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CHIPPENHAM, December: MDS Technologies, the Chippenham-based enterprise and digital platform service provider, has been named as the Southwest’s fastest-growing private tech company in The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table.

The table ranks Britain’s top 100 private tech (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales over the last three years. MDS sales revenue has grown from £1.6m in 2013 to £7m in 2016.

From its headquarters in Chippenham, MDS designs, builds and manages the platforms that underpin high-profile digital and enterprise services, and is one of the top-50 suppliers (out of more than 1200) on the Government’s G-Cloud procurement framework.

Over the past 18 months, MDS has seen rapid growth, winning large contracts with customers including a range of central Government departments, local authorities, NHS organisations and large IT service providers.

Karen Young, Managing Director at MDS Technologies, said: “We believe this growth is down to our agility as an SME, coupled with our approach of providing customers with truly independent advice and working in partnership with them to create digital and enterprise service platforms that genuinely meet their needs and, importantly, deliver value for money.”

2016 club closures explained: Londoners and Bristolians prefer house parties to nightclubs thanks to latest music streaming tech

Music streaming and sharing tech has made house parties more fun, according to latest research from JAM Wi-Fi Home Audio

We Brits have always been party animals and what with winter party season almost upon us, with Christmas party invites and ‘save the dates’ already dropping into our inboxes and social media feeds, JAM Wi-Fi Home Audio conducted the definitive survey of British Party Habits in 2016.

JAM Wi-Fi Home Audio survey of 1,036 20-35-year-old Brits revealed that half (50%) of respondents from London or Bristol now prefer going to a good house party than clubbing, with nearly a third (31%) of respondents saying music sharing technology has made house parties better.

West country party-goers are even more into house parties than the rest of the UK, with over a half (55%) of respondents from Bristol (aged 20-35) preferring a good house party than going out clubbing. City folk also seem to be favouring house parties over clubs this winter, as a half (50%) of respondents aged 20-35 from London would definitely prefer to attend a house party than go to a club.

So what is it about today’s house parties that appeals more to young Brits than going to a club? Perhaps it’s the fact that, according to the JAM survey, on average, Brits aged 30-35 are most likely to pull someone at exactly 11.42pm at a house party! Which, interestingly enough, is 13 minutes after the time at which they are most likely to be drunk (11.29pm) and 14 minutes after the music is most likely to be at its loudest (11.28pm) and 49 minutes after which most people are likely to start dancing (10.53pm)!

“From our survey results it’s clear that music, more than anything else, makes a great house party,” says Nick Grocott from JAM. “Young British party-goers cite three things that made a great house party - good music (67%), good banter (60%) and a good selection of drinks (40%).

“40% of respondents that have attended a house party, said they spend most of their time in the lounge at a house party, mainly because that’s where the music and the action is, with men more likely to want to choose their own playlist. Almost half of women polled (46%) said when it comes to music, they like to be able to listen to a number of peoples’ different playlists and hear new stuff, compared to just over a third of men who said the same (35%).”

For further information about JAM Wi-Fi please visit http://uk.jamaudio.com/wifi-speakers-1

The Group shifts to an independent High Voltage offer in China, significantly improving competitiveness, flexibility and operational efficiency

“Prysmian Technology Jiangsu will offer the Group’s full range of HV technologies and become the HV Centre of Excellence in APAC,” declares Luigi Migliorini, CEO Prysmian Group China

Milan, 02 December 2016 – Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, announces it has won a bankruptcy auction for certain assets of a HV cables factory in China previously operated by Shen Huan Cable Technologies for total consideration of around 305 million RMB (approx. € 42 million), plus taxes in the region of 30 million RMB (approx. € 4 million). The procedure for completing the acquisition of these assets is expected to start in the next few days. This acquisition will be carried out by Prysmian Technology Jiangsu Co. Ltd., a company 100% owned by the Group’s holding company in China, Prysmian China Investment Co. Ltd., incorporated after the announcement of the divestment of its 67% share in the Joint Venture formerly known as Prysmian Baosheng Cable Co. Ltd.

Once the acquisition is completed, Prysmian Technology Jiangsu will be able to count on manufacturing and logistics facilities consisting of an area of more than 190,000 sqm and 5 production lines (2 VCV lines up to 500 kV, 1 CCV line up to 220 kV and 2 CCV lines for MV cables) with a production capacity of over 20,000 tons per year. Prysmian Technology Jiangsu will offer a wide range of cable technologies and products, including Extra High Voltage and High Voltage cable systems as well as Medium Voltage and Fire Protection cables, from 6 kV to 500 kV. Located in the city of Yixing, Wuxi municipality, Jiangsu province, the new facility will be capable of producing all the main designs available in the HV systems sector.

