Technology

Google opens virtual shop for online business software

Google late Tuesday opened an online shop for business software hosted as services in the Internet "cloud."

Google Apps Marketplace launched with offerings from more than 50 companies including Intuit's online payroll program for small businesses, according to marketplace product manager Chris Vander Mey

."Today, we're making it easier for these users and software providers to do business in the cloud with a new online store for integrated business applications," Mey said in a posting at the Google website.

Cloud programs are hosted on the Internet, eliminating the need for people to buy, install and maintain the software."We've found that when businesses begin to experience the benefits of cloud computing, they want more," Mey said.

Applications featured at Apps Marketplace synch with programs in a suite of applications that Google offers as online services.

More than 2 million businesses have taken to using Google Apps in the past three years, according to the California Internet giant.

Google's applications challenge software programs sold by rival Microsoft, which makes the bulk of its money from selling or licensing software that is installed on users' computers. AFP

Hameedia launches revamped e-portal

Hameedia recently re-launched its e-portal - www.hameedia.com.

With its totally new look and rich content, the e-portal already enjoys several thousand hits a day since its launch.

Speaking at the launch, the chief guest and Managing Director/CEO of Caltex Kishu Gomes lauded Hameedia for taking the initiative to further enhance its productivity with this newly re-launched e-portal.

From left, Managing Director, Hameedia Group, Fouzul Hameed, Group Brand Manager, Leroy J. Ebert, Head of IT Aruna Basnayake, Managing Director, Fortunaglobal (Pvt) Ltd., Suren Kohombange and CEO Caltex Kishu Gomes.

In today's modern context, e-shopping is fast gaining ground as a very speedy and practical solution to time-pressed shoppers.

This is a very rich and highly interactive website which brings the infinite joys of shopping with the mere click of a button.

Managing Director of Hameedia, Fouzul Hameed said that the decision to upgrade and re-launch the e-portal was primarily taken following requests from numerous Hameedia customers around the world. Our overseas customers wanted to be an integral part of the shopping experience.

They wanted to actively interact with our website. As Sri Lanka's fully-fledged first-ever men's wear e-commerce portal, it offers a better display of products and makes e-shopping a rewarding experience not only for our overseas customers, but also for our thousands of customers in Sri Lanka.

The site is rich with high quality photos and zooming facilities for exceptional viewing.

Products are displayed at many angles with the facility of cross selling and up-selling products.

The special brand oriented display and positioning of top selling products at every page make it easy for customers to choose from.

The new e-portal enables easy customer registration and the auto distribution of the company newsletter, e-catalogue and e-flyers.

While highlighting and navigating customers to the latest web promotions it also lets customers track their purchases from the time the order is made until the goods are delivered.

Customers can also comment and review products while the Customer Rating Option helps one choose better.

As part of the vibrant interactivity of the e-portal is also the facility for one to send e-gift certificates and the recipient to buy online. The availability of a customer wish list can easily be converted into the shopping bag at any time while the special Gift Finder Facility makes shopping much easier for the customer.

The Hameedia's e-commerce portal management solution is provided by Fortunaglobal Pvt Ltd which, in addition to its e-commerce and m-commerce initiatives, also specialises in software solutions and consultancy services for the financial, telecommunications and media verticals."

Nokia makes navigation free on its smartphones

Nokia announced plans to release a new version of Ovi Maps for its smartphones that includes high-end walk and drive navigation at no extra cost and is available for download.

This move has the potential to nearly double the size of the current mobile navigation market.

Ovi Maps covers more than 180 countries with car and pedestrian navigation for 74 countries in 46 languages and 6000 3D landmarks for 200 cities around the world.

Lonely Planet and Michelin guides have information on more than 1,000 destinations globally.

Why have multiple devices that work in only one country or region? Put it all together, make it free, make it global and you almost double the potential size of the mobile navigation market, said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia. Nokia is the only company with a mobile navigation service for both drivers and pedestrians that works across the world.

Unlike the legacy car navigation manufacturers, we don't make you buy maps for different countries or regions even if you are only visiting for a few days.

We offer both navigation and maps free of charge, with all the high-end functionality and features that people now expect.

STB microtechniques ties up with Alpha, provides security safe products

In another ground-breaking venture STB Microtechniques SA Switzerland and Alpha Industries (Pvt) Ltd., two globally renowned manufacturers of security safes partnered to provide world class products to the Sri Lankan market at a simple ceremony held in Colombo recently.

Both companies reputed for manufacturing quality mechanical time locks are eager to expand their businesses in Sri Lanka making full use of the peace dividend.

STB Microtechniques appointed Alpha Industries to be the sales agent and distributor in Sri Lanka.

Alpha, a market leader in Sri Lanka for security safes and light metal office furniture is a UL certified company.

Director, International Operations STB Microtechniques, Simon Rogers said Sri Lanka offers an ideal environment for businesses and this opportunity will be taken to develop the market.

"There will be a demand for our products with the scope for construction in the North and the East. We supply our products to some of the prestigious companies worldwide", Rogers said.

General Manager-Marketing Alpha Industries, Jeromy David said the two companies have been enjoying fruitful relations for two decades.

The tie-up will benefit the Sri Lankan market.

EZY appoints COO

Computer manufacturer EZY has appointed Jude Tissera as the Company's Chief Operations Officer.

Tissera, a communications industry specialist, joins EZY Infotech with a wealth of experience and the determination to make EZY, Sri Lanka's number one computer manufacturer.

A member of CIM and the holder of an MBA from Preston University in California, Tissera was originally at Grant McCann Ericsson.

Jude Tissera

He joined Celltel in the mid 90s and held the positions of Regional Manager, Customer Relations Manager, as well as Training & Promotions Manager.

He was also responsible for implementing the Company's first-ever loyalty programme namely the Premier Connections Club.

He joined Dialog in 1997 as Marketing Manger and was promoted to Principal Marketing Channel Officer and Senior General Manager of Dialog Broadband.

During his tenure at Dialog, Tissera was instrumental in implementing certain pioneering efforts of Dialog, such as modelling and setting up the Industry's best channel, modelling the mobile industries pioneering Phone Arcade offering the widest range of handsets under one roof, modelling and scoping the Franchise operation, implementing the industries first IVR connectivity programme, as well as designing and setting up of the Broadband sales structure, including the concept of Spot promotions.

Tissera joined Vodafone Fiji in late 2008 as Director Marketing and was responsible for launching the first-ever mobile broadband, branded as Flashnet. Tissera's inclusion in the EZY Team, a company fast gaining recognition as a dynamic and entrepreneurial organization, driven by its Managing Director, Shafraz Hamzadeen, serves to underline EZY's commitment to provide a computer to every home.

"Jude brings in the experience and exposure needed by our young team in order that they may engage more aggressively with our customer base.

His knowledge and understanding of consumer markets would undoubtedly be an advantage to position the lifestyle oriented products in the different markets we want them to be positioned," said Hamzadeen.