IBM Launches Center for CIO Leadership

To address the increasing role that Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are playing in developing and executing business strategies, IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today the creation of the Center for CIO Leadership. The Center will bring together executive leaders, academics and other experts from around the world to build practical research and executive development initiatives focused on advancing the CIO profession.

The Center for CIO Leadership will serve as a global community for CIOs through which they can collaborate and learn in order to uncover opportunities where Information Technology will drive business value. The Center -- led by Executive Director, Harvey Koeppel -- will be governed by an advisory council comprised of leading CIOs as well as professors from some of the world's most prestigious universities, including Harvard Business School, MIT and INSEAD.

In addition to creating unique research aimed at the concerns of today's CIOs, the Center will also provide new leadership development and other educational programs. Content for these online and classroom-based education programs will be based on CIO feedback, ongoing research, and outreach to executives with whom CIOs interact, such as CEOs, line-of-business leaders, boards of directors, and government leaders.

"The new Center for CIO Leadership will enable CIOs to share and learn in a community environment in a way that will enhance the profession," said Linda Sanford, senior vice president, IBM enterprise on demand transformation. "Our survey research indicates that CIOs and their teams are looking to break out and create new value and long term growth for their companies, and the education, learning and collaboration provided by the Center for CIO Leadership will help accomplish this."

As part of the opening of the Center, IBM launched the global 2007 CIO Leadership Survey. The Survey, conducted in collaboration with Harvard Business School and MIT Center for Information Systems Research (CISR), included more than 175 CIOs from leading companies around the world.

"Practical research that addresses the needs of today's CIOs is a key pillar of the Center's mission. Understanding from CIOs themselves where they think the gaps are provides an excellent starting point to effect change," said Harvey Koeppel, the Center's executive director.

The Survey reveals that CIOs are increasingly becoming trusted members of the executive business team. Eighty percent of CIOs responded that they are a valued member of the senior leadership team, with 69 percent indicating significant involvement in strategic decision-making. Further, organizations whose CIOs have high levels of strategic involvement demonstrate higher levels of business model and product and service innovation, as well as shared, centralized IT services.

However, critical gaps remain. CIOs believe there are significant opportunities to further apply IT for competitive advantage in the areas of external partnering and reaching new markets. In addition, CIOs are also frustrated at their own skills in managing their career development, with only 37 percent considering themselves highly or exceptionally skilled in this regard. They also see a need to develop change management skills and political savvy in order to be more successful. Furthermore, they feel that the value of their work is not fully recognized from a business perspective. Only 35 percent of respondents felt that the value of IT was adequately measured within the enterprise.

IBM Introduces New Version of IMS Software

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled Information Management System (IMS) 10, a new hierarchical database management and transaction system that delivers enhanced XML and Web services capabilities, making easier for customers to better use information as a strategic asset by evolving existing business critical applications to Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) .

Initially developed to power the Apollo space program, IMS is recognized as the industry's first modern database and transaction management software. Over the past three decades, the reliability, security and performance of IMS has led it to become the backbone for much of the world's corporate data. In fact, almost ninety five percent of Fortune 1000 companies use IMS for their most critical IBM System z data management needs with more than 50 billion transactions running through IMS databases on a daily basis.
Today's announcement supports IBM's cross-company Information on Demand initiative which is helping global organizations use information for a competitive advantage. Specifically, IMS 10 features a range of new technologies and enhancements that will alter and improve the way information is stored, managed and accessed in mainframe computing environments.

"With IMS 10, standard XML Query language will be available to hierarchically structured data for the first time, delivering unprecedented versatility and information management options to IBM System z customers," said Arvind Krishna, vice president IBM data servers. "This will help customers simplify their development environments while continuing to realize the proven performance benefits and data integrity of IMS."

Early customer and partner tests and evaluations of IMS 10 have prompted overwhelmingly positive responses.

"A major part of Wachovia's SOA environment is supported by IMS, IBM WebSphere software and IBM eServer zSeries hardware," said Keith Harris, Manager of Architecture at Wachovia. "Wachovia has built a set of foundational and business services that it needs to support its delivery channels, such as its online banking, call center and interactive voice response channels. With the IMS Connect solution, users can access all of the client's core business applications -- such as its retail banking, customer information, and relationship and deposit systems -- on the IMS system. Currently, the SOA environment supporting the OLB channel supports over four million users."

