Arkytek Ltd :: Blog

Microsoft plans science of appliance for next SQL Server

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:47:54 +0000

2010 or bust

Start your clocks and count the delays: Microsoft has named the first half of 2010 as the window for the next version of SQL Server - codenamed Kilimanjaro.…

Full published article at: http://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/06/kilimanjaro_sql_server_appliance/

Windows Update to trumpet Vista Capable debacle?

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:01:15 +0000

Class-action call up

Little did Microsoft executives realize when they blessed the seemingly brilliant wheeze of “Windows Vista Capable” as a way of flogging the operating system that the idea could turn into a bitter pill their company might have to swallow.…

Full published article at: http://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/06/vista_capable_windows_update/

Boffins (finally) publish hack for world’s most popular smartcard

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:01:01 +0000

Mifare weakness official

Two research papers published Monday have finally made it official: The world’s most widely deployed radio frequency identification (RFID) smartcard - used to control access to transportation systems, military installations, and other restricted areas - can be cracked in a matter of minutes using inexpensive tools.…

Full published article at: http://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/06/mifare_hack_finally_published/

Data centre energy use soars

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:40:40 +0000

Phil Muncaster, The amount of energy required to run a data centre rose by 13 per cent between 2006 and 2007, and is expected to continue growing, according to new research by IDC. The analyst firm’s latest report estimates that data centre power consumption levels in western Europe exceeded 40TWh (terawatt hours) in 2007 and are expected to grow to more than 42TWh in 2008. The rise is mainly due to the spread of volume servers, which now cover around 90 per cent of the installed base, as well as growth in the average amount of energy that servers consume, according to Giorgio Nebuloni, analyst for European systems and infrastructure solutions at IDC. “Even though the manufacturers are working on energy efficient servers, this is not enough. The gains they make cannot balance this kind of growth [in energy consumption],” he said. “Also, in many cases, energy bills are not paid by the IT department so IT does not care.” IDC report: Energy Footprint of the European Server Infrastructure 2006-2007 [http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?pid=23571113&containerId=GE06Q] Energy Footprint of the European Server Infrastructure 2006-2007

Full published article at: http://feeds.computing.co.uk/c/554/f/10977/s/20515ab/l/0L0Scomputing0O0C2227395/story01.htm

Marks & Spencer to boost IT investment

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:39:47 +0000

Angelica Mari, Marks & Spencer is to cut its capital spending by over 50 per cent in the next two years and divert leftover resources to technology. The retailer expects spending this year to reach around £700m, compared to a previous guideline figure of £800m-£900m, and plans to further reduce costs by focusing on IT and product management. “For 2009/10 we now expect to spend around £400m with the focus on supply chain and information technology systems,” said M&S executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose. The company’s latest trading update represents its sharpest sales drop in nine years, with a 6.1 per cent plunge in comparable sales. Food sales were down 5.9 per cent and non-food sales down 6.4 per cent. Total sales for the group in the 13 weeks to 27 September rose by 0.4 per cent, while UK sales declined 1.6 per cent. Earlier this year, Marks & Spencer reported a 78 per cent increase for its M&S Direct online operation, thanks to a relaunch of the site in 2007. The chain’s target is for £500m of sales to be made through the e-commerce channel by 2010. The revamp of M&S Direct, done in partnership with Amazon, improved functionality, searching and navigation, according to the firm. Product catalogues online were also expanded to offer full lines of accessories and jewellery, as well as fringe sizes for clothing lines.

Full published article at: http://feeds.computing.co.uk/c/554/f/10977/s/20504d0/l/0L0Scomputing0O0C2227379/story01.htm

Waitrose uses mobile printers to cut waste

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:36:03 +0000

Angelica Mari, Supermarket chain Waitrose is using mobile printers in an effort to reduce food wastage and improve checkout productivity. The Zetes-supplied system used by the printers calculates reductions based on product demand and shelf life. Users can also access a list of unsold reduced items which may need further price markdowns. The key motivation to introduce the printers was to reduce processing time at the till and minimise the amount of unsold items, according to Nick Hart, project manager for branch ordering development at Waitrose. “This system has also enabled us to record increased data for further improved accuracy in future ordering, so we are pleased with the initial results,” he added. “This builds on the positive work that our shops have been carrying out to cut food wastage.”

