IBM
- IBM is planning to buy back $50B in their own stock over the next 5 years….
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/12/27/why-warren-buffett-is-excited-he-lost-1-billion.aspx - SoftLayer opening cloud hosting center in Japan
http://finchannel.com/index.php/technology/item/39833-ibm-opened-first-cloud-data-center-with-softlayer-in-japan - IBM supporting biometrics for BYOD use
While the article acknowledges potential security problems inherent to biometric technology, it argues that biometrics is best used as part of a multi-factor authentication security solution. The article notes that “adding mobile device biometrics to BYOD provides another layer to security, and the more security methods a device provides means a better chance at safer data.”
http://www.biometricupdate.com/201412/ibm-supports-biometrics-for-corporate-byod-use
- IBM cloud service had “breakthrough year”:
IBM is expected to $94B in total revenue this year. In 2013, cloud services equated to $4.4B in sales, they are expecting to beat that number this year by 50%
http://www.brecorder.com/it-a-computers/206/1254914/
Oracle
- Oracle’s cloud service sales rise 45% over previous year (on track to sell $1B in cloud subscriptions this year)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-it/it-digest-oracles-cloud-sales-rise-45percent-from-previous-year/2014/12/19/36051b84-860e-11e4-b9b7-b8632ae73d25_story.html - Oracle acquires DataLogix:
Oracle announced it has acquired Datalogix, a data corporation specializing in audience tracking, for an undisclosed amount. Datalogix focuses on “information as a service,” and works with businesses including Ford, Kraft, Facebook and Twitter.
http://www.macroinsider.com/technology/oracle-acquires-data-tracking-firm-datalogix-h5148.html
HP
Not really related to supplier management, but I found this interesting (and HP news was light this week). HP released a new 14-chromebook the same week they released a $200 dollar Windows machine (a Chromebook competitor). So they are essentially competing with themselves….
http://www.bidnessetc.com/31452-hp-rolls-out-google-chromebook-14-laptop-with-touchscreen-and-hd-resolution/
Other
- More on China ousting foreign IT suppliers:
http://thediplomat.com/2014/12/chinas-quest-to-oust-foreign-tech-firms/ - Top 10 BI trends for 2015 (from Tableau)
We are starting to see an age when data is accessible and interactive enough that it can become the backbone of a conversation. Now that people have flexible, speed-of-thought analytical tools, they can quickly analyze data, mash it up with other data and redesign it to create a new perspective. Meetings can become more engaging as people explore data together rather than plod through a set of slides and take down actions for later. And as a result of this collaboration, organizations will get more insight from their data.
http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/10-top-trends-for-bi-in-2015-1278352