Clear-cut Oracle interview on CRM
Call me a bit fat software nerd, but I loved this interview Sky News conducted with Oracle Asia-Pac CRM chief Michel van Woudenberg.
Feisty iiNet debuts wireless bridge
The flow of consumer electronics products emerging from the fledgling laboratory operation of national broadband provider iiNet shows no signs of stopping, with the company this week announcing it plans to shortly bring a 'wireless bridge' product to market.
‘We’re making history’: Govt on NBN launch
The Federal Government today claimed it had "made history" this morning after it officially launched live services on its flagship National Broadband Network project on the mainland, in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and a host of other parties associated with the telecommunications sector.
Lenovo defends Aussie price hikes
PC manufacturer Lenovo has mounted a spirited defence of its Australian pricing, despite launching its flagship new ThinkPad X1 laptop in Sydney for $560 more than the same hardware will cost in the United States.
NBN launch: Gillard, Conroy pack Armidale bags
National Broadband Network hype is expected to soar to record levels this week, with the Federal Government and NBN Co preparing to host the formal launch of NBN mainland services in the Northern NSW city of Armidale this Wednesday.
Flock of ASUS tablets hits Australia
Taiwanese electronics giant ASUS has outlined local launch dates for a number of its tablet devices to hit the Australian market, including its flagship Eee Pad Transformer combination tablet PC, which the media will be briefed on in a week's time.
Optus promised Tassie upgrades in 2008
The nation's number two telco Optus has defended its investment in Tasmania after the revelation that a number of the sites it announced yesterday would shortly receive 3G mobile coverage in the state were first earmarked for network rollouts back in 2008.
NBN Co opens peace talks with Simon Hackett
NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley today said his team had opened discussions with Simon Hackett over the Internode managing director's NBN pricing concerns, but stopped short of saying NBN Co would be able to address what Hackett has previously described as the company's "insane" pricing model.
Telstra opens up second release NBN sites
NBN Co has negotiated early access to Telstra’s infrastructure to fuel the rollout of its fibre network at the planned second release sites, ahead of the finalisation of what NBN Co chief Mike Quigley described this morning as the pair’s “hideously complex” permanent arrangement.
Optus to triple Tasmanian 3G coverage
The nation’s number two telco Optus yesterday revealed it would invest $25 million in its 3G mobile network in Tasmania over the next two years, tripling the number of base stations in the state to over 100 and increasing the capacity of existing sites to boost signal.
Fujitsu, Service Stream to build NBN in new estates
The National Broadband Network Company this morning confirmed it had appointed Japanese technology giant Fujitsu to roll out the portion of its nation-wide fibre network in new development estates, in a deal initially worth $100 million over its first year.
Scrap the NBN, says Abbott, and build some roads
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has described Labor's plan to invest billions of dollars of equity funding in its flagship National Broadband Network project as "reckless", noting in his Federal Budget reply speech tonight that the capital could be re-allocated to fund a number of major transport infrastructure and hospital projects.
Budget 2011: Turnbull warns of NBN “charade”
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has labelled the Federal Government's continued approach of keeping the cost of building its flagship National Broadband Network project off the annual budget books a "charade", in the wake of early take-up figures of the network's services which the Coalition views as being less than expected.
Chromebooks to hit Australia before Christmas
The two foundation manufacturers which search giant Google has signed up to sell hardware running its fledgling Chrome OS platform have pledged to bring the devices to Australia in the second half of this year -- although Australians have a while to wait for availability yet.
Gillard defends set-top box funding
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has staunchly defended the Federal Government's $308.8 million funding allocated in this week's budget to install and support digital TV set-top boxes for pensioners, claiming that for some, the pending switch-off of analogue television had the potential to remove "perhaps the only companion in their lives".
Telstra’s 4G just “bragging rights”, says Optus CEO
Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan this afternoon said his company wasn't yet seeing consumer demand for the next 'fourth generation' or 4G of mobile networks and devices, adding that plans to deploy the standard by rivals like Telstra were little more than "bragging rights".
NTT buy makes “perfect sense”, says Frontline
Frontline Systems wasn't actively looking for a major investor or acquirer when Japanese group NTT Communications came knocking on his door, according to the Australian IT services group's chief executive Steve Murphy (pictured) -- but the company's decision to take a 70 percent stake in Frontline makes "perfect sense" for both.
NBN Co to use Citrix desktop virtualisation
The National Broadband Network Company this morning revealed it would deploy Citrix-based desktop and application virtualisation to help provide services to its burgeoning workforce – including third-parties which need access to its systems.
NTT swoops on Frontline
NTT today revealed it would purchase 70 percent of Australian technology services firm Frontline Systems, in the Japanese technology consortium’s second major step into the Australian market, following the acquisition of tier two IT services player Dimension Data in mid-2010.
Geo-IP removal skips Aussie game censorship
A noted online distributor of popular video games such as The Witcher series has removed functionality from its platform which limits some features to customers based on what country their internet address is from, potentially allowing Australians to clandestinely escape local video game censorship rules.
Internode launches FetchTV IPTV
Ten months after it kicked off a trial of the service and almost a year after it was launched by rival iiNet, national broadband provider Internode has launched the FetchTV internet video service on its network, pricing the offering at very similar rates to those offered by iiNet.
Budget 2011: Wadeson wins DHS funding colossus
In tonight’s Budget, the Federal Government allocated more than half a billion dollars to projects that will see the technology platforms of the fledgling super-department known as the Department of Human Services, created by the merger of a number of agencies, including Medicare, Centrelink and the Child Support Agency.
Budget 2011: Govt discloses NBN equity payments
The Federal Government has used tonight’s annual budget to provide further detail about how it will inject equity funding into its flagship National Broadband Network project, to meet its capital requirements over the next decade as it rolls out infrastructure around the nation.
Budget 2011: Filter grants cancelleddue to lack of interest
The Federal Government tonight announced that it would not proceed with a funding program which has seen Australian internet service providers provided with grants to offer internet filtering options to customers; citing a lack of interest in the project.
Mogeneration gets funding injection
Local smartphone and tablet software development house Mogeneration today revealed it had completed what it described as a first round “multi-million dollar” capital raising, as the company ramps up its plans to conquer the burgeoning digital publishing arena on the Apple iPad and other devices.
Salesforce.com promises Australian datacentre
Global cloud computing giant Salesforce.com has given Australian customers concerned about losing control of their data to other jurisdictions the first ray of hope in the past decade, confirming today it was evaluating the case for creating a local datacentre.
Telstra denies Tassie NBN opportunism
The nation’s biggest telco Telstra has denied that several ADSL broadband upgrades in Tasmanian towns not scheduled to be immediately serviced by the National Broadband Network had anything to do with the lack of immediate plans for NBN fibre to be rolled out in the areas concerned.
ATO’s EDS deal value less than expected
The Australian Taxation Office appeared to have bargained the division of HP formerly known as EDS (now HP Enterprise Services) down a bit in its negotiations with the supplier over the centralised computing contract the pair inked late in 2010, putting a $738 million price tag this morning on the deal -- substantially less than the $800 million expected.
AAPT CEO poached to fix NSW?
Four years after he took the role leading Telecom New Zealand’s troubled Australian division AAPT, and nine months after he sold a large chunk of it to smaller rival iiNet, seasoned telco and industry executive Paul Broad has reportedly been poached to run the new NSW Government’s infrastructure revitalisation arm.
Private equity sells up: Mincom bought again
Just over four years ago, one of Australia’s largest home-grown software businesses, a company that had been fuelled by the national resources boom, was bought by US-based private equity fund Francisco Partners. Today the private equity lifecycle has come full circle: Mincom has been sold again.
Scoopon won’t talk Packer pow-wow
A spokesperson for sister websites Scoopon and Catch of the Day has declined to comment on a report that media and gambling tycoon James Packer is negotiating to take a stake in the two companies.
Vodafone won’t sell Motorola’s Xoom
Mobile telco Vodafone today confirmed it would not be launching Motorola’s highly anticipated Xoom tablet in Australia, preferring instead to focus on existing exclusive offerings such as its rival Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v.
Optus wants FetchTV on tablets, smartphones
Telecommunications industry rumours have long hinted that the nation’s number two telco Optus would follow in the footsteps of rivals iiNet and Internode and sign up with fledgling internet video player FetchTV. The rumours, it turns out, were true – but the partnership between the pair goes further than previous deals in the space.
Budget 2011: Pensioners get free digital TV
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy confirmed over the weekend that the Federal Budget due to be delivered on Tuesday night contains $308.8 million to continue a scheme which is seeing pensioners provided with a free set-top box to assist them with making the switch to digital television.
Farr’s forward march: Defence wins IT funding
A number of high-profile technology projects which have been on the Department of Defence’s drawing board for years have been approved by the Federal Government, paving the way for hundreds of millions of dollars of technology spending to be unlocked over the next decade under the guidance of Defence chief information officer Greg Farr (pictured).
