Microsoft warns users of Activesync
problems
Microsoft has issued an alert warning users of problems with its
ActiveSync 4.0 synchronisation software for mobile devices, which
affects desktop firewall software. It has scheduled an update for
late November. Devices affected include the Orange SPV M5000,
T-Mobile Vario and MDA Pro, O2 XDA Exec, XDA Mini S, and XDA Phone,
Dell Axim X51 series, and HP PPC series.
Oracle update addresses security
vulnerabilities
Oracle has released a quarterly patch update that fixes 23
security vulnerabilities in its databases, servers and business
applications. Seven of the 23 patches fix flaws in the company's
flagship Oracle 10g database. Patches are also included for the
Oracle 9i and 8i database servers. Several PeopleSoft and JD
Edwards products, acquired by Oracle earlier this year, also have
fixes.
EMC buys Captiva Software in £155m deal
EMC has bought Captiva Software for £155m. Captiva makes
software for digitally capturing documents. EMC already integrates
Captiva's Inputaccell software with its own Documentum enterprise
information management platform. Further integration could help
businesses reduce the amount of paper they use by automatically
capturing information digitally and integrating it with electronic
business processing.
John Lewis deploys warehouse system
Retailer John Lewis is installing a warehouse management system
from RedPrairie to improve the efficiency of its distribution
centres. It will deploy the system before it expands its number of
stores from 27 to 37. Employees at the distribution centres will be
given headsets that receive order instructions from RedPrairie's
DLX Warehouse system.
Public internet security campaign launched
The government and businesses are launching Get Safe Online, a
campaign to help the public and small businesses protect themselves
against malicious code, spam and online fraud. A website and a
roadshow will offer advice. The campaign follows concerns that
unprotected PCs in homes and small businesses are being used by
hackers to launch spam and denial of service attacks against larger
firms.
Mercer awards IBM procurement contract
Mercer Human Resource Consulting has awarded IBM a £32m,
five-year contract to manage its IT procurement systems and desktop
infrastructure. Under the deal, IBM will deploy its Ordernow
procurement software to build an online catalogue that Mercer
employees can use to order IT products. It will reduce the
incidence of one-off orders. IBM will also offer round-the-clock
assistance to Mercer's workforce.
Cheshire Police in £6m comms deal with
Affiniti
Cheshire Police Authority has signed a five-year deal worth £6m
with communications integrator Affiniti. Under the deal, Affiniti
will handle the design, implementation, support, maintenance and
service management of a converged voice, video and data platform to
be used across Cheshire Constabulary. The new network
infrastructure will combine an IP-enabled Siemens voice platform
with an upgraded Cisco data network and will carry voice, video and
data traffic.
Majority of consumers mistrust online
finance
Most consumers mistrust online services from financial services
companies. According to a survey of 2,500 people by BT, 37% of
consumers trust their banks' online offerings. Only 17% trust
insurance companies and about 15% trust government. The research
was carried out for BT by the Henley Centre.
Google to rename Gmail after trademark
dispute
Google has to change the name of its Gmail web e-mail service in
the UK following a trademark dispute with a UK firm. Independent
International Investment Research argued that the Gmail brand
infringed the trademark of its own G-Mail service. Google said new
e-mail users will be allocated accounts branded as Googlemail.
CPS sets up computer crime lawyers' network
The Crown Prosecution Service has created a network of 110
lawyers with skills in prosecuting computer crime. It aims to
ensure prosecutors are trained in issues such as handling
computer-based evidence and that CPS staff are made aware of the
challenges surrounding high-tech crime. Policy director Philip
Geering said, "Although technology provides tremendous benefits for
society it also creates opportunities for criminals."