Microsoft Corp is considering significant layoffs across its various divisions, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the company's plans.
But plans for the cutbacks have not yet been firmed up and Microsoft could end up finding alternative methods to control costs, the Journal reported on its website.
A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment on layoff rumours. The number of potential job cuts is likely to be far less than the 15,000 positions that have been rumoured in recent weeks, the Journal reported.
Microsoft might announce the job cuts when it reports quarterly earnings next week, the Journal said.
The software giant employs about 91,000 employees globally.
Agencies
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Google offers cloud software to businesses
Google is recruiting a sales force to offer the Internet firm's software to business customers worldwide who traditionally use Microsoft programmes.
Google will train people to pitch its Google Apps Premier Edition, an array of business software hosted online in what is referred to as "cloud services."
Cloud services such as spread sheets, word processing, and calendars are maintained and supported on Google computers and users access them when they wish by using the Internet.
Cloud services eliminate the need for packaged software to be installed and maintained on computers in homes or offices.
Google has been steadily increasing its host of cloud services, with a basic array offered for free and a Premier Edition available at a cost of 50 dollars annually.
"Google Apps has reached a level of maturity where it is useful and valuable for almost any business" said Google president of enterprise Dave Girouard.
"This programme gives IT solution providers an easy way to introduce cloud computing to their service offerings, while helping more businesses make the transition to this new era of technology."
Google said it will teach "resellers" how to integrate Apps into customers' business operations and give them a 20 per cent break on the price that they can pass on to customers if they chose to do so.
The programme has been tested with more than 50 pilot partners. "We believe strongly that all companies will adopt SaaS (Software as a Service) to one degree or another, and Google's reseller programme empowers us to be experts in the cloud," said Tony Safoian, president of SADA Systems, an IT consulting firm.
"Reselling Google Apps opens up new opportunities via new conversations we could not have had with prospective clients as little as two years a
go."
Safoian said Google Apps can be an easy sell, given that letting the California technology firm handle software updates, maintenance and disaster recovery can cost businesses 75 per cent less than doing it themselves.
Google Apps is seen as a direct challenge to a Microsoft empire founded on selling packaged software for installation on people's machines.
Until now, Google had relied on its own team to sell businesses subscriptions to its cloud services. Schools and charity groups are able to use the software services free.
Microsoft has responded with its own move "into the cloud" and says that the Windows 7 operating system it is preparing for release has been crafted with that in mind.
Agencies
Google will train people to pitch its Google Apps Premier Edition, an array of business software hosted online in what is referred to as "cloud services."
Cloud services such as spread sheets, word processing, and calendars are maintained and supported on Google computers and users access them when they wish by using the Internet.
Cloud services eliminate the need for packaged software to be installed and maintained on computers in homes or offices.
Google has been steadily increasing its host of cloud services, with a basic array offered for free and a Premier Edition available at a cost of 50 dollars annually.
"Google Apps has reached a level of maturity where it is useful and valuable for almost any business" said Google president of enterprise Dave Girouard.
"This programme gives IT solution providers an easy way to introduce cloud computing to their service offerings, while helping more businesses make the transition to this new era of technology."
Google said it will teach "resellers" how to integrate Apps into customers' business operations and give them a 20 per cent break on the price that they can pass on to customers if they chose to do so.
The programme has been tested with more than 50 pilot partners. "We believe strongly that all companies will adopt SaaS (Software as a Service) to one degree or another, and Google's reseller programme empowers us to be experts in the cloud," said Tony Safoian, president of SADA Systems, an IT consulting firm.
"Reselling Google Apps opens up new opportunities via new conversations we could not have had with prospective clients as little as two years a
go."
Safoian said Google Apps can be an easy sell, given that letting the California technology firm handle software updates, maintenance and disaster recovery can cost businesses 75 per cent less than doing it themselves.
Google Apps is seen as a direct challenge to a Microsoft empire founded on selling packaged software for installation on people's machines.
Until now, Google had relied on its own team to sell businesses subscriptions to its cloud services. Schools and charity groups are able to use the software services free.
Microsoft has responded with its own move "into the cloud" and says that the Windows 7 operating system it is preparing for release has been crafted with that in mind.
Agencies
Honda Motor likely to layoff employees
Japan's Honda Motor Co. said on Friday it was cutting 3,100 jobs in Japan and reducing domestic production because of a slump in demand due to the economic downturn.
Citi posts $8.29 bn loss, splits up company
Citigroup Inc unveiled a broad restructuring plan designed to shed weaker businesses and troubled assets, and also reported an $8.29billion fourth-quarter loss, its fifth straight quarterly loss.
The company also said on Friday that it anticipated more departures from its board, which is losing Robert Rubin as a director later this year. Nevertheless, Citigroup shares rose 8.6 percent to $4.16 in premarket trading.