The introduction of IMS 10 completes an upgrade of the entire IBM data server portfolio, including the new DB2 9 "Viper" and Informix (IDS) 11 "Cheetah" data servers, as well as new versions of the UniVerse and UniData (U2) data servers. During the first half of 2007, IBM outpaced its competitors in the database software industry -- generating double-digit revenue growth in consecutive quarters and gaining share.

New Technologies Strengthen Mainframe SOA Capabilities

The new IMS 10 includes:

New XQuery, Enhanced XML and Web Services Support - Opening up IMS data to off-the-shelf third party tools, such as those for query generation, and offering a standard, shareable integration point between IMS and other industry databases.
Broader XML and Java Tooling - Encourages new application development and expands connectivity by supporting open standards such as Web 2.0, XML, SOAP, Java, and JDBC.
Dynamic Resource Definition - Eases manageability, simplifying installation and operations which reduces total cost of ownership
Enhanced Database Recovery Control, Multiple Systems Coupling and Security - Increases scalability with availability, recovery, performance, security and capacity enhancements
In addition, the IMS SOAP Gateway, which enables as web services IMS transactions for interoperation with client applications independent of location, programming language, and platform, has been enhanced to provide z/OS environment, PL/I applications and Asynchronous Callout support. This is in addition to its earlier support for COBOL applications and for Windows, AIX, and Linux on System z environments. This new support has been well received by IMS customers including automaker Volvo.

"The IMS SOAP gateway enables Volvo to exploit SOA in their development environment," said Anders Ohrnberg, Senior IMS Technical Specialist, Volvo Information Technology. "Because of this, we can inter-operate with applications independent of location, programming language and platform. This enables reuse and maximizes business flexibility."

IMS 10 will begin shipping worldwide on October 26. For more information about IBM, visit http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/ims/v10/launch.html

Microsoft Announces Response Point Phone System Pricing and Preorders

U.S. small businesses are one step closer to phone technology that is easy to set up and simple to use: Microsoft Corp. has released its Microsoft® Response Point™ phone system software to manufacturing.

Xuedong Huang, general manager for Response Point at Microsoft, said that working alongside D-Link Corp. and Quanta Computer Inc. has helped Microsoft develop a flexible solution that meets the needs of small-business customers. “Response Point helps deliver value to small-business telephony through the power of software,” Huang said. “Our team has worked hand in hand with small-business customers to deliver a new and fundamentally better user experience.”

Customers can preorder Quanta Syspine models beginning Friday, Oct. 5. A complete package that includes a base unit with built-in analog telephone adapter (ATA) and secure gateway, plus four phones, will cost approximately $2,500 (all prices U.S.). Additional phones will be available for $159 each.

In addition, D-Link VoiceCenter phone systems will be available in the fourth quarter of 2007. The VoiceCenter system will include a base unit, ATA and five phones for approximately $2,999. Additional phone lines will cost approximately $149.

Microsoft Financing will also allow customers who purchase through an authorized Microsoft reseller to pay for fully installed Response Point phone systems on a monthly basis, giving small businesses access to advanced phone technology without straining their credit lines or requiring a large upfront investment.

Telecom Leader to Manufacture Response Point Systems

Microsoft also announced Aastra Technologies Ltd. as the newest hardware vendor that will manufacture and ship Response Point phone systems. Aastra, a global leader in the enterprise telecommunications systems industry, will offer complete, end-to-end Response Point phone systems with wireless handset options by next year.

“Response Point is a great addition to our offering, and we are looking to reinforce our relationship with Microsoft,” said David Sayson, vice president of business development at Aastra. “Aastra has a strong expertise in enterprise communications as well as a very comprehensive range of VoIP terminals, including campus wireless handsets. Partnering with Microsoft allows Aastra to expand its line of enterprise communications offerings and provide an affordable solution for small businesses.”

Telephony Software That Grows With Business Needs

Response Point is an integral piece of Microsoft’s comprehensive voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) strategy, which addresses communications and messaging needs for businesses of all sizes through the power and flexibility of software. Response Point’s user-friendly management center empowers an average computer user to set up a phone or make system changes in minutes. And the unique voice-enabled user interface instantly connects employees and customers with the people or information they need.

