BT's fair access plans set to boost
broadband
BT is planning to set up a separate
communications access company to deliver a fair access deal to
competitors who build alternative systems using its infrastructure,
as part of its attempt to avoid action by regulator Ofcom. BT's
proposals include cutting local loop unbundling charges, which
could reduce the cost of broadband subscriptions.
Sun hands over internal systems to CSC
CSC
has signed a five-year, £200m applications management deal with
Sun. The global contract sees CSC provide all applications
development and support services to Sun, including the management
of all Sun's internal business systems. "We will operate at lower
cost and with more flexibility," said Sun CIOBill Vass. CSC said it
would use Sun's own Java Enterprise system in the central
infrastructure for maintaining Sun's systems.
Slew of fixes arrive for major Windows
glitches
A bumper crop of Microsoft patches is being
released this week, including nine fixes for Windows flaws. At
least one of the updates comes with the company's highest
"critical" rating. There will be 13 updates in total, including
software to fix a critical flaw affecting Office and Visual Studio,
and another critical flaw involving Windows, Windows Media Player
and MSN Messenger.
Harvey Nichols saves by outsourcing IBM
server
Harvey Nichols has signed a five-year hosting
services deal with Retail Assist to save costs by outsourcing its
IBM iSeries server. Under the deal the supplier will host and
manage the server in its Northampton datacentre. It will also host
new merchandising and DC system applications from system
applications supplier Merret.
IT recruitment on the up but retention a
problem
More than 90% of UK organisations are recruiting IT staff,
according to a new survey of more than 531 organisations and over
55,000 staff. However, the survey by Computer Economics found that
nearly 25% of employers reported retention problems, especially in
the public and voluntary sector. Flexible working arrangements have
become widespread with 55% of employers operating job sharing
compared to 42% the year before.