http://feeds.feedburner.com/SourceWireAllCategories Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:07:42 +0000 releases@dwpub.com (SourceWire) support@dwpub.com Copyright2012 sourcewire.com http://www.sourcewire.com/images/sw_fav.gif http://feeds.feedburner.com/SourceWireAllCategories Zend Framework Zend_Feed en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70347 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70347
Introduced in September 2011 and already selected by more than 60 service providers worldwide, Perimeta’s flexible architecture supports independent scaling of an SBC’s signaling and media functions – allowing service providers to cost-effectively address the signaling-heavy, changing mix of network traffic. With Perimeta now available to run on various hypervisors, large operators can take advantage of private elastic cloud environments to scale SBC functions completely independently of dedicated hardware.

“Our established approach to building portable SBC software makes it natural to extend Perimeta into cloud-based architectures,” said Martin Taylor, Metaswitch’s CTO. “By architecting our solution for massively parallel operation on multi-core CPUs, network operators can now, for the first time, leverage COTS server farms to initiate virtual SBC capacity on demand. This is a highly efficient use of shared compute resources and mirrors the software-defined network trend of moving control plane software into elastic compute clouds.”
“Today network operators are investing heavily in data center infrastructure, including server hardware and virtualization software to support growing computing demands,” said Diane Myers, Directing Analyst, VoIP and IMS, Infonetics. “By allowing operators to scale SBC capacity and functions on demand, Metaswitch is helping to limit capital expenditures and infrastructure complexity while optimizing the use of SBC licenses.”

Perimeta SBC is currently running live on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud and Metaswitch will be demonstrating Perimeta at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from February 27 – March 1 on the MWC Avenue (AV80-81). Follow Metaswitch in Barcelona on Twitter at #metamwc.

Resource Link:
Learn more about deploying Session Border Control in the cloud.

About Metaswitch Networks

Metaswitch Networks is a leading provider of the software that powers a whole new generation of communications services, and the solutions that fuel the rapid migration to all-IP architectures. Hundreds of network operators worldwide defend, extend and brand their business by building on Metaswitch to deliver a reliable, scalable, and immersive communications experience. For more information, please visit www.metaswitch.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

###
Contacts:

Metaswitch Networks:
Carol Daniels, +1 (510) 589-5074, chd@metaswitch.com

North America:
Caitlin Mattias, Engage PR, +1 (510) 748-8200 ext. 203, cmattias@engagepr.com

Europe, Middle East and Africa:
David Evans, Cohesive Communications, +44 (0)1291 626200, davide@cohesive.uk.com

Asia Pacific:
Dana Corson, Proactive PR, +44 1636 812152, dana.corson@proactive-pr.com

Copyright © 2012 Metaswitch Networks. “Metaswitch” is a registered trademark. Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:50:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70346 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70346
New research from ICM Research into the profile of gamers in the UK has revealed some fascinating insights, including:

• Women are as likely as men to be into gaming (66% of men, 65% of women)
• 2 in 3 Facebook gamers are women, with 50% of them between 25 and 45
• 15% of people in the UK regularly play Facebook games like Cityville & Words with Friends – and 45% of those play every day, often for up to three hours at a time
• Under 45s of both genders tend to play games to pass the time
• Over 45s, particularly women, are more likely to play games to keep mentally fit
• Contrary to popular general perception, online gambling is least popular among older women

ICM’s online survey of 10,000 adults was supported with in-depth qualitative interviews with women over 45, a group recently identified in a government report from the National Centre for Social Research as one which has seen a surge in gambling. These interviews revealed:

• For older women, the social element of online gaming is really important – they go online to interact with current friends and to make new ones. While the games draw them in, they tend to make repeat visits to chat, socialize or interact with younger family members
• They are open to brand tie-ins and sponsored free games as long as commercial information is integral to the game and doesn’t interrupt them
• They worry about damaging their computers and prefer games they don’t have to download
• They prefer free games as they are concerned about getting carried away and spending too much
• Older women are gaming as an alternative to standard entertainment such as TV and puzzle books

Research Director Emily Hunt explained: “Our original focus was on female gamers but the data revealed some interesting new insights into the gaming community as a whole. Qualitatively we learned that there is a general desire to keep active through gaming with most people tending to prefer quick and easy games as opposed to longer, more mission-based games.”

