High Tech Crimes and Hawker News
Nasscom cautions against any tax on E-commerce Transactions
Shyam Kumar Choithram group, Dubai 
Exports of IT services and software from India are likely to touch US $ 50 billion by the year 2008 and out of this IT enabled services including call centres would account for US $ 15 billion (or Rs.69,000 crore). This was indicated by the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Omar Abdullah, during a visit to the state of the art Call Centre Facility at Air Infotech at Gurgaon. More
Intel Unveils New Value PC Technologies
CYBERSPACE AND THE COMMON MAN
T. K. Viswanathan
The conversation between David Bowman and HAL, the legendary computer, is one of the most important scenes in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was released way back in the late sixties. Those of us who saw the movie were held spellbound by the special effects of the movie and a talking computer! It was a fantasy thirty years ago when PCs were far away in the future much less a talking computer!
But then human ingenuity has proved that nothing is impossible. Three decades later we have speech recognition software and computer synthesized voice which enables us to re-enact the HAL 9000 – David Bowman encounter in every home computer! Inventions and discoveries, accidental some of them might have been, would not have been possible but for imagination and vision on the part of mankind.
The word Cyberspace was coined by William Gibson in his novel Neuromancer. Neuromancer, is far-reaching artificial intelligence which controlled the protagonist of the novel. Neuromancer drives home an important message that technology is powerful and it can control society without producing positive benefits.
By a strange coincidence, Neuromancer was published in the year 1984 which was the setting of the Orwellian classic 1984. The novel centers around Winston Smith a minor party functionary in one of the three warring States. Published in 1949, Orwell’s 1984 made a deep impact upon the readers because it highlighted the dangers of totalitarianism. The dangers portrayed by Orwell may be exaggerated but with the evolution of technology like clipper chip, Capston and Carnivore if sufficient safeguards are not devised, privacy of individuals is likely to be invaded by the State agencies.
The fantasy and fiction are set to become reality with the advent of internet. Started as a US defense project in 1973 as research program to devise interconnecting networks of various kinds to survive a nuclear attack which may destroy the monolithic central communication command in the early part of any war. It was made available in 1983 to select users. Three technologies made internet possible. First was packet switching which made transmission of information possible through the Internet. Second was the development of a set of protocols known as TCP/IP, which enabled computers to exchange information regardless of their make, origin or operating system. Third was the development of client-server technology, which allows a computer to access and utilise services and programmes residing in another computer. The Internet Protocol address consists of 4-sets of numbers between 1 to 255 separated by periods. These are unique numbers, which identify each computer in the Internet. Since it is difficult for human memory to remember large digit numbers, domain names were resorted to mask the numbers making it human friendly to remember and key in to the computer to log on.
Internet then is like bye lanes leading to lanes which in turn lead to streets then to roads and then ultimately into highways sprawling across the globe. Internet is connected through a series of computers each with a different role to play at every level. Had technology stopped with this, perhaps Internet would have at best been another improved means of communication over teletext or fax. But the invention of hypertext markup language by Tim Bernes-Lee working at CERN Geneva popularly known as HTML dramatically altered the whole scenario. His hypertext link is an electronic embedded address that points to another Internet location in the Internet. To jump to that location all a user has to do is to click on the hyperlink and automatically he is taken to that site by the browser. Basically a Mark up language is a computer language which describes how a page should be formatted. A web page also contains HTML Tags that describes how the text should be formatted when the browser displays it on the screen.
Initially web consisted only of text but soon graphics took over with browsers like Mosaic, Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer adding sound, graphics and other multimedia content to the web pages. With that the Cyberspace has blossomed into medium of its own. The implications of this were not difficult to grasp. The prospect of sending messages of files across the continents with lightening speed and that too at a negligible cost was very appealing to most of us. It was only a question of time that entertainment industry and commerce should migrate to Cyberspace and that happened sooner than expected resulting in convergence of technologies leading to blurring of the distinctions between broadcasting, Internet and mobile computing.
Dream and Reality
Cyberspace is the realisation of the dreams and vision of many. Creativity always comes from women. One of the inspiring personalities behind the Babbage’s analytical engine which is the precursor of the modern computer is Lady Ada Lovelace Byron. She predicted in 1863 that machines will compose complex music, produce graphics and would be used for practical and scientific purposes. That prediction has come true.
