IPSNP Computing Inc. Receives Funding From the Government of Canada

IPSNP Computing Inc. Receives Funding From the Government of Canada and Private Placement to Seed Development of Next Generation Search Engine for Web Data

SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Oct. 18, 2012) - IPSNP Computing, an early stage start-up and national leader in semantic data integration software, announced today that it raised $200,000 to advance the development of its lead product HYDRA. Early stage funding of $50,000 was provided by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and $150,000 was raised from private investors.

HYDRA represents a paradigm shift in online data integration and search facilitating seamless querying of data stored in online databases and analytical tools exposed as Web services, both accessible through a unified framework called SADI (Semantic Automatic Discovery and Integration). End users can ask complex questions without knowing the location of target data or which analytical programs to run. In September 2012 IPSNP showcased HYDRA at Medicine 2.0, held in Harvard Medical School, Boston.

Chris Baker, CEO of IPSNP says: "The new investments provide us with a solid foundation to expand our team, drive development of HYDRA, and bring new expertise to the board. HYDRA will provide our customers with more advanced search capabilities at lower cost than current approaches. It will revolutionize the way biomedical researchers find and process information."

Alexander Ryazanov, CTO adds: "The SADI technology has been in development for a number of years and proved successful in multiple case studies. We are now moving aggressively to bring the first industrial-strength query engine for SADI Web services to the market. HYDRA will be able to execute very complex queries and allow non-technical end users to query for information stored all over the web, in thousands or even tens of thousands of online databases and Web services."

"IPSNP is well positioned to enter the market with a superior product offering that addresses a significant unmet need. The initial target market for HYDRA is Bioinformatics, which is expected to reach $8.3 billion by 2014. We are negotiating collaboration agreements in the pharmaceutical sector", states Jeff Jennings, VP Business Development.

Founded in August 2011, IPSNP Computing Inc., http://ipsnp.wikidot.com/, is a private company developing and commercializing cutting-edge technology for multiple verticals including Bioinformatics and Clinical Informatics.

A longer version of the release is available at this address : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IPSNP_1018.pdf.

Contact Information

Jeff Jennings
VP Business Development
(506)-644-8833
jeff.jennings@ipsnp.com

Dr. Chris Baker
CEO
(506)-721-8241
chris.baker@ipsnp.com

Google, Oracle Of Transparency, Gets Caught By Transparency; Consumer Watchdog Says Earnings Report Glitch Should Be Wake Up Call For Online Privacy

Google, Oracle Of Transparency, Gets Caught By Transparency; Consumer Watchdog Says Earnings Report Glitch Should Be Wake Up Call For Online Privacy

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog urged the founders of Google to take today's early leak of financial information -- which caused Google to ask to suspend trading in its stock -- as a wake up call for the billionaire executives and prompt them to support giving Google users the right to suspend trading in their own private information.

Google's disappointing third quarter results were posted by a contractor to the Securities and Exchange Commission before Google intended.  The stock plunged nearly 10 percent and Google asked for trading to be suspended.

"Now CEO Larry Page really knows what it's like to have your private data made public before you wanted it out there," said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog's Privacy Project director.  "He ought to think long and hard about that, because his company violates the privacy of millions of its users daily."

Google's entire business model is based on amassing digital dossiers about its users and selling ads against them. You are Google's product, not its customer, Consumer Watchdog noted.

"Google users don't have the right to say no to disclosure of their information. They cannot stop the trading of such information, the way Google asked to suspend trading its stock," said Simpson.

Google says its mission is to organize the world's information and make it accessible, Consumer Watchdog said.

"The oracle of transparency should take heed of what it means to be bitten by information you don't yet want public," Simpson said. "Google's founders should now know what it feels like to have private information become public and give all users the right to suspend public trading of the their data through a meaningful Do Not Track Option."

Visit our Website at www.consumerwatchdog.org.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

B.C. to lead Canada in offering students free, open textbooks

Oct. 16, 2012

Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology

 

 

B.C. to lead Canada in offering students free, open textbooks

 

VANCOUVER – British Columbia is set to become the first province in Canada to offer students free online, open textbooks for the 40 most popular post-secondary courses.

 

Up to 200,000 B.C. students each year could benefit from this move under B.C.’s Families First Agenda, saving each student hundreds of dollars a year or more on textbooks – money that can go toward other learning supplies or living expenses.

 

An open textbook is typically published under an open licence and can be read online or downloaded at no cost. If a printed copy is desired, the book is made available for printing at a fraction of traditional textbook costs. Because the open textbooks are digital and open, they can be modified and adapted by instructors to fit different classes. 

 

Open textbooks are part of a growing movement worldwide supporting Open Education Resources, which takes advantage of the Internet (making information sharing easier) and open licences (which extend the rights to use, reuse, revise and share material).

 

Government will work with post-secondary institutions in implementing an open textbook policy in anticipation they could be in use at B.C. institutions as early as 2013-14, supporting students taking a variety of courses in areas like arts, sciences, humanities and business.

 

The open textbooks are expected to be created with input from B.C. faculty, institutions and publishers through an open Request for Proposal process co-ordinated by BCcampus, a publicly funded organization that aims to make higher education available to everyone through the smart use of collaborative information technology services. Educators will continue to have the option of using other teaching materials in developing curriculum and teaching classes.

 

This is the latest step announced under the Families First Agenda for British Columbia, which helps make life more affordable, support vulnerable families and keep communities safe.


 

Quotes:

 

John Yap, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology –

 

By taking advantage of technology, more people can get the learning they need in the knowledge economy and access to new or better jobs. This innovative step under B.C.’s Families First Agenda, is an example of how our government is making our world-class education system even better, while increasing accessibility and affordability for students and their families.”