The most significant highlights of the research include:
• Women are as likely as men to play on a console but for women this is driven by the Wii and DS or 3DS, whereas men prefer the Xbox 360, Kinect and PS3.
• Apps are driven by age not gender, being equally popular with younger men and women (23% of men, 25% of women under 45) but less so with older people with only 5% of over 45s expressing an interest.
• Facebook games are driven by both age and gender, with younger women being the most enthusiastic players (17% of young men, 26% of young women, 6% of older men, 13% of older women)
• All four main groups are equally likely to play games every day, but men under 45 are much more likely than any other group to be playing every couple of days.
• Under 45s of both gender are more likely to play games to pass the time (73% of men, 74% of women) but over 45s – particularly women – tend to play games to keep mentally fit (50% of women, 40% of men)
• While gaming to keep physically fit is driven by women, this is higher among the younger age groups (13% of young men, 11% of older men, 26% of young women, 21% of older women).

Emily Hunt added: “With the growing emphasis on social and digital media, this research has several implications for the marketing and media industries. Overall, it is clear that gaming is equally popular with both genders – so marketers need to take that into account when launching products and planning campaigns, while remaining conscious of the discrete motivations and preferences of different user groups.”


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION/THE FULL DATA TABLES, CONTACT:
Emily Hunt at ICM Research on: 020 7845 8300
emily@icmresearch.com

EDITORS NOTES
ICM Group - Clear thinking in a complex world

ICM Group is a full-service research and insights consultancy. The group is formed of ICM Research, ICM Direct and Fieldwork UK.

At ICM Research (www.icmresearch.com), sector specialists conduct original research using a full range of methodologies. Supported by high quality online and telephone data collection from ICM Direct and face-to-face services from Fieldwork UK, ICM Group delivers insight that helps clients make better business decisions.

At ICM we go beyond research and insight to help our clients understand and reap benefits from their opportunities. Our people are experts in their field, bringing together skills and experience from a diverse range of business and research disciplines, to deliver clear thinking in a complex world.


Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ICMResearch


]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:15:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70345 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70345 http://www.eurocompr.com) the global PR network, in association with UK PR agency, Six Degrees (http://www.sixdegreespr.com). However, confidence in the outlook for the technology sector overall is down on this time last year.

Sixty per cent of respondents expect the business they work for to increase jobs and 71 per cent forecast an increase in revenues. In contrast, less than half of respondents (46 per cent) are more confident about the outlook for the technology sector over the next 12 months, down from 61 per cent last year. The study of over 300 executives was conducted in January and February 2012.

Commenting on the overall upbeat results of the survey against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, Mads Christensen, Network Director of Eurocom Worldwide said: “Despite confidence in prospects for the technology sector in general falling from last year, senior executives remain upbeat about the outlook for their own businesses. This is remarkable since our survey was conducted in January and February against the backdrop of continuing concern about the Euro debt crisis and amid slowing GDP growth across many economies.”

The survey is positive on the outlook for tech jobs. Sixty per cent expect to increase employment, similar to last year (57 per cent). Just five per cent expect to decrease headcount (nine per cent in 2011). Almost a third of respondents refer to a skills shortage with 30 per cent saying it is more difficult than last year to hire individuals with the right technology skills.

Amanda Hassall, Director at Six Degrees, said: “We believe two things may be happening. Exciting new technologies in areas, such as mobile and the cloud, mean that there is a stronger case than ever for IT investment. Second, it is likely that deferred IT spend can no longer be delayed if organisations are to maintain competitiveness.”

The Eurocom Worldwide technology confidence survey was conducted online by member agencies of Eurocom Worldwide during January and February 2012. A total of 318 responses were received with approximately 80% from European countries and 11% from the Americas.