Tim Berners-Lee wanted a common information space in which people can communicate and share information freely. World Wide Web is the realisation of that dream. He conceived Cyberspace as an abstract place where knowledge based economy happens. He also wanted web to become a realistic mirror of the ways, in which we played and worked and socialised. He has predicted that the web will open up new forms of business opportunities and turn bureaucracy over to machines and let people get on with creativity. It will help people to work together more effectively, remove misunderstanding and bring about peace and harmony on a global scale. But according to him we can only do these things if we learn to use it wisely and think carefully about both the technology and the laws we make or change round it. Technology has always threatened to destroy Man if not controlled properly. Neuromancer describes the evils, which a society must suffer if it willingly allows itself to be directly controlled by technology. 2001: A Space Odyssey also conveys the same message. HAL in 2001 is, in fact, the ultimate tool, he is so advanced that in conversation, it is practically impossible to tell that he is a machine and not a human being. The similarity of man to his tools has reached its peak in HAL, a tool similar to a man. But, like all tools, HAL proved to be as dangerous as he was useful. The moral of the story is that if we create incredible technologies we should not use them for evil and material gain, but for improving the lot of mankind. We can do that only if we do not become slaves of technology. Technology is amoral and values neutral. It is for us to use them intelligently and wisely for the benefit of mankind.
Nations have been exercising authority and jurisdiction over individuals on the basis of territorial nexus. This is the established principle of international law. Since Cyberspace is a borderless environment both the authority and the exercise of jurisdiction of the States over individuals not within their territory are open to challenge. The most important and difficult problem which has to be addressed while dealing with regulation of Cyberspace is the question of identification of users in Internet. Internet permits a person to acquire as many users as possible without revealing his identity. This is further compounded by the fact that the problem of anonymity and pseudonimity which is rampant in Cyberspace. Assumption of digital avatars in Cyberspace gives ample opportunity for people to indulge in conduct which is not strictly ethical or moral and renders the task of fixing criminal and civil liability in Cyberspace difficult.
Authentication in Cyberspace
Till now we have been relying heavily on paper based documents for all governmental and commercial transactions and communications and as we shift to electronic means of record keeping and electronic communication, a whole lot of legal as well as practical problems arises. Parties using electronic medium for transacting business need tamper-proof electronic signatures to prevent electronic forgery since forgery and tampering with electronic records are perennial problems in cyberspace. Electronic medium is ephemeral and any one with a rudimentary knowledge of programming can alter e-mail header to fake the source of a message. Viewed in this context, the following questions deserve legal responses namely, whether legally binding contract can be formed by exchange of electronic communications? What is the alternative for writing and signature in electronic medium? These issues have been addressed by means of the use of digital signatures.
Attestation of Identity
Digital signature is a form of electronic signature but then every electronic signature is not a digital signature. Electronic signature may be a name or symbol affixed at the end of a message. All e-mail packages automatically affix user’s name in all the messages sent as a signature. This is meant to save valuable time and labour of typing our users name and address every time an e-mail is sent. Ordinary electronic signatures does not assure authenticity and integrity of the electronic record or identify the sender. Digital signature, however, ensures that an e-mail message was really sent by the person from whom the message appears to originate. A digital signature consists of a key pair. A private key which only the user is supposed to know and a public key to which the private key corresponds.
The other techniques use biometric tokens which are based on the physiological characteristics of individual like retina scan and digital finger print . However, these are all only techniques which ensure only those persons’ secure access whose biological features correspond to those biometric tokens contained already stored in the computer. It does not ensure the integrity of the electronic record. Further every computer must have a digital camera or some special device which will be able to scan or read the biometric token of the user. This makes the system very expensive and less popular since many people are not able to afford the cost involved. At best, biometric tokens are very useful in ATM counters where such a scheme can be implemented coupled with Personal Identification Number (PIN) but is not suited for generally doing commerce online. The only tested alternative which has been followed by many States in US and other parts of the world is Digital signature based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Section 3 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 grants legal recognition to Digital Signature based on PKI.
Admissibility in the Law of Evidence
Questions arise relating to admissibility of electronic records and transmissions in the law of evidence. Law presumes paper-based documents as proof of transactions. Difficulties arise when records are kept in the electronic forms. Law of Evidence has to ensure that electronic transmissions and electronic records will have the same value as paper based documents and digital signature would be equally legal as a manual signature. The Indian Evidence Act,1872 revolves around two types of evidence – oral evidence and documentary evidence. Documentary evidence is of two types – primary evidence and secondary evidence. Primary evidence is where the original self is available. Secondary evidence is where the contents of the original will have to be proved by leading in further evidence. Electronic records challenge this very assumption since every electronic record is an original as well as in duplicate. In other words it is primary as well as secondary evidence at the same time. To get over this complex situation special provisions (sections 65A and 65 B) have been incorporated in the India Evidence Act, 1872 through the Second Schedule of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The said sections provide for proving the contents of electronic records.