 

“British Columbia is proudly leading Canada in committing free, open textbooks to students and joins other international jurisdictions in taking a leadership role that puts technology to work for students.”

 

David Porter, executive director, BCcampus –

 

“BCcampus is leading the way on Open Educational Resources – OER – in Canada. We believe the goal of higher education is the creation, dissemination, and preservation of knowledge, and as a system agency co-ordinating collaborative online learning services, we have an essential role to play.”

 

“BCcampus is in a unique position to develop and support the virtual space for educational innovation to happen across B.C. post-secondary system, and we are well-positioned to co-ordinate the BC Open Textbook project.”

 

Dr. Cable Green, director, Global Learning, Creative Commons –

 

“B.C. is leveraging 21st century-technologies and licensing to ensure its citizens have affordable access to high-quality post-secondary textbooks. Open licensing on publicly funded content ensures the greatest impact for the public dollar.”

 

“Canada has long been a leader in online learning and Open Educational Resources; it will now lead in the creation and open sharing of high quality textbooks. Creative Commons congratulates the B.C. government for its vision and leadership and stands ready to assist.”

 

Alan Shaver, president and vice-chancellor, Thompson Rivers University –

 

“Given the explosion of high-quality Open Education Resources – OERs, led by some of the best universities in the world, it’s clear that many people are looking to these resources to advance their education. Providing key textbooks online not only helps students enrolled in distance and on-campus programs, it also complements other OERs projects in helping learners access the wealth of online learning resources for self-development in a way that assures excellence in learning outcomes.”


 

Terry Lake, B.C. Minister of Environment –

 

“Open textbooks are an innovative way to support B.C.’s green initiatives while lowering our carbon footprint. As well, having the option of accessing the books online will save students money that they can use for other priorities and expenses.”

 

 

Quick Facts:

 

·         It is estimated students spend between $900 and $1,500 per academic year on textbooks. Open textbooks reduce this to around $300 or less when printed books are needed – or $0 for e-copies.

·         Open Educational Resources (OERs), like open textbooks, provide workers with easy access to training materials needed to find employment or upgrade skills.

·         OERs also have significant benefits for educators and post-secondary institutions, allowing professors to more easily incorporate a teaching module designed by a colleague directly into their course, and materials shared between provinces, or worldwide, with savings for taxpayers in public dollars spent on the development of programming and curriculum.

·         Since 2003, the B.C. government has provided $9.5 million for the BCcampus Online Program Development Fund which supports the development of online courses, textbooks, manuals, videos and other learning materials. Once completed, these materials are licensed and uploaded to the Shareable Online Learning Resources repository (SOL*R) at BCcampus where public post-secondary educators can share online learning resources for free. OER textbooks developed under this new program will be made available in SOL*R to everyone.

 

 

Learn More:

 

·         To read The Families First Agenda for British Columbia, share your ideas or provide feedback, visit: http://www.familiesfirstbc.ca/

·         To learn more about BCcampus, visit: http://www.bccampus.ca/

·         To learn more about the Open Education 2012 Conference, underway Oct. 16-18 in Vancouver, visit: http://openedconference.org/2012/

 

 

Media Contact:

 

Dan Gilmore

Communications Manager

Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology

250 952-6400

 

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

Gartner Says Big Data Will Drive $28 Billion of IT Spending in 2012

Gartner Says Big Data Will Drive $28 Billion of IT Spending in 2012

Analysts to Examine Key Issues Around Big Data at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012

STAMFORD, Conn., October 17, 2012—              Big data will drive $28 billion of worldwide IT spending in 2012, according to Gartner, Inc. In 2013, big data is forecast to drive $34 billion of IT spending. 

Most of the current spending is used in adapting traditional solutions to the big data demands — machine data, social data, widely varied data, unpredictable velocity, and so on — and only $4.3 billion in software sales will be driven directly by demands for new big data functionality in 2012. 

Big data currently has the most significant impact in social network analysis and content analytics with 45 percent of new spending each year. In traditional IT supplier markets, application infrastructure and middleware is most affected (10 percent of new spending each year is influenced by big data in some way) when compared with storage software, database management system, data integration/quality, business intelligence or supply chain management (SCM). 

"Despite the hype, big data is not a distinct, stand-alone market, it but represents an industrywide market force which must be addressed in products, practices and solution delivery," said Mark Beyer, research vice president at Gartner. "In 2011, big data formed a new driver in almost every category of IT spending. However, through 2018, big data requirements will gradually evolve from differentiation to 'table stakes' in information management practices and technology. By 2020, big data features and functionality will be non-differentiating and routinely expected from traditional enterprise vendors and part of their product offerings." 

Big data opportunities emerged when several advances in different IT categories aligned in a short period at the end of the last decade, creating a dramatic increase in computing technology capacity. This new capacity, coupled with latent demands for analysis of "dark data," social networks data and operational technology (or machine data), created an environment highly conducive to rapid innovation. 

Starting near the end of 2015, Gartner expects leading organizations to begin to use their big data experience in an almost embedded form in their architectures and practices. Beginning in 2018, big data solutions will be offering increasingly less of a distinct advantage over traditional solutions that have incorporated new features and functions to support greater agility when addressing volume, variety and velocity. However, the skills, practices and tools currently viewed as big data solutions will persist as leading organizations will have incorporated the design principles and acquired the skills necessary to address big data concerns as routine flexibility. 

"Because big data's effects are pervasive, big data will evolve to become a standardized requirement in leading information architectural practices, forcing older practices and technology into early obsolescence," said Mr. Beyer. "As a result, big data will once again become 'just data' by 2020 and architectural approaches, infrastructure and hardware/software that does not adapt to this 'new normal' will be retired. Organizations resisting this change will suffer severe economic impacts." 

