HP Extends Converged Cloud Portfolio for Hybrid Delivery Environments

HP Extends Converged Cloud Portfolio for Hybrid Delivery Environments

New solutions deliver agility, speed innovation and lower costs

FRANKFURT, Germany -- HP today extended its Converged Cloud portfolio to help customers succeed in a hybrid world, providing the essential foundation of solutions to drive agility, speed innovation and lower costs.

The new cloud solutions span private, managed and public cloud environments. These include:

“HP is committed to delivering cloud capabilities that enterprises can rely on,” said Bill Veghte, chief operating officer, HP. “Today’s announcements enable customers to more affordably and easily take advantage of the agility of the cloud without jeopardizing their enterprise service level agreements.”


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New research

New research conducted on behalf of HP(1) supports the need for solutions that span traditional, private, managed and public cloud environments. Respondents indicated that 75 percent of business and IT executives plan to pursue a hybrid delivery model. At the same time, 65 percent are concerned with vendor lock-in, and 72 percent said that portability of workloads between cloud models is important to their cloud implementations.    

Providing choice in hybrid cloud environments

To ensure that clouds are affordable and easy to deploy, HP has further enhanced the functionality of HP CloudSystem. Based on HP Converged Infrastructure and HP Cloud Service Automation software, the new enhancements enable clients to:

  • Manage cloud requirements for cost, security and availability with an open, extensible architecture for heterogeneous IT environments that now include support for Kernel-based Virtual Machines (KVMs) and virtualization technologies from HP, Microsoft and VMware, as well as physical provisioning for server blades.
  • Gain instant access to additional capacity and manage uneven service demands on an as-needed, pay-as-you go basis through new HP CloudSystem bursting capabilities.
  • Reduce administration time and accelerate development of service offerings with an expanded HP Cloud Maps portfolio that includes 50 new prepackaged application templates. The portfolio now consists of more than 200 templates that allow clients to create customized catalogs of application services ready for push-button deployment.

Providing consistency in managing hybrid environments

HP also introduced a new version of HP CSA, which is available as part of HP CloudSystem or standalone. HP CSA 3.1 provides clients with a comprehensive, unified cloud management platform for brokering and managing enterprise-grade applications and infrastructures specifically for cloud services. This new version ensures business continuity with a highly available architecture that continues to operate even in the event of a failure. In addition, it offers greater protection against security threats with HP TippingPoint security solutions. HP CSA speeds time to market of application services for public, private and hybrid cloud environments.

Competitive pressure is driving enterprises to deploy high-quality applications in less time. The new HP CDA 1.1 fully automates the application release process, enabling clients to deliver high-quality applications by eliminating delays traditionally caused by manual hand-offs between teams during the application life cycle.

HP also introduced HP Cloud Solutions for CSPs, which enable CSPs to build and operate public cloud environments for enterprise and small and midsized business (SMB) customers. By transforming into cloud service brokers, CSPs can profitably build, operate and monetize a cloud infrastructure to accelerate the delivery of new services to their business customers while achieving higher retention rates among subscribers.

Providing confidence in cloud services consumption

HP has introduced new functionality to HP Cloud Services, the company’s public cloud. These new offerings enable organizations of all sizes to confidently move enterprise-grade production workloads to the cloud. New services and solutions include:

  • The general availability of HP Cloud Compute, a pay-as-you-go model that allows users to deploy and customize compute instances on demand.
  • The advancement of HP Cloud Block Storage, a storage solution that enables users to easily move data from one compute instance to another, to public beta.
  • HP Cloud Application Platform as a Service (PaaS), which enables enterprises, developers and independent software vendors to focus on application development and deployment. Based on the Cloud Foundry Open PaaS project, it supports a multi-application infrastructure along with instant provisioning and deployment through a single click.
  • ·    HP Cloud Workload Migration Services, delivered in conjunction with HP’s partner ecosystem, helps users assess, plan and migrate existing production workloads to HP’s public cloud without user disruption.

Providing confidence in supply chains

The newly enhanced HP Global Product Authentication Service (GPAS) allows brand owners to detect, combat and reduce the incidence of counterfeit goods and activities. The cloud-based protection solution for manufacturers provides real-time authentication features and an intuitive web portal with advanced business intelligence capabilities for product verification as well as fraud incidence tracking.

A recording of the HP Discover Frankfurt press conference and additional information about HP’s announcements at its premier client event, HP Discover Frankfurt, are available at www.hp.com/go/HPDiscoverFrankfurt2012


(1) “HP Cloud and Information Optimization,” Coleman Parkes Research, Ltd., October 2012.


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; expectations and assumptions relating to the execution and timing of cost reduction programs and restructuring and integration plans; the resolution of pending investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2012 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.  HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2012 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.

