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Sarah Falson

Microsoft Slashes Hardware Prices

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Microsoft Hardware is offering a 25 per cent cash-back promotion on its webcams, mice and keyboards, as an incentive to drive sales in the lead-up to the peak Christmas selling period.

The offer also coincides with the company’s 25th anniversary, and will be running from now until the end of January next year.

“With the unique 25% cash-back offer, Microsoft is working with partners to give consumers a great reason to purchase Microsoft Hardware products over the Christmas trading perio,” said Microsoft Australia, group marketing manager – Entertainment and Devices Division, Jamieson Yu.

“This offering illustrates Microsoft’s commitment to our re-sellers, who will benefit greatly from this simple, yet effective consumer promotion. Microsoft is eliminating the need for the re-seller to discount the product, thereby increasing average selling price and maximising profit margin.”

Telarus Now Offering Business WiMAX

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Telarus, the national infrastructure-based service provider, is now able to offer fixed WiMAX wireless broadband services across Sydney following a Master Services Agreement with BigAir, the only wireless broadband provider currently operating fixed wireless networks using 802.16d WiMAX equipment in Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan areas.

Under the agreement, Telarus can offer fixed WiMAX services offering symmetric speeds of up to 25Mbps within a network coverage area exceeding 1,500 square kilometres across Sydney.

Separately BigAir offers point-to-point wireless services in selected areas at speeds up to 200Mbps, with 1,000Mbps Gigabit services soon to be made available, but this doesn’t fall under the agreement.

Telarus signed a similar agreement with Pacific Wireless in April, allowing the service provider to offer wireless infrastructure services to businesses in the Melbourne metropolitan area.

 

According to Telarus, the BigAir service in many cases will be appropriate for Sydney-based customers in areas where existing DSL or fiber-optic services don’t meet their needs.

“Telarus has interconnected with BigAir’s network in Sydney, allowing us to deliver fast and efficient wireless services to business customers throughout the Sydney metropolitan area,” said Telarus managing director, Jules Rumsey.

“The addition of BigAir strengthens our data offering which now includes dialup modem, ISDN, a range of DSL offerings Frame Relay, Ethernet, ATM and now fixed wireless.”

Telarus also now has the capacity to offer live and standby services over different technologies with different carriers with its new range of disaster recovery options.

 

“Wireless services, as they are usually delivered to a mast on a roof rather than via a duct at the base of a building, have definite appeal for customers looking to put disaster recovery measures in place,” said Rumsey.

ALP Slams Gerry Harvey’s “Agenda”

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The ALP has reacted strongly to a proposal put forward by Harvey Norman chairman, Gerry Harvey, to go further with its industrial relations policy by cutting foreign workers’ wages by 50 per cent, according to a report from Sky News.

Harvey claims this would provide a cheap opportunity for companies to hire labour, and would also stop manufacturers from moving their sites offshore.

Unions NSW secretary, John Robertson, said Harvey’s plan is “part of big business agenda to work with the Government to go further on IR if re-elected,” said Sky News.

 

Aftermarket Blu-ray Burner Adds Value To PC

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Sony Australia has unveiled a second generation internal Blu-ray Disc (BD) burner for the computer aftermarket which the company claims cuts recording speeds in half from the previous model, supporting the growing demand for Blu-ray use in the home and office.

The BWU200S ($899) boasts 4X BD-R and 16X DVD+R recording speeds, the former allowing a 50GB BD-R disc to be recorded in approximately 45 minutes. Coupled with the 16X mode and drives that support both 25GB and 50GB Blu-ray Discs, the BWU200S is a multi-format combo burner that eliminates the need for more than one drive in a system, according to Sony.

Data up to 50GB can be recorded from the drive for random access – burned to either BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs – or up to 230 minutes of high-definition HDV 1080i video can be burned onto a BD-R/RE 50GB disc. The drive also supports recording on standard single layer 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW/RAM discs, 8.5GB DVD+R double/dual layer discs, and CD-R/RWs.

“As each Blu-ray Disc holds more than 5X the capacity of DVD, consumers and professional videographers alike can enjoy the huge storage capacity to record and experience high-definition video with the BWU200S,” said Sony Australia marketing product manager, AV/IT Business Technologies, Vincent Bautista.

 

“As Australian adoption of the Blu-ray Disc format continues to increase, we are seeing this reflected in the demand for Blu-ray Disc drives, as the storage capability is incredibly appealing to those that have large amounts of data to archive.”

The drive boasts CyberLink BD Solution software that provides an application suite for capturing, authoring, editing, burning and viewing high-definition personal content captured in HDV 1080i format from an HDV camcorder. The Cyberlink software also supports recording on DVDs and CDs, as well as playback of DVDs recorded in the AVCHD format.

Customers who purchase the recorder locally from 1 November will receive a free 50GB BD-R disc.