Optus to launch the Xoom in June
The nation’s number two telco Optus this afternoon confirmed plans to bust open the doors of the love nest created this week by Telstra and Motorola, confirming plans to launch the US mobile giant’s Xoom Android tablet on its own network just a month after the device goes on sale with Telstra.
ATO wins qualified approval for Change Program
The Australian Taxation Office has received a qualified pat on the back for its lengthy implementation of one of the nation’s most complex technology projects – its $756.7 million Change Program – in one of the most comprehensive examinations of the project yet undertaken.
NBN Co kicks off interim satellite service
The National Broadband Network Company will start providing wholesale access to a nation-wide satellite service from July this year, following the signing of two interim deals with satellite providers Optus and IPstar, worth $200 million and $100 million respectively.
This is the year for NAB core banking overhaul
It's taken a while, but the Commonwealth Bank of Australia's ambitious project to overhaul its core banking system finally has a rival, with National Australia Bank flagging plans to rapidly increase the pace of its own core overhaul -- with a key tranche of the project to be delivered by the end of this year.
iiNet’s IPv6 to hit customers soon
National broadband provider iiNet has told customers not to worry about the impending shortage of IPv4 internet addresses, noting that it was currently running trials with the next version 6 of the Internet Protocol, and that it expected to start including portions of its customer base soon.
Telstra releases Motorola Xoom, Atrix pricing
The nation’s largest telco Telstra has released pricing and launch details for Motorola’s highly anticipated Xoom tablet, as well as confirming details for its rumoured launch of the company’s innovative Atrix smartphone.
Govt awards datacentre migration panel
The Federal Government has named six companies which will assist its departments and agencies in datacentre migration services, as it prepares to take a more unified approach to the way in which it provides IT infrastructure services.
We’ve got 170,000 VoIP customers, iiNet tells Telstra
National broadband provider iiNet has responded to comments by Telstra that consumer-grade Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony isn’t yet reliable enough for use by pointing out that it has 170,000 customers using the technology – and they’re very happy, thank you very much.
Google destroys Aussie Wi-Fi data
Search giant Google today revealed that several months ago it had destroyed the payload data its Streetview cars had collected over the past several years as they brushed past Wi-Fi networks on their journeys around Australia, finally putting an end to one of the Australian technology sector's most controversial privacy scandals.
Vodafone kicks off NBN trial
'Better late than never' appears to be Vodafone's catch phrase with respect to the National Broadband Network, with the mobile telco revealing today it had formalised a deal with NBN Co to conduct trials on the company's fledgling fibre network as it is rolled out in the NSW town of Armidale over the next few months.
ANZ flags murky “20-year” technology plan
The chief executive of ANZ Bank has gone out of his way to reassure the market that the bank has a wide-ranging strategy that will guide its technology development roadmap over the next several decades -- but without providing much in the way of detail about what the twenty-year journey might look like in practice.
Offshore cloud privacy may be “impossible,” says commissioner
Victoria's privacy commissioner has issued a stark warning to government agencies about the use of cloud computing, warning that it may be "impossible" to protect personal information held about Australians when it was located offshore -- or even just outside Victoria.
EA buys Australian game studio Firemint
Electronic Arts overnight announced it would acquire prominent Australian video games studio Firemint, in a move which will bring the popular Flight Control and Real Racing games under the video game giant's wings.
New iMacs available now in Australia
Iconic technology giant Apple overnight unveiled a refresh of its popular iMac personal computer line, noting that the new hardware was already available locally and unveiling Australian pricing.
ANZ continues super-regional IT strategy
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group has given a series of tantalising hints about what technology projects have taken up its time over the past six months, in a half-yearly financial results session today which emphasised the bank’s strategy of focusing on investing on growth in markets in the Asia-Pacific region rather than Australia.
Crowdmass buy purely a talent play, says Groupon MD
Groupon paid only a “symbolic” amount to buy Melbourne-based group buying site Crowdmass, the company’s Australian chief said this afternoon, with the acquisition being more about sourcing good employees than buying the company’s business assets.
Groupon buys low-profile Melbourne site
Giant US group buying company Groupon has made what appears to be its first acquisition in Australia, picking up a Melbourne-based deals site named Crowdmass, which was founded just 12 months ago.
Minister: Sony hack firms breach notification case
Regulations which will force Australian organisations to disclose whenever customers’ data has been stolen may be one step closer following the disastrous hacking of Sony’s PlayStation Network over the past few weeks.
LG Optimus 2X hits Harvey Norman
LG today revealed its flagship Optimus 2X smartphone would launch in Australia this month – but without a major telco partner to support it, with the Korean electronics giant to initially sell the handset unlocked through retailer Harvey Norman for the up-front cost of $649.
Google Australia claims 2010 financial loss
The Australian division of search giant Google has filed financial accounts with the nation’s corporate regulator stating it made a loss of $3.08 million in 2010, paying just $7.4 million in taxes as a result, off local revenues of $151.39 million.
NBN should be “above politics”, says Huawei
Chinese technology manufacturer Huawei has called for Australia’s commitment to the National Broadband Network to be “above politics”, arguing that the network rollout is a defining moment in the nation’s history.
Consumer VoIP not reliable, says Telstra
Telstra today said it did not believe Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony could deliver sufficient reliability and quality to enable the telco to launch a VoIP service to consumers, despite revealing plans to launch a VoIP service to small businesses, including those with staff working from home.
SAP project bites Ingram Australia
The global headquarters of technology distributor Ingram Micro has blamed declining financial performance over the first quarter of its 2011 financial year specifically on failings associated with a troubled upgrade to a new SAP-based enterprise system in Australia.
Tassie education dept wants Mac, Linux anti-virus
Tasmania's Department of Education has gone to market for anti-virus software for its 40,000 desktop PCs and 1,000 servers, specifying solutions must be able to secure not only Microsoft Windows, but also Mac OS X and Linux, in a move that once again raises the question of whether the alternative platforms require dedicated security software.
The return of Telstra’s 3G hotspot in a thong
The idea is clearly genius and worth funding further -- it's a 3G hotspot ... IN A THONG! Someone throw more money at this guy!
Foster confirmed as Fujitsu CEO
Senior Fujitsu executive Mike Foster has been confirmed as the permanent chief executive of the technology giant’s Australia and New Zealand operations, following his acting appointment in the role after the promotion of his predecessor Rod Vawdrey.
Optus reveals HTC Incredible S pricing
The nation's number two telco Optus has announced pricing and availability details for its exclusive arrangement to sell HTC's new Incredible S handset, revealing today it would sell the Android-based handset for zero dollars up-front on a $49 cap plan starting from 1 May -- or online from 6 May.
Accel pumps $35m into 99designs
US venture capital powerhouse Accel Partners has invested $35 million into fast-growing crowdsourced design marketplace 99designs, which is headquartered in Melbourne and was created in early 2008 by the founders of popular online web development forum SitePoint.
‘We’ll do $10 billion’: Kogan ten-ups Gerry Harvey
Maverick entrepreneur Ruslan Kogan has fired another salvo in his ongoing war of words with retail rival Gerry Harvey, declaring his company would aim to achieve ten times the $1 billion in ten years online sales market which the Harvey Norman chief executive set his company this week.
Apple of the isle: The NBN expands in Tasmania
The National Broadband Network Company this morning released maps and timing details for the next stage of its fibre rollout in Tasmania, with the network construction to affect some 11,150 homes and business across the state over the next year.
iiNet’s new BoB delayed to June
National broadband provider iiNet today revealed its latest integrated router, BoB2, would be released two months later than previously indicated but would be cheaper than the current model.
White iPhone 4 hits Australia tomorrow (Thursday)
After 10 months of delays and rumours, Apple late tonight (Wednesday) confirmed that the white version of its iPhone 4 would go on sale in Australia and a number of other countries tomorrow (Thursday 28 April).
Vic doctors want $328m for e-health
After just a few short months in office, Victoria's new State Government has already canned the previous administration's plans to roll out Apple iPads to every public sector doctor in the state and placed Victoria's flagship $360 million e-health project HealthSMART on ice. But not everyone is happy to see e-health investment so dramatically rolled back in the state.
Brunswick NBN rollout: Photos
Whirlpool user and all-round nice guy Sambo9 recently publishing this stunning gallery of photos of the National Broadband Network rollout in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, and has kindly consented to let us post them on Delimiter as well. We consider this one of the best photo galleries we've seen of the actual NBN, as it goes into great detail about the actual NBN equipment, as well as the fibre being rolled out in the street and so on. Cheers Sambo9!
National Broadband Network … or Super Mario Bros?
The Government has stolen the plot to Nintendo's hit circa 1986 video game, and are now using it as strategy!
SHINING A LIGHT IN: Victoria’s major IT projects under review
Several of Victoria’s major government watchdogs and the new Coalition government itself have taken the first steps in bringing the state’s trouble-plagued technology projects to heel, putting one flagship project on ice and scheduling others for a series of reviews that will govern their future.
