Technology

Easy-to-use technology for the classroom:

HP expands education portfolio

HP announced three specifically tailored, easy-to-manage education solutions that make it easier to teach with technology while reducing overall costs.

HP MultiSeat allows multiple students to simultaneously share a single host computer, enabling schools to increase student access to technology at a reduced cost.

HP is helping educational institutions change to student-centered, personalised learning environments by using technology in an affordable and sustainable way, said Brian Becker, Director, Education, Personal Systems Group, HP.

Our offerings empower students to learn at their own pace, allow teachers to easily manage a classroom and free up IT managers from time-consuming maintenance. Ng Tian Chong Vice President HP Personal Systems Group (South East Asia and Taiwan) who addressed the audience said, HPs Multiseat Technology will benefit all segments of Sri Lanka's society as it is affordable and easily accessible. The event was also addressed by Philip Lau General Manager HP Personal Systems Group Asian Emerging Countries.

HP Personal System Group appointed Sri Lankas leading cricketers Angelo Matthews and Jehan Mubarak as brand ambassadors.

HP MultiSeat helps schools that have limited student access to technology create a technology-rich computing experience for every student in a classroom, lab or library.

HP MultiSeat allows a single host computer to be shared by up to 10 students, so schools can maximise the number of computer seats without increasing their technology budgets. Students use their personal monitor, keyboard and mouse connected via MultiSeat to the host computer to access their own independent and familiar Windows-7 computing experience.

The HP MultiSeat consumes only 2.5 watts of power, reducing energy costs by up to 80 percent.

MultiSeat also reduces the amount of time IT spends on client management, maintenance and upgrades.

Setting up MultiSeat does not require opening the PC or installing expansion cards.

With a simple USB connection, teachers can connect multiple users to a single PC. MultiSeat slightly larger than a deck of cards and with no external power supply can be conveniently mounted and locked on to the back of a computer display.

MultiSeat is fully licensed and uses Microsofts new Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 product to enable schools to access technology with lower ongoing operations costs per student and create a familiar Windows customer experience.

Metanoia reaches Asia from Colombo

Metanoia Partners an innovative professional services and consulting company, with offices in London and Munich launched its Asia and Middle East operations from Colombo recently.

Metanoia Partners have developed a two-sided business model based on utilising the latest Internet technologies. Metanoia focuses on transferring knowledge from West to East and high-value services from East to West. A key goal is to broker KSO (Knowledge Service Outsourcing) opportunities between Sri Lanka and Asia to Europe.

Metanoia is well placed to market Sri Lankan KSO specialists to British and other European public and private sector organisations. Metanoia targets the higher end of KSO such as legal, accounting and ICT areas of the global knowledge economy. Metanoia strongly believes Sri Lanka will be a key hub for Knowledge-based business and services in Asia and the Middle East and has decided to launch its regional operations in Colombo.

Metanoia Partners' competencies are based on three pillars - Next Generation Enterprise, Next Generation People and Next Generation Technology. Their global coverage and utilisation of Web 2.0 technologies enables Metanoia to maximize the benefits and strengths from the East and the West.

Their extensive network of capability partners and consultants and their close relationship with companies, government organisations and NGOs, together with their Consulting 2.0 approach, allows them to draw on world-class expertise at competitive market prices.

PC House to launch Kyocera TASKalfa

PC House, a giant in the office automation field, offering a wide range of solutions to the Sri Lankan market, recently launched a new product portfolio under the Kyocera brand.

PC House, being the distributor for world renowned photocopier brand Kyocera will be launching its new product range "TASKalfa".

The new launch consists of four new A3 monochrome copiers TASKalfa 180/220 and TASKalfa 181/221. Under the family name TASKalfa, the manufacturer of resource-saving printing and copying solutions has rolled out the first four models in its next multifunctional generation.

New TASKalfa models are copiers which can be extended to include a GDI print function for Windows applications, whilst the TASKalfa 181/221 are supplied with a print controller as standard.

A scanner, fax and finisher can also be added if required, creating complete multifunctional devices.

The new TASKalfa machines boast a cutting-edge, versatile range of functions and are highly cost-effective, making them the ideal choice for use in small teams.

With their long-life components and print speeds of 18/22 (A4) pages and 8/10 (A3) pages per minute, the new TASKalfa models stand out as efficient professional office hardware designed for teams of all sizes.

The local distributor for Kyocera, PC House, bearing ISO 9001: 2000 certification and rendering all its corporate and individual customers a tailor made pre and post purchase service through its islandwide sales support centres is hoping to promote the new range aggressively in to the market.

Speaking on the launch Ravi Fernandopulle, General Manager -Office automation "We do plan to launch the TASKalfa colour range of copiers from Kyocera shortly.

TASKalfa colour copiers are guaranteed to provide superior high quality reproduction while extensively saving energy.

The entire brand will also be backed by our islandwide distribution and repair services as well as our guarantee of the best quality and service."

Sabreliner Corp. selects IFS Applications to support contractor growth

The Sabreliner Corp. of St. Louis, Missouri, selected IFS Applications to support its aviation services organisation, which is recognised worldwide for aircraft manufacturing support and for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of existing aircraft.

As a diversified aviation services company, Sabreliner supplies other aviation organisation and the US military with aircraft MRO services.

Sabreliner also manufacturers airframe assemblies, parts, components and tooling for use in new fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft production. Some of Sabreliner's customers include Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky Aircraft.

Sabreliner plans to implement IFS Applications components for Financial, Distribution, Manufacturing, Engineering, Maintenance, Sales and Support, and Human Resources.

IFS Applications was selected to consolidate several ancillary, stand-alone systems at Sabreliner into one enterprise solution.

It was also chosen to provide management with timely information to ensure informed decision are made regarding staffing, working capital management, and future planning.

"We were looking for an ERP solution which could position us for future growth and provide Sabreliner with the infrastructure needed to better support our work on behalf of both prime contractors and directly for the military services," Sabreliner CIO Steve DeBarry said. "We needed a system that provides management with information quickly, easily, and in a timely fashion.

IFS Applications offers Sabreliner the additional tools to meet our current and growing program management needs."

"IFS Applications is one of the most advanced and comprehensive solutions for MRO operations available on the market today," IFS North America President and CEO Cindy Jaudon said. "It covers everything from quotation handling, maintenance planning, and tracking of open service bulletins (SBs) and airworthiness directives (ADs) to maintenance execution, warranty management, supply chain logistics, cost tracking, and invoicing.

Aerospace and defence is one of IFS' targeted market segments. IFS customers in the aerospace and defence industry include the United States, British and Norwegian defence organisations as well as the Eurofighter consortium. Commercial MRO shops, manufacturers and operators include Bristow Helicopters, Aero-Dienst GmbH, K&L Microwave, Hawker Pacific, Ensign Bickford, Todd Pacific Shipyards and Jet Turbine Services.

In addition, IFS provides solution to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Saab Aerosystems, and GE Aircraft Engines.