KERALAMONITOR.COM November 9, 2002. Join the Cyber Motor Club Scintilla, Monaco in Exclusive Diamond Deals with UAE Partners -McAfee launches new range of anti-virus software solutions to protect Gulf businesses from cyber threats News from NORKA -- Pension for NRK's from January 2003 and More NRK News -Radisson SAS opens Second Egyptian Resort -Visa Division at DNRD becomes first Immigration Department in the world to get the ISO certification from Lloyds Register-IBM to Make 'Self-Managing' and 'Self-Healing' PCs- 10-Year Old UAE Boy Donates Prize money to the Palestinian Cause National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination Pension scheme for Unorganised Workers NASSCOM opens its third regional office in Hyderabad Mahajan launches Idea Cellular Service Microsoft felicitates 33 Indians with its Most Valuable Professionals for 2003!
Alert about Growing Explosions in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh -- November 9, 2002. nine bombs have exploded in Riyadh and Al Khobar since November 2000. The most recent bomb in Riyadh on 29 September killed a German national. Four others have been killed, including two British nationals and one American national. The explosions have varied: some were car bombs; one was a parcel bomb; others exploded in shopping areas. Given these events, British residents in Saudi Arabia have been given specific guidance on their personal and vehicle security. Full Report
UN study marks South Africa as the regional drug trafficking
hubThe country also earned the dubious honour of being upgraded by British
officials as the most significant source of cannabis smuggled into the
United Kingdom. Interpol listed it as one of the world's top four
source countries for the illegal herb..Full Report and more NewsThe attack on Iraq has been long planned. There just hasn't
been an excuse for it. Since George H.W. Bush didn't unseat Saddam in
1991, there's been a longing among the extreme right in the United
States to finish the job. The war on terrorism has given them that
opportunity. Even though the logic is convoluted and fraudulent, it
appears they are going to go ahead and finish the job.Nigeria First Shari'ah flogging in the south LAGOS, November (IRIN) - A 29 year-old man became the first person in southern Nigeria to be punished under Islamic law when he was given 100 lashes on Thursday for indulging in pre-marital sex. Suleiman Shittu was flogged before a crowd of hundreds in front of the main mosque in the southwestern town of Ibadan, Oyo State, which has a large Muslim population. Full Report
Railway Minister Announces New Ex-Gratia to Accident Victims.
New Delhi - November 8, 2002. The Railway Minister Nitish Kumar has, as a special case, ordered to pay an enhanced amount as ex-gratia to the victim of the Chhapra Train accident. Accordingly, Rs. One lakh will be given in case of death, Rs.15,000/- in case of grievious injury and Rs.2000/- in case of simple injury. In normal situation, ex-gratia payments of Rs. 15,000/-, Rs.5000/- and Rs.500/- respectively are made to the victims.
Meanwhile, the affected section was cleared for traffic yesterday itself. Commissioner of Railway Safety (Northeast Circle), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India begins inquiry into the accident on 9th November,2002 at Chhapra.One person was killed when the 5210 Amritsar - Barauni Jansewa Express was hit by the 5224 Gwalior - Barauni Mail from behind near Chhapra Railway station on Gorakhpur - Chhapra section of Varanasi Division of Northeastern Railway yesterday in Bihar. Five persons have received grievious injuries. Massive relief and rescue operation was completed at the accident site under the supervision of Senior Railway and Civil Officials.
The Railway Authorities also suspended six railway personnel yesterday including three officers in connection with the accident. They are : Asstt. Mechanical Engineer (Power) of Varanasi Division; Area Officer, Chhapra; Loco Inspector, Chhapra; Driver, Asstt. Driver and Guard of Gwalior - Barauni Mail--keralamonitor.com
US planning to set up anti-terror base in Africa
The US is planning to set up an anti-terrorist headquarters in the Horn of Africa, the US embassy in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, has confirmed. Some 400 troops are to be sent in to Djibouti to set up the HQ. The Horn of Africa has increasingly become a focus in the American global war on terror and its hunt for suspected Al-Qaeda members and their sympathisers. At present there are some 800 US army and Special Forces troops already stationed in Djibouti. But the embassy said that the troops could "stage attacks against fighters of Al-Qaeda who are believed to be hiding throughout the region". The new base is expected to operate from a naval command ship off the coast, but may then move onshore. It is also expected to work with "friendly nations" in the region to help in the fight against global terrorism.
