Google's Schmidt sees room for several social networks

(Reuters) - Google Inc is leaving open the door to more co-operation with social-media giants Facebook and Twitter, and believes there is room for multiple social networks as it rolls out its own, executive chairman Eric Schmidt said.
He also said the company will cooperate fully with U.S. antitrust regulators but will not let the formal probe launched last month distract or disrupt its strategy. He was speaking to journalists at the Allen & Co. media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Schmidt, who vacated his CEO seat to co-founder Larry Page in April and now oversees government affairs, said it was too early to say how its new social network, Google Plus, was faring -- but one key indication of success is the number of people clamoring to be part of the limited group currently using Plus, which launched in trial mode last week.
One of the more popular features on Plus, especially with younger users, was online video chat, he said.
Singling out two services where Google Plus can now be viewed as a competitor, Schmidt said he would "love to have deeper integration with Twitter and Facebook."
Google's search deal with Twitter recently expired, and despite "a substantive and lengthy discussion," the companies couldn't agree on terms, he said.
And Google's overtures to Facebook to discuss letting Plus users import Facebook friends also went nowhere, Schmidt said.
Schmidt laid out a future with multiple sources of online identity and multiple social networks, even as detractors say Facebook's service, with millions of users around the world, is too entrenched to allow for serious competition.
Schmidt also said Google executives -- though not he himself -- had discussed the recent hacking of email accounts with Chinese officials.
Google last month revealed a major hacker attack that it said originated within China. It said hackers tried to steal the passwords of hundreds of Google email account-holders, including those of senior government officials, Chinese activists and journalists.
"We tell the Chinese what we know ... and then they publicly deny their role. That's all I have to say about that," Schmidt said.
Closer to home, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has started a formal review of Google's business, raising concerns among investors about a lengthy, distracting probe and potential legal action.
The FTC is expected to address complaints from Google's rivals that its search results favor the company's own services. Google, which runs an estimated 69 percent of Web searches worldwide, can make or break a company depending on its search ranking.
Some worry that Google's desire to stand firm against government intrusion -- as with its protests against Chinese censorship of search results -- will trigger a long battle that ultimately does more damage than a quick settlement.
"We've had some meetings internally, (but) we haven't changed anything," Schmidt said.

(Reporting by Sarah McBride; Editing by Gary Hill and Lincoln Feast)

from (CLICK HERE): REUTERS

Information technology and international trade: resources for the modern exporter

Bryan D. Larson is an International Trade Specialist at the Trade Information Center, located in the Office of Export Promotion Coordination at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Trade Information Center is a central access point for information on all federal export assistance programs. Bryan can be reached at 1-800-872-8723 (1-800-USA-TRADE) or through the Internet at Bryan_Larson@ita. doc.gov

Information technology is rapidly changing the nature of international trade. Today, technological innovation is required to satisfy customers' demands for lower prices, faster delivery, and higher quality products and services. These demands, coupled with a globally competitive environment, place a great deal of pressure on the profit margins of manufacturers, service providers, and export trading companies alike. To survive in this environment, businesses must effectively use technology to ensure that they can tap into the right information and act on it quickly.

This article focuses on a handful of the many information and communication technologies that can increase your export potential. International Trade Specialists at the Trade Information Center (TIC) can provide more comprehensive information on these and other public- and private-sector electronic resources. You can reach the TIC at 1-800-872-8723 (1-800-USA-TRADE).

Internet

According to Mark Baker, an Internet homepage designer at the International Trade Administration (ITA), "While there is a wide gulf between the hype and reality of what the Internet can deliver, it is rapidly becoming a useful tool in international trade." Through the Internet, businesses are now able to find suppliers and buyers, conduct valuable market research, and post information on their products and services. At an even more sophisticated level, exporters can now use the Internet to do everything from submitting documentation to booking a container on a ship. So many businesses are using the Internet that the TIC publishes an Internet Resource Guide of international trade sites. Call the TIC to get a free copy.