Broadcom Shatters Three Mobile Multimedia Records: HD Video, 12 Megapixel Camera and 3D Gaming Coming Soon to Your Cell Phone

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced sampling of the industry's first low power multimedia processor that enables a high definition (HD) video camcorder and playback in cell phones and portable media players. The Broadcom® VideoCore® III multimedia processor also supports an up to 12 megapixel digital camera and delivers high performance yet ultra-low power 3D graphics for a world-class gaming experience. HD video, 3D games and high resolution 12 megapixel pictures can be displayed at top quality on full-sized HD televisions and monitors using an on-chip industry standard HDMI interface.
This groundbreaking technology adds a very significant competitive advantage to Broadcom's mobile platforms portfolio. Next generation cell phones based on VideoCore III technology will offer a quantum improvement in mobile audio, video, imaging, navigation and gaming experiences -- all with similar battery life and size of today's compact multimedia handsets.

"Mobile handsets with compelling multimedia features are capturing the imagination of consumers and phone developers alike, driving the industry to push the limits of what a handset can do," said Will Strauss, Principal Analyst from Forward Concepts. "Enabling HD quality video without draining the battery will provide another leap forward for mobile devices, taking high definition multimedia from novelty to must-have feature."

Large Market Opportunity

Two-thirds of cell phones sold in 2006 included built-in cameras, and most supported basic games and audio playback, according to Forward Concepts. The current generation of cell phones only supports low resolution video recording and playback, and most consumers do not consider it sufficient to replace their "real" digital cameras. Additionally, low resolution cell phones are not capable of playing pre-recorded and TV content without the cumbersome step of optimizing the content for the particular phone model. Today's phones are also not capable of supporting emerging 3D user interfaces and navigation applications. Advances in high resolution mobile displays, the rapidly dropping cost of mobile content storage, faster mobile networks and advances in low power media processing are enabling a new generation of high definition mobile devices with significantly improved multimedia quality.

To address this market opportunity, Broadcom delivers the BCM2727 high definition mobile multimedia processor. The BCM2727 is Broadcom's first product based on its new VideoCore® III multimedia architecture, also announced today. VideoCore III is the third generation of Broadcom's popular and field-proven VideoCore mobile multimedia technology, which has shipped in over 25 million mobile products to date. VideoCore III extends the VideoCore architecture to new performance levels and adds high definition video and multimedia capabilities. By maintaining a superior level of software programmability, VideoCore III can support rapid integration of new features and applications, as well as new and evolving video and audio CODECs in the future. The architecture is based on dual core vector processors tightly coupled with hardware accelerators for video, image processing and 2D/3D graphics. Substantial performance increases for imaging and gaming applications can be achieved while preserving ultra-low power -- a hallmark of the VideoCore architecture.

"VideoCore III raises the bar for mobile multimedia, and for the first time, enables a high definition mobile user experience," said Mark Casey, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Mobile Multimedia line of business. "The BCM2727 delivers a 'triple-play' of technology combining HD camcorder with professional quality camera and next generation graphics, all at extremely low power."

First Cell Phone HD Video Camcorder

The BCM2727 mobile multimedia processor is the first in the industry to support mobile phone HD camcorder functionality by providing 720p HD video encode and decode with H.264 main profile compression at low power levels. Consumers will now be able to capture video on their cell phones with the same quality used in high definition broadcast television. Handsets can support more than 5 hours of high definition video playback or around 3 hours of HD recording using a standard-sized cell phone battery. Content on the handset up to HD resolution can be played back on televisions via an integrated HDMI 1.3 or analog interface.

Advanced Photo Effects with Integrated Image Signal Processor (ISP)

In addition to HD camcorder functionality, the BCM2727 also includes built-in high quality camera processing of up to 12 megapixels. Professional quality picture capture and video recording are enabled with an extremely advanced on-chip image signal processor (ISP) supporting features such as sensor and lens compensation, sharpening, exposure compensation, color correction, red eye reduction and image stabilization. A programmable image pipeline provides additional control, as well as rapid development and integration of new features and further image processing. Images are processed at speeds unparalleled in any mobile phone today: with the ability to process up to 144 million pixels per second, VideoCore III supports on-the-fly photography at up to 12 pictures per second at 12 megapixel camera resolution, or even faster for lower resolution camera sensors.