“Thanks to this acquisition,” said Luigi Migliorini, CEO Prysmian Group China, “Prysmian will significantly increase its competitiveness in the Chinese utilities market with greater operational flexibility, efficiency and technical developments. Prysmian Technology Jiangsu will primarily serve Chinese power utilities and grid operators as well as Asia Pacific and other developing and emerging markets, with a particular focus on high-tech projects.”

Sopra Steria becomes the first Specialist in Consultancy Systems Integration to hire from CodeClan, Scotland's foremost digital skills academy

Sopra Steria and CodeClan work together to plug Scotland’s digital skill shortage

Edinburgh, 1 December 2016 - Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital transformation, has today announced that it has become the first specialist in Consultancy Systems Integration to hire a recruit from CodeClan, Scotland’s dedicated software skills academy.

CodeClan is a digital skills academy for web and software development supported by the Scottish Government and ScotlandIS, Scotland’s digital technologies trade body. It is also the first UK digital skills academy to be approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Sopra Steria has a long-term presence in the region and is constantly looking to diversify both its workforce and the ways in which people are sourced, particularly given the digital skills shortage in the UK.

As a result, Sopra Steria, a market leader in Consultancy Systems Integration, turned to CodeClan’s high quality pool of graduates, selecting CodeClan alumnus Adam Reid to join its Application Support Team as part of the Government Sector. Adam will provide day-to-day support for major client processing systems.

By supporting and recruiting from CodeClan, Sopra Steria builds upon its commitment to sustainable and diverse growth in Scotland. Sopra Steria sponsors the Scottish Digital Leaders Programme, and, last year, signed the Scottish Business Pledge and announced the opening of its new Glasgow office. It also continues to expand its Scottish graduate and apprenticeship programmes, hiring over 40 graduates in Scotland for 2016 with the expectation of investing in even more for 2017 and 2018.

Alison McLaughlin, Regional Director, Sopra Steria comments: “We are delighted to be working with CodeClan. Given the increasing Digital skills gap, the tech sector needs to consider alternative recruitment approaches. I think CodeClan's role in fast-tracking capable individuals into our industry is vital and the calibre of the staff they produce is very high. By working with CodeClan we hope to continue to grow our business in the region and in doing so, support skills development and the economy in Scotland.”

Harvey Wheaton, CEO of CodeClan, said: “It is critical that CodeClan fosters strong ties with companies like Sopra Steria. We welcome an open dialogue with employers to ensure the academy is continuously developing an industry-relevant curriculum that produces work-ready developers. Our ultimate aim is to provide a solution to the current digital skills crisis in Scotland by giving our tech community access to skilled graduates ready to launch a career in the industry. Unfortunately the skills gap isn't simply going to go away – we need to work together to make sure future generations have the tools they need to have a fulfilling career in tech. Adam is a fantastic example of someone without a background in technology and who has been able to start a career in the industry following 16-weeks of immersive training with CodeClan.”

Adam Reid, Junior Software Engineer, Sopra Steria, and CodeClan graduate comments: “CodeClan is important because it has enabled me to begin a new career as a Junior Software Engineer with one of Europe's leaders in digital transformation, Sopra Steria. CodeClan provided me with the platform, guidance and support to learn the fundamentals of coding design and implementation. Thanks to CodeClan I now have a great opportunity to work for an innovative leading European company and I'm looking forward to developing my skills further with Sopra Steria."

Broadband Forum invites non-member service providers to help define an industry wide framework for automated introduction, integration and delivery of virtualized services

Fremont, California, December 1, 2016: The Broadband Forum today announced the first steps have been taken to form a new industry connectivity and virtualization committee of global service providers which will resolve how connectivity and virtualization are bought and sold by service providers worldwide.

Founded by the Forum’s Service Provider Action Council (SPAC) – an international autonomous committee of service providers – the new steering group has been created with the initial purpose of creating the committee rules and developing an international open trading business framework to seamlessly deliver virtualized servers across the globe. This will accelerate the deployment of interoperating connectivity and cloud services, as well as reconcile the vertical market and system integrator interests to avoid the endless inefficiency of n-by-n integrations.

As with the airline industry, this is a model which will enable both interworking and service differentiation. Target deliverables will include a common buying and selling framework for providers and a common language between proprietary systems, Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) and open source groups, and vertical market providers, bridging siloed implementations.

