The most recent articles from VNU Business Publications

Becta renews Microsoft deal despite continuing licensing spat

Janie Davies — 2008-05-16T12:13:00.000Z

Janie Davies, Computing, Friday 16 May 2008 at 12:13:00

Education IT agency Becta has renewed its contract with Microsoft for another three years

Microsoft will provide software for schools for another three years, after extending its deal with Becta, despite the two organisations failing to reach an agreement over licensing terms....

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Europe may block Google's Street View

Neon Kelly — 2008-05-16T10:56:00.000Z

Neon Kelly, Computing, Friday 16 May 2008 at 10:56:00

Ground-level images of cities may infringe privacy laws, says regulator

Privacy concerns could see European regulators prevent Google from adding street-level photo images to its mapping service. The search engine's Street View tool gives 360 degree views of hotspots in...

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Patient records cause four-year NHS IT delay

Tom Young — 2008-05-16T09:56:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Friday 16 May 2008 at 09:56:00

Other parts of the scheme are broadly on track, but software delays mean care records will be four years late, says NAO

The original vision of The National Programme for IT (NPfIT) is still achievable despite serious delays to some parts of the scheme, according to a report by the National Audit...

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Council praises child IT system

Janie Davies — 2008-05-15T16:53:00.000Z

Janie Davies, Computing, Thursday 15 May 2008 at 16:53:00

Integrated Children’s System a success, says Kingston Council

Kingston Borough Council has defended the much-criticised Integrated Children’s System (ICS), which has been blamed for keeping social workers at their desks when they should be in the field....

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Intranets should be easy as ABC

William Hudson — 2008-05-15T15:29:00.000Z

William Hudson, Computing, Thursday 15 May 2008 at 15:29:00

Corporate speak is a barrier for IT managers tasked with deciphering complex documents

We have all struggled with corporate speak, where documents are characterised by their complexity. Now, imagine you have an intranet full of documents that users are struggling to decipher....

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Managing risk is about people, process and technology

Bryan Glick — 2008-05-15T15:19:00.000Z

Bryan Glick, Computing, Thursday 15 May 2008 at 15:19:00

Computing’s web seminars on managing risk answered your questions to help make sure your company is not headed for disaster

Senior managers in the private and public sectors are increasingly aware of the risks that affect the achievement of their objectives, and the complexity of putting plans in place to...

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Norwich Union insures consolidation success

Angelica Mari and Ambrose McNevin — 2008-05-15T07:15:00.000Z

Angelica Mari and Ambrose McNevin, Computing, Thursday 15 May 2008 at 07:15:00

The firm consolidated 2,500 servers to fewer than 200 machines

Norwich Union decided to use a niche supplier to handle the transition to a virtualised server environment a move that was “not without its risks”, according to analysts....

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Citi cracks Egg IT integration

Angelica Mari — 2008-05-15T06:00:00.000Z

Angelica Mari, Computing, Thursday 15 May 2008 at 06:00:00

Banking giant’s biggest IT project consolidates systems of five companies

Banking group Citi has completed the first stage of its IT integration process following the acquisition of online bank Egg last May....

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UK cuts software piracy for first time in three years

Neon Kelly — 2008-05-14T17:28:00.000Z

Neon Kelly, Computing, Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 17:28:00

Most nations have improved their markets, yet the global figure for offences has grown

The UK's software piracy rate has fallen for the first time in three years – but only by a single percentage point....

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Microsoft rejigs Small Business Server pricing

Martin Courtney — 2008-05-14T15:28:00.000Z

Martin Courtney, Computing, Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 15:28:00

Bumps up SBS 2008 purchase price but says lower client access licence will save some firms money

Microsoft has revamped its pricing model for the next version of Windows Small Business Server (SBS) in a move which the software giant says will lower the overall purchase costs...

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Next speaks up for faster warehouse processes

Angelica Mari — 2008-05-13T13:11:00.000Z

Angelica Mari, Computing, Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 13:11:00

The retailer is using a voice-based system to improve operations at its new distribution centre

High street retailer Next is using voice-based technology to improve picking productivity at one of its distribution centres. The hands-free kit allows workers at Next’s new distribution centre in Dearne...

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UK IT experts optimistic on health of technology industry

Tom Young — 2008-05-13T12:37:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 12:37:00

But there is room for improvement if sector wants to avoid recession, says report

Senior figures in the UK technology industry remained cautiously optimistic in the face of the credit crunch, as trade body Intellect published a report with six key recommendations for improving...

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Accenture slams Centrica's "baseless" claim

Janie Davies — 2008-05-12T17:36:00.000Z

Janie Davies, Computing, Monday 12 May 2008 at 17:36:00

Accenture, being sued by Centrica, has accused the power giant of shifting blame

Accenture has hit back at energy supplier Centrica saying that it is shifting the blame for "a situation it created"....

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Northern police forces fit education laptops with tracking devices

Janie Davies — 2008-05-12T17:25:00.000Z

Janie Davies, Computing, Monday 12 May 2008 at 17:25:00

Real time tracking will pinpoint the location of stolen laptops in the north of England

West Yorkshire and Merseyside police forces are distributing laptop tracking technology to teachers and pupils. The Security Guardian devices, from tracking supplier ExactTrak, have been developed in consultation with several...

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Public sector spending review to focus on IT

Tom Young — 2008-05-12T16:46:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Monday 12 May 2008 at 16:46:00

Gershon follow-up will examine systems to improve effciency and bulk purchase of hardware

IT is one of four key areas of focus in a successor review to the Gershon programme that will be launched in the next year....

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