IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 21 December
21-12-2009
by Sylvia Leatham
Graduates get Microsoft work placements | Cork Science park moves closer
The Irish Times reports that 20 graduates of technology or teacher-training courses are to get work placements in Microsoft Ireland. As part of a deal signed by Minister for Education and Science Batt O'Keeffe, the graduates, who will be based in Microsoft Ireland headquarters in Dublin, will work with the National Centre for Technology in Education to develop digital content to support the curriculum in primary and post-primary schools. They will be employed under the Government's graduate back- to-work programme, which allows people to retain their social welfare entitlements.
The Irish Examiner reports that plans for Ireland's first Science Innovation and Technology Park at Curraheen, Cork, have come a step closer with the appointment of an advisory board. The board will be led by Leslie Buckley, chairman of Saon, and includes some of the country's best known businessmen, academics and public servants. Up to 5,900 jobs could be created when the park is fully functioning and the project is likely to contribute EUR450 million to the economy. Phase one of the development is expected to completed in early 2012.
The Wall Street Journal says that China Telecom has become the second Chinese mobile operator to sign a deal with Research In Motion to offer Blackberry devices to its customers. China Mobile is already offering the device. China Telecom spokesman Jacky Yung said the company is working out the practical arrangements with RIM but it doesn't have a timetable yet for when it will start offering the devices. He also said the company is still in talks with Palm to offer its handsets.
The paper also says that Barnes & Noble has informed US customers who pre-ordered the Nook that if the e-reader does not arrive by 24 December, they will get an online USD100 gift certificate. The Nook, which is sold out for Christmas, costs USD259. Barnes & Noble spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating said "there may be a very small percentage of customers who may not receive" their Nooks in time for Christmas.
According to the Financial Times, BT is accelerating the rollout of its superfast broadband network in the UK to ensure the infrastructure is completed in time for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. BT is planning to spend STG1.5 billion on a new broadband network based on optical fibre, but it will run past only 40 percent of homes, mainly in towns and cities. BT said last year it could take until March 2013 to build the network, but, following successful trials, it now intends to finish it by June 2012. The Olympics start in July 2012.
According to the Sunday Tribune, two climate change websites have been "effectively jettisoned" by the Government because of the cost of maintaining them. The Change.ie and the Power of One websites cost at least EUR670,000 to create and maintain. The contracts for both have been ended, with the contract for the Change campaign cancelled at the end of October this year. Its content has been transferred to the climate change section of www.enfo.ie. The contract for the Power of One campaign was not renewed in December 2008, and responsibility for these promotions has been transferred to Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI).
The Sunday Business Post writes that gross profits at travel software firm Openjaw rose last year, but the firm recorded a EUR1.5 million net loss due to writing off an investment in subsidiary Traventec. The firm's accounts showed gross profit grew from EUR2.5 million to EUR2.6 million in the year ending 31 December 2008 and net profit was EUR788,000 year. The company's accumulated profits now stand at EUR2.2 million.
The same paper says that Dublin software company Zarion saw revenues grow 24 percent last year, with turnover rising to EUR6 million in the year ending 31 December 2008. However, the firm booked a EUR644,000 loss for the year, bringing accumulated losses to EUR3.4 million. The firm said the banking crisis forced it to shift its business model, focusing on smaller deals with recurring revenues. Profitability at the firm has improved, as has cash flow, the company said.
The paper also says that technology companies selling into the domestic market are facing challenging trading conditions next year, with a new survey predicting most companies will be tightening IT budgets. The Deloitte study, which spoke to Irish chief information officers, said that almost 60 percent are anticipating a 20 percent reduction in IT budgets during 2010. Six percent are expecting bigger cuts, while only 22 percent see the budget increasing. Cost-cutting measures could include reducing staff, according to 46 percent of respondents. More than 75 percent of IT departments are not seen as a strategic partner in businesses, and almost half – 44 percent – said the alignment between IT and business divisions was only poor or fair.
The Sunday Business Post also reports on a EUR65,000 loss for XML network management specialist Vordel. The loss is a reversal of fortunes for the firm, which made a EUR772,000 net profit the previous year. The loss takes the firm's accumulated losses to EUR11.5 million. During 2009, a number of new business wins were announced, including new business with several US government departments and a partnership agreement with US firm NikSoft Systems.
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