Copyright in Cyberspace
The question of how copyright laws should be applied to Cyberspace poses complex and novel challenges. Copyright law protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, cinematography, broadcasts and recordings. Multi-media nature of the website blurs the above distinctions. A wide range of ordinary accepted Internet activity like caching, framing, meta-tagging raise complex problems for Copyright law. Further, the liability of on-line providers for infringing activities transmitted through their facilities is yet to be clearly crystallised. The governing copyright statute in our country is the Copyright Act 1957, which requires comprehensive amendments to meet the challenges posed by digital works. Apart from the above, musical copyrights pose special problems which require special mention.
MP3 Piracy in Cyberspace
There is music in the celestial sphere, wrote Plato. We do not know whether there is any truth in Plato’s assertion but definitely Cyberspace is saturated with digital music. MP3 technology enables users to download, upload and store music in digital format. MP3 format compresses a song into a smaller size for easy transmission over the net without loss of audio quality. This is a quantum leap in audio technology since an ordinary CD stores about 10 million bytes of data per minute of music on the CD and a three-minute song will require 30 megabytes of data. To download a 30-megabyte data over telephone line would require hours. But using the MP3 format the same can be compressed into 3 megabytes of data without loss of audio quality and can easily be downloaded by any user over a telephone line connected to Internet and played on his computer. It is now possible for individuals to create virtual libraries of all of their favorite tunes simply by downloading them from the Internet. And because the music is in digital form, each successive copy made of the sound file is of the same quality as its predecessor. The music industry and the artists feel threatened by this technology since it leads to rampant piracy. To police, the Cyberspace for copyright violations is not going to be easy. Copyright law has to strike a balance between the interests of the artists and the interests of the Internet users.
Cyber Crimes and Cyber War
Every society prescribes code of conduct for its subjects. Till now no society has attained hundred per cent compliance from its subjects. The battle between the good and evil goes on endlessly and Cyberspace affords another medium for criminals to spread their nefarious activities. Since e-commerce cannot flourish unless there is some payment mechanism to settle accounts and effect money transfers, borderless environment like Cyberspace offers a rich venue for money laundering and other related financial frauds.
Further, as we grow accustomed to depend more and more on computers and networks, survival of a nation can be easily threatened by dislocation of the information infrastructure by crippling the essential services like electricity and water supply, transportation and banking services. If these essential services are targeted then the havoc and damage caused to the society will be much more than those which can be caused by explosives.
To combat this evil, nations are hurriedly revising their criminal laws to deal with cyber crimes. The council of Europe is in the process of finalising a Draft convention on Cyber crime which is likely to be adopted by US also. Most of the offences referred to that Convention are taken care of by the Information Technology Act, 2000. First schedule to the Information Technology Act, 2000 makes amendments to the Indian Penal code to amend those sections to take care of offences involving electronic records also. In particular section 464, which deals with forgery, has been modified to take care of the offence of electronic forgery. What we are witnessing today as cyber crimes like cyber stalking and denial of service are all petty crimes compared to what is in store for us. The next world war it is said will be an information war and will be fought in Cyberspace. It is a strange paradox that Internet which was developed as a technology to survive a nuclear war should itself become a battle ground of a great war!
Conclusion
If addressed properly, Cyberspace will facilitate global peace and harmony. Perhaps nowhere in the history of mankind, India is better positioned than today to take advantage of a historic revolution namely the digital revolution. Today, knowledge is capital and we have plenty of it. We are all knowledge capitalists. Cyberspace makes us afford opportunities for accelerated integration into global economy at low cost and with minimum capital investment. It can provide avenues for our unemployed youth to earn their livelihood. It can lead to empowerment of women. Client-server technology is making it possible for people to break the language barriers and communicate freely across the globe without the need for knowing the language of the other person.
The Information Technology Act, 2000 enacted in the budget session of Parliament and brought into force recently is first in a series of legislations that deal with issues relating to Cyberspace. The Act inter alia also seeks to usher in electronic governance thus making the citizens’ interaction with the Governmental agencies hassle free. Above all it grants legal sanctity to Electronic Gazette which apart from increasing legal literacy will go a long way in providing easy access to citizens, rules and notification which have profound effect upon their daily lives. In short, the Act is a millennium gift given by Parliament to the people of India. It is a great tribute to the Members of Parliament as a whole, for rising above party consideration and approving the legislation unanimously and speedily.
For historical reasons we might have missed the industrial revolution but surely our present generation has not missed this digital revolution which is sweeping across the world. Pride of place must be accorded to our young software engineers for keeping the flag of India flying high. The enactment of the information Technology Act, 2000 sends strong signals to the world that we are a digital force to be reckoned with. It also sends strong message to the world that Indians are poised to conquer Cyberspace.
