Bill Gates Claims 100 Million Copies of Vista Sold – But To Whom?

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Bill Gates delivered what may be his last keynote at the opening of CES 2008 last week. Overall, it was entertaining, humorous and full of the usual Microsoft hype. There was, however, one statement he made that bears closer inspection and clarification.

During his keynote, Gates claimed that since the initial launch of Microsoft Windows Vista last year, over one hundred million Vista licenses were sold and one hundred million Vista users were surfing the web. On the surface that seems like a huge number and it is, but in a world with an estimated one billion PCs its relevance is not as impressive as he would have us believe.

It may also not be accurate.

Microsoft may indeed have sold 100 million licenses, but to whom? The number of licenses do not necessarily equal the number of computers sold – or the number of end users actually using them.

They report sales of licenses but they are not reporting the rest of it.

Understand that Microsoft sells most of their product through the channel, not direct like Dell (even Dell is drifting away from direct sales). So to whom are they selling these licenses? To distributors, retailers, VARs, System Builders and other resellers. Those numbers likely reflect raw sales to the very individuals and companies who resell them to businesses and consumers. They may have sold 100 million licenses but more than a few of them are still sitting in inventory for resale, not in actual use.

How many licenses are still in the hands of system builders who had to turn around and purchase Windows XP as well because customers are requesting XP on boxes instead of Vista? How many retailers are stuck with copies of Vista on the shelves that won’t move? To educate those who are not aware of the software market, once a reseller purchases those licenses, with a few exceptions they are usually stuck with an albatross if they are unable to resell them.

If a company purchases volume license upgrades, finds out they can’t use Vista and reverts back to XP, too bad. They bought them.

To add to the spin, Microsoft is reporting sales figures of licenses they sold to the vendors in the marketplace, not downgrades of those licenses or returns of PCs from users to the builders and resellers. If a user buys a new PC with Vista and exercises their downgrade rights to Windows XP, does that deduct from number of Vista licenses or add to the number of new XP sales? Don’t bet on the former, because Microsoft is not refunding the money. Whether the user has Vista or XP in the end, they still purchased a Vista license. Clever, no?

As for 100 million users, the company reporting this figure monitored about forty thousand web sites and discovered around 10% of the visitors ran Vista. Indeed. That would not be difficult to achieve if one considers that those percentages are still estimates based on the reader’s assumption that each one is a unique visitor with a unique IP address and visits the site one time. That is not always the case.

The average user who likes a particular site and uses it often will typically visit it frequently. Certain sites that naturally attract Windows users such as Microsoft’s own site will attract more Windows Vista users than users of Ubuntu and OS X.

That figure can have a negative meaning as well. Is it possible the number of Vista visitors to sites is high simply because they are constantly searching Microsoft’s site or Googling around for resolutions to Vista related issues? Hmm. Just a thought. 

From the standpoint of someone who is a system builder on the side, I find Microsoft’s numbers a bit incredulous. Then again, I base that on my own experiences with my customers, not theirs. After all, Microsoft’s numbers are not based on sales to end users, they are based on sales to resellers like me. The actual sales to end users tell the real story.

 

 

Coresonic and SySDSoft Announce Joint Marketing Agreement for WiMAX Solutions

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Two experts in highly optimized, power-efficient semiconductor IP for WiMAX and emerging wireless standards will offer joint solution combining baseband processor firmware and MAC layer plus protocol stacks as a complete wireless technology package for system-on-chip developers.

Linköping, Sweden (PRWEB) January 14, 2008 — Coresonic AB, a provider of leading-edge baseband processor technology optimized for next generation multimode wireless modems, has announced a joint marketing agreement with SySDSoft, Inc., a leading provider of embedded software for the wireless broadband market, to promote and market each other's complementary technologies as complete packaged solutions to mobile device developers and manufacturers.

