Adam Leach, Ovum analyst
AUSTRALIA: It has been widely reported that today, Apple will launch its latest version of the iPhone.
“The launch of the next version of the iPhone is critical for Apple. The company has had phenomenal success with the iPhone 4 and in order to sustain its growth, it needs the next version to be another hit.
“The mobile phone market has witnessed the rise and fall of handset vendors based on the success or failure of a single product. To mitigate against this, most handset vendors have opted for a portfolio approach and launched a range of devices which appeal to a wide variety of consumers across geographies. However, Apple so far has relied on a single model and therefore needs the new version of the iPhone to be even more successful than its predecessor, in order to grow its business.
“Adding more advanced technologies and innovation into the next generation iPhone means it will remain a high-end proposition, and indeed to get iPhone 4 users to upgrade it needs to push the envelope in this regard. However, to achieve a wider market penetration for the iPhone, Apple needs to push down the price range.”
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Growing importance of managed mobility in Asia-Pacific
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Ovum’s recent report identified that multinational corporations (MNCs) in Asia-Pacific are increasingly looking at managed mobility services as a potential solution to the problems of managing the growing cost and complexity of mobility on an international scale. Ovum recently asked 110 MNCs worldwide about the importance of various mobility issues and cost management was rated by over 95 percent of the companies as either as either important or extremely important.
"Given the difficulties multinationals have in coping with the various aspects of mobility, it is no surprise that interest in managed mobility services is growing. Such services help MNCs handle relationships with mobile service providers, manage the device fleet, roll out and manage secure data applications, analyze invoices, and allocate costs back to departments or users. Enterprises will consider providers that help them control expenses by offering centralized contracts and providing tools that improve the visibility and management of costs." said Claudio Castelli, senior analyst.
Some providers are recognizing these customers' demands and a growing number of them are offering elements of managed mobility. Ovum evaluated providers of enterprise mobility services for MNCs in the region to help businesses to select a provider based on services capability, reputation among customers, vision, long-term commitment, and experience in the marketplace. The report identified the leading providers of mobility services for MNCs in Asia-Pacific today based on the scope of the study, which included international roaming, remote access, mobile security services, FMC/mobile UC, managed mobility, and mobilizing data applications.
"With significant variations across providers' portfolios and varied geographical availability, and customers taking a diverse approach to mobility, it is unsurprising that the competitive landscape of mobility services for MNCs in Asia-Pacific is extremely fragmented. MNCs recognize providers with strong presence in major markets or with significant regional presence as their main international service providers for mobility services, but those which combine both characteristics have the broadest combination of strengths and score highest" adds Castelli.
With a significant presence in major Asia-Pacific markets and a regional approach to MNCs in Asia-Pacific, among which it has a significant number of customers, and a relatively mature managed mobility offering Vodafone Global Enterprise (VGE) is the market leader. It is followed closely by SingTel, which has significant mobile assets in the region and has recently introduced a set of managed mobility services and also figures as a market leader in the Ovum market positioning.
The study also included the global and regional challengers, and some national giants. The regional challengers (Telstra and Bharti Airtel), are providers with a strong regional footprint but whose mobility portfolio for MNCs is still under development. Ovum recommends enterprises consider them for shortlisting based on their specific requirements.
The global challengers should also be considered depending on the scope of services required. These are global service providers with sophisticated mobility offerings but limited or no mobile network assets in the region and a limited regional customer base for these specific services. "These players can offer mobility services in the region as part of a global deal or for businesses with requirements where mobility is combined with other fixed services (e.g. managed WAN or unified communication) in a more holistic approach to telecommunication and ICT services" advised Castelli, based in Melbourne. BT Global Services and Orange Business Services are the best examples, but others are likely to join this group in the near future.
In the last group are the national giants (China Mobile and China Unicom), whose presence in the scorecard is mainly because of the growing importance of the Chinese market for MNCs and the fact that most MNCs are still procuring their mobility services nationally. These players have the potential to leverage the expansion plans of the Chinese MNCs to expand services internationally, but they will need to invest significantly in geographical coverage and partnerships to complement their services portfolio.