Nasscom cautions against any tax on E-commerce Transactions
• Nasscom demands changes in Income Tax Act
cheaper computers for Schools and Students
enhancement of physical and telecom infrastructure
• Nasscom wants IIT or IIIT in every state in the tenth five-year plan
New Delhi, 2 January 2001
NASSCOM - National Association of Software and Service Companies has submitted a ten point proposal to the Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha for his consideration for Union Budget Proposals 2001.
While presenting the recommendations, Mr Dewang Mehta, President, Nasscom told the Finance Minister, “we seek government’s continued support to software and IT Services industry in India. The current need is to continue with the incentives, further simplify procedures, implement more economic reforms, reduce the cost of computerisation, spend more towards setting up of IITs or IIITs and boost e-commerce activities.”
Mr Dewang Mehta further added that, “We told the Finance Minister that in order to have continued 50 percent plus growth in exports and to achieve US$ 50 billion of annual software exports target by 2008, it is essential that the physical and telecom infrastructure is quickly enhanced and the procedural obstacles are completely removed”. No tax on E-commerce TransactionsIn a bold move, Nasscom has demanded a tax moratorium of not having any fresh tax on e-commerce at least for the next five years.
“Parties should be able to enter into legitimate agreements to buy and sell products and services across the Internet with minimal government intervention. Therefore, the Government should refrain from imposing new and unnecessary regulations, bureaucratic procedures, or taxes and tariffs on commercial activities that take place on internet”, said Mr Mehta. Mr Mehta further added, “As it is, the net commerce cuts transaction cost, so we are not demanding any concessions, but we have demanded that tax systems should treat transactions equally irrespective whether they are conducted through conventional or electronic means.” Clarification that on-site services are integral part of computer software exports under Section 10A/10B of Income Tax Act.
Two of the most important demands of Nasscom are related to Section 10A/10B of Income Tax Act. This Section provides for Income Tax holiday to units registered with 100% EOU, EPZ, STP.
These two sections had replaced the old Sections 10A /10B. Mr Dewang Mehta said, “the problem with the new Sections is that they have narrow definition of Computer Software, with the result many Income Tax officials believe that on-site services exports are not exempted from Income Tax under the new Sections.” Mr Mehta added, “ that almost 60% of India’s Software exports are through on-site services. In 2000-01, out of the projected US$ 6.2 billion of Software exports, almost US$ 3.7 billion is expected to be through on-site services."
Also, this new definition in Section 10A/10B is different from the one in Section 80 HHE of the same Income Tax Act. “Section 80 HHE clearly and explicitly allows exemption for onsite services” added Mr Mehta. It must be pointed out that understanding this problem in 1994, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had earlier issued a circular no. 694 dated 23 November 1994 to specifically clarify that onsite services also enjoy the exemption under Section10A/10B of the Income Tax Act. “Therefore, Nasscom has demanded that a clarification be issued that onsite services will continue to get income tax exemption under the new Sections 10A/10B of the Income Tax Act”, asserted Mr Dewang Mehta. Section 10A/10B of Income Tax Act is acting as a deterrent to Mergers and Acquisitions According to Nasscom, another major problem in Section 10A/10B is regarding change in ownership and the tax treatment, thereafter. Mr Mehta said, “As per the provision of new Section 10A/10B, if during the year, more than 51% of shareholding ownership changes in 100% EOU, STP, EPZ then the Company will cease to get Income Tax exemption from that year.”
Mr Dewang Mehta said, “In listed companies, there is hardly any legal mechanism to ensure that there is no change in shareholding pattern and we do not understand as to why the company should loose its tax holiday status just because the ownership changes”.
Mr Mehta further added, “This provision not only adversely effects listed companies but also unlisted companies. It also hits SMEs and Start-ups, especially where the shareholding pattern may change with the exit of Venture Capitalists.” “Moreover, provision in the Section is acting as a deterrent to mergers andacquisitions”, said Mr Mehta “If we have to achieve annual exports of US$50 billion by 2008, then the growth will not be through organic means alone, but also through mergers and acquisitions”, asserted Mr Mehta. Nasscom has requested that the sub-section 9 read and Explanation 1 be omitted both from Section 10A as well as 10B of Income Tax Act, so that Mergers and Acquisitions can take place without obstacles.
Allow software units in backward area to get tax holiday like other units under Section 80IB of Income tax act Section 80IB allows all kind of manufacturing units in backward areas to get Income tax exemption. “Nasscom has requested the Finance Ministry to also include IT software and services units in the definition of 80IB of the Income Tax Act”, said Mr Dewang Mehta. He further added that, “this will help and proliferate setting up of software units in Goa, Madhya Pradesh, North-East as also new states of Uttranchal, Jharkand, Chattisgarh and many backward areas of other states”.