Rick Clucas, CEO of Coresonic, said, "The significance of this agreement is the benefit it provides to the many chip designers we are talking to who have little wireless technology expertise, because their focus may be on an unrelated area such as video; between our two companies, we'll provide a complete package comprising the world's most area and power efficient next generation baseband processor with PHY firmware, MAC layer and protocol stacks, allowing an OEM or ODM to quickly integrate a WiMAX or other IEEE802.16-based system-on-chip into their product. Customers can come to either company for this complete package, giving them a single contact point for support and development."

Khaled Ismail, president and founder of SySDSoft, added, "Between us, we have a wealth of expertise in the latest and emerging wireless standards, with the most optimized semiconductor IP solutions for wireless modems and broadband: Coresonic with their extremely power efficient baseband processor core which is programmable for multiple standards, and SySDSoft with our efficient, highly modular MAC layer which is easily portable to various processors and operating systems. In a market where the end-user demands battery-saving products but still require high performance from their latest generation gadgets, we provide our OEM and ODM customers with an ideal solution to quickly get to market by incorporating our pre-packaged wireless solution."

SySDSoft designs state-of-the-art baseband and RF/analog circuits for the growing wireless broadband market, with a product portfolio covering a variety of technologies such as WiMAX, WiFi, Bluetooth, and wireless USB. Its IP cores can also be implemented in the latest generation of mobile WiMAX IEEE 802.16-e/WiBro wave 2-compliant MAC for mobile devices.

Coresonic's LeoCore technology complements this with a unique patented architecture which is the most power and area efficient licensable baseband processing technology available today, optimized for wireless multimode modems. Available as a flexible, programmable solution, it allows system-on-chip designers to simply and rapidly add next generation modem capabilities to their designs, supporting 4G and multiple radio standards, including WiMAX, LTE, WiFi, UMB, DVB-T/H, ISDB-T, T-DMB, DAB+ and HD radio.

The initial focus of this collaborative effort is on producing a WiMax demonstrator, and the companies intend to add WiFi and Bluetooth support to meet customer needs.
Ends

About Coresonic:
Coresonic AB delivers the most silicon and area efficient solutions for next generation modem applications enabling its customers to quickly add WiMax, LTE, DVB-T/H, ISDP-T, T-DMB, DAB or 802.11 functionality to their own products. This is achieved using the company's unique patented programmable baseband processor technology optimized for WiMAX and 4G wireless modems. Proven in silicon and delivered as semiconductor intellectual property, its patented LeoCore multimode modem technology can be rapidly integrated with the supplied protocol specific firmware to meet rapidly changing wireless standards as they evolve for all types of mobile wireless devices – from mobile phones and PDAs to wireless networking and digital broadcasting. Founded in 2004 from the research center Stringent at Linköping University, Sweden, Coresonic is headquartered in Sweden. Read more at www.coresonic.com.

About SySDSoft:
SySDSoft, Inc. is a leading supplier of fixed and mobile WiMAX embedded software based on the IEEE 802.16 standard. SySDSoft offers chip manufacturers the ability to integrate their PHY with a high performance, embedded medium access control solution to form an integrated SoC for the mobile WiMAX chipset market. SySDSoft's software architecture allows flexible hardware/software partitioning to facilitate rapid deployment on dedicated cores. SySDSoft's solutions, offered to silicon and portable device manufacturers, are designed to meet the substantial projected growth in wireless device markets geared towards 4G. For more information please visit www.sysdsoft.com/wimax.htm.

LeoCore is a trademark of Coresonic AB.

Press contacts:
Rick Clucas, CEO, Coresonic
Khaled Ismail, CEO, SySDSoft
Agency contact: Nitin Dahad, TechSpark Ltd

 

 

WorkLight Offers Predictions for Web 2.0 in the Enterprise in 2008

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Enterprise social networks and security concerns to be at the forefront of the “Consumerization of IT” in the corporate world

YAKUM, ISRAEL & BOSTON (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) January 14, 2008 — WorkLight™ Inc., an Enterprise 2.0 company, announced today its predictions of the top trends to affect enterprises considering Web 2.0 technologies in 2008. The company compiled its list based on extensive conversations with top executives and IT decision-makers at Fortune 500 companies, who are intent on implementing consumer-style tools in the workplace in the coming year.

