Technology

SLASSCOM partners with World IT

The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies, SLASSCOM is the newest member in the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).

A woman displays a forth-generation WiMAX device during a exhibition at a convention centre in Taipei on May 7. WiMAX 4G technology is designed to provide high-speed broadband wireless services, sharply improving high-quality image and data services, and potentially allowing for such features as multi-channel high-definition TV broadcasting. AFP

With over 70 national ICT industry associations and members representing more than 90 percent of the world ICT market, WITSA is the leading voice of the global ICT industry.

"Challenges and opportunities faced by the ICT industry are undisputedly global in nature.

WITSA members work together to achieve a shared vision on important issues of common interest.

We hope the relationship with WITSA help us to identify common issues and priorities, exchange valuable information, and present a united position on industry issues globally," said Madu Ratnayake General Secretary of SLASSCOM.

Through the close association SLASSCOM and WITS is dedicated to advocate international public policies which advance the industry's growth and development, facilitate international trade and investment in ICT products and services through a global contact network and promote industry cooperation strengthening national associations through sharing knowledge, experience, and critical information.

Dinesh Saparamadu, Chairman SLASSCOM said the Sri Lankan IT industry is gaining rapid momentum in the global market, thus SLASSCOM will continue to play a key role in promoting the IT and BPO industry in the international market through the partnership with WITSA achieving the goal of becoming a 1 billion US dollar industry is not too far".

Sri Lankan Lawyer elected to Internet regulatory body

In a move that would enhance Sri Lanka's image in the Internet governance arena, a Sri Lankan based Attorney, Jayantha Fernando, has been unanimously elected to as Vice Chairman of the ICANN Government Advisory Committee (GAC). The other two elected vice Chairs are Ms Diagne Maimouna Diop of Senegal and Ms. Heather Dryden of Canada. The election became effective at the recently concluded Nairobi meeting. Mr Fernando's name was proposed by the ICANN-GAC Chair, Ambassador Janis Karklins, and the nomination received support from Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria, Tonga, Union Des Comoros, Brazil, Kuwait, Morocco, Senegal, Bermuda, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, France, Slovakia, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, US and UK.

The US based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was created in 1998 and assumed the responsibility for the technical functions previously performed by Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) under US government contract.

ICANN's present mission is "to coordinate the global Internet's systems of unique identifiers, and to ensure the stability and security of the global Internet".

In particular, ICANN Coordinates the allocation and assignment of the three sets of unique identifiers for the Internet, which are (a) Domain names (forming a system referred to as "DNS"); (b) Internet protocol ("IP") addresses and autonomous system ("AS") numbers; and (c) Protocol port and parameter numbers. ICANN receives input from governments through the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC).

FITIS presents computers to Jaffna Wembady Girls' High School

The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) presented computers and software to the Jaffna Wembady Girls' High School recently. FITIS Chief Executive Officer Damith Hettihewa said that the recent holding of the Mini Infotel Jaffna organised by FITIS on the school premises prompted this presentation. Here, Hettihewa presents computers and software to the Jaffna Wembady Girls' High School Principal K. Ponnambalam.

ICT conference and exhibition in Jaffna

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) focused its attention on further improvement of the standard of life of the people of the North.

As one of the steps in this regard ICTA organised a workshop and an exhibition at the Jaffna library last week.

ICTA said that this event was conducted to disseminate information on projects that will benefit farmers, women, children, small scale entrepreneurs as well as differently abled persons.

The workshop was held on the 5th and the exhibition on 6th.

A special focus at this event was to create awareness of projects initiated by the e-Society programme of ICTA.

On the first day of the event, a training workshop was held for selected CBOs and Nenasalas in the District. On the second day, the ICT exhibition was held.

At this exhibition web-sites including , special CDs and other ICT facilities were used to create awareness and to disseminate information and advice the public in an attractive manner.

Virtusa launches media Convergence Solution Accelerator

Virtusa Corporation has introduced its new enterprise content management (ECM) offering, the Media Convergence Solution Accelerator.

