Windows Server 2012 Powers the Cloud OS

Windows Server 2012 Powers the Cloud OS
Sept. 04, 2012
New server is built from the cloud up for the modern datacenter.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 4, 2012 — Today in a global online launch event Satya Nadella, president of Microsoft Server and Tools Business, announced the general availability of Windows Server 2012. In his keynote speech, Nadella described how Windows Server 2012 is a cornerstone of the Cloud OS, which provides one consistent platform across private, hosted and public clouds.

“The operating system has always been the heartbeat of IT and is now undergoing a renaissance in the new world of continuous cloud services, connected devices and big data,” Nadella said. “Microsoft’s unique legacy in the most widely used operating systems, applications and cloud services positions us to deliver the Cloud OS, based on Windows Server and Windows Azure, helping customers achieve a datacenter without boundaries.”

Enabling the Modern Datacenter


Microsoft built Windows Server 2012 from the cloud up, applying its experience operating global datacenters that rely on hundreds of thousands of servers to deliver more than 200 cloud services. Windows Server 2012 expands the definition of a server operating system, with significant new advancements in virtualization, storage, networking and automation. Hundreds of new features can help customers achieve a transformational leap in the speed, scale and power of their datacenters and applications. In combination with Windows Azure and System Center, Windows Server 2012 empowers customers to manage and deliver applications and services across private, hosted and public clouds.

Customers Find Success With Windows Server 2012

Customers can use their existing skills and investments in systems management, application development, database, identity and virtualization to take advantage of Windows Server 2012 and realize the promise of cloud computing. Many enterprise customers are already seeing tremendous value in early deployments. A survey of 70 early adopter customers from across the globe revealed that they expect, on average, 52 percent reduction in downtime, 41 percent reduction in workload deployment time, and 15 hours of productivity time saved per year, per employee. 91 percent of the companies surveyed expect a reduction in server administration labor, and 88 percent expect reduction in network administration labor.*

Menzies Aviation, an airline passenger and cargo handling company that employs more than 17,000 people, is using Windows Server 2012 to provide identity access management and information access policies to its employees as it rapidly incorporates newly acquired businesses.

“We are very impressed by Windows Server 2012 and Microsoft’s overall solution to help us manage our systems and applications across our private cloud environments as they scale with our business,” said Martin Gallington, senior vice president of IT at Menzies Aviation. “This is a dramatic leap forward, matched by a simple, cost-effective pricing model.”

Equifax is a global information solutions provider that organizes and assimilates data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide. It now counts on Windows Server 2012 for improved reliability and uptime of its information services to clients.

“Windows Server 2012 revolutionizes how we can operate our datacenter, allowing us to better meet our commitments,” said Bryan Garcia, chief technology officer at Equifax. “The new high availably technologies help us deliver ‘always-on’ applications, and we’re betting on Hyper-V as a critical component of our private cloud strategy. We are gaining tremendous efficiencies, which translate into more time to innovate for company growth.”

More information about Windows Server 2012 and the Cloud OS is available here. Read Satya Nadella’s post on The Official Microsoft Blog here. The conversation on Twitter can be followed at #WinServer.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* “Windows Server 2012 Rapid Deployment Program: TCO Study Whitepaper,” Microsoft Corp., June 2012

Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.

HP Accelerates Enterprises’ Journey to the Cloud

HP Accelerates Enterprises’ Journey to the Cloud

HP CloudSystem optimized for Microsoft Windows Server 2012 delivers single-vendor experience

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 5, 2012

HP today announced it is expanding its Converged Cloud portfolio with joint HP and Microsoft solutions that simplify and enhance every aspect of a client’s private cloud journey.

The HP and Microsoft Joint Private Cloud initiative features optimized, preintegrated solutions based on extensive joint technology development, and offers one-stop-shop life cycle sales and support.

While organizations are attracted by the flexibility and financial benefits of cloud, they are struggling with how to get started quickly while addressing risk areas such as data loss, security and vendor lock-in. By providing a clear, proven path along with a single-vendor client experience, HP and Microsoft are greatly simplifying and accelerating the evolution to cloud computing.

The agreement between HP and Microsoft Corp. builds on the HP Converged Cloud strategy to extend the power of the cloud across infrastructure, applications and information, providing customers with choice, confidence and consistency. As the industry’s first strategy and portfolio based on a single open architecture, HP Converged Cloud enables the integration of any combination of private, managed and public cloud, as well as traditional IT.

The new HP and Microsoft Joint Private Cloud initiative includes:

  • Accelerated on-ramp to cloud deployment with new preintegrated solutions and reference architectures
  • Simplified management across both physical and virtual environments with comprehensive management integration
  • Trusted single-source engagement with Windows Server 2012 and Microsoft System Center 2012 SP1 available directly from HP

“As customers move to private clouds, they are looking for a simplified approach that minimizes risks, increases their flexibility and allows for greater cost savings,” said Stephen DeWitt, senior vice president, Enterprise Group, HP. “Through this relationship with Microsoft, we’re providing customers with a trusted, single-source experience to provide them an easy on-ramp to cloud.”

“Because Windows Server 2012 was built from the cloud up, it represents a transformational leap for businesses. The HP Converged Cloud solutions with Windows Server 2012 give customers a clear path to go beyond virtualization and accelerate their journey to the cloud,” said Michael Park, corporate vice president, Windows Server Marketing, Microsoft. “With this private cloud agreement and more than 30 years of proven cooperation, HP and Microsoft are committed to helping customers drive success for their organizations as they experience the benefits of the cloud.”

Accelerated path to private cloud

The expanded HP Converged Cloud offerings include the integration of HP CloudSystem and Microsoft solutions to help clients rapidly transform virtualized resources into self-service private and hybrid cloud environments. HP CloudSystem optimized for Microsoft provides faster time to value by providing preintegrated solutions that include HP Converged Infrastructure, cloud management from HP, Windows Server 2012 and Microsoft System Center 2012 SP1.

With HP CloudSystem optimized for Microsoft, customers can streamline and expedite both the service design and provisioning processes using proven templates based on best practices, such as HP Cloud Maps, and virtually eliminate common risks associated with cloud deployments. This solution also includes increased efficiency in storage management with HP 3PAR autonomic thin provisioning, automated data tiering and nondisruptive data mobility features.

In addition, for midsized businesses looking for an economical entry point to cloud computing, HP and Microsoft have worked together to deliver a two-node HP Departmental Private Cloud Reference Architecture. This solution combines HP Converged Infrastructure with “shared nothing” live migration, Hyper-V replica and the other breakthrough capabilities of Windows Server 2012, optimally balancing price and simplicity with performance, manageability and high availability.

Innovative management

The integrated HP CloudSystem offerings include comprehensive interoperability between HP Insight Management and Microsoft System Center. This enables System Center to deploy, monitor and update HP infrastructure without the administrator having to switch between multiple consoles.