Scintilla, Monaco in Exclusive Diamond Deals with UAE Partners
Dubai - Monaco based Scintilla, producers of premium diamond jewellery using 'fancy' shapes, revealed the names of the exclusive distributors of its world class diamond jewellery range in the UAE. The distributors are: Al-Futtaim Jewellery, Dubai, Al-Sayegh Jewellery, Abu Dhabi, Al-Liali Jewellery, Dubai, Ajyad Jewellery, Dubai, Mohd. Rasool Khoory & Sons, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Prima Diamond, Dubai, Safari Gems, Dubai, and Thamina Jewellery, Dubai.
Franco de Marco, Executive-Marketing Europe - Scintilla echoed these sentiments, "We are extremely proud to introduce Scintilla to the Middle East, thus bringing the very best from Europe, to the discerning jewellery customers of the Middle East." Scintilla gets its diamonds from a member of the privileged club of Sight Holders - a house that gets its rough diamonds directly from The Diamond Trading Company of London, the premier source of diamonds worldwide. Scintilla diamonds are all constructed to ideal form and proportion at the hands of extraordinary craftsmen in Antwerp, Belgium - the diamond capital of the world.
Najmudin Sadek, Director, Scintilla-Middle East, expressed his joy at Scintilla's entrance into the UAE market. "This is a very exciting project for Scintilla, which has only been made possible with the great support that the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) has shown us. We would also like to express sincere thanks to our retailer-partners who have been very encouraging, and have contributed a lot to the whole marketing thrust. All-in-all this has allowed us to bring, what we think is the most consumer friendly and retailer oriented diamond jewellery branded program to this region."
Scintilla is striving to increase business relations between the G.C.C. and Monaco through its fine jewellery, using Dubai as a hub to the region. Jewellery spend in the Gulf region has been steadily climbing over the past few years and has now reached approximately $1.4 billion, making it the fourth largest market in the World in terms of polished diamond consumption. The UAE's market share amounts to $300 million - with the total Gulf market steadily growing at a healthy rate of 3 to 5 per cent per annum. The UAE deal means premium Scintilla collections now available in the region include, the five unique style categories: Fiore, Oro, Filo, Moderno, Piccolo.
The UAE will be the first Middle East market to receive its latest jewellery range that features a new security feature in the form of "table-branding". This concept, pioneered by Scintilla, involves using the latest Ion Beam technology. This advanced form of branding is the first-of-its-kind in the World to be used on jewellery. This allows the experts to authenticate the diamonds, under magnification, even while the stone is mounted - which is not usually the case with most other branding technology.
All major Gemmological Institutions agree that the Ion Beam technology that brands the Scintilla logo on the table of the diamond, adds brand-value to the stone as well as the security features it serves. All Scintilla jewellery have diamonds that have been branded, using this revolutionary technology.Gareth Penny, Executive Director, Diamond Trading Company(DTC), London said, "The DTC did, and will, maintain its traditional role of supporting the industry with its marketing campaigns around the world - creating "Marketing Waves" that keep diamonds in the public's mind creating new product trends and exploiting new consumer segments."
Since Scintilla believes in a policy of total quality, stringent quality control methods are employed on all pieces of the brand's jewellery. Every piece of Scintilla jewellery is then sent to the International Gemmological Institute, Belgium for independent certification that is recognized worldwide - after which it is delivered to the Scintilla approved retail outlets.
Scintilla earned wide acclaim during the Dubai International Jewellery Show in April 2002, and has also exhibited very successfully at fairs in Vicenza, Italy; and Basle, Switzerland. After gaining international recognition and appreciation for its intricate craftsmanship, Scintilla is now available in the Middle East, through its selected retailers in the UAE.
The recent launch at Dubai's Burj Al Arab hotel, included chief executives of trade and commerce organizations of Dubai; members of diplomatic corps from the European Union; delegates from CIBJO - the World Jewellery Confederation; members of the Board of Directors of the DTC, London; chiefs of jewellers associations in the Middle East; heads of Gemmological Institutes; key regional and international bankers and Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Monaco.-keralamonitor.com
McAfee launches new range of anti-virus software solutions to protect Gulf businesses from cyber threats Dubai - McAfee, the market leader in anti-virus and privacy protection software solutions, has introduced a new range of anti-virus systems that offers much needed protection for the personal, home office and small business computing market to meet the rising demand for effective IT security systems in the Gulf. The announcement was made during a press conference held yesterday (Sunday November3, 2002) in Dubai.