Modeled after Virtusa's success implementing interactive Web platforms for the world's leading media brands, the new service combines best practices consulting with proven technology components to ensure a consistent, branded user experience that optimises revenue generation opportunities.

As content channels proliferate, consumers become increasingly migratory yet expect a unified and interactive engagement experience with companies.

Media organizations often struggle to align their brand across channels, both from a content perspective and at the technical level.

Misalignment in a converged world hurts the customer experience, and can diminish advertising revenue and increase support costs.

"As difficult as it is to manage content and technologies across disparate customer portals, it's an opportunity for IT to directly impact the customer experience, branding and revenue generation and these are precisely the kind of business results that Virtusa focuses on," said Behzad Ilchi, Vice President for Virtusa's Media and Entertainment segment. "Our Media Convergence Solution Accelerator is a truly proven approach that packages the best practices we've developed with some of the biggest media companies and gives customers more than 20 practical tools to replicate that success."

'Virtusa played a significant role as a strategic partner for the re-launch of the website,' said Drew Frederick, Senior Director of IT Technology and Operations at Travel Channel, which produces popular shows like No Reservations and Man V. Food. 'Virtusa's Vignette expertise and flexible engineering approach enabled us to adhere to the challenging timeline and deliver a high quality website with enhanced social media features. Virtusa's technical and operational expertise helped us overcome significant infrastructure and technical challenges during the course of development, coordinating both on-shore and offshore resources to manage schedule and timeline.

'The end result was a new and improved user experience on a site that has been streamlined for ease of use and is rich with multimedia content.'

Virtusa's new Accelerator includes consulting services, technology implementation and ongoing support and maintenance.

Focused business consulting ensures the development of a media convergence roadmap, Web 2.0 strategy, user experience strategy and globalised content.

With a technology-agnosti approach and deep experience with a variety of ECM vendors, Virtusa's consultants guide customers through ECM technology selection and customize the Media Convergence offering accordingly.

Singer laptops within everybody's reach

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Businessmen, executives, housewives and schoolchildren in search of laptops are in for a big surprise following the launch of Singer X Series lightweight mobile laptops (Personnel Computers) at a function held in Colombo last week.

Singer Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya at the launch of Singer X series. - Pic: Kavindra Perera

The Singer X series Laptops with modern technical features such as windows 7 are made to navigate the world of the Internet with ease and to perform other functions.

The lightweight mobile PCs are equipped with the latest technology and innovations.

The company has launched a monthly payment scheme to suit everybody's purse. Singer Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya said following three years of market research they decided to launch the Singer X series Personnel computers with intel chips and windows 7 systems that have a magical presence in the market. "Be it a bottle of oil or some other product every household in the island has a Singer product.

A plan to popularise the laptops in 600 schools in the island will be undertaken in the near future.

"Micrsoft Country Manager Sriyan de Silva Wijeratna and Country Business Manager Intel Em Ltd Indika de Zoysa participated in the launch.

Student Winners at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in California

The winners of the annual Sri Lanka Science and Engineering Fair, R.A. Dimalka Maduranga Karunajeewa of Ruwanwella Rajasinghe Maha Vidyalaya, Ganindu Nanayakkara, Ananda College, T. Lasitha Lakmal, H.D. Vinushi Lakshani Kulawansa and G.K. Adeesha Udayarekha of Gnanodaya Maha Vidyalaya in Kalutara represented Sri Lanka at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in San Jose, California held till May 14, 2010.

The winners from Gnanodaya Maha Vidyalaya presented a group project while R. A. Dimalka Maduranga Karunajeewa and Ganindu Nanayakkara presented individual projects.

The innovative ideas showcased by the Sri Lankan contingent at this year's ISEF is a safe motorcycle side stand by Karunajeewa, a computer controlling wireless device for the differently abled, invented by Nanayakkara and a study of the effects of the moon's position and the water composition of honey in bee hives.

The participants are competing for awards and scholarships worth nearly four million dollars.

