News briefs (7 August 1997)

Small companies are failing to get the most out of new technologies according to a government study, which found 81% of UK businesses recognise the importance of IT for competitiveness. But the report into international IT ownership and usage was welcomed by small business minister Barbara Roche, who said: 'The US and Japan come out on top in most areas, with the UK and Germany close behind.'

Toshiba cuts desktop prices

The desktop price-cutting season has seen Toshiba slash up to #200 off its first range of machines just two months after their launch. Dell joined the action by hacking up to 20% off its OptiPlex line, and claims this makes some models 18% cheaper than equivalent units sold by competitors through dealers. Compaq's price attack involves it shipping free monitors with Deskpro 2000, 4000 and 6000 models, which cuts up to #510 off the machines.

Sensitive police data 'not secure'

Only 25% of UK police forces have formed an IT security policy, despite holding sensitive PC-based information and confidential records relating to suspects, known criminals and ongoing crimes. The survey, compiled by secure networking firm Kasten Chase, found that 58% of the forces it spoke to use a non-secure wide-area network. Kasten Chase believes this is due to budget constraints.

Stock market crash warning

Investment managers have not been stress-testing their systems to see if they could cope in the event of a stock market crash, says their regulator, Imro. Imro did, however, conclude in the course of a three-month study earlier this year that investment firms would cope with a sudden surge in activity. Many firms had now undertaken systems stress tests in response to the regulator's survey, Imro concluded.

Overtime ban by Barclays IT staff

An overtime ban by Barclays union members - including about half the bank's 3,000 IT staff - is to begin in the next 10 days. Unions Bifu and Unifi announced the action last week, as talks between the bank and unions broke down. Unions claim a performance-related pay scheme will effectively freeze salaries for most staff, a claim the bank denies.

Oracle buys finance specialist

Oracle is continuing its push into applications, with the acquisition of financial specialist Treasury Services Corporation (TSC) for #120m. TSC's main product, TSER, is used by 80 of the world's biggest financiers for analysis, risk and asset management, and forecasting. Robert Shaw, vice president of Oracle worldwide consulting services, said: 'This will help us develop industry-specific solutions for the financial sector.'

Prince Web address row continues

Lawyers for both Prince, the UK training company, and Prince, the US sports supplier, have claimed victory in the battle over the Web address prince.com. The High Court in London last week declared that the US company had made 'unjustifiable' threats over trademark infringement. US-based Prince Inc has now retaliated with a US lawsuit. As Computing went to press, Network Solutions, the body that allocates Web addresses, was unavailable for comment.

Board rumours abound at Apple

Apple founder Steve Jobs was due to give a speech in Boston yesterday to flesh out plans for the future of the troubled company. Jobs has previously said he did not intend to take over as chief executive. Oracle boss Larry Ellison last week said he planned to join the board of Apple. Meanwhile, Informix chairman Phil White has left the company just one week after stepping down as chief executive.

Betty not fly

Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd plans to take year 2000 evasive action after Labour MP Tam Dalyell told her not to fly on New Year's Eve 1999. Otherwise the Commons could be looking for a new speaker, he warned. A grateful Boothroyd said: 'I shall put it in my diary.'

Cap this - a game of two halves

Euroka! is not an Archimedean expostulation, but a new 'business simulation' explaining the complexities of the euro. Devised by Cap Gemini, the game comes in two parts. First prepare for the euro - IT is vital, and costly - then try to reap the benefits. Sadly, Euroka! is not available in the shops, only during an expensive two-day training workshop.