The HP and Microsoft integration enables enterprises to:

  • Save time and training costs while consolidating operations with more than 1,400 points of integration between HP Insight Control and Microsoft System Center(1)
  • Reduce risk and remove the need for scheduled downtime with nondisruptive, cluster-aware firmware and driver updates for HP ProLiant servers
  • Deliver seven times faster volume creation and live storage migration with minimal network impact using HP 3PAR and Windows Server 2012 offload data transfer (ODX)(2)
  • Allow IT departments to move virtual machines between sites up to 100 kilometers apart without disrupting end users.

Removes complexity

Clients can procure the entire HP CloudSystem optimized for Windows Server and Microsoft System Center directly from HP or an HP authorized reseller. Clients get a single point of contact for their HP-Microsoft solutions, including purchase, deployment, integration and maintenance, as well as support to enhance the customer experience and speed resolution time. In addition HP will be able to offer Windows Server 2012 and Systems Center 2012 at a price commensurate with a customer’s existing Microsoft Enterprise Agreement, enabling HP to match the pricing level and offer the value of an end-to-end solution transaction.

HP Departmental Private Cloud Reference Architecture

The HP Departmental Private Cloud Reference Architecture is optimized for delivery through HP channel partners. As part of their multiyear agreement in cloud and management, HP and Microsoft have earmarked significant funding for partner cloud programs, incentives, marketing, demand generation and training for sales and deployment of the HP Departmental Private Cloud.

Pricing and availability

For HP customers purchasing cloud and virtualization solutions that include Windows Server and Microsoft System Center, HP’s pricing will be competitive with their current Enterprise or Select Plus agreement.

Select HP Converged Cloud solutions, including the HP Departmental Private Cloud Reference Architecture, are available now through HP and its worldwide channel partners. Solutions that require Systems Center 2012 SP1 will become available in early 2013.

Additional information is available at Windows Server 2012.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.


(1) Based on HP internal sales estimates of HP CloudSystem and other cloud solutions.

(2) Results depend on IP network bandwidth, server and array models, drive types and rotational speeds, number of disk drives and other factors based on HP internal testing and analysis.


Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

CRTC issues annual report on the state of the Canadian communications industry

CRTC issues annual report on the state of the Canadian communications industry

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, September 4, 2012 — Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued its annual Communications Monitoring Report providing an overview of the Canadian communications sector. In 2011, the average Canadian family spent more than $180 per month on communications services.

“This report is used to gauge whether the communications industry is meeting the needs of Canadians as consumers, citizens and creators,” said Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman of the CRTC. “The information it contains will help them make more informed decisions in the marketplace and enhance their participation in our public proceedings.”

Canadians are consuming more content

In 2011, 1,183 radio services and 702 television services were offered to Canadians. Despite the availability of content on digital platforms, Canadians spent more time watching television and listening to the radio. On a weekly basis, they watched an average of 28.5 hours of television, up from 28 hours in 2010, and listened to an average of 17.7 hours of radio, up from 17.6 hours the previous year.

Canadians also actively consumed digital media content. Typical users watched 2.8 hours of Internet television per week, an increase from 2.4 hours in 2010. Four per cent of Canadians report only watching television programming online, while 4% watched programming on a smartphone and 3% on a tablet. Additionally, 22% of anglophones and 17% of francophones streamed the signal of an AM or FM station over the Internet.

“Canadians are enthusiastic consumers of creative content, whether it is offered on television, radio or through digital platforms. The fact that they are spending more time watching or listening to programming is good news for Canadian creators,” Mr. Blais added.

In 2011, the broadcasting industry contributed $3.1 billion to the creation and promotion of Canadian programming, an increase of $132 million from the previous year.

Canadians are more connected

Seventy-eight per cent of the 13.4 million households in Canada had an Internet subscription. Canadians continued to migrate to faster Internet services: the percentage of households with download speeds of at least 5 megabits per second rose from 51% in 2010 to 54% in 2011. The average monthly bill for broadband Internet services increased by $1.80, or from $36.99 in 2010 to $38.79 in 2011.

By the end of 2011, the number of Canadians subscribing to wireless services grew by 6% to 27.4 million. Newer competitors, who offered their services to more than half of the population, doubled their market share from 2% to 4% of subscribers. At the same time, the larger companies introduced faster wireless networks, also known as Long Term Evolution or LTE networks, to 45% of the population. In 2011, Canadians paid on average $57.98 per month for wireless services, which was roughly the same amount as the previous year’s monthly total of $57.86.

The number of subscribers to home telephone services continued to decrease in 2011, falling by 2.7% to 12.2 million. The average monthly bill of a telephone line was slightly lower, from $31.35 in 2010 to $31.23 in 2011.

The number of Canadian households that subscribe to basic television service increased by 2.2% to 11.8 million, equivalent to 89.6% of all households. Cable companies served the majority, or 69.9% of subscribers, while satellite companies served 24.5% and companies that deliver television programming through telephone lines (known as an Internet Protocol Television service) served 5.6% of subscribers. The average television subscriber paid $61.86 per month, an increase from $59.73 in 2010.

Communications revenues continue to rise

The overall revenues for the communications industry climbed to $59.3 billion in 2011, a 3.3% increase from $57.4 billion in 2010. In 2011, these revenues accounted for 4.6% of Canada’s gross domestic product. Revenues for broadcasting services grew by 5.5% to $16.6 billion, while those for telecommunications services increased by 2.5% to $42.7 billion.

Communications Monitoring Report

The CRTC

The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

 

- 30 -

 

Follow us on Twitter @crtceng

Media Relations:
communications@crtc.gc.ca
Tel: 819-997-9403, Fax: 819-997-4245

General Inquiries:
   Tel: 819-997-0313, TDD: 819-994-0423, Fax: 819-994-0218
   Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
   TDD - Toll-free # 1-877-909-CRTC (2782)
   Ask a question or make a complaint

These documents are available in alternative format upon request.


Additional information on the 2012 Communications Monitoring Report

The Communications Monitoring Report contains data on the broadcasting sector for the year ended August 31, 2011 and data on the telecommunications for the year ended December 31, 2011. Highlights from the report are included below.

Broadcasting highlights

Radio

  • In 2011, 1,183 radio services, including 896 English-language services, 251 French-language services and 36 services in other languages, were offered to Canadians.
  • The average time spent listening to radio services increased slightly from 17.6 hours per week in 2010 to 17.7 hours in 2011. Private radio stations captured 77.4% of the weekly radio tuning share, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), 13%, and other stations, 9.5%.
  • The revenues of private commercial broadcasters increased by 3.9%, from $1.55 billion in 2010 to $1.61 billion in 2011.
  • In 2011, commercial radio stations contributed $54 million to the creation of Canadian content, an increase of 17% from 2010.