For sources of international market research, you can take advantage of many government and private-sector Internet sites. For example, STAT-USA Internet@ (http://wwwstatusa.gov) is the most comprehensive source of international trade information available from the U.S. Government. STAT-USA Internet includes access to market research reports, Country Commercial Guides, Trade Opportunity Leads, the Export Yellow Pages, import and export statistics, and literally hundreds of other programs. The subscription cost is a bargain at $50 per quarter or $150 per year. In addition, the International Trade Administration homepage (http:hwww.ita.doc.gov) provides a wealth of information and links to other international trade sites through its Tradebase section.

Another useful Internet site is Trade Point USA's I-TRADE (http://www.tpusa.com) homepage. A member of the United Nations' Global Trade Point Network, Trade Point USA brings together trade information from public and private sources, much of which is not available elsewhere on the Internet. Businesses can also use I-TRADE to find directories and referral services to help them obtain trade finance and other trade-related services. While some of I-TRADE's services are fee-based, many are available for no charge.

A notable private-sector Internet site is Trade Compass (http://www.tradecompass.com). Operated by Horizons Trading, Trade Compass is one of the most innovative international trade sites on the Internet. Registration is free, and the offerings include trade leads, international business news, trade show listings, a searchable directory of freight forwarders, conferences, links to other international trade homepages, and much more. One particularly interesting feature of Trade Compass is its Logistics Management System, through which you can search shipping schedules, submit export documentation, and soon book a container and retrieve tariff information.

Electronic Bulletin Boards And Closed Systems

The openness and semi-chaotic structure of the Internet can be overwhelming. Fortunately, businesses can take advantage of more controlled closed systems. For example, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Bulletin Board (EBB) allows users to search through Trade Opportunity Leads released every business day. The EBB is also a source for statistical releases from a variety of government agencies such as the Bureau of Census, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Federal Reserve Board. The subscription fee for the EBB is $45 per year plus on-line connect charges.

In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is now marketing the International Business Exchange Network (IBEX), a new system to help exporters find, qualify, and negotiate with business partners worldwide via personal computers. IBEX also gives users access to a wide range of services and market research from both the private and public sectors. Registration for IBEX costs $250. Call 1-800-537-IBEX for more information.

On-line services such as Compuserve, America Online, and Prodigy also offer access to a wide range of business databases and professional forums. On Compuserve, for example, members can join the International Trade Forum to conduct research in the trade library, ask for and contribute advice, and post and retrieve trade opportunities. The TIC also offers on-line export counseling on the International Trade Forum as part of a trial to increase access to U.S. Government information. Call the TIC for more information.

Software and Data Products

Hundreds of export-related software products and databases are on the market. Some categories include tariff information, export accounting software, documentation software, duty drawback software, contact directories, trade' statistics, market information, and export control software. While there are far too many products to list in this article, specialists at the TIC can provide advice and contact information.

For international market information and trade statistics, the National Trade Data Bank[R] on CD-ROM is the most comprehensive source. The cost is $59 per month or $575 per year. Other excellent resources include the Export and Import Trade Database, which includes very detailed export and import statistics, and the International Data Base, which includes up-to-date global demographic and social information. Both CD-ROMs available from the Bureau of the Census. Finally, the United Nations Statistical Division can provide import and export data from more than 100 countries. Call the TIC for more information on any of these products. While few software products are on the market to help you determine duty rates, this situation is rapidly changing. For example, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tariff Database Pilot provides tariff-related information from the 18 APEC member countries. This useful CD-ROM is available from STAT-LFSA for $250. Call the TIC for more information on this and other tariff software products.

