Deloitte/ICS has found a strange bedfellow to help develop a remote access solution for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software systems - Nokia. At last week's Sapphire conference here, the two companies demonstrated a new product that utilises Nokia's 9110 Communicator's standard Web browser technology to allow organisations access to ERP solutions in real time.
Novell and Acer resellers stand to benefit from the launch of a handful of demonstration facilities which the vendors have established to provide proof-of-concept business networking solutions to their customers. The Solutions Centres have already been launched in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and will shortly open in Perth and Canberra The move is a breakthrough for Novell, which has been conspicuously absent on the channel front for some time. "We are determined to work more closely with our channel partners in their selling cycle," said Cliff Smith, the managing director of Novell Australasia.
In the face of a heavy restructuring program, modem manufacturer Sirius Technologies will today confirm the departure of a number of staff from the organisation, according to sources close to the vendor. Despite reporting a $1.3 million profit on sales of $31 million in September, Sirius has been in rationalisation mode for most of this year. The vendor has been forced to improve its inventory management strategies following poor stock flows. "Since December 31 last year our debt has been reduced by $2.2 million, largely as a result of improved inventory management," Sirius managing director, David Stewart claimed in September.
Plasmon has announced the latest release of the D-series of CD-ROM library drives at triple the speed of its previous version. Australian distributor AustStor reports that the 120, 240 and 480 disc libraries have already been delivered and installed in sites across Australia.
For digital mobile phone users, the innovations have been coming thick and fast. These often critical business tools are now much more than just a line of communication between two transient points. A new product - SIM Manager from Smart Silicon Systems (SSS) - makes the data storage facilities of digital phones much easier to manage.
In an attempt to boost its value-added profile, national distributor Computer Hardware Australia (CHA) has launched a warranty benefits scheme called the Very Important Notebook (VIN) Customer Care Program. CHA, Australia's largest Toshiba distributor, is offering a VIN Customer Care Program package with every Toshiba notebook sold at standard reseller prices. "At the end of the day it's a program which we value at around $300 that effectively gives the customer on-site service for the first year of the manufacturers warranty," said James Robbins, CHA's national marketing manager.
3Com reseller Cedric Ng of Melbourne-based Hexatec Service Centre is the first winner of the networking vendor's reseller promotion. His reward for buying a special four-pack counter unit of the 3Com US Robotics 56Kbps V.90 Voice fax-modem is one of seven brand new Toyota Starlet vehicles.
3Com reseller Cedric Ng of Melbourne-based Hexatec Service Centre is the first winner of the networking vendor's reseller promotion. His reward for buying a special four-pack counter unit of the 3Com US Robotics 56K V.90 Voice fax-modem is one of seven brand new Toyota Starlet vehicles. The reseller promotion, which started mid-October will run for seven weeks until all seven Starlets are drawn.
CIO Magazine has launched a weekly electronic news review and analysis service for the top 1000 CIO's in Australia. CIO's receive a single email document with short summaries on each topic. These summaries also include hot links back to the complete article on the CIO Web site (http://cio.idg.com.au).
Melbourne-based reseller Southmark Solutions has teamed up with Cisco Systems to secure a lucrative $1.3 million deal with the Department of Primary Industries and Energy (DPIE). The deal - announced last week - will see Southmark integrating switched Ethernet to all desktops in the Edmund Barton building in Canberra, which houses 3000 staff.
Panasonic has released three new digital video cameras and is targeting the PC market with an RS-232C docking station and optional PC connection kit. The NV-EX1 is the most compact of the range and is aimed at the executive market; while the NV-DA1 is large but more affordable, and the NV-DS77 is compact with a large LCD screen.
Worldwide supplier of application development tools Progress Software has announced the release of its new business applications development tool Apptivity 3.0. Officials claim Apptivity 3.0 combines a Java-based application server with a number of integrated features that allow users to establish and maintain applications for e-commerce, intranets, extranets and the Internet.
After launching in July of this year, Swann Communications has now managed to get its SwannSmart and MacSurfer modems onto the shelves of Harvey Norman and Clive Peeters Electrical stores as well as many smaller dealers.
Officials from the Australian Taxation Office are on hand at ARN's reseller lounge during this week's IT & PC Show in Melbourne. In what is something of a coup, the ATO representatives will be able to provide feedback to resellers attending the show on any matters pertaining to the new sales tax laws. Suggested areas of interest could be: What are Part 7A goods?; strategies for educating people and enforcing compliance with regard to Part 7A goods; complaints and feedback from resellers; and how to claim refunds and exemptions.
Servex Australia has announced the release of its AOpen AX6B Plus motherboard incorporating the 440BX AGP set chip from Intel. Officials claim it is the most advanced motherboard in its range, offering flexibility, compatibility and high performance across a wide range of applications.