Television

  • In 2011, 702 television services, including 439 English-language services, 101 French-language services and 162 services in other languages, were offered to Canadians.
  • Canadians watched an average of 28.5 hours of television per week, which is slightly higher than the 2010 average of 28 hours.
  • Overall revenues for commercial television services experienced a 5.6% growth, from $6.05 billion in 2010 to $6.39 billion in 2011.
  • Private conventional television stations generated $2.15 billion in revenues in 2011, the same as 2010.
  • Specialty, pay and pay-per-view television and video-on-demand services saw their revenues increase 8% from $3.5 billion in 2010 to $3.7 billion in 2011.
  • In 2011, private conventional television broadcasters invested $562.9 million in Canadian programming, $118.3 million less than the $681.2 spent the previous year.1
  • During the same period, spending on Canadian programming by specialty and pay television services totaled $1.2 billion, a slight increase from 2010.
  • The CBC’s conventional television stations reported $500 million in advertising and other commercial revenues, an 11.1% increase from $450 million in 2010. The national public broadcaster invested $709.8 million in Canadian programming, a 3.9% increase from the $683.4 million spent in 2010.

Broadcasting distribution

  • In 2011, 11.8 million Canadians subscribed to television services offered by broadcasting distributors, an increase of 2.2% over the previous year. Of those subscribers, 70% subscribed to cable services, 24% to satellite services and 6% to services that deliver television programming through telephone lines (also known as Internet Protocol Television).
  • Revenues generated from the distribution of television programming went from $8.1 billion in 2010 to $8.6 billion in 2011, an increase of 5.8%.
  • On average, subscribers paid $2.13 more per month for television services in 2011, an increase of 3.6% over the previous year. This increase can be explained by higher monthly fees, a greater consumption of pay, pay-per-view and video-on-demand services, and consumers upgrading to digital or high-definition television services.
  • In 2011, broadcasting distribution companies contributed $382 million to Canadian programming, including programming for community channels. This total was 3.9% higher than the $368 million allocated for this purpose in 2010.

Digital media

  • Anglophones spent 18.2 hours online per week in 2011, up from 17.3 hours the previous year, while francophones spent 13.1 hours online, up from 12.8 in 2010.
  • Typical users watched 2.8 hours of Internet television per week, an increase from 2.4 hours in 2010. Four per cent of Canadians report only watching television programming online.
  • In 2011, 38% of Canadians aged 18+ owned a smartphone and 10% owned a tablet.
  • Four per cent of Canadians watched television programming on a smartphone and 3% on a tablet.
  • Twenty-two per cent of anglophones and 17% of francophones streamed the signal of an AM or FM station over the Internet. Canadians also downloaded music in similar numbers.

Telecommunications highlights

Revenues, expenditures and penetration

  • Telecommunications revenues increase by 2.5%, growing from $41.7 billion in 2010 to $42.7 billion in 2011.
  • Competitors of established companies accounted for $19.2 billion, or 45%, of total revenues in 2011.
  • In 2011, telecommunications companies allocated $9.4 billion for capital expenditures, which are used to maintain, improve or expand networks. This amount represents an increase from the $8.4 billion spent in 2010.

Wireless telephone services

  • In 2011, wireless services made up 45% of all telecommunications revenues. Overall revenues climbed from $18 billion in 2010 to $19.1 billion in 2011, a 6.2% increase.
  • The number of wireless subscribers rose from 25.8 million to 27.4 million, an increase of 6.2% in one year. In addition, 48% of subscribers had a mobile broadband plan.
  • Newer competitors doubled their market share from 2% to 4% of subscribers.
  • Advanced wireless networks, which support smartphones and other devices that connect to the Internet, were available to 99% of the population.

Internet services

  • In 2011, revenues generated from the provision of Internet services increased by 6.3%, or from $6.8 billion to $7.2 billion. Internet services accounted for 17% of all telecommunications revenues.
  • In 2011, the number of residential Internet subscribers grew by 2.9% to 10.7 million.
  • Canadians continued to adopt faster Internet services. Seventy two percent of households had a broadband service that offered download speeds of at least 1.5 megabits per second, as opposed to 69% a year earlier.
  • In addition, the percentage of households that subscribe to Internet download speeds of at least 5 megabits per second (Mbps) rose from 51% to 54% in one year.
  • Internet services offering download speeds of at least 5 Mbps were available to 87% of all Canadian households.

Local and long-distance telephone services

  • The number of local residential telephone lines fell from 12.6 million in 2010 to 12.2 million in 2011. There was a slight decline in residential revenues, which came in at $4.57 billion, down from $4.73 billion in 2010.
  • In 2011, local and long distance services accounted for 28% of all telecommunications revenues, compared with 30% in 2010.
  • Cable companies that provide home telephone service had captured approximately 31% of the market by year-end 2011, the same as the previous year.

[1] The 2010 Canadian programming expenses included $141 million in sports-related programming, including the Winter Olympic Games. Excluding these expenses, private conventional broadcasters spent 4.2% more on Canadian programming in 2011.

An eReader for Everyone, Kobo Breaks Ground for eReading with New Family

An eReader for Everyone, Kobo Breaks Ground for eReading with New Family: Kobo Mini, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo, and Kobo Arc

Starting at $79.99 the New Kobo Family will be available at World's Largest Network of Booksellers and Leading Retailers including Best Buy and Walmart

TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Kobo, a global leader in eReading, today unveiled its new Kobo Family of eReading devices: the Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Touch and the Kobo Arc – a 7" Android tablet. Designed by booklovers for booklovers, the new Kobo Family starts at $79.99 and provides readers with more choice and more ways to personalize their eReading experience than ever before – including new stylish colors, accessories, lighting and multimedia options.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120906/CG68913)

Launched in 2009, with a vision to transform the world of reading, Kobo remains focused on delivering a superior eReading experience. Today, Kobo has more than 10 million users in 190 countries, and offers one of the world's largest eBookstores with nearly 3 million books across 60 different languages. Kobo pioneered the affordable eReader in May 2010 and is now introducing for the first time its new Kobo Family – offering an eReader for Everyone. The company is a driving force behind the adoption of eReading around the world with its award-winning eReaders and tablets, free apps for tablets, PCs and smartphones, and extensive network of booksellers and leading retailers.

"Our focus has remained firmly on delivering a superior experience for booklovers around the world. With 11,000 booksellers and leading retail partners across five continents, we are bringing the new Kobo Family to booklovers everywhere," said Michael Serbinis, CEO, Kobo. "The new Kobo Family provides more choice for booklovers and a superior eReading and content discovery experience – truly, an eReader for Everyone."

This announcement follows last week's news of Kobo's partnership with the American Booksellers Association, empowering up to 2,000 bookstores across America. U.S. independent bookstores join Kobo's global network of leading booksellers including Indigo (Canada), WHSmith (UK), FNAC (France), Mondadori (Italy), Libris (Netherlands), Collins (Australia), Whitcoulls (New Zealand) and Rakuten (Japan).

"The launch of Kobo's new Family of eReading devices represents a bold step for both Kobo and Rakuten," said Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani. "This reinforces our commitment to expanding digital goods and e-commerce services to new markets around the globe through beautiful and exciting devices."

