Once upon a time you really could find gold on the ground...
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: SOA

This is worth the read for nuggets to make a profit by such as this:

 " From a transaction point of view, the most important considerations for a database are performance and reliability. When looking at database platforms, and making choices around selecting a database, it’s very important to look at the functional requirements within a database that the customer will need, and match that to what the database delivers right from the start, without requiring additional customisation by a professional services team. If the choice of database also enforces a concomitant requirement for specialised skills in consulting around the technology, the customer is then forced into a situation where the amount of engineering required for the application will only increase."

http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20070326/anniversaryspecial17.shtml

© Copyright 2001: Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Limited (Mumbai, India). All rights reserved throughout the world. This entire site is compiled in Mumbai by the Business Publications Division (BPD) of the Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Limited. Site managed by BPD.

A little muzak up the crack

 

Golden Years - David Bowie 

Gonna drive back down where you once belonged
In the back of a dream car twenty foot long
Don't cry my sweet, don't break my heart
Doing all right, but you gotta get smart

Wish upon, wish upon, day upon day, I believe oh lord
I believe all the way
Come get up my baby
Run for the shadows, run for the shadows, run for the shadows in these golden years

There's my baby, lost that's all
Once I'm begging you save her little soul
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up my baby

Me and Bobby Mcgee
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Chinadotcom and VCSY

Well, either there's not much there or not many people are interested in what they have. From the google CDC + SaaS these are the top two (2):

http://www.cdccorporation.net/newsroom/news/000542.shtml 

CDC Software Launches Software as a Service (SaaS) Enterprise Applications Throughout China

HRP OnDemand launched today as first SaaS product --

[BEIJING, ATLANTA, July 13, 2006] CDC Software, a wholly owned subsidiary of CDC Corporation (NASDAQ: CHINA) and provider of enterprise software applications, today announced the launch of its Software as a Service (SaaS) human resources and payroll applications throughout China.

HRP OnDemand, an innovative hosted human resources/payroll management solution, is CDC Software's first SaaS enterprise application offered in China. This pioneering product is now available on a subscription basis with very low up-front costs throughout China, through both direct and indirect sales channels. CDC Software will also work with Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to launch SaaS customer relationship management (CRM) offerings in China in December this year.

"We believe that this is one of the first instances in China where software applications are available on demand throughout the region and delivered through a proven network," said Richard Thomas, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific Region, CDC Software. "This service should be very attractive for our current client base, the rapidly expanding market of over 20 million small and medium enterprises (SME) in China."

Ian Whitehouse, Managing Director of China, CDC Software said: "As a customer-driven company, our top priority is to provide superior products that help enterprises enhance efficiency and profitability. The launch of our SaaS offerings in China is another major initiative that is tailor-made for our China customers. Leveraging our comprehensive suite of products, robust network infrastructure and deep understanding of customer needs, this innovative and flexible delivery model will address the growing market for hosted, on-demand applications and add even more momentum to CDC Software's growth in China."

HRP OnDemand is delivered through the broad infrastructure established throughout the country by China.com, the online services arm of CDC Corporation and a sister company of CDC Software. This proven network is established nationwide in 30 provinces and 4 municipalities, and CDC Software will leverage it to deliver enterprise applications as online services. With servers in all key Chinese cities, the network has a track record of 99.9% up-time and provides all the security features required by corporate customers.

"We are pleased to partner with our sister company, CDC Software, to offer these compelling and cost effective applications to millions of SMEs in China whose growth will be key in the continued expansion of the Chinese economy," said Dr. Xiaowei Chen, Chief Financial Officer of China.com Inc. "The use of China.com's robust nationwide network by CDC Games to host its 31 million subscribers, by our portal unit and now by CDC Software to deliver its on-demand solutions, is another demonstration of the synergies within the CDC Group of companies. The launch of our SaaS service on July 13th is particularly auspicious and appropriate as today marks the 7th anniversary of CDC's pioneering IPO on NASDAQ which opened the door for other Chinese entrepreneurs to tap the U.S. capital markets."