In recent years, industry experts have discussed the shift towards “consumerization of IT” and its effect on how work is getting done. Analyst firm Forrester Research estimates that 78 percent of IT organizations are concerned about the use of Web 2.0 tools by their employees. Gartner Research has maintained that the consumerization of IT is an “irreversible mega-trend,” urging forward-looking companies to embrace these technologies. Moreover, Yankee Group has concluded that over 86 percent of corporate users already utilize one consumer technology at work.

As these technologies become more widespread, WorkLight predicts that usage of Web 2.0 technologies in the enterprise will affect companies across three dimensions – People, Business and Technology:

People

  • The personal and professional lives of employees will continue to blend, and workers will seek to mirror the convenient home computing experience at the office
  • Workers will increasingly build social networks in the corporate environment with the same dynamics that drive their popularity in the consumer world
  • As the workforce becomes younger and more tech-savvy, employees will continue to introduce consumer tools and services into the enterprise, with and without the blessing of IT departments. These tools will include web-based services, and collaboration and social networking tools

Business

  • Businesses both large and small will seek to increase employee acquisition/retention and productivity through the use of flexible, scalable Enterprise 2.0 solutions within their “walled gardens”
  • Organizations will look to improve effectiveness and efficiency by facilitating access to proprietary data through the use of consumer Web 2.0 tools
  • Enterprise social networks will blossom in 2008, as social tools with open APIs (like Facebook) drive adoption
  • Forward-thinking organizations will anticipate these developments and harness, rather than hinder, Web 2.0 technologies in a secure and innovative manner

Technology

  • Security threats that target corporate data via Web 2.0 tools and services will become a topic of high priority
  • The top concerns for corporations will be most visible in the following areas: data theft, access control, identity protection, privacy, information leakage and liability for information misuse by employees
  • Attempts to handle these concerns will be reminiscent of experiences with email and Web 1.0 adoption in their initial corporate introduction
  • Use of consumer-style tools without adequate safeguards may lead to a high-profile security incident in 2008, prompting IT departments to seek out Enterprise 2.0 solutions with top-of-the-line protection

“This past year we have seen a significant spike in interest among companies and organizations intent on deploying consumer Web 2.0-style tools, a trend that will gain momentum in 2008,” said Shahar Kaminitz, CEO and founder of WorkLight. “From the insight and experience that customers have shared with us, we see that senior management is becoming increasingly responsive to the groundswell being generated by the younger generation entering the workforce.”

About WorkLight

WorkLight™ Inc. develops and markets a line of WorkLight server products that consumerize the corporate computing experience, by making popular consumer services like iGoogle, MS Live, Netvibes, and Facebook "enterprise-ready." Through WorkLight, employees and consumers connect to protected enterprise data (and to each other) using Web 2.0 services.

WorkLight is a venture-backed company with offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Yakum, Israel. WorkLight has received prestigious industry accolades including being named one of the "Five Enterprise 2.0 Startups to Watch," by Information Week magazine, being selected as part of CIO Magazine's Web 2.0 Product Suite, and being singled out with an honorable mention as one of Computerworld's "10 Cool Cutting-edge Technologies on the Horizon." WorkLight also received the "Stay Organized" award at Microsoft's Under the Radar Conference, and was named a Red Herring 100 International finalist. For more information, visit www.myWorkLight.com.

 

 

 

First Mac OS ‘Hybrid Web App’ for Business to be Previewed at Macworld ’08

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Rich Web App that Looks and Runs Like Desktop App Gives Small Business People Everything Needed to Manage Their Business in One Place, from Anywhere at Anytime – Even Their iPhone®

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 14, 2008 — Ntractive LLC announced today it will begin previewing a new type of business computer application here at the Macworld Conference and Expo, January 14-18 (Booth #W-4524). The firm's first product, Elements SBM™ (small business manager) for the Mac OS, is a unique "Hybrid Application" combining flexibility with unprecedented ease of use.

