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From Network Computing Vol 18 No 04- July/August 2009

IN A REGULAR LOOK AT RESULTS AND KEY BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUPPLIERS INTO THE NETWORKING AND IT MARKET, NETWORK COMPUTING SUMMARISES THE EDITOR’S SELECTIONS

Tony Roberts, founder and CEO of Computer Aid International, strongly disputes Gartner's claim that "re-using secondary PCs is not necessarily 'green'.” Roberts said, "…OEMs should be held financially accountable for the world's e-waste... Gartner claims that 37 million PCs were refurbished before being shipped to emerging economies, but this means refurbished PCs represent less than 0.0037% of the global e-waste issue. Computer Aid supports Gartner in highlighting the very real dangers of e-waste but cautions that by focusing on refurbished computers - which constitute such a tiny fraction of the overall volumes - Gartner is at risk of obscuring the real problem and the real villains." Roberts added, "Re-use is green and has been proven empirically to be 20 times better for the environment than recycling. Halting the transfer of technology from privileged countries to less privileged countries is not the right thing to do. Building capacity for responsible re-use and environmental recycling is the right thing to do."

Closed executive networking company econique has organised a security event entitled "CxO Dialogue: Information Security & Risk Management". It is due to take place on 29th & 30th September 2009 at Beaumont House Conference Centre, Old Windsor. Details can be found at www.econique.co.uk.

The British Computer Society has signed a memorandum of understanding with the

Service Desk Institute. The two organisations will work to promote professional development and enhance the competence and skills of IT service professionals. The first priority is to focus on joint promotion of qualifications, career development and professionalism in IT.

IT Governance has launched a stream of zero-cost, high-value webinars. The series of education sessions - Summer 2009 IT Governance Special Webinars - will focus on core IT security, compliance, business continuity, leadership skills and Green IT topics aimed at business leaders. The Webinars will be delivered by VoIP and attendees will require speakers or headphones to participate. Details can be found at: www.itgovernance.co.uk/webinars.aspx.

Siemon infrastructure expert Valerie Maguire has produced a white paper that discusses benefits and options for delivering video over structured cabling. Getting the Picture: The Benefits of Supporting Video Applications with your IT Infrastructure is available for download at: www.siemon.com/us/white_papers/09-0424- get-the-picture.asp.

A new Vanson Bourne survey sponsored by DeviceLock reveals that companies are failing to appreciate the risks attached to the increasing use of iPhones by employees. The survey revealed that while 65 per cent of IT decision makers recognised that unauthorised

users could access valuable company data through the iPhone, 64 per cent said they had not taken any steps to secure data against this threat. It also revealed that 40 per cent of businesses knowingly allow staff to download company data onto removable devices without security provision.

Cisco has become the official network infrastructure supporter for the London 2012 Olympics. It commences with immediate effect, taking over the contract from Nortel. Phil Smith, CEO of Cisco UK and Ireland said, "We are delighted to be working with LOCOG to provide the network infrastructure for London 2012... London 2012 promises to be the most connected Games ever."

Google's announcement of its new Operating System, Chrome, is causing debate, as it blatantly challenges Microsoft's market dominance. Many are asking how core Chrome will be to the Google business model, if it's going to be free, and how it will be supported and secured. The answer is simple, according to Richard Gilder, chief executive officer at London cloud computing specialist Intercept - advertising, and lots of it! "Collectively the technology industry and end- users need to be cautious, especially if the service puts more emphasis on Web functionality. Microsoft has provided this service well for many years and in doing so, developed a sound and sustainable business model. To all of a sudden face competition from a free service sounds almost too good to be true." NC

Disclaimer -all information published in this article is based upon fuller submissions provided under general release. Any interested party is urged to verify any information printed here, prior to using it in any way. Neither Network Computing nor it publishers accepts any responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in this article.

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