To ensure a smooth launch of the innovative solution that meets the customer needs, CDC Software has partnered with two early-adopter customers for HRP OnDemand: Shanghai Tuo Yuan Network Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Han Bo Zhong Tian Management Consulting Co., Ltd. Louie Cao, Deputy General Manager at Shanghai Tuo Yuan Network Technology Co. Ltd. said: "As a small enterprise, we have conducted a comprehensive search for HRP solutions that are both robust and cost effective. HRP OnDemand clearly meets this need by offering us affordable human resources management solution, as well as high reliability and security which greatly minimize our investment and management risks."

On May 23, 2006, CDC Software announced a strategic alliance with Microsoft to develop, market and deliver CRM enterprise applications to customers in China. The companies will offer the Microsoft Dynamics(TM) CRM platform together with the CDC Software c360 CRM add-ons as on-site applications in China. As part of the agreement, the two companies will develop and deliver Microsoft CRM applications as hosted, on-demand services in China, which are scheduled for launch in December this year.

Eric Lin, Director, IT Pro & Architect, Developer & Platform Evangelism, Microsoft China, said: "China is one of the most dynamic markets for enterprise software worldwide as companies look for new technologies to bring their businesses into new phases of development. Our alliance with CDC Software will enable us to leverage its popular c360 CRM add-on products, its deep knowledge of Chinese markets, and its robust infrastructure to accelerate delivery of our products and services in China. "

 

 and

http://www.cdccorporation.net/newsroom/news/000514.shtml

CDC Software to Provide Enterprise Applications via Software as a Service (SaaS) Throughout China

CDC Will Leverage its Established Nationwide Infrastructure to Provide Enterprise Applications as Online Subscription Services for Customers Across the Country

[Atlanta, April 24, 2006] CDC Software, a wholly owned subsidiary of CDC Corporation (NASDAQ: CHINA) and provider of enterprise software applications, today announced that it will begin delivering enterprise software applications as hosted services using the Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model in China, in July of 2006. These applications, offered on a subscription basis with very low up-front costs, will be sold throughout China through both direct and indirect sales channels.

The company already has a broad infrastructure established throughout the country by its The China.com division. CDC Software will leverage this proven infrastructure to deliver its enterprise applications as online services. This network, that required over 5 years to build, is established nationwide in 30 provinces and 4 municipalities and includes servers in all key cities. The network currently supports the company's widely-used online games, thriving portal business, and hosting services for over 1,700 enterprises in China. Including a 24x7 support call-center, the CDC network has established a track record of 99.9% up-time and provides all the security features required by corporate customers.

"Demand is on the rise for enterprise software applications in China and we believe that the SaaS subscription-based delivery model will be preferred by many Chinese companies," said Richard Thomas, senior vice president, Asia/Pacific Region for CDC Software. "The low up-front costs, greatly streamlined implementations and reduced maintenance overhead, will be particularly appealing in the Chinese markets. Our unique ability to leverage our existing nationwide infrastructure to deliver enterprise applications as subscription services, combined with the rapidly growing demand for these applications in China, will create a perfect-storm effect that will drive significant adoption rates for CDC Software."

CDC Software currently provides enterprise applications around the globe as hosted services. The company's Pivotal MarketFirst(tm) solution for marketing automation is provided as a hosted application for many of its customers in North America, including Sharp USA and Applied Biosystems. Additionally, the company's ION Global expresso solution for direct email marketing is hosted for a wide variety of customers throughout Asia. CDC Software also hosts its OnePlan supply chain management (SCM) planning and scheduling applications used by food and consumer products companies such as Ghirardelli Chocolate, Carvel Ice Cream, Wise Snacks and See's Candies.

The July launch in China will begin with CDC Software's human resources (HR/Payroll) applications delivered as hosted services. These will be followed by the company's customer relationship management (CRM) applications for sales force automation, and supply chain management (SCM) applications for forecasting, planning and factory scheduling. CDC Software will also continue to license, enhance and support its full suite of applications for customers that prefer to run the applications on-premise.

