Family businesses continue to thrive, but where’s the talent?

Family businesses continue to thrive, but where’s the talent?

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With growth potential on the radar – innovation and succession planning are a must

TORONTO, February 25, 2013 — Sixty per cent of Canadian family businesses reported sales growth in the last year and in the next five years, 87% plan to grow steadily. However, securing talent to drive this growth is a challenge, according to the Canadian supplement of PwC’s Global Family Business Survey.

For the next five years, attracting a skilled workforce is the top concern for 62% of Canadian family businesses (up from 56% in 2010), while the economy is the primary issue (66%) for global respondents. Sharon Duguid, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurs and Family Enterprise, PwC, says “The difference lies in the relative stability of the Canadian economy, aging workforce and the tight talent pool Canada is facing.”

Duguid continues, “Everyone is competing for the same talent. Typically, family businesses are not able to compete with multinational players when it comes to compensation. On the development end, their conservative growth strategies are not appealing for younger talent who want to climb the ranks quickly.”

However, a family businesses’ structure can offer significant benefits — particularly their agility, continuity and their long-term perspective mindset. Duguid says, “Family businesses need to do more to highlight their competitive advantages; their commitment and loyalty to their people. People are attracted to companies that have strong values and where they know their efforts will be recognized – both of which are characteristics of family businesses.”

Who’s taking over — Family ties or step outside?
Just over half of Canadian family businesses (51%), compared to 41% globally, plan to pass on the management of the business to the next generation, while an additional 14% of Canadian family businesses plan to pass on ownership, but employ non-family members to oversee the business. A further 16% don’t know what they will do at this stage.

“Few families in Canada are having the conversation and asking their children whether they’re interested in taking over or not, whereas in Europe and Asia, families start that dialogue with their children early on,” says Duguid. “It’s critical to be transparent and set the guidelines on how the business will be transferred from one generation to the next because this can build the family firm–or break it.”

Duguid adds, “Clear communication is essential throughout the entire business, especially when dealing with conflict. It’s important that the right procedures are in place to resolve issues as efficiently as possible.” More than 80% of those surveyed have procedures in place to deal with family conflict. The top three procedures include:

  • Shareholders’ agreement (69%)
  • Incapacity and death arrangements (61%)
  • Entry and exit provisions (45%)

Local vs. Global
Canadian family businesses remain focused on growing domestically as 65% of respondents do not generate sales from exporting goods or services to foreign markets. In the next five years, 26% of Canadian family businesses surveyed have no plans to move into new markets at all.

Globally, sales in international markets account for a quarter of total sales today and are expected to grow to 30% in the next five years.

“This reluctance to expand into global markets is a problem for Canadian family business,” says Tahir Ayub, Canadian Private Company Services Leader, PwC. “Growth activity lies in the developing markets – where the demand is. It’s impossible to grow significantly in the next five years unless you dive into the international markets.”

Canadian family businesses cite a number of factors as challenges to international expansion:

  • Exchange rate fluctuations (32%)
  • Competition (24%)
  • Containing costs (21%)

“Regardless of size, we’re digitally connected. Anyone can reach into your market and offer consumers the same product or service,” says Ayub. “At the same time, Canadian family businesses also have the same opportunity with global customers. They are in a good position to take on more risk and debt to finance global growth.”

Ayub concludes, “Identified as one of the key challenges in the years ahead, innovation will be vital for Canadian family businesses to evolve, grow and secure a competitive advantage against its global counterparts. Exporting is an area where family businesses can learn and spark new ideas from other multinationals. Partnerships and alliances are a powerful way of gaining insights from academic institutions or larger corporations – ranging from formal business or agency agreements in new overseas markets to informal networking.”

For more information on PwC’s Family Business Survey, please visit www.pwc.com/ca/familybusiness. Affiliated PwC Family Business Survey articles can also be found here:

About PwC’s Global Family Business Survey
The PwC Family Business Survey 2012 covers family companies with a sales turnover of more than US$5 million in over 30 countries/regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Mexico, the Middle East (several countries), Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the UK and the US. Interviews with top executives in 1,952 companies took place between June and September 2012. The 2012 Canadian supplement included 77 Canadian family business interviews.