Media contact:
Mandy Hassall
amanda.hassall@sixdegreespr.com
Six Degrees Ltd
www.sixdegreespr.com
@mandyhassall
+(0)1628 480280/(0)7855 359889]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:13:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70334 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70334
Marketers can now create turn-key segmentations for better decisions and improved targeting

(www.aprimo.com)

LONDON, UK, 22 February 2012: Aprimo®, a global leader in cloud-based integrated marketing software, today announced a powerful new Campaign Management feature for Aprimo® Relationship Manager. The new Extended Data Source (xDS) allows users to pull information from other databases into a Teradata Database, and then easily integrate it into their marketing campaigns. Using a simple drag-and-drop interface, marketers can now instantly utilise data from service desks, inbound and outbound call centres and other transactional systems that use third-party databases. xDS extends the information that can be leveraged to power campaigns, providing turn-key segmentation, and enabling better marketing decisions.

“Aprimo is committed to continuing to enhance our Campaign Management solutions and xDS is another step on the journey to help our customers leverage strategic data to create effective integrated marketing campaigns,” said Gonzalo Hidalgo, Aprimo’s Vice President of Product Strategy. “Let’s say marketing wants to include information from the call centre in event-based upsell campaigns. In the past they would have had to work through IT to obtain this data and integrate it. With xDS, they can now import, access and analyse the data and decide how to segment the campaign at the click of a button, saving time and ultimately making the campaign more nimble and successful.”

A key advantage of xDS is that it empowers marketers to integrate multiple data streams into their campaigns without having to call on IT each time—enabling turn-key segmentation by incorporating all the information stored in the database into campaigns without any additional configurations. Once a customer has used the pre-packaged system to create an xDS asset, he or she can add to, copy, modify or reuse that data in any number of future campaigns. xDS allows marketers to use leverage the horsepower of Teradata to drive decision management for their campaigns—across all their data sets.
The xDS enhancement will be unveiled at next week’s Aprimo’s 2012 Marketing Summit (#AMS12), in Las Vegas, where customers will have the opportunity to learn more about Campaign Management and other Aprimo Integrated Marketing Management solutions.

About Aprimo:

Aprimo, a Teradata company, is a leading global provider of marketing software and services that enhance the productivity and performance of marketing organisations. Through the use of Aprimo’s integrated marketing software, Aprimo Marketing Studio® for B2C, Aprimo Marketing Studio® for B2B, and Aprimo® Relationship Manager, marketers can integrate their organisations, get control of budget and spend, eliminate internal silos with streamlined workflows, and execute innovative multi-channel campaigns to drive measurable return on investment. Hundreds of thousands of marketers trust Aprimo to revolutionise their marketing. Aprimo customers include over one third of Fortune 100 companies, and nearly one quarter of Global 100 companies. Founded in 1998, Aprimo is headquartered in Indianapolis with offices worldwide. For more information call +44 (0)20 75353 700 or visit www.aprimo.com.

Teradata Corporation (NYSE: TDC), Aprimo’s parent company, is the world’s leading analytic data solutions company, focused on integrated data warehousing, big data analytics, and business applications. Teradata's innovative products and services deliver data integration and business insight to empower organisations to make the best decisions possible and achieve competitive advantage. Teradata acquired Aprimo in January 2011. For more information, visit www.Teradata.com.

Aprimo Clients:

Aprimo clients include: Aviva, Bank of America, E-ON, Merrill Lynch, Pearson Education, QAD, Standard Life, Wal-Mart, and Warner Bros (Time Warner).

Media Contacts:

Conny Lutz
Marketing Manager, Aprimo UKI
conny.lutz@teradata.com
+44 (0)20 7535 3700
Twitter: @aprimo_uk

Julie Dixon
PR Consultant, Cyance
Julie.dixon@cyance.com
07776134589
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:11:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70343 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70343 Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the most anticipated chases in the racing calendar, where a whole host of esteemed horses take to the tracks. With news of Long Run's Newbury victory and illness at Paul Nicholls' stables, the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup site has compiled the latest predictions for the race.