 

AND

Here is the third:

http://www.chinatechnews.com/blog/2006/11/14/saas-from-the-mouth-of-cdc-software/ 

November 14, 2006

SaaS From The Mouth Of CDC Software

AND you will never guess where the above link leads to:

Up until November of 2005...
Mood:  smelly
Topic: Chinadotcom and VCSY
'Up until November of 2005...' ??????

There's that December 2005 milepost again. CDC stops using Ross Systems stuff (which had been sold in 2001-2002 to VCSY. of which VCSY owned 100% by Gyselen/Arglen settlement by 1Q 2003) right around the time IBM, Microsoft and SAP shut down UDDI and VCSY came back to life after pinks sheets. There's a whole lot swirling around that one little point in time, isn't there?

One thing we might consider here (and of course you understand this is a speculation), I seem to recall, this was right before Chinadotcom tried to acquire Onyx in a hostile takeover. It was such a surprise and seemed so desperately hostile, even analysts were taken aback. I would speculate Onyx had the goods as far as middleware for integration systems and applications and they had it from around 1994 according to some records we saw at PH.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cdc+%2B+onyx&btnG=Google+Search 

But Onyx rebuffed CDC with great prejudice and was acquired by someone else in 2006. 

But by next summer things had seemed to calm down and CDC and Microsoft and somebody named 360 were getting it together to build CDC's new on-demand web software services for their CRM. One can imagine, if any of that were successful, CDC customers would be crying out for web-based capabilities especially in their human resources line... whatever that may be.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cdc+%2B+saas&btnG=Search

So, if CRM by CDC via Microsoft and 360 were successful, one would expect CDC to be putting that stuff in every piece of software they have.

If they are still using VCSY/NOW Solutions software, it means their attempts at on-demand SaaS were not successful (as will typically be predicted in .Net/Java systems due to programming complexity and coupling/transaction demands) they would be forced by their market to return to something that worked: NOW Solutions software... which they would be using counter to copyright and intellectual property laws. I think that may also violate a number of anti-competition laws and civil rights and who knows what else is in those law books.

Hmmm. Could this game be getting bigger and hotter as we speak? The trial will tell us much.

When a pirate is found in the shoals, they hoists the Jolly Roger...
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Chinadotcom and VCSY

... for a fight to the death.

If what is suspected about Ross Systems dealings with VCSY turns out to be true, CDC knows they could possibly end up losing the entire business due to allegations of fraud and demonstrated intent to abuse VCSY owned property and rightful customers.

What would you do if you knew, once you had fraud proven against you in the American courts, you may face the Chinese Government's version of 'Let's Make a Deal'? You get to choose which rifle shoots first.

Damn. Screw public indignation. When an entire Government gets indignant you done got yourself indignated. 

Oh yeah, and, if you'll notice the font change... I'm no longer clowning around. Time for you to put away the comic books, electronic paper or no, and get your nose stuffed into the books. You've got a lot of studying to do young man young woman... you've got an entire new culture to absorb. 

http://ragingbull.quote.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=VCSY&read=181337 

By: arthurarnsley
11 Apr 2007, 11:30 AM EDT
(This msg. is a reply to 181324 by Sliver_Fox.)

Sliver_Fox - re: CDC using NOW HRIS...

Up until November of 2005 CDC Corp openly advertised Ross Systems and HRIS software on their Website. From November 2005 to February of this year there was no advertisement of Ross or HRIS software on their Website. Today I see on their Website (www.cdcsoftware.com) that the Company is now advertising HRM software under the Ross banner. It looks as though they have gone back to thumbing their noses at NOW Solutions and VCSY. (All of this is as I see it and from my memory only; easily misinformed). Arthur


Cut and Paste from the cdcsoftware.com Website:

Human Resource Management (HRM)
Ensure the Highest Potential for Success
Not only do you need to attract, retain, and develop competent people, you also need to develop strategic HR plans. Platinum HRM streamlines the HR management process, increases work efficiency, and supports strategic decision-making.

With Platinum HRM solutions, you can automate routine daily tasks such as payroll processing, attendance, and benefits tracking, giving you more time and resources to implement strategies that align the workforce with your organization's strategic goals.