Follow PwC on Twitter at @PwC_Canada_LLP and on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/pwccanada.

About PwC’s Private Company Services (PCS)
More than 65% of PwC Canada's clients are private companies, ranging from high net worth individuals to owner-managed family businesses and large, professionally-managed businesses. PwC's Private Company Services (PCS) group is a dedicated team of business advisors who help private company owners resolve day-to-day business issues and achieve long-term success. PCS offers the perspective of a third party with professional industry knowledge, business consulting, tax and accounting expertise. For more information about PwC's Private Company Services, please visitwww.pwc.com/ca/private.

About PwC Canada
PwC Canada helps organizations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. More than 5,700 partners and staff in offices across the country are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax, consulting and deals services. PwC Canada is a member of the PwC network of firms with close to 169,000 people in 158 countries. Find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ca.

© 2013 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. All rights reserved.

PwC refers to the Canadian member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

TELUS Health is now Canada's largest electronic medical record provider

TELUS Health is now Canada's largest 


electronic medical record provider

Acquisition of PS SUITE EMR from MD Practice Software LP closed today 

MONTREALMarch 4, 2013 /CNW/ - TELUS Health announced today the completion of its acquisition of the PS SUITE EMR, the electronic medical record (EMR) business operated by MD Practice Software LP, a member of the MD Physician Services Group and a subsidiary of the Canadian Medical Association. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. TELUS announced its intent to acquire PS SUITE EMR on February 26, 2013.

With the acquisition of Ontario's largest EMR provider, TELUS Health is positioned to further expand its reach in the first line of care, providing EMR solutions to 9,000 Canadian physicians across the country, impacting more than 25 million patient interactions each year. TELUS Health currently provides solutions to all major stakeholders in the health system, including hospitals, pharmacies, and extended healthcare providers such as physiotherapists and chiropractors.

"We are thrilled to announce the completion of the acquisition today, as we continue to further extend our unparalleled reach providing EMR solutions to all physicians and specialists across the healthcare system," said Paul Lepage, President, TELUS Health.

More than 10 years ago, TELUS made the decision to use its world-class technology and innovation to address the unprecedented challenges facing our healthcare system.  To support this, TELUS has invested more than $1 billionover the past five years, including the acquisitions of EMR providers Wolf Medical Systems in Western Canada and KinLogix in Quebec. The combined strength of these acquisitions, coupled with organic growth, positions TELUS Health as the leading EMR provider in Canada.

About TELUS Health 
TELUS Health is a leader in telehomecare, electronic medical and health records, consumer health, benefits management and pharmacy management. TELUS Health solutions give health authorities, providers, physicians, patients and consumers the power to turn information into better health outcomes. For more information about TELUS Health, please visit telushealth.com.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.9 billion of annual revenue and more than 13.1 million customer connections, including 7.7 million wireless subscribers, 3.4 million wireline network access lines, 1.4 million Internet subscribers and 678,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $300 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.8 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Fourteen TELUS Community Boards lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

SOURCE: TELUS Corporation

For further information:

Media Contacts:

Alexandra Fahmey
Edelman
416.849.1516
alexandra.fahmey@edelman.com

Donna Ramirez
TELUS Health
416-320-9309
donna.ramirez@telus.com
























































































Gartner Says Worldwide Public Cloud Services Market to Total $131 Billion

Gartner Says Worldwide Public Cloud Services Market to Total $131 Billion

IaaS Continues as Fastest-Growing Market Segment

The public cloud services market is forecast to grow 18.5 percent in 2013 to total $131 billion worldwide, up from $111 billion in 2012, according to Gartner, Inc. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), including cloud compute, storage and print services, continued as the fastest-growing segment of the market, growing 42.4 percent in 2012 to $6.1 billion and expected to grow 47.3 percent in 2013 to $9 billion.

Cloud advertising continues to be the largest segment of the cloud services market, comprising 48 percent of the total market in 2012. Gartner predicts that from 2013 through 2016, $677 billion will be spent on cloud services worldwide, $310 billion of which will be spent on cloud advertising.