Long Run currently has the shortest available odds for the Gold Cup, suggesting that betting establishments believe that he is set to defend his 2011 title. What's more, Long Run has recently placed first in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury. This victory, just weeks away from the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, indicates that Long Run has remained on top form following his previous victorious season.

The harmonious partnership between Long Run and amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen led to a succession of wins in 2011, and looks likely to carry on this year. However, Waley-Cohen has faced criticism regarding the number of racing bans he has recently picked up, with many calling for a professional to partner with Long Run instead. While it could be a beneficial for the horse to race with a seasoned jockey, breaking up the established partnership could also hinder his performance.

While Long Run has the shortest Cheltenham Gold Cup odds, many horse racing professionals believe that Kauto Star stands a good chance of winning. In spite of his age, Kauto Star has performed consistently well this season, silencing those critics that called for the horse to retire in 2010. He has also recently beaten fellow Gold Cup competitor Long Run in the King George VI Chase, suggesting that Kauto Star has the ability to place first against the 2011 champion in March.

The recent news that several horses have fallen ill at Paul Nicholls' stables could alter Kauto Star's current form. However, Nicholls has yet to comment on which horses have fallen ill, so Kauto Star may not been affected. With only three weeks till the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, hopefully the infection won't have an effect on Kauto Star or World Hurdle favourite Big Buck's.

For more tips and betting information for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup, visit http://www.betfredcheltenhamgoldcup.com/ - a guide to the upcoming March event.
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70342 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70342 8 Solutions, the UK’s leading data centre healthcare company specialising in the deep cleaning and decontamination of critical environments has launched a Data Centre Healthcare Mechanical Services division.

Headed up by Neil Sorrell, Business Development Manager at 8 Solutions, the new division will focus on six key areas including: Floor Remediation and Leveling, Floor Strengthening; Sub floor Maintenance, Air Flow Management, Fire Walling, and Decontamination and Protection.

According to Mark Plant, CEO at 8 Solutions, the driving force behind this new division has been its customers. He explains, “We’ve had a 100% data centre and critical facility focus since our inception and have completed 90,000 cleans without incident. Over the last few months, many of our blue-chip and FTSE 100 clients who are currently using us as their sole data centre decontamination partner have been pushing for additional mechanical services. These areas of expertise are often a critical part of health and safety and building compliance.”

He continued, “Forming a new division dedicated to Mechanical Services was a natural progression for the business.”

The services offered by the Data Centre Healthcare Mechanical Services division provide a number of key benefits to clients believes Neil Sorrell. He explains, “Aside from providing fire protection, our Fire Walling Service also complies with Health & Safety ISO 9001, 4 Hour Fire Integrity BS 476 Pt20/22 and Building Regulations Compliance.”

Neil continued, “Other services such as floor strengthening carried out by a team with over 21 years of experience significantly increases the longevity of a data centre’s floor system, and the air flow design and thermal mapping service assists in reducing a company’s carbon footprint and eliminates hot spots and dead air wells, dramatically improving data centre performance.”

All 8 Solutions technicians undergo a rigorous training programme and receive regular update and refresher courses. The teams, which are all employed by the company, are fully vetted and security checked to BC level, with the majority being SC cleared. This offers a level of assurance to the trustworthiness and integrity of 8 Solutions technicians which has been fundamental to the company’s ability to work with some of the world’s most security sensitive organisations.

-ends-

Editor’s Notes

8 Solutions www.8solutions.com

8 Solutions has grown rapidly to become the leading data centre healthcare provider in the UK and throughout the EMEA region. With a track record of over 90,000 completed projects and a client base that encompasses the majority of the FTSE 100 either directly or through the major facilities management organisations, 8 Solutions enjoys a position of dominance in the data centre healthcare market.

With technicians who are security cleared and trained in both critical environments and the specialist cleaning tools and techniques required to maintain the optimum performance of data centres, 8 Solutions is the perfect partner for reliability and peace of mind.

