TECHNOLOGY
Fujitsu laptops launched
by Mohammed NAALIR
Sala Enterprises has introduced Fujitsu Laptops with the latest intel
processors to the market at a ceremony in Colombo recently.
Product Marketing Manager, Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific Ltd Edmund
Lim hands over a Lifebook to Managing Director Sala Enterprises
Chinthaka Wijewickrama. pic Saliya Rupasinghe |
Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific, one of the world's leading brands of
computers along with Sala Enterprises, ranked among the best in the
computer and communication fields, unveiled five latest Lifebook and
that feature the second generation Intel Core processor.
This array of enhanced Lifebook is specially designed to deliver an
unparalleled user experience that includes solid computing performance,
excellent media and graphic capabilities, and greater energy efficiency.
The new range of Lifebook - S Series (Lifebook SH761), P Series (Lifebook
P771), A Series (Lifebook AH531), L Series (Lifebook LH531), and B
Series BH531) are the models incorporated with the second generation
Intel CoreTM processor.
Product Marketing Manager, Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific Ltd Edmund Lim,
said "We are now entering a multimedia-centric world where users demand
for instant access to stunning and immersive visual, web and gaming
experiences-often times all at once.
Our latest Lifebook line up with versatile built-in-processors, will
meet the varied preferences.
While we increase the power levels to achieve performance gains for
high-intensity dynamic workloads".
Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011 attracts highest number of Local entries
It is that all-important time of the year again, when the entire IT
student community in Sri Lanka sharpen their skills and wait to
participate in a hugely anticipated event that comes around once a year.
Fervour to participate in the Microsoft Imagine Cup has reached fever
pitch as IT undergraduates draw on their skills and talent to think up
'big ideas' based on the Imagine Cup 2011 theme - 'Think Big. Think
Global'.
This year's Imagine Cup theme encourages participants to "imagine a
world where technology solves some of the toughest problems".
From the look of the flurry of activity among the IT student
populace, the competition is heating up as they prepare to emerge with a
winning concept that will propel them onto the global Microsoft Imagine
Cup competition stage and along with it open opportunities that could
benefit their future career progression.
The first round of the local competition was concluded on March 17
after a host of internal rounds out of which 14 teams were selected to
compete in the semi-finals.
These included four teams from the University of Colombo, School of
Computing, four teams from University of Moratuwa, three teams from
SLIIT, two teams from IIT and one from the University of Peradeniya.
The semi-final round was concluded on March 29 from where six teams
have emerged as finalists, waiting to show their skills at the grand
finale on April 27 at the Civil Engineering Faculty Auditorium of the
University of Moratuwa.
The finalist teams are: Vishwa and Sentinels 2.0 from University of
Moratuwa, Titan from University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC),
MISL Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Perasoft
University of Peradeniya and CR-Coderz from Informatics Institute of
Technology (IIT).
Over the past few years, Sri Lankan IT students have fared comparably
well with their counterparts from around the world, after witnessing the
benefits by winning the competition, students target participation in
the Imagine Cup as a key stepping stone in their career.
Not surprisingly, the competition is attracting record number of
entries from around the country.
The winners of this year's Imagine Cup competition will represent Sri
Lanka at the Grand Finale of the Global Imagine Cup Competition to be
held in New York this summer.
This year, a breakthrough record of 52 finalist teams, the highest
ever in the history of Imagine Cup in Sri Lanka after the previous
record of 28 teams in 2009, has been achieved, which reflects the
increasing levels of sophistication of students' entries and the growing
popularity of the challenge.
Wellington Perera, Director of Developer Platform Evangelism,
Microsoft Sri Lanka, said "We are excited by the fact that students have
responded from across the country and from newer institutions, which
mirrors the nationwide popularity that Imagine Cup has achieved.
We are hopeful that some of these big and bold ideas will win on the
international stage in New York, and provide greater impetus for
students to consider the challenging opportunity that participation in
the Imagine Cup offers.
The competition was conceptualized not merely to make students think
out of the box, but also to bring home to the industry and teachers of
IT the multi-layered benefits that such a vital challenge brings to the
student community and perhaps even influence their future career
choices, simultaneously building vital soft skills such as qualities of
leadership, teamwork, tenacity and so on.
All the proposals we received this year were equally competitive and
challenging.
It was great to see a vivid range of solutions coming from a diverse
set of students."
As one of the students to advance to the second round of the Imagine
Cup IT Challenge 2011 and a Semi-finalist in the Software Design
Category, Malin De Silva, (a student of the Faculty of IT, University of
Moratuwa), said "Having been the first student from Sri Lanka to advance
to the second round of Imagine Cup from the IT Challenge 2011 as well as
a competitor for the Local Software Design competition, I believe this
year competition would provide some excellent Sri Lankan products that
could compete in the real world.
I appreciate the theme this year which makes us think of humanity,
compassion towards people affected by problems which is not done in most
other competitions."
Currently, all eyes are on the Sri Lanka finals to be held later this
month, as the winners on this stage will be heading off to New York to
showcase their concepts and designs in the presence of a global
audience.