"The continued growth of the cloud services market will result from the adoption of cloud services for production systems and workloads, in addition to the development and testing scenarios that have led as the most prominent use case for public cloud services to date," said Ed Anderson, research director at Gartner. "Evidence of this growth is found in the increasing demand for cloud services from end-user organizations, met by an increased supply of cloud services from suppliers."

Although there is wide variation between cloud services market subsegments, strong demand is anticipated for all types of cloud services offerings. The cloud business process services segment (BPaaS) is the second-largest market segment after cloud advertising, comprising 28 percent of the total market in 2012, followed by cloud application services (software as a service [SaaS]) at 14.7 percent, cloud system infrastructure services (IaaS) at 5.5 percent, cloud management and security services at 2.8 percent, and cloud application infrastructure services (platform as a service [PaaS]) at one percent.

Market dynamics vary substantially when considering the cloud services market size and market growth across the different regions of the world. In general, the emerging markets in Asia/Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa show the highest growth rates, while representing the smallest overall markets. China is the exception, being both a large and growing market. Likewise, the mature markets of North America, Western Europe, Japan and the mature Asia/Pacific countries constitute the larger, but slower-growth, markets.

"Although forecast growth is generally high across all regions, the adoption of cloud services varies significantly by country. Providers should not assume that a generic strategy applied to specific countries or regions of the world will produce the same outcome when applied to other countries, even countries with similar market characteristics," said Mr. Anderson. "Local economic factors, regulatory issues, the local political climate, the diverse landscape of global and local providers, including noncloud providers, and other country-specific factors ensure a unique marketplace in each country and region."

North America is the largest region in the cloud services market, accounting for 59 percent of all new spending on cloud services from 2013 through 2016. Western Europe, despite the growth challenges in the region, remains the second-largest region and will account for 24 percent of all new spending during the same time period. However, the highest growth rates for cloud services continue to come from the emerging regions of Emerging Asia/Pacific (led by Indonesia and India), Greater China and Latin America (led by Argentina, Mexico and Brazil).

"IT services providers, particularly those focused on delivering cloud services offerings or related services, must consider these disproportionately large mature markets if they want to play a leading role in cloud services growth worldwide," Mr. Anderson said. "Similarly, markets in Emerging Asia/Pacific, Greater China and Latin America should also be important considerations for IT services providers that want to capitalize on the high growth of these regions, particularly Latin America and Greater China."

Additional information is available in the report "Forecast Overview: Public Cloud Services, Worldwide, 2011-2016, 4Q12 Update." The report is available on Gartner's website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=2332215.

Contacts
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.

Current Approach to Governing Personal Data Needs Updating for a Big Data World

Current Approach to Governing Personal Data Needs Updating for a Big Data World

New Report by BCG and the World Economic Forum Calls for a Shift From Managing Data to Managing the Usage of Data, and Stresses the Importance of Context in a World of Increasing Shades of Gray

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Feb 28, 2013) - A new approach to personal data is needed in order to strike a balance between protecting individuals and unlocking innovation, according to a new World Economic Forum report released today. "Unlocking the Value of Personal Data: From Collection to Usage," a collaboration with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), explores how the principles for using personal data may need to be refreshed to ensure the trusted flow of data for individuals, businesses, and governments.

The report highlights outcomes from a nine-month dialogue on personal data -- part of a multiyear initiative called Rethinking Personal Data that was launched in 2010. (A community of top executives from AT&T, BCG, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, VimpelCom, and Visa serves on the Rethinking Personal Data steering board.) This report includes insights from business, civil society, and government on new ways to unlock social and economic value. Additionally, it discusses key government initiatives -- particularly the proposed European Commission Data Protection Regulation and the U.S. Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.

"The world has changed, yet our current approaches to managing personal data have not kept pace," said Alan Marcus, senior director of IT and telecommunications at the World Economic Forum. "We need to shift away from trying to control the regulation of data itself and to focus on the management of how data is used."

A key insight from the report notes that the age of Big Data creates new opportunities and risks, especially as they relate to the privacy of individuals. A richer appreciation for context and new ways for engaging individuals beyond current notice and consent practices are key priorities on which global leaders should focus. In addition, policy frameworks that focus on how data are used -- rather than preemptively governing data -- are seen as critical for a balanced and sustainable personal-data ecosystem.