Press Kit: December 03, 2012
HP Discover Frankfurt 2012

Media contacts

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.














































































Subaru Canada looks to Microsoft Lync for smart collaboration solution

Subaru Canada looks to Microsoft Lync for smart collaboration solution

Virtually anywhere, anytime communication paired with Subaru's drive to compete as key to deployment of Lync

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Subaru Canada showcased more than automotive savvy at its drive event held at the Microsoft Canada offices in Mississauga today. Together with Microsoft Canada, Subaru demonstrated how Microsoft Lync can be used to drive employee collaboration - anytime, virtually anywhere - allowing this iconic company to drive business forward in a highly competitive market.

"Subaru Canada is an incredible organization that brings unique and innovative engineering to the marketplace," said Jason Brommet, Group Manager, Microsoft Office Division, at Microsoft Canada. "So it was a thrill to work closely with the company to bring that same savvy and innovation to their employees through Microsoft Lync. Subaru knows what it wants and needs to do to compete - and fundamental to this vision is empowering collaboration. By using Lync, Subaru is already tapping into all the smart features of the modern desktop to drive the business forward, all while achieving great value."

Microsoft Lync gives businesses and users an entirely unified and connected user experience, transforming every communication into a rich interaction that is more collaborative and engaging. Lync lets Subaru Canada users keep track of their contacts' availability; send instant messages; start or join an audio, video or web conference; or make a phone call. Lync is built to fully integrate with Microsoft Office, which means a familiar and consistent user experience.

"Subaru Canada has an extensive network of dealerships and we needed a better way for the company to collaborate in real time with not only internal employees but our valued stakeholders as well," said George Hamin, Subaru Canada's Director of eBusiness and Information Systems. "Lync has helped us improve decision making and intelligence sharing, as well as help reduce travel costs. It drives enriched conversations, no matter where we are or what device we're using, and results in better informed people who make smarter decisions."

Considered a smart alternative to mainstream brands, Subaru offers high residual value, class-leading safety and confidence-inspiring performance in its lineup of vehicles. Subaru brought its 2013 BRZ as well as its new preventative safety technology - the EyeSight driver assistance system, which was introduced on its 2013 Legacy and Outback - to Microsoft Canada offices as examples of vehicles delivering driving enjoyment and peace of mind. Just as Subaru customers look to a brand to deliver specific attributes when making an important investment, Subaru Canada also looks to make a wise investment when selecting collaboration and communication technologies. Leveraging Lync, Subaru Canada was able to make the right investment in the right technology to drive business forward.

For more information about the Subaru Canada deployment, visit here. To follow the conversation @Subaru_Canada #Subaru.

About Subaru Canada, Inc.

Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of over 85 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca.

About Microsoft Canada

Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca.

SOURCE: Microsoft Canada Co.

For further information:

Tania DiVito

High Road Communications

t. 416 644 2262

e. Tania.divito@highroad.com

Cynthia Keeshan

Microsoft Canada

t. 289 305 9099

e. ckeeshan@microsoft.com







































































Gartner Outlines Six Best Practices for Moving to a Culture of Extreme Collaboration

Gartner Outlines Six Best Practices for Moving to a Culture of Extreme Collaboration

STAMFORD, Conn., December 6, 2012—

CIOs and business managers will fail in their efforts to improve business performance outcomes through business process management (BPM) if they cannot overcome major barriers to cross-functional communication and collaboration, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner said that business leaders can avoid this failure by embracing extreme collaboration (XC), a new operating model and an extreme style of collaboration.

XC is enabled by combing four nexus forces into a pattern that can dramatically innovate the way people behave, communicate, work together and maintain relationships — often across wide organizational and geographic boundaries — to collectively deliver breakthrough process performance.

"Collaboration is a critical activity in many operational business processes, both structured and unstructured. An XC environment is essentially a virtual war room or crisis center, where people can come together to collaboratively work on a shared purpose," said Janelle Hill, VP and distinguished analyst at Gartner. "This environment is available 24/7, thus enabling people to work when, where and how they need to in order to meet shared goals and outcomes. What makes it extreme is people's willingness to cross geographic, organizational, political, management boundaries, to pool their collective skills and resources to solve problems and move toward the attainment of a shared, ambitious goal."

Gartner has identified six best practices for moving to a culture of XC:

Foster the Use of Virtual, Web-Based Collaboration Spaces in People's Daily Jobs

Gartner believes that one way to spur novel forms of collaboration is to select an activity currently handled through traditional methods, such face-to-face meetings or email, and encourage it to take place in a virtual, likely Web-based, collaboration space instead. These environments are easily accessed and almost always available. Virtual environments used to host such spaces can range from process collaboration environments to social networks or on-premises collaborative and social media tools.

Experimenting and gaining experience with such virtual collaboration is critical to XC, because an XC environment virtually operates in the same vicinity where the people do their daily jobs. The always on/always available characteristic of an XC environment means this type of extremely collaborative behavior can be dynamically incorporated into processes as an ad hoc activity.