Additional information is available in the report "Big Data Drives Rapid Changes in Infrastructure and $232 Billion in IT Spending Through 2016". The report is available on Gartner's website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=2195915

Gartner will present its latest IT spending outlook during the webinar, "Gartner Worldwide IT Spending Forecast, 3Q12 Update" at 11 a.m. EDT on October 23. To register for this complimentary webinar, please visit http://my.gartner.com/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=202&mode=2&PageID=5553&resId=2155916&ref=Webinar-Calendar.

 Gartner analysts will be further discussing the future of big data at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012. 

About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the world's most important gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives. This event delivers independent and objective content with the authority and weight of the world's leading IT research and advisory organization, and provides access to the latest solutions from key technology providers. Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of attendees' annual planning efforts. IT executives rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use IT to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency.

Additional information for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012 in Orlando, October 21-25, is available at www.gartner.com/us/symposium. Follow news, photos and video coming from Gartner Symposium/ITxpo on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/GartnerSymposium, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Gartner_inc and using #GartnerSym. 

Upcoming dates and locations for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo include:

October 21-25, Orlando, Florida: www.gartner.com/us/symposium

October 29-31, Sao Paulo, Brazil: www.gartner.com/br/symposium

November 5-8, Barcelona, Spain: www.gartner.com/eu/symposium

November 12-15, Gold Coast, Australia: www.gartner.com/au/symposium

March 5-7, 2013, Dubai, UAE: www.gartner.com/technology/symposium/dubai/

Contacts:

Christy Pettey
Gartner
+1 408 468 8312
christy.pettey@gartner.com

Rob van der Meulen
Gartner
+44 0 1784 267892
rob.vandermeulen@gartner.com


About Gartner:
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. Gartner delivers the technology-related insight necessary for its clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to technology investors, Gartner is the valuable partner to clients in 12,000 distinct organizations. Through the resources of Gartner Research, Gartner Executive Programs, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events, Gartner works with every client to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has 5,000 associates, including 1,280 research analysts and consultants, and clients in 85 countries. For more information, www.gartner.com.

Dell Customer (Quebec-based) Instrumentation GDD Inc. Upgrades IT Infrastructure and Implements End-to-End Data Centre

Dell Customer Instrumentation GDD Inc. Upgrades IT Infrastructure and Implements End-to-End Data Centre











 

  • Prepares for future growth by installing new virtualized environment
  • Migrates entire system with no disruption to business or customers
  • Adopts consultative approach, working with Dell to achieve optimum results

Dell designed and installed a new turnkey IT solution for Quebec-based Instrumentation GDD Inc., a world leader in high-tech geophysical and electronic instrumentation for mining, exploration and geophysics. The new virtual environment leverages Dell’s growing end-to-end data centre capabilities, including Dell servers, storage and networking. The solution streamlines deployment and management while facilitating simpler, future upgrades to easily scale IT as the company’s business grows.

Instrumentation GDD turned to Dell’s broad data centre portfolio to upgrade its IT infrastructure in order to handle the company’s anticipated expansion with a significant new product launch later this year. The company required a new ERP system, new IP phone system, increased storage, improved back-up capabilities and enhanced security, as well as a system capable of running its older, highly specialized design software.

Dell, working with its PartnerDirect Preferred Channel Partner Jolera, planned the new IT infrastructure, and implemented it in just eight days, with no downtime or disruption to staff or customers. The new solution includes Dell PowerEdge R620 and R310 servers, Dell EqualLogic PS4100X storage, a Dell PowerVault 124T tape autoloader for unattended automated back-up, Dell PowerConnect 6224, and Force10 S50N switches.

With a virtualized environment and covered by a Dell Service Agreement, Instrumentation GDD and its 20 employees work with Dell and Jolera to manage their IT environment helping save both time and cost. The new infrastructure is sufficiently robust to handle the company’s increasing storage and back-up requirements, while providing a highly scalable environment to accommodate future expansion.

Quotes:

“Storage and back-up capabilities were our prime concerns. We have customers in remote mining locations around the world who rely on us 24 x 7 to provide product support on their highly specialized geophysical and electronic instrumentation. We need to store and retrieve detailed diagrams and data pertaining to every piece of equipment we’ve ever sold. We need 100 per cent availability and can’t afford back-up failure or for a PC or server to go down. Dell understood our needs, provided innovative solutions, managed the relationships between our various service providers and looked after us impeccably. We were delighted by how smooth and painless the process was.” – Pierre Gaucher, President, Instrumentation GDD, Inc.

“As a high-tech company, Instrumentation GDD understands how having the right technology in place can transform an organization. They were ready for a major upgrade of their IT infrastructure to accommodate growing demand, and Dell’s end-to-end data centre capabilities were a perfect fit. Collaboration with our channel partners is critically important to us, and we were delighted to work with Jolera to identify and solve problems to meet Instrumentation GDD’s short-term needs and, more importantly, to facilitate future growth.” – David Miketinac, VP and GM, SMB, Dell Canada.

About Instrumentation GDD Inc.
Based in Quebec, Instrumentation GDD is a world leader in high-tech geophysical and electronic instrumentation for mining exploration, geophysical and environmental leveling surveys. Since 1977 it has developed, manufactured and sold a wide range of electromagnetic, leveling and induced polarization geophysical instruments to mining and exploration companies around the world.