McAfee's newly launched security software has been enhanced to incorporate more versatile and powerful features to ensure that customers get the highest levels of security protection. McAfee is a division of Network Associates, Inc., the market leader in corporate anti-virus software solutions, which opened a regional office in the Middle East at the Dubai Internet City, earlier this year. "The Middle East is among the markets that are highly vulnerable to malicious viruses and hacking due to relatively lower awareness levels and a more recent exposure to IT," said Mr. AbdulRahman Gorashi, Channel and Distribution Manager Middle East, Network Associates. "Viruses can have a highly damaging effect on businesses in terms of profits, productivity and loss of data, with financial
losses touching millions of dollars. Hacking threatens the security of every organization, exposing it to serious dangers. This underlines the need to install proven anti-virus solutions that make a real difference in the current IT-centric business scenario," he added."As IT keeps making rapid strides, cyber attacks on corporate networks are becoming more vicious and sophisticated," said Gorashi. "McAfee, as the acknowledged leader in corporate anti-virus software solutions, is fully equipped to provide world-class solutions to protect businesses from all types of viruses and hackings. McAfee now brings to the region best-of-breed solutions that offer solid virus protection for today's demanding e-business environments." The updated product range of McAfee solutions recently launched in the Middle East includes McAfee VirusScan Home Edition 7.0, VirusScan Professional 7.0, McAfee Firewall 4.0, McAfee QuickClean 3.0 and McAfee Internet Security
5.0. "These enhanced anti-virus and privacy protection solutions contain comprehensive safeguards to meet the requirements of every computer user, whether he is a novice or an IT wizard. McAfee's expertise in the field is backed by usability and quality testing and each solution is created to offer the highest satisfaction from installation to use," added Gorashi. The new product line features an enhanced version of VirusScan Home 7.0 incorporates software with HAWK functionality, which supports Outlook Express, Eudora and other SMTP email, apart from providing superior virus detection and removal capabilities and a built-in firewall.VirusScan Professional 7.0 offers additional features such as QuickClean Lite, a "one click" method to clean and free up file and disk space, secure data shredding for ultimate privacy protection and advanced wireless scanning for Palm OS and synchronization scanning for other PDA platforms.
McAfee Firewall 4.0 provides increased protection critical for users with "always on" Internet connections. It is capable of tracing hackers so that users can report suspicious activity to their Internet Service Provider. McAfee QuickClean 3.0 now features spyware detection to enhance privacy
by rooting out snooper programs that attempt to track customer's Web surfing habits. Improved
Application Remnant Cleaner (ARC) maintains a healthy PC by expertly removing remaining files and folders. McAfee Internet Security 5.0 offers stealth program detection as well as newsgroup and web bug filtering enhancements. The improved award-winning parental control feature ensures family safety and privacy while surfing online. It also incorporates leading edge anti-virus and firewall protection.
About McAfee Security Consumer Division McAfee Security Consumer division is a business unit of Network Associates, Incorporated. McAfee solutions are designed to secure, protect and optimize desktop computers for the consumer, SOHO, and SMB marketplace. McAfee Security Consumer
division's advanced desktop technologies include the premier anti-virus, security, encryption,
and desktop optimization software. For more information about McAfee products, please visit
http://www.mcafee-at-home.com.
About Network Associates Inc.Network Associates, Inc. is a leading supplier of network security and availability solutions. Network Associates is comprised of three product groups: McAfee Security, delivering world-class anti-virus and security products; Sniffer Technologies, a leader in network availability and system security; and Magic Solutions, a leader in innovative service management solutions.-keralamonitor.com
News from NORKA -- Pension for NRK's from January 2003
The contributory pension scheme for expatriates envisaged by NORKA with Life Insurance Corporation will be launched in January 2003, the NORKA Minister, Mr.M.M.Hassan, has said. Addressing the Kerala Pravasi Sanghom convention in Kozhikode on October 19, Mr.Hassan said that the pension scheme would be beneficial to the non resident keralites. The State Government has urged the Union Government to amend the Representation of People's Act to give voting rights to NRIs and set up consulates of foreign nations in Kerala. The Sultanate of Oman has shown interest in establishing a consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, he said.