HRP: Meets continuously changing HRM requirements for companies opernating in China and Hong Kong.
Pay+: Incorporates comprehensive payroll and human resources management functionality with quick implementation and ease of use for companies employing up to 300 people.
ATS: Attendance Tracking System (ATS) allows companies to plan flexible shift rosters and control labor costs while providing real-time attendance monitoring and analysis.
ESS: Employee Self-Service (ESS) provides employees and managers with self-service online functions for accessing and updating HR-related data, such as personal information, leave application and approval, training application and approval, pay slip inquiries, and more.


(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Hold; LT Rating- Hold)

What the c:!### are you tech people doing to the Queen's C:!###ing English?
"It's never not satisfactory to not be Number 1."

Monty;s Python
Mood:  flirty
Topic: Microsoft and VCSY

 

 Oh really. And just how do you intend to surround search? You are going to have to integrate as you indicate in the interview here. But will you integrate using your .Net 3.0 structure (of which WinFS is a buried component now - apparently a launch point for other integrations) or an XML and markup programming capability? 

 As a kid, did you ever play in the barnyard and find broken eggs and try to build a little play village with the eggshells? What's up with that? You go back the next day and, no matter how much you wished and prayed, the animals had moved through and your play village looked like the remains of a cremation dumped on top of the chicken $#!@.

 

 http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=383

April 11th, 2007

Berkowitz: More integration coming across Microsoft’s online properties

Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 7:36 am

If you can't beat 'em, surround 'em.

That's Microsoft's search motto, according to Steve Berkowitz, Senior Vice President of Microsoft's Online Services Group, who keynoted the Search Engine Strategies (SES) conference in New York on April 11.

"It's going to be the things we surround search with that is going to make it better, more enticing," said Berkowitz. We are more than search. With (Windows Live Hotmail) mail, (Windows Live) Messenger and (Windows Live) Spaces, the company has tremendous trove. We are going to be about integrating search into all those things."

Berkowitz told the audience to expect Microsoft to integrate "more social content" — specifically more "social networking and pre-programmed content" — into MSN going forward. And while Microsoft will continue to work on improving its share of "destination-driven search," it will focus equally, if not more, on "convenience search," or search integrated into "experiences," like gaming, online chat, and the like, Berkowitz said.

Berkowitz, who oversees marketing, sales and business development for Microsoft's MSN and Windows Live properties, spent about 45 minutes on Wednesday morning answering questions from Search Engine Strategies host Danny Sullivan in front of the SES audience.

Sullivan asked Berkowitz whether Microsoft — which has been struggling to gain market share vs. Google and Yahoo — whether Microsoft would be content to remain No. 2 or 3 in search. Berkowitz's response: "It's never not satisfactory to not be Number 1."

Predictably, Berkowitz wouldn't say much about ongoing rumors that Microsoft might/should buy or cut a deal with Yahoo to shore up its search share. When asked about those rumors by Sullivan, Berkowitz replied: "My goal in next 12 months is to focus on the organic goal we already have."

He said Microsoft is very focused on turning users into searchers, to get them to use Mail, Messenger, Spaces and MSN, and to leverage the company's assets, from Xbox to Office.

"Expect to see search more integrated into MSN in a cleaner, more thoughtful way," Berkowitz told SES attendees.

Berkowitz emphasized several times during his remarks that Microsoft's deep pockets are allowing the company to invest in search-related research. He noted that search's current text-based interface is moving to a graphical interface. Rich media will be integrated into search "at some point in time," he said.

Berkowitz also ranted against the way that "craplets" have come to dominate the typical PC user's initial experience of the user interface. He said that the kinds of deals — via which Microsoft sells Windows screen real estate to app vendors, ISPs and other third-party software and service vendors and does Windows Live Search preload deals with PC makers like Lenovo — could become a thing of the past.

Customized user experiences, such as Alienware PCs that feature some kind of gaming-specific user interface, from the get-go, ultimately will become the order of the day, Berkowitz predicted.