About Jolera
Jolera is an award winning end-to-end national Information Technology services provider. As a Dell Canada services GEOpartner that delivers Dell-branded professional and managed services across Canada, Jolera’s services portfolio includes hardware/software procurement, certified professional services, software development services (including Microsoft SharePoint™), and a complete suite of managed services (server colocation, virtualization services, 24/7/365 help desk, managed servers, managed network devices, network monitoring, online backup and online email anti-spam/anti malware).

About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.ca.

Dell World
Join us at Dell World 2012 – The Power to Do More. Technology professionals will learn from one another and identify key challenges and opportunities connected to the top forces changing business today. Learn more at www.DellWorld.com or follow #DellWorld on Twitter.
























































































Quebec Technology Association (AQT) Barometer: The ICT industry is on the lookout for new opportunities

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: CNW Group <bmail@newswire.ca>
Date: Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 9:06 AM
Subject: AQT Barometer: The ICT industry is on the lookout for new opportunities
To: "Aurora ON - InformationWeek.ca - Information Week Canada" <pr@itincanada.ca>



AQT Barometer: The ICT industry is on the lookout for new opportunities


MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Last night, the Quebec Technology Association (AQT) revealed the results of its  survey of over 850 Quebec information technology companies. Data collected in 2011-2012, from 634 companies with between 4 and 500 employees was analyzed under this initiative known as the AQT Barometer. This survey provided an interesting snapshot of business practices and the state of Quebec ICT companies.

A typical ICT company in Quebec employs 36 people, has been in business 17 years, and generates annual sales of $4.7 million, with 35% of its income derived from outside Quebec. While the typical Quebec ICT company maintains a presence beyond our borders, particularly for marketing activities, the total payroll remains largely in Quebec.

AQT has produced fact sheets featuring highlights and statistics based on four performance indicators: human resources, innovation, marketing, and income.

Performance indicators shine the spotlight on the innovative spirit of the Quebec ICT sector

  • HUMAN RESOURCES: Results point to the relative stability of administration positions to the benefit of other positions. En average, 30% of employees work in research and development.
  • INNOVATION: The innovation indicator, which is based on the contribution of external expertise, strategic planning, and the application of development methodology, is on the rise.
  • MARKETING: Mergers and acquisitions are expected to increase to promote geographic expansion.
  • INCOME: Companies estimate recurrent income to be 42%. This figure could increase as a result of the massive move to cloud computing.

Despite the major recession in the U.S. and Europe, local markets appear relatively resilient and a greater concentration of income was noted in Quebec. Following a minor decline, Quebec ICT companies are on the lookout for opportunities.

"While these may be turbulent times, the Quebec ICT industry is staying the course. Industry players are in action and innovation mode with a strong focus on the export market", stated Nicole Martel, Chief Executive Officer of AQT.

Growth challenges in a competitive market

  • HUMAN RESOURCES: More than half the companies are intent on the development of new employee retention strategies.
  • INNOVATION: 64% of respondents said they believe in fostering communications with other executives to benefit from their knowledge and enhance the performance of their company.
  • MARKETING: Direct sales represent 82% of marketing income while 16% comes from indirect channels (i.e. distribution networks).
  • INCOME: 39% of Quebec ICT companies have funding sources other than sales, including 14% that have access to venture capital.

About the AQT Barometer

The AQT Barometer aims to help members meet management challenges in AQT's three areas of intervention: growing the industry's reach and representation, helping companies enhance performance through the implementation of best business practices, and promoting business networking and partnerships.

The AQT Barometer was conducted by the SOM survey firm with CEOs and executives of information and communications technology (ICT) companies across Quebec. Survey participants received a personalized report allowing them to gauge their performance, relative to similar companies, on more than 30 indicators. Complete survey results will be made available to the media on request.

About the Quebec Technology Association (AQT) www.aqt.ca

The Quebec Technology Association promotes innovative SMEs in the ICT industry by helping their CEOs and management teams reach business development objectives.

Now the largest ICT business network in Quebec, the AQT, a non-profit, self-funded organization, provides its 500 member and affiliate companies with local and international networking opportunities, as well as business comparison and improvement tools - true building blocks of success!

SOURCE: QUEBEC TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION (AQT)

For further information:

AQT - Valérie Danger, Director of Communications and Projects, 514 874-2667, ext. 118, vdanger@aqt.ca


IBM Study Spotlights Big Data as Top Reason to Deploy Cloud “Platform as a Service”

 

IBM Study Spotlights Big Data as Top Reason to Deploy Cloud “Platform as a Service”

IBM launches new PaaS Cloud offering


NEW YORK – 17 October 2012: In a world awash in data, where complexity is on the rise and the pace of innovation has never been faster, the need to streamline new application development is driving demand for a relatively new form of cloud computing known as Platform as a Service (PaaS). This was the finding of a new study released today by the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Center for Applied Insights.  In response, IBM is today announcing a new PaaS offering to help organizations build and deploy their own software applications quickly and effectively by renting IBM's PaaS cloud computing platform of integrated middleware, monitoring, networks, servers and storage.  

IBM’s survey of more than 1,500 IT decision makers from 18 countries found that forward looking IT leaders are blazing the trail with early adoption of PaaS for business advantage – citing big data as the #1 reason amongst several strategic initiatives they were targeting.  The study also showed that nearly 20 percent of respondents are currently using PaaS, although more than half recognize the opportunity.

Business and technology leaders are beginning to seek out this new type of cloud computing to keep computing costs low and to expedite delivery of new products and services.  Unlike other cloud computing services, such as Infrastructure as a Service and Software as a Service, PaaS uniquely offers a foundation of common application services, tools and templates for businesses to rent and build their own powerful software applications quickly and deploy them into an automated environment.  