Fax Retrieval Systems

If your business hasn't fully entered the information age, all is not lost if you have a fax machine. By calling the TIC's free 24-hour fax retrieval system, the Global Export Information Service, you can order information on export programs, federal and state trade contacts, and the GATT and Uruguay Round agreements. In addition, you can retrieve country-specific information provided by regional offices at the ITA. Simply dial 1-800-872-8723 (1-800-USA-TRADE) and select option one to enter the fax retrieval system. Businesses can receive the U.S. Department of Commerce's Trade Opportunity Leads through STAT-USA Fax. The system also includes access to a variety of other useful documents. Guests can call (202) 482-0005 from their fax machine and order document number 800 for instructions on using the systems and a menu. The subscription fee is $29.95 per quarter.

For financing information, the Ex-Im Bank operates the Export Financing Hotline. The fax retrieval system can be reached at 1-800-565-EXIM. It includes information on Ex-Im Bank program policies, fees, and press releases.

Another useful source of information is the U.S. Department of State's Overseas Business Services fax retrieval and bulletin board system. It contains very useful information on travel advisories, visas, medical facilities abroad, currency activity, customs regulations, and embassy locations. Call 202-647-3000 to use the system. There is no better time than the present to use information technology to increase your international competitiveness. In the information age, those who fail to move swiftly to harness the powerful technological tools at their disposal risk losing customers to more innovative competitors.

The Trade Information Center is here to provide expert export assistance on this and a wide range of other topics.

COPYRIGHT 1996 U.S. Government Printing Office

COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning 

from (CLICK BNET): BNET

author: BRYAN D. LARSON

Building Competitive Knowledge In IT Services

Communication nowadays is amazing with Information Technology, as the farthest seems nearest by simply clicking a mouse or pushing keypads. As we are living in the new age of technology, we would in fact say that, yes, life would be easier with IT. And as it gets more advanced, the more complicated it becomes especially in today’s business. Thus, continuous education, trainings, or seminars are essential. But proper management is needed when the IT and services are combined in terms of delivering services to the end users.

CDP ITSM FOR MSC ICT
Various development programmes sprout together with the objective to adopt global best practices and process improvement. In Malaysia, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) designs a development programme to “nurture and develop the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia Status companies’ capabilities to ensure global competitiveness” with its Capability Development Programme (CDP). One of the programmes supporting Malaysian ICT organisations to successfully implement Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) is the CDP ITSM.

The programme creates awareness on the need and value of ITSM best practices and standards and encourages the adoption of ISO 20000 certification through dialogues and workshops that are offered all year round.

“This is important when a company wants to take their business globally; among the differentiator in the buyers’ mind would be the company’s capability. This includes the company’s products and service delivery. ITSM is important to enhance the service delivery of the company,” says MDeC Head of Capability Development Department Dr Karl Ng.

The programme is designed with the combination of proven methodologies and process management frameworks for quality IT service delivery for both internal and external clients. Though the programme is only available in Malaysia for MSC ICT, MDeC shares its experience and knowledge with other countries to get on the similar initiatives.

Instead of technology-focused approach like a typical IT service system, ITSM uses best practice to align the delivery of IT services according to the needs of the organisation and to provide benefits to customers. And the creation of CDP ITSM aims to create a greater momentum of industry norms based on ITIL-ITSM guidelines; improve and enhance quality level of service for MSC Malaysia Status companies toward their clients; enhance quality and standard within the organisation that is formal, clear, and auditable, and increase competitiveness and IT service delivery to satisfy the customers’ needs in a global scale.

Companies and individuals benefit from the three phases of the programme: awareness, pre-adoption, and adoption phases.

THREE PHASES OF CDP ITSM
All companies and individuals involved in ICT could attend awareness phase. This is the stage wherein they will be exposed to ITSM and the benefits of being ISO 20000 certified. There are a series of dialogues in a year that experts share their thoughts with the participants. Service Desk Institute (SDI) Founder and Chairman Howard Kendell, Pink Elephant Executive Vice President and co-author of ITIL V3’s Continual Service Improvement George Spalding, SDI Europe Commercial Director Tessa Troubriddge, and itSMF Malaysian Chapter President Michael Kum became part of these efforts.