“In the airline industry, organizations such as Sabre Airline Solutions and SITA allow travel classes to be automatically configured and purchased across airlines worldwide,” said Robin Mersh, Broadband Forum CEO. “If a new airline launches, it simply plugs in to the system. Now imagine if every airline had to have a separate agreement with every other airline and there was no common agreement on service classes. Today, connecting flights and cooperative agreements are taken for granted, allowing customers choice and reliability, and that is where we need to get to in the telecoms industry.”

The industry need for the new connectivity and virtualization committee, along with its goals, were identified by SPAC members as part of Forum discussions on a “top-down” Network Functions Virtualization model that should be common internationally.

This has been a common theme at recent industry events which have discussed the lack of an integrated approach to service delivery as a barrier to creating massive new markets. According to the Broadband Forum, this is due to a proliferation of bottom-up network infrastructures and delivery platforms, as well as the absence of a clear migration and coexistence strategy with legacy networks. The Forum has also highlighted a lack of interoperability as a key inhibitor, outside of a small number of bilateral agreements.

Mersh added: “The question which needs to be asked instead is: ‘What are the user service, application and purchasing requirements, and what needs to be built to support that?’”

The new steering group will aim to do exactly that, focusing on a generic approach to service delivery across retail, wholesale, enterprise and mobile services. In doing this, it will leverage and contribute to the many industry initiatives from SDOs and open source communities.

“Equipment manufacturers, system integrators and software companies will all benefit from the realization of this vision, as it will simplify and reduce the cost of providing products and services to their customers,” said Mersh. “A common approach to service enablement and delivery will create a much larger addressable market to these market players.”

To ensure the approach is truly industry-wide and global in nature, the Broadband Forum is inviting non-Broadband Forum service providers to join them to investigate the basis for trading connectivity and virtualized services.

The first step has been to establish the steering group within the Broadband Forum. This group will determine the scope and nature of the effort, potential operating processes, and launch timelines. The goal is to complete these initial items by March 2017.

The Broadband Forum's role will be to act as an incubator for this independent industry effort and leverage its autonomous SPAC group and long established anti-trust policies and procedures. In the long term, the activity will most likely result in an independent association. Meetings will be held online and there is no participation fee.

Service providers which would like to participate should send a request to CEO Robin Mersh ([email protected]). Please contact Robin for further details.

Current SPAC members may find out further information on the Forum’s collaboration site http://wiki.broadband-forum.org.

Oracle Platinum Partner Certus Solutions [www.certus-solutions.com] has appointed Richard Summerfield as a Non-Executive Director. Richard is currently the Group HR Director at global telecoms provider JT [Jersey Telecom], an Oracle HCM customer of Certus-Solutions since 2015. JT is also currently using Certus-Solutions’ 'engage® Business Support Services’.

Richard has over 20 years of corporate HR leadership experience, the last six as a member of JT's management board. Previously, he has worked at Ogier, Standard Bank, Zurich and Barclays. He was also a guest speaker at Oracle Openworld 2015 where he gave a customer view of the implementation of cloud HR products through Certus-Solutions.

In his Non-Executive capacity, he will be ensuring that the company’s strategic business plans are robust, giving independent advice on senior recruitment and remuneration, and providing the personal ‘insight’ of an HR Cloud implementation customer.

Commenting on his appointment, Tim Warner, Chairman (designate) and Chief Operating Officer of Certus Solutions says, “Richard brings with him both huge professional experience along with the unique insight of an Oracle HCM Cloud user. We like to think that the relationship we have built with him and his HR team over the last 18 months, and the quality of the Oracle HCM implementation, were key factors in him taking this new role.

Adding Richard to the Board is a key step in defining the next chapter of our growth plans, where having stronger governance, independent advice and healthy challenge to the senior managers is crucial to our future success.”

Building on Tim's words, Richard commented, “Certus-Solutions has grown rapidly through its ability to deliver leading edge Cloud solutions to major public and private sector clients alike, myself included. To protect and nurture future growth, there is a requirement for greater investment in governance, best practice, and independent oversight. I am delighted to join the Board at such an exciting time to help Certus realise its big ambitions to be a disruptor in the Oracle Cloud technology sector on a global basis”.

Cambridge UK, 1 December – Redgate, the Cambridge UK based company that develops software for the Microsoft data platform, has continued its mission to bring DevOps to the database by signing a new consultancy partner in the UK.