"To unlock the value of data, we need to shift to a usage-based, contextual approach to managing rights and permissions," said John Rose, senior partner at BCG. "Companies will have to establish principles and codes of conduct, develop tools and processes to manage compliance with them, and rethink the way they engage consumers to ensure their trust."

The report calls for establishing an updated set of principles and the means to uphold them in a hyperconnected world. In this light, there is a need to raise awareness about how technology can play a role in upholding principles by allowing permissions to flow with data. Lastly, the report calls for greater evidence and "learning labs" for understanding the impact policies will have.

BCG has been supporting the World Economic Forum's Rethinking Personal Data initiative for the past two years including the May 2012 report "Rethinking Personal Data: Strengthening Trust."

To receive a copy of the report or arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 orgregoire.eric@bcg.com.

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 78 offices in 43 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.

About bcgperspectives.com

Bcgperspectives.com features the latest thinking from BCG experts as well as from CEOs, academics, and other leaders. It covers issues at the top of senior management's agenda. It also provides unprecedented access to BCG's extensive archive of thought leadership stretching back almost 50 years to the days of Bruce Henderson, the firm's founder and one of the architects of modern management consulting. All of our content -- including videos, podcasts, commentaries, and reports -- can be accessed via PC, mobile, iPadFacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn.

About The World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. 
http://www.weforum.org

Contact Information

  • The Boston Consulting Group
    Eric Gregoire
    Global Media Relations Manager

    Tel +1 617-850-3783
    Fax +1 617-850-3701
    gregoire.eric@bcg.com
































































HP Announces New Digital Signage Players to Help Retailers Engage Customers

HP Announces New Digital Signage Players to Help Retailers Engage Customers

Latest HP MP4 and HP MP6 Players Let Retailers Share Timely Information, Offer Interactive and Compelling In-Store Experiences

PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 28, 2013) - HP (NYSE: HPQ) has announced two new affordable media players that can be coupled with the company's digital signage displays to help retail and hospitality businesses bring stunning, informative, interactive digital experiences to clientele. 

The new HP MP6 Digital Signage Player can be deployed by retailers to meet the most demanding dynamic content requirements. Using the latest Intel® dual core processor and high-definition (HD) graphics, the HP MP6 can power digital mall or hotel directories. It also can engage the shopper in an interactive brand experience when paired with a touch-enabled screen.

The new HP MP4 Digital Signage Player is HP's thinnest player, ideal for common signage implementations in retail or hospitality settings. The HP MP4 can display visually appealing brand-related content through static images or full-screen videos to improve the store experience. The HP MP4 features a 64-bit AMD processor with Radeon HD 6320 graphics, creating compelling promotional merchandising environments.

"Retailers want to incorporate innovative technologies to inform, engage and attract customers to their stores but many still struggle with the complexity or cost," said Ray Carlin, vice president and general manager, Retail Solutions, HP. "HP's new media players and its full portfolio of signage solutions mean retailers of any size will be able to deploy affordable and compelling in-store signage." 

The Omnichannel experience -- today
Retailers are using HP signage to appeal to new generations of online shoppers who enjoy browsing items or otherwise interacting with a store's brand. Retailers can enable a seamless and engaging "omnichannel" environment by aligning the experience a customer has online with the one in the physical store. This might include a digital screen in the store that allows shoppers to access a wish list they created online.

Both the HP MP4 and HP MP6 players feature a streamlined Windows® Embedded operating system, have high reliability and can be mounted on the back of a digital screen to maximize space.

Additional information is available at www.HP.com/go/digitalsignage.

Pricing and availability
The HP MP4 and MP6 players will be available in North America and Latin America (except Brazil) later this month. Pricing information is available from HP resellers.

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 printingpersonal computingsoftwareservices and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. AMD is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance, market share or competitive performance relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the competitive pressures faced by HP's businesses; the development and transition of new products and services and the enhancement of existing products and services to meet customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the protection of HP's intellectual property assets, including intellectual property licensed from third parties; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; the hiring and retention of key employees; assumptions related to pension and other post-retirement costs and retirement programs; the execution, timing and results of restructuring plans, including estimates and assumptions related to the cost and the anticipated benefits of implementing those plans; the resolution of pending investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described in HP's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2013 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.























































Microsoft Surface Family Continues Worldwide Expansion

Microsoft Surface Family Continues Worldwide Expansion

Surface RT and Surface Pro headed to new countries starting late March.