Citigroup's fourth-quarter loss equaled $8.29 billion, or $1.72 per share, and compared with a year-earlier loss of $9.8 billion, or $1.99 a share.
"I think people knew it was going to be bad, but I'm surprised it's this bad," said Matt McCormick, portfolio manager at Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel in Cincinnati.
The bank said it was splitting into two operating units, one of which will focus on universal banking, the other on brokerage and retail asset management, local consumer finance, and a pool of assets that require special management.
Revenue fell 13 percent to $5.6 billion, reflecting weak capital markets. The company's global credit card business saw revenue decline 27 percent on weakness in North America.
Consumer Banking revenues declined 22 percent, driven by a 47 percent drop in investment sales. And its institutional clients group, securities and banking revenues were negative $10.6 billion, mainly due to net losses and write-downs of $7.8 billion.
"Our results continued to be depressed by an unprecedented dislocation in capital markets and a weak economy," Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said.
Agencies
The company also said on Friday that it anticipated more departures from its board, which is losing Robert Rubin as a director later this year. Nevertheless, Citigroup shares rose 8.6 percent to $4.16 in premarket trading.
Citigroup's fourth-quarter loss equaled $8.29 billion, or $1.72 per share, and compared with a year-earlier loss of $9.8 billion, or $1.99 a share.
"I think people knew it was going to be bad, but I'm surprised it's this bad," said Matt McCormick, portfolio manager at Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel in Cincinnati.
The bank said it was splitting into two operating units, one of which will focus on universal banking, the other on brokerage and retail asset management, local consumer finance, and a pool of assets that require special management.
Revenue fell 13 percent to $5.6 billion, reflecting weak capital markets. The company's global credit card business saw revenue decline 27 percent on weakness in North America.
Consumer Banking revenues declined 22 percent, driven by a 47 percent drop in investment sales. And its institutional clients group, securities and banking revenues were negative $10.6 billion, mainly due to net losses and write-downs of $7.8 billion.
"Our results continued to be depressed by an unprecedented dislocation in capital markets and a weak economy," Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said.
Agencies
Friday, January 16, 2009
Steve Jobs on leave till June
I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.
In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.
In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.
I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
IBM plans to open Iowa centre; To create 1,300 jobs
IBM, the world's largest technology services company, plans to open a new computer support center in Iowa, creating up to 1,300 new jobs and defying a trend of widespread corporate layoffs.
The Dubuque facility in a 10-story office building once occupied by now-defunct retailer Roshek's Department Store, will create jobs for high-tech workers at a time when many technology companies are cutting staff.
Workers will provide security services and remote support to IBM customers, helping to maintain computers and software systems primarily located in the United States, IBM said.
International Business Machines Corp said it plans to employ several hundred people in the facility by the end of this year, following renovations to the top eight floors of the building that it will occupy to make it more energy efficient.
By the end of next year, as many as 1,300 IBM employees will work in the building built in the 1930s, IBM said.
On Tuesday, IBM announced plans to work with Michigan State University to build a software development center in East Lansing, Michigan, that will create up to 1,500 jobs over the next five years.
Agencies
The Dubuque facility in a 10-story office building once occupied by now-defunct retailer Roshek's Department Store, will create jobs for high-tech workers at a time when many technology companies are cutting staff.
Workers will provide security services and remote support to IBM customers, helping to maintain computers and software systems primarily located in the United States, IBM said.
International Business Machines Corp said it plans to employ several hundred people in the facility by the end of this year, following renovations to the top eight floors of the building that it will occupy to make it more energy efficient.
By the end of next year, as many as 1,300 IBM employees will work in the building built in the 1930s, IBM said.
On Tuesday, IBM announced plans to work with Michigan State University to build a software development center in East Lansing, Michigan, that will create up to 1,500 jobs over the next five years.
Agencies
Is Microsoft planning massive job cuts?
Microsoft Corp is considering significant layoffs across its various divisions, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the company's plans.
But plans for the cutbacks have not yet been firmed up and Microsoft could end up finding alternative methods to control costs, the Journal reported on its website.
A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment on layoff rumours. The number of potential job cuts is likely to be far less than the 15,000 positions that have been rumoured in recent weeks, the Journal reported.
Microsoft might announce the job cuts when it reports quarterly earnings next week, the Journal said.
The software giant employs about 91,000 employees globally.
Agencies
But plans for the cutbacks have not yet been firmed up and Microsoft could end up finding alternative methods to control costs, the Journal reported on its website.
A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment on layoff rumours. The number of potential job cuts is likely to be far less than the 15,000 positions that have been rumoured in recent weeks, the Journal reported.
Microsoft might announce the job cuts when it reports quarterly earnings next week, the Journal said.
The software giant employs about 91,000 employees globally.
Agencies
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