DLM Consultants joins other trusted Redgate partners like Crafting Bytes, DevOpsGuys, and Nebbia Technology in offering consultancy, training, and bespoke services to companies and organizations who want to enhance their database operations.

The growing partner network is a result of the increasing number of Redgate customers who are adopting Database Lifecycle Management (DLM) in their day-to-day operations.
 
DLM allows companies and organizations who want to release features faster and more efficiently to include database development alongside application development.

Bringing the database under version control, for example, or introducing continuous integration or automated deployments makes DevOps a reality and embraces the database as a standard part of the development process.

This is particularly true when the tools and methods used for the database align with and plug into those already in use for applications. So rather than changing the way people work, they enhance the way they already work.

For Alex Yates, the founder of DLM Consultants, this was a major reason for partnering with Redgate. "Our mission at DLM Consultants is to demonstrate that databases no longer need to be the bottleneck in delivering customer value by making DevOps possible,” he says. "But you can't change everything to achieve that because you'll create more problems than you solve. Redgate tools plug into the standard application development software already in place, so DevOps becomes an extension of existing working practices."

Alex Yates founded DLM Consultants after working at Redgate for six years where, as a Pre-Sales Engineer, he supported clients to incorporate the database in their continuous delivery process.

His aim at DLM Consultants is to use his experience in solving DLM problems in a variety of settings to provide implementation and training services that enable clients to ship database updates more frequently and more reliably.

Cass Lloyd, the Regional Partner Manager for Redgate, is delighted to welcome DLM Consultants as a partner. "Alex brings a huge amount of experience and knowledge, both about Redgate products and about every aspect of DLM. His contribution will be invaluable to companies and organizations who know they need DLM and want to implement it using their existing infrastructure."

DLM Consultants now offers a full calendar of online training in database source control, continuous integration, and release management, alongside onsite consultancy services.

Redgate itself now has a portfolio of consultants who are able to help companies and organizations in the USA, the UK, Europe, Japan, and India in every part of the database DevOps process.

VMware Horizon 7 and Blast Extreme protocol incorporates standardized H.264 video Codec, improving efficiency and speed via hardware encoding and decoding.

Leicester, UK - VMware certifies industry leading 4448v and 5848qv Blast Extreme Zero Clients from 10ZiG for VMware Horizon 7 VDI platform. Horizon 7 and Blast Extreme help expand computing capabilities using industry standard H.264 codec.

The 4448v Blast Zero Client from 10ZiG is economically priced to meet the needs of task users and knowledge workers. The 4448v easily outperforms more expensive units from the competition. 4448v standard features include dual monitor support with resolution up to 1920x1200 (WUXGA), wireless capabilities, a Dual Core processor, USB 3.0, VESA Mounting capability and ultra-low power consumption ranging from only 4-5 watts.

The 10ZiG 5848qv Blast Zero Client expands upon this solid performance feature set with dual monitor support resolution up to 2560x1600 (WQXGA) via dual DisplayPort, an Intel Quad Core processor, and an array of video options. The powerful 5848qv is capable of Full HD, Multimedia, 3D and robust CAD performance; making it ideal for advanced knowledge workers and power users.

Additional standard features of both the 4448v and 5848qv include PCoIP support and the powerful 10ZiG Centralised Management utility with Cloud capabilities. Rugged, low-maintenance, Solid-State construction featuring no moving parts or wear components rounds out a list of impressive specifications.

Complementing the true VDI experience of easy centralized management, productivity gains, enhanced virus protection and increased energy savings is the peace of mind of the 10ZiG Advanced Exchange Three Year Warranty. This warranty is one of the best in the industry, no registration is required.

The VMware Blast Extreme protocol is a component of VMware Horizon 7. Blast Extreme is a forward-thinking design based upon the H.264 video format Codec. This new protocol has excellent support for mobile networks and devices. Greatly improving stability and accelerating performance, Blast Extreme enhances the VDI experience with any Thin or Zero Client that can decode the H.264 Codec.

Requiring less bandwidth than PCoIP, Blast Extreme supports both TCP and UDP, making it better suited for mobile and lossy networks. Additionally, Blast Extreme works well for new deployments where servers are equipped with GPU architecture like NVIDIA GRID cards that support H.264 encoding. Server based GPU cards are able to offload H.264 encoding tasks from the server CPU, resulting in increased server performance, stability and scalability.

London, UK, 30 November 2016 – Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital transformation, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Financial Services Competency status. This designation recognises Sopra Steria for delivery of effective solutions and providing deep expertise to help organisations manage critical issues pertaining to the industry, such as digital transformation, core systems implementation, migration, data management, navigating compliance requirements and risk management.