In pre-adoption phase, only MSC Malaysia status companies could participate. One of the notable workshops ran in 2009 was the “Apollo 13 Simulation – An ITSM Case Experience”. It was an experiential learning workshop where participants were exposed to IT Governance using simulation game. This was in partnership with Deloitte Malaysia, a consulting firm.

“The Apollo 13 workshop is designed to help participants experience and apply IT governance concepts and processes in an exciting and interactive scenario based on real-life events,” Ng shares.

Reimbursement of 50% or maximum RM50,000 (US$14,850) of total programme cost, whichever is lower, benefits MSC status companies at the adoption phase. MDeC offers incentive in promoting full adoption of ISO 20000 certification.

Programme cost depends on the size of the company, branches or locations that needs certification, processes available in the company, and internal and external consultants. On top of Return of Investment (ROI), investing in the programme results better customer satisfaction, growth in repeat-businesses, and also greater interest from potential clients.

Two of the companies that enjoy the benefits of CDP ITSM are Pentasoft Malaysia Sdn Bhd and iPerintis Sdn Bhd. Software firm Pentasoft secured its ISO 20000 certification on Dec 2008 and have achieved customer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) up to 95% and reduced cost of network to about RM200,000 (US$59,350) annually.

The certification has heightened Pentasoft’s competitive edge in international setup with huge financial strength gaining estimated revenue of over RM14 million (US$4.2 million).

iPerintis is still completing their ISO 20000 certification, which they will need in order to expand their business of providing end-to-end ICT solutions that are tailored according to the need of their international and local clientele.

Participating in CDP ITSM gives companies more edge to obtain ISO 20000. Apart from CDP ITSM, MDeC also offers the IT Infrastructure Library or ITIL for individual certification. The programme focuses on bringing up the competency of knowledge workers in the MSC Malaysia community.

13/5 PROCESS
“Organisations are often greatly dependent on their IT services and expect (the IT services) not only to support the organisation, but also to present new options to implement the objectives of the organisation. Furthermore, the high expectations of customers of IT services tend to change significantly over time and require constant review. Providers of IT services can no longer afford to focus on technology and their internal organisations as they now have to consider the quality of the services they provide and focus on the relationship with their customers,” Ng stresses.

It is hard to gauge services in advance unless already delivered to the customer. Communication measures the quality of service a service provider gives to its customers. It also builds relationship. Thus, the 13 key process areas in delivering services help the organisation to provide quality IT service.

The 13 key process areas are classified into five groups: service delivery, relationship process, resolution process, release management, and control panel, which have been defined by MDeC according to their purpose.

Organisation may gain knowledge in designing services based on customer requirement and managing the services levels at all times under service delivery process as described by MDeC. These processes exhibit a strong IT environment, which can assure quality services and effective financial management of services. Key process areas under this group are service level management, service reporting, service continuity and availability management, budgeting and accounting for IT services, capacity management, and information security management.

Handling customer complaints is not a piece of cake. But knowing how to maintain and improve customer and supplier relationships could build up a good relationship. As it is defined, business relationship management and supplier management belong to this process group.

Resolution process is managing the day-to-day events, issues, and incidents or simply the incident management and problem management areas. When problems or errors arise, by applying the ITSM resolution process, resolving the matter could satisfy or even exceed the committed service levels of the service provider.

Release management process group, meanwhile, helps organisation in planning and rolling out of service and related items to avoid affecting existing services. Control process, on the other hand, is defined as the standalone process, which has configuration and change management key process areas that help absorb high rate of change since it supports in managing the assets effectively and providing visibility of the status of the assets.

MDeC ON CDP ITSM
The Malaysian government’s dream is to “transform the nation into a knowledge- based economy driven society” and as it supports MSC Malaysia since it was established in 1996, MSC Malaysia joins the government in this vision through ICT industry and capacity-building and socio-economic development. Thus, CDP was created to help achieve government’s mission.