"Until now, this hybrid approach has only been available in the consumer world – Apple iTunes® being the prime example," said Dale Jensen, Ntractive's CEO. "Now the concept is really getting down to business." He said the firm's Hybrid Application platform has been in development for more than four years. "With the introduction of Elements SBM™, we have a visually elegant and technically innovative solution that allows small business owners and their employees to quickly become more productive."

Before today, the small business user had to make a fundamental choice: the familiarity and ease-of-use of the desktop application, or the power and affordability of the "available anywhere" software-as-a-service (hosted) web application. But that meant giving something up. Elements SBM™ bridges the two together in an environment that blurs the lines between what is running on your desktop and what is running over the web – which means you no longer have to settle for just one or the other.

Elements SBM™ is designed to automate, organize, and improve business processes and financial management in small to midsized companies. The initial target is Mac OSX-based businesses with 5 to 50 employees, estimated to number 20,000 in the U.S. alone.

"This product is a significant improvement over existing web and desktop applications for small business management," said Jensen, also a cofounder of the firm. "Software-as-a-service represents the future of the software business, and we believe our 'Hybrid' platform is a key refinement of that future."

The Market
Small businesses represent the largest growth segment of the U.S. economy. The biggest challenges to firms in this class, beyond capital, are organizational and managerial. The single proprietor with a successful business, for example, often has a difficult time moving to a multiple-person operation.

"We believe that organizational software is the key to small business success – specifically, software that is easy to use, complete, and inexpensive for the entrepreneur," said Jensen. "Many years of working with small businesses, both our own and our clients', led us to develop a product that meets these needs in an innovative and attractive fashion."

The company is initially focusing on the Mac OS X platform, which is experiencing significant growth (30% in the past year), and in which the company's founders have decades of experience developing and marketing small business applications. Following initial rollout, Ntractive's product development roadmap will focus on mobile, international, and Windows® Vista™ environments. Because of the nature of a web-based product, the company need only write a small, platform-specific amount of code in order to bring the product to additional platforms.

Benefits for Small Business
By automating many common business practices, such as sales, contact management, and accounting, Elements SBM™ affords small businesses the ability to reduce overhead, improve productivity, and provide functionality that would be difficult or impossible in a non-hosted scalable application. Other features, such as automated backups, offsite data warehousing, and anytime-anywhere access to real-time reports, are very attractive to the cost-conscious small business owner.

Elements SBM™ is a management tool for any small business that wants to improve its processes, resource allocation, and bottom line. "We had several goals when we began the design and implementation of Elements SBM™," said Justin Bartak, cofounder and CTO. "The system had to directly address the needs of small business in the areas of process improvement, workflow automation, and enhanced communication between employees at all levels of the business."

(For a gallery of screenshots, please see: http://www.ntractive.com/site/gallery/)

How It Works
Functionally, the system consists of a custom hybrid web browser application that runs on the client's computer, and a web server application that operates from the Elements SBM™ server. The client logs into the system from any computer anywhere – even an iPhone® – and instantly has access to company data, reporting, and communications with other employees. A sales representative, for example, could log in from a customer location, enter a sales order, confirm product availability, and email an invoice.

The purpose of the custom hybrid browser is not only to make development of the web application easier, but also to incorporate functionality that makes the web app more powerful and easier to use for the customer. For example, the custom hybrid browser supports "Drag and Drop" — drag a "vCard" onto Elements SBM™ and it converts the vCard data to a contact record. Drag a photo from your hard drive or a photo-browsing application like iPhoto®, drop it onto the Elements SBM™ contact record, and the contact will now have the photo attached and stored on the web server.

