Short takes on this week's news
Wal-Mart to step up expansion of RFID use
US retailer Wal-Mart is planning to "aggressively" expand its
use of radio frequency identification technology. The retailer will
implement RFID at 500 stores before the end of January next year,
taking its total number of RFID-equipped locations to more than
1,000. Wal-Mart has 3,900 stores in the US.
Banks to spend £2bn on Euro payment
compliance
Europe's leading 100 banks are projected to spend more than £2bn
to comply with European Union requirements for a Single Euro
Payments Area, according to a survey conducted by Accenture.
Two-fifths of respondents said they expected to invest between
£7.5m and £34m on automated clearing capabilities over the next
five years, and a third planned similar spending on card processing
systems.
Microsoft releases full version of Live
Search
Microsoft has announced the release from beta of its Live Search
product and has launched Live.com in 47 markets worldwide. By using
Live.com as their personal search home page, users can find,
customise and track news, images, video, RSS feeds and blogs across
the web. Microsoft also announced the final availability of Live
Local Search in the UK and the US.
Owner of 'massive' piracy website jailed in the
US
The owner of a "massive" for-profit software piracy website has
been jailed for over seven years in the US. Nathan Peterson of
California was also ordered by the court to forfeit the proceeds of
his illegal conduct and pay restitution of more than £3m. This is
the second recent major prison sentence handed out for software
piracy in the US. In August, Danny Ferrer, the operator of
www.BuysUSA.com, received a six-year sentence.
Early Learning rolls out Hyperion reporting
tools
The Early Learning Centre is deploying management reporting
tools from Hyperion. Gavin Jones, finance director at the retailer,
said, "The business has grown substantially in recent years and we
needed to improve our approach to management reporting to meet the
changing needs of the business."
Microsoft warns of new threat to Internet
Explorer
Computer code that targets a new-found vulnerability in the
Internet Explorer browser has been posted online, Microsoft has
warned. The code, published on public websites, could be used to
attack vulnerable Windows PCs via ActiveX controls. Microsoft
suggested that Windows users disable ActiveX and active scripting
controls until a patch is made available.
Visa to trial contactless payment system
Visa is poised to trial contactless debit cards later this year
in London. The trial will let shoppers buy low-value items by
passing their card over an electronic reader. Visa said contactless
technology would not require replacement infrastructure merchants
would simply need an upgrade that would cost about £50 per
terminal.
Ofcom to cut costs for cross-network calls
Telecoms regulator Ofcom plans to bring down the cost for
fixed-line and mobile users ringing other mobile network numbers in
the UK. Ofcom has proposed new controls on wholesale mobile voice
call termination charges, which would come into effect when the
current regulation expires in March 2007.
City to run simulation to assess impact of bird
flu
More than 60 City institutions, including the Bank of England,
will begin an exercise on 13 October that simulates the impact of a
bird flu pandemic on the financial services sector. The Financial
Services Authority, which is leading the six-week exercise, hopes
to gain a better insight into how firms would cope with a reduced
workforce and other likely flu-induced disruption.
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