To participate in CDP ITSM, companies must be 51% Malaysian owned; have staff strength of more than 20 full-time staff; have more than RM1 million (US$296,650) annual turnover; willing to commit resources (financial and human capital) to complete the whole programme; participate in activities undertaken by MDeC in relation to talks, seminars, etc.; be MSC Malaysia Status Company, and an ISO 9000 and Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification are value-added.

As such, CDP ITSM becomes a great opportunity for ICT Malaysian companies to develop their knowledge in technology with best practices and processes that give them a better chance to provide quality services.

Source: Management Systems’ Magazine

from (CLICK MSC MALAYSIA): MSC MALAYSIA

author: JAZZ E. HOMO

Malaysian ICT to grow as economy recovers, says minister

Malaysia’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector could grow by 7% if economic recovery and business confidence continues, says Malaysia’s Science, Technology and Information Minister Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili. ICT contributed as much as RM48 billion (US$15.8 billion) or 10% of Malaysia’s GDP in 2007, but only RM40 billion ($13.2 billion) last year.

Before the financial crisis ICT in Malaysia had been projected to grow 10% per year, one of Asia’s fastest, he said.

Ongkili made his comments at Mimos, a major R&D center for ‘frontier technologies’ and advisor to the Malaysian government, which focuses on technology that can be commercialized for growth. Mimos yesterday held a ceremony to transfer technology platforms to three local companies to be developed for market by the private sector: Jaring Communications Sdn Bhd, Mutiara.com and Smart Computing Sdn Bhd.

Six other Malaysian companies also signed deals to licence and develop Mimos’ technology: Disability Solutions Sdn Bhd, Alam Teknokrat Sdn Bhd, Innovision Business Solutions Sdn Bhd, Phytofolia Sdn Bhd, Quantum Beez Sdn Bhd and Fabtronic Sdn Bhd.

131 ‘WiFi Villages’ for Sandakan

Meanwhile, in Malaysia’s far eastern city of Sandakan, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it was halfway through a project to provide minimal-charge wireless internet access to 131 area villages, enabling urban and rural populations equal access to online services. MCMC has also distributed 49,800 netbooks to students in Sabah province on Borneo under the 1Malaysia project.

source & articles: The Star online, Mimos

Malaysian ICT professionals get financial support

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 JULY 2008 - Malaysian ICT professionals, pursuing professional certification, can now have most of their examination fees reimbursed by the Malaysian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) agency.

According to the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), the reimbursement scheme is to support professional development in the ICT industry.

MDeC vice president and head of capability development division, Ng Wan Peng, said, “Individuals pursuing professional ICT certifications have been facing higher examination fees because certain certifications require candidates to sit for multiple exams. The new CDP PD reimbursement scheme is designed to significantly reduce the burden on Malaysian ICT professionals when taking up professional certifications as well as to encourage these professionals to pursue multiple certifications.”

Different amounts for different certifications

MDeC says the scheme comes under the MSC Malaysia Capability Development Programme (CDP) Professional Development reimbursement scheme. It applies to local ICT professionals employed by MSC Malaysia Status companies, who have successfully earned technology-based certifications. They can receive reimbursement of 75 per cent of their total exam fees, up to a maximum of RM2,500.00 (US$765).

Those who have earned non-vendor-based certifications would receive reimbursement of 75 per cent of their total exam fees, up to a maximum of RM1,000.00 (US$306) while ICT professionals who complete recognised training programs will receive reimbursement of 50 per cent of their total training cost up to RM1,500.00 (US$459).

This is applicable for MSC Malaysia Status companies that sponsor their Malaysian employees for professional ICT certifications. Employees of the MSC Malaysia Status companies will also qualify to receive the reimbursement if they are participating in the program as individual applicants.

Sponsoring companies can qualify

In addition, MSC Malaysia Status companies that sponsor their Malaysian employees for professional ICT certifications, will also qualify to receive the reimbursement.