REDMOND, Wash.Feb. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced that beginning late March the rollout of Surface will continue, bringing Surface RT with Windows RT toJapanMexicoNew ZealandRussiaSingapore and Taiwan and Surface Pro with Windows 8 Pro to AustraliaChinaFranceGermanyHong KongNew Zealand and the United Kingdom in the coming months.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

"We are eager to see people and businesses in more countries get a chance to experience this new category of devices," saidPanos Panay , corporate vice president, Microsoft Surface. "Surface is the best of a tablet and a PC."

Surface is an extension of the Windows experience, letting customers work, play and connect with the people who matter to them. Surface lets customers transition between entertainment and creation. It offers an ultralight durable casing and an integrated kickstand and cover that allow customers to be productive anywhere, as well as a full-sized USB port and microSDXC card slot for adding additional storage and a 16:9 widescreen high-definition display that makes it optimal for viewing and sharing content easily.

Surface RT is best described as a tablet with some laptop capabilities that weaves productivity and mobility into one beautiful product. It is great for those people looking for all-day battery life1 and an entertainment-first experience with the ability to still get work done. Surface Pro is comparable to a full-blown Windows laptop that also boasts tablet capabilities. For the first time, customers can have a fully functional PC that looks, feels and acts like a tablet. With Surface Pro, customers can do virtually everything they have ever done on a PC, ranging from using their favorite desktop applications to enjoying the protection of world-class safety and security software.

Additional details on Surface are available at http://www.Surface.com, the Surface Blog and Surface on Facebook. Those interested can follow Surface on Twitter for additional updates.

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

1 Up to 8 hours.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.


































































Oracle Announces Latest Release of Oracle RightNow Cloud Service, Offering Rapid Response to Complex Customer Issues

Oracle Announces Latest Release of Oracle RightNow Cloud Service, Offering Rapid Response to Complex Customer Issues

New Oracle RightNow Policy Automation enhances Oracle RightNow Cloud Service


Redwood Shores, CA – February 27, 2013

News Facts

Oracle today announced the February 2013 release of Oracle RightNow Cloud Service, which includes new capabilities to help organizations automate the management and deployment of complex business policies that are required to support customers.
Part of the Oracle Cloud, the February 2013 release of Oracle RightNow Cloud Service is the only cross-channel cloud service and support solution on the market that offers this level of rapid delivery and easy maintenance of highly complex business policies.
Solving customer issues that are supported by complicated business rules can be a costly and cumbersome process for many organizations to staff and manage. In addition, it often creates a lengthy series of interactions for customers seeking resolution over traditional phone and email channels.
Oracle RightNow Policy Automation empowers an organization’s policy experts to manage policies and updates efficiently, as well as deliver answers to customer questions effectively over the web, avoiding higher cost escalations.
This latest product update allows businesses to resolve customer inquiries with accurate, up-to-date and contextually relevant information at the right time, in real time, with no waiting and at the point of need across devices.
Whether it is benefit eligibility, welfare payments, tax obligations, education course credits, license and permit eligibility or insurance premiums, Oracle RightNow Cloud Service enables organizations to deliver intuitive and easy-to-understand assistance to customers.
The Oracle Cloud offers a broad portfolio of SaaS applications, including Oracle Customer Service and Support Cloud Service, which is based on the Oracle RightNow Cloud Service.

Delivering the Right Answers at the Right Time

The February 2013 release of Oracle RightNow Cloud Service will help organizations achieve:

Increased business efficiency from automated natural language decisioning technology, which reduces the complexity and errors of manual entry.
Improved transparency of decisions to customers and reduced follow-ups with automatically generated audit reports that document and justify each step of the decision process.
Enhanced customer satisfaction by only asking contextually relevant questions and providing timely, accurate answers that apply to the customer’s circumstance.
Faster response to business changes in policies, legislation and pricing through updates that can now be managed by business users through a single source document, which gets automatically deployed to the Web.