Dividends from Overseas Subsidiary Companies of IT Software and Service Companies should be tax exempt It needs to be understood that Indian companies export software using various methods of operation. Many times, Indian companies do not open branch offices in USA, but open their subsidiaries. Technically, their may be a difference between a branch office and a subsidiary, but not for practical purposes. Both do same kind of software development work. “As per the Income Tax Act, if an overseas branch office brings in profits from its overseas software activities into India, then it gets income tax exemption, whereas an overseas subsidiary for similar operations does not get similar exemption. This anomaly needs to be modified”, said Mr Mehta. Physical Bonding by Customs at I.T. Software Units at STP, 100% EOU, EPZ should be removed.
As per the current Exim Policy and Customs notifications, all units in EOU/EPZ/ STP are physically bonded i.e. equipment in these units cannot be taken out without prior permission of competent authority. Moreover, many of these units even have to install grills in widows as per the prescribed specifications. Mr Dewang Mehta said, “the problem with physical bonding is that it involves procedural delays. For example, new units coming in Bhubaneshwar have to wait for periods as long as 1 to 2 months because of want of customs inspection before they can start operation of the unit”. He further added, “Even transporting a laptop computer out from a STP unit for a demonstration or presentation to a client in a local hotel involves unwanted hardships. Specifying size of grill of the window for a unit located in STP has no meaning as software can be transmitted even through ordinary telephone lines.”
Mr Murosali Maran, Minister for Commerce has already announced that Government will remove physical bonding at EOU/STP while releasing the EXIM Policy 2000 in April 2000. Mr Mehta said, “however this announcement is yet to be implemented”. “Also, as the whole gamut of delivery of software has oriented itself towards use of telecom links, the very reason of physical bonding has lost its meaning and therefore, we have requested quick implementation of Government’s intention of removing physical bonding at STP, EOU, EPZ”, added Mr Mehta.
Software Services should continue to remain outside the purview of service tax Nasscom has recommended that computer software development and IT software services should be continued to kept outside the purview of Service Tax in the domestic market.
No Import duties, Excise and Sales Tax on Computers sold to Students,
Teachers, Schools and CollegesHP, Intel to Deliver NetStructure Products to Service Providers
DUBAI: December 31, 2000
Hewlett-Packard Company and Intel Corporation have announced they will immediately work together to offer Intel's NetStructure appliances to existing Intel, HP and potential new customers. As early as March 2001, HP also is expected to release a family of HP appliances based on Intel's NetStructure product technology, enhanced by HP's high-quality service and support.
In the Internet economy, servers must be reliable and scalable to maximize productivity and minimize customer downtime. HP's extensive experience in the server marketplace, combined with the high performance and versatility of the Intel NetStructure appliances, helps to support HP's vision of an always-on Internet infrastructure. According to International Data Corporation, the appliance server marketplace could expand to $11.6 billion by 2004 with potential customers ranging from the enterprise, service provider and dot-com sectors to small- to medium-sized businesses.
Server appliances are ideal for a broad range of customers -- from enterprises that require enhanced performance, to service providers that want dedicated products that are easy to install and maintain.
"Being the first major OEM to work with Intel in the server appliance market underscores HP's commitment to moving quickly to address customer needs and gives HP a significant advantage over competitors," said Carly Fiorina, HP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "With this plan, HP extends the line of best-in-class HP Netserver systems and opens the door into a new market space. In the future HP will continue to identify and work with industry leaders to offer customers unrivalled, world-class 'always-on' infrastructure solutions."
"This announcement reflects Intel's commitment to drive the development of Internet infrastructure with standards-based communications building blocks and systems," said Craig Barrett, Intel president and chief executive officer. "Together, Intel and HP have the potential to expand dramatically the distribution of these products and enhance customers' ability to build complete Internet solutions." The Intel technologies to be adopted by HP include Web hosting, e-commerce, management, load-balancing, SSL and XML acceleration, and virtual private networking (VPN) appliance products.
Intel will continue to support existing Intel NetStructure customers as they plan their Internet datacenter build-outs, and provide assistance to help them transition to HP products next year. HP and Intel sales teams also plan to continue to create demand for solutions based on Intel appliance technology. HP plans to work closely with Intel to help ensure a smooth transition for channel partners, allowing them to continue to build their businesses with the confidence of HP's and Intel's long-term commitment to Intel technology-based appliances.