Will NRMA Insurance offshore IT to India?
Insurance giant IAG has confirmed it is currently examining bids from a number of technology outsourcing partners to support its NRMA Insurance brand, as rumours swirl that the company will offload a significant amount of its technology operation to a provider in India.
Optus picks Nokia Siemens for core
The nation's number two telco, Optus, today revealed it had selected Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to be its sole packet core vendor, in a multi-million dollar contract that will allow it to face its growing bandwidth needs.
Vodafail: The musical
Incredibly hilarious music video about VHA’s ongoing struggles with their network. We were left speechless after this one. Truly gold.
Optus nurses health provider to cloud
Optus has added another corporate customer to its cloud computing roster, with South Australia’s Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) signing up to use the telco’s facility to support its disaster recovery functions.
Vodafone testing Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Vodafone Australia today revealed via Twitter that it was testing version 2.3 of Google’s Android software on a number of high-end handsets — the Samsung Galaxy S, the 7″ Galaxy Tab tablet, the HTC Desire Z and the Desire HD.
Whirlpool users support NBN opt-out policy
An extensive survey of broadband users by online forum Whirlpool has found that most support the so-called ‘opt-out’ approach to rolling out the National Broadband Network, and that overall sentiment towards the NBN policy as a whole has rapidly improved over the past several years.
Telstra to release Motorola Xoom in May
Telstra and Motorola today confirmed long-held speculation that the manufacturer's Xoom tablet would launch on the telco's Next G network, with May timing but no pricing revealed at this point.
Hackett rubbishes NBN Co’s ‘crystal ball gazing’
Internode managing director Simon Hackett has published an impassioned statement responding to the National Broadband Network Company’s attempts to explain its pricing model, accusing the fledgling fibre monopolist of “crystal ball gazing” with regard to its predictions of how much usage its network will see.
Monash web server briefly hacked
Victoria's Monash University has acknowledged that its website was briefly broken into on Saturday and replaced with what appeared to be an Iranian flag encased in a geographical map of the country.
NBN Co releases wholesale pricing calculator
The National Broadband Network Company has released an online calculator that allows users to calculate projected wholesale costs for providing services to its planned network, as debate continues to swirl about whether its pricing model will disadvantage smaller ISPs who want to play on the national stage.
Systems for People done, Correll retires
Long-time Department of Immigration and Citizenship chief information officer Bob Correll has retired from his role, following the completion of most of the work under the department's mammoth Systems for People internal technology revamp.
Gartner approves as clouds swirl Canberra
The final release of a strategic directions paper on cloud computing by the Federal Government has been praised by a distinguished analyst at research house Gartner, as discussion about how and whether governments should jump on board the new cloud paradigm continues to swirl in Canberra.
Principal Turnbull: Teaching Conroy “Economics 101”
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has used the release of new broadband statistics to argue that the real inequity in Australia's broadband market is the fact that lower income households cannot afford currently broadband prices, arguing that Communications Minister Stephen Conroy needs to learn "Economics 101".
Cohen supported iSOFT buyout, claims investor
One of the key investors in troubled e-health software giant iSOFT has claimed that the company's former executive chairman Gary Cohen was supportive of a buyout of the company by IT services giant CSC, despite the fact that Cohen last week filed legal proceedings in what appeared to be an attempt to block part of the acquisition.
Pricing stoush: NBN Co Whirlpools its rationale
The National Broadband Network Company has published an extensive statement explaining its pricing rationale on broadband forum Whirlpool in an apparent attempt to comprehensively respond to continued strident criticism from industry luminaries Simon Hackett and Bevan Slattery about its model.
Cool SydStart videos: Live now
At the recent SydStart startup conference in Sydney, the guys from StartCastAU did a great deal of filming, and have recently published a handful of excellent speeches by luminaries from Australia's startup scene. We've embedded what we think are the best ones below -- but check out StartCastAU's YouTube channel for others.
Marketing the key for startups, says Atlassian
Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes has hailed marketing as the key lesson which Australian startups should focus on as they try to build successful companies.
Optus nabs HTC Incredible S
The nation's number two telco Optus has achieved one of its first exclusives with Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC, unveiling plans to exclusively launch the company's Incredible S handset on its mobile network from the 1st of May -- although pricing for the device has yet to be released.
Geek bakers at NBN Co … we salute you
According to NBN Co's Twitter account, the organisation is having a fundraiser today to raise money for DCH Animal Adoptions ... complete with NBN...
IBM sued for bullying, sexual harassment
A former senior sales consultant who worked in for IBM in Melbourne has filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against the technology giant for sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination and bullying, noting she feels "worthless" after an alleged ordeal at the company she had formerly put on a "pedestal".
AGIMO strategy disappoints Gartner analyst
blog There was a lot to take in in yesterday's wide-ranging ICT strategy announcement by the Australian Government Information Management Office, and we still...
Kogan launches Android tablet, Ubuntu netbook
Kogan Technologies today launched a tablet based on Google’s Android operating system, more than a year after its maverick founder Ruslan Kogan started demonstrating a similar device.
Vodafone upgrades hit Central Coast customers
Vodafone today revealed it would shortly start conducting a large series of upgrades to mobile facilities on the Central Coast in New South Wales, setting itself a gruelling schedule with plans to hit 44 sites in less than four weeks.
The best Australian iPhone apps (under $5)
Good news everyone! Today Delimiter is launching its first eBook -- a 39 page effort entitled The Best Australian iPhone apps (under $5).
AGIMO unveils ICT strategy draft
The federal Department of Finance and Deregulation has published a draft of an ICT Strategic Vision which it hopes will fuel development of a next-generation era of better interactions between the government, its agencies and Australian citizens, as well as enhanced service delivery in general.
Nintendo has sold 31,000 3DS units since March
Nintendo today claimed to have registered record Australian sales for its 3DS portable device, within weeks from the console's launch locally.
Queensland scientists testing ‘space beer’
A critical element of humanity's voyage to the stars.
When will Cisco stop selling the Flip in Australia?
Cisco this morning declined to issue a comment on the future of its Flip range of hand-held camcorders in Australia, after the company announced globally overnight that it would shut that side of its business down.
VMware’s Harapin takes APJ role
The long-time managing director of VMware Australia and New Zealand has been promoted to an Asia-Pacific and Japan role, with his replacement to be Duncan Bennet, the former leader of Sun Microsystems in Australia.
Tassie Govt issues $17m PC tender
The Tasmanian Treasury, on behalf of the Tasmanian Government, has issued a request for tenders for a $17 million information, communication and technology hardware contract which will provide new end user equipment to government offices across the state.
Oracle Exadata saves time for AFG
Oracle this week announced its Exadata Database Machine and suite of applications were up and running to serve the Australian Finance Group and its thousands of members.
Foster takes over as Fujitsu’s Vawdrey promoted
Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand chief executive Rod Vawdrey (pictured, second from right) has been promoted to be the vice president of Fujitsu's Global Business Group, a move which will see him leave his long-held role leading the company's local operations.
Who is this “Max Pesh”?
Perhaps, Mr Conroy, you mean Mark Pesce?
“Lay off the Kool-Aid,” Turnbull tells NBN believers
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull last night declared National Broadband Network enthusiasts needed to demonstrate what applications would actually need the fibre network’s massively enhanced speeds, telling futurist Mark Pesce he needed to “lay off the kool-aid” with respect to the technology.
Huawei is head-hunting in South Australia
Chinese manufacturer Huawei yesterday announced it would create 50 new jobs in South Australia, as part of its commitment to build Vodafone Hutchinson Australia's new network; news that comes as the state's Premier Mike Rann is visiting the company's facilities in China.
Photos: Red Rock Oracle Leadership Forum 2011
These photos are from UXC subsidiary Red Rock's recent Oracle Leadership Forum, which was held at Sydney's Luna Park on March 17.
Video: Top Telstra execs work call centre shift
We'd like to offer a round of congratulations to Telstra's senior management team -- including chief executive David Thodey and CFO John Stanhope, who recently took a crash course in Telstra customer service and got their hands dirty in one of the company's call centres for an afternoon. It's very, very few executives that would eat humble pie like this to learn how their business *really* functions, and this sort of effort should be applauded.
Birks quits the AIIA
The peak representative group for Australia’s technology vendors has started looking for a new chief executive, following a decision by its incumbent Ian Birks to leave his position to start his own consulting company.
Analysing cloud computing contracts: Video
The good chaps over at iTNews had a fascinating event last week where they sat down and got into the nitty gritty of cloud computing contracts — you know, the ones where you sign all your customer data away to the likes of Salesforce.com without reading any fine print, or host your sensitive secrets on Amazon Web Services. The videos make excellent viewing and we’ve watched quite a few this morning … when we were supposed to be doing proper work. So check them out, if you have the time and inclination.
Optus launches femtocell trial
After years of being hyped up as a next generation solution to mobile phone coverage problems, femtocell technology has finally hit the Australian market in the shape of a trial being kicked off this week by the nation’s number two telco Optus.