Achieving the AWS Financial Services Competency differentiates Sopra Steria as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member that has demonstrated relevant technical proficiency and proven customer success, delivering solutions seamlessly in the AWS Cloud environment. To receive the designation, APN Partners must possess deep expertise in the AWS platform and undergo an assessment of the security, performance, and reliability of their solutions.

“We are delighted to be one of the first APN partners to achieve AWS Financial Services Competency status because it cements our role as a digital enabler in the Financial Services market, and enables us to amplify our cloud services work across the industry,” said Melba Foggo, Managing Director of Sopra Steria Financial Services. “Cloud services are transforming the future of Financial Services and as such the AWS platform is a cornerstone of our business. We are already supporting organisations of all sizes and types in cloud services - regulators and firms – market entrants and established organisations - across Europe to help them take up the opportunities offered by the cloud, and our work with AWS provides an important foundation for our solutions in areas such as robotics-as-a-service and cognitive automation. Using the AWS Cloud helps us to enable digital transformation, the agility of our clients and improve the cost effectiveness of IT estates through pay-as-you go services.”

The AWS Cloud is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for banking and payments, capital markets, and insurance organisations of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the Financial Services Partner Competency Program to help customers identify Consulting and Technology APN Partners with deep industry experience and expertise.

Sopra Steria enables Financial Services firms and regulators to focus on their key business activities by identifying services that can be run more efficiently and cost effectively. Our services include core Financial Services platforms, and, together with Sopra Banking Software, bespoke digital transformation programmers. These programmers comprise industry specialist modules including security, payments and lending, aimed at disentangling legacy applications and incorporating new digital technologies. We carry out extensive cloud migration work enabling clients and partner products to optimise IT estates technically and financially through provision of innovative cloud services. Using our expertise in ‘digital at scale’, we support clients in their end-to-end journey, leveraging our global industrialised service delivery model.

Our customers and partners include:
• The Financial Conduct Authority, for whom we are implementing the UK’s largest Digital Market processing platform to satisfy the forthcoming MiFID II Regulation. The platform is a big data solution using cutting-edge open source application components and hosted on AWS
• The Services Family, a UK military challenger bank, for whom we are digital partner of choice. We are providing the digital expertise and solutions to help build the bank and bring them to the UK market
• Sybenetix, with whom Sopra Steria recently announced a new partnership, are the leading provider of behavioral end-to-end market abuse surveillance, case management and conduct management systems. The partnership will provide the next generation of scalable, real-time analytic platforms that can help firms meet regulatory challenges through a cost efficient SaaS model

Taras Chaban, CEO at Sybenetix, said: “In order to become truly digital, financial services organisations need to re-assess their technology infrastructure and embrace new, flexible architectures. The cloud is central to this, which is why Sopra Steria’s expertise with digital at scale and their use of Amazon Web Services made them an ideal collaborator. Working together, our AWS-based Market Abuse and Conduct Risk services will provide solutions to some of the biggest regulatory challenges currently facing investment firms, while helping them to deliver performance improvements and significant reductions in operating costs."

Offering a lower-cost alternative to desktop hardware solutions, the IGEL Universal Desktop Converter 3 (UDC3) also supports the secure and centralized management of endpoint devices

Reading, Nov. 30, 2016 – IGEL Technology, a world leader in the delivery of powerful workspace management software, IGEL™ Linux-powered thin clients, zero clients and all-in-one thin client solutions, today announced the introduction of its next-generation IGEL Universal Desktop Converter 3 (UDC3) featuring the IGEL Linux 10 operating system (OS).

IGEL’s UDC3 provides businesses of all sizes with a lower-cost alternative to traditional desktop hardware, helping them to dramatically reduce their desktop replacement costs, eliminating the need to invest in new hardware to support their virtualized infrastructures. Converting PCs, laptops and thin clients from other manufacturers into IGEL Linux 10 OS-based thin clients also enables IT organizations to securely administer all of their endpoint devices from a centralized management console.

“IGEL’s Universal Desktop Converter software is ideal for businesses looking to take advantage of our industry-leading workspace management capabilities to reduce their operational costs,” said Simon Richards, Managing Director for IGEL South & Western Europe. “The UDC3 features the IGEL Linux 10 OS, which enables customers to access today’s most modern computing capabilities, while offering the performance and power they need to support accelerated workforce productivity, along with the security and control IT needs for simplified endpoint management.”

