Technology

Half the world's internet users are from developing countries

Around the world there was an estimated 1.4bn internet users at the end of 2008. The growth rate of 15% was slightly lower than in 2007. In developing countries the number of users grew by a quarter or almost five times faster than in developed countries. As a result developing countries now account for more than half the world's internet users, states the Information Economy Report 2009 themed Trends and Outlook in Turbulent Times published by the UNCTAD.

According to the report China hosted the largest number of users (298 mn) followed by the USA (191 mn) and Japan (88 mn). A little over one fifth of the world's population used the Internet in 2008.

More than half of the population in the developed world is now online while in developing countries it is 15% and 17% in transition economies. Internet use is spreading rapidly in some developing countries. However, in Argentina penetration stood at around 15% of the population five years ago. Today half of the citizens use the internet. Iran and Vietnam have also experienced impressive growth from less than 10% half a decade ago to one third and one quarter of their respective populations in 2008.

In Argentina a high level of education coupled with growing competition between different internet service providers (ISPs) helped create the pre conditions for growth. In Iran and Vietnam government support to ICT sector has been backed by resources and capacity building to raise awareness and computer skills among the population.

Public internet facilities such as Internet cafes, educational establishments and digital community centres are also important to increase internet usage in developing countries.

It is true for countries in which household connections are limited and many people work in the informal economy and therefore do not have internet access from an office.

Despite positive internet developments in many countries its use is progressing slowly in certain regions. Some developing countries are caught in a vicious circle with insufficient demand due to high prices and inadequate infrastructure.

The lack of demand results in low levels of investment and high prices. Contributors to high prices is the cost of international connectivity, low levels of education, limited supply of web content in local languages which adopt to local needs.

According to the report there is some uncertainty regarding the measurement, scope and analysis of internet usage in developing nations. Since official surveys are seldom carried out most available data are rough estimates based on the number of subscribers or international bandwidth.

Such estimates can be widely off especially given the large number of users that access the web from public facilities. The spread of mobile phones in the developing world could also be impacting the extent of internet use as people use them to first end text messages then move up to using them for e-mail and internet access. While this development is still poorly documented it suggests that there may be many users in developing countries than suggested by current data.

Software and web solutions company honoured

Cyber Concepts (Pvt) Ltd was recently awarded the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Certification by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) B.V. of Netherlands, the largest certification body in the world. It thus becomes the very first Sri Lankan software and web solutions company to obtain this latest certification.

The Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) selected Cyber Concepts from several other competing companies and funded 75 per cent of the certification cost under the ST13 Company Quality Certification Program funded by the World Bank.

Cyber Concepts CEO Ravi Rajapathirane, a Chartered Engineer by profession said that the company will now further focus on developing quality software for the local industry where the distinct customisation of the product will have a greater advantage over imported software. "We will help save valuable foreign exchange by winning the confidence of the local industrialists and encourage them to use Sri Lankan software over the more expensive foreign imports".

The Company's development team is led by Chief Software Architect Ms. Krishnajina Rajapathiarne. The team consists of young software professionals mostly graduates from Sri Lankan universities who are adept at giving customized solutions to clients and often exceeding expectations.

"We began operations eight years ago with a mandate to assist the SME sector both in Sri Lanka and worldwide to run their businesses more efficiently with the use of IT as a business and a marketing tool. We have thus been developing customized software, web solutions to local and overseas markets in Enterprise Resource Planning, accounting, stock and inventory control, E-Commerce Solutions and IT Consultancy", Rajapathirane said.

"We have not restricted ourselves to the corporate sector but participated in many Government projects including the Sri Lanka Development Project where Cyber Concepts Developed a common Web portal for all 25 District Secretariats and approximately 340 Divisional Secretariats, which are the official local service delivery point of the Government", he added.

Prestigious award for Softlogic

Softlogic Trading was the proud recipient of the prestigious 'Most valuable partner in Asia Pacific' awarded by computer giant DELL at an awards ceremony held in Malaysia recently.

Softlogic received this award in recognition of their trusted and valued relationship of 15 years with Dell and as an appreciation of its commitment to expant the DELL brand in Sri Lanka.