"Given the difficulties multinationals have in coping with the various aspects of mobility, it is no surprise that interest in managed mobility services is growing. Such services help MNCs handle relationships with mobile service providers, manage the device fleet, roll out and manage secure data applications, analyze invoices, and allocate costs back to departments or users. Enterprises will consider providers that help them control expenses by offering centralized contracts and providing tools that improve the visibility and management of costs." said Claudio Castelli, senior analyst.
Some providers are recognizing these customers' demands and a growing number of them are offering elements of managed mobility. Ovum evaluated providers of enterprise mobility services for MNCs in the region to help businesses to select a provider based on services capability, reputation among customers, vision, long-term commitment, and experience in the marketplace. The report identified the leading providers of mobility services for MNCs in Asia-Pacific today based on the scope of the study, which included international roaming, remote access, mobile security services, FMC/mobile UC, managed mobility, and mobilizing data applications.
"With significant variations across providers' portfolios and varied geographical availability, and customers taking a diverse approach to mobility, it is unsurprising that the competitive landscape of mobility services for MNCs in Asia-Pacific is extremely fragmented. MNCs recognize providers with strong presence in major markets or with significant regional presence as their main international service providers for mobility services, but those which combine both characteristics have the broadest combination of strengths and score highest" adds Castelli.
With a significant presence in major Asia-Pacific markets and a regional approach to MNCs in Asia-Pacific, among which it has a significant number of customers, and a relatively mature managed mobility offering Vodafone Global Enterprise (VGE) is the market leader. It is followed closely by SingTel, which has significant mobile assets in the region and has recently introduced a set of managed mobility services and also figures as a market leader in the Ovum market positioning.
The study also included the global and regional challengers, and some national giants. The regional challengers (Telstra and Bharti Airtel), are providers with a strong regional footprint but whose mobility portfolio for MNCs is still under development. Ovum recommends enterprises consider them for shortlisting based on their specific requirements.
The global challengers should also be considered depending on the scope of services required. These are global service providers with sophisticated mobility offerings but limited or no mobile network assets in the region and a limited regional customer base for these specific services. "These players can offer mobility services in the region as part of a global deal or for businesses with requirements where mobility is combined with other fixed services (e.g. managed WAN or unified communication) in a more holistic approach to telecommunication and ICT services" advised Castelli, based in Melbourne. BT Global Services and Orange Business Services are the best examples, but others are likely to join this group in the near future.
In the last group are the national giants (China Mobile and China Unicom), whose presence in the scorecard is mainly because of the growing importance of the Chinese market for MNCs and the fact that most MNCs are still procuring their mobility services nationally. These players have the potential to leverage the expansion plans of the Chinese MNCs to expand services internationally, but they will need to invest significantly in geographical coverage and partnerships to complement their services portfolio.
Spreadtrum completes majority acquisition of WCDMA provider MobilePeak
SHANGHAI, CHINA: Spreadtrum Communications Inc. has completed a majority acquisition of WCDMA solutions provider MobilePeak Holdings Ltd on September 30, 2011.
The acquisition of MobilePeak allows Spreadtrum to enter the global 3G and LTE markets with WCDMA/HSPA+ technology. MobilePeak's 3G technology combined with Spreadtrum's advanced 40nm baseband platform will enable Spreadtrum to deliver low-cost, high-performance WCDMA solutions for the global market and serve as a foundation for the Company's next-generation multi-mode 3G/4G solutions.
MobilePeak's technology supports 3GPP standards through Release 7, including a full-rate 384Kbps modem and HSPA+ technology up to Category 14 at 21Mbps maximum downlink speed and 11Mbps maximum uplink speed. Spreadtrum anticipates that its first WCDMA baseband platform introduction leveraging MobilePeak's technology will be in the first half of 2012, targeting consumers in emerging markets as well as 3G subscribers on the China Unicom network.
Spreadtrum increased its equity ownership in MobilePeak to approximately 85 percent as a result of the acquisition. Spreadtrum expects to purchase the remaining outstanding shares by year end. Spreadtrum expects the total cash consideration for the ordinary shares, including shares purchased on September 30, 2011 and shares that remain to be purchased, to be approximately $5 million. Spreadtrum may also pay additional cash and grant restricted share units to MobilePeak team members as they meet certain product development milestones.