Calspence Oracle PartnerNetwork Gold Level Partner
Calspence Technologies has become a Gold level member of Oracle
PartnerNetwork (OPN). Calspence will market; implement and support
Oracle Content Management to help customers enhance business
efficiencies, reduce expenses and be more profitable.
Calspence Technologies is a joint venture between Aitken Spence PLC
and California Software Company Limited (Calsoft), providing Systems
Integration services with focus on Oracle Content Management, the Oracle
E-Business Suite, Oracle's Siebel Customer Relationship Management, and
strategic Information and Communication Technology investments.
Areas that they target include Financial Services, Commercial,
Manufacturing, Plantations, and Telecommunications industries.
Aitken Spence, the holding company for Calspence is one of Sri
Lanka's leading and most respected corporate entities with a diversified
portfolio of businesses in Hotels, Services, Logistic Solutions and
Strategic Investments. Calsoft is a product engineering and enterprise
solutions company with a strong background in development and
implementation with presence in 12 global locations.
Deputy Chairman and Group Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC
J.M.S. Brito said, "We have identified Information and Communications
Technology as a key area of focus and a thrust industry.
Seeing the potential that Calspence has to offer to the market with
the absence of a strong Systems Integrator in the country, we will
continue with our strategic investments in this area. As a Gold level
member of OPN, we are confident of offering exceptional solutions to the
market", he said.
With its OPN Gold status, Calspence receives the benefit of being
able to start developing specialisations that will allow them to grow
their business, increase their expertise, reach higher levels of
customer retention, and create differentiation in the marketplace. Gold
members also become eligible to resell all Oracle Technology products
and can apply to resell Oracle Applications and Industry Solutions.
In addition, they will have access to Oracle account representatives
and My Oracle Support updates for all products, discounts on training,
limited free assessment/exam vouchers, reduced rates on the purchase of
Oracle licences for internal use, discounts on advances customer
services amongst other benefits.
"We see a strong synergy between Oracle Content Management and the
key focus and collaboration efforts of Calspence from a go-to-market
perspective. Having the best-of-breed solution from Oracle, we will
enhance our ability to provide our valued enterprise clients with solid,
proven, scalable and cost effective solutions", said General Manager of
Calspence Technologies Dr. Vickum Senanayake.
A few of the projects which signifies Calspence's success in the
short span of time, are the implementations of Oracle eBusiness Suite (EBS),
Oracle Content Management, the development of a financial shared
services centre, and development of web-based content management systems
for the travels, services and manufacturing sectors.
ABC Trade & Investments awards for best sales in SA
ABC Trade & Investments (Pvt) Ltd (ABC T&I) was awarded for top DVD
sales in verbatim storage media during 2010, in the annual verbatim
distribution meet in Kathmandu, Nepal recently.
Director/CEO ABC Trade & Investments (Pvt) Ltd., A. Jayaseelan
receives the Trophy for best DVD Sales in South Asia from Tan
Teow Seng Manager, South Asia Verbatim Marketing (Singapore) Pte
Ltd. |
ABC Trade & Investments (Pvt) was also awarded the second place for
CD-R and memory products for 2010. These awards made ABC T&I the best
achievers for 2010 on Verbatim products in South Asia.
Verbatim Corporation, a Mitsubishi chemical media company is an
international organisation that develops and markets innovative,
high-quality products for storing, moving and using digital content.
Known for its leadership in the removable storage media and related
accessories markets, the company provides, unique technologies and
products that are sought after and broadly distributed worldwide.
Verbatim brand media is marketed in North America, Europe, Latin America
and other parts of the world.
In Japan, media is sold under the Mitsubishi brand.
The authorised distributor in Sri Lanka ABC T&I has been presented
this prestigious award for their excellent sales growth during 2010.
ABC Trade & Investments (Pvt) Ltd., with its diversified business
interests and with its core concentration in the IT & Office Automation
industry is the distributor for a range of products including printer
consumables, storage media, networking, computer peripherals and a range
of other prime IT equipment. The company is the authorised distributor
for Print-Rite, Verbatim, Mitsubishi, Manhattan and Fluke Network and
Kodak brands.
Verbatim branded products with its colourful packing display and
features of durability are able to rewrite over 1,000 times on CD/DVD -
RW, videoGard protection against fingerprints, smudges, stronger UV
protection, scratch resistant and more technologies under the optical
media.
Under the non-optical media, Verbatim has the water resistance USB
drive, shock proof mobile hard drive, memory cards and many more
products.
Nokia E7 to be launched
The Nokia E7 will be launched soon in the Sri Lankan market.
Featuring a lavish four-inch Amoled display, the device is
complemented by a full Qwerty keyboard and a tilt screen primed for
optimal viewing.
Nokia E7 enables direct, secure and real-time access to corporate
systems, plus easy synchronisation with work inbox, calendar, contacts
and tasks.
Additionally quick access to private email accounts from the same
view is also possible.
Viewing and editing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents
using the Quick office application is possible apart from viewing PDF
files with Adobe Reader. Real-time business email with Mail for Exchange
with no additional hardware.
Easy presentation capabilities are also available via HDMI TV out.
