A product designed to resolve year 2000 problems on desktop PCs and client/server applications is already generating significant interest in the channel, with a number of high-profile channel partners signing up to distribute it. Viasoft's OnMark 2000 suite comprises a range of tools designed to survey, evaluate, repair and test desktop PCs for Y2K compliance (ARN July 15, 1998).
Despite ongoing concerns about how and when its direct strategy will finally be implemented, the Australian channel appears to be sticking by Compaq through its post-integration hurdles. But some are doing so reluctantly. "The company's whole channel strategy is in a mess," Edward Revis, director of Microcomputer Solutions, claimed. "The service is certainly not what it used to be. "I mean we're still selling a lot of Compaq products but nobody really knows what's going on." John Perkins, the managing director of Balanced IT Services, said most Australian resellers will have to be patient as Compaq is still "finding its feet as a new company".
Now that the Federal election is over, the millennium bug isn't the only issue the channel will be helping users solve. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) is now also firmly on the horizon. The legislative battle over the GST has not even begun, yet local accounting software developer Sybiz Software is already moving in to prevent the "GST-compliance" panic among its financial application users.
A defence software developer has displayed a new product it claims prevents hackers from accessing secure systems through those systems' connection to insecure networks such as the Internet. Canberra defence developer Vision Abell, in conjunction with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation's Starlight information security project, worked on the product as part of a project setup 10 years ago to research defence computer security needs, solutions for which commercial vendors were unable to provide.
In the PC market, anything that sets your offering apart from your competitor's can help win a sale. Logitech claims that its recently released OEM version of QuickCam Home is just the product to help assemblers differentiate their PCs from the rest. Specifically designed to take advantage of the power of Microsoft Windows 98 and the USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, Logitech QuickCam Home uses camcorder technology to deliver video quality at up to 30 frames per second along with sharp still images.
The retail industry is a rapidly changing marketplace in which those who don't read the trends and adjust to them will not be around for long, according to a leading authority on the subject. While speaking at The Retail Show in Sydney recently, Joanne Walter, vice president of Future Retailing at NCR, said these changes are accelerating exponentially with technology. It is the retailers who build and maintain relationships with consumers that will benefit most, according to Walter.
CR Australia has launched its new NCR 7401 terminal information terminal during the recent Retail Show '98 Conference and Exhibition in Sydney. The NCR 7401 terminal is a self-service kiosk including an interactive touch screen terminal and a suite of NCR retail self-service applications.
Western Australian-based computer accessories manufacturer and distributor, Custom (Int) is introducing to Australian computer retailing the world's most successful merchandising force - Star Wars. Having won a licensing agreement with LucasFilms, Custom (Int) are manufacturing and distributing computer mice, mousemats, CD storage units and wrist rests characterised by superstars such as Darth Vader, R2-D2, C-3PO and Yoda.
Xircom Asia-Pacific has announced it is shipping the latest in its series of RealPort integrated PC cards for notebooks. They are the CardBus Ethernet 10/100, the Ethernet 10/100 and the Modem 56-GlobalACCESS.
Europe's largest cleaning products manufacturer and distributor, the HK Wentworth Group, has introduced a line of cleaning products specifically designed and developed for computers and computer peripherals.
Now that the Federal election is over, the millennium bug isn't the only issue the channel will be helping users solve. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) is now also on the horizon. The legislative battle over the GST has not even begun, but local accounting software developer Sybiz Software is already moving in to prevent the "GST-compliance" panic among its financial application users.
Tech Pacific is bringing its telecommunications sister company TelePacific back under the Tech Pac umbrella. From January 1, 1999 TelePacific will be the telecommunications division of Tech Pacific, distributing mobile phones, data products, cellular accessories and Key Telephone Systems for vendors like Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, Alcatel, Phillips and NEC.
Xircom Asia Pacific has announced it is shipping the latest in its series of RealPort integrated PC cards for notebooks.
Hitachi has announced its entry into the PC market in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia with the launch of its LCD Desktop 310 series and Notebook 270 series.
The post-integration Compaq team continues to take shape, with a further round of appointments announced last week. Tony Bill, manager of Compaq's enterprise computing group, took his turn to release the extensive line-up of hotshots he hopes will maintain the company's foothold in the high-end corporate market.