KOBO GLO – READ COMFORTABLY DAY OR NIGHT

The new front-lit Kobo Glo is the next generation in comfortable eReading. It offers innovative soft, even and adjustable ComfortLight technology to enable consumers to read anytime – day or night. Its durable screen and customizable page-turning features make it the perfect eReader for the booklover. The Kobo Glo uses E Ink technology, customizable fonts and a no-glare XGA high-resolution 6" E Ink screen that is just like reading print on paper, and connects easily to Wi-Fi allowing consumers to explore and discover recommendations in the Kobo eBookstore. The Kobo Glo eReader comes in Black or White and a selection of stylish colours – Pink Sunset, Blue Moon, Silver Star - and will be available starting October 1st for $129.99 MSRP.

KOBO MINI – SMALL IS A BIG DEAL

The Kobo Mini is the world's smallest and lightest full-featured E Ink eReader available today, offering the full Kobo experience at a great value. Proving that great things come in small packages, the 5" Kobo Mini easily fits in your purse or pocket and is loaded with all the amazing features Kobo customers have come to know and love. Just like reading print on paper, the no-glare 5" E Ink screen is easy on the eyes – even in bright sunlight. The Kobo Mini comes in black or white and offers a selection of three stylish Kobo SnapBacks in Teal, Ruby Red, and Purple. Perfect for people on-the-go, young adults, and easy for first-time readers to hold and read, the highly portable Kobo Mini holds up to 1,000 eBooks. The Kobo Mini will be available starting October 1st for $79.99 MSRP.

KOBO ARC – READS YOU LIKE A BOOK

The new Kobo Arc offers booklovers a competitively featured Android 4.0 multimedia tablet with a new way to discover content – books, movies, TV shows, music, web pages and more. With a Kobo-developed interface called Tapestries, Kobo Arc gives consumers an exciting new way to discover content. Using an intelligent cross-media recommendations engine, Tapestries responds to the user's "pinned" content to recommend related videos, movies, books, web pages and other related content. Tapestries makes it easy to discover new personal multimedia recommendations with little effort as the engine learns what consumers love – and brings them more. The 7" high-definition display delivers crisp, sharp text and with 16-million colours bring photos and videos to life. With front-facing speakers with SRS TruMedia, a built-in microphone and hi-resolution 1.3 MP camera to take photos and videos, the Kobo Arc offers up to 10 hours of continuous reading or video play, and two weeks on standby. With Google® Play, Kobo Arc users have access to more than 600,000 apps and much-loved pre-loaded apps including Facebook®, Twitter®, Rdio®, Zinio® and PressReader®. The Kobo Arc is available in Black and White with Blue and Purple interchangeable SnapBacks. The Kobo Arc will be available this November, starting at $199.99 (8G) MSRP and $249.99 (16G) MSRP.

KOBO TOUCH – THE MOST NATURAL READING EXPERIENCE

The award-winning Kobo Touch, named Wired's #1 eReader in 2012 and the industry's first touch-screen eReader, is available in stores around the world– and is now $99.99. The Kobo Touch includes Kobo's latest software with more ways to personalize the reading experience, get recommendations and discover new content. The Kobo Touch is available in seven languages including English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, and Japanese.

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER TODAY

Kobo's global network of 11,000 booksellers will be offering the Kobo Family starting in October.

Starting today, the Kobo Glo will be available for pre-order from the following retail partners around the world:

Leading booksellers around the world will be carrying the new device lineup including: Indigo, WHSmith, FNAC, Libris Blz. Mondadori, Collins, Whitcoulls, and at leading independent booksellers across America. Other retailers include: Staples, Target, Wal-mart, Best Buy, Future Shop, Asda, the Source, Sears, Toys "R" Us, Frys, Buy.com, Dixons, Argos, John Lewis, Play.com, Euronics, Electronic Partners, Medimax, Media Markt, Saturn, Redcoon, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, Noel Leeming, and Swindon. In addition, Kobo can be found in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and many more countries soon.

For more information and availability on the Kobo Family of devices, visit www.kobo.com.

About Rakuten
Rakuten, Inc. (JASDAQ:4755), is one of the world's leading Internet service companies, providing a variety of consumer- and business-focused services including e-commerce, e-reading, travel, banking, securities, credit card, e-money, portal and media, online marketing and professional sports. Rakuten is expanding globally and currently has operations throughout Asia, Western Europe, and the Americas. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo, with over 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit http://global.rakuten.com/group.

About Kobo Inc.
Kobo Inc. is one of the world's fastest-growing eReading services offering nearly 3-million eBooks, magazines and newspapers. Believing that consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device, Kobo has built an open-standards platform to provide consumers with a choice when reading. Inspired by a "Read Freely" philosophy and a passion for innovation, Kobo has expanded to nearly 190 countries, where millions of consumers have access to localized eBook catalogues and award-winning eReaders, like the Kobo Touch. With top-ranked eReading applications for Apple, BlackBerry, Android, and Windows products, Kobo allows consumers to make eReading social through Facebook Timeline and Reading Life, an industry-first social experience that lets users earn awards for time spent reading and encourage others to join in. Headquartered in Toronto and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten, Kobo eReaders can be found in major retail chains across the globe.

For more information, visit www.kobo.com.

For more information, please contact:

Cerys Goodall
Director, Public Relations (North America)
Kobo Inc.
t:416.977.8737
cgoodall@kobo.com

SOURCE: Kobo

For further information:

http://www.kobo.com

IBM Helps Global Industry Leaders Connect with the Chief Executive Customer

IBM Helps Global Industry Leaders Connect with the Chief Executive Customer

IBM Predicts Intelligent-Guided Future

ORLANDO - 06 Sep 2012: Today, from the Smarter Commerce Global Summit, IBM (NYSE: IBM)  is helping a range of global business leaders across major industries, such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bank of America, ConocoPhillips, Expedia.com, Office Depot, Radio Shack, and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Customers are looking for new ways to connect with their customers accelerating key business processes such as marketing, sales, supply chain and customer service, driving faster business results.

IBM is also forecasting key Smarter Commerce trends including the prevalence of intelligent-guided customer experiences, mobile-first business strategies and the growth of hybrid cloud computing as the primary means for entering new markets. 

From procurement and supply chain, marketing and sales, to customer service, companies are re-engineering key business processes to meet the preferences of their increasingly powerful and demanding clients, essentially their new chief executives. 

IBM is helping more than 2,000 global brands transform operations centered around their customers. A variety of chief marketing officers (CMOs), chief information officers (CIOs) and other business leaders from many companies such as Husqvarna, Lenovo, Norwegian Cruise Line, SHOP.CA, Staples, Urban Outfitters and Wacoal will join IBM at the summit and present the business results they have achieved after working with IBM and shifting to a Smarter Commerce approach. 

"The old adage 'the customer is always right' has evolved.  The customer is dictating the terms under which commerce is conducted," said Craig Hayman, general manager, IBM Industry Solutions. "The new 'chief executive customer' expect companies to respect their time, preferences, values and privacy. Meeting these expectations requires insight, innovation and a system of engagement that delivers an intelligent guided customer experience at every touchpoint." 