Accessing the internet through a fast 3G or Wi-Fi network or you could
use your phone as a modem by connecting to a compatible computer.
The Nokia E7 also features a built-in GPS, compass and the largest
selection of free maps.
Ovi Maps is more efficient than competitive offering, with no
separate license.
Nokia E7 users can also hold business meetings over the phone with
multi-party conference calling.
The E7 features 16 GB worth of internal storage, 256 MB RAM, 1 GB
ROM, 680 MHz ARM 11 processor, Broadcom BCM2727 GPU, featuring the
Symbian 3 OS. A powerful 8 MP camera clinches the deal. Preloaded with
several applications that a professional might need, further apps can be
downloaded at the Ovi Store.
For Alienware:
Softlogic Information Technologies appointed authorised distributor
Softlogic Information Technologies (Pvt) Ltd., one of the premier IT
companies in Sri Lanka and a pioneering subsidiary of Softlogic Holdings
ventured into a distributor partnership with the premier gaming brand
Alienware at a recently held event in Colombo. PC Gamers in Sri Lanka
now have five new ways to level up with a fleet of high-performance
gaming rigs from Alienware, including four overclocked liquid-cooled
desktop systems and the most powerful 15-inch gaming laptop in the
universe.
The gaming market in Sri Lanka is emerging as a growing market and is
expected to develop by 25% year over year, a company spokesperson said.
Jointly developed by the Dell and Alienware teams, and featuring the
latest technologies for maximum performance, aggressive designs and
unmatched customisation and personalization through Alienware's
exclusive Command Centre software suite, these systems represent a new
era in PC gaming. Alienware Corporation manufactures high-performance
computer desktop and mobile systems and leading-edge professional
systems.
Alienware offers unique and award-winning products that incorporate
state-of-the-art components, innovative engineering and design, and
unprecedented customer service.
"With the post-war economic growth and opening of the market for
businesses across the board in Sri Lanka, Dell now has a direct presence
in the country, supporting the ICT industry with numerous solutions,
product offerings and services.
With this development we have opted to launch many consumer related
products, of which 'Alienware' is the much awaited gaming PC that will
be introduced to Sri Lanka through our premier partner, Softlogic.
We believe Dell's Alienware PCs will bring in a whole new experience
to our gaming community", said Shermal Jayatilaka, Country Manager Dell
Sri Lanka.
Introduced in Sri Lanka the powerful Alienware M15x laptop to expand
the Alienware arsenal and reaffirm Dell's position as visionary and
designer of the industry's most coveted gaming systems.
Roshan Rasool, Director / CEO Softlogic Information Technologies (Pvt)
Ltd commenting about the tie up reiterated the pioneering and
innovativeness in the information technology industry in Sri Lanka, "We
are pleased to represent Dell Alienware as the authorised distributor in
Sri Lanka. Alienware products are the leading gaming products in the
world. The wide range of products introduced will provide the ideal
gaming experience for our gaming community locally".
Dell, one of the global giants in the IT industry, has recognised Sri
Lanka as a strong emerging market for information technology in the
Asian region. In 1993 they chose Softlogic, which established their
operations in 1991, as their sole authorised dealer in Sri Lanka.
Virtusa recognised for HR excellence
Virtusa Corporation (NASDAQ: VRTU), a global IT services company that
offers a broad spectrum of business consulting and outsourcing services,
has been certified by the Corporate Research Foundation (CRF) Institute
as one of Britain's Top Employers for 2011, scoring exceptionally well
in the categories of Secondary Benefits and Working Conditions and
Career Development.
Now in its 11th year, Britain's top employers use international
standards and independent research done by the CRF Institute to identify
those companies excelling in HR management. Virtusa was recognised for
its outstanding HR policies and exceptional working conditions.
Companies were assessed based on key HR-related areas including Primary
Benefits, Secondary Benefits and Working Conditions, Training and
Development, Career Development, and Company Culture.
"The happiness and well-being of our team members are critical to the
success of Virtusa as a company," said Chairman and CEO of Virtusa, Kris
Canekeratne.
"We founded Virtusa based on a spirit of innovation and it is very
gratifying to see our team members continue to demonstrate creativity as
they develop solutions that help our clients achieve their business
goals and objectives. Our values are clear: we believe in the pursuit of
excellence, integrity, respect and leadership.
These values form the nucleus of our high-performance culture and our
ability to create competitive advantage for our clients. Our team
members put their hearts and souls into creating excellence and we are
honoured to be recognised for creating a conducive work environment."
"The combination of an ageing workforce, economic recovery, and staff
shortages in certain industries is making employers increasingly aware
of the importance of selecting and retaining the right people, and
ensuring they come to work everyday feeling motivated and engaged," said
CEO of the CRF Institute Steven Veenendaal.
"This year's award winners have put the welfare of their employees at
the top of their list of priorities and are doing exceptionally well in
offering their employees the best working conditions. You will see that
translated in the long-term sustainability of these companies."CRF was
founded in 1991 as a joint initiative of academics, business
journalists, trade associations, researchers and international
publishers, with a mission of offering independent HR assessment and
recognition. |