New IGEL Operating System Supports Upgraded Feature Set for UDC3
Announced earlier this month, the new IGEL Linux 10 OS now features support for the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) to extend the IGEL’s UDC3 target platforms to the latest end-user devices including many laptop computers and desktop PCs, thin clients and compute sticks. Plus, with its enhanced 64-bit OS compatibility, the new version can address more than 4GB of RAM in next-generation devices.

Offering a modernized and customizable user interface (UI), IGEL Linux 10 enables hardware-accelerated decoding of multimedia content and protocols in devices with supported chipsets, which means spectacular end user performance when using the popular communications protocols including Citrix HDX, VMware Blast and Microsoft RDP. Users of IGEL Linux 10 will further benefit from reliable and managed security and maintenance support through IGEL’s commitment to regular and frequent firmware updates.

Simple, Affordable Desktop Conversion with IGEL UDC3 and IGEL Linux 10 OS
The IGEL UDC3 can be installed as the operating system on thin clients, desktop and laptop computers from other manufacturers that meet minimum requirements of having an x86-based 64-bit processor, 2GB of RAM and 2GB storage. Using the IGEL UDC3 on these end-user computing devices converts them into an IGEL thin client running the IGEL Linux 10 OS.

IGEL UDC3 is a powerful and universally deployable managed thin client providing users with secure and reliable access to cloud services, server-based computing (SBC) applications and virtualized desktop infrastructure (VDI) on their existing hardware.

Leading-Edge Security Features Protect Networks and Data
The IGEL UDC3 offers broad support for security standards and protocols. In addition to supporting secure data transmission both inside and outside of corporate networks, IGEL Linux 10 helps companies protect themselves against data loss and malware attacks using tools such as DriveLock, an endpoint security solution that ensures USB devices connected to IGEL thin clients are approved for use. Furthermore, IGEL’s entire family of thin and zero client solutions supports two-factor authentication through integrated or external smart card readers or security tokens, which work together to ensure security is not compromised by cybercriminals.

Worry-Free Endpoint Management
With the IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS), an industry-leading device management platform that comes standard with IGEL UDC3 software, IT organizations can remotely manage any endpoint device running the IGEL Linux 10 operating system.

IGEL UMS can be quickly and easily deployed within existing network infrastructure, reducing the cost, time and effort associated with remote endpoint management, while offering maximum security and reliability. Additionally, with IGEL UMS customers can order and install add-on IGEL workspace management license options including Shared WorkPlace (SWP), which supports user-dependent configurations of shared workstations. The IGEL UMS can be downloaded free of charge at www.myigel.com.

New Licensing Model Offers Agility and Flexibility
The IGEL UDC3 featuring the IGEL Linux 10 OS is available through a perpetual licensing model from IGEL channel partners. Designed to provide IT organizations with greater autonomy for the agility and flexibility they need to quickly scale their IGEL deployments, the IGEL UDC3 perpetual software license includes the option of a one- or three-year maintenance subscription for firmware updates and access to IGEL’s industry-leading technical support. Additionally, with online license transfer, organizations with an active maintenance subscription can transfer their UDC3 license from one device to another via https://activation.igel.com.

A new standard in cloud-based vessel management with security by design

Sydney, Australia, November 30, 2016 - SpeedCast International Limited (ASX: SDA), a leading global satellite communications and network service provider, today announced the official release of SIGMA Net, the new standard for shipping and remote site network management designed specifically for VSAT and MSS.

SIGMA Net is a small but powerful industrial-grade VSAT and MSS network management device designed for ships and remote sites, providing automated and efficient management of multiple WAN links. Cyber security is at the heart of SIGMA Net, which incorporates a stateful firewall and Virtual Private Networking between the vessel and the Internet plus unique methods to regulate Internet access, including rejection of update services to Windows or mobile devices. Voice calling across multiple satellite equipment is simplified via SIGMA Net’s integrated VoIP server, allowing a caller to choose the outbound call route via a prefix. National numbers can also be allocated, allowing for cost-effective calling from shore to a vessel. Feature and performance enhancements are automatically applied, ensuring that the SIGMA Net’s software is always kept up to date.

SIGMA Net offers flexible crew services, including innovative pre-paid PIN-based BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Internet and voice calling services, allowing for simplified voucher generation and management from shore. SIGMA Net provides managed network segmentation between business critical, crew or M2M networks at the remote location.