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 authorized dealer in Sri Lanka.

Today, Softlogic Trading is hailed as one of the pioneers and innovators of the information technology industry in Sri Lanka. Through its partnership with Dell, Softlogic can today, claim to be the largest IT solution supplier to the corporate sector, as well a leading player in the ever expanding consumer range market.

Over the years, Softlogic Trading has won several awards from DELL for achieving and over Achieving its Sales Targets.

Among them are the 2005 Champion Award (GOLD), 2005 South Asia developing market group (Stellar Performance 2005), 2007 South Asia developing market Group (High Achiever awards (FY2007) and the 2007 South Asia developing Market Group (Most Valuable partners Award (FY2007 & 2008).

Europe's largest London Stock Exchange Group absorbs MillenniumIT:

'Lanka produces the best IT professionals'

By Charmaine FERNANDO

Sri Lankan IT professionalism is far superior to any other in South East Asia. We have found MillenniumIT's expertise, track record, corporate culture, innovative business model and immense growth potential well set for an exciting future for the entire Group. With MillenniumIT in our fold Sri Lanka can expect an active capital growth market here in Colombo', said Xavier Rolet, CEO, LSE Group at a press conference at the Cinnamon Lake last week, on finalizing the agreement absorbing MillenniumIT into Europe's largest stock exchange Group.

It is interesting to note that London Stock Exchange (LSE) is world changing through their capital market thrust. Being the world's most diversified Stock Exchange business, LSE acquired Borsa Italiana and London Stock Exchange. With over 500 member companies in their Group, and over 3,000 companies quoted across their stock exchange markets the group operates the most liquid marketplace in Europe while it seals its supremacy as one of the world' most diversified stock exchange groups.

Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of the LSE Group is in Colombo visiting MillenniumIT's Corporate Headquarters and software development Campus in Malabe, Colombo. As part of his schedule, Rolet met with local dignitaries and senior representatives of leading companies.

The LSE Group and MillenniumIT deal value stands at US $ 30 million. Tony Weerasinghe, CEO and Managing Director of MillenniumIT said "We are a leading technology solutions provider serving the global capital markets industry. The company takes pride in its product line which powers exchanges, depositories, brokerages and regulatory bodies in USA, Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific region.

MillenniumIT has made many things possible for LSE group and Sri Lanka. Rolet believes this merger with MillenniumIT will transform LSE Group in-house IT development capabilities giving the Group solid ownership of their own technology making them more responsive to client's needs, delivering enhancements and innovations faster at a lower cost.

MillenniumIT's ready to soar in to an exciting future, believes Weerasinghe, its CEO who intends to leverage on the Group's strength and its global franchise to further develop their global exchange technology sales business, supporting clientele and spearheading expansion in to other prospective markets, investing in a rock-solid future.

With a far-sighted vision that led his company this far to achieve the impossible, Tony seriously looks at migrating clients to MillenniumIT's trading platform by the end of 2010, replacing TradElect, Infolect and other such interfaces.

They hold the market leader position offering trading in a wide range of instruments, exchange traded products and is the acclaimed leader platform for trading fixed income products. It also offers a range of European corporate and government bonds trading services.

It's Italian Derivatives Exchange Market (IDEM) makes over 2.5 billion Sterling Pounds trading on a daily basis. Through its EDX London provides trading facility of Scandinavian and Russian equity derivatives. It also does post-trade services such as netting, clearing, and settlement on competitive basis.

A robust culture, a great working environment, a dynamic management and highly committed employee base has contributed much to their winning streak. Highly qualified personnel work as team with their clientele providing unmatched solutions. In Sri Lanka, Millennium's subsidiary MillenniumESP, is a firmly positioned market leader in the service provider business segment especially in telecommunication and enterprise solutions. This division architects, builds and maintains carrier-class IP based next generation networks (NGN) for service providers, integrating complimentary revenue generating solutions around these NGNs.

Sri Lanka's MillenniumIT becoming a partner company of the world's most international exchange with over 600 overseas companies from over 70 countries quoted on its markets is a blessing in disguise for Sri Lanka at this juncture where we seek foreign investment to re-build a terror-devastated nation.