 Supporting Quote

“With the latest release of Oracle RightNow Cloud Service, organizations can rapidly respond to customer needs and fast-changing business policies,” said David Vap, Group Vice President Products, Oracle.  “Whether public or private sector, Policy Automation within Oracle RightNow Cloud Service helps organizations more easily support their policy strategies by simplifying policy creation, maintenance, auditing and self-service access.  These capabilities help to reduce operational costs while at the same time providing a consistent, transparent experience for the customer.”

Supporting Resources

About Oracle

Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world's most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems company. For more information about Oracle, visit oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Info

Christine Randle
Oracle
+1.571.455.0415
christine.randle@oracle.com

Aaron Wessels
Blanc & Otus
+1.415.378.8090
awessels@blancandotus.com






























































Canadians can have their say through Canadian Internet Forum

Canadians can have their say through Canadian Internet Forum


CIRA's annual consultation begins in Ottawa and online

OTTAWA, Feb. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (www.CIRA.ca), the organization that manages the .CA Internet domain, is kicking off its annual consultation with a feature event in Ottawa and an online forum, providing all Canadians with an equal voice to discuss the issues that impact the safe and fair use of the Internet.

The Canadian Internet Forum (CIF) began this morning at the Ottawa Convention Centre. CIRA has brought together leading thinkers and experts to discuss a variety of Internet-related topics, including digital literacy, cyber-security and Internet governance.

Canadians will be able to participate today and continue the conversation throughout 2013 through their Facebook or Twitter accounts, or by providing a valid email address. CIRA has provided a variety of channels for the CIF, including its website at www.cif.cira.ca, its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cira.ca, its Twitter account @CIRANews, and with the hashtag #ciraif.

"Just as we are all participants in the Internet sphere, we are all participants at the CIF, each with an equal voice," said Byron Holland, President and CEO of CIRA. "I urge you to attend, tune in and have your say, and not just today but throughout the year. The Internet by its very nature is always on and always evolving. How we use it and how we govern it to our best advantage is a conversation that must keep pace."

The CIF is free for all participants. Registrations can still be made onsite for today's event and the webcast is available to everyone.

Federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart begins today's event with a keynote about online privacy. Panel presentations and discussions will explore digital literacy and policy and governance, featuring Steve Anderson from Openmedia.ca, Karen Mulberry from the Internet Society, Tim Denton from the CRTC, Matthew Johnson from MediaSmarts, and Kerry Augustine from the Canadian Cyber Defence Challenge.

To learn more about the CIF, or how to attend or tune in via the webcast, please visit http://www.cira.ca/news/events-page/2013-cif/

About CIRA
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority is the Member-driven organization that manages Canada's .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community, and represents the .CA registry internationally.

SOURCE: Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

For further information:

Tanya O'Callaghan
Communications Manager, Canadian Internet Registration Authority
(613) 237-5335 ext. 262
tanya.ocallaghan@cira.ca

Leo Valiquette
inmedia Public Relations
(613) 769-9479
lvaliquette@inmedia.ca

 







































































Dell and VMware Deliver Converged Infrastructure Solution Optimized for Desktop Virtualization

Dell and VMware Deliver Converged Infrastructure Solution Optimized for Desktop Virtualization

  • Dell DVS Enterprise - Active System 800 for VDI workloads help customers maximize productivity, increase operational efficiency and optimize system management
  • First Dell pre-integrated VDI workload available with VMware® Horizon View™ 5.2, a part of the recently announced VMware Horizon Suite, adding to the comprehensive Dell and VMware solution portfolio 
  • Dell and VMware continue to invest in mid-market focused end-user computing solutions and resources for the channel
 
On the heels of its announcement to help customers deploy workloads with confidence, Dell with VMware today unveiled a pre-integrated system specifically designed for VMware-based virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) workloads, the Dell DVS Enterprise – Active System 800 with VMware Horizon View 5.2. According to a recent study conducted by the Enterprise Strategy Group, one-third of midmarket and enterprise organizations surveyed currently have some form of desktop virtualization technology deployed, and of these users, more than half leverage VDI. To help channel partners meet the customer demand for VDI workloads, Dell will use Active System as the foundation for its Desktop Virtualization Solutions (DVS) portfolio to enable organizations to rapidly deploy and provision VDI workloads and improve efficiencies through resource optimization and heightened security. 