Converged network to boost parent/teacher communications and ensure campus safety
Paris, December - Dec. 5th, 2000 - Alcatel (Paris : CGEP.PA and NYSE : ALA)announced today that La Jolla Country Day School has selected Alcatel's OmniPCX 4400 and OmniStack 6024 products to build a voice over IP (VoIP) network that will enhance student safety on its 24-acre campus, as well as aid in making campus-wide voice communication and networking services more comprehensive and efficient.
La Jolla Country Day School chose Alcatel's OmniPCX 4400 communications system and Reflexes IP phones to provide voice communication to the 80% of classrooms without phones for the purposes of boosting overall parent/teacher communications. A routine security audit had also revealed that voice communication for emergencies was a top priority during potential emergencies. Because the OmniPCX supports both IP and digital phones and interoperates with the school's current communication system (PBX), Country Day avoided the need to wire every classroom with a phone connection.
Additionally, the School chose Alcatel's OmniStack 6024 data switch to have the flexibility to create a separate VLAN for voice, as well as ease
congestion caused as new computers are added to the network. Outfitting the wiring closet with the OmniStack 6024s while rolling out voice over IP moved the school from a shared to switched network - providing a 10-fold increase in network bandwidth. With its staff of over 170, and a student enrollment of more than 1000, bandwidth and easy expansion was a must."Alcatel shares the vision of excellence with La Jolla Country Day School, and we believe that the school will be a model for all southern California schools,” said Greg Kovich, Alcatel's director of education sales and marketing.
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) played a key role in bringing Alcatel and La Jolla Country Day School together. SAIC was
involved in surveying, proposing and implementing the network, and will
also provide on-going maintenance and support."Together with Alcatel, we will be providing La Jolla Country Day School with the telecommunications and information technology tools they need to be more efficient and have a safer campus,” said Bob Young, senior vice president, SAIC Telecommunications Division. "This is our first joint contract with Alcatel under the SAIC/Alcatel strategic relationship announced in June of this year and we look forward to the continued success this alliance will bring.”
"La Jolla Country Day School did extensive research on IP telephony and considered all of the big voice and networking players in this arena,” said Quoc Vo, information systems administrator. "We chose Alcatel's OmniPCX 4400 and OmniStack 6024 because we felt the company was best positioned to provide reliable, scalable voice and data communications."
The OmniPCX 4400
The Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 is the world's most advanced IP-based voice
communication system. Based on a client/server UNIX architecture, the
OmniPCX 4400 can serve 50 to 50,000 users, and provides innovative Reflexes telephone handsets, 99.999% reliability, one-number mobility, unified messaging, voice-over-IP networking with quality of service management,Web-based customer contact center, and comprehensive network management.The OmniStack 6024
The Alcatel OmniStack 6024 is a 24-port 10/100 Ethernet switch with uplink options that can be stacked four high for a total of 104 ports. Each unit has two optional slots for stacking modules, fiber-optic Fast Ethernet modules (100BaseFX), or Gigabit Ethernet uplink modules (1000BaseSX, 1000BaseLX). Individual switches are connected together using 4 Gbps stacking connections, which ensures high performance for the entire stack. Within the stack, each unit forwards traffic at wire-speed. The OmniStack 6024 also supports port-based and 802.1Q VLANs for network segmentation without the use of routers. These VLAN capabilities can also be combined with the 802.1p QoS feature to give priority to certain groups of power users.La Jolla Country Day School traces its beginnings to The Balmer School
founded in 1926 by Louise C. Balmer. A small cottage in downtown La Jollaserved as the schoolhouse for the four children who attended the primaryschool that first year. They learned about reading, writing and arithmeticin an atmosphere where individualized attention was valued.An independent and highly respected, coeducational, college-preparatory school located just north of San Diego, CA, Country Day balances a rigorous academic program with an abundance of offerings in athletics and the arts, and now offers classes from pre-school through high school for 1000 students. More information about SAIC can be found on the Internet atwww.saic.com.CASH BOOST GETS LIBRARIES UP TO SPEED ON THE INTERNET
First three year phase of DCMS/Wolfson Challenge Fund for public libraries has paved the way for getting the UK on line says Chris SmithA #9 million cash boost over three years from the DCMS/Wolfson Challenge Fund has helped England's public libraries to develop internet services up and down the country said Culture Secretary Chris Smith. The success of the Fund, which has paved the way for
getting the UK's public libraries on line by 2002, was highlighted today in the publication of the DCMS Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund Annual Report 1999-2000.Today's report also provides an update on the chievements of the 1999-2000 library projects - eighteen in all - which include:- The Norfolk Electronic Library Project which provided public access to the internet in 49 local libraries;- Lincolnshire's Linnet local library project which offered a comprehensive web-based information resource for the county; and- Bradford's InfoNet Bradford which widened public access to ICT provision in twelve libraries.But with funding for The People's Network beginning to come on streamfrom the New Opportunities Fund, it is time for a change in emphasis,Chris Smith said.