Delimiter highly commended in awards
Hi everyone,
happy Monday morning! *groan* ;)
Just a quick note to let you know that while Delimiter didn't pick up any awards at the IT...
YOU’RE WRONG AGAIN, Hackett tells Conroy
Simon Hackett has accused Communications Minister Stephen Conroy of again making factually incorrect statements about Internode's approach to the National Broadband Network, claiming Conroy hadn't even read some of Hackett's recent statements on the matter.
$408 outright: Telcos discount Galaxy Tab
Telstra and Vodafone have dramatically chopped their list price for the 7" version of Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet by more than half in some cases, with the device now costing as little as $408 outright -- compared to $999 when the tablet first launched in the closing months of 2010.
NBN Co joins Whirlpool in Internode retort
The National Broadband Network Company has joined broadband forum Whirlpool in an attempt to better inform the public about its muli-billion dollar project, with its first post last night being an extensive entry providing information around its ISP pricing plans, in an apparent attempt to reply to sharp criticism of its model by Internode MD Simon Hackett.
Telstra to launch Motorola’s Xoom + Atrix shortly?
Both the nation's biggest telco Telstra and device manufacturer Motorola have declined to comment on a report that Motorola's highly anticipated Xoom tablet and Atrix handset will be launched through Telstra in the next month or so.
Telstra details South Brisbane fibre upgrade
Telstra has published some fascinating details in this video about the fibre to the home replacement for its copper network in the area served by its South Brisbane exchange.
TPG snubs mainland NBN trials; Optus joins
The National Broadband Network Company has signed up a slew of internet service providers to sell retail services over its burgeoning network when it launches in mainland Australia; but one of Australia's largest ISPs, TPG, has been left off the list.
Poor OzLog consultation led to FUD, finds Senate
The Senate's communications committee yesterday took an axe to the proposal by the Attorney-General's Departmentment to force ISPs to retain data about all telephone calls and emails made by Australians, highlighting a lack of consultation with the wider community which had given the so-called 'OzLog' proposal a bad reputation.
VHA examines cloud computing options
Mobile telco Vodafone Hutchison Australia has started considering to what extent cloud computing services could help serve its technology infrastructure needs, as part of a planned wider consolidation of its datacentre environment.
Harvey Norman launches daily deals site
Retail giant Harvey Norman today confirmed it had launched a new website to promote daily deals on products to customers, following a trend set by dozens of other companies over the past several years following the immense growth of sites like LivingSocial and GroupOn in the United States.
Tech Mahindra takes control of VHA’s IT
Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) today confirmed it had appointed Indian IT services giant Tech Mahindra as its new IT managed service provider, in a deal which the Australian Financial Review has valued at around $250 million.
Dell Australia hit by Epsilon breach
The Australian division of technology giant Dell yesterday warned that some local consumer and small business customers had had their email addresses and first and last names exposed in the giant security breach suffered by US email marketing giant Epsilon.
RIM to demonstrate PlayBook in Australia
Research In Motion (RIM) has given a strong indication that its PlayBook tablet will shortly be introduced to the Australian market, inviting local journalists to preview the device next week.
Defence issues $340m systems integration tender
The Department of Defence's Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) today announced it would be shortly be selecting companies for an Applications Management Services Partner Arrangement (AMSPA) in a deal expected to push through approximately $340 million worth of value.
NBN Co’s construction chief quits
NBN Co today confirmed its head of construction Patrick Flannigan had resigned from his role; news that came just days after negotiations broke down between the fledgling fibre monopoly and some 14 construction firms about the construction of the nation-wide network.
Naughty Apple, competing with your own resellers
blog Another year rolls on and another Apple store is being planned, this time in the sunny geography known as 'South Melbourne'. Normally this...
Conroy factually incorrect on Internode NBN submission
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has been caught out making a factually incorrect public statement about national broadband provider Internode, falsely claiming the company did not make a submission to the competition regulator's 2010 inquiry into the number of points of interconnect the National Broadband Network would need.
Victoria may block R18+ game rating
According to a report by The Age, Victoria’s new Liberal Attorney-General Robert Clark may be interested in blocking the introduction of an R18+ rating for video games … at least as it is currently being proposed:
Details unclear in CSC’s iSOFT buy
US-headquartered IT services giant CSC was today unable to provide any substantive detail about how its planned acquisition of listed Australian e-health player iSOFT would affect customers or staff, noting the buyout process had only just begun.
We predicted NBN construction blow-outs: Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull late last week claimed the Opposition and sections of the telecommunications industry had predicted the NBN construction costs would blow out beyond the Government's estimates, in the wake of news that NBN Co had been forced to halt its tendering process in the area, after negotiations with suppliers broke down over price.
NBN “a joint venture with Telstra”
blog Business Spectator commentator Alan Kohler has taken an axe to the Federal Government's flagship NBN policy, describing the project as "effectively a joint...
Internode had its chance to complain, says Conroy
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has pushed back against strident criticism of NBN Co's proposed pricing model by Internode managing director Simon Hackett, arguing the ISP had its chance to complain to the national competition regulator during its inquiry on the number of points of interconnect last year.
At long last, CSC to buy iSOFT
US-headquartered IT services giant CSC has confirmed it will buy troubled Australian e-health player iSOFT, in a move that will finally give CSC full control over the company it has long partnered with in the UK Government’s makeover of its national health technology systems, and will bring long-awaited stability to iSOFT's operations.
Win an iPod Nano and cloud computing credit![Sponsored competition]
To win, all you need to do is answer the question in 25 words or less: How would you define cloud computing to a child or non-technical relative?
R18+ games: We’ve already debunked you, Barbara
blog Australian Council on Children and the Media chief executive Barbara Biggins has published an interesting comment piece on ABC Unleashed arguing that those...
Hackett’s premise flawed, says NBN Co
NBN Co has defended its pricing approach in the face of strident criticism from an ISP which will be one of its largest customers, claiming comments by Internode managing director Simon Hackett this week didn't reflect the "reality" of how it would sell services to the telecommunications market after its network was rolled out.
NBN Co halts network construction tender
The company building the National Broadband Network has been forced to halt a tendering process to find construction companies to lay the planned fibre around the nation, after negotiations broke down with 14 suppliers over price.
Great video about Aussie startups
We loved this video filmed at the Silicon Beach drinks last week, featuring a number of Australian entrepreneurs talking about why they work in...
Avaya wins Cochlear from Cisco, Alcatel
IP telephony and data player Avaya today announced it has signed a US$1 million contract to deploy integrated voice and data solutions for Cochlear, replacing previous vendors Cisco and Alcatel at the hearing giant's head office in North Ryde.
PushStart gives startups a leg up
A new Australian incubator for startups, PushStart, has formed and is head-hunting for volunteer mentors.
Gillard hack a “wake-up call”, say security experts
The rogue attackers who are suspected of hacking into the parliamentary computers of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and others could have already covered their traces, a security expert said this week, as news of the apparent break-in sent shock waves through Australia's security community.
Vodafone’s Infinite plans now allow tethering
Vodafone today revealed through its company blog that it had modified its Infinite mobile plans to offer tethering to both iPhone and Android 2.2 users.
Australia’s NBN is nothing like Korea, says Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has delivered an impassioned speech arguing much of the reality around the nature broadband has been lost in the national NBN debate, and that Australia’s fibre to the home rollout is unusual even by the standards of international broadband centres like Korea.
NBN will stifle competition, says AAPT
AAPT chief executive Paul Broad today called on fellow telcos to stand up and “make noises” to protect competition in the new world order of the National Broadband Network.
Will CSC buy troubled iSOFT?
Multiple media outlets are speculating that IT services giant CSC might buy troubled Australian e-health company iSOFT, in a move that will finally give CSC full control over the company it has long partnered with in the UK Government's makeover of its national health technology systems.
St George pioneers Windows Phone 7 app
St George Bank yesterday revealed it had developed what it claimed to be Australia's first banking application for Windows Phone 7 smartphones.
‘Insane’ NBN pricing will kill small ISPs: Hackett
Internode managing director Simon Hackett today described the National Broadband Network’s pricing model as “insane” for small internet service providers, warning that none will survive their walk through the “valley of death” transition from the current copper network to the fibre future envisioned by the Federal Government.
CUA overhauls core banking platform
Credit Union of Australia today announced it would deploy a new core banking system based on Tata Consultancy Services' BaNCS platform, which the Indian services provider acquired a handful of years ago with its buyout of Australian software firm Financial Network Services.
Leaders needed: Thodey wants united telco front
Telstra chief executive David Thodey has issued a call to arms for Australia’s telecommunications industry to present a united front on a range of issues, in the face of what he described as “shocking” intervention by regulators on issues such as customer service.
Spies may have hacked Gillard’s PC, says Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph this morning reported that at least 10 parliamentary computers, including those belonging to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Defence Minister Stephen Smith, were suspected of being hacked, with government sources linking the attacks to foreign spy agencies.