IBM Predicts Intelligent-Guided Future  

Smarter Commerce is a growing market opportunity in excess of $20 billion per year in software alone that centers on the customer experience.  In five years, intelligent-guided marketing and selling will routinely put the ultimate control in the hands of customers, allowing them to indicate what they are in the market for.  In this new normal, businesses will have the ability to scan who is looking for what and make offers to customers to meet their preferences. Consumers will expect at most to wait just minutes or seconds for offers to come in and select the one they like.    Bearing today's reality and this vision in mind, here are key trends IBM predicts will contribute to the evolution and expansion of Smarter Commerce: 

1)         Everything will be Data Driven

Stemming from buying behavior, social media interactions, and advanced analytics -- essentially the application of Big Data, customers will project what they are in the market for instead of settling for what's available on the shelf.  Companies will respond within seconds essentially bidding for each individual's business.  Sharpening analytics will help businesses across all industries anticipate and predict what customers want. The vision of marketing to a universe of one is realized.

 2)         Businesses Go Mobile First as Devices Proliferate and Channels Merge

Businesses will primarily design applications and processes for mobile deployment instead of PCs as individuals center their lives around smart phones and device use explodes exponentially.   Location-based services will expand individualized offers; drive acceleration of business processes and reduction of costs.  Frictionless payments will remove obstacles to impulse buying, leading to less predictable market shifts in consumer demand and requiring greater analytics to decipher. 

3)         Cloud Computing will Lead Businesses to New Markets

Established companies will deploy a hybrid cloud model for rapid expansion to new markets while newer players will use the cloud in a virtual inventory model to start up quickly and cost-effectively compete against larger competitors.  Businesses realize immediate returns with instant deployments, reducing capital budgets.  Cloud technology will serve as the primary means for people to quickly connect with social and collaborative business networks, bringing intellectual capital to bear for business more rapidly and in new ways.

The Future Starts Now 

Many companies are on the path toward Smarter Commerce today, meeting the expectations of the chief executive customer.  To help organizations realize the full potential of Smarter Commerce, IBM is teaming up with First Data in a consortium of industry leaders including Kohl's, Nordstrom, CardSpring, Citi and others that bring together retail, financial and technology institutions to share and establish best practices in retail commerce. 

RadioShack, a leading U.S. retailer of mobile and technology products, services and accessories, is working with IBM’s DemandTec cloud solutions designed to help CMOs and their teams improve price image and pricing operations throughout the entire pricing lifecycle.  

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. engaged IBM Web analytics and strategic consulting services to better understand its customers’ online preferences and enable more precise marketing activities.  Virgin Atlantic has been able to cater more effectively to customers and successfully evaluate and monitor site performance. 

SHOP.CA is a case study in hybrid cloud technology deployment. Canada’s online marketplace retailer is using IBM Web analytics, a cloud solution, integrated with on-premise instances of WebSphere Commerce.  The online retailer selected IBM's technology as the e-commerce engine to power its consumer storefront, multi-merchant product catalog and Shop.ca Rewards program. IBM is also providing analytics on visitor preferences and interactions, as well as analyzing their searching and buying histories. This data will give Shop.ca insight on how, when and where to reach shoppers with content and offers personalized to their tastes and preferences via mobile or social vehicles.

 For more information on IBM Smarter Commerce, visit: http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smarter_commerce/overview/

 To join the conversation, follow hashtags #smartercommerce and #IBMSCGS

Contact(s) information

Mike Azzi
IBM Media Relations
914-766-1561
azzi@us.ibm.com

Dell PowerEdge 12th Generation Servers Enable Customers to Maximize Benefits of Microsoft Windows Server 2012

Dell PowerEdge 12th Generation Servers Enable Customers to Maximize Benefits of Microsoft Windows Server 2012










  • Dell vStart and reference architectures provide streamlined deployment and enable customers to maximize the comprehensive Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V virtualization platform
  • New end-to-end desktop virtualization solution helps amplify workforce productivity benefits of Windows Server 2012
  • Dell Converged Blade Data Center offers robust enterprise infrastructure for delivering Microsoft workloads
  • Customers can proactively manage physical and virtual infrastructure with Dell OpenManage Integration Suite for Microsoft System Center 2012

 
Dell today announced its innovations in the PowerEdge 12th generation servers that enable customers to take immediate advantage of key advancements in Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Server 2012. Dell PowerEdge 12th generation server customers can optimize the dynamic virtualization infrastructure that Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V provides to scale and secure workloads, cost-effectively virtualize their data center, manage infrastructure efficiently, and build cloud environments.

Realize the Full Potential of Virtualization
Fully engineered for virtualization with large memory support and enhanced IO throughput, PowerEdge 12th generation servers enable customers to maximize the comprehensive virtualization platform offered in Windows Server 2012. This helps IT administrators create dynamic data centers and cloud infrastructures that provide flexible workloads, networks and storage solutions.

  • Dell PowerEdge M420 and C6220 servers provide virtualization node density that drives the increased scalability of Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V environments
  • Dell vStart and reference architectures provide streamlined deployment and building blocks for private cloud

Streamline Management of IT Infrastructure
Dell PowerEdge embedded server management, Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) 7 with Lifecycle Controller, simplifies hardware management and integrates seamlessly with System Center 2012 to offer improved IT efficiency and productivity in Windows Server 2012 virtual and physical environments.

Windows Server 2012 and Dell PowerEdge customers are able to automate deployment, updates, monitoring and maintenance of Dell servers in physical and virtual environments through OpenManage integration with Microsoft System Center. Dell Lifecycle Controller Integration is unique in enabling agent-free, automated, remote, one-to-many BIOS and firmware server updates through the System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) console, independent of the operating system (OS) and hypervisor. PowerEdge updates can be performed up to 11 times faster and in 81 percent fewer steps than HP servers in a comparable multi-vendor OS and hypervisor environment*.

Enable Improved Workforce Productivity
Dell innovations can enhance workforce productivity by amplifying the access to applications and data which Windows Server 2012 empowers. These benefits are highlighted by Dell end-to-end Desktop Virtualization Solutions offering a combination of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), reducing the cost per seat while optimizing the user experience. Dell recently announced Dell DVS Reference Architecture for Windows Server 2012, providing organizations choosing to deploy a Microsoft-based virtualization strategy with an end-to-end virtualization solution including support for application virtualization using App-V, and a choice of RDS and virtual machines that are all configured, deployed and managed from a single console. This reference architecture documents pre-tested and pre-configured hardware including Dell PowerEdge R720 rack servers, EqualLogic Storage, a Force10 networking switch, and select Dell Wyse end points.