Exploit the Value of Near-Real-Time Communication Addiction

The surge in real-time, or near-real-time, communication activities, such as texting, tweeting or updating Facebook, is not just a fad and businesses should embrace and encourage such behavior. Establishing real-time communication habits in the workplace enables a freer flow of information and more proactive notifications, so that people can respond more quickly to unexpected events and business disruptions. This can address the common problem of information being constrained and delayed through formal communication channels that run up and down the organizational hierarchy, or through defined email and need-to-know distribution lists. Real-time communication can break entrenched behaviors of relying on the management hierarchy to distribute information appropriately and, thereby, help overcome some of the communication-related problems associated with organizational politics.

Use Crowdsourcing and Popular Social Media Tools to Facilitate Dynamic Communities and Collaboration

One good way to kick-start the mind-set for extreme collaboration is to host a "tweet jam" to trigger a dynamic community to brainstorm on a problem. This involves simply setting a time and topic, and encouraging people to participate and get working. Unlike a conversation in a meeting room, all communication is captured so there's a clear record of what was discussed, who contributed ideas, and which participants excelled at facilitating discussions and problem-solving. Crowdsourcing is also proving to be very effective for bringing together people — who often didn't previously know each other — to tackle shared problems. Although not XC, per se; crowdsourcing is another style of collaboration.

Change Reward Systems to Encourage Collaboration

Today's dominant performance management methods are ineffective for process-centric organizations, because they discourage collaboration by rewarding individual efforts to deliver specific, one-time outcomes, rather than rewarding collaboration and team efforts. Enterprises that embrace XC reward influence collaborative behavior that contributes to resolving complex problems, in addition to rewarding individual deliverables. They design performance evaluations and incentives to foster teamwork and reward exceptional collaborators. The use of collaboration technologies also makes it easier to track collaborative behavior and tie it directly to outcomes achieved.

Use Social Network Analysis to Measure the Collaborative Behavior of Teams

Another way to measure and reward collaborative behavior is to track how people interact. Social network analysis (SNA) and some social media monitor people's social network influence. An XC culture is built on openness, trust and mutual respect and SNA is a technique to help process owners and business process improvement (BPI) leaders identify strong social networks where a foundation of trust and respect exist. Once such networks are identified, organizations should try to leverage these relationships by asking these groups of individuals to pool their collective strengths to address some critical, cross-boundary process performance challenge. Other social, mobile and cloud technologies will also provide new ways to track how and where people have collaborated and to measure what happened.

Plan Group Events to Kick-Start Real-Time Communication and Collaboration

A few simple steps can help force people out of their "comfort zones" to experiment with new ways of collaborating and interacting, including:

  • Designating mobile-video attendees at meetings. Mobile video tools allow people to attend meetings via their mobile devices. This use of mobile video is a dramatic breakthrough compared with videoconferencing, which requires dedicated facilities. Although perhaps not appropriate for larger groups or longer, sustained participation, mobile video is particularly effective for bringing key experts into the conversation when needed.
  • Use game play to spur new forms of collaboration and creative interaction. Gamification is a great way to spur engagement in collective problem solving. Experimenting with game-based techniques can shake things up and get people working together in new ways.
  • Consider turning off email for a defined time period. Email is the dominant means of business communication, but it's a poor collaborative tool — and an overused "crutch" that keeps people from using more collective and interactive approaches to solving problems. To break the habit, organizations should try turning off email for a defined interval of time, ensuring that alternatives are in place and easy to use. Such experiments will force people to use social networks and real-time communication in ways they haven't before.

Additional information is available in the report "Six Best Practices for Moving to a Culture of Extreme Collaboration." The report is available on Gartner's website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=2224215 

Contacts:

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

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


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

OSCAR EMR version 12.1 achieves Canada Health Infoway certification

 

OSCAR EMR version 12.1 achieves Canada Health Infoway certification


TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) and Open Source Clinical Application Resource (OSCAR) Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Inc. announced today that OSCAR version 12.1 has achieved Infoway's J-class, Laboratory and Clinical Documents certification.

"We congratulate OSCAR EMR Inc. for achieving Infoway J Class, Laboratory and Clinical Documents certification of its OSCAR version 12.1 system," said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO, Canada Health Infoway.  "This accomplishment demonstrates to the EMR market that this product meets pan-Canadian standards for privacy, security and interoperability."

In order to achieve certification, OSCAR EMR underwent an assessment process to demonstrate that it met or exceeded the standards set by Infoway Certification Services.

"By achieving this certification, OSCAR version 12.1 demonstrates that as an open-source EMR it is a secure and interoperable IT solution contributing to a more connected health care system. This enables OSCAR EMR to provide a solution that ensures privacy and confidentiality while improving the overall experience of health care for both patients and providers," said David Price, Chair of the Board, OSCAR EMR.

OSCAR's certification and interoperability with regional and provincial eHealth assets offers direct benefits to users, contributes meaningfully to health system improvements, and enables better patient care.

Infoway's strategic efforts to hasten EMR adoption and use at the point of care in community and out-patient care settings, leverages and connects to the work that has already been done to build jurisdictional electronic health record systems. These systems allow authorized clinicians to access key information about their patients' health histories.