“Just as auto makers have used common platforms or chassis to manufacture their lines of cars more efficiently, PaaS allows organizations to standardize their IT platform and quickly introduce new competitive offerings," said Erich Clementi, senior vice president of IBM Global Technology Services. “IBM is focused on industrializing this cloud platform to drive business innovation around key enterprise applications.”

IBM's new PaaS cloud offering, SmartCloud Application Services, provides self-service, instant access to an application development suite of tools, middleware and databases, available via pattern-based technology.

The study found that 49 percent of IT decision-makers see the strategic importance of PaaS as a way to drive innovation and improve the whole application lifecycle across the enterprise.[1] They are now contemplating using PaaS as a pragmatic approach to future expansion. They believe PaaS can drive greater differentiation and strategic impact for a business, by standardizing efforts for development, deployment, production and maintenance.  

Client Pioneers for PaaS
The study identified a group of early adopting PaaS “Pioneers” (comprised 16 percent of the survey respondents) who saw the strategic benefits of PaaS as a way to innovate. The research showed the more strategic the benefit, the greater separation between the Pioneers and the rest of the respondents.


According to Pioneers, access to tested “patterns,” which leverage both human expertise and data to create a template for complex tasks common to many development efforts, differentiates the unique value of PaaS from other cloud alternatives.  Two pioneers[2] include CLD Partners, a custom software development shop based in Virginia, and Haddon Hill Group (HHG), a systems integrator based in California.  

These companies use PaaS to set up new testing environments and add users in a matter of minutes. These time savings, along with PaaS’s pay-as-you-go subscription model, have helped PaaS pioneers drive down their overall development costs.

“One of the most important benefits of PaaS is the ability to use patterns. They give us tested templates for jumpstarting specific applications very quickly with all the favorable attributes of the cloud,” said George Knoll, general manager of HHG. “If you are a financial services company that needs a mobile application for customers to look up savings portfolio details, you don’t want to start from scratch. PaaS patterns give you a set of rich tools to build the mobile application very quickly without worrying about big technology investments.”

“We’re a small business now capable of offering a flexible platform that can readily adapt to meet the shifting demands of the software development industry,” said Steve Clune, CEO of CLD Partners.  “We’re confident that, as a PaaS pioneer, we’re now more equipped to keep pace with our most aggressive future development plans.”

Study’s Key Findings
Pioneers ranked the primary drivers for their PaaS journey, which include: data management, integration and analysis, efficiency, and resiliency.  Key findings include:
·        Among Pioneers, 52 percent are driving towards application integration and better data management.  
·        The current and planned usage rate for Pioneers is three times higher for analytics than other respondents.[3]
·        Pioneers were almost twice as likely to identify pattern-related qualities, such as portable, standardized, and repeatable, as highly valuable compared with the rest of the respondents.

While cloud adopters have concerns like security and ROI, the PaaS pioneers have overcome their hesitations and are now most concerned about performance and service quality.  In that vein, nearly half of Pioneers noted they have used application outsourcing, a rate of 70 percent higher than the rest of the respondents combined and their usage rate for public cloud development environments is almost six times greater.

“This study is one of the first deep dives into what arguably is considered the least understood area of cloud computing,” said Kevin Thompson, manager at the IBM Center for Applied Insights.  “The major finding is that these cloud Pioneers have a greater comfort level with the cloud concept and depend on its repeatable and standardized best practices to focus greater efforts at the application level driving business innovation.

Figure 1: PaaS offers a high degree of standardization at the platform level while still allowing organizations to differentiate via their applications.

Study’s Recommendations
The study recommended that business leaders unlock the power of PaaS by differentiating the way applications are created, developed and managed. IT leaders can work with a skilled partner to identify best practices and expertise, and harvest repeatable patterns to be leveraged across the cloud platform.

IBM Launches its Cloud Platform as a Service, IBM SmartCloud Application Services
As part of SmartCloud Application Services, IBM has built expertise into a set of common services and pre-integrated patterns, which accelerate the development and delivery of new applications, eliminate manual errors, and drive consistent results.  These application patterns are deployable into a public cloud with IBM SmartCloud Enterprise, or a private cloud with the IBM PureApplication System or via IBM Workload Deployer.  Because no two applications' requirements are the same, these customizable and portable patterns give clients flexibility and control over their application deployment.  General availability of IBM’s SmartCloud Application Services is planned for the fourth quarter of this year.

To access the IBM PaaS research report, visit www.ibm.com/cai/paas

About the IBM Center for Applied Insights
The IBM Center for Applied Insights at http://www.ibm.com/smarter/cai/value  introduces new ways of thinking, working and leading. Through evidence-based research, the Center arms leaders with pragmatic guidance and the case for change.

About IBM Cloud Computing
IBM has helped thousands of clients adopt cloud models and manages millions of cloud-based transactions every day. With cloud, IBM helps clients rethink their IT and reinvent their business. IBM assists clients in areas as diverse as banking, communications, healthcare and government to build their own clouds or securely tap into IBM cloud-based business and infrastructure services. IBM is unique in bringing together key cloud technologies, deep process knowledge, a broad portfolio of cloud solutions, and a network of global delivery centers. For more information about cloud offerings from IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com/smartcloud. Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ibmcloud and on our blog at http://www.thoughtsoncloud.com.  


Footnotes:
[1] The study’s 49 percent total comprises 16 percent of “Pioneers” (who have adopted PaaS and see its potential as a way to drive innovation and improve the whole application lifecycle across the enterprise) and 33 percent “Experimenters” (who are using PaaS and are taking a pragmatic approach to future expansion).

[2] CLD Partners and HHG were not affiliated with IBM’s PaaS study.  Their comments reflect their views as independent PaaS pioneers.