He also hinted at Microsoft's Cloud OS, without sharing new specifics about Microsoft's plans there. "Microsoft has advantages of scale and reach," Berkowitz said, and has made substantial investments in technologies ranging from datacenters to storage of photos and video.

"Basically, we're moving the server from your office to cloud," Berkowitz said.

"How do we extend Windows' presence, (meaning) the value proposition that Windows delivers?" Berkowitz asked rhetorically. By being able to use a common set of identity credentials, like Windows Live ID, a common address book across from the desktop to the cloud — the same way "you take your cell phone number where you go," Microsoft will extend Windows onto the Internet," Berkowitz added.

Another day another rubber donut
Mood:  accident prone
Topic: Integroty

And speaking of Mary Jo: 

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=381 

April 10th, 2007

Not a good day for Microsoft

Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 12:32 pm

During the Microsoft antitrust trial, Corporate PR spokesman Mark Murray used to start each press gathering with the words, "This has been another great day for Microsoft."

 

I think Microsoft will reveal it must spend a very large amount of its store to stay in the XML fueled web game. A VERY large store.

A billion dollars just doesn't go as far as it used to. Why, only five years ago a billion dollars sounded like a lot money. Now? Not so much. Peanuts, actually, when you can start thinking in terms of trillions and no customer service department to have to buy prepH for.

Companies like Microsoft that have 'customers'... yech. Have buyers and licensees only and you don't have to worry about getting smote with the emerods when you have to do your loud reports in the public eye.
 

Rack to the future
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Integroty

To commemorate a little personal D-day, I thought I might reach back in the past, courtesy of something Mary Jo said recently, and front you this little item. By the way, don't you just love those old uncluttered web pages from back in the dotcom era?

excerpt: 

 "We all want everybody to be racing to the top of the hill," he said, "but we don't want somebody to be rolling boulders down on the next guy."

heh heh that was kind of humorous. I didn't know people back then had a sense of humor. 

http://www.businessweek.com/microsoft/updates/up81201a.htm 

DEC. 1, 1998 7pm ET
Numbers That Make Microsoft Look Bad Among other stats, Justice's economics expert points to Windows' increasing percentage of a PC's cost At the close of Microsoft's antitrust trial each day, its spokespeople step into the harsh light of TV cameras on the steps of the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., and try to put a positive spin on the day's events. On Tuesday, Dec. 1, the spin seemed to grind to a halt. Asked if it had been -- as he used to say almost daily, "another great day" for Microsoft -- spokesman Mark Murray demurred. "It's been weeks since I've said that," he commented. On Tuesday, he had good reason to be subdued. During redirect questioning from a government attorney, economist and government witness Frederick R. Warren-Boulton came off powerfully. He laid out the facts behind his conclusion that Microsoft's pricing practices show that it exercises monopoly power and that its exclusionary dealings with Internet service providers had a profound effect on the company's ability to overtake Web pioneer Netscape Communications Inc. in the browser wars. Warren-Boulton used a Microsoft pricing study to argue that the software giant has been able to keep its prices high because it faces little competition -- to the detriment of consumers. Prepared in advance of Windows 98's release last summer, the Microsoft study concludes that there would be no need to lower the price of Windows upgrades to increase the volume of sales. More significantly, it also noted that Windows accounted for 2.5% of the average personal computer price in 1996, up dramatically from the 0.5% it represented in 1990. Recently, on its Web site, Microsoft put that number at 5%. MUSCLE FLEXING. This suggests that while other technology prices were dropping dramatically because of competition, the cost of the operating system was not, Warren-Boulton testified. "We see a really dramatic increase in the cost of the operating system relative to the other components in a PC -- which suggests the extent to which Microsoft is exerting its monopoly power is increasing," he said. The economist also broke down browser usage data provided by AdKnowledge Inc. to back up his contention that Microsoft's agreements with ISPs helped turn the tide in the browser war. The government maintains that Microsoft was able to get ISPs to favor its Internet Explorer browser over Netscape's because the ISPs wanted to be included in an Internet access feature on the Windows desktop. And that, Justice says, is an unfair use of the Windows monopoly to extend its influence into new markets. Warren-Boulton's analysis showed that Microsoft's market share among browsers distributed by ISPs rose from 20% in January, 1997, to 49% last August. In a small group of ISPs that did not favor one browser over another, IE's share rose to only 30%. "The effect of this is that Netscape's browser share fell more rapidly than it would have otherwise," said Warren-Boulton. Much of the day's testimony came in response to redirect questioning from attorney Richard Schwartz, who represents 20 state attorneys general who joined the Justice Dept. case -- so it's no wonder that the government won most of the rounds. When asked if there are competitors in the desktop operating system business that could constrain Microsoft's monopoly power, Warren-Boulton answered no, "only potential threats." He pointed out that two new entrants -- Linux and BeOS -- are really positioned only as compliments to Windows. "ROLLING BOULDERS." But Warren-Boulton scored points even when Microsoft's attorney was asking the questions. After Microsoft attorney Michael Lacovara asserted that what's going on in the Internet marketplace is just good tough competition, Warren-Boulton cut him short. "We all want everybody to be racing to the top of the hill," he said, "but we don't want somebody to be rolling boulders down on the next guy." During breaks from testimony, Microsoft's spokespeople argued that the government was using misleading statistics to make its case. But no doubt, the company was glad to see an end to Warren-Boulton's four days of testimony as he is. Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson seemed to speak for everyone in the courtroom when he ended the session by proclaiming dramatically: "Dr. Warren-Boulton, you are liberated." On Wednesday, a new round of inquiry is expected to begin with video from Microsoft CEO Bill Gates's deposition. He'll be commenting on Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java programing language -- which, the government claims Microsoft has tried to undermine. By Steve Hamm in Washington