The company’s highly experienced technicians enables it to provide an exceptional level of service with zero downtime and minimal operational disruption to the client, 8 Solutions operates 24/7/365 and provides scheduled and event based cleaning and decontamination and also an emergency response service in the event of fires, fire suppression discharges and accidents. The company is ISO9001 and ISO14001 accredited and a member of the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM).

Follow 8 Solutions on Twitter.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Justine Smith/Laura Brown
KISS Public Relations
T: 0208 12345 75
justine@kisscom.co.uk
laura@kisscom.co.uk
www.kisspr.co.uk
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:45:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70340 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70340 Ronafix to strengthen and aid the bonding properties of a unique mix of recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) and cement based mortar. This formula is then spray-applied to the pre-shaped modules used to create the necessary ramps required by the riders of skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes!

Bendcrete have been using sprayed concrete in skateboard parks since 1996 and on climbing walls since 1972. They looked at using EPS in the mix to save weight, accelerate installation time and to be more environmentally friendly. However, introducing EPS into the mix affected the physical properties. After consultation with Ronacrete, Bendcrete researchers added Ronafix to the recycled mix to aid with bonding and overall strength. Some time was spent researching the material, so that it could be produced in larger volumes and effective at 1.2 and 2.5cm depth and after some perseverance a workable and effective material was arrived at.

“We have used the reconstituted material in three skate parks and achieved significant gains in production-time on site, as ready finished pre-shaped modules can be installed and sprayed with concrete within a day eliminating on site work that normally would take three days to achieve. The weight is working out at between 300-400kg/m3 which helps counter differential settlement and other stresses in the concrete. Ronafix provided the extra strength and bonding required for effective use in the skateparks.”

Gordon Bendall, Managing Director, Bendcrete

About Ronafix
Ronafix is the worldwide number one product specified for major and minor projects throughout the world. Its reliability, performance, consistency and support has made it a firm favourite with builders, specifiers, contractors and distributors. Ronafix is stronger than concrete, fast drying, high strength, waterproof, reduces shrinkage drastically and has excellent adhesion. It is the only SBR additive with four BBA certificates.


For more information:

www.ronacrete.co.uk
tech@ronacrete.co.uk
01279 638700
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:44:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70339 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70339
It has been confirmed today that Nominet, the not-for-profit registry entrusted with the management of the .uk internet namespace, will take forward the application for a Top Level Domain (TLD) for Wales.

The application will be made to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the body responsible for evaluating the applications a wide range of communities, cities and brands who want their own domains on the internet to join the likes of .com and .co.uk.

Based on survey results and stakeholder dialogue, Nominet is applying for two TLDs - dot CYMRU and dot WALES. This will deliver domains that are inclusive of the whole community, bringing economic and cultural benefits and encouraging greater use of the Welsh language online.

Nominet is one of the world’s leading registries, with a successful track record of managing the .uk registry - the fourth largest in the world - for the past 15 years.

The Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science - Mrs Edwina Hart MBE OStJ AM - has today indicated in a statement that the Welsh Government is content for Nominet to take the case for the Welsh TLDs forward.

Glenn Hayward Director of Finance & Business Development of Nominet said: “This is a big opportunity for Cymru /Wales to define its space on the internet and maximise the distinct identity of the country in both languages – so we will apply for both Dot CYMRU and Dot WALES domains.

“We are confident that our proposed model will position Wales at the forefront of the digital world, by creating trusted high quality domains that provide a clear signpost to all aspects of Welsh society. It will provide consumers and businesses with an opportunity to express their identity and pride through a dedicated online space.

“Nominet believes that a combined bid for dot CYMRU and dot WALES offers the greatest benefits, and this has the full backing of the Welsh Government.”

Ieuan Evans MBE, who chairs the Nominet Wales Advisory Group, said: “Nominet is a not for profit organisation and one of the world’s most experienced and respected registries. They are committed to delivering this bid to ICANN.

He added “Nominet is clearly committed to supporting more use of the Welsh language on the internet and has already advised on how this can be achieved in relation to domain names policy. Now is the time for everyone in Wales to back this bid and to see Wales further represented on the international stage.”