"Cash is now available from the Reader Development Fund and the
Wolfson British History Programme (#3 million in total each year).
This is for schemes which help people from all walks of life develop
skills and enjoyment from reading, regardless of their ability, age
or background and for projects which enhance British history
collections."The Culture Secretary also paid tribute to DCMS' partner in the Fund,The Wolfson Foundation, for its continued commitment to the
partnership.
Intel Unveils New Value PC Technologies
DUBAI: January 8: Intel Corporation has unveiled a new processor and chipset for value PCs, advancing the fundamental hardware building blocks of Intel-based value PC designs. The new Celeron processor 800 MHz is the first Intel desktop value PC processor to include a 100 MHz system bus, a technology that offers a wider communications path between the processor and the rest of the system, resulting in faster overall system performance. The new Intel 810E2 Chipset supports the bus and a variety of other system innovations. The new technologies are now available worldwide.
"Intel is updating the hardware ingredients of value PCs to bring more performance and capabilities to consumers in 2001," said Gilbert Lacroix, Intel's general manager for the Middle East and North Africa. "These new technologies are expected to proliferate quickly, enabling a wide variety of system designs for the new year."
Intel Celeron processors are the second-highest selling PC processors in the world behind the Pentium processor family. New PC Innovations The Intel 810E2 Chipset brings new Intel technology innovations to value PCs, including an advanced I/O controller, support for ATA-100 Ultra DMA hard drives, and new USB controllers to support four "plug-and-play" ports for system attachments and other consumer items. Chipsets serve to intelligently route information within a computer.
- Intel 2 -Intel also announced two new desktop boards for OEMs that support the Intel 810E2 Chipset, the microATX D810E2CA3 and FlexATX Intel Desktop Board D810E2CB. The boards support both Pentium III and Celeron processors, and systems based on the products are expected later in Q1 2001.
Pricing and Availability
Intel Celeron processors are now available in volume at 800 (100 MHz system bus), 766, 733, 700, 667, 633, 600 and 566 MHz. In 1,000-unit quantities, the Intel Celeron processor 800 MHz is $170. The first systems based upon this new processor are expected at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. More system introductions are expected worldwide within the next 30 days. In 1,000-unit quantities, the Intel 810E2 Chipset is priced at $27.
Compaq MEMA Maintains Outstanding Position Across All Major Markets in Region
Compaq emerges number one in computer desktop, mobile and server markets in Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia and rest of Middle East
Dubai, UAE - 4 December 2000 - Compaq Computer Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa (MEMA) today announced outstanding market share results for the third quarter of 2000. Compaq is successfully maintaining its lead in the market across its MEMA region with a 17.2% market share for all form factors, 14.5% market share for Desktops, 38.6% for Portables and 32.8% for PC Servers in the third quarter of 2000. The latest International Data Corporation (IDC) research indicates that Compaq leads across all computer form factors in the region's largest country markets of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with 21%, 32.3% and 21.8% market share respectively.
"Compaq's product portfolio secures its position as a unifying force for the Internet and we're uniquely positioned to meet the massive demands of this new era. Compaq provides solutions that utilise a variety of devices and wireless and broadband communications technologies to seamlessly and securely link with data rich servers and storage," said Dr Walid Moneimne, vice president and managing director, Business Development Group in Compaq Computer Europe, Middle East and Africa. "Compaq's ever increasing focus on the customer with added services provided via the web through our call center is helping us secure our market leading position."
According to IDC market share figures, Compaq demonstrated strong growth in product sales in major regional markets, growing by 65.7% in Egypt, 42.5% in Saudi Arabia and 48.8% in the UAE compared with the third quarter of 1999, reaffirming Compaq's lead in terms of market share.
Desktop Sector
IDC figures indicate Compaq's growth as 65.5% for desktop PCs in Egypt, 24.9% in Saudi Arabia and 37.8% in the UAE, whilst market share statistics show 19% market share for Compaq in the desktop sector in Egypt, 18.3% for Saudi Arabia and 25.4% for the UAE.Mobile Computing
Compaq demonstrated a repeat performance where it continues to deliver the mobile computing products to meet the demands of today's mobile users with a staggering growth in the portable sector of 438.8% for Saudi Arabia, followed by UAE's market growth of 107% and Egypt's 26.6% market growth. Market share results for Q3 2000 were 51.3% for Saudi Arabia, 59.3% for UAE and 41.5% for Egypt.Computer Servers
IDC figures also confirm that Compaq scored well in the PC server market in the MEMA region with a market share of 63.1% in Egypt, 57% in Saudi Arabia and 71.5% in UAE.Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the largest supplier of computing systems in the world. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, and communications products, commercial desktop and portable products, and consumer PCs.