Pravasi Swasraya- A Social Security Scheme for NRKs Government of Kerala have declared a new social security scheme for NRKs in association with LIC of India. In G.O (MS) No.4/2002/NORKA dated 26.10.2002 Government have issued the following orders. 1. The social security scheme, with an assured monthly return to the members, to be implemented jointly by GOK and LIC of India, will be named as PRAVASI SWASRAYA.2. 'ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative', the company to be incorporated in place of NORKWA, will be the corporate agency for implementing the scheme on behalf of the Government of Kerala. 3. 'ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative' will be permitted to receive the agency commission from Life Insurance of Corporation of India, and to utilize a portion of the agency commission for the welfare of the members enrolled in the scheme.
Salient Features of the Scheme are as follows:- 1. The scheme intends to provide financial security by way of certain amount of fixed income for all those Keralites residing and working outside the State within India or abroad and those returned to the State after residing or working outside the State or abroad.2. The scheme is an endeavour to meet the uncertainty borne out of the sudden stoppage of regular income when people come back to their homes after long years of working outside the State, especially those working in unorganized sector or self employed people, who do not enjoy pensioner benefits.3. The scheme will enable them to draw a monthly assured income throughout their lives through savings made during their working life.4. The scheme also makes provision for financial security to the family of NRKs in the event of early death and also assures income flow at any desired age after 40.5. The scheme is a collection of certain endowment and pension schemes, already in operation with LIC, brought under a common banner for marketing as a basket of options, to suit the needs of different kinds of people with different annuity requirements and varying paying capacity.6. The suggested terms vary from 5 to 16 years. It is stipulated that the minimum age at which annuity starts will be 40 years.
7. Premium are payable for a definite period or until death if it occurs within the period.8. Government is also planning to extend some add on benefits to the scheme members, the details of which are being worked out.
NORKWA to chalk out Entrepreneurship Development schemes
With a view to devising a programme for providing guidance on entrepreneurship development and rehabilitation of returnees, a meeting was called by NORKWA in the last week of September. The meeting, called to chalk out details of modalities pertaining to the programme and the strategy for its implementation, was attended by representatives of various organisations working in the field of entrepreneurship development. Representatives of STED Project, Varkala, KITCO Limited, Kochi, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Bangalore, Centre for Management Development, Thiruvananthapuram, State Level Bankers Committee, Director of Industries & Commerce and Executive Director, Kudumbasree participated in the meeting.
he meeting gave its full-fledged support on the issue of entrepreneurship development among NRKs and returnees in the State. For the middle and higher income groups, the meeting felt that a tangible approach is required with a list of ready-made project proposals, a panel of consultants and Governmental incentives. In the case of low-income group, what was required are handholding and escort services, based on motivation and direct interventionist support. The meeting opined that the Kudumbasree model could serve as a model and platform for returnees to start micro enterprises with low investment capacity. The meeting decided to establish a small desk in NORKWA for assisting or extending guidance to the prospective entrepreneurs to give all possible information, co-ordinate with various agencies and experts from where assistance can be sought. It was also decided to set up a data bank of all agencies and case studies on NRK ventures, report on emerging areas, opportunities and avenues available etc. to be prepared which could serve as a ready-reckoner for a prospective entrepreneur.
The committee resolved that on an experimental basis a few prospective entrepreneurs could be identified who could be brought before the committee for need identification, handholding and escort services. The committee could work as a fast lane for these identified groups and provide them with all possible help for the speedy implementation of their projects. It was also decided that Kudumbasree shall help NORKWA to start micro enterprises by up to 500 BPL returnees. A maximum of 4 districts can be selected where Kudumbasree personnel could do monitoring of units. Following the decision arrived at in the meeting NORKWA arranged meetings at Kasaragod, Malappuram and Kottayam. The CEO, NORKWA along with Project Director, STED Project, Varkala and District Mission Co-ordinators Kudumbasree addressed the gathering at Kasaragod and Malappuram about schemes for entrepreneurship development. It was made clear that the Governmental agencies were ready to help and support the Gulf Returnees provided the need, willingness and initiative come from them. The need for organising the returnees in a scientific way and promoting group activities for entrepreneurship development among them was discussed in detail. The meeting at Kottayam was held on October 29 and the one in Thiruvananthapuram is scheduled in the first week of November.