Take a Practical Path to IT-as-a-Service and Cloud
By pairing Windows Server 2012 with PowerEdge 12th generation server solutions, customers are able to change the economics of how applications and IT services are delivered using cloud computing and IT-as-a-service. This is achieved by leveraging Dell’s established experience building clouds with some of the world’s largest cloud computing providers like Microsoft, Bing Maps and eBay. Dell is able to guide customers to maximum efficiency through cloud usage, with technology and expertise. This includes:

An Enterprise-Class Data Center for Delivering Mission-Critical Microsoft Workloads
The Dell Converged Blade Data Center provides an enterprise infrastructure optimal for Microsoft workloads. Specifically, Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V delivers key new features and capabilities that, when combined with end-to-end Dell solutions, offer a high level of value for a virtualized environment. For example:

  • Dell end-to-end 10Gbe networking architecture offers quick migrations when coupled with Hyper-V’s ability to use higher network bandwidths for live migrations in a clustered environment and perform multiple migrations simultaneously.
  • This infrastructure offers an entire enterprise-class data center, complete with converged storage and fabric ideal for delivering mission-critical Microsoft workloads such as Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, SQL Server, and .NET applications.
  • Dell’s Virtual Network Architecture, distributed core leaf-spine architectures, and converged infrastructure solutions complement Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 and network virtualization technologies to enable customers to seamlessly move workloads from private to hybrid and cloud environments.

Ensure a Smooth Transition
Overall customers are able to power Microsoft’s cutting-edge Windows Server 2012 innovations with Dell’s complete end-to-end solutions, expertise and services. This enables customers to make informed migration decisions and implement IT infrastructures that integrate Windows Server 2012 at the time best suited for their unique needs.

Quotes
“For decades, Dell has worked with Microsoft to deliver real solutions to customer challenges. This strong partnership has resulted in innovations that accelerate systems deployment and provisioning, and now with agent-free monitoring through the OpenManage Integration Suite for Systems Center 2012,” said Forrest Norrod, vice president and general manager, Dell Server Solutions. “With the latest, award-winning Dell PowerEdge 12th generation servers, customers can take immediate advantage of the ground-breaking advancements of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 – like high density PowerEdge servers that enable the new increased scalability of clusters and Windows Server Hyper-V.”

“Windows Server 2012 was built on the foundation of Microsoft’s deep experience with very large cloud datacenters,” said Mike Schutz, general manager, product marketing, Windows Server, at Microsoft. “Dell’s 12th generation PowerEdge servers take advantage of Windows Server 2012 breakthrough capabilities across storage, networking and virtualization. Dell offers innovations such as the Dell Converged Blade Data Center for mission-critical Microsoft workloads.”

“IT is transforming our business and our industry. With Dell PowerEdge servers and Windows Server 2012, we have a solution that can really drive that transformation – enabling us to streamline operations and give employees the tools to work smarter,” said Justin Apps, head of enterprise architecture, Menzies Aviation. “I can manage everything from the server’s application layer right down to its processors – all from one console. It takes the idea of simplified management to a new level, and will definitely boost our productivity and free IT staff for strategic projects.”

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 than 30 years, the Microsoft and Dell global alliance has focused on one primary goal — simplifying IT for customers. Our joint solutions integrate best-in-class software, hardware and services, and enable IT efficiency, organizational effectiveness and innovation. To learn more, visit http://www.dell.com/microsoft.

IBM Accelerates Smarter Commerce through Intelligent Guided Customer Experience

IBM Accelerates Smarter Commerce through Intelligent Guided Customer Experience


ORLANDO - 05 Sep 2012: At the Smarter Commerce Global Summit, IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced new software and services designed to help Chief Marketing Officers (CMO), Chief Procurement Officers (CPO) and other key line-of-business executives realize quicker business results by delivering intelligence guided customer experiences, across all digital channels, aligned to the buying and shopping preferences of each individual

With today’s news, IBM expands its Smarter Commerce initiative with new cloud-based software and services that allow businesses to immediately put the customer at the center of their operations in order to drive revenue and ensure sustainable brand loyalty. This includes:

·        IBM Marketing Center, an IBM SmartCloud Solution that integrates digital analytics with real-time marketing execution capabilities into a single solution that allows CMOs to better meet customer needs by quickly analyzing customer shopping patterns and turning these insights into intelligent offers that are personalized to each person.

·        A new Smarter Commerce managed services offering that helps clients more rapidly and effectively deploy and manage their ecommerce environments.

·        A new offering for Strategic Supply Management, available on-premises and as a SmartCloud solution that speeds and improves supplier governance, risk and compliance.

With the new offerings introduced today, IBM provides customers with automation and intelligence while accelerating and improving marketing, sales, customer service, procurement and supply chain management. 

IBM currently analyzes more than $100 billion in commerce transactions per year in the cloud. Current IBM customers that have embraced cloud-based Smarter Commerce offerings include RadioShack, Bank of Montreal and Urban Outfitters.

New Marketing, eCommerce Capabilities for CMOs

According to IBM’s State of Marketing survey, 48 percent of marketers believe that improved technology infrastructure will enable them to better meet the needs of customers, who are increasingly interacting with brands via multiple channels. For example, over the recent back to school shopping season, 15.7 percent of online sales took place via a mobile device in July and 15.4 percent in August.

IBM’s new Marketing Center combines digital analytics and real-time marketing execution in a single integrated offering that can easily be deployed without taxing the resources of the chief information officer (CIO). Once live, marketers can turn data provided by customers into personalized offers via email or website personalization (including the mobile web), all with just a few clicks.

Through these capabilities CMOs consistently deliver exceptional experiences that are in line with the wants and needs of each individual. To ensure ongoing success, the application provides automated marketing tracking, digital and campaign analytics that measure the effectiveness of marketing efforts which can be adjusted in real time if necessary.

For example, while an individual frequently visits a retailer’s mobile website and identifies items of interest, they consistently fail to complete their purchase. Through its automated capabilities, CMOs and their team can quickly identify this trend and, with just a few clicks, re-engage the customer by sending a coupon for 10 percent off specific items and also presenting them with a personalized website that reflects their unique interests. 

"Given today's empowered customers that are digitally connected 24/7, we see it as a top priority to provide our customers with the best possible experience in every interaction," said Laura Symspon-Cornelius, director of Web Analytics from Office Depot. "The idea behind the new IBM Marketing Center, to combine digital analytics and real-time marketing execution in a single application, is very compelling for making that task easier."

In another instance, a CMO of a bank can analyze two campaigns simultaneously to determine the effectiveness of each overall and with specific groups and customer segments. With this information, the marketing team can determine in real-time which campaign best meets the needs of each customer in order to ensure the best experience possible.

“Customers today are connecting with brands on multiple fronts, including mobile devices, social media sites and in the store. Regardless of the channel, these individuals expect each experience to be flawless and relevant,” said Yuchun Lee, vice president, IBM Enterprise Marketing Management. “With the IBM Marketing Center, we expand our SaaS portfolio with an all-in-one solution that provides CMOs and their teams with the intelligence required to consistently meet the unique needs of each individual customer -- the ultimate goal of all marketers.”