Delivering desktop virtualization via converged infrastructure
Dell DVS Enterprise - Active System 800 with VMware Horizon View 5.2 combines Dell server, storage, networking, thin clients and infrastructure management software into a pre-integrated system to provide general purpose virtualized resource pools for virtual desktops. In addition, a full suite of consulting, deployment and support services are available to ease integration and ensure robust operation of the system once deployed.

With organic innovation and expertise gained through the Gale Technologies acquisition, Dell DVS Enterprise – Active System 800 with VMware Horizon View can streamline administration and improve performance of virtual environments, increase user productivity, and reduce the costs of running virtual workloads, all while allowing increased flexibility in the deployment of desktop virtualization. 

A key component and differentiator of the intuitive and comprehensive solution is the integrated Dell Active System Manager 7.0, designed to extend the management capabilities of Active System beyond the physical infrastructure to the virtualized infrastructure and workloads. The solution also integrates simplified chassis networking and modular infrastructure to enable organizations to:

  • Rapidly respond to dynamic business demands with template based infrastructure and workload provisioning and pre-integrated platform options
  • Simplify the complex matrix of technologies required to deploy virtual desktops to support a dynamic virtual workforce
  • Accelerate time-to-value by simplifying deployment and management for desktop virtualization and initiatives
  • Maximize efficiency with centralized management, modular power-efficient infrastructure, and a converged fabric
  • Improve IT service quality with automated deployment, integration, and management models
  • Drive efficiency and lower risk with pre-engineered, reliable infrastructure to reduce deployment time and costs

Dell DVS Enterprise – Active System 800 with VMware Horizon View is the latest addition to the growing portfolio of purpose-built VDI solutions developed jointly by Dell and VMware. Other offerings include Dell – VMware AlwaysOn Desktop and Dell – VMware Mobile Secure Desktop reference architectures, now updated with Active System 800 and Horizon View 5.2, and Dell Wyse P25 and P45 zero clients designed for VMware View. 

Investing in the success of Dell and VMware Channel Partners 
Dell and VMware are committed to creating new joint initiatives, targeted rewards and tools focused on the Dell PartnerDirect and VMware solution providers who sell joint Dell–VMware desktop virtualization solutions. Examples include:

  • End-to-end solution reference architecture to accelerate configuring and ordering: aimed at helping channel partners streamline processes for configuring, ordering, deploying and supporting Dell and VMware solutions for desktop virtualization powered by the Dell Active System 800 converged infrastructure and VMware Horizon View 5.2.
  • Dell Cloud Client Computing Solution Advisor Tool: guides and automates configuring and quoting Dell Cloud Client Computing and VMware solutions for desktop virtualization. This tool configures a customized, end-to-end desktop virtualization solution for 50 to 50,000 users, with the right servers, storage, software, networking, cables, thin clients and services for cloud client computing environments.
  • Dell PartnerDirect Desktop Virtualization Solutions Competency: align Dell’s channel partner’s sales, business and technical requirements with training and resources to ensure that they get the highest level of Dell support and take advantage of discounts, deal registration, and incentive programs.
 
In addition to Dell PartnerDirect, Dell channel partners will also be able to procure solutions through their regular distribution channels, and VMware components can count toward VMware Partner Network program quota, incentives and promotions Solution Providers can purchase end-to-end Dell solutions that include VMware solutions directly from Dell, and still have the benefits of the VMware Partner Network program

Quotes
“By collaborating with Dell, we’re able to utilize our joint expertise and resources to provide end-to-end Dell and VMware desktop virtualization solutions to our customers,” said Jason Myers, Regional Director - Southwest Region, FusionStorm. “The desktop virtualization competency and other incentives that are offered through Dell PartnerDirect have enabled us to be successful and set us apart in the marketplace. We look forward to the additional Dell and VMware resources and solutions that help our mid-market customers simplify and accelerate their desktop virtualization deployments.”

“Dell and VMware have intensified our strategic partnership for end-to-end computing,” said Maryam Alexandrian, executive director of worldwide sales, channels and field marketing, Dell Cloud Client Computing. “Together we are deepening our engagement with our channel partners, accelerating our joint engineering and solution collaboration, and investing in go-to-market initiatives to address opportunities in the mid-market.”