The cloud-based SIGMA Net Portal brings a vessel or remote site closer to IT management through its innovative and secured portal. The browser-based SIGMA Net Portal provides remote management and configuration of SIGMA Net from shore. Any configuration changes made from the portal are instantly replicated to one or more SIGMA Net terminals, with full auditing of amendments recorded. Reliability and redundancy is a primary feature of SIGMA Net, with its configuration securely synchronized and stored to the portal. The portal also presents fully-featured and interactive reporting of all data transferred via the SIGMA Net WAN links onboard.

“SIGMA Net has introduced a new degree of connection and network management to the Danaos fleet,” said Mr V Fotinias, Vessel IT Manager at Danaos Shipping, Greece. “The SIGMA Net Portal provides a web interface that enables remote configuration of SIGMA Net terminals across our fleet. The reporting provided by the SIGMA Net Portal gives us full visibility on traffic sent and received via the WAN links. Our vessel IT support team is able to easily and quickly resolve problems on board via SIGMA Net. The Danaos crew are extremely happy with the SIGMA Net prepaid vouchers for Internet access or crew calling.”

Danaos Shipping is one of the world’s largest containership owners, with a modern fleet of 59 container ships operating globally.

“SIGMA Net is a robust and secure cloud-based management platform that will both revolutionize and simplify vessel IT administration, both for shore-based support staff and a vessel’s crew,” said Dan Rooney, Maritime Product Director for SpeedCast. “The highly-configurable and flexible prepaid voucher services allow for time-consuming administrative tasks such as voucher generation to be managed centrally, rather than relying upon the Captain.”

Richard Roberts, former MD Commercial and Partner Sales for Cisco UKI, relishes new role as Purple’s VP EMEA

November 30th, 2016: Purple, the intelligent spaces company, today announces its latest high profile appointment with Richard Roberts joining as VP EMEA.

Richard is set to supercharge Purple’s EMEA partnerships and continue its fast growth. He will be responsible for leading the regional team and driving revenue through, and with, Purple’s Customers, Distributors and Channel Partners.

He joins from Cisco UKI, where he was MD Commercial and Partner Sales for the last four years and spent another six years with the Distributed Government and EMEA Advanced Technology Sales and Marketing teams. At Cisco, he forged a reputation as a vibrant and charismatic leader and Channel innovator. Richard is already a Purple convert and has been impressed with the organisation’s performance, ambition and its culture of infinite possibility and optimism.

Richard comments: “This is the opportunity I have been looking for and I am thrilled to be joining the team. I have been involved with Purple for the past three years, during which time the business has flourished in a challenging market. The proposition has evolved to capture the imagination of even the largest of customers.

“There is also a cultural connection, which for me is critical, where core values are shared and where everyone is working for one another. I have seen this in Purple and I am looking forward to becoming a part of it.”

Richard joins Purple at a time of impressive global traction with major service providers, a series of large customer wins and huge growth in platform usage. Purple now boasts 18 million users, with deployments in 73 countries, with offices in the UK, Spain, the US, Singapore and Australia; with more international locations coming soon.

Purple has built a reputation for innovating at the leading edge of technology to deliver insights and empower customers. It is a leader in real-time analytics and marketing for venues and businesses that want to engage with visitors. Through the process of creating ‘Intelligent Spaces’, Purple can help brands to understand customer behaviour in physical spaces, and help them to take action.

Eric Law, Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Worldwide Sales, Purple, comments: “Richard brings a wealth of experience to our EMEA team. He is well positioned to help our customers increase revenue and improve their operations through a rich connected experience provided by Purple. His past experience driving differentiation and profitability with top Partners will allow them sell Purple as a Service as a further springboard for their cloud strategies. We will continue to expand our footprint in the EMEA region with Richard at the helm.”

Gavin Wheeldon, CEO at Purple, comments: “Purple is building a reputation for innovation and excellence. Our results are making waves and so we only want to add the best to our team. Richard is a definite fit for us and we’re really excited to be working with him. I know from personal experience in working with him while he was at Cisco, that he already embodies Purple’s culture. I also have no doubt his strong leadership skills will help us to fulfil our potential in EMEA and I’m looking forward to what is to come.”

SIPHON, Wick Hill and Zycko, all part of specialist pan-EMEA distributor Nuvias Group, announce prestigious industry award wins

London, England: 30/11/16 - All three companies in Nuvias Group, the pan-EMEA high value distribution business, which is redefining international, specialist distribution in IT, announce major 2016 award wins.