About OSCAR EMR

OSCAR EMR, a recently established not-for-profit corporation, is a key part of the vibrant OSCAR ecosystem.  OSCAR EMR is ISO 13485:2003 certified and, on behalf of the OSCAR community, ensures OSCAR's quality from design and development to implementation and support.  It does so in part through formal affiliation with Approved OSCAR Service Providers and Approved OSCAR Self-Service Providers who are committed to promoting and upholding quality standards, and to contributing to the sustainability and effectiveness of OSCAR's Quality Management System. While OSCAR EMR is based in Hamilton, Ontario, the organization works in collaboration with the Canada-wide OSCAR community, with large user groups in British Columbia and Ontario, and other users across Canada and internationally. For more information about OSCAR EMR, please contact: oscar.emr.iso@gmail.com

About Canada Health Infoway

Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of information and communications technology projects in Canada. Fully respecting patient confidentiality, these secure systems will provide clinicians and patients with the information they need to better support safe care decisions and manage their own health. Accessing this vital information quickly will help foster a more modern and sustainable health care system for all Canadians.

SOURCE: Canada Health Infoway

For further information:

Madeline Barber Dal Molin
OSCAR Business Analyst
Tel: (905) 385-3378 ext. 102
mbarber@mcmaster.ca

Dan Strasbourg
Director, Media Relations
Canada Health Infoway
Tel: (416) 595-3424
dstrasbourg@infoway-inforoute.ca

Calgary MSP Supports Drop In Centre Computer Drive

Calgary MSP Supports Drop In Centre Computer Drive
Summary: For many Calgarians, a computer is a part of every day life but for others, a computer can represent freedom, a hand up and even a stepping stone to a whole new life. CTECH continues to be a strong supporter of the Computers For Low-Income Calgarians (CLIC) program provided by the Calgary Drop-in & Rehab Centre (The DI) and requests business in Calgary to help support their cause.

Calgary, AB – CTECH is about helping people use technology. As one of Calgary’s top IT support companies, we are very fortunate to have many Calgary businesses trust us to help them use IT more efficiently in their company and provide the foundation for a successful business.

However, there are still many families in Calgary who are behind the technology curve. CTECH continues to support the efforts of “The DI” and the Computers for Low-Income Calgarians computer program.

The Computers for Low-Income Calgarians (CLIC) program provides home computers to individuals and families in Calgary that otherwise could not afford to purchase a computer, laptop or printer.

This program has provided thousands of computers to low-income Calgarians and some of the beneficiaries include single parents who lack computer resources for their children to keep up with their school-work and personal growth.

When your Calgary business partners with CTECH to donate used computer systems, this contribution facilitates the development of new talents and the nurturing of increased technology based education for the individuals The DI is reaching. It also makes possible many wonderful things in the lives of those less fortunate living in Calgary.

“CTECH continues to help The DI with this initiative” says CTECH president and CEO, Carl Fransen. “CTECH clients are always keeping up with the latest technology. Normally these old systems would end up being recycled, but now we can help facilitate the donation of older business technology to those who can use it.”

To donate your computer to the Computers For Low Income Calgarians program call CTECH to help you arrange your donation. Speak with CTECH President and CEO Carl Fransen at 403.457.1478 x100.vTo learn more about The DI program visit http://www.thedi.ca/services/clic/.

Does your Calgary business need trustworthy IT support and services? CTECH is here to help your business with the best IT support in Calgary. Call us today to book a no obligation review of your current IT setup. Visit http://www.ctechgroup.ca.

If you would like to reach this company for additional information, click here.

Global Survey: IT Departments Making Companies More Efficient, yet Not Driving Business Growth

Global Survey: IT Departments Making Companies More Efficient, yet Not Driving Business Growth

Global Survey: IT Departments Making Companies More Efficient, yet Not Driving Business Growth

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - Dec 5, 2012) - Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR), the industry leader in network innovation, and the Economist Intelligence Unit released findings today from a recent global survey, which revealed that over half of businesses surveyed primarily rely on IT departments to increase efficiency of their operations. But IT is largely falling short of expectations to drive business growth in new areas. The survey of 474 respondents spanned Germany, Japan, the U.K. and the United States. Fifty-one percent of respondents are C-level and board members and the remaining are senior executives and managers.

The survey showed, that of all respondents, the highest-performing companies -- those who report their financial performance is stronger than their industry peers -- identify a different role for IT in key areas of their business. Compared to their peers,

  • 20 percent more of the high-performing companies say technology played a very strong role in their organization's financial performance
  • 11 percent more of the high-performing companies strongly agree that the IT function can support business growth by identifying new market opportunities
  • Eight percent more of the high-performing companies say the IT function is very closely involved in helping develop new products and services

Today, businesses are rushing to keep up with exponential data growth and meet fast-changing market needs for digital services. Financial institutions are delivering mobile banking applications while gaming companies are rebuilding their game catalogues as online services. As companies rush to deliver these new services, IT has an opportunity to play a role advancing these new business initiatives.

While most IT departments are not yet widely seen driving business growth, the companies surveyed predict the role of IT will begin shifting from tools of efficiency to engines of growth. Sixty percent of respondents report IT will be very closely or somewhat closely involved in helping to develop new products or services for the company over the next three years.