To further enhance the entire shopping experience, IBM also today introduced Smarter Commerce Managed Services, a new set of services from its Global Process Services (GPS) group.  The service augments IBM’s software and global business services offerings with full-scale business, process, and IT managed services to help business executives deploy and manage cross-channel commerce processes, especially providing the human interaction components of eCommerce, such as needing agent chat support or live assistance. In this way, companies are able to more quickly and effectively interconnect their multiple commerce channels to speed business results.  

New Software for CPOs Rapidly Reduces Spend and Risk

In addition to the CMO, the demands of the empowered customer have put additional pressure on CPOs to further reduce spend with suppliers and improve risk management. In an environment where an average 50 percent of the value of a product comes from suppliers, managing supply costs and risks plays a critical role in meeting the needs of the empowered customer1.

With IBM's new Emptoris Strategic Supply Management, CPOs are given complete visibility and control over spending, contracts, service providers and supplier intelligence and processes. The new version also improves supplier governance, risk and compliance with enhanced information management and workflow capabilities. In addition, IBM has enhanced procurement analytics for contract compliance and improved program accountability for suppliers, categories and regions.

“Building a world-class procurement organization involves people, process and technology. BP Lubricants has built its procurement operations with high-quality people and processes,” said Mark Edwards, Chemicals procurement manager, at BP Lubricants. “The use of advanced sourcing technology from IBM has enabled our Lubricants procurement team to gain greater control over global spend and market data. The solution empowers us to realize the best value, not just the best price, from a supply base by factoring multiple performance drivers into decision-making.”

Streamlining the supply chain, from materials sourcing to product delivery, are as critical to meeting customer expectations as the outward-facing marketing and sales departments. For example, IBM is helping global brewer Anheuser-Busch (AB InBev) streamline supplier sourcing and contract management in the cloud with IBM Emptoris solutions. This will enable the company to achieve significant breakthroughs in supply chain visibility that reduces risk, lowers costs and accelerates business results.

 

Prepackaged Best Practices Speed Client Deployment

The IBM Smarter Commerce Workbench is an asset repository that helps IBM accelerate the adoption of solutions for Smarter Commerce. The workbench captures implementation best practices, assets and knowledge that can be shared globally with other project teams to help improve the speed and quality of solution building. This enables clients to get faster business results from their solutions.

For more information on IBM Smarter Commerce, visit: http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smarter_commerce/overview/

###

To join the conversation, follow hashtags #smartercommerce and #IBMSCGS

[1]“Cross Industry Report of Standard Benchmarks,” published by CAPS Research, July 2012

AMD Enables Efficient and Cost-Effective Solutions on Windows Server 2012

AMD Enables Efficient and Cost-Effective Solutions on Windows Server 2012 

AMD Opteron™ 4200 and 6200 Series Processors Deliver Unparalleled Price/Performance

SUNNYVALE, Calif. —9/4/2012 

AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced that it has worked closely with Microsoft throughout the Windows Server 2012 development process to deliver an exceptional server solution powered by its award-winning AMD Opteron™ processors. AMD Opteron processors are ideally suited to deliver unparalleled server price performance, maximizing productivity and delivering compelling total cost of ownership (TCO) for customers.

Both companies have optimized their respective hardware and software technologies to address the rapidly expanding demands of today’s business computing environments, from extensive virtualization and the continued move to cloud computing to managing increasingly larger amounts of online data. For example, Microsoft makes extensive use of servers powered by AMD Opteron processors in its Windows Azure public cloud. With Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V, customers can now enjoy unprecedented scalability with support for up to 64 virtual processors and one terabyte of memory per virtual machine and support for up to 4,000 virtual machines per cluster.

“We congratulate Microsoft on the release of the Windows Server 2012 operating system,” said Suresh Gopalakrishnan, corporate vice president and general manager of Servers, AMD. “AMD Opteron 4200 and 6200 Series processors are ready to deliver the advantages of Windows Server 2012. Our next-generation ‘Piledriver’-based core takes further advantage of the advances in Windows Server 2012 to address customers’ growing needs around virtualization, cloud computing, and managing increasingly large sets of data.”

“Windows Server 2012 was built from the cloud up; it delivers a transformational leap in speed, power, and scale. Customers want dependable, scalable hardware platforms, such as AMD Opteron processors, that provide consistent performance as workloads increase and decrease,” said Mike Schutz, general manager, Product Marketing, Server and Tools Business, Microsoft. “The combined power of Windows Server 2012 and AMD Opteron processors is a cornerstone for flexible and virtualized environments and cloud computing.”

The close association between AMD and Microsoft has deep roots, with this latest milestone demonstrating innovation that is helping customers run more efficient and cost-effective businesses. Windows Server 2012 makes the most of the dense core counts and modular architecture of AMD Opteron 4200 and 6200 Series processors, as well as the forthcoming “Piledriver”-based families. By utilizing the power of an AMD- and Microsoft-optimized solution, customers can take advantage of balanced, scalable solutions with excellent price/performance that are easy to manage and operate in today's demanding business environment.

About AMD

AMD (NYSE: AMD) is a semiconductor design innovator leading the next era of vivid digital experiences with its groundbreaking AMD Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) that power a wide range of computing devices. AMD’s server computing products are focused on driving industry-leading cloud computing and virtualization environments. AMD’s superior graphics technologies are found in a variety of solutions ranging from game consoles, PCs to supercomputers. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Opteron, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Brocade Delivers Comprehensive Fabric Networking Support for Windows Server 2012

Brocade Delivers Comprehensive Fabric Networking Support for Windows Server 2012

Brocade and Microsoft Collaboration Enables SAN and IP Networking Solutions to Support Private Cloud, Server and Network Virtualization

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 4, 2012) - Brocade (NASDAQ: BRCD) today announced support for Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Server 2012 server operating system across all product lines, including the company's Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN) and Ethernet fabric solutions. Together with Windows Server 2012, Brocade® networks simplify operations and management for highly virtualized cloud data centers, which serve as the infrastructure for enterprises and service providers in supporting their key data center initiatives such as scale-out server virtualization, private cloud deployments and software-defined networking (SDN).

To ensure compatibility and enable new networking functionality with Windows Server 2012, Brocade has implemented enhancements across its SAN and Ethernet fabric switching and adapter products that help enable new features such as:

  • Virtual Fibre Channel: Simplifies and enables direct access to ultra-reliable, high-performance Fibre Channel SAN storage by multiple-guest virtual machine (VM) partitions in Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V environments. This enables distributed workload clustering and dynamic live migration of high-availability applications such as Microsoft Exchange or SQL Server across VMs without impacting workflows or requiring SAN reconfiguration.
  • Dynamic Circuit Network (DCN): Enables Quality of Service (QoS) configuration from a Data Center Bridging (DCB) network. This allows users to initiate ad-hoc dedicated allocation of network bandwidth for high-demand, real-time applications and network services. DCN support has been added to the Brocade adapter family, with DCB enabled in all products.
  • Network Virtualization Using Generic Routing Encapsulation (NVGRE): As a component of Brocade's network virtualization strategy, the company is reaffirming its commitment to provide future support for NVGRE in Brocade Ethernet fabric switches. NVGRE is the Microsoft-recommended virtualization mechanism for Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V Network Virtualization deployments.