Ng said: “The introduction of the new CDP Professional Development programme (CDP PD) is in line with CDP’s ‘Get IT Certified!’ campaign, an initiative to build awareness on capability development.”

MSC Malaysia Status companies would benefit through the lowered cost of upgrading the skills and knowledge of their workforce. “As our ICT professionals become skilled and knowledgeable in a range of fields and technologies we will greatly increase the global competitiveness of the Malaysian ICT industry,” she said.

Through the CDP PD, Malaysian ICT professionals can earn certifications from Cisco, Microsoft, Sun, IBM and EMC among many others. CDP PD aims to encourage Malaysian ICT professionals to take up certification as a means to enhance their skills and knowledge, and to align these skills and knowledge with the current needs of the ICT industry. More information can be found at www.mscmalaysia.my/cdp.

from (CLICK MSC MALAYSIA NEWSCENTRE): MSC MALAYSIA NEWSCENTRE

author: AVANTI KUMAR

Malaysia's ICT to perform better

Coming out strong from the 2009 recession, Malaysia's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is expected to continue to see potential for growth in 2011 through opportunities in both domestic and international market expansion.

SEVERAL INDUSTRY RESEARCH firms forecast that Malaysia's ICT sector is expected to enjoy a better performance this year where growth will be driven by several emerging technological trends.

Research firm IDC notes that IT spending in the country will grow by 9% from US$5.9 billion in 2010 to US$6.5 billion this year. Spending in the telecommunication sector is expected to hit US$7.3 billion in 2011, up 5.3% 2010.

IDC Asean research manager Roger Ling says that the total IT spending for Malaysia, driven mainly by purchases of hardware and packaged software, grew 6% in 2010.

He stresses that the growth in IT spending in 2011 is expected to be driven by factors such as the government's continued efforts to increase the level of broadband penetration, and outsourcing initiatives by organizations looking to address the increased IT complexity.

`Other factors include the continued adoption of system infrastructure software to operate and manage computing resources,' he predicts.

UK-based Business Monitor International (BMI), another leading source of market intelligence encompassing Country Risk, Financial Markets and Industry Research also forecast similar growth for Malaysia's ICT's spending.

In its First Quarter Market Overview released recently, BMI forecasts that Malaysian IT spending is expected to grow to U$5.2bn in 2011, from US$4.8bn in 2010, when the market stablised following the impact of a difficult economic and political situation.

The report says that the market should be boosted by ICT- friendly 2011 budget measures and growing interest in cloud computing, but much will depend on confidence in a sustainable economic recovery.

There will be increasingly attractive opportunities in the IT services area as the government implements measures to make Malaysia a regional services hub. The government has a number of initiatives with favourable implications for demand for IT products and services, including computers for education programmes.

The market has strong growth fundamentals and key sectors will include government, telecoms and finance, including Islamic banking. The National Broadband Initiative also has the potential to boost demand across all IT market segments.

 In addition, the report points out that the Industry Development Malaysia's 2011 budget contained a number of measures to boost the IT industry and help stimulate ICT adoption in the country. Key measures included a two-year extension on import tax and sales tax exemption on broadband equipment, and the establishment of the MY Creative Content programme to encourage the development of local content. The tax exemption should stimulate the purchase of various types of connectivity devices, including notebook PCs.

Malaysia named cloud computing as the most important of its top 10 strategic technology priorities for 2010. The government hopes that adoption of cloud computing, building on the National Broadband Initiative, could accelerate Malaysia's development into an advanced economy.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

The Malaysia's ICT marketplace promises to be a profitable ground for many vendors as well.

For example, over the next three years, from 2010-2012, notebook market leader Acer has targeted double-digit growth as the economy recovers from recession. The company is also focused on improving its share in the professional segment, where it has only around a 10% share, compared with 18% worldwide. Acer's aim is to double its share of the Malaysian commercial PC market within the next one to two years.

