For the record 3 August

03-08-2006

by Charlie Taylor

IBM acquires MRO Software for USD740 million | Podcast interview with Pat Rabbitte goes live

Over 70 percent of new automobiles produced in the US for 2007 will offer iPod connectivity. Ford and General Motors are to begin offering iPod integration in the majority of their 2007 models in the US beginning later this year, while Mazda's entire global 2007 line-up of cars and SUVs will offer iPod connectivity. Drivers will be able to use their vehicle's multifunction controls to select music using artist, album, playlist or shuffle songs, as well as to easily skip between tracks and playlists. Moreover, users will be able to charge their music players in-car and store them in their car's glove compartment.

Data storage equipment maker EMC has been ranked as the number one content management software vendor in the world based on software market revenue for 2005. A new IDC report said that EMC "provides all of the key capabilities of a complete content management suite from the management of documents, to web content, digital assets, images and records."

IBM has announced that it is acquiring MRO Software in an all-cash transaction worth USD740 million, or USD25.80 per share. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2006. MRO is a provider of asset and service management software and services. The firm reported revenues of USD199.2 million for the fiscal year ending 30 September 2005 and its clients include Heineken, NASA, GM and Ford. Following completion of the acquisition, IBM intends to establish MRO's operations as a business unit within its Tivoli software unit.

According to a new report from Irish research firm iReach, enterprises spent more than EUR5 billion worldwide on new CRM software licences in 2005. The high investment level was driven by pressure on organisations to create differentiated customer experiences in order to distinguish themselves from competitors, the company said. In addition, iReach claim that more firms in Ireland are beginning to use CRM software.

A podcast interview with Labour leader Pat Rabbitte went live on Thursday on the IrishElection.com website. The podcast is believed to be the first by a leader of a major political party in Ireland.

Seventy-seven percent of women would prefer a plasma TV to a diamond necklace, according to a new survey commissioned by women-centric cable TV network Oxygen Media. The survey revealed that women are increasingly buying technology gadgets and are comfortable using them. On average, women were found to own 6.6 technology gadgets, while men owned 6.9. Four out of every five women said they were comfortable using technology.