These new capabilities offer enterprise IT and cloud providers new storage and networking options that help ensure non-stop operations, increase business agility and optimize application performance. Brocade also now supports interoperability and integration with Microsoft System Center 2012. By working closely with the System Center team to test and build integrations, organizations can easily manage any Brocade network as part of a complete Windows-based cloud environment.

"Windows Server 2012 was built from the cloud up and introduces innovations such as software-defined networking and NVGRE for network virtualization and isolation to help enable cloud deployments," said Mike Schutz, general manager, Windows Server Marketing, Microsoft. "From the early design stages of Windows Server 2012, Microsoft worked closely with Brocade to give customers new networking technologies such as software-defined networking via NVGRE and virtual Fibre Channel for more dynamic connectivity to storage resources."

Introduced today, Windows Server 2012 is a highly dynamic, available and cost-effective server platform that enables organizations to deploy private or hybrid clouds in a flexible IT environment that adapts to changing business needs. New and enhanced features provide high performance and scalability to enable a truly multitenant infrastructure where networking, compute, and storage resources are completely isolated between tenants on the same host. For hosting providers, Windows Server 2012 includes the ability to isolate tenants, gain insight into infrastructure resource usage, and provide new services to help create additional revenue streams. It also offers tools to help customers make the transition from on-premises to hosted environments, while continuing to provide the services and reliability demanded by enterprise, mid-market, and small businesses.

"To support next-generation cloud environments, many new networking technologies require support in the operating system to help organizations realize the full benefit of highly virtualized IT architectures," said Jason Nolet, vice president, Data Center Networking Group, at Brocade. "By working closely with the Microsoft engineering team in the early stages of the new OS's development, we have ensured that Brocade Ethernet and Fibre Channel fabric solutions work seamlessly with Windows Server 2012 as well as deliver innovative new networking functionality for highly virtualized, cloud-based data centers."

More Information

Video: Brocade Vice President Jason Nolet, Data Center and Enterprise Networking discusses Brocade's collaboration with Microsoft to help ensure the OS and network together can deliver important new networking functionality in the virtualized cloud-based data center.

Video: Mike Schutz, GM, Windows Server Marketing, explains why Microsoft chose to work with Brocade as a development partner for Windows Server 2012, including work in the areas of SDN and virtual fibre channel.

About Brocade

Brocade (NASDAQ: BRCD) networking solutions help the world's leading organizations transition smoothly to a world where applications and information reside anywhere. (www.brocade.com)

ADX, Brocade, Brocade Assurance, Brocade One, the B-wing symbol, DCX, Fabric OS, ICX, MLX, MyBrocade, SAN Health, VCS, and VDX are registered trademarks, and AnyIO, HyperEdge, NET Health, OpenScript, and The Effortless Network are trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., in the United States and/or in other countries. Other brands, products, or service names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners.

(C) 2012 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


CONTACTS
Brocade Media Relations
Emory Epperson
Tel: 408.333.5755
eepperso@brocade.com

Brocade Investor Relations
Rob Eggers
Tel: 408.333.8797
reggers@brocade.com

Waterloo Region Tech Sector Continues to Grow, Attract Major Investors


Waterloo Region Tech Sector Continues to Grow, Attract Major Investors

Local eLearning company Desire2Learn Announces $80 million in Venture Capital

WATERLOO REGION, ON, Sept. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The diverse tech sector in Waterloo Region continues to grow, attracting major investments in an area that's home to almost 1,000 tech companies. One of the Region's breakout companies and Canada's largest eLearning software company Desire2Learn today announced that it has raised $80 million from two top venture funds, signaling a major expansion for the firm. Earlier this year, Communitech announced a $30 million+ seed funding program to further spur innovation in the Region and beyond.

"Waterloo Region has cracked the code on creating great tech companies," said Iain Klugman, CEO of Communitech. "This news from Desire2Learn, a company which has been on a growth trajectory and has already hired more than 200 people in 2012, is the latest global success story to emerge here. We're pleased to congratulate Desire2Learn CEO John Baker and his team for achieving this milestone and inspiring others to reach for the brass ring."

The investment, announced on the first day of school in Ontario, is the largest Series A round to date for a software company in Canada. It involves U.S.-based New Enterprise Associates (NEA) Inc., which recently raised a $2.6-billion fund - and OMERS Ventures, the VC arm of one of Canada's largest pension funds.

"With a pool of talent and superlative innovation under way in the Region, infusion of capital to jump-start new ventures is the next step to fueling even more companies like Desire2Learn,"   Klugman said. "Communitech welcomed the recent news that Canada is now ranked the second most attractive country in the world for venture capital according to the Global Venture Capital and Private Equity Country Attractiveness Index."

The tech sector in Waterloo Region comprises some 400 startups, hundreds of small-medium enterprises, and large enterprises that have grown to global fame from Waterloo roots. In addition to Desire2Learn being Canada's largest eLearning company, Waterloo Region is home to Canada's largest tech company Research In Motion, Canada's largest software company OpenText, Canada's largest satellite company COM DEV, and one of the world's top producers of visual technology displays, Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.

Desire2Learn, like OpenText, was created with brainpower honed at the University of Waterloo. Desire2Learn CEO John Baker started the company as a fourth-year university student in 1999, and his venture now employs more than 560 employees - expanding daily - serving 700 clients and more than 8 million eLearners around the world. The company has extended its solutions beyond K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions, to government and corporate clients.

Tech entrepreneurship in Waterloo Region is nurtured organically through programs designed to attract students to maths and sciences in the K-12 system, followed by post-secondary education at two universities or colleges in the Region, and then through a collaborative community of some 1,000 tech companies, with coaching and support from deliberate ecosystem support programs.

One of those programs fostering innovation is Communitech's HYPERDRIVE, a $30 million+ startup incubator which is currently shepherding its first cohort of eight startups through a three-month initial phase that will include a stint in New York City at the heart of the financial market.

"With a strong tech ecosystem, supportive funding and mentoring programs in place, a positive tech community with a mix of startups, mid-sized companies and global multi-nationals, Waterloo Region is poised to see many more success stories emerge from what is fast becoming recognized as Canada's top tech innovation hub," said Klugman.

About Communitech
Founded by a group of dedicated entrepreneurs in 1997, Communitech www.communitech.ca is the regional hub for the commercialization of innovative technologies supporting and building a Southwestern Ontario tech cluster of almost 1,000 companies that now generates more than $25B in revenue.  A member of the Ontario Network of Excellence, Communitech supports tech companies at all stages of their growth and development - from startup companies, to rapidly growing SMEs, to large global players - to create greater numbers of successful global businesses for Ontario and for Canada.

SOURCE: Communitech Ltd.

For further information:

Media Contact
Shelley Grandy, Sr. PR Advisor, Communitech, 905-866-2656 or segrandy@communitech.ca