Growing investment in data centres and ICT infrastructure have helped to drive interest in cloud computing business models, which are now being actively promoted by vendors in the Malaysia market.

In July 2010, IBM said that it would build an `animation cloud' for the government-based Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC). The cloud will provide online computing resources for Malaysian designers and graphic artists.

Another exciting focus for Microsoft and other software vendors is to make products more affordable to the key small and medium- sized enterprises (SME) segment. In 2010, Microsoft said that it planned to accelerate cloud computing solutions for Malaysian SMEs as this model is regarded as having high potential for its partners. In the first quarter of its FY10/11, India-based Ramco Systems launched a campaign to sign deals with channel partners in Malaysia to offer enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions to local companies.

COMPUTER SALES

BMI forecasts that the Malaysian computer hardware market, including notebooks and peripherals, will have a value of US$2.8bn in 2011, up from US$2.6bn in 2010. PC sales will be supported by the government's push for greater broadband penetration, for which an optimistic target of 75% by 2011 has been set.

Other factors include ICT in education programmes and a number of e- government initiatives. The government is determined to tackle the digital gap beyond the Klang Valley and is rolling out an extensive network of community PC centres. One of the target groups of the plan is middle- income potential computer owners who have the ability to afford a PC. Such initiatives, alongside falling prices, are opening up the market to lower income tiers.

Malaysia's addressable software market is expected to grow to US$857mil in 2011, consolidating a recovery in 2010 but businesses remain cautious and focused on ROI. By 2015, software spending is expected to rise healthily to US$1.3bil, with a software CAGR for 2011-2015 in the region of 11%.

E-business applications such as ERP and finance are finding increasing popularity in the business market as enterprises look to enhance productivity through automating accounting and other functions. Customer relationship management (CRM) is expected to be a double-digit growth opportunity despite the economic downturn. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) has achieved double-digit regional growth in Malaysia in the past couple of years but is still an early- stage market.

IT SERVICES

IT services spending, excluding telecommunications-related spending, is forecast to reach a value of US$1.6bn in 2011. After services was a bright spot for the IT market in 2010, remaining in positive growth territory. Over BMI's five-year forecast period, the most potential for large projects is in sectors such as financial services, oil and gas, telecoms and agriculture.

The government has accounted for about 15% of IT spending in recent years. The upgrade of core banking systems will drive bank spending on application services. The government also continues to try and create a more competitive environment in the telecoms sector, encouraging newly licensed WiMAX operators to roll out services.

E-Readiness Malaysia is developing most `e-society' indicators at a steady rate. The government is pursuing programmes to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas, with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development cooperating with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the national IT industry association on plans to establish more community PC centres in the country this year. Nearly 2,000 centres are already managed by the Economic Planning Unit.

Copyright 2011

Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved. 

from CLICK BNET: BNET 

author: MIOR AZHAR

Malaysia: ICT education for a “creative society”

Malaysia Higher Education Ministry is studying how to develop a creative and innovative Malaysian society through human capital development. 

The ministry is planning to work with Microsoft in unearthing creative and innovative students of tertiary institutions in the area of ICT and with Shell Malaysia in energy saving.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the study to produce creative, innovative human capital was started last year by the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS), Universiti Teknologi Mara and Malaysian Design Council. This study will be looking at programmes by government agencies that could contribute to the creation of “innovative human capital”.

“We hope when the study is completed, expected this year, we will be able to draw up a national blueprint in this context,” he said. “Malaysia wants to move away from a resource-based economy to one generated by innovations with the existence of an innovative society, which will indicate that the country has reached developed-nation status,” he said.

Nordin said creativity and innovations were vital for a country and studies had shown that technological innovations contributed to higher productivity, Gross Domestic Product, economic growth and improved standard of living. 

from (CLICK ASIA PACIFIC FUTURE GOV): ASIA PACIFIC FUTURE GOV 

author: Alice Kok