[3] For public cloud implementations

 

























































































 

 

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Canadians Open the Door to Smart Grids: New Consumer Research Released Today at SmartGrid Canada Conference

Canadians Open the Door to Smart Grids: New Consumer Research Released Today at SmartGrid Canada Conference

TORONTO, Oct. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - A national online survey conducted by SmartGrid Canada in partnership with the Independent Electricity System Operator shows that Canadian consumers clearly want to be engaged with smart grids - but they want to know more about what value these technologies can deliver.

"This survey reveals a window of opportunity for our industry," said Alex Bettencourt, Managing Director of SmartGrid Canada. "Canadians are, by and large, very open to the concept of smart grids and smart homes.  While they may have an inkling of what it might entail, there's clearly a need for our industry to raise awareness levels through large scale education efforts and address consumer concerns about cost, control and privacy."

Smart grid describes the application of digital technologies to the existing electrical grid.  These changes to today's electricity networks can reduce outages, deliver power more efficiently and allow consumers to manage their electricity use with in-home displays and other technologies.

The online survey was conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion, a VisionCritical Practice, in English and French, with responses collected from more than 2,000 Canadians in September, 2012.   Other findings of the report include:

  • Canadian awareness levels of smart meters are higher than those in the US which is largely a result of large-scale smart meter deployments in Ontario and BC .
  • While favourability levels for smart grids and smart homes were high (68% and 69%), awareness levels were low.  Only 27 per cent of respondents indicated that they had at minimum a basic knowledge of smart grids and 40 per cent claimed they had at least some understanding of smart homes.
  • Seventy-two per cent of Ontarians indicated that they have changed their energy use in response to time-of-use rates, with a slighter lower percentage (69 per cent) believing that these efforts are having an impact on their bills.
  • While only 17 per cent of Canadians outside of Ontario indicated that they would like to make the switch to time-of-use rates, more than half were interested in learning more about variable pricing options.
  • In terms of personal expenditures on smart home technologies, many consumers indicated that they would be willing to do the following:
  • Forty-five per cent of respondents said that they already have or would consider purchasing a smart appliance  within the next three to five years;
  • Almost a third said they already have or would consider participating in a load control program which would allow their utility or another third party to reduce their air conditioning or water heater use during peak demand;
  • A similar percentage were interested in downloading a mobile app that would show how much energy they were using;
  • Just under a quarter of respondents were likely to buy, lease or rent an electric car.
  • Just over a third of respondents indicated that they would be willing to pay one to two dollars more each month to reduce carbon emissions. This was higher than the proportion who were willing to pay more to reduce the number of power outages (29 per cent).
  • Among the perceived downsides of smart grids, 37 per cent of Canadians believe smart grids could lead to a loss of control over their energy use; and while 71 per cent of Canadians felt that smart grids will either save money, or be revenue neutral, 28 per cent believed that they will result in higher costs in the long run.
  • "As utilities and others improve our electricity system with smart grid technologies, we have to provide consumers with the information they need to understand the opportunities these changes create and decide for themselves whether they want to get on board," said Paul Murphy, President and CEO of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).  "Smart grids offer so many options for consumers - detailed consumption information, more efficient appliances, in-home generation and electric cars, for example. All these opportunities can provide many benefits to the consumer - and the system as a whole."

    A copy of the survey results is available from the SmartGrid Canada site at: http://sgcanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Data-Report.pdf

    SOURCE: SmartGrid Canada

    For further information:

    Alex Bettencourt
    Managing Director
    SmartGrid Canada
    416 567 5052
    alex.bettencourt@sgcanada.org
























































































    OpenText's New Cloud-Based Services Allow Customers to Exchange Information, Securely and Cost Effectively -- Anytime, Anywhere

    OpenText's New Cloud-Based Services Allow Customers to Exchange Information, Securely and Cost Effectively -- Anytime, Anywhere

    OpenText's New Cloud-Based Services Allow Customers to Exchange Information, Securely and Cost Effectively -- Anytime, Anywhere

    WATERLOO, ON, Oct. 16, 2012, 2012 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Inaugural Offerings integrate OpenText Optical Character Recognition (OCR), OpenText Alchemy Archive and OpenText MBPM with OpenText Cloud

    OpenText OTEX, a leading provider of Enterprise Information Management (EIM) solutions, today announced the immediate availability of a new set of services that leverage the company's recently acquired EasyLink cloud infrastructure to facilitate secure information exchange in the OpenText cloud.

    OpenText is combining the power of OpenText RightFax, OpenText OCR, OpenText Alchemy and, OpenText MBPM with the OpenText Cloud on a single platform, enabling customers to send, receive, route and archive high volumes of rich documents securely, seamlessly and cost effectively. By providing users with the option of outsourcing all or a portion of their document-related capture, process routing and telephony needs, these offerings can help reduce costs, improve business processes, speed decision making, improve customer service and offload the IT burden associated with document distribution.

    "Our new cloud offerings represent the first of many secure, cloud-based information exchange capabilities that OpenText will bring to market in the coming months," said Mark J. Barrenechea, President and CEO of OpenText. "In the 90 days since we acquired EasyLink, we've already leveraged the EasyLink technology and infrastructure and extended OpenText's reach in the cloud. Our current and future cloud offerings will provide customers with a wide range of capabilities and options for ensuring secure information exchange within and across their organizational boundaries. Today's announcement and the speed with which we have delivered these services underscore OpenText's commitment to and leadership in the cloud marketplace."

    Key Benefits of OpenText's new cloud offerings include:


    -- Secure fax communications in the cloud: OpenText RightFax
    Connect is a hybrid fax solution that sends and receives faxes
    through the OpenText Cloud platform. RightFax Connect minimizes
    fax telephony complexity by eliminating telephone lines, fax
    boards, gateways and complex PBX integrations, reducing
    telephony charges. RightFax Connect extends RightFax delivery
    by ensuring secure data transfer to and from the cloud.