IBM wins $200m NBN Co systems deal
NBN Co has appointed the nation’s largest technology services company IBM as the prime systems integrator to build the technology platform which will form...
Turnbull slams Conroy’s “incompetence”as NBN bills pass
Two key pieces of legislation relating to the National Broadband Network have been approved by both houses of parliament in Canberra, after a week of prolonged debate and negotiation which Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull today described as a “spectacle”.
Telstra creates 3G Wi-Fi hotspot … in a thong
Yes, you read the headline right. In what appears to be yet another stroke of marketing genius, Telstra has paid some larrikin (or is it one of its own employees?) to cut a square shape in a common thong, and insert a 3G modem to create a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
Labor MP decries Apple’s Australia tax
Federal Labor MP Ed Husic last week criticised Apple and other technology giants for hiking prices on their products when sold in Australia compared with the US, noting he would write to the managing director of Apple Australia to demand answers as to why the mark-ups occurred.
Take our survey to have a chance win an iPad 2
Delimiter will shortly be giving away an Apple iPad 2 to a lucky reader. All you have to do to enter is to take our audience survey and guess a number between 1 and 10,000.
$100k fine: Software cops bust ad agency
A un-named Melbourne-based advertising agency has agreed to pay $100,000 in damages to an alliance representing software companies, after it admitted it didn't have licences for all of the software it was using.
Videos: iPad 2 launch in Sydney
Unfortunately Delimiter couldn't catch the iPad 2 launch live as it happened at 5pm on Friday night, but quite a few people did, and you can check out how the event went by watching the videos above.
Hotmail’s secure, says Microsoft
Software behemoth Microsoft has maintained that its online services are secure, in the face of news that the department which houses Prime Minister Julia Gillard, her staff and the Cabinet would block public web-based email services such as Hotmail and Gmail from 1 July as a security risk.
Say hello to the Telstra ‘Netboys’
Oh dear ... how did this get through the marketing budget approval process?
Optus revamps plans for iPad 2 launch
The nation's number two telco Optus has revealed a refresh of its iPad plans in preparation for this afternoon's 5PM Australian launch of the second version of Apple's flagship tablet.
Video: Apple faithful await iPad 2 in Sydney
In the middle of the Sydney central business district, surrounded by only a few essential belongings -- a chair, a sleeping bag, some grocery and a suitcase -- several young men are temporarily living on the street. They've been there for 24 hours already and don't expect to get much rest until 5PM on Friday night. They are the Apple faithful.
iiNever-ending story: AFACT to appeal
In a press release issued this afternoon, the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) announced it would continue its legal battle against ISP iiNet over copyright infringement, seeking leave to appeal its case to the High Court.
Delimiter a finalist in journalism awards
Delimiter has been named as a finalist in a slew of awards for the technology journalism industry’s annual night of nights – the IT Journalism Awards 2010, otherwise known as ‘The Lizzies’.
Federal Police to refresh Cisco network
The Australian Federal Police has commenced its second major telecommunications hardware purchasing initiative in six months, going to market this week for suppliers to maintain and gradually replace its Cisco-dominated core networking environment.
Amendments turn NBN Co into a retailer: Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has issued a sharp warning that an extensive package of amendments to key National Broadband Network legislation published by the Federal Government yesterday made a mockery of the claim that NBN Co would be a wholesale-only player in the telecommunications market.
Prime Minister’s office blocks Gmail, Hotmail
The department which houses Prime Minister Julia Gillard, her staff and the Cabinet yesterday signalled it would bow to a request from the Federal Auditor-General and block access to public web-based email services such as Hotmail and Gmail from 1 July, with the auditor seeing the platforms as an inherent security risk.
HTC HD7 hits Telstra next Tuesday
HTC this morning revealed its new HD7 handset -- the Taiwanese manufacturer's third smartphone to run Redmond's Windows Phone 7 operating system -- would be available exclusively through Telstra starting from next Tuesday 29 March, for a recommended retail price of $768, which can be repaid over 24 months when purchased with a Consumer Telstra Next G Cap or Business Mobile Plus plan.
TPG is rapidly expanding … NBN or not
TPG’s results briefing package yesterday was, as per its custom, relatively sparse – just a page and a half of management commentary and a brief PowerPoint pack focused on the numbers. But if you delve beneath the surface at the telco, you’ll find a hive of activity.
Galaxy Tab 10.1 will cost $729 outright
Korean technology manufacturer Samsung this morning revealed it would launch the new, 10.1" version of its Galaxy Tab tablet device through Vodafone, undercutting the price of its smaller 7" model significantly by introducing the tablet at the price of $729 outright.
iPad 2 hits Australia 5pm this Friday
Iconic technology manufacturer Apple late tonight revealed the second version of its flagship iPad tablet would go on sale in Australia from 5pm this Friday 25th of March, with the device to be sold from the company's own retail stores as well as local third-party reseller partners.
Telstra iPhone users finally get visual voicemail
Two and a half years after much of the rest of the world got access to the visual voicemail feature used on Apple's iPhone range, and a year and half after the service hit Vodafone locally, Telstra has implemented the option, announcing this morning that it would charge customers $5 per month for the privilege of using it.
ASG picks IBM for cloud infrastructure
Perth-headquartered IT services group ASG has standardised on infrastructure from existing partner IBM as it builds out its cloud computing base.
Will NBN wireless latency match ADSL?
NBN Co has declined to say what latency can be expected from the wireless technology it will use to cover the small percentage of Australia that won’t be covered by fibre-optic cable, in the wake of concerns the technology might be a step backward from what is currently offered by ADSL2+ fixed broadband.
Telstra, Internode tentatively back iiNet’s piracy authority
Several of Australia's major internet service providers have cautiously indicated support for a proposal unveiled by iiNet last week to set up an independent authority to administer allegations of copyright infringement by internet users.
Michael Dell makes brief Aussie visit
Global Dell chief executive and company founder Michael Dell is reportedly in the midst of a brief two day visit to Australian shores, which is seeing the executive meet with customers and employees before heading off to India.
Xenophon slams NBN volume discounting
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has mounted a strident criticism of certain provisions of the National Broadband Network legislation currently before the Senate, arguing that the bills would allow NBN Co to unfairly offer large telcos like Telstra and Optus preferential pricing deals due to their size.
NBN may not be completed, says Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull late last week warned the National Broadband Network may end up not being fully constructed, due to what he described as "the crippling costs of the project" and the likelihood that the Australian Labor Party might lose government in a future election.
Telstra deal may delay NBN second release
Fledgling fibre monopoly NBN Co this afternoon said the delay in finalising its $11 billion arrangement with the nation’s largest telco Telstra could affect the timing of the delivery of services to the second wave of release sites as part of the national fibre rollout effort.
Banks fear cloud vendor lock-in
blog Australia's major banks currently appear to be a little bit afraid, uncertain and doubtful about where this whole "cloud computing" thing is really...
Telstra delays NBN vote
The nation’s largest telco Telstra this morning revealed it had been forced to delay a vote to be put to shareholders regarding whether it should go ahead with its $11 billion deal to transfer customers onto the National Broadband Network as the new fibre monopoly rolls out its infrastructure around the nation.
NBN Co will be a retail ISP, warns Coalition
The Opposition yesterday vehemently protested key provisions of legislation associated with the National Broadband Network which it claimed would open the door for NBN Co to become a retail provider of broadband services, going against its 'wholesale-only' mandate.
Aussie piracy report a “farce”, says Pirate Party
The Australian Pirate Party has attacked a study commissioned by the Australian Content Industry Group (ACIG) and put together by research group Sphere Analysis, calling it “a farce”.
Buy a HTC 7 Trophy, get a free XBOX 360 [mkt]
Been working up the courage to ask your spouse if you can buy an XBOX 360? Now you don't have to. Vodafone has a special until the end of March where if you buy one a HTC 7 Trophy handset on a $49 or higher monthly plan, you'll get a free XBOX plus either one of Microsoft's new Kinect motion-tracking controllers or a copy of Fable III or Halo Reach.
NextGen completes Victor Harbor NBN link
Telco and network construction company NextGen Networks has completed laying a 146 kilometre fibre backbone link to South Australian town Victor Harbor and other rural locations as part of the National Broadband Network rollout, according to a statement issued today by the office of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
Huawei IDEOS X5 hits Australia
Chinese vendor Huawei today revealed it had launched its new IDEOS X5 smartphone in Australia, based on the Google Android platform popular amongst handset vendors in 2010 and 2011.
Virgin customers extremely satisfied
Roy Morgan Research has revealed that customers of Virgin Mobile and VHA brand '3' are more satisfied with the service that they were receiving from their mobile provider than customers of other telcos -- although the nation's biggest telco Telstra is catching up fast.
Speeding tickets: iiNet proposes copyright authority
National broadband provider iiNet today proposed the creation of an independent body to administer allegations of copyright infringement by internet users, including the power to issue fines and demerits to those who had purloined television shows, films and music online.
