Industry news

Microsoft has signed a contract worth $617 million with the US military to provide IT services to the US forces.

The three-year contract will see Microsoft provide integrated services and will include a focus on cloud services, datacentres and cyber security. The new contract will according to Microsoft be the largest US DoD contract ever.

Tim Solms, Microsoft Department of Defence Business general manager, said: “Microsoft has longstanding relationships with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and DISA, and we are honoured to expand our support of ongoing technology modernization efforts across all three organisations".

Chinese based technology giant Huawei have published strong 2012 results, forecasting a total net profit of $2.4 billion.

Despite the publishing of strong results, the Chinese company has faced challenges in foreign markets.

Guo Ping, acting CEO of the Chinese firm, acknowledged the difficulties of 2012, saying: “We have weathered another turbulent year: the downward spiral in the global economy, an investigation into cyber security allegations by a particular committee of the US Congress, political upheavals in the Middle East and Northern Africa, as well as natural disasters including floods and earthquakes”.

Huawei are looking to increase expansion in new markets in 2013, with a increasing focus on mobile broadband, network solutions and mobile devices.

Europe and Asia will continue to experience slow growth according to analyst firm Forrester.

Despite increased global growth within the IT market, uncertainty surrounding new markets have impacted confidence.

Andrew Bartels, Forrester analyst, said: “The European tech market will remain depressed for most of 2013 before starting to improve as 2014 nears."

Analyst firm the 451 Group have successfully purchased market rivals the Yankee Group.

The acquisition of the long standing analyst and consultancy organisation founded in 1970 and specialising in research based on mobile communications will allow the 451 Group to focus on digital infrastructure.

The 451 Group CEO Martin McCarthy said: "With Yankee Group we see an exciting opportunity to significantly extend The 451 Group’s focus on the evolution of digital infrastructure."

Shortages in trained cloud-computing staff have resulted in around 1.7 million cloud jobs going unfulfilled in 2012.

A study by IDC showed that applicants lacked the requisite skill set including training, certification and relevant experience.

Demand for IT staff with knowledge of cloud-services is expected to grow annually by 26 percent until 2015.

Cushing Anderson, IDC, said: “Cloud-ready jobs are increasing as we head into 2013, but with this increase comes the harsh reality that IT pros around the world are steps behind when it comes to attaining the skills necessary to thrive in the cloud computing industry”.

Capita has incorrectly contacted migrants asking to remove themselves from the UK.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has asked legitimate migrants to contact the UKBA if they have received messages sent incorrectly.

The error stems from incorrect records provided to Capita which has been compounded by inefficient systems and out dated information.

A UKBA spokesman has said: “Anyone who is here legally and has been contacted in error should contact us on the number provided so our records can be updated".

Capita said in a statement: “Capita has been instructed to contact individuals direct, regardless of their legal representation, as many of the details the UK Border Agency has on file may be inaccurate and out of date given the age of the cases.”

Customers should be wary of cloud storage services, thoroughly research vendors and carry out detailed planning plan says research firm Gartner.

Gartner has warned users to be aware of the hidden costs of cloud storage and the range of varying services and expertise provided by different suppliers.

Gartner has warned that storage providers also differentiate wildly on security, reliability and support and that while cloud is now a viable enterprise storage alternative to on-site, customers must be careful to consider the risks.

Global technology company NCR has acquired financial software company uGenius Technology in an undisclosed deal.

The purchase is designed to drive NCR’s remote transactions through ATMs via an interactive teller.

The new teller service is set to be trialled with select US banks in the first half of the year.

Peter Leav, executive vice president, NCR Corporation commented: “By acquiring uGenius, we are delivering against our corporate strategy of innovating for our customers and reinventing NCR as a software-driven business, while allowing us to enhance existing technology platforms and create a new segment of remote assisted service.”

£5 million has been pledged by the UK government for development and research aimed at promoting the uptake of cloud services.

Research will be focused on displaying value from cloud services and how cloud networks can be enhanced through further development.

Research will also be used to explore the employment of hybrid cloud services and solutions to the current difficulties of using more than one supplier.

Iain Gray, CEO of the Technology Strategy Board (a government backed innovation agency) said cloud, “is an area with exceptional potential for growth. Finding the correct balance between trust and flexibility, without compromising security, is vital”.

Global business consultants Celerant Consulting have been acquired by Hitachi Consulting as part of the brands strategy to expand global operations.

The deal is expected to be worth around £43 million. Based in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas with a range of international clients Celerant will provide increased industry awareness and consulting capabilities.

In a press release Hitachi said: “By adding Celerant's expertise across the chemical, consumer, energy, industrial, life sciences, metals and mining sectors to our own skillset, the acquisition will provide Hitachi Consulting with a deeper level of industry-specific and associated process expertise".