 

After the goose we gets the gold
Mood:  bright
Topic: Pervasive Computing

 A relationship is supposed to accomplish a mutual cross pollenation of imprint and opportunity. The following story underlines what software built on the concepts described in VCSY technology descriptions and demonstrations can provide as a basis to produce these kinds of services.

 Whether VCSY is involved in these IBM efforts is precisely the question we've all been trying to answer all these years since 2001 when IBM fronted VCSY/EmilySolutions as among the top 40 XML innovators.

 Again (we say this so often because it happened so long ago [5+ years and many moons] most don't know or remember) this is when VCSY introduced an XML Enabler middleware and IBM retired their XML Enabler middleware (which has mysteriously reappeared recently at IBM) and when Microsoft introduced Hailstorm featuring XMLhttpRequest and SilkRoute. Or was it SilkWorm? It was so long ago even I forget.

 So, like I said, much of what cuts to the heart of most longs, I think, can be said to go to whether or not IBM is employing these kinds of technologies to build these kinds of things. If not, we've had one big misunderstanding among a whole lot of people all looking at the same things over the same period. Kind of like UFO sighters as tornado chasers. Nobody else believes us but dammit something built a barn out in the middle of nowhere and put cows in there and all. Gotta be a UFO.

 The following IBM story also accents what a combined set of talents under an empowered collaborative development culture can do in opposition to proprietary cobblements under non-deliberative autocracies.

 Whether VCSY has an exchanging relationship within IBM or is just another vendor is what we all are waiting to discover. The elsewhere described VCSY technology is elemental to building these kinds of services. NOW Solutions is an example of the Human Resources business packaged and available as a web service via SaaS or on-premise/on-demand or combinations.

 The game for the gander is to gamble on what he's able to goose and gather with his own ganderments.

http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21345.wss 

IBM Introduces New Systems for Small and Medium Businesses That Grow as They Grow

System i Express Provides Better Alternative to Windows-based Servers; Features Per-User Pricing to Support Growth

Armonk, NY - 10 Apr 2007: IBM announced today a radical new way for its small and medium business clients to adopt and manage their IT infrastructure. Small and medium business clients will now be able to purchase a complete, "all-in-one" system for their business on a per-user basis, enabling clients to grow technology resources at pace with business needs.

 

more at URL