Postal Department makes special arrangements for delivery of parcels
The Chief Postmaster General, Kerala Circle had informed the NORKA Minister Mr. M.M.Hassan that they were making special arrangements for delivery of parcels sent from UAE to addresses in Kerala. "We have made special arrangements for getting the parcels cleared by the Customs Authorities quickly and to deliver as many as 1000 parcels a day in place of about 350 parcels which could be delivered in the normal circumstances" Ms. K.N.K. Karthiayani, Chief Postmaster General informed the Minister.The Minister had earlier taken up the issue of non-delivery of parcels with Central Minister for Communication and concerned authorities at Postal Department following complaints that a large number of parcels sent from UAE through the duty free programme of the Emirates were lying undelivered in Kochi.
Normally foreign parcels from UAE were being received by Air. Recently the UAE Postal Authorities have started sending parcels by sea mail in bulk. 28 containers with parcels despatched in bulk from 23.06.2002 to 19.08.2002 were not cleared by the Shipping Agent, due to non-payment of port dues and charges due to the Shipping Agent by the UAE Authorities. Indian Post authorities then took up the matter with Emirates Post and the dues were since paid by the UAE authorities. Accordingly, the parcels were now being cleared and handed over to the Postal authorities in India by the Shipping Agent. The correct position is that the Indian Postal Authorities are not responsible for the delay caused to the parcels, which is no doubt unfortunate, the Chief Postmaster General informed the Minister. -sources NORKA News.
Radisson SAS opens Second Egyptian Resort
Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, which operates eight Middle East and African properties, with 11 more under development in Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE, will open its second Red Sea resort on Egypt's Sinai Riviera in November. The Radisson SAS Resort Taba is the chain's second Egyptian property, following the opening last year of the Radisson SAS Golden Resort, Sharm El Sheikh.
"Our Middle East expansion is in full swing, following the announcement of two more Turkish properties two months ago," said Jean-Marc Busato, Vice President, Middle East, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts. "Egypt's importance to our chain will be further highlighted by the planned opening of two more properties, in Hurghada and Al Quesir.
The five-star, 348-room Radisson SAS Resort Taba is owned by Premier for Tourism & Real Estate Investment Ltd., part of Egypt's Al-Gamal Group. With over 30 years experience in the tourism and real estate development, the group is recognised for its projects in Cairo and the new cities and newly developed areas all over Egypt.
The Radisson SAS Resort, Taba, is 24 kilometres south of Taba with easy access to four major airports and just 410 kilometres from Cairo. All rooms and suites have direct dial telephone, satellite TV, individual safe and self-controlled air conditioning.
The resort's 348 rooms include 70 Marine Club rooms, 12 luxurious suites and 44 unique one and two bedroom family suites. There is also a Mediterranean restaurant, roof top Arabic café, two bars and a nightclub.The property is built in a traditional Levantine style, combining Arabic and Mediterranean architecture. It will boast a swimming pool, 24-hour room service, a diving centre, health club, tennis courts and water sports.
Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts operates eight Middle East and African properties in Amman, Aqaba, Bahrain, Cape Town, Istanbul, Kuwait, Muscat and Sharm El Sheikh. Four more hotels will be added to the rapidly expanding portfolio as per November in Beirut Sharjah, Taba and Yanbu. A further two will operate under the Radisson SAS flag by January 2003 in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah and Riyadh. Two more properties in Egypt's Hurghada and Al Quseir are also in the pipeline, while Turkey will also see the opening of two more hotels in Ankara and Istanbul. -keralamonitor.com
Visa Division at DNRD becomes first Immigration Department in the world to get the ISO certification from Lloyds Register
Administration processing 72,000 visa applications per month
November 4, 2002
The Visa Division at Dubai Naturalization and Residency Administration (DNRD) recently announced at a press conference held yesterday (Monday, November 4,2002) that it had achieved the distinction of becoming the first visa section in the world to receive the ISO 9001:2000 certification from Lloyds
Register, one of the leading Certification Agencies in the world for quality programs, including ISO 9001:2000. This also gives it the honour of becoming the first immigration department in the Middle East to achieve the ISO certification, as part of its efforts at implementing Total Quality Management within the department.
