Posts Tagged ‘business’

« Older Entries
WebCams: From a near-Billion Dollar industry to a multi-Billion Dollar one? Sunday, December 26th, 2010

WebCams are devices that help Internet users to hold a video communication across the Web. The quality of the communication tended to suffer from the low bandwidth typical until recently.

However, with the increasing availability and popularity of broadband, the situation is changing. And the availability of free video communication applications provided by Google and Skype, the appeal of video communications is even more.

The WebCam industry is expected to grow fast in such a context. Logitech is the major player in the market now while others include Creative Technologies, Microsoft, Philips, Cisco and D-Link. Then there are a large number of Chinese manufacturers of OEM equipment included with notebook computers.

WebCams are also important in security applications as they provide the ability to monitor establishments remotely. You can, for example, monitor unauthorized intruders into your establishment while sitting across the globe, for example.

With the increasing importance of security everywhere, from homes to scientific establishments, the potential market for the WebCam industry is great.

The report titles Worldwide WebCam Market Shares Strategies, and Forecasts, 2009-2015 looks at the markets, forecasts and strategies for the WebCam industry that is estimated to amount to $3.2 billion by 2015.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in broadband network, business, communications, emerging markets, information technology, trends | No Comments »

Nanotechnology and Business Strategy Thursday, October 7th, 2010

The dramatic potential of nanotechnology can be visualized by imagining the possibility of converting coal into diamonds. Both coal and diamonds are made of carbon atoms, but the atoms are arranged in different ways. Now, if we can work with those atoms and rearrange them, it will be possible to convert coal into diamonds. Nanotechnology works at nanoscale, using equipment that can handle invisible stuff like molecules and atoms. It is only be a matter of time before the technology gets advanced enough to do the kind of transformations mentioned above. However, the coal-into-diamond transformation will pale into practical insignificance compared to all the changes that nanotechnology can generate. Completely new materials with just the properties needed for specific purposes can be created to order, for example. Already, there are self-cleaning glass and bacteria-destroying wound-dressing. And batteries that can last “for ever” are under research.

Businesses have to get themselves oriented to the new scenarios that can emerge as a result of such developments. The impact of nanotechnology will be greater than the impact of information technology, which was more a facilitating technology for mainstream businesses. Nanotechnology will enable creation of completely new products and doing business in a nanotech world will require a different kind of thinking. Nanotechnology has applications in all areas including medicine, food, energy, entertainment, manufacturing practices and consumer products. Businesses have to prepare themselves for the nanotech revolution in the not-too-distant future.

Tags: , ,
Posted in business, nanotech business, nanotechnology | 1 Comment »

Promoting Nanotechnology in the UK Friday, October 1st, 2010

The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network – nanoKTN – is a great resource for those engaged in micro and nanotechnology (MNT) field. It is an initiative of UK’s Technology Strategy Board to promote nanotechnology industry in the UK by making resources available to businesses working with the technology. The tagline at their website states their goal as “Accelerating innovation in nanoscale technologies.”

NanoKTN seeks to achieve the goal by providing a “focused vehicle for the rapid transfer of high-quality information on technologies, markets, funding and partnering opportunities.”

Persons working with MNT can join the network and enjoy benefits such as attending nanoKTN events, networking opportunities, building sustainable supply chains, free directory of businesses engaged in the industry and the numerous information resources at the nanoKTN website, with some of the resources available only to members. NanoKTN also functions as brokers to meet members’ technology, product or service requirements; publicizes information about facilities available; and promotes R&D programs and access to research funding sources among other activities.

Upcoming events include Nanotechnology and the Coatings Industry scheduled for October 2010 and High Performance Thin-Film Coatings – Ensuring Nanoscale Manufacturing Integrity during November.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Technology Transfer in Operation at Connecticut Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

We see universities as places where people are trained to provide manpower for various industries. Actually, universities have another role, research, which also can help industries. Many of the research findings that emerge in university labs might have practical applications.

For the practical applications to materialize, however, the technology should be applied to produce things that have a market. In addition, the technology needs to be transferred from labs into production floors. This typically involves scaling up the lab processes into full-fledged production processes.

Applying new technology to develop marketable products, and the engineering involved in scaling up lab operations to production operations, is basically what we call as commercialization of technology.

In Connecticut, schools are working with state and industry officials to create incubator programs for businesses in the high technology areas such as biotechnology that can, for example, help develop more effective treatments for diseases.

An example is the University of Bridgeport that has the largest engineering school in the state. Its faculty and students are involved in major research projects, such as a project to develop unmanned aerial vehicles for the army.

The University has now joined Connecticut Innovations Inc. (CII), the state’s quasi-public authority for technology investing and innovation development, to set up CTech IncUBator that has begun accepting applications from hopeful entrepreneurs.

Read the full report at conntact.com.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in business, mentoring, skills training, technology commercialization | No Comments »

A Gathering of IT Companies Off-the-beaten-path Friday, August 27th, 2010

You expect companies to care mainly for profit making. Even if they do some work for their communities, it is more than likely that the exercise is more for image-building to further their business. In such a context, it was refreshing to read about a philanthropy-oriented meeting of IT companies during CompTIA’s annual Breakaway conference in San Antonio, Texas recently.

CompTIA Educational Foundation provides career opportunities for individuals who historically have been under-represented in the IT workforce. It does this with support from individuals, industry leaders, companies and the government.

At the meeting, representatives from AMD, Applied Materials, CDW, Dell, IBM, Intel, iSys, Microsoft, SalesForce.com Foundation, Symantec, VMware and Xerox looked at the possible future of IT philanthropy and the potential impact it can make.