    -- Secure capture, storage, routing, exchange, and lifecycle
    management for sensitive data: OpenText EasyLink Fax Archive
    leverages OpenText's Alchemy document server, a purpose built
    fax and document archive solution, to quickly archive faxes and
    other documents, enable document tracking from capture to
    destruction, allow customers to rapidly respond to audit and
    discovery requests and streamline and automate transactional
    document processing. OpenText EasyLink OCR combines OpenText
    Capture Center with OpenText EasyLink cloud services to help
    customers quickly and efficiently capture and digitize
    documents, forms and faxes.

    -- Streamlined workflow and business process management (BPM)
    services: OpenText EasyLink Workflow enables robust process
    routing and task processing capabilities through integration
    with OpenText MBPM to automate mission-critical business
    processes in the cloud. For example, an inbound credit
    application received by fax may be routed for further
    processing based on information contained in the credit
    application that was captured by OpenText Capture Center and
    determined to require a specific routing and approval process
    based on pre-determined business rules. The integrated use of
    OpenText solutions such as Capture Center and MBPM will help
    customers improve overall process productivity and efficiency.

    "OpenText RightFax Connect and our portfolio of cloud offerings usher in our new all-in-one solution for secure information exchange," said Matthew Brine, vice president and general manager of the OpenText EasyLink & Fax and Document Distribution Group. "As a pioneer in hybrid fax services, our new offerings leverage the OpenText EasyLink platform and provide our customers with enhanced data security and sovereignty while simplifying fax-telephony integration. But we are far more than fax. Our integrated business management services allow organizations to securely exchange virtually any type of information, regardless of file type or format."

    Availability These new cloud services are available from OpenText and its partners. To learn more, visit http://faxsolutions.opentext.com/.

    OpenText RightFax, OpenText OCR and OpenText BPM are key components of OpenText's Enterprise Information Management (EIM) strategy, which includes information exchange solutions designed to reduce costs, improve business processes, speed decision making, improve customer service and offload the IT burden associated with document distribution.

    As part of the OpenText Information Exchange suite, the Fax and Document Distribution Group (FDDG) provides market-leading document exchange, messaging, and notification services for businesses ranging from the smallest offices to the largest enterprises. FDDG can deliver even the largest files swiftly, securely, and reliably in the format of your choice. At your office or in the cloud, FDDG has a solution for you.

    About OpenText OpenText provides Enterprise Information Management software that enables companies of all sizes and industries to manage, secure and leverage their unstructured business information, either in their data center or in the cloud. Over 50,000 companies already use OpenText solutions to unleash the power of their information. To learn more about OpenText OTEX, please visit: www.opentext.com.

    Certain statements in this press release may contain words considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities laws. These statements are based on OpenText's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which the company operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and the actual outcome may be materially different. OpenText's assumptions, although considered reasonable by the company at the date of this press release, may prove to be inaccurate and consequently its actual results could differ materially from the expectations set out herein. For additional information with respect to risks and other factors which could occur, see OpenText's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC and other securities regulators. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, OpenText disclaims any intention or obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Copyright © 2012 by Open Text Corporation. OpenText EIM, OpenText RightFax, OpenText OCR, OpenText BPM, OpenText MBPM, OpenText Alchemy and OpenText Capture Center are trademarks or registered trademarks of Open Text Corporation in the United States of America, Canada, the European Union and/or other countries. This list of trademarks is not exhaustive. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, product names, company names, brands and service names mentioned herein are property of Open Text Corporation or other respective owners.

    SOURCE: Open Text Corporation

    To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2012/16/c7200.html

    SOURCE: Open Text Corporation

    Ingram Micro Completes Acquisition Of BrightPoint

    Ingram Micro Completes Acquisition Of BrightPoint

    Positions Company as a Leading Global Provider of Mobile Solutions for High Growth Market

    SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Brightpoint, Inc. (Nasdaq: CELL) (BrightPoint) for $9.00 per share in cash.  The addition complements Ingram Micro's position as the world's largest technology distributor by creating a leading global provider of device lifecycle services and solutions for the mobile industry. The acquisition, initially announced on July 2, 2012, gives Ingram Micro tremendous customer reach and deep relationships with key vendors, network operators and mobile virtual network operators in the rapidly growing and strategically important mobile market. Additionally, the combined company will now benefit from the industry's broadest portfolio of products, services and solutions, as well as an expanded global geographic footprint and customer base.

    The acquisition of BrightPoint supports Ingram Micro's long-term growth strategy to expand the company's business in high growth markets, while increasing its services and solutions capabilities. BrightPoint brings more than 25,000 B2B customers and over 100,000 points of sale across the globe, along with operations in 27 countries and sales in more than 75 countries around the world. The companies' combined businesses, as of the end of each company's 2011 fiscal year, had annual revenues of more than $41 billion, with operations in more than 30 countries. Ingram Micro expects to realize annual cost synergies and efficiencies in excess of $55 million by 2014, and the acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings per share by 18 cents in 2013 and 35 cents in 2014, excluding one-time charges and integration costs.

    "Today marks a significant milestone for Ingram Micro and BrightPoint, as well as for our collective associates, partners and customers," said Alain Monie, president and CEO of Ingram Micro. "Independently, each company is a respected industry leader. Together, we are a stronger global leader, with the capability to serve our customers and vendor partners with the most comprehensive suite of mobile products, services and solutions in the industry. We believe this is an excellent time to significantly expand our mobile business and device lifecycle services, and together we will continue to meet the ever-growing technology and services requirements of our increasingly connected world. With a history of more than 20 years of innovation and leadership in the mobility industry, BrightPoint is a great technology company and an outstanding addition to Ingram Micro."