The acquisition of MobilePeak allows Spreadtrum to enter the global 3G and LTE markets with WCDMA/HSPA+ technology. MobilePeak's 3G technology combined with Spreadtrum's advanced 40nm baseband platform will enable Spreadtrum to deliver low-cost, high-performance WCDMA solutions for the global market and serve as a foundation for the Company's next-generation multi-mode 3G/4G solutions.
MobilePeak's technology supports 3GPP standards through Release 7, including a full-rate 384Kbps modem and HSPA+ technology up to Category 14 at 21Mbps maximum downlink speed and 11Mbps maximum uplink speed. Spreadtrum anticipates that its first WCDMA baseband platform introduction leveraging MobilePeak's technology will be in the first half of 2012, targeting consumers in emerging markets as well as 3G subscribers on the China Unicom network.
Spreadtrum increased its equity ownership in MobilePeak to approximately 85 percent as a result of the acquisition. Spreadtrum expects to purchase the remaining outstanding shares by year end. Spreadtrum expects the total cash consideration for the ordinary shares, including shares purchased on September 30, 2011 and shares that remain to be purchased, to be approximately $5 million. Spreadtrum may also pay additional cash and grant restricted share units to MobilePeak team members as they meet certain product development milestones.
Quantenna in strategic partnership with Samsung to develop next-generation wireless products
FREMONT, USA: Quantenna Communications Inc., a leader in ultra-reliable Wi-Fi networking for whole-home entertainment, announced an agreement to partner with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. to develop products based on Quantenna’s 4x4 MIMO Wi-Fi technology.
The partnership will enable Samsung and Quantenna to jointly develop advanced Wi-Fi-based solutions to address a number of markets. The two companies also expect that through a technical partnership, Samsung's expertise in consumer electronics products will assist Quantenna to continue to develop high-performance wireless solutions.
“We believe that Samsung will impact the industry in a number of important ways,” said Sam Heidari, chief executive officer for Quantenna. “Combining our expertise in high performance 4x4 MIMO Wi-Fi with Samsung’s products enhances Quantenna's leadership in whole-home wireless video distribution.”
The partnership will enable Samsung and Quantenna to jointly develop advanced Wi-Fi-based solutions to address a number of markets. The two companies also expect that through a technical partnership, Samsung's expertise in consumer electronics products will assist Quantenna to continue to develop high-performance wireless solutions.
“We believe that Samsung will impact the industry in a number of important ways,” said Sam Heidari, chief executive officer for Quantenna. “Combining our expertise in high performance 4x4 MIMO Wi-Fi with Samsung’s products enhances Quantenna's leadership in whole-home wireless video distribution.”
Monday, October 3, 2011
Mellanox announces collaboration with Microsoft on multiple technology demos of new InfiniBand RDMA support in Windows Server “8”
SUNNYVALE, USA & YOKNEAM, ISRAEL: Mellanox Technologies Ltd, a leading supplier of high-performance, end-to-end connectivity solutions for data center servers and storage systems, announced that Mellanox and Microsoft showcased multiple demonstrations of drivers for Mellanox’s end-to-end FDR 56Gb/s InfiniBand and 10/40GbE networking solutions, including support for RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) during the Microsoft BUILD conference.
The drivers for the ConnectX family of adapters have been optimized for the developer preview of Windows Server 8 and include provisions for accelerated networking, storage, database, virtualization and clustering applications.
Mellanox’s RDMA networking drivers, supported on InfiniBand and Ethernet, are key components to accelerate and improve performance of Windows Server-based storage using the Server Message Block (SMB) 2.2 protocol. Using the new SMBDirect capability that supports SMB over native RDMA and Mellanox networking solutions, end-users can increase Microsoft SQL Server database performance while reducing capital and operating expenses by consolidating their network infrastructure into a single high-speed network. In addition, end-users can achieve industry-leading, low-latency performance for applications in a virtualized Windows Server Hyper-V-based data center and in cloud based high-performance applications.
