HKBN + ICG to Offer Big Company IT at Small Company Affordability

Hong Kong Broadband Network Ltd together with The I-Consulting Group (ICG), an IT outsourcing and consultancy specialist, today announced the launch of "iCARE" Managed IT, offering big company IT capabilities at small company affordability, starting at US$641. Traditionally, only large companies can afford dedicated IT professionals to plan, build and manage IT resources that meet the every changing business needs. Essential IT services such as preventative maintenance, offsite storage, automatic software updates, customized network security, disaster recovery etc were priced beyond the means of small-to-medium enterprises. By partnering HKBN's pioneering fibre based broadband network and ICG's "iCARE" managed IT services, an integrated IT solution is now available, starting from US$641. For details on the "iCARE" service option, please kindly refer to the Appendix.

HKBN's Managing Director of Corporate Division, Mr. John Chong, said, "With the introduction of ultra high speed broadband technology, effective IT solutions is no longer a luxury, rather it is critical to corporate success. HKBN is very proud of the strategic partnership with IT consultancy expert ICG, and I am confident that both our award winning quality management standard would make a lasting impact on revolutionizing IT applications by SMEs & MNCs in Hong Kong." Mr. Andy Lau, Director of The I-Consulting Group, said, "Cutting edge IT solutions can only be effective and flourish on a speedy and reliable telecommunications network, that's why we are very excited about the partnership with HKBN, whom is well known for the speed and capacity of their fibre based network. We look very much forward to deliver, through 'iCARE,' never-before seen IT advantages to corporations across industries in Hong Kong."

IT-Commerce with Microsoft SCCM and Matrix42 IT-Commerce for SCCM

Matrix42 launched a connector for Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). Microsoft customers benefit from effective and automated IT service provisioning and a maximum degree of cost transparency achieved through the interaction of both programs.

The Matrix42 IT-Commerce for SCCM suite uses the new customer-tested connector to leverage SCCM’s software distribution and inventory capabilities, which evolve and enhance SCCM from a systems management software solution to a complete IT-Commerce solution. The Matrix42 suite allows customers to present their IT services in a unique, web-based Service Catalog. It accepts users' orders, takes care of the approval process and initiates delivery, directly interacting with SCCM and achieving 100 percent IT business automation, from requests to subsequent cost allocation, with only minor configuration.

SCCM provides the Matrix42 solution with the necessary data for corporate compliance. Inventory data flows seamlessly into the Matrix42 license management system, providing a high degree of visibility on licenses, assets, contracts and costs. IT executives know which licenses are actually required and where they can leverage additional savings. Automatic notifications inform the responsible decision maker on contract data and license violations in a timely manner.

Informatica Report Reveals Five Golden Opportunities to Optimize IT Budgets

Informatica Corporation today announced the availability of a new report by Ventana Research outlining five key opportunities for IT organizations to significantly reduce their "Keep The Lights On" budget through efficient data management and thus free up funds for more strategic IT activities. According to the industry white paper, entitled Reducing the Cost of Keeping the Lights On: Golden Rules for Optimizing the KTLO Budget, seizing some or all of these opportunities can result in annual savings ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to tens of millions while maximizing IT's ability to provide value to the business.

1. Reduce Costs with Data Archiving across Systems
2. Automate Data and Application Interfaces to Streamline IT
3. Retire Outdated Applications with Information Lifecycle Management -
4. Find Value and Integrate Legacy Systems Efficiently
5. Simplify IT and Reduce Coding through Data Integration

"In good economic times as well as bad, IT needs to find ways to reduce its costs while delivering increased business value, and among the areas of focus for cost reduction and optimization should be data and information management," said Mark Smith, CEO and executive vice president of research, Ventana Research. "A huge percentage of IT budgets and resources go to managing data-related operations and to maintaining the data integration and data synchronization infrastructure underlying an organization's applications and systems. By using a common technology to automate its data-related infrastructure activities, IT can take a substantial bite out of KTLO costs and release already allocated funds for innovation." Download this new white paper via Informatica's web site

New IBM Study Shows that Analytics and Self Service Top the List for Midmarket CIOs

A new global study of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) by IBM reveals that the top technologies for enhancing competitiveness over the next five years at high-growth midsize organizations are business intelligence and analytics and self service portals. Eighty-six percent of midmarket CIOs identified business intelligence and analytics - the ability to see patterns in vast amounts of data and extract actionable insights - and three-quarters chose self service portals.

These results and other findings are detailed in the Midmarket Executive Summary, which is part of the 2009 Global Chief Information Officer Study, the largest face-to-face survey of CIOs ever conducted. The study, titled "The New Voice of the CIO," represents the insights and vision of more than 2,500 CIOs worldwide, including 158 CIOs in 31 countries employed at midsize organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees. The Midmarket Executive Summary illustrates the increasingly strategic organizational roles that CIOs play in areas such as setting strategy, enabling flexibility and change, and solving business problems.

As part of the research, the study looked at the difference between the responses of CIOs from organizations with high growth in profits before tax and CIOs from organizations with low growth. The findings revealed that all CIOs must juggle several complementary, yet sometimes conflicting, roles, but that CIOs at high-growth midsize organizations are especially proactive about championing innovation and co-creating business strategy. Visit IBM's pres room for complete survey findings

Green Computing Sector to Reach $223.7 Billion in 2013 (NextGen Research)

A green computer/server is one that is built from eco-friendly materials, features low power consumption and Computer Power Management (CPM) capabilities, has fewer and smaller component parts and generates less heat than previous models, and ultimately is responsible for the emission of less C02 into the atmosphere. A wholly green product will be packaged in recyclable materials and, at the end of its useful life cycle, will be traded in to the manufacturer or to another organization that will reuse and/or recycle the equipment, rather than dumping it into a landfill.

The goal of producing a 100% wholly-green-from-inception-to-production-to-end-of-lifecycle PC, notebook computer, monitor and server hardware is not fully realized, and will not be for years to come, according to the NextGen Research study “Green Computing: Reducing the Environmental Impact of PCs, Servers By Using Safer Materials, Slashing Power Needs”. However, computer and server vendors are working to make their products increasingly energy-efficient and environmentally benign, in order to tap into a market for green computing equipment that will grow from about $47 billion in 2009 to $223.7 billion in 2013.

The study’s author, Laura DiDio, notes that all the hardware vendors competing in the computing equipment sectors share the common philosophy that “green desktop and server hardware is good for the planet, and what’s good for the planet is good for business.” They’re also motivated by a lengthening list of legislative initiatives that regulate everything from component materials, manufacturing guidelines, green building codes, and carbon emissions to disposal and recycling efforts. Review the abstract or order this report via the NextGen Research portal