These were the winning presentations at the SLSEF conducted annually through collaboration among the Ministry of Education, the National Science Foundation, the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka and Intel.

Indika de Zoysa, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Limited, Sri Lanka Liaison office said, 'Through scientific discovery and research, Intel is inspiring a new generation of innovative thinkers. The Intel ISEF provides students from Sri Lanka and around the world the opportunity to share ideas, showcase cutting-edge technology and compete at the highest level. These and other efforts in collaboration with governments and educators are building student capacity for success in a knowledge-driven economy.

PC House enhances presence in Jaffna

PC House Private Limited hosted a networking event for its customers and partners in the North of the country to educate them on the latest technology developments available at PC House. Having established itself in Jaffna over seven years ago, PC House has consistently maintained a close relationship with its clients and partners in the area through regular interaction and superior service.

Speaking on the event in Jaffna and the benefit of such events S.H.M. Rishan, Chairman of PC House, said that the companies success has always been based on its strong commitments to its stakeholders. 'Over the last seven years, we have consistently delivered on our promise of quality products and services.

Events like this help build relationships as well as awareness on the developments of technology and how applying this technology benefits communities.

Schools, universities and Businesses in Jaffna are now moving forward, post war, to an era of endless possibility. Our aim is to ensure that our partners and customers are a part of this development and that they are assured of our continued commitment to them'. This event breaks new ground in the Jaffna peninsula by being the first to contribute toward networking IT savvy companies and individuals as well as by educating them on the benefits. The advancements the latest technology available at PC House could offer them and their businesses.

Boasting an outstanding turnout of government and non-government partners, the event in Jaffna also played a part in introducing a new innovation to customers.

The development of Annual Sales Agreements is a new concept which offers a service package comprising many benefits to businesses and individuals.

A woman displays a forth-generation WiMAX device during a exhibition at a convention centre in Taipei on May 7. WiMAX 4G technology is designed to provide high-speed broadband wireless services, sharply improving high-quality image and data services, and potentially allowing for such features as multi-channel high-definition TV broadcasting. AFP

CXO Media Conclave 2010 in Colombo

Telecom is a complex industry with a large number of players in the ecosystem.

The complexity increases due to high interdependence of the players for business growth. With the existing business models in the mobility space still evolving, leaders in the telecom industry can look to build profitable growth and maximize the return of investment from leveraging on existing infrastructure in business support systems.

As such, bringing to Sri Lanka another landmark event in the telecom calendar, Runeware Integrated collaborates with Intec - one of the world's fastest growing suppliers of Business Support Systems (BSS) solutions 'has organised the CXO Media Conclave 2010' an exclusive and first of its kind thought leadership forum dedicated to add real value and ROI to the business of telecommunication service providers.

The forum will provide the highest standards of performance, flexibility and robustness to help them serve their customers effectively and profitably.

The CXO Media Conclave 2010 scheduled to be held on May 18 is the premiere event for Telecom professionals.

According to Michael Abayasinghe, CEO of Runeware Integrated.

'This forum aims to bring together industry thought leaders with global experience to share insights on the latest hot buttons and challenges in the telecoms industry.

Therefore we believe that this forum will act as a useful and powerful arena for all participants to understand which innovations will help to increase their competitive edge, introduce new services fast, increase revenues, strengthen customer loyalty and enable operational cost-savings.'

This key technology event is a two part series with an interactive workshop followed by the CXO panel discussion.

The forum will address issues on how to optimize BSS investments by leveraging on existing investments and focusing on enhancing competitive differentiation, building loyalty and quality user experience effectively thereby becoming smarter, leaner and more agile in responding to competition and emerging technologies.

Bikram Bedi, Vice President, South Asia of Intec said, 'The telecoms value chain is becoming more complex.

Competition is giving rise to rapid margin erosion, operators need to deliver innovative services cost-effectively while maintaining high margins fast to secure a profitable position on the value chain and build new revenue streams.

This forum will provide a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas, the space to network and the opportunity to develop thought leadership, in the presence of the media, market leaders, innovators and decision-makers.