“VMware and Dell’s strategic alliance continues to expand, as we both share a vision of providing innovative end-user computing solutions to our customers of various sizes,” said Toni Adams, vice president, Global Partner and Alliances Marketing, VMware. “The Dell DVS Enterprise Active System 800 with VMware® Horizon View™ 5.2 demonstrates how we’re introducing solutions that can help organizations gain greater agility, efficiency and service quality out of their IT infrastructures.”

Availability
Dell DVS Enterprise – Active System 800 with VMware Horizon View is expected to be available in the US in March 2013 and will roll out to the rest of the world beginning Summer 2013. 

About VMware 
VMware (NYSE: VMW) is the leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions that enable businesses to thrive in the Cloud Era. Customers rely on VMware to help them transform the way they build, deliver and consume Information Technology resources in a manner that is evolutionary and based on their specific needs. With 2012 revenues of $4.61 billion, VMware has more than 480,000 customers and 55,000 partners. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com.

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.com

IBM Backs Network Functions Virtualization to Help Carriers Speed New Services to Customers

IBM Backs Network Functions Virtualization to Help Carriers Speed New Services to Customers

On Demand Mobile Network built on IBM PureFlex

ARMONK, N.Y. - 27 Feb 2013: To help communications service providers meet increasing network traffic demand, lower costs and reduce the time needed to deploy new services, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced its support for the virtualization of network infrastructure that will extend the benefits of a cloud delivery model to communications networks.

Separating network functions from purpose-built hardware can speed the deployment of new services while reducing the economic burden on clients, a key goal of IBM’s Smarter Communications initiative. To achieve this goal, IBM is working with Business Partners as they create new solutions tailored for telecom. For example, Australian mobile carrier Optus recently tested a new mobile network capacity solution from Connectem Inc. running on IBM PureFlex.  

"The IBM PureFlex platform is uniquely suited to enable virtualization of network functions that are implemented as software applications running on elastic, on-demand infrastructure in 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi wireless networks,” said Jacqueline Woods, global vice president of Systems Software & Growth Initiatives, IBM Systems & Technology Group. “We continue to support our partners as they develop and bring to market innovative solutions on the PureFlex platform."

The IBM PureSystems family offers carriers an alternative to current enterprise computing models, where multiple and disparate systems require significant resources to set up and maintain.

The Virtual Core for Mobile (VCM) is a software solution from Connectem, an IBM Business Partner, which has the potential to deliver higher network performance during peak usage periods, where millions of customers could be accessing a mobile network via smartphones or tablets. A virtualized solution can rapidly switch computing resources to deliver incremental capacity on-demand. As a result, customers experience lower network latency even during periods of peak network activity. 

The Connectem VCM software running on IBM PureFlex platform is a part of a key initiative that can dramatically reduce the time to deploy new services as software applications on general-purpose computing platforms. Australia’s Optus is looking at the new technology to explore opportunities that cloud services can enable in delivering outstanding customer experience. 

“As we continue to expand Optus 4G across Australia, we are also exploring ideas such as flexible network infrastructure and how that can potentially fit into our long-term network strategy to deliver even more benefits to our customers,” said Günther Ottendorfer, Managing Director of Networks at Optus. 

Connectem VCM architecture and software have been developed to comply with the best practices to meet the strict service requirements expected of the Mobile Broadband carriers. This new software architecture, combined with the powerful, high-performance virtualization built into the PureFlex platform, will help enable the quick adoption of new services and business models which are critical for Mobile carriers. 

“Connectem looks forward to working with IBM,” said Barry Hill, VP Sales & Marketing, Connectem. “We are excited about the potential to re-define the economics and innovation in the Mobile Broadband market with this solution running on the IBM PureFlex platform.”  

For more information on IBM PureSystems visit: www.ibm.com/press/pure 

For more information on Connectem Inc. visit: www.connectem.net  

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Contact(s) information

Chris Rubsamen 
IBM Media Relations, Systems and Technology Group 
1 (914) 766-4280 
rubsamen@us.ibm.com