ANZ and Visa trial mobile payments
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and partner Visa have unveiled a four week internal trial of mobile phones used as substitutes for credit cards.
IBM’s Stevens fires shot over CSC’s bow
For the past year or so IBM’s been targeting the utilities sector with its ‘Smarter Planet’ initiative, but it looks like Big Blue is finally going to throw money at one of Australia’s biggest sectors — resources.
Avaya picks up Defence switching work
Global enterprise networking giant Avaya has won the trust of the Department of Defence, and will deploy routing and switching solutions throughout the organisation's network.
CBA’s happy Harte: ‘We’re years ahead’
Commonwealth Bank chief information officer Michael Harte this afternoon shrugged off rival NAB’s core banking overhaul as the “Jetstar” of overhaul projects, in a briefing in which the executive and other CBA leaders repeatedly emphasised that CBA’s own $1.1 billion revamp put it technologically between two and five years ahead of its rivals.
Stress less: NBN Co reassures Tasmania
Fledgling fibre monopoly NBN Co has responded to criticism that it's not explaining its mission well to Tasmanian residents, pointing out that it had appointed a community relations manager in the state, and reassuring those in areas to be served by wireless that existing ADSL broadband based on Telstra's existing copper network wouldn't be shut down for 10 years.
NEXTDC finalises Sydney datacentre site
Fledgling national datacentre operator NEXTDC said late last week that it was in the final stages of talks to acquire land for a new datacentre site in Sydney's north, as it progresses its plans to roll out datacentre facilities around the nation.
NBN: Tasmania left in the dark, says lobby
Consumer action group Digital Tasmania late last week expressed its frustration with what it said was a lack of information and promotion about the Federal Government's National Broadband Network project in the state -- with some communities having no knowledge about when they would get the next-generation network or how to use it.
Perth to Geraldton NBN backbone lights up
Telecommunications and construction firm Nextgen Networks has finished building one of the most anticipated long-haul fibre links in the Federal Government's flagship National Broadband Network project, with fibre between the Western Australian cities of Perth and Geraldton having been laid and the first telco customers -- iiNet and NEC Nextep -- signed up to use the connection.
iiTrial spurs ISP industry piracy code
The organisation representing Australia's internet industry today revealed it would "immediately" start working on a new industry code of practice to detail ISPs and hosting providers' rights and obligations when dealing with alleged copyright infringements by their users, in the wake of an interim result in copyright holders' high-profile legal action against iiNet.
HP reigns supreme in Aussie PC market
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the most popular PC vendor of them all? HP, according to the latest data from analyst firm IDC, which yesterday crowned the US giant king of Australia's PC market, with almost a quarter of machines shipped over the last three months of 2010 in Australia being from HP.
NBN: Korea kept its HFC cable, says Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Turnbull appears to have returned from an impromptu study tour of the telecommunications facilities in Asian countries with fresh ammunition for Australia's own broadband debate, pointing out that global broadband giant South Korea has maintained both HFC cable and fibre options for residents.
SAP Australia chief decries NBN “wasted investment”
The managing director of the Australian branch of global software giant SAP has broken ranks dramatically with other leaders in Australia's technology industry in their support for the Federal Government's flagship National Broadband Network project, declaring the initiative a "wasted investment" because it doesn't focus on wireless technology.
ASIO reveals new cyber-security guard
Federal Attorney-General Robert McLelland is tonight slated to unveil a new cyber-security unit created by peak intelligence agency the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
Optus to resell Google Apps to SMBs
Optus today announced it would partner with Google in its move to the software as a service market, revealing it would include Google Apps for Business in its portfolio of digital business solutions for small and medium businesses.
Adobe’s Wallaby has Aussie roots
A slice of Australia has touched global technology giant Adobe's software development team, with the company naming a Flash to HTML5 conversion tool after one of Australia's favourite marsupials -- the humble wallaby.
Nexus S hits Vodafone this Friday
Mobile telco VHA this morning revealed Google's flagship self-branded handset, the Nexus S, would launch to existing customers through its Vodafone brand in Australia this Friday the 9th of March, with general availability to new customers on the 16th of March.
Steinhoff dumps Lotus for Telstra T-Suite
Microsoft has inserted yet another nail in the coffin of IBM's Lotus Notes/Domino suite and is hammering it home, with the company and partner Telstra convincing furniture specialist Steinhoff to dump its Lotus installation and shift to the Telstra-branded version of Redmond's Business Productivity Online Suite.
Cash Converters joins BMC’s cloud
BMC Software’s software as a service offering Remedy on Demand has won the trust of multinational second-hand goods trader Cash Converters, which today revealed it will use the platform to manage business service incidents across its 310 outlets in both Australia and the UK.
Telstra left out as Xperia arc lands in April
Mobile phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson today announced its new Xperia arc smartphone would hit Australian shores by early April and would be available through Optus and Vodafone -- but Telstra won't get a look-in.
QLD Health payroll still “a mess”: Opposition
Queensland Shadow Minister for Information and Communication Technology Scott Emerson today contradicted the state's Health Minister's claims of having “stabilised” his department's troubled payroll system, calling for “the mess to be sorted out”.
NEHTA, DoHA deaf to consumers, claim critics
A new e-health lobbying organisation has voiced its frustration at the National e-Health Transition Authority and Department of Health and Ageing for not communicating with consumers well enough.
Kazacos takes Anittel reins
Maverick entrepreneur Peter Kazacos is once more directly in control of a mid-sized technology services company in Australia, with local listed player Anittel noting this morning the executive would add the managing director role to his existing chairman duties, following the immediate departure of incumbent Ilkka Tales.
Sponsored post: Who is Integ?
Integ is an integrator of voice, communications and data network solutions for corporate and government in Australia. We've been in operation now for nine years, and have grown to a base of 165 people, spread across seven locations around the country -- servicing some 600 customers.
Qld Health payroll ‘stabilised’, claims Govt
Queensland's Health Minister Geoff Wilson yesterday declared a tentative victory in the department's battle to tame its troubled payroll system, labelling the platform "stabilised" and noting that further improvements to it were being made.
Mr Turnbull, what is going on here?
A little birdie sent us this video of Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy looking ... extremely uncomfortable, while a man who appears to be from the South Korean parliament continually tells them they're going to be on "YouTube". We can only assume Turnbull shot this video while in Korea as part of his broadband study tour this week ... but we need to ask the question -- what the dickens is it all about?
SEEK CIO quits to return home
The chief information officer of SEEK has resigned and will leave the company to return to his home country of Kenya in mid-July this year, the online employment site revealed today.
Four day Dell laptop special: Up to $400 off [mkt]
Dell Australia has launched a one-week special deal on business laptops which we think is worth taking a look at if you are in the market for a new laptop in the $1,500 to $2000 price range. The special focuses on the vendor’s Vostro line-up, which normally range in price from the netbook level — $679 or below — up to the mid-range — $1,699 or so.
Trinity iPad trial recommends wider rollout
A detailed report into one of Australia's first iPad rollouts in an educational setting has recommended the popular Apple tablets be rolled out to all staff and students at a university college, following positive results from a trial involving limited numbers of staff and students.
Lifeline calls for CIO
Crisis organisation Lifeline has advertised for a chief information officer, describing the position as a "newly established role" that would give the chosen executive a chance to make their mark in an organisation that itself makes a difference to the lives of many Australians.
Will Microsoft ever get its ‘cloud’ ads right?
From Long Zheng's I Started Something blog comes news of more 'To the cloud' television advertisements from Microsoft. The good news? They're better than...
Turnbull embarks on Asian broadband tour
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has embarked on an impromptu tour of broadband facilities and networks throughout the greater Asian region, in what appears to be an effort to keep on the cutting edge of technology as part of the debate about Australia's own National Broadband Network.
Full speech: Paul O’Sullivan pumps big telco ideas
In this landmark speech delivered at the Kickstart Forum on the Gold Coast on Sunday 28 February, Optus chief Paul O'Sullivan attempts to reinvigorate debate in Australia's telecommunications sector about the National Broadband Network, Telstra's role, and the future of content regulation.
ACCC sets ULL price at $16 flat rate
The national competition regulator has broken with its past differentiated pricing strategy for setting the wholesale cost of the underlying building block of ADSL broadband, instead mandating a flat rate of $16 per month for most of Australia.
Online retailer sidesteps carriers’ Android lockdown
Online mobile phone retailer Mobicity has started taking pre-orders from Australians for the hottest next-generation smartphones unveiled over the past several months, promising the devices will ship months before they're slated to go on sale through the normal channels of mobile telcos Down Under.
Five reasons Australians should buy an iPad 2
The battle is on — cynical journalist versus Apple enthusiast at ten paces. Royal rumble!
Telstra confirms BPO outsourcing
The nation's biggest telco Telstra this morning confirmed it was talking to suppliers about a potential move to outsource some back office functions, in a move which could reportedly affect some 1200 jobs.
iPad 2 to hit Australia March 25
Iconic US technology giant Apple this morning revealed the next version of its flagship iPad tablet would hit Australia on March 25, along with most countries outside the US; but the company has yet to unveil localised pricing for the device.
