technology

Knowledge economy can eradicate poverty and inequality - WB Country Director

The World Bank, always believes that the future of Sri Lanka is here, in the knowledge economy, said the World Bank Country Director Naoko Ishii at the opening of the Infotel 2008. She was adverting to the theme of Infotel 2008, "The future is here".

Infotel 2008, the largest ICT showcase in the country was held at the BMICH last week.

Ishii, the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony said that knowledge economy can eradicate poverty and inequality in Sri Lanka.

This small country may have a bright future if you can exploit the opportunities in the knowledge economy and high tech industries. We support the government's e-Sri Lanka program which has shown success, she said.

Infotel, the annual ICT showcase that gathers all stakeholders in the industry was started in 1992.

This year the exhibition consisted of all disciplines of the ICT industry and covered four key areas; career guidance programs to attract dynamic persons to the industry, e-Sri Lanka initiative that targets enhancing the quality of the services in the government sector, software Exporters Association that promotes the software industry of the country and the gaming industry showcasing Sri Lanka's position in the development of cyber games, a fast growing industry in the world.

The Chief Guest, Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion Navin Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka has to do a great deal to catch up in the ICT industry.

Our neighbour India has taken a giant leap forward and Sri Lanka failed to be on par with India.

However, in the recent past we see a tremendous progress in the sector, he said.

Dissanayake said that though there are initiatives such as Nenasala to take ICT to the rural sector there is a serious disparity in urban and rural areas. In the urban sector ICT is booming but it is not so in the rural sector.

Disparity in the education sector, specially lack of English knowledge and lack of qualified English teachers hinders the ICT sector growth in rural areas in Sri Lanka and if we fail to bridge this gap it will create huge problems, he said.

GW

EPSI iStore introduces new Apple iPod nano

Epsi Computers,authorised re-sellers for Apple in Sri Lanka introduced the new fourth generation iPod nano, the thinnest iPod ever featuring a sleek new design with a curved aluminum and glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colours.

The new iPod nano incorporates Apple's breakthrough Genius technology which automatically creates playlists from songs in your music library that go great together, with just one click.

Assistant Manager operations, Apple division at Epsi Computers, Giri Anandan said that the new iPod nano also features a refined user interface, a high resolution portrait display and a built-in accelerometer which automatically switches to Cover Flow when rotated and automatically goes into Shuffle mode when lightly shaken.

Giri said the new iPod nano-the thinnest iPod ever-features an elegant new design that beautifully blends a brilliant two-inch display with a gorgeous curved aluminum and glass enclosure.

iPod nano works seamlessly with iTunes so you can import, manage and then easily auto-sync your favourite content. You can buy music, video and games for your iPod nano from the iTunes Store with more than 8.5 million songs available for preview and one-click purchase.

With up to 24 hours of music playback or four hours of video playback on a single charge, the new iPod nano is the ultra-portable way to enjoy your favourite music, TV shows, movies and games on the go.

The 16GB model holds up to 4,000 songs, 14,000 photos and 16 hours of video and the 8GB model holds up to 2,000 songs, 7,000 photos and eight hours of video.

The new contoured design fits even more comfortably in your hand and comes in silver, blue, purple, green, orange, yellow, pink, (product) red and black.

Lockheed Martin to extend use of IFS applications

IFS, the global enterprise application company said that Lockheed Martin has decided to extend the use of IFS Applications in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS).

IFS Applications is currently deployed in ALIS for supply chain management. Lockheed Martin has now also selected IFS Applications as the foundation for ALIS maintenance management capability.

The expanded IFS Applications footprint is expected to be contractually awarded and rolled out in support of the third Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, which is planned to be fielded in 2010.

ALIS is a seamless, embedded solution that integrates aircraft performance, operational parameters, aircraft configuration, scheduled upgrades and maintenance, component history, diagnostics, prognostics, health management, and service support for the F-35 aircraft.

Essentially, condition reporting of aircraft wellness is automatically reported in-flight, so crews on the ground can rapidly marshal appropriate maintenance and repair efforts.

In July this year, Lockheed Martin signed a contract to use IFS Applications to provide the core software for the JAMES Land (Joint Asset Management Engineering Solution) project for the UK Ministry of Defence.

This expanded IFS' role in the JAMES 1 Project by adding IFS Applications components for engineering, asset data collection and analysis as well as workshop management for the modification of assets.

"As IFS grows its relationship with important aerospace and defence companies such as Lockheed Martin, and as we become the go-to maintenance and enterprise asset management solution for government programs such as the US Air Force Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS), we solidify our position as a leader in the aerospace and defence industry," IFS North America President Cindy Jaudon said.

"We have built this position through developing specialised industry solutions, specifically in the area of maintenance and logistics, and through close alliances with well-respected partners like Lockheed Martin.

We look forward to deepening these existing relationships and working with suppliers to major aerospace and defence OEMs as they equip themselves for success in today's demanding environment."

IFS goes to Kandy

Senior Vice President of the IFS Group, Thomas Petersson inaugurated the IFS Research and Development Centre in Kandy on Tuesday.

IFS AB, a global leader in component based Enterprise Application Business Software, set up its first Research and Development centre in Colombo in 1997.

Eleven years later, IFS goes to Kandy. The R&D Centre in Kandy will employ 120 software professionals.

Thomas Petersson said, "The R&D Centre in Colombo is by far the largest contributor worldwide to develop and support IFS Applications.