The drive also features a Serial ATA (SATA) interface and is 5.25 inches for easy installation in a desktop PC with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista operating systems.

 

“Advanced optical storage technologies, such as Blu-ray Disc technology with its vast capacity compared to DVD technology, will be key enablers for next generation PC applications like HD personal video content and high-definition TV recording,” said market research company, ICD research director for removable storage, Wolfgang Schlichting.

“Sony’s many innovations in optical storage have prepared the company to be a leader in the Blu-ray Disc writable market.”

Commander Services for 1,600 Victorian Schools

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Business telephone and communications systems provider, Commander Communications Limited, has just announced a $23 million contract to manage Microsoft software licenses to 1,600 schools in Victoria.

Commander won the three-year contract with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) in a competitive tender, allowing the company to gain access to approximately 40,000 DEECD staff in Victoria schools, agencies and offices.

Approximately 540,000 students will gain access to Commander’s communication services.

Commander was in the news just last week announcing another deal with the Department of Finance and Administration, to supply the government department with communications and phones systems, a three-year contract worth $5 million per annum.

Commander is also a service support and advice company, based in Australia, that supplies to large businesses.

The company’s latest win means the DEECD’s approximately 540,000 students will be able to purchase a range of Microsoft software at significantly reduced prices.

The software for school desktop and notebook computers and servers includes Microsoft Office Enterprise (including Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, One Note and Groove), Visio, Project, Expression Web, Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange Server along with some other server and desktop applications including operating system upgrades.

Spice Up Your Home Office Display

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Acer is upping the ante in the home PC realm with a new range of LCD monitors called the P Series designed to maximise multimedia enjoyment with high quality displays and attractive, sleek chassis.

The widescreen monitors are developed for web-browsing, word processing and home entertainment applications including gaming and viewing and editing photographs and home movies with enhanced graphics and display technologies. 

“The new P Series was designed for sustained use, and is sure to please those who demand text and graphics clarity,” said Acer Computer Australia display product manager, Gaba Cheng.

“The Series offers the best visual experience combined with the style and looks necessary for the modern home environment.”

 

The Acer P Series features a specialised technology called eColor Management which adapts the performance of the panel to different environments and lighting conditions. Two of the models feature a 2000:1 contrast ratio and a 5ms response rate, with HDCP support.

The range features keen attention to aesthetics with black glossy outers and an attractive V-shaped design.

The P Series comes in both 19- and 22-inch models and is priced from RRP $399 to $549.

Commander Ups Price For Government IT

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The Department of Finance and Administration has renewed its contract with IT solutions provider, Commander Communications Limited, which will provide a further two years of desktop and storage support services for the department, a deal which is now worth $5 million each year.

The commander business, now 25 years old, is well-known for building office telephone systems but has recently expanded to supply complete business communications and technology solutions for businesses, and now government agencies, offering office and mobile telephony, IT hardware and software, internet and network access, converged solutions, maintenance services, software licensing and infrastructure solutions.

The Department of Finance and Administration is a central agency responsible for advising on and implementing many key Government priorities, which means a ‘big deal’ contract for Commander.

“We play a pivotal role in driving forward initiatives which, when in place, will help transform how the Australian Government conducts its business,” says the Department’s website.

 

“Our role is to help the Australian Government achieve its policy objectives by contributing to four key outcomes: sustainable Government finances; improved and more efficient Government operations; efficiently functioning Parliament; and effective and efficient use of information and communication technology by the Australian Government.”

The contract’s price has been upped from $3.5 million previously to $5 million per year, and features a built-in option to extend to three years should the Department of Finance and Administration require it, suggesting that the demand for secure communications is rising.

“The Department of Finance is committed to building and maintaining a best-practice IT infrastructure to drive and support optimal business performance across all its divisions,” said Commander Group general manager, Steve Evans.

“Commander looks forward to continuing to work in partnership with the department to support their high-level business requirements with cost-effective, secure and leading-edge IT systems.”

 

MapData Offers Online Mapping For Businesses

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Microsoft’s Virtual Earth has formed a partnership with MapData Sciences Pty Ltd, to provide customised mapping solutions and support to meet demand from small and large businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Virtual Earth – on the Windows Live platform – offers an integrated set of services that combines aerial imagery with mapping, location and search functionality, while functioning as a foundation for businesses to develop applications which help to capture, connect, share and visualise information about their organisations based on global location information, according to Microsoft.

“In an ever-increasing online world, organisations are looking at virtual tools that will allow their customers to experience a richer sense of engagement through web-based technology,” said Microsoft online services and strategy lead, Harvey Sanchez.