The drivers for the ConnectX family of adapters have been optimized for the developer preview of Windows Server 8 and include provisions for accelerated networking, storage, database, virtualization and clustering applications.
Mellanox’s RDMA networking drivers, supported on InfiniBand and Ethernet, are key components to accelerate and improve performance of Windows Server-based storage using the Server Message Block (SMB) 2.2 protocol. Using the new SMBDirect capability that supports SMB over native RDMA and Mellanox networking solutions, end-users can increase Microsoft SQL Server database performance while reducing capital and operating expenses by consolidating their network infrastructure into a single high-speed network. In addition, end-users can achieve industry-leading, low-latency performance for applications in a virtualized Windows Server Hyper-V-based data center and in cloud based high-performance applications.
Kronos unveils latest version of Workforce Mobile
HR Technology Conference & Exposition, LAS VEGAS, USA: Kronos Inc. announced the latest version of its award winning mobile applications, continuing to deliver on its commitment to develop the next generation of workforce management. Kronos Workforce Mobile applications improve productivity by making it easier for managers and employees to complete a wide range of workforce-related tasks using a variety of mobile devices.
* Kronos mobile applications give employees and managers flexibility in how they interact with each other and provide an anytime, anyplace, instant connection to the Kronos Workforce Central suite. For employees, this translates into easy access to critical aspects of their working life from the mobile devices they already use and are familiar with. For managers, it means more time to focus on running their operation.
Enhancements to Workforce Mobile include:
MobileViews – Most organizations have developed unique self-service processes for the most frequently performed tasks – for example, viewing a holiday schedule. With MobileViews, organizations can leverage Kronos-designed MobileViews or write their own custom applications and have them added to the Kronos mobile solution, providing an individualized, high-value experience to end users.
Labor Detail – Employees now have the option to select from a list of personalized labor levels to indicate which role they are performing, and can also complete pay code and job transfers via their mobile device. Labor Detail functionality allows organizations to capture more detailed information about an employee’s activity, helping to ensure that they are properly compensated and that costs are appropriately allocated.
Barcode Scanning – Workforce Mobile now offers the capability to scan barcodes, eliminating time spent typing in work order numbers or activity levels. By implementing Workforce Mobile with barcode scanning, organizations can eliminate the need for fixed mount barcode scanning devices and complex kiosk-based data collection stations in multiple locations around the workplace.
Visibility and Data Control – From improved content and filtering, and easier timecard approvals, to an improved schedule view that includes pay codes, Workforce Mobile now makes it easier for managers responsible for large groups of employees to manage them easily and effectively within the application. Improvements have also been made in GPS data collection and session timeout controls.
* Kronos mobile applications give employees and managers flexibility in how they interact with each other and provide an anytime, anyplace, instant connection to the Kronos Workforce Central suite. For employees, this translates into easy access to critical aspects of their working life from the mobile devices they already use and are familiar with. For managers, it means more time to focus on running their operation.
Enhancements to Workforce Mobile include:
MobileViews – Most organizations have developed unique self-service processes for the most frequently performed tasks – for example, viewing a holiday schedule. With MobileViews, organizations can leverage Kronos-designed MobileViews or write their own custom applications and have them added to the Kronos mobile solution, providing an individualized, high-value experience to end users.
Labor Detail – Employees now have the option to select from a list of personalized labor levels to indicate which role they are performing, and can also complete pay code and job transfers via their mobile device. Labor Detail functionality allows organizations to capture more detailed information about an employee’s activity, helping to ensure that they are properly compensated and that costs are appropriately allocated.
Barcode Scanning – Workforce Mobile now offers the capability to scan barcodes, eliminating time spent typing in work order numbers or activity levels. By implementing Workforce Mobile with barcode scanning, organizations can eliminate the need for fixed mount barcode scanning devices and complex kiosk-based data collection stations in multiple locations around the workplace.
Visibility and Data Control – From improved content and filtering, and easier timecard approvals, to an improved schedule view that includes pay codes, Workforce Mobile now makes it easier for managers responsible for large groups of employees to manage them easily and effectively within the application. Improvements have also been made in GPS data collection and session timeout controls.