Boreham to chair Conroy’s convergence review
Former IBM Australia chief Glenn Boreham has landed on his feet after signalling his departure from the top job at Big Blue in January, with the Federal Government this afternoon appointing the executive to lead the planned extensive review of Australia’s communications and media regulatory environment.
Warner Bros to appeal Mortal Kombat ban
The game publisher behind the highly regarded Mortal Kombat video game series has announced it will appeal a decision by Australia's classification board to ban the game's sale in Australia, rejecting the argument that the title was more extreme than other games already on sale locally.
Grab a free ticket to Red Rock’s upcoming Forum [ad]
Red Rock has offered Delimiter readers five complimentary tickets to attend its Oracle Leadership Forum.
SKILLED Group loses CIO
The chief information officer of national workforce services company SKILLED Group appears to have left his role, with the company advertising for a replacement and the executive's LinkedIn profile listing him as "on the lookout for his next challenge".
Greens win NBN FoI victory as Turnbull falters
The Greens last night celebrated what they described as "a big win for transparency and openness" regarding Labor's flagship National Broadband Network project, successfully moving amendments to the current NBN legislation before parliament that will open up NBN Co to scrutiny through Freedom of Information laws.
Greens finalise NBN joint committee
The Australian Greens today revealed it had reached an agreement with the Government to create a new parliamentary Joint Committee to oversee the rollout of the National Broadband Network.
Vodafone wins Desire Z exclusivity
Taiwanese consumer electronics giant HTC today revealed it would grant Vodafone Hutchinson Australia the exclusive right to sell its HTC Desire Z smartphone from launch.
Aussie retailers are “Apple’s bitch”, claims Kogan
Controversial Australian entrepreneur Ruslan Kogan today labeled bricks and mortar retailers like JB Hi-Fi “Apple’s bitch”, claiming that the iconic US technology giant was planning to completely shut down its third-party distribution network and go it alone with its own stores, both physical and on the internet.
Rivals NASH teeth as IBM wins e-health deal
IBM today revealed it had won a $23.6 million contract with the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) to deliver the Federal Government's National Authentication Service for Health (NASH) project.
Apple, Google the new threat, warns Optus
Optus chief executive Paul O’Sullivan has warned of new “dangerous” players in the telecommunications market that could create new monopolies in the field of content and applications, flagging iconic US technology giants Google and Apple specifically as being worthy of attention.
NSW Govt to get another central CIO group
There is tremendous scope to clean up the way the NSW Government does technology. But there is a long and hard road ahead for anybody who wants to embark on that effort.
Jellema’s ZEROmail hits closed beta
It’s only been six weeks since Australian technology startup luminary Bart Jellema announced his ambitious next project: Fixing what he sees as the currently broken email paradigm. But the entrepreneur’s project has already hit private beta and is evolving fast.
CommBank unveils Android app
The Commonwealth Bank yesterday announced it would offer its NetBank mobile banking app to Android users starting from tomorrow.
In a statement, the bank said...
iiNet unveils another new BoB
National broadband provider iiNet today revealed a new model in its BoB ADSL integrated router range, noting its latest all-in-one internet and fixed-line telephony device would be available by April and have the same name as the original model manufactured by Belkin.
Attorney-General reveals copyright reviews
Federal Attorney-General Robert McLelland late last week declared the concept of copyright was "very much alive" in Australia, as he announced three major inquiries into its future.
Optus wants NBN Co management outsourced
The chief executive of Optus has delivered a landmark speech outlining a wide range of controls Australia’s number two telco wants implemented on Labor’s flagship National Broadband Network project, including the complete outsourcing of NBN Co’s management on a recurring basis.
New Mortal Kombat banned in Australia
Australia's content classification regulator has banned the highly anticipate remake of the classic Mortal Kombat video game series from being sold in Australia, deeming the game's violence outside the boundaries of the highest MA15+ rating which video games can fall under.
Health Dept rejects IBM review allegation
The Federal Department of Health and Ageing has issued a sharp statement rejecting a report that it had kicked off an urgent review of its recent decision to retain long-term partner IBM for a key outsourcing contract, without putting the work out to formal tender.
CIO Paul Jones flies to Qantas from Mars
Australia's largest airline Qantas today announced it had appointed a new chief information officer, picking Paul Jones -- who was working in the same role for Mars Incorporated.
VHA wants in on NBN trials
Troubled telco VHA has given the strongest signal so far that it intends to be a fixed-line player in the new fibre National Broadband Network reality, noting this afternoon that it was seeking to kick off trials on NBN fibre infrastructure in the second half of 2011.
Video: AFACT takes heart from dissenting judge
The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft this afternoon said it took heart from the fact that one of the judges overseeing its appeal in its copyright infringement case against ISP iiNet had found for it, despite the fact that it ultimately lost the appeal in the end, two judges against one.
Video: Trial verdict “a relief”, says Malone
iiNet chief executive Michael Malone (video, above) this afternoon said the Federal Court court verdict in favour of his company was a relief after two years of a court case which cost the company about $6.5 million in legal costs.
iiNet fights off AFACT’s piracy appeal
The full bench of the Federal Court today dismissed an appeal by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft following its loss against iiNet in a high-profile copyright infringement and internet content piracy case decided early in 2010, handing a second victory to the ISP in its battle against the organisation and its movie studio backers.
On bacon and other matters of importance
Just wanted to do a quick post about a new feature we've launched on Delimiter, which will allow you to support the site (help grow our bacon stores) when you buy the tech gear you need in your life.
Mo’s Mobile has gone Google
At a press conference held today at its Sydney headquarters, search giant Google revealed Mo's Mobile was the Australian mobile retailer which has adopted its Apps collaboration platform.
Centrelink’s Wadeson signals retirement
One of the most senior and respected chief information officers in Australia, Federal Department of Human Services deputy secretary of IT infrastructure John Wadeson, has reportedly indicated he plans to retire shortly.
Optus details own network expansion effort
Its rivals Telstra and Vodafone Hutchison Australia have over the past several weeks detailed mobile network expansion plans in the hundreds of millions of dollars or even more. But SingTel subsidiary Optus doesn't appear fazed by the revelations -- laying out progress on its own efforts in a detailed statement this week.
Conroy’s fibre claims “absolute tripe”, says Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has labelled the idea that the next generation of consumer services could only be delivered over fibre-optic cable "nonsense" and "absolute tripe", in a fiery interview in which he highlighted the strengths of rival wireless technologies.
UXC wins Dulux outsourcing contract
Diversified IT services group UXC today announced its UXC Connect division had signed a “significant” outsourcing contract with paints and home renovation material manufacturer DuluxGroup, which will include the delivery of new datacentres as well as communications technologies and infrastructure around the Easter timeframe.
Telstra makes Govt cloud pitch
Telstra has extended an olive branch to a Federal Government market traditionally hostile to the incoming wave of cloud computing services, offering departments and agencies a 45 day free cloud computing trial so that they can test the water on its infrastructure.
BoB security is ‘standard practice’, says iiNet
National broadband provider iiNet this week said the default setup of its new BoB Lite ADSL router – which leaves its Wi-Fi functionality open and the device’s administration password publicly available – was “standard practice” used by router manufacturers.
Melbourne IT weakened by strong dollar
The Australian dollar's strong performance against the greenback has not helped local hosting giant Melbourne IT, which yesterday revealed a drop of five per cent in revenue over the past six months.
Quigley slams “futile” wireless NBN debate
NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley has again expressed his frustration with what he described as the "futile" ongoing debate about whether wireless technologies would make the mainly fibre-based National Broadband Network obsolete, arguing that both fixed and wireless technologies will be needed in the nation's future.
Voluntary filtering on track for mid-2011
Stephen Conroy's Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy tonight said voluntary filtering of the internet for child abuse material by three of Australia's largest internet service providers was on track to kick off in the middle of this year.
Huawei beat Nokia, Ericsson, ZTE for Voda deal
Chinese giant Huawei beat European rivals Nokia Siemens Networks and Ericsson to win VHA's mammoth network replacement project, the mobile telco said this afternoon -- as well as compatriot ZTE -- in a hard-fought tender process which lasted throughout most of 2010.
VHA network investment FTW, say analysts
Technology analysts today agreed VHA's network replacement unveiled this morning was a win for the telco, but disagreed on the reasons behind the investment.
Which Australian mobile retailer has ‘gone Google’?
Google will this week announce that a major Australian mobile phone retail chain has adopted its Google Apps collaboration platform. But with several retailers denying they're the one involved and the search giant refusing to disclose any further details about the identity of the company concerned, mystery surrounds its identity for now.
Juniper veteran Page heads to the US
Network infrastructure provider Juniper today revealed Mark Iles would be its new vice president for both Australia and New Zealand, following the departure of its long-serving local chief Shaun Page for a role with the company in the US.