Unified communications (UC) specialist SIPHON, has been named the 24th fastest growing technology company in the UK, as part of Deloitte’s prestigious UK Technology Fast 50 rankings. Security specialist Wick Hill has been awarded CRN’s prestigious Security Distributor of the Year 2016 title, for an unprecedented third time in a row. And advanced networking specialist Zycko has won two channel awards from Lifesize®, a global innovator of video conferencing technology. Zycko has been declared EMEA Distributor of the Year 2016 and EMEA Marketing Partner 2016.

Paul Eccleston, CEO of Nuvias, said: “These awards show a significant achievement for all companies in the Group in 2016 and illustrate their commitment and ability to deliver excellence to channel partners. Although two of these awards are UK-based, the industry leading solutions and services that all companies in the Group provide are available to channel partners across EMEA. In the last few months alone, for example, we have signed pan-EMEA contracts with Malwarebytes, Nokia and HID Global. The awards also justify the acquisition of all three companies into the Nuvias fold, as forward thinking organisations with a focus on innovation and technical excellence, as well as an ability to fulfil channel and vendor partner needs.”

SIPHON
SIPHON, a leading UC solutions and technology integrator for the channel, has been named by Deloitte as the 24th fastest growing technology company in the UK. This is the second consecutive year that SIPHON has been selected to be part of the prestigious Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50.

The Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 is a ranking of the UK’s 50 fastest growing technology companies. The rankings are all about growth and are a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over the four year period to 31st May 2016, during which SIPHON grew by 723%.

David Cobb, Lead Partner, Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 and Technology Fast 500 EMEA Programmes, commented: “Making the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 is a testament to a company’s commitment to technology. With its 723% growth rate over four years, SIPHON has proven that its leadership has the vision and determination to grow in competitive conditions.”

Steve Harris, Managing Director of SIPHON said: “It’s an honour and privilege to find ourselves ranked once again in the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50. The high growth that this award acknowledges is indicative of the large and growing number of unified communications (UC) channel partners who look to us as their trusted technology partner across a wide range of cloud, Microsoft Skype for Business (SfB) and, more recently, video and collaboration offerings.”

Wick Hill
Wick Hill, a leading international value added distributor focussed on security, has won CRN’s Security Distributor of the Year title for an unprecedented third year in a row. The many achievements in 2016 which won Wick Hill the title include -

• 34% increase in UK sales, with improved services to reseller and vendor partners.
• Named one of London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain (for the second year in a row).
• Substantially improved sales for many vendors and resellers – one example was the phenomenal 93% sales increase for channel partner Rockford IT.
• Introduced a ground-breaking Partner Enablement Portal, bringing together various vendors’ content and providing a comprehensive blend of marketing automation, rich content and effective reporting for channel partners. One reseller commented: “With the help of PEP, sales have increased by an amazing 290% over the last year.”
• 40th anniversary in the IT business.
• New office in Vienna.
• Exhibited at Infosecurity Europe, with vendor and reseller partners on the stand, generating in excess of £2.5 million worth of potential business.

Ian Kilpatrick, EVP Cyber Security Nuvias Group and Chairman Wick Hill Group, said:
“This is a fiercely contested title and I’m very proud of the whole team which has achieved the staggering and unprecedented result of a three times in a row win for the CRN Security Distributor of the Year title. It’s a testament to what we have achieved for vendor and channel partners in the UK and DACH, and are already achieving across EMEA as part of Nuvias Group.”

Zycko
Zycko, an international specialist distributor of advanced networking solutions, has won Lifesize’s ®, EMEA Distributor of the Year 2016 and EMEA Marketing Partner 2016 awards.

David Galton-Fenzi, CCO of Nuvias and CEO of Zycko, said: “To be once again recognised by Lifesize for our commitment and quality-of-service to our channel partners inspires us to continue to innovate and develop a world class portfolio of services, delivered consistently across EMEA. The recognition we have received is a reflection not only of our success, but of our customers’ success and only goes to reinforce our teams’ true determination to making a difference.”

Craig Malloy, CEO at Lifesize, added: “Our partners bring tremendous value to Lifesize. We are proud to honour our long-term partner Zycko, a Nuvias group company, with these two awards to commend the consistent services and marketing quality Zycko provides to the reseller channel, and ultimately the exceptional momentum it has made in increasing workplace productivity to organisations of any size.”

For more than a decade, Lifesize has been at the forefront of video collaboration, delivering high-quality solutions designed to bring people together. With a passion for driving relentless innovation and an obsession for customer success, Lifesize offers a video conferencing experience like no other – one that combines a best-in-class cloud-based video communication application with plug-and-play, easy-to-use HD camera and phone systems for any meeting room.