Nominet will now make a formal bid to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) for both dot WALES and dot CYMRU to be established. Nominet will work with the Welsh Government and consider the needs of Welsh businesses and consumers, and the range of geographical, cultural and linguistic communities who wish to have a stake in the project.


Alex Blowers, who will take the lead with the campaign moving forward and work closely with Wales Advisory Group, said: “We will engage widely and openly to develop policy and operational practices that will make these new domains really deliver for Wales. We welcome dialogue with the Welsh Government and the business community on matters of policy and governance.
“We have an experienced Advisory Group in Wales which has been instrumental in pulling this bid together and will continue to help us as we move forward into the application stage and flesh out our policies.”

Ends



NOTES


Interviews available English /Welsh with
Glenn Hayward and Alex Blowers, Nominet Executive (English)
Ieuan Evans MBE (English & Welsh) –Chair of Nominet Advisory Group Wales (English and Welsh)


CONTACT Roy J Thomas at Positif 07767 486 939



Wales Advisory Group consists of Ieuan Evans (Chair); Lisa Francis; Andrew Davies; Clive Grace (Nominet Non Executive Board Member); and Aled Eirug.

Nominet believe they are uniquely placed to maximise the success of this most exciting initiative for Wales:

• Nominet been hugely successful in the role as the guardians of .uk. Top Level Domain (TLD) over the past 15 years.
• Nominet is a membership organisation Nominet operates to the highest standards of UK corporate governance, transparency in our business practices, and corporate social responsibility. Nominet is a leading player in UK and international internet governance and the ICANN community and are well-positioned to promote Wales' best interests in future debate and policy development.
• Nominet are renowned for the high quality and technical excellence of the registry operation. Nominet will exceed ICANN requirements and provide a resilient and reliable service for Wales.
• Nominet will apply customer service expertise and invest in the development of staff located in Wales including the provision of bilingual customer support.

Recent research commissioned by Nominet highlighted significant economic benefits that will be delivered by introducing well managed domains for Wales. Specific research and analysis, conducted by LE Wales. The main findings of the LE Wales study can be summarised as follows:

• Strong support from both businesses and consumers for a new TLD for Wales.
• Particularly strong opportunities to use the new TLD amongst businesses to brand ‘Wales’ to the world. Benefits in terms of strengthening the visibility and use of the Welsh language on the internet as a result of having a Welsh-speaking domain.

Demand from the business community is likely to reflect their chosen markets:

• The benefits for larger businesses of aligning with the Wales brand will be derived from marketing Wales, Welsh products and Welsh services both within and outside the country. Particularly significant opportunities have been identified in relation to tourism, cultural and creative industries, and farm produce/groceries. It has been put to us that the Wales ‘brand’ is less visible than it could be in overseas markets and that a Welsh TLD could help to address this. Given the higher recognition of Wales over Cymru overseas, this may also explain why LE Wales found a significant business preference for dot WALES over dot CYMRU.

• For smaller local businesses, a local market focus will be well served by a local domain extension. Trading levels for these businesses are likely to increase, given the local consumer preference argument. There may also be benefits of owning both a dot CYMRU and a dot WALES domain name.

As a not for profit company, Nominet surpluses are distributed for charitable purposes by an independent charitable trust, the Nominet Trust. Since 2008 Nominet has donated £20 million to the Trust. Nominet will establish a mechanism to ensure that surpluses generated by dot CYMRU and dot WALES are returned to the communities of Wales. Activities include maintaining the register of .uk domain names, and providing the technology that enables the resolution of .uk websites and email addresses.
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:23:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70338 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70338 Thomson Cruises take four out of five top positions in the 2012 Cruisers Choice Awards entertainment category.

The Thomson Dream, Thomson’s flagship cruise ship, came out on top in a host of categories at the Cruisers Choice Awards, including first place internationally in the Best Overall Mid-Sized Ship class and was rated top for Best Service, Cabins (UK) and Shore excursions (UK). The results of the annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards are compiled by Cruise Critic and based on ratings and reviews submitted by its 800,000 members.