Importantly, survey respondents predicted the top technology trend that would impact the competitiveness of their business was collaboration and information sharing through networks.

Additional Key Findings Include:
IT Perceptions and Expectations

  • When asked about the IT functions' main strengths, the top response (42 percent) was "efficient execution of general business processes."
  • Today, one in five (20 percent) respondents report that IT is only somewhat prepared or very unprepared to contribute to improved business growth.
  • Very few business respondents successfully collaborate with IT on strategic business imperatives such as identifying new market opportunities (nine percent), identifying new innovations (six percent) or developing a competitive strategy (five percent).

Disruptive Technologies

  • Global respondents predict the top technology investments over the next three years will be business information analysis (33 percent), followed by business process management (31 percent), cloud computing/virtualization (29 percent) and mobile devices (26 percent).
  • Respondents report the top technology trends influencing the competitiveness of their organization over the next three years include collaboration and information sharing through networks (31 percent), the widespread availability of mobile devices (31 percent), and the ubiquitous nature of connected devices and integrated systems (27 percent).

Supporting Quotes:
"We must embrace disruptive technologies such as cloud and mobile that are propelling business growth to create an opportunity for IT to step out of a support function into a more strategic role. By creating new products and services and identifying new market opportunities, IT can truly transform and technologically enable the business."
- Bask Iyer, senior vice president and chief information officer, Juniper Networks

"Businesses still view the IT function in the traditional role of improving process efficiency. However, to really take advantage of an increasingly digitized world, companies need to recognize the potential value of IT as a collaborative partner in identifying new opportunities."
- Rozina Ali, deputy editor, Economist Intelligence Unit

Additional Resources:

About the Survey
Juniper Networks commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit to survey 474 IT and business executives from Germany, Japan, the U.K. and the United States in order to understand how the role of IT in business is changing to address the challenges and opportunities of exponential scale.

About the Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the world's leading resource for economic and business research, forecasting and analysis. It provides accurate and impartial intelligence for companies, government agencies, financial institutions and academic organisations around the globe, inspiring business leaders to act with confidence since 1946. EIU products include its flagship Country Reports service, providing political and economic analysis for 195 countries, and a portfolio of subscription-based data and forecasting services. The company also undertakes bespoke research and analysis projects on individual markets and business sectors. More information is available at www.eiu.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/theeiu.

About Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is in the business of network innovation. From devices to data centers, from consumers to cloud providers, Juniper Networks delivers the software, silicon and systems that transform the experience and economics of networking. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on Twitter and Facebook.

Juniper Networks is a registered trademark of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. The Juniper Networks logo is a trademark of Juniper Networks, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.









































































































Montreal-based Pivotal Payments introduces mobile payment options for businesses in North America

 

Pivotal Payments introduces mobile payment options for businesses in North America



Businesses can now accept credit card payments with their smartphones and tablets with PivotalMOBILE

MONTREAL, Dec. 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of their ongoing commitment to provide innovative payment solutions for businesses of all sizes, Pivotal Payments, North America's fastest growing payment processor, announced a new mobile payment platform that can be used on smartphones and tablets. PivotalMOBILE is an integrated payment solution that includes an application for iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices, along with a card reader that plugs directly into the mobile device's audio port.

PivotalMOBILE is a cost-effective add-on that lets small to mid-sized businesses process credit card payments from virtually any location. Pricing is flexible unlike many industry competitors and not based on a single published rate. The mobile payment solution includes the following features:

  • Sales and refunds
  • Accepting and editing tips
  • E-mailing receipts to clients
  • Verifying transactions with on-screen signature capture and transaction geolocation

PivotalMOBILE is Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant and offers end-to-end encryption between the mobile device and Pivotal Payments' secure servers. Credit card information is never stored on the mobile device.

"As smartphones are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, it's only natural that merchants and their customers want to integrate them into every aspect of their lives," said Philip Fayer, President and CEO of Pivotal Payments. "At Pivotal, we're always evolving to meet and exceed the needs of our clients and partners and we're extremely pleased to offer this innovative, new processing platform."

Businesses using PivotalMOBILE also gain access to Pivotal Payments' proprietary merchant account reporting platform, Pivotal360. This online service provides transaction history, detailed sales reports, monthly statements and other valuable business management tools.

Mobile payment processing is typically used by contractors, direct sellers, at trade shows, by delivery and other service businesses operating from various locations, however they also give retailers the flexibility to process payments from virtually any location within their store. No longer confined to the checkout line, customers can complete their purchases anywhere with a data or Wi-Fi signal. Commonly known as "line busting," PivotalMOBILE will be a vital sales tool during peak shopping periods such as the upcoming holiday sales rush.

PivotalMOBILE is now available for iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry users through Pivotal Payments and its network of sales partners throughout North America. Additional product information is available at www.pivotalmobile.us USA and www.pivotalmobile.ca (Canada).