“The core targets are businesses and developers; however, the potential uses for this technology are endless. Zoom in and see Australia’s beaches close up, or check out an aerial view of a property before you go to the inspection. By combining comprehensive support for customisation, richer features for end users, and new levels of control and flexibility in the platform, Virtual Earth allows businesses to create unique environments for connecting with their customers.”

 

Virtual Earth together with MapData are able to provide made to order services for any business, such as:

– Electronic Business Maps or “Find Us Here” for companies with one or two offices
– Online Store Locators or “Find My Nearest” for companies that have multiple stores
– Driving directions between one or more points (customer to store, town to town, colleague to office) including distance and toll calculators
– Geocoding or conversion of a street address into geographical coordinates that can then be mapped or entered into Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This service can also be used for address validation
– GPS Vehicle Tracking services to assist the transport and logistics industries manage driver fatigue
– Tactician Online for taking the guesswork out of territory management and site selection
– Maps to your mobile phone. Find your nearest desired location while out and about.

“MapData Sciences is a leading provider of Business Mapping Solutions for Australia and New Zealand,” said MapData Services managing director, Laurie Edwards.

“We provide customised, quality location-based solutions for businesses’ mapping needs, whether they are hosted online applications, digital mapping products, web services, or consulting services.

“As Microsoft’s reseller, MapData Sciences integrates Virtual Earth into the business IT environment using its MapPoint service. Our data products have evolved during our five-year partnership with Microsoft to meet the company’s rigorous standards, which is reflected in the quality of our client work,” he said.

BSR Group Steady Despite Hardships

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BSR, the retail group formed by disenfranchised Betta Stores Limited members when the chain when into administration and then receivership in late 2006, has just announced that its profits for the half-year ended 30 September “exceeded expectations” in a fickle electrical retailing industry.

National franchisor BSR Australia Limited, the parent entity of the BSR Group, has declared an interim dividend of 10c per share representing a return of ten per cent over six months, said the retailer.

The company which brings us the Betta Electrical and Chandlers stores announced a profit before tax of $0.8 million, which “comfortably exceed the company’s budget for the period,” it said.  

BSR Australia general manager, Ian Brown, said the result was due to the hard work done by the company and its members to meet the buying and marketing needs of its retailers.

 

“During the past year, the company has strengthened its balance sheet and we are now expanding the business and reinvesting in infrastructure and the services that we provide back to our retailers,” he said.

“The Group’s aim is to maintain a strong balance sheet to enable future investment in value-added retailer services such as IT infrastructure, marketing and brand development.”

The strong performance was fuelled by turnover generated during recent conference buying periods and improved like-for-like sales at a retailer level.

“Individual retailers of the Group have also enjoyed an increase in the level of returns paid to them by the company in the form of electronic and printed advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns, direct rebate payments, core bonus incentives and IT infrastructure services,” said Brown.

 

“This level of return represents a ‘pass back’ to retailers of more than 64 per cent of the Group’s total income for this six-month period, an increase of 6 per cent on the previous five month trading period which ended 31 March.”

Ten new franchises joining the company in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales during the six-month trading period.

“This result is obviously an excellent platform to grow our business from in the coming year, with further new members to be announced in coming months,” said Brown.

Small IT Training Business Wins Big Award

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A four-year-old IT and training company that employs 17 staff members in Adelaide has beaten a pack of small businesses from the retail, service and manufacturing industries around the country to win Australia’s first Small Business Champion Entrepreneur award.Company owner Ly Lim beat a “fiercely competitive field” of more than 600 entrants to secure the title — which is sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources — adding it to a growing list of awards for the company including the South Australian Small Business Champion gong in September, according to Knowledge Plus.

The award recognises the IT company for actively promoting its successful approach to business-building through the Knowledge Plus Small Business Leverage Program, a Federal Government-backed initiative that aligns small business owners with experienced business executives.

More than 300 South Australian companies participate in the Knowledge Plus Small Business Leverage Program, which provides business owners and managers with access to resources, events and learning opportunities to build to their businesses more effectively, according to Knowledge Plus.

Established in 2003, Knowledge Plus has grown to turnover $2 million a year, and has achieved an average annual growth rate of more than 100 per cent over the past four years.

 

Lim’s IT training book, Small Pebble Big Ripple.

Knowledge Plus provides IT services, learning and development services and business process solutions for customers including BAE Systems, Bianco Building Supplies, Caroma Industries, Inghams Enterprises, Korvest, Origin Energy and Tonkin Consulting.

The company is also a Gold Partner for Microsoft and Mitel, and owner Lim has written a business-building handbook, Small Pebble Big Ripple.

“Everyone I spoke to at the awards ceremony referred to SA as the ‘sleeping giant’,” said Lim.

“This win generates a positive message for our State because it shows we are an Australian leader. It is also a vote of confidence for companies that are participating in our Small Business Leverage Program.”

The company’s website is at www.knowledgeplus.com.au