Vodafail founder “pleased” by VHA overhaul
The founder of the Vodafail forum has welcomed VHA's moves this morning to completely replace its Australian mobile network infrastructure and beef up its customer service, describing them as "promising" and showing that the troubled telco has plans for the future.
VODAFONE TO REPLACE ENTIRE NETWORK
Troubled mobile telco Vodafone Hutchison Australia has revealed it will replace the radio equipment at all of its 8,000-odd mobile base stations around the nation, in a giant network rollout of unprecedented scope in the Australian market, that will see incumbent suppliers Nokia Siemens Networks and Ericsson dumped in favour of Chinese vendor Huawei.
iiNet booms on back of acquisitions
National broadband provider iiNet's latest set of financial results released today showed the company was still expanding rapidly, with the acquisitions of Netspace and the consumer division of AAPT over the past twelve months fuelling revenue growth and gross profit growth, although net profit remained even for the company.
Queensland gets new ICT Minister
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has appointed a new minister to oversee the technology portfolio as part of a cabinet reshuffle, following the revelation last week that the state's long-standing ICT Minister Robert Schwarten planned to retire.
Toyota picks Fujitsu’s cloud for dealer platform
Fujitsu has notched up another win for its growing cloud computing platform, signing a deal with Toyota which will see the company move its TUNE Dealership Management System used by dealerships across Australia onto the Japanese IT services giant's systems.
Telstra frees T-Hub open source code
The nation's biggest telco Telstra has made the open source software components used to build its T-Hub next-generation home telephone system publicly available, after it was criticised for keeping them private by an Australian software developer last year.
Nintendo Wii gets Aboriginal art mashup
Nintendo has commissioned four of Australia's top indigenous artists to apply their creative talents directly to the company's Wii consoles, with the aim of eventually benefiting indigenous education through a local charity.
Did Australia’s eBook champion just die?
There is now no centre of gravity for the Australian eBook scene to congregate around -- instead, local readers will now increasingly look towards the likes of Amazon and Apple for their content -- even more so than they were already.
Back in your box, EFA tells AFACT
Electronic Frontiers Australia has delivered a virtual slap in the face to the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft, picking a string of holes in research released yesterday by the group which suggested internet piracy was costing Australia's economy $1.37 billion annually.
End of an era for IIA as Coroneos retires
Australia's peak internet industry representative body is facing generational change, with its long-serving chief executive Peter Coroneos announcing yesterday he would retire after 13 years in the line of duty at the organisation.
Digital Education Revolution broadly on track
The Federal Government's auditor yesterday revealed Labor's $2.2 billion dollar Digital Education Revolution was well placed to deliver one computer to every student in Years 9 to 12, by the end of 2011.
Piracy costs Australia $1.37 billion a year, claims AFACT
The Australian Federation Against Copyright (AFACT) today published a report which it claimed showed movie piracy cost the Australian economy $1.37 billion in lost revenue over a 12 month period -- as well as some 6,100 jobs.
[Ad] Thank you, Delimiter sponsors!
I just wanted to take a moment out to thank Delimiter's amazing site sponsors this month.
Barry O’Farrell likes … Windows Phone 7?
Just when you thought New South Wales politics couldn't get any stranger, along comes this Seven News report of Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell visiting Microsoft HQ in what looks to be North Ryde to talk about ... we're not quite sure -- some sort of $40 million website facelift involving automatic pothole detection and Windows Phone 7?
Austar sells spectrum to NBN Co
Subscription television services provider AUSTAR today announced it had sold its 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz wireless spectrum holdings for $120 million to NBN Co in a deal which will facilitate the government-owned company's plans to roll out a high-speed fixed-wireless service to rural and regional areas.
Analysts unfazed by CommBank’s extra $370m dollop
Australian technology analyst firms have indicated they are not concerned by the Commonwealth Bank's unexpected revelation last week that it would pour a further $370 million into its core banking modernisation project, bringing the total investment in what has become one of Australia's largest ever IT overhauls to $1.1 billion.
114 jobs gone as Telstra closes Vic centre
The nation's biggest telco Telstra has warned some 114 staff working at a call centre facility in the city of Moe, east of Melbourne, that they may lose their jobs as the company consolidates its numbers of call centres and takes advantage of automatic self-service technology.
SMS goes after Brits as revenues soar
SMS Management and Technology Limited (SMS) today announced it was planning to import more brains from the UK and Ireland as well as hiring locally, as its revenues and earnings headed substantially upward over the past six months.
Watch David Thodey explain Telstra’s 4G
Telstra has just posted this video of chief executive David Thodey announcing his company's LTE/4G rollout at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. We'd be lying if we said you could learn anything from the video that you didn't already know, but no doubt there are some people out there who will want to hear it direct from the horse's mouth. In addition, Thodey is well-known for having the sort of soothing voice that makes you want to pipe down and believe everything he says -- it's relaxing, like the Hypno-Toad. Enjoy!
HTC won’t confirm Flyer tablet for Australia
Taiwanese electronics giant HTC has refused to confirm any plans to launch its flagship Flyer tablet in Australia, after unveiling the device to international interest at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona yesterday.
Turnbull secretly “loves” the NBN, claims Internode
National broadband provider Internode this morning claimed Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull secretly "loves the NBN as a concept", despite having been given an order by Opposition Leader to "demolish" the project.
VHA breached Privacy Act, says Commissioner
The Australian Privacy Commissioner today said although Vodafone (VHA) didn't make customers information publicly available on the internet during its recent security scandal, it was nontheless in breach of its obligations under the Privacy Act.
HTC Desire S heads to Telstra
Telstra is hoarding new smartphones in Barcelona, with the telco confirming today it would exclusively bring the next-generation HTC Desire S to Australia in 2011, in a move which echoes its lockdown control on the distribution of the original HTC Desire throughout 2010.
LTE will kill the NBN, just as unicorns are real
Mobile broadband just isn’t the answer to replace our current, falling apart copper network. It’s just not. So can we just stop with saying it is?
LTE? We’ve got that too, say Optus, VHA
Telstra's rivals have issued a muted reaction to the company's plans announced overnight to upgrade its flagship Next G mobile network to the Long-Term Evolution family of fourth generation (4G) wireless technologies, pointing out they were also in trials of the standard.
Groupon finally enters Australia
Stardeals.com.au -- a new coupon website -- landed in Australia on Valentine's Day yesterday.
Sensis cuts 120 as financials slump
Telstra's directories and advertising business Sensis this afternoon confirmed it had made some 120 staff redundant, just days after it unveiled a dismal financial picture which saw total revenues sink 17.8 percent in the first half of its financial year, compared with the same period 12 months before.
The Xperia neo: Telstra’s Spanish souvenir
Less than four months separate Australians from the launch of Sony Ericsson's Xperia neo smartphone.
NSC is gold for ShoreTel
ShoreTel yesterday revealed it had signed a strategic agreement with converged communications integrator NSC Group, which is also a key partner of rival IP telephony provider Avaya.
Conroy just like Basil Fawlty, claims Turnbull
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken Stephen Conroy to task for what he claimed was a habit by the Labor Minister for censoring the idea of a cost/benefit analysis from anything to do with the National Broadband Network – drawing a comparison with classic Fawlty Towers character Basil Fawlty in the process.
4G IS HERE: Telstra’s 2011 rollout
The nation's largest telco Telstra has revealed plans to upgrade its Next G mobile network in central business districts around the nation to the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard by the end of 2011, introducing the '4G' or fourth generation marketing term into the Australian market as it is doing so.
Caliburn rubber-stamps NBN business case
Corporate advisory firm Greenhill Caliburn has delivered a positive appraisal of NBN Co’s business case in a report published this morning by the Federal Government, with the firm labelling the broadband company’s assumptions of its future operations as “reasonable”.
Sony’s Xperia PLAY to hit Australia Q2
Mobile manufacturer Sony Ericsson has confirmed its combination smartphone and video gaming console, the Xperia PLAY, will hit Australia in the second quarter of this year, although pricing and telco partnerships remain under wraps for now.
Vodafone snares Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Korean electronics giant Samsung has confirmed mobile brand Vodafone will exclusively sell the next iteration of its flagship Galaxy Tab tablet line when it launches locally in the second quarter of the calendar year, although its Galaxy S II handset will be sold through every major local carrier.
Sydney Catholics warn against iOS confession
The Sydney Catholic Archdiocese (SCA) is warning its flock off an Apple confession application, saying the app can't do the work of a human priest.
Turnbull loves “feisty” Twitter debates
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declared he enjoys the "often quite feisty" debates he regularly participates in with respect to topics such as the National Broadband Network, noting that the medium was a good one for examining the quality of people's arguments.
No TouchPad for you, HP tells Australia
Global technology giant HP has poured a dash of cold water on the hopes of Australians keen to get their hands on its flagship tablet device launched overnight, noting this afternoon that the tablet wouldn't be coming Down Under until a range of other countries such as the US, Canada, Spain and even Mexico had it first.