About Pivotal Payments

Innovative, reliable and affordable, Pivotal Payments is a leading provider and processor of merchant services throughout North America. Pivotal Payments provides to both online and point of sale merchants a variety of services such as debit and credit card processing, electronic check conversion, merchant cash advance programs, loyalty/gift card programs and terminal management solutions. The company provides these services to small and mid-sized retail businesses, mail order/telephone order merchants, e-commerce, chain stores, franchises, restaurants and dealerships. Processing over US $10 billion in annual transactions, Pivotal Payments serves more than 60,000 customers. To learn more, visit http://www.pivotalpayments.com

Image with caption: "PivotalMOBILE is an integrated payment solution that includes an application for iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices, along with a card reader that plugs directly into the mobile device's audio port (CNW Group/PIVOTAL PAYMENTS)". Image available at:

Media_httpphotosnewsw_ecope

SOURCE: PIVOTAL PAYMENTS

For further information:

Julie Bourbonnière
energi PR
1 888 764-6322 x227
julie.bourbonniere@energipr.com

Louis Georgakakis
Pivotal Payments
1 877 441-4729 x8001
lgeorgakakis@pivotalpayments.com


Rackspace Open Cloud Platform Drives Significant Customer Interest in 2012

Rackspace Open Cloud Platform Drives Significant Customer Interest in 2012

Customers Use Open Cloud to Build and Deploy Complex eCommerce, SaaS, Mobile and Hybrid Applications

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2012-- Rackspace® Hosting (NYSE: RAX), the open cloud company, today announced that its customer base is expanding, as thousands of customers are signing up each month for the company’s open cloud services. With the complete suite of OpenStack®-based cloud solutions now in full production, Rackspace offers an open, fast and simple cloud experience by providing customers with true choice and control without the fear of being locked-in to proprietary technologies.

“We had an aggressive agenda for our open cloud platform in 2012. By delivering on the goals we set for ourselves this year, we’ve turned our vision into a reality and are now providing businesses with an unprecedented level of choice around how to use the cloud,” said John Engates, chief technology officer at Rackspace. “As customers advance in their journey to the cloud, they are becoming aware of proprietary technologies that lock them in to specific architectures and vendors. Customers today are realizing the power of choice, and delivering that to our customers, along with powerful features, will remain a top priority as we look ahead to next year.”

The introduction of Rackspace’s open cloud marks the first time any company has deployed a large-scale open source public cloud powered by OpenStack®. Customers can now select from private or public cloud, dedicated, virtualized or hybrid offerings and have the flexibility to deploy their private cloud in their own datacenter, a Rackspace data center or another data center of their choice.

The Rackspace open cloud platform launch featured the release of key products in 2012 including:

  • Cloud Servers – highly elastic servers available on-demand
  • Cloud Databases - high performance MySQL databases
  • Cloud Monitoring – global monitoring for web infrastructure
  • Cloud Backup – file level, encrypted, compressed, automated backups for peace of mind
  • Cloud Block Storage - predictable performance on standard or SSD drives
  • Cloud Networks - software defined Level 2 networking for increased security
  • New Control Panel – powerful, yet simple and intuitive

These join over 70 products and service launches, and updates Rackspace released in the last 12 months, reflecting a commitment and investment to innovation.

The Rackspace Cloud portfolio was designed using three main principles: Open technologies that provide choice and flexibility to our customers, high performance made possible by over a decade of experience building complex systems, and simplicity - making all this power available to customers and removing the burden of administrative tasks that add little business value, while enhancing agility.

Since the open cloud launch, products such as Rackspace Cloud Servers have experienced significant adoption. This solution, which delivers increased efficiency, scalability and agility to customers, is helping organizations of all sizes build advanced cloud applications that can be integrated with dedicated infrastructure to deliver true Hybrid clouds.

All the products and the new capabilities in the Rackspace Cloud portfolio are supported by the legendary Fanatical Support® and are also available under a managed service level that makes our expertise available to design, plan, deploy, optimize and maintain the environments our customers rely on for business critical applications.

“This year, we transitioned nearly all of our servers to the Rackspace open cloud and that decision continues to drive significant business value for our organization," said Evan Sims, senior developer at Ushahidi. "With Rackspace's open cloud platform, we're not concerned with vendor lock-in, we've seen a dramatic increase in server uptime, and the quality of support is unlike anything we've experienced with other cloud providers.”

Rackspace has also seen strong adoption of Cloud Databases, as the solution simplifies application development by offering pre-configured MySQL databases in the cloud that deliver high performance.

“The Sysbench benchmark tests we performed on Rackspace Cloud Databases on MySQL show it outperforming the leading competitor by 2 to 5 times under increasing transaction load, while our I/O tests on Cloud Block Storage SSD service show an improvement of at least 5 times in throughput over the alternative block storage service. These characteristics make Rackspace's cloud ideal for databases and applications that demand performance," said Vadim Tkachenko, co-founder and CTO of Percona, the leading MySQL support and consulting company.

