Technology, Innovation & Science

Following on from last week's story on hand-held technology, Alison Birrane talks to some of the main movers in the sector in WA.

E-COMMERCE and multimedia firm Global iQ, which has carved out a niche by developing hand-held technology for use by property managers in the real estate industry, is now hatching p

FOR the majority of businesses hand-held devices have taken longer than expected to evolve from the realm of expensive luxury toys to that of indispensable work tools.

IN a bid to pursue opportunities in Canada and the US, the agricultural division of electronics specialist, Computronics Corporation Limited, has opened an office in Saskatoon, Canada.

WHILE the hairdressing industry may not have an obvious organic association with information technology, one East Perth-based salon has implemented an IT system it hopes will provide a point of difference.

LOCAL software developer CAZ Software has beaten international competition to win a $A1 million contract to supply an integrated school management system in Hong Kong.

Western Australia has a strong basis for a vibrant IT industry, but more needs to be done to ensure its viability and growth. Alison Birrane reports on a sometimes-turbulent year for the ICT sector.

INTERNET and email monitoring software developer WebSpy Ltd will utilise its existing sales infrastructure to launch the products of a new partner company into the tough US and European markets.

INTERNET Service Provider iiNet is planning to build its own network as part of a strategy to capture an increasing share of the broadband market.

LOCAL nanotechnology developer Advanced Powder Technologies has started a multi-million-dollar equity raising with plans for Australian Stock Exchange listing firmly on the agenda.

A RECENT study by the Australian Psychological Society has found that email is a significant cause of job related stress.

Jim Grant has been appointed as chairman of VRI BioMedical Limited, in addition Peter French former chief executive officer of the company has been appointed managing director and

THE Federal Government's decision to cut information and communications technology jobs from its Migrations Occupations in Demand List is a reflection of the sector's subdued employment sentiment, according to industry insiders.

INTERNET kiosk developer pieNETWORKS Limited has announced a second UK acquisition in as many months with the purchase of assets of Pinco 1696 Limited.

LOCAL electronics and software engineering firm AAA Barcode is hoping to piggyback on the success of local security technology firm Biometrics Limited by manufacturing that company's new biometric security system.

THE Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association is experiencing higher revenues and increased productivity following the implementation of a custom built online booking and information system.

PASSION, ambition and drive are the key ingredients to starting a successful business – everything else can be learned.

TECHNOLOGY Park start-up Calytrix Technologies has taken a big step into the tough US market with the sale of its SIMplicity software to US-based The Mitre Corporation.

TECHNOLOGY company Lumacom has expanded its international sales, securing contracts to install its flagship electronic billboards in Turkey and Russia.

FUTURIS Corporation has announced the acquisition of 19 per cent of Perth-based telco and broadband services provider Amcom Telecommunications.

THE light seems to be shining at the end of the tunnel for the Orbital Engine Corporation.

WITH the Federal Government's Spam Bill 2003 passed in the House of Representatives last week, Western Australian players remain dubious as to whether it will have any real impact on the problem of spam in Australia.

A RESEARCHER from Edith Cowan University has advised business operators to separate their internal web site from their public site to avoid confusion for users, to make finding information easier and to save thousands of dollars in lost time.

IMPLEMENTING a strategic focus and developing greater relevance to the local ICT industry are the major priorities for new Australian Information Industry Association chairman Geoff Harben.

COMPETITION in the growing online DVD rental business is set to grow with the entry to the market of a new player in November.

THE legal position of employers whose employees engage in digital music piracy using company equipment remains unclear amid the bluster and noise of the latest debate on the issue.

THE recent sacking of several Hamersley Iron workers for breaching their employer's ‘acceptable use of email' policy sent shock waves through WA industry.

FREE software that does the same job as Microsoft products but isn't susceptible to the myriad security concerns of the software giant's products sounds like a great move for business.

FRUSTRATION with the lack of online stores provided a Perth mother with the incentive to start her own Internet-based baby products business.

MANY small and medium-sized businesses don't believe they are at a high risk from hackers...

In a follow up to her story on computer worms and viruses, and the differences between them, Alison Birrane this week looks at strategies to prevent and minimise attacks.

ELECTRONICS and manufacturing company Omnitronics is in the midst of a national marketing campaign as it prepares to take its latest product into the international arena.