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February 29, 2012
Avoiding death by to-do list:

Why do we continue to do what we have always done? How can we overcome overload and work smarter?
Jason W. Womack has some ideas.

For too many of us, feeling anxious and overwhelmed has become the new normal. Workplace performance expert Jason Womack explains how to get a handle on your to-do list and bursting-at-the-(cyber)seams inbox.

February 22, 2012
Global Micro

South African businesses are surprisingly well served with their computer needs and are often in the vanguard of what is new, as Alan Swaby learns in conversation with Global Micro.

South African businesses are surprisingly well served with their computer needs and are often in the vanguard of what is new, as Alan Swaby learns.

When Y2K was looming down on businesses at the end of the century, no one was really sure if the whole house of cards would crumble or not. JJ Milner, founder and head of South Africa’s largest Microsoft hosting provider, felt that it wouldn’t; but he understood that his many clients preferred something more concrete to go on than just his gut instinct.

January 23, 2012
2012 will not be quiet

The Mayans predicted that 2012 would bring the end of days. Let’s hope it doesn’t, but it’s sure to be a turbulent year, says Peter Leeds.

The Mayans predicted that 2012 would bring the end of days. Let’s hope it doesn’t, but it’s sure to be a turbulent year, says Peter Leeds.

 

 

Whether the Mayans were right or not remains to be seen, but I am predicting a turbulent year in which major events will play out on the world stage that may forever alter our history. Based on analysis which I conduct for my financial newsletter, the following 12 points are what I'm expecting to see in 2012.

August 30, 2011
Supply chain: ERP

Andrew Kinder of Infor explains everything you ever wanted to know about ERP but were too afraid to ask.

Andrew Kinder of Infor explains everything you ever wanted to know about ERP but were too afraid to ask.

 

Just what is ERP?

ERP is an abbreviation for ‘enterprise resource planning’. It is simply an integrated IT system which translates business management practices and the core business processes of an organisation ‘into’ modern technology and vice versa.

July 1, 2011
Nortel patents raise $4.5 billion

A consortium of six global technology heavyweights has emerged as the winning bidder for the remaining patents belonging to the once-great Nortel Networks Corporation.

A consortium of six global technology heavyweights has emerged as the winning bidder for the remaining patents belonging to the once-great Nortel Networks Corporation.

After an extensive auction, the consortium comprising Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research In Motion and Sony outbid the likes of Google and Intel with a winning bid of US$4.5 billion.

May 11, 2011
Microsoft to acquire Skype in $8.5 billion deal

Software giant Microsoft has agreed to acquire internet phone service Skype for $8.5 billion, it has been announced.

Software giant Microsoft has agreed to acquire internet phone service Skype for $8.5 billion, it has been announced.

In a joint statement, the two companies said the acquisition would increase accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, generate significant new business and revenue opportunities, and further extend Skype’s reach.

The move will also enhance Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services, which currently include Lync, Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.

April 7, 2011
Microsoft and Toyota to invest $12 million in telematics partnership

Microsoft and Toyota have announced a $12 million investment in Toyota Media Services, a strategic partnership to make the automobile the ultimate mobile device.

Microsoft and Toyota have announced a $12 million investment in Toyota Media Services, a strategic partnership to make the automobile the ultimate mobile device.

The partnership intends to use Microsoft’s “cloud computing” Windows Azure platform to develop next-generation telematics services, fusing telecommunications and information technologies in vehicles for GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies.

February 11, 2011
Microsoft and Nokia plan strategic partnership

Microsoft and Nokia today announced plans to form a broad strategic partnership to create what they describe as “a new global mobile ecosystem” to take on Google and Apple in an all-out phone war.

Microsoft and Nokia today announced plans to form a broad strategic partnership to create what they describe as “a new global mobile ecosystem” to take on Google and Apple in an all-out phone war.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop (who left Microsoft to join Nokia last September) and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer have issued an “open letter” outlining a summary of their plans. Here is the letter in full:

January 13, 2011
MTN South Africa

Investing in technology and innovative services to drive its customer appeal, and inspired marketing to unite football with the internet, MTN South Africa is unlocking the massive potential of mobile telephony, as managing director Karel Pienaar tells John O’Hanlon.

Investing in technology and innovative services to drive its customer appeal, and inspired marketing to unite football with the internet, MTN South Africa is unlocking the massive potential of mobile telephony, as managing director Karel Pienaar tells John O’Hanlon.

 

December 4, 2010
Operations: Food & beverage

Which way should you go when you arrive at a technology crossroads? Thomas R. Cutler highlights the experience of a few companies in the food industry.

Which way should you go when you arrive at a technology crossroads? Thomas R. Cutler highlights the experience of a few companies in the food industry.

 

Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, DeMet's Candy Company makes TURTLES and FLIPZ products. DeMet’s is dedicated to using the highest-quality manufacturing processes and working with cutting-edge technology to maintain its brands. DeMet’s Candy products are distributed through supermarkets, drug stores and virtually all channels of trade.

October 4, 2010
Powerwave Technologies Inc.

Operational excellence, a careful supplier strategy and low-cost procurement techniques provide a solid foundation for Powerwave to have a major hand in the wireless revolution that’s still to come.

Having digested and integrated a wave of acquisitions to broaden its product lineup and make it an even stronger force in the wireless world, Powerwave Technologies is now eyeing long-term future growth. Keith Regan learns how operational excellence, a careful supplier strategy and low-cost procurement techniques provide a solid foundation for the company to have a major hand in the wireless revolution that’s still to come.

 

 

July 14, 2010
“Best-ever” quarterly profits reported by Intel

Second-quarter figures from Intel, the world's largest microchip maker, kicked off the technology results season with a bang.

Second-quarter figures from Intel, the world's largest microchip maker, kicked off the technology results season with a bang.

 

With quarterly results expected from Google and chip maker AMD Thursday, IBM and Microsoft next week and Cisco in August, the next few weeks should reveal a great deal about the state of the economic recovery.

 

April 1, 2010
August General Servicing

Cleaning up
Man by nature is inquisitive and adventurous but as Alan Swaby learns, sticking with a winning formula can also be a rewarding business strategy.
The Dalai Lama is quoted to have said that simplicity is the key to happiness in the modern world. Often linked with IT, we have the less elegant KISS principle—‘keep it simple, stupid’. It’s the writer’s opinion that Microsoft Office would do well to follow this guide but one organisation that does seem to be reaping the benefits of keeping it simple is the South African firm August General Servicing (AGS).