Global telecoms service providers should redouble efforts in Asia-Pacific
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Global telecoms service providers are only scratching the surface of the huge business opportunity in Asia-Pacific, and need to redouble their efforts to increase their impact, according to Ovum.
In a new report, the independent telecoms analyst states that although global telecoms companies have begun to target Asia-Pacific in earnest, they have yet to win a significant amount of business.
David Molony, Ovum principal analyst and author of the report, commented: “The big five US and European-owned global service providers have woken up to the new business opportunity the Asia-Pacific region offers them. However, while they have won their first notable contracts there, they are only scratching the surface of the market and need to raise their capabilities and support to the levels they offer in their own regions to turn that around.”
According to the report, the total value of deals announced by global telecoms providers in the second half of 2010 was $16,860 million. However, only 3 per cent of this figure originated from Asia-Pacific.
Even market leader BT Global Services, which took 25 per cent of the total contract value of the deals announced in the second half of 2010, had only 2 per cent of its contracts volume in the region.
According to Molony, one of the reasons for the low penetration is that Asia-Pacific’s broad, diverse and fragmented market has meant that continuity of service from global providers has in the past been difficult, leading companies to turn to local suppliers.
“In effect, they have become used to using local and national suppliers, who also enjoy more regulatory protection in their markets,” he commented, “But above all, with the exception of Japan and Australia, the region has not grown as many global multinational corporations (MNCs) as America and Europe. However, that is changing, and there will be significant new demand out of the region for global telecoms service providers to target.”
Meanwhile, a lack of network infrastructure and service support in the region has also left global service providers with work to do. Molony commented, “Global service providers have made their own investments in infrastructure, and data and service centres, but capacity in these gets used up fast.”
However, Molony does believe that the global service providers that can find a way to overcome these challenges will find demand for their offerings. He added: “Asia-Pacific MNCs will continue to be a challenge for global service providers. These emerging MNCs have limited experience of what global service providers can offer them in terms of contracts, account management and new products and services.
“However, these companies are also in a hurry to grow their global business operations and reach new markets in developed territories. They will need fast-developing network and service support, which global service providers can offer them. Global service providers have solutions and skills in cloud-based network provisioning and management, which MNCs are particularly interested in.”
In a new report, the independent telecoms analyst states that although global telecoms companies have begun to target Asia-Pacific in earnest, they have yet to win a significant amount of business.
David Molony, Ovum principal analyst and author of the report, commented: “The big five US and European-owned global service providers have woken up to the new business opportunity the Asia-Pacific region offers them. However, while they have won their first notable contracts there, they are only scratching the surface of the market and need to raise their capabilities and support to the levels they offer in their own regions to turn that around.”
According to the report, the total value of deals announced by global telecoms providers in the second half of 2010 was $16,860 million. However, only 3 per cent of this figure originated from Asia-Pacific.
Even market leader BT Global Services, which took 25 per cent of the total contract value of the deals announced in the second half of 2010, had only 2 per cent of its contracts volume in the region.
According to Molony, one of the reasons for the low penetration is that Asia-Pacific’s broad, diverse and fragmented market has meant that continuity of service from global providers has in the past been difficult, leading companies to turn to local suppliers.
“In effect, they have become used to using local and national suppliers, who also enjoy more regulatory protection in their markets,” he commented, “But above all, with the exception of Japan and Australia, the region has not grown as many global multinational corporations (MNCs) as America and Europe. However, that is changing, and there will be significant new demand out of the region for global telecoms service providers to target.”
Meanwhile, a lack of network infrastructure and service support in the region has also left global service providers with work to do. Molony commented, “Global service providers have made their own investments in infrastructure, and data and service centres, but capacity in these gets used up fast.”
However, Molony does believe that the global service providers that can find a way to overcome these challenges will find demand for their offerings. He added: “Asia-Pacific MNCs will continue to be a challenge for global service providers. These emerging MNCs have limited experience of what global service providers can offer them in terms of contracts, account management and new products and services.
“However, these companies are also in a hurry to grow their global business operations and reach new markets in developed territories. They will need fast-developing network and service support, which global service providers can offer them. Global service providers have solutions and skills in cloud-based network provisioning and management, which MNCs are particularly interested in.”
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