That’sIT •Edison D. Ong
Imagine a laptop bundled with a WiFi (wireless fidelity) that could talk with your mobile phone and stream a video? That’s one of the many technologies that Intel has developed for future introduction into the market.
At the recent Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, Intel has unveiled Platform 2015, a research agenda of future technologies like the conversation of devices using voice and vision interfaces, managing a home remotely, a 3D video, a healthier lifestyle, a workplace that maximizes productivity or even monitoring your health condition.
Imagine how technology could change our lives dramatically over the next 15 years. All these possibilities are within Intel’s vision of Platform 2015.
According to Steve Sullivan, head of Intel’s research and development, "evolution is the heart of our technology; we’ve been evolving our platform and created a new one."
Intel sees a platform evolution over the next decade. The ingredient technologies in Intel’s lab include identify, trust, autonomic, parallel processing, virtual platforms, low power, sensors, photonics, vision, learning software create human interfaces, speech, 3D packaging, planetary computing, and more.
For instance, Intel has made a breakthrough in laser technology with the development of the world’s first continuous silicon laser. This technology has many applications and be used in data centers, medical lasers, chemical analysis, etc.
Can Intel satisfy the ever increasing computing demands in the future? That could be answered in the positive with the collaboration of its partners, hardware and independent software vendors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) within Intel’s ecosystem.
As the largest chip maker in the world, Intel’s capital expenditure in 2004 for manufacturing reached $3.8 billion, 75 percent of which goes to fabrication and 25 percent to assembly and testing. Intel has new process technologies every two years.
iPod Shuffle’s hot demand
There’s a growing demand for iPod Shuffle in the local market. The problem is the supply. Microwarehouse, the exclusive distributor of iPod Shuffle couldn’t cope with the market demand.
"The problem of stocking is an issue," says Elbert Cuenca, a consultant for Microwarehouse. Priced at
R6,990, this hot item could store up to 120 songs at 4 MG per song with a capacity of 512 MG. In Hong Kong, the price is higher due to the big demand of product.
If you opt for the 1 Gig capacity, you can store 240 favorite songs. The battery life is longer and is rechargeable every 12 hours.
It comes with a one-year warranty. With the big demand of iPod Shuffle, it could even match the sales of iPod, according to Elbert. Do we need another distributor to fill up the demand for iPod Shuffle in the local market?
Enter Adva Ag Optical
A German company, Adva Ag Optical Networking is trying a crack in the local market through its local partner, Remax International. The entry of Adva could heat up competition in the optical networking space.
This would also send a positive signal in the local IT industry that German companies are confident of the Philippine economy and that doing business in the country could help generate more jobs for Filipinos and even promote technology transfer.
Adva Ag is aiming at the potential business with telecom firms, call centers or any sector which has the market for its products. Expect a ripple in the local networking space.
Allen Systems to double revenue
Allen Systems is slowly eating up the market of its competitors Computer Associates, BMC or even IBM. The company’s strategy is to offer its solutions at a much cheaper price than their rivals.
Tec Guthrie, Allen Systems vice president for worldwide sales recently visited Manila and met with prospective clients. He was apparently impressed by the progress of its local operation and the great potential for growing its business here.
In fact, the local business of Allen Systems led by Mike Moreto is confident of doubling its business this year to about $2 million. Guthrie believes that companies deploying Allen’s solutions could save up to 50 percent of the cost.
Allen Systems is offering several licensing options for its clients. It could offer fixed price on licenses from five to 10 years at the choice of a client.
The company is even acquiring more companies this year after completing more than 30 acquisitions in 2004.
Last year, its worldwide revenues jumped by 44 percent to $200 million from the previous years. Allen Systems is aiming to become a $1-billion company.
The local guys of CA, BMC and IBM maybe thinking of their own strategy to counter Allen Systems’ inroads to their markets. That’s IT for now!