Compaq products and services are sold in more than 200 countries directly to businesses, through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners, and directly to businesses and consumers through Compaq's e-commerce Web site at http://www.compaq.com. Compaq markets its products and services primarily to customers from the business, home, government, and education sectors.
Compaq Computer Middle East Mediterranean and Africa is based in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai and currently has a network of resellers offering its full range of quality products and services in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, North and West Africa. Compaq's regional office in Jebel Ali provides marketing, sales, technical and administrative support to its marketing partners and customers.
Intel Delivers High-Performance Security for SOHO Users
DUBAI, 4 December 2000: Intel Corporation today announced the Intel Express 8205 VPN Broadband Router, a device that helps protect the security of small office and home office (SOHO) users with "always on" broadband Internet connections.
According to Jupiter Communications, by the end of 2000 the number of people accessing the Web via such broadband methods as DSL and cable modems will have increased threefold - from 1.3 million in 1999 to 4 million. These always-on connections are susceptible to security attacks, yet many customers do not have adequate protection from this risk. The Intel Express 8205 VPN Broadband Router provides security in a high-performance device that can be installed quickly and easily.
"The Intel Express 8205 VPN Broadband Router deliversexceptional virtual private networking (VPN) performance at an attractive price for small sites, rounding out Intel's broad line of high-performance VPN equipment," said Gilbert Lacroix, Intel general manager, Middle East and North Africa. "The higher VPN performance in this segment allows customers with broadband connections to realize more of the bandwidth for which they are paying, while also enjoying robust security," he added.
The Intel Express 8205 VPN Broadband Router offloads the processing required to run VPNs and firewalls on individual PCs, aggregating these functions into a dedicated device while helping maintain maximum performance of broadband connections. The device supports unlimited users and can establish secure VPN tunnels with 50 other sites. Using 3DES IPSec encryption, the router provides VPN throughput up to 1.3 Mbps.The new router can be easily installed by small business and home users, allowing service providers to deliver high-performance security with every broadband connection without expensive on-site installation.
The new router complements Intel's existing line of VPN products, providing a high-performance solution for small businesses and branch sites. Based on the IPSec standard, the 8205 VPN Broadband Router is interoperable with the Intel NetStructure VPN Gateway Family, as well as other third-party VPN products that support the IPSec standard.
Intel also offers the Intel Express 8205 Broadband Router, which customers can upgrade at a later time with the VPN Option for Intel Express 8200/9500 routers. The Intel Express 8205 VPN Broadband Router is available today at the suggested list price of $899. The Intel Express 8205 Broadband Router, also available today, has a suggested list price of $699. Intel networking products are available worldwide through a network of distributors, value-added resellers and service providers.
30 November 2000
INDUSTRY LEADERS FORM CONSORTIUM TO ADDRESS E-BUSINESS CHALLENGES
Compaq, Computer Associates, Dell, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corp., SAP and others yesterday (29 November) announced the Business Internet Consortium, a non-profit corporation that will serve as a think-tank for generating technologies and practices designed to address growing e-Business implementation challenges. The consortium, which aims to bring customer and vendor e-Business technology priorities closer together, will serve as a global industry group to advocate the e-Business architectural directions, interoperable building blocks and common procedures that will be the basis for future e-Business Internet development.
The consortium will be industry's first to solicit direct input from customers on their e-Business requirements. Leading customers joining the consortium include Capital One, Charles Schwab and Co., Inc., Ford Motor Company, ImageX.com and Reuters.
Results of the working groups will be published in the form of reference designs and white papers. Additional consortium activities will include recommending standards and technologies (though the group will not serve as a standards body), and suggesting the most practical means for implementing new e-Business practices in large and small businesses.
Addressing Explosive Growth
The Business Internet Consortium is forming at a time when the complexity of creating e-Business solutions has never been greater. In the last 10 years alone, the Internet economy has grown from zero to over $100 billion. Simultaneously, e-Business has evolved through two distinct phases: "brochureware" on Web sites, and developing interactive e-Commerce. Now, global e-Business is evolving again as companies form business-to-business links with their suppliers and customers, calling for new solutions as e-Business traffic becomes heavier, more critical and more complex.For example, analyst firm Gartner Group estimates that the volume of digitized information in the world will double every year from 2000 through 2005, an increase to thirty times today's volume (September 2000). Successfully managing the implementation of e-Business practices and information management techniques in this environment requires an intensive cooperative effort between companies, an environment that the Business Internet Consortium plans to foster.