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News Snippets

July/August 2001 News

  • BP take the W2K plunge
  • EU VAT may cause exodus to US
  • Common anxieties for CIOs
  • To W2K or not to W2K, XP is the question?
  • Portal features required for corporates

 

BP roll out the barrel of W2K

BP have rolled out 65,000 W2K desktops across their organisation completing 90% of the estate in 6 months. To do this BP had to replace 80% of their kit. They are already gaining business benefits with improved collaboration, increased productivity and enabled more flexible working.

Eurostyle VAT attacks the Internet

The EU finance ministers are discussing charging VAT on electronically delivered goods. This will become a burden on doing business thereby reducing the benefits which could cause companies to deliver their goods from companies outside the EU.

Common anxieties for CIOs

  • Confidence in some aspects of the job but very apprehensive with others
  • Frustration with lack of clear strategic direction for the business and inconsistent messages from the CEO
  • Shock by interpersonal conflicts and tensions that arise during the change process
  • Frustration by peers' lack of technical understanding
  • Irritation at mixed messages from the board

To W2K or not to W2K, XP is the question?

Office XP launch has IT managers stumped on what is the best thing to do. Move to XP will cost and has risks whilst not to move to XP will cost. And those that have moved will have to answer the question - why did you do it? Nice one Microsoft.

Portal features required for corporates

As the portal technologies mature the corporates are increasing their take-up. The major features that are required are:
  • Security
  • Information Search
  • Single point of information access
  • Single sign-on

Shorties

  • Tivoli has shifted from framework systems management to focused areas: security; storage; configuration and operation addressing availability and performance.
  • MS Ballmer admits that MS have neglected security issues in their software. "Security is fundamental and we should have spent more time on this". Maybe they thought they were in the Swiss cheese business!
  • GIGA International Group have estimated that mobile users cost three times as much as desktop support. (Euro10,140 v Euro3,900). A business with a 40% mobile workforce will spend ca. 15% of its IT budget on mobile support.
  • Commerce One is now number 1 after supply chain specialist Exterprise buyout. The acquisition gives C1 automated transactions in online trading exchanges.
  • PSINet gives in to bankruptcy and files for Chapter 11 protection. European operations are not yet effected.
  • From mid-July all EU countries will have to legally recognise a digital signature. The UK have recognised them since July 2000. This move should make European e-commerce more secure.
  • Six SAN hardware firms (Brocade, Compaq, EMC, Hitachi, IBM, McData) have signed an accord to ensure interoperability and support for their Fibre Channel solutions.
  • Enterprise software vendor Peregrine acquires Remedy in a share exchange. The takeover will allow both companies to target net areas of development.
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