Full published article at: http://feeds.computing.co.uk/c/554/f/10977/s/201b231/l/0L0Scomputing0O0C222720A8/story01.htm

Virgin Media guilty of Data Protection breach

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:34:59 +0000

Tom Young, Virgin Media has been ordered to encrypt all portable mobile devices after it was found to have breached the Data Protection Act [http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/data_protection.aspx] Data Protection Act in losing an unencrypted disc. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) gave the order after investigating the loss of the disc, which contained personal details on customers that signed up to Virgin Media services in Carphone Warehouse stores from January this year. “The Data Protection Act clearly states that organisations must keep personal information secure,” said Mick Gorrill, assistant commissioner at the ICO. “Virgin Media recognises the seriousness of this data loss and has agreed to take the immediate remedial action that we have outlined in order to protect its customers’ personal details.” Any company processing personal information on behalf of Virgin Media must also use encryption software, a requirement which must be clearly stated in all contracts.

Full published article at: http://feeds.computing.co.uk/c/554/f/10977/s/201b233/l/0L0Scomputing0O0C222720A5/story01.htm

Vendors announced for Royal Mail mobile project

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:33:07 +0000

Angelica Mari, Royal Mail has announced the suppliers for its national mobile service project which will see 25,000 postal delivery workers equipped with handheld devices. As reported by Computing [http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2221229/royal-mail-goes-hands-4112900] reported by Computing in July, the introduction of the devices is part of a £1.2bn IT-driven business transformation at Royal Mail designed to improve customer service by verifying the status of tracked letters or parcels. The handheld devices are being supplied by Intermec, while CSC will develop and maintain the systems supporting the service. The CSC team also includes Blackbay, a provider of mobile workforce systems. Royal Mail van drivers will be able to capture signatures at the point of delivery, eliminating the current paper-based processes. Some 70,000 staff who deliver items by foot or bicycle will continue using a paper-based system to record signatures and delivery times, but the devices will roll out to all postal delivery workers in the future. Trials for the handheld computers began late last year.

Full published article at: http://feeds.computing.co.uk/c/554/f/10977/s/2019ff9/l/0L0Scomputing0O0C2227196/story01.htm

Security chiefs warned not to ignore mobiles

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:32:00 +0000

Phil Muncaster, Security chiefs have been warned to pay more attention to user behaviour and the flow of information through their organisations in order to minimise mobile and wireless security incidents. Gartner analyst John Girard said at the firm’s IT Security Summit [http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=622507] IT Security Summit in London that the power of today’s mobile devices, along with the increasing convergence of platforms and standards and the consumerisation of IT, are increasing the security risks. “When a new technology comes out your [employees] will use those products even if you don’t need them, because they’re better,” he argued. “Therefore you need to pay attention to the latest versions. The cost of one disclosure can negate the business gains of mobility.” Girard advised firms to protect their enterprise by using network access control and intrusion prevention technologies, on-device data encryption, and identity and access management tools. “The more the phone gets like a PC, the more it can host malicious code or have its function altered by someone else,” warned Girard. “If you are not paying attention, you run the risk of [the mobile device] going the same way as the PC.”

Full published article at: http://feeds.computing.co.uk/c/554/f/10977/s/20147e6/l/0L0Scomputing0O0C2227176/story01.htm

First Great Western adopts Oyster

adadmin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:31:06 +0000

Angelica Mari, Train operator First Great Western has installed Oyster readers from West Drayton and Greenford into Paddington to allow commuters to use Transport for London’s pay-as-you-go ticketing system. The move follows an agreement announced in May by London mayor Boris Johnson between TfL and First Great Western, which will see the extension of Oyster pay-as-you-go to all London stations. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor Ken Livingstone, Johnson will pour further investment into Oyster technology. “Transport for London is investing £40m in new Oyster equipment and I will shortly be meeting with the other train operating companies to urge them to get onboard and make Oyster available to all Londoners,” said Johnson. Livingstone had already offered £20m to train firms last year to help fund integration with the London smartcard scheme by the 2009 deadline. But fewer than half of the 10 firms running train services into London are ready to offer smartcard ticketing to customers. Current operators using Oyster are Chiltern, C2C, National Express East Anglia on their Hackney area services, and Southern between Clapham Junction and Watford Junction.

Full published article at: http://feeds.computing.co.uk/c/554/f/10977/s/1fa348b/l/0L0Scomputing0O0C22270A35/story01.htm