Through its open cloud platform, Rackspace is delivering a business-ready cloud, which customers can use to effectively run their business. With the open cloud, customers are building and deploying complex eCommerce, cloud native SaaS, mobile and hybrid applications.

“A major benefit that Rackspace provides with the open cloud is that it gives us the scalability we need to go from 10 to 50 servers as our business needs grow, while also enabling us to take advantage of dedicated infrastructure in a true hybrid cloud. Now we have the best of both worlds,” said Sunny Dhillon, technical operations manager at Coastal.com. “Rackspace also gives us peace of mind by making available a team of experts who deal with large scale web deployments every day.”

This year, Rackspace also announced the release of its Private Cloud software, powered by OpenStack. This software is designed to make it simple and easy for companies to install, test and run a multi-node OpenStack-based private cloud environment in their own data center, at Rackspace, or in a collocation facility. Since its release only a few weeks ago, the software has been downloaded by people from Fortune 100 companies, academic institutions, research facilities and thousands of other organizations in more than 125 countries spanning all continents. To help organizations build expertise in private cloud, Rackspace offers training, certification and support services, as well as advisory guidance to help roadmap a journey to the cloud.

Hybrid cloud deployments also got more powerful this year. Rackspace’s unique RackConnect technology, for example, gives customers the ability to add a physical firewall to protect cloud servers, or combine cloud resources with dedicated servers with as many as 32 cores and 1.5 Tb of memory or massive SAN-powered storage. Now customers don’t have to choose between cloud and dedicated, as they can enjoy the advantages of both technologies in one seamless deployment.

Following the successful launch of the Rackspace open cloud, and Private Cloud software, the company intends to maintain its positive momentum heading into 2013 by continuing to expand the scope of its OpenStack-based solutions portfolio. In the near future, Rackspace plans to continue to enhance its portfolio with solutions for high growth opportunities, including Big Data, high scale applications, software defined network enhancements and enterprise needs, among others.

About Rackspace

Rackspace® Hosting (NYSE: RAX) is the open cloud company, delivering open technologies and powering more than 190,000 customers worldwide. Rackspace provides its renowned Fanatical Support® across a broad portfolio of IT products, including Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Hosting and Dedicated Hosting. The company offers choice, flexibility and freedom from vendor lock in. Rackspace has been recognized by Bloomberg BusinessWeek as a Top 100 Performing Technology Company and is featured on Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. Rackspace was positioned in the Leaders Quadrant by Gartner Inc. in the “2011 Magic Quadrant for Managed Hosting.” Rackspace is headquartered in San Antonio with offices and data centers around the world. For more information, visit www.rackspace.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press 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 Rackspace Hosting 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 any statements concerning expected development, performance or market acceptance associated with the Rackspace open cloud platform and the products and services offered on that platform; anticipated operational and financial benefits from the Rackspace open cloud platform and the products and services offered on that platform; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include including the possibility that expected benefits from the Rackspace open cloud platform and the products and services offered on that platform may not materialize because the product is not generally accepted in the marketplace, which could occur due to certain factors including (i) a failure to market the product cost effectively, differentiate the platform, products and services from competitive platforms, products and services or communicate differentiations effectively, (ii) the reliability, quality or compatibility associated with the platform, products or services, (iii) changes in technology which adversely affect the benefits of the product, (iv) slowdowns in the general economy or technology industry that impact consumer spending habits, (v) internal strategy decisions that impact the platform, products and services, and (vi) and other risks that are described in Rackspace Hosting’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, filed with the SEC on November 7, 2012. Except as required by law, Rackspace Hosting assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Source: Rackspace Hosting

Rackspace® Hosting
Brandon Brunson, 512-680-4385
brandon.brunson@rackspace.com















































































Avaya unveils new communications architecture for UC apps

 

 

 

Avaya Delivers Open, Mobile Collaboration on Virtualized Architecture

·         Avaya Aura Virtualized Environment Debuts, Providing an Accelerated Path to Unified Communications

·         Avaya Aura Applications now VMware Ready™; Brings High Reliability, Simplicity and Flexibility to Virtualized Collaboration Applications

·         Avaya customer RealPage uses new Avaya solution to Virtualize UC Core, Speed Customer Service Deployments by up to 20%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Basking Ridge, New Jersey—Avaya today unveiled its new communications architecture for virtualized unified communications (UC) applications, Avaya Aura® Virtualized Environment (Avaya Aura VE), to help businesses accelerate mobile collaboration applications across their organization. With Avaya Aura VE, businesses maintain the high reliability, simplicity and functionality of Avaya Aura – the company’s next-generation collaboration platform – while gaining flexible new options for deploying Avaya’s UC and customer service solutions in virtual architectures.