With this credential, the DNRD becomes the first Administration within the Ministry of Interior in the UAE to have achieved this certification from Lloyds Register, a well-known international quality certification authority. The ISO 9001:2000 certification is awarded on the basis of eight quality management principles on which the quality management system standards of the revised ISO 9001:2000 series are based. These principles are derived from the collective experience and knowledge of the international experts who participate in the ISO Technical Committee, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the ISO 9001:2000 standards. The principles include customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, system approach to management, continual improvement, factual approval to decision-making and mutually beneficial supplier relationships."DNRD has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and remarkable focus in systematically implementing all the quality principles at the department and ensuring that they are continuously updated," said Anthony Muncer, Regional Manager Lloyds Register. "Its performance is extremely impressive particularly in view of the fact that Dubai has such a diverse population range comprising people of so many nationalities. "This is a significant achievement for the DNRD and a recognition of the effort that we have been putting in to implement Total Quality Management systems for the last four years," said Colonel Saeed Matter Bin Belailah, Director DNRD. "The ISO certification is evidence of the fact that we have adopted world class quality measures in keeping with the ISO methodology. In addition, our IT infrastructure rests on a robust technology platform that enables us to network with and serve all sections of society including governments, businesses, visitors, citizens and individuals."
"In order to achieve the ISO certification, the IT Department at DNRD has strengthened its IT infrastructure by using best of breed technologies, in addition to developing and installing innovative systems and enhanced software to ensure extensive automation within the administration," said Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Majid Lootah, IT Director and Management Representative for Quality, DNRD. "The workflow within the department and communication systems with other departments, have also been successfully automated to facilitate the working methods in accordance with the
concept of Total Quality Management.""Dubai is the business and trade hub in the region with access to several markets and thus has a constant inflow of traffic from a variety of countries. On an average, we process about 72,000 visa applications per month which include about 16,000 for individuals and about 56,000 for corporate establishments. In fact during the festival seasons, these transactions often get doubled. As a
department that deals extensively with all sections of the public, we felt that it was appropriate to first implement the ISO 9001:2000 in the Visa Division," said Lieutenant Colonel Rashid Bakheet Al Jumeiri, Head of Entry Permissions, DNRD. "As a first step, we have managed to create electronic records of the residents and visitors of Dubai, totalling almost 900,000 in number for visitors and residents annually. These records have been saved in electronic format that allow for easy retrieval and recall of data."The visa application processes at DNRD have been automated and web-enabled to facilitate residents and visitors to the UAE. Applications can be sent on e-forms via the web or by traditional channels and applicants now have the option of receiving the visa on the same day or after two days. In fact, the DNRD receives thousands of enquiries everyday both by cyber channels and at their counters.-keralamonitor.com
IBM to Make 'Self-Managing' and 'Self-Healing' PCs
Sameh Farid, Regional manager-IBM Middle East.
In era of "e-Business on Demand," new IBM PC strategy defines landscape of
all needsDubai-UAE, 4th November 2002 - IBM Middle East announced today "ThinkVantage™ Technologies," a set of PC solutions designed to help customers in the region address a fundamental problem with personal computers -- with all the advances in speed, graphics and storage
capacity, PCs still require too much time and money to configure, maintain, upgrade and repair. Some analysts estimate that 80 percent of the cost of a PC is in managing and supporting systems after its initial purchase. ThinkVantageTechnologies are new hardware and software tools available today that
help customers drive down these information technology (IT) support costs. They provide new innovations for real business advantage, such as simplifying the deployment of wireless networks, or helping to make PCs more secure. ThinkVantage Technologies are at the heart of a new "Think"
strategy from IBM that points toward a future where PCs will be able to automatically diagnose and fix problems.
"IBM believes that we are now entering a new phase in the personal computing evolution which will be driven by the ability to embrace open industrystandards and provide innovation solutions on top of them to solve realbusiness problems," said Sameh Farid, regional manager, personal computing division, IBM Middle East. "IBM's innovative ThinkVantage Technologies are at the heart of our new "Think" strategy, that point towards an era of computing where PCs will be able to automatically diagnose and fix problems and provide our customers with a valuable business advantage." ThinkVantage Technologies show IBM's commitment to research, innovation, patents and development in personal computing. ThinkVantage Technologies being announced today include: *IBM RapidRestore™ PC, a software tool preloaded¹ on IBM PCs that can restore previously saved data and applications after a software failure.
