including Just Mobile and Reward Mobile -- as a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE). ComTel packages minutes with services for wholesale clients that operate their own phones and Internet brands. The company's MNVO and MVNE expertise helps it deliver value-focused mobile solutions to satisfy consumer communities looking to maximise efficiencies created by the convergence of mobiles, the Internet and media.

Surviving a new era

Revolutionary mobile devices, phones, touch-screen PCs, and ultra-portables have recently created a huge stir among consumers. High-tech devices are rapidly growing smarter. The success factor is quickly shifting into new branding, product and brand identity, and brand loyalty models. Devices and services have to be far more realistic and a lot more useful than last year's models.

It's time to invest in market innovation

Current economic volatility may trigger further business process transformation in the financial services (FS) sector, according to a financial services industry research paper released recently by business advisory firm EquaTerra. "What's Next for Service Delivery in Financial Services?" Is a compilation of findings from two recent studies offering management insights gleaned by canvassing industry leaders on a variety of business topics.

Fewer mega-outsourcings in 2007

As companies continue to move to using multiple providers for their outsourcing services, the number of reported megadeals awarded to a single service provider has declined, according to Gartner. Megadeals are characterised as being worth more than $US1 billion. In 2007, 10 outsourcing megadeals were awarded, a decline from 12 in 2006.

Ecosystems help SaaS acceptance in Asia

SaaS vendors, ISVs, telcos, and hosting providers in Asia are coming together to create powerful SaaS ecosystems that will accelerate the technology's adoption in the region, according to a recent research report by Springboard Research. The report was called SaaS Enablement -- The Emerging Ecosystem.

Aussies worth watching

This week the spotlight on Loop9, EvoConnect, Aura, Scentral, PtyAuctions, and Electric Optic Systems

Innovation central to Australia's future economic performance

One of the most talked about topics right now is innovation. Hardly a day goes by without some prominent publication featuring comments from consultants, academics, and now politicians about how the key to breakaway success is to out-innovate the competition.

Aussies worth watching

The spotlight this week falls on Common Vision, Xbio Systems, BloomTools, Avoka Technologies, and Replica Data Security

There's plenty of life in PCs yet

Worldwide PC shipments are on track to reach 297 million units in 2008, a 12.5 per cent increase from 2007 shipments of 264 million units, according to Gartner. The company's analysts have increased their outlook from their previous forecast due to the continued strength in mobile PC growth. In March, analysts had projected an increase of 10.9 percent.

Australia's telecoms in solid growth

Australians are expected to spend $27.2 billion on telecom connectivity services this calendar year, a healthy four per cent year-on-year growth, according to Telsyte's latest research. The mobile market -- now the single largest segment -- will attract 42 per cent of that spending, with penetration approaching 108 per cent of the population.

New force for mobile markets

Brazil, Russia, India and China -- collectively known as BRIC -- represent 43 per cent of the world's population and will profoundly change the way both the mobile telecommunications and the marketing industries operate.

Shifting the outsourcing experience up a notch

There is a powerful need to master outsourcing. From basic IT services to computer business processes, organisations are increasingly obtaining services and capabilities from a shifting blend of internal and external sources to meet goals for cost efficiency, agility, and growth. That was a clear message from Gartner VP and analyst Linda Cohen, who kicked off the Sydney Gartner Outsourcing & IT Services Summit 2008 last week.

Meeting strong demand

The term information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology and is more widely recognised than ever before.

A who's who of Aussie ICT

The spotlight this week falls on Mercury Solutions Centre, MySpider, APT Business Solutions, GlobeCharge, Caign Group, and CoreEarth

Demand for executives increases

After months of continuous falls, executive demand experienced a welcome rise in May, when it increased by seven per cent from previous month, according to the EL Consult Executive Demand Index.

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