The 1,506-passenger Thomson Dream was also awarded first place in the ‘Best Entertainment’ category scoring 4.7 out of 5 in the awards. The Thomson Destiny came in third with 4.4 out of 5, the Thomson Celebration gained fourth place with 4.3 out of 5, and the Thomson Spirit took fifth place with 4.2 out of 5. Thomson Cruises took four of the top five places in this category, making them the most entertaining fleet of ships nominated at the awards. Customers on board the Thomson Dream this winter in the Caribbean, got something extra from their entertainment too, as Ashanti, the winner from Sky 1’s reality TV show Showboater’s, joined the show team.

Fraser Ellacott, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises, says “We pride ourselves on offering the whole package but to be regarded top in entertainment for all our ships is fabulous. We are also thrilled that the Thomson Dream has come out on top in five categories. Winning awards voted for by our passengers is fantastic and we are very pleased.”]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:08:00 +0000 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70337 http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=70337
The Challenge
Many leading global service-driven organisations spanning IT and product development services, clinical research and technical consulting have no way to get a comprehensive view of resource demand to maximise and manage the utilisation of their team. They rely on spreadsheets, manual processes, endless conference calls and other ad hoc means of determining and responding to customer demand.

Historically, Professional Services Automation (PSA) software has been used as an end-to-end solution for mid-size consulting organisations. However, PSA solutions fall short in larger, globally dispersed deployments because of their lack of depth in forecasting, reporting and integration ability. SRP solutions provide the rich feature-set needed to run complex, global and resource-driven services organisations.

Key pain points for global service-driven organisations include:
• Managing demand with a lack of insight in upcoming projects
• Optimising utilisation across virtual, geographically dispersed teams
• Analysis of projects to improve revenue forecasting

“SRP provides critical business functions not found in PSA solutions, and is much better suited for organisations that have a project-centric business model,” said Michael Fauscette, group vice president of Software Business Solutions, IDC. “These solutions address the complexity of how an organisation delivers value, manages costs, directs critical resources and generates profitability. From a strategic standpoint with SRP, instead of reacting to changing business dynamics after the fact, companies can plan ahead for what their organisations need based on demand.”

Leading Companies Select Planview
Companies such as Pennsylvania-based SunGard Financial Systems, one of the world’s leading software and technology services companies, selected Planview Enterprise for its SRP solution in its Global Services group. Serving more than 25,000 customers in 70 countries, SunGard provides software and processing solutions for financial services, education and the public sector.

“The implementation of Planview Enterprise for resource planning is quickly delivering results. We are able to get a good look into resource utilisation – in the present and over time. It’s significantly improved our forecasting process. We’re able to turnaround forecasts and other information within an hour, versus the three to four days it used to take,” said Christina Bray, Senior Manager, Global Excellence, SunGard. “With the visibility provided by Planview Enterprise, we’ve been able to raise the bar on responsiveness to market conditions.”

What We Say
“When people are your business, it’s critical to make sure the right people are working on the right things in the right location at the right time,” said Louise Allen, vice president of product management, Planview. “To be competitive and responsive to a market, world-class resource planning is more than nice to have; it’s a must-have.”

For more information on SRP, watch The Missing Perspective: A Resource View for Service Driven Organisations , a webcast featuring Allen, of Planview, and Margo Visitacion, vice president and principal analyst, Forrester Research.

About Planview
Planview helps enterprises drive innovation, become more agile and efficient, and improve their business performance. For more than 20 years, leading organizations have been making better decisions using our solutions to optimize the planning and execution of their business strategy. As the market leader in portfolio management, we combine a passion for customer success with a commitment to innovation and thought leadership. Throughout the enterprise, our customers use portfolio management to capitalize on business opportunities and thrive in a dynamic, global economy.

Further information:
Julie Kirby / James Cooper
Ascendant Communications
jkirby@ascendcomms.net / jcooper@ascendcomms.net
+44 (0) 7956 955625
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:42:00 +0000