*Embedded Security Subsystem, a system of both hardware and downloadable software available on select models, based on industry standards, that helps protect valuable data.
*ImageUltra™ Builder, a toolkit for IT departments that helps them reduce the number of software images they support
*System Migration Assistant, a software tool that simplifies the transition from old PCs to new ones.
*Access Connections, which frees up people from worrying about how to configure their systems and switch between different environments, regardless of what kind of "connection" they're using -- wired or wireless, home, office or elsewhere.*Access IBM, a one-button method of putting people in touch with automated service and support.²
IBM's New "Think" Strategy in Personal Computing As the first offerings in IBM's new "Think" strategy, the new ThinkVantage Technologies demonstrate characteristics to be extended across an
entire family of Think offerings that will start being delivered to the market early next year. This new "Think" strategy aligns personal computing with IBM's e-business on demand ™ agenda announced on 30 Oct. That agenda addresses customers' needs for computing as an "always-on" utility, able to respond in real-time to stepped-up demand from their markets. Four characteristics define
the e-business on demand operating environment. It is integrated, enabling dynamic transaction and process integration across the enterprise; open, enabling applications, processes and systems to interact seamlessly; virtualized to take advantage of unused computing capacity, easily
managed and variable in cost structure; and autonomic, highly responsive to the conditions placed on it, wherever and whenever. E-business on demand requires a new, integrated, end-to-end IT operating environment for business. The PCs that fit this new infrastructure will need to be simpler, more secure, and more resilient, and they will also require fewer resources to deploy, manage and support.Toward Autonomic PCs
In addition to the ThinkVantage Technologies announced today, IBM demonstrated several completely new technologies developed at IBM Research laboratories in collaboration with PC product developers. All point toward a future landscape in which PCs diagnose and fix themselves, a part of IBM's investment in autonomic computing. They include Client Recovery and Rescue,
which would help people recover data and continue some operations even after a catastrophic PC failure such as a broken hard drive. Another is Distributed Wireless Security Auditor (DWSA). DWSA allows PCs in the same location to work together to detect dangerous "rogue" security risks in wireless networks, saving hours of manpower. And a third, Instant Connections, automatically detects wireless and wired networks and configures the PC to work with them, saving people from having to remember server addresses and wireless protocols.IBM expects to introduce some of these innovative technologies in 2003. 1. IBM RapidRestore PCs is preloaded on many IBM PCs and downloadable for others; it will be preloaded on all IBM PCs beginning in late November. 2. Requires Internet access account; not included. IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. For more information about IBM's new "Think" strategy in personal computing, see http://www.ibm.com/think/thinkplace. -keralamonitor.com
10-Year Old UAE Boy Donates Prize money to the Palestinian Cause
Dubai - November 8, 2002. A ten-year-old UAE boy who won a mountain bike in an Emirates National Oil Company Limited (ENOC) LLC promotion, has given a humanity lesson a few days before Ramadan. Having won the brand-new bike in ENOC's 'Let's Ride' competition a few days after his birthday, Bader, a UAE national from Dubai, preferred to sell it and donate the money to the Palestinian cause.
Conveniently, it was not hard to find a buyer, as on the same day, Mr Mohammed Al Alawi, from Abu Dhabi, wanted to buy one. He had won a bike in the same competition and wanted to give one to each of his two sons. "Bader's gesture has touched everyone at ENOC, especially as the advent of the Holy Month is upon us. His mature decision to contribute to those less fortunate sets a bright exampe for everyone to emulate," said Hussain Sultan, ENOC Group Chief Executive & Board Member.
Mountain bikes, annual health club family memberships and a dune buggy were the prizes in the 'Let's Ride' promotion organised by ENOC and its subsidiary Emirates Petroleum Products Company (EPPCO) in conjunction with Fantasy Kingdom, one of the UAE's largest indoor family amusement arcades.
ENOC/EPPCO's fast food restaurants gave away a total of 52 mountain bikes, each featuring 28 gears, mud guards, a water holder and rear wheel suspension, as well as four one-year Al Bustan Residence Health Club family memberships and a Dingo 65E dune buggy. Everyone spending Dhs 20 at any EPPCO fast food restaurant or Dhs 30 at Fantasy Kingdom during the promotion was entitled to enter the draw--keralamonitor.com