The IT companies have been seeing volunteerism within their companies to aid the communities in which they work. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) educational programs for the communities, disaster relief work, environmental efforts, civic development, mentoring, health and hunger challenges, workforce skills development and job creation, and diversity issues are examples of work the volunteers do.

The attendees felt that they need to work in a collaborative manner to accomplish better results, and also to measure the impact of their efforts.

Read the news release at BusinessWire.

Tags: , ,
Posted in business, corporate responsibility | No Comments »

Safety of Workers in Biotech Labs Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

In a recent blog post, the Council for Responsible Genetics has listed several shocking cases of workers in biotech labs contracting illnesses apparently related to their work, and yet being denied compensation in a timely manner.

A scientist who worked for Pfizer developing genetic delivery systems for cloning into viruses fell ill, and was sacked by the company when she could not return to work by the deadline date. She had to wage a struggle for several years before she was awarded compensation, and that too not for the illness but for the company violating her free speech and whistleblower rights.

It appeared that Pfizer could legally deny data on workers’ lab exposures, as it is protected as a trade secret.

Another person who worked as a researcher and technician on crop and insect control projects was exposed to living bacteria, fungi and insects, which he claims sickened him. He could not get any compensation due in no small measure to his employer providing him with the wrong name of its insurer. When finally he found the actual insurer, the latter also denied the claim.

The fact is that many of the microorganisms the researcher worked with were found in his body.

Read about these and other cases at CRG Blog.

Tags: , ,
Posted in biotechnology, business, worker safety | No Comments »

Want to attract top Talent? Tailor Perks to the Talented Friday, August 13th, 2010

Here’s a story from StarTrbune.com, Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota.

Nerds like to collaborate and learn from each other as they work at seemingly impossible tasks. They also like “casual dress, flexible hours, bringing your dog and playing Rock Band and gathering for beer and snacks on Friday afternoons.”

That’s exactly what Nerdery Interactive Labs of Bloomington has provided to its workers. You might find Quality Assurance engineers dressed in t-shirts and shorts entertaining each other as they tackle some serious project, in creative ways.

The company has not suffered for allowing its employees this kind of freedom. Nerdery Labs that provide Web development services to ad agencies, design shops and clients that need interactive marketing solutions was ranked sixth among all the small companies with less than 150 employees. It executes projects for Web, mobile and social media applications development, and partners more than 160 advertising and marketing agencies.

What Nerdery Labs is doing is to create the best workplace for programmers, and the words-of-mouth from existing employees attract more and more talented programmers to the company. The result is there to see, a team of creative and intelligent workers that can be the envy of any organization.

Read more details at StartTribune.com.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in business | No Comments »

Mobile Phones and the new Business Opportunity Friday, August 6th, 2010

According to an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) statistics on mobile phone subscribers 97 persons out of every resident in developed countries have a mobile phone. In the case of developing countries, the number is 45 per 100 residents. In the latter case, the mobile phone is practically the only means of practicable contact with the outside world for the vast numbers of inhabitants in remote areas.

Being able to reach these vast numbers of mobile phone subscribers in remote areas in a way that helps to bring them into the mainstream can definitely help businesses. This was the motivating factor for the IBM initiative for mobile Web. The initiative includes working with partners in research and investing in software, hardware and services.

One such partnership is with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai. IBM has joined an Open Collaboration Research (OCR) project with the Industrial Design Center (IDC) of the IIT. The “research collaboration will focus on the development of new designs for mobile device interfaces that can easily be used by people who are semiliterate or illiterate, as well as individuals who have limited or no access to information technology.”

Read the news release at PR Newswire.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in business, information technology, mobile web | No Comments »

Business Recovery after Disaster Sunday, August 1st, 2010

The BP oil leak will reportedly lead to loss of nearly 400,000 travel industry jobs on the Gulf Coast and the US Travel Association is calling upon BP to fund a $500 million marketing campaign to attract visitors to the region. The association has produced a ten-point “Roadmap to Recovery” outlining its suggestions.

The association has also released an economic analysis of the oil spill’s impact. Working on the experiences of recent natural and man-made disasters, the forecasting firm Oxford Economics has estimated that it will take three years and $22.7 billion for the Gulf Coast to recover from the oil spill.

US Travel also wants the federal government to open an online Web portal, a one-stop shop where users can get up-to-the-minute information about areas affected by the spill. They also want the government to provide tax deductions to those who visit the region, or do business there. Tourism businesses in the region should also be given increased access to low-interest loans.

The association also wants government help to organize travel and tourism-specific trade missions to the Gulf Coast states.

At least one industry has very ambitious ideas on how to recover from a major disaster.

Read the Washington Post story at Mercury News.

Tags: , ,
Posted in business, disaster recovery | No Comments »

iPhone Application Illustrates Customer Focus Saturday, June 26th, 2010

World Champion pole dancer Felix Cane has launched a pole dancing application for the iPhone. It is reportedly the most comprehensive and advanced pole dancing application for iPhone, with a video catalogue of pole dancing moves and an official terminology released by the Pole Fitness Association. Both pole dancing and iPhone appeals mainly to young people and the targeting is great.

Pole dancing is excellent as a fitness exercise and it is also getting increasing recognition as a mainstream sport, with the news being that it might be included as an official item in Olympic sports. The celebrated release of the application will help more people to get to know this sport that requires strength and skill to master.

The new application was built by Pocket Pole Studio (UK), Pole Fitness Association (Salt Lake City, Utah), Felix Cane Inc. (Orange County, CA) and others. It is designed as a complete reference guide for the sport. It shows movements for the beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners, rather than scandalous ones. There are also video and picture galleries. It is a professional application and the developers advise that the movements be attempted only under the guidance of a certified trainer.

Read the news release at PRWeb.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in business, information technology, skills training, smartphone applications | No Comments »

« Older Entries