High Performance 2D/3D Graphics

The BCM2727 features on-chip advanced 2D and 3D graphics accelerators and efficient audio technology that provides not only a rich viewing and listening experience, but also a powerful platform for mobile gaming applications. The graphics pipeline is optimized for efficient Open VG 1.0 and Open GL ES 1.1/2.0 operation and is capable of 32 million triangles per second peak performance. Supporting over fifty multimedia standards, formats, codecs and resolutions, VideoCore III provides the broadest mobile multimedia content support in the industry.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the BCM2727 processor, with VideoCore III mobile multimedia technology, are now available to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request.

About Broadcom

Broadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. We provide the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art, system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.

Broadcom is one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies, with 2006 revenue of $3.67 billion, and holds over 2,200 U.S. and 900 foreign patents, more than 6,600 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video and data. Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at http://www.broadcom.com.

Adobe to Acquire Virtual Ubiquity

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Virtual Ubiquity and its ground-breaking online word processor, Buzzword. The acquisition furthers Adobe's commitment to foster a vibrant ecosystem for rich Internet application (RIA) development that delivers breakthrough experiences built on Adobe AIR. Separately, Adobe added a new file sharing service to its current online document services. Codenamed “Share,” the beta service will make it easier than ever for people to share, publish and organize documents online.

“For over a decade, Adobe® Acrobat® software and PDF have been the standard way people share and collaborate on high value documents across platforms, with perfect fidelity. Buzzword will build on that leadership and enable fundamental improvements in how people collaborate on documents,” said David Mendels, senior vice president, Business Productivity Business Unit at Adobe. “At the same time, it is an exciting showcase of the power of Adobe’s RIA technology that raises the bar for the quality of experience people should expect in their applications.”

Buzzword, an elegant online word processor, enables individuals to work together to create high quality, page perfect documents. Because it was built with Adobe Flex™ software and runs in the Adobe Flash™ Player, Buzzword enables greater document quality, outstanding typography, page layout controls, and robust support for integrated graphics, regardless of the browser or device. The application also will run on Adobe® AIR™, offering users a hybrid online/offline experience and the ability to work with both hosted and local documents. The powerful collaboration capabilities in Buzzword enable multiple authors to edit and comment on documents from anywhere, at anytime, while document creators can set permissions that virtually eliminate version control chaos. For more information on the acquisition and access to Buzzword beta software, please visit http://www.adobe.com/go/buzzwordfaq.

The founders of Virtual Ubiquity will be joining Adobe, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in online document collaboration. With extensive background in the development of Lotus Notes and eRoom, the Virtual Ubiquity team developed a rich, collaborative authoring environment for the next generation of work. “We were inspired by the way today’s youth spend their lives working and playing together online, and how this is influencing the way we all think about collaboration,” said Rick Treitman, CEO of Virtual Ubiquity. “This inspiration resulted in an online word processor for the ‘Facebook generation’ that focuses on working together online, without sacrificing quality.”

Increasingly, the Web is becoming the platform for the “future of work,” where people come together to share each other’s work anytime, anywhere. As a leader in RIA development, Adobe is revolutionizing the way people come together to engage with ideas, information and each other. This announcement marks a milestone for Adobe as it expands its leadership in the emerging domain of online document collaboration.

Adobe also made available today a free online document sharing service, codenamed “Share.” Users simply select the documents they want to share, send a message to recipients, and set whether the files will be publicly accessible or restricted. Built with Adobe Flex technology, the rich interface provides a smooth experience, integrating simple workflows to upload and share documents with high quality online previews to speed up finding the right document. Additionally, the beta will include a set of REST APIs to let developers create mash-ups with their applications, including storing and accessing files, as well as creating thumbnails and Flash-based previews of documents. People can learn more about the service and sign-up for access at http://www.adobe.com/go/labs_share .

Virtual Ubiquity is based in Waltham, Massachusetts. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of November 2007. The addition of Virtual Ubiquity is not expected to have a material impact to Adobe revenue and earnings in fiscal year 2007. Terms were not disclosed.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com