    According to Gartner analyst Tuong Huy Nguyen in a September 2012 report entitled Ingram Micro Strengthens Mobile Distribution Expertise:  "The traditional IT market has evolved to incorporate the growing demand for mobility. These markets have converged to include devices such as smartphones, tablets, ultramobiles and hybrid devices that have detachable keyboards....New-product categories present a number of challenges for devices and services solution providers. Traditional solution providers need to understand how to incorporate Wireless WAN solutions into their offerings. Wireless solution providers can benefit from lessons learned from supply chain and distribution models in the traditional IT market. Both segments can leverage these best practices to develop a strategy that effectively handles the evolving demands of consumers and enterprise users. One option is a partner with experience in both markets."

    BrightPoint, an Ingram Micro company, will initially be led by Shailendra Gupta, Ingram Micro senior executive vice president and president Asia-Pacific. Gupta, who successfully led the seven country integration of Ingram Micro's acquisition of Tech Pacific in 2004, the company's largest acquisition prior to BrightPoint, will also head the BrightPoint integration efforts. He will be assisted by a team consisting of individuals from each organization, including the following members of BrightPoint's former senior management team who have taken similar senior leadership roles with Ingram Micro reporting to Gupta: Mark Howell, President, Americas Mobile; Bruce Thomlinson, President, Asia-Pacific Mobile; and Anurag Gupta, President, EMEA Mobile. Vincent Donargo, formerly BrightPoint chief financial officer, has assumed the role of executive vice president global integration and will also report to Gupta.  Bob Laikin, former chairman and CEO of BrightPoint, will serve in a senior advisory role to Monie.

    Cautionary Statement for the Purpose of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

    The matters in this press release that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations. Certain risks may cause such expectations to not be achieved and, in turn, may have a material adverse effect on Ingram Micro's business, financial condition and results of operations. Ingram Micro disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (1) we are dependent on a variety of information systems, which, if not properly functioning, or unavailable, could adversely disrupt our business and harm our reputation and earnings; (2) changes in macro-economic conditions may negatively impact a number of risk factors which, individually or in the aggregate, could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; (3) we continually experience intense competition across all markets for our products and services; (4) we operate a global business that exposes us to risks associated with conducting business in multiple jurisdictions; (5) our failure to adequately adapt to IT industry changes could negatively impact our future operating results; (6) terminations of a supply or services agreement or a significant change in supplier terms or conditions of sale could negatively affect our operating margins, revenue or the level of capital required to fund our operations; (7) we have made and expect to continue to make investments in new business strategies and initiatives, including acquisitions, which could disrupt our business and have an adverse effect on our operating results; (8) substantial defaults by our customers or the loss of significant customers could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity; (9) changes in, or interpretations of, tax rules and regulations, changes in the mix of our business amongst different tax jurisdictions, and deterioration of the performance of our business may adversely affect our effective income tax rates or operating margins and we may be required to pay additional taxes and/or tax assessments, as well as record valuation allowances relating to our deferred tax assets; (10) changes in our credit rating or other market factors such as adverse capital and credit market conditions or reductions in cash flow from operations may affect our ability to meet liquidity needs, reduce access to capital, and/or increase our costs of borrowing; (11) failure to retain and recruit key personnel would harm our ability to meet key objectives; (12) we cannot predict with certainty what loss we might incur as a result of litigation matters and contingencies that we may be involved with from time to time; (13) we may incur material litigation, regulatory or operational costs or expenses, and may be frustrated in our marketing efforts, as a result of new environmental regulations or private intellectual property enforcement disputes; (14) we face a variety of risks in our reliance on third-party service companies, including shipping companies for the delivery of our products and outsourcing arrangements; (15) changes in accounting rules could adversely affect our future operating results; and (16) our quarterly results have fluctuated significantly.  We also face a variety of risks associated with our recently completed acquisition of Brightpoint, Inc., including: management's ability to execute its plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, including the execution of integration plans; growth of the mobility industry; uncertainties relating to litigation, including BrightPoint shareholder lawsuits related to the completed transaction; and other unknown, underestimated and/or undisclosed commitments or liabilities; and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and manage the costs of the transaction.

    Ingram Micro has instituted in the past and continues to institute changes to its strategies, operations and processes to address these risk factors and to mitigate their impact on Ingram Micro's results of operations and financial condition. However, no assurances can be given that Ingram Micro will be successful in these efforts. For a further discussion of significant factors to consider in connection with forward-looking statements concerning Ingram Micro, reference is made to Item 1A Risk Factors of Ingram Micro's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011; other risks or uncertainties may be detailed from time to time in Ingram Micro's future SEC filings.

    About Ingram Micro Inc.

    As a vital link in the technology value chain, Ingram Micro creates sales and profitability opportunities for vendors and resellers through unique marketing programs, outsourced logistics, technical and financial support, managed and cloud-based services, and product aggregation and distribution. The company is the only global broad-based IT distributor, serving 145 countries on six continents with the world's most comprehensive portfolio of IT products and services. Visit www.ingrammicro.com.

    BrightPoint, an Ingram Micro company, is a leading provider of mobility lifecycle products and services - with the ability to provide complete lifecycle capabilities from basic warehousing to software loading, order and accounts receivable management, end-user fulfillment, and reverse logistics, which includes services from repair to refurbishment and recycling of wireless devices.

    (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100107/IMLOGO)

    SOURCE Ingram Micro Inc.