 

Avaya Aura VE applications are designated as VMware Ready™, which is VMware’s highest level of endorsement for virtualization technologies. More companies are choosing virtualization to reduce the complexity, equipment and costs of their IT operations. The critical next step is the virtualization of unified communications, with 70 percent of companies planning to virtualize their UC applications, according to Nemertes Research[1]

 

Avaya Aura Virtualized Environment—combined with Avaya’s expertise in open, mobile collaboration—helps ensure that the reliability, quality and availability companies rely on in Avaya hardware-based environments get delivered into the virtualized world.  Key Avaya Aura VE features include:

·      Redundancy and resiliency: All of the critical systems availability features of Avaya Aura’s server-based platform—including software duplication, redundant session controls for SIP access and a survivable core—are maintained in Avaya Aura VE, driving business continuity and reducing risk in virtualized environments. In addition, the solution integrates with VMware vCenter™ Server tools for diagnostics, provisioning and traffic management to further ensure and simplify unified communications continuity.

·      A simplified, open path:  With Avaya Aura VE, businesses continue to benefit from the same open standards approach driven by Avaya Aura. In addition, virtualization allows businesses to easily expand UC functions and users without adding new equipment, and do so quickly by cutting deployment times from hours to minutes. Companies with VMware cloud infrastructure in their data centers can now easily integrate Avaya Aura applications onto their existing server environment.

 

·      Agile customer service operations: Avaya Aura extends virtualization to its call center application, Call Center Elite. With less equipment required, companies can add contact center agents more swiftly and cost-effectively based on seasonal, sales and purchasing trends. This brings the unique ability to improve the oversight and delivery of customer service using virtualization.

 

With today’s announcement, businesses also have several flexible options for enhanced mobility and collaboration.  Businesses can choose full virtualization with Avaya Aura VE or continue with the dedicated hardware approach already offered by Avaya Aura. They can also combine virtualized and dedicated servers for application deployment. As another option, Avaya Collaboration Pods for Avaya Aura VE will be offered as pre-packaged, all-in-one UC solutions for virtualized storage, computing and networking.[2]

Avaya Aura Virtualized Environment: Key Components
The Avaya Aura® platform is comprised of the following components, now available in virtualized versions:

--Avaya Aura Communication Manager is the open, highly-reliable and next-generation communications foundation for Avaya’s UC solutions.

--Avaya Session Manager provides a SIP based core communications architecture for on-demand access to collaboration services and applications.

--Avaya Application Enablement Services provides developer interfaces for both off-the-shelf and custom integrations with communica­tions and business applications.

-- Avaya Aura Presence Services delivers scalable, high performance presence aggregation services.

--Avaya Agile Communications Environment enables application integration with business communications processes.

--Avaya Aura Call Center Elite is part of the company’s contact center suite, and the premier call-routing software for contact centers.

 

For more information on these Avaya Aura products visit here; For Avaya Aura Call Center Elite, visit here.

 

About Avaya:
Avaya is a global provider of business collaboration and communications solutions, providing unified communications, contact centers, networking and related services to companies of all sizes around the world. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

 

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should" or "will" or other similar terminology. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to Avaya's filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. Avaya disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Follow Avaya   Twitter  Facebook  YouTube  LinkedIn

 





[1] Nemertes Research 2012-13 Communications and Computing Benchmark.

 

[2] Avaya Collaboration Pods begin trials later this year.





















































































































Intuit launches QuickBooks Online Mobile

Intuit Canada launches QuickBooks Online Mobile
New app for iPhone and iPod Touch helps businesses stay productive on the go
 
 
December 5, 2012 – QuickBooks Online is now available in a free, easy-to-use app for iPhone and iPod, making it easier for businesses to manage their invoices, sales receipts, and payments.
 
QuickBooks Online is the world’s #1 cloud accounting software with 399,000 paying subscriber customers and more than 1.3 million paying users worldwide (as at end October 2012).
 
QuickBooks Online Mobile helps businesses stay productive on the go by:
  • Creating, editing, and emailing professional invoices and estimates
  • Viewing and editing customer information
  • Tracking sales and email sales receipts to clients
  • Recording which invoices to apply payments to
 
“QuickBooks Online Mobile is ideal for entrepreneurs on the go because it allows them to tap into key data 24/7,” said Shane Hamby, senior product manager at Intuit. “It empowers entrepreneurs to stay plugged into their customers and clients, so that they never miss a beat.”
 
QuickBooks Online Mobile is free with a QuickBooks Online subscription and available from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
 
For more information about QuickBooks Online visit www.quickbooks.ca.
 
 
About Intuit Canada
Intuit Canada ULC is a leading provider of business, financial and tax management solutions for small- and mid-sized businesses, consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including Quicken®, QuickBooks®, QuickBooks® Enterprise Solutions, SuccèsPME, TurboTax, and ImpôtRapideMC, simplify personal finance, accounting software and tax preparation and filing.

Additional offerings include ProFile®, a professional tax preparation software suite, the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program and the Intuit Developer Network for professional users and developers. All are provided by Intuit Canada or through its partners.

Intuit Canada has employees across Canada and offices in Edmonton, AB, and Mississauga, ON. Intuit Canada is an affiliate of Intuit Inc., which is listed on the Nasdaq.
Stay up to speed with QuickBooks in Canada on Twitter (@quickbooksCa), or like us on Facebook (facebook/QuickBooksCanada).