(For more about how Elements SBM™ is different from other applications, see the PDFs and QuickTime™ movies here: http://www.ntractive.com/site/integrate/)

Competitive Environment – Existing Solutions
By focusing on design as well as function, Elements SBM™ is a significant improvement over existing small business management systems. Its best-in-class design and reduced training costs are the result of an interface built from the perspective of user intuition, rather than expecting a customer to develop new habits. Utilizing cutting-edge Web 2.0 programming techniques, Elements SBM™ is an "always on, anywhere," multi-user Internet application that has the convenience and standards that users expect from desktop applications. Because the system has been designed in this manner from its very foundation, the company does not expect that existing competitors will be able to respond without a complete and expensive rewrite of their software.

"We're focused initially on a market that both lacks a defined solution and demands an elegant response to the problem — Mac OS X users," said CEO Jensen. "No competitor in the SaaS CRM space has a Mac-specific product, and some don't even run on the browser of choice for Mac users, Safari. Elements SBM™ was designed with a decidedly Mac flavor, thus having strong appeal to Apple computer users."

The underlying Hybrid Web Application platform is the key to the whole system. Not only is it a fundamental improvement over existing technologies, able to provide desktop-level ease of use and functionality, it is proprietary, patentable technology that other software firms do not have, and will not have, without significant development efforts, even assuming that their existing systems can be retooled to support the advanced methodology that a Hybrid Web Application represents.

Beta Test and Rollout Plans
Ntractive is currently a pre-revenue, late-development stage company, and is preparing for a beta test of its product in first quarter 2008. To date, more than 500 companies have signed up to participate in this beta. The company will select early beta users from this list, and gradually expand the beta to include more of those who have signed up, before it moves to a full Phase I rollout of the product later in the year. Once the beta test process is complete, pricing will be based on an affordable per-user subscription model.

Phase II will focus on developing a Windows® XP and Vista™ hybrid browser, built on Apple's Webkit open-source project, which was converted to Windows® by Apple in June 2007. Because of the nature of the product, only the browser-specific features of the product (such as supporting Drag and Drop or storing passwords) need to be converted — the bulk of the Elements SBM™ application will work automatically, without platform-specific code.

Press Conference at Macworld
More details about this product and its launch will be presented at Ntractive's press conference, Tuesday, January 15, 2008, from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m., in Room 105 of the South Hall of Moscone Center.

About Ntractive LLC
Ntractive is a software development company that has, over the past four years, developed a new and unique method of application development, the "Hybrid Web Application," which combines the best features of a desktop application with those of a web application, for unprecedented ease of use, expanded functionality, and power in an Internet-based application. The company's first product, Elements SBM™, is a software-as-a-service offering that is designed to automate, organize, and improve business processes for small to midsized companies. Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Ntractive is currently pre-revenue, in late-stage development, and recently received a first-round funding commitment from RAIN Source Capital, St. Paul, Minnesota. Ntractive is preparing for beta testing of its product in the first quarter 2008. For more information about the company, see: http://www.ntractive.com/site/company/

 

 

 

IVR Releases Windows Mobile

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Next-generation VoIP service providers can now leverage the power and popularity of Windows Mobile® Smartphones to provide significant long distance savings to mobile subscribers while driving additional revenue to their networks.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 14, 2008 — IVR Technologies, Inc., a leading software developer of IP enhanced services and real-time billing solutions, announced today that they have released several Windows Mobile® Smartphone applications for use with Talking SIP, their fully integrated application, media and billing server. The Smartphone applications integrate tightly and seamlessly into Windows Mobile® 6 powered devices and facilitate calling card and callback calls in order to realize significant cost savings over typically exorbitant mobile international long distance rates. The Smartphone Calling Card and Callback applications are just some of the many in-demand and innovative services offered by the popular and globally deployed Talking SIP solution that drives revenue and higher margin to service providers' networks.

Today's mobile calling plans offer economical local and domestic calling plans while international long distance calling is still prohibitively expensive — especially when roaming. Unfortunately, more cost-effective solutions for mobile users, such as calling cards and fixed-mobile convergence, are cumbersome and protract the calling process. On the other hand, the Smartphone applications provide an extremely simple and straightforward way to make long distance calls while, at the same time, realizing significant cost savings.

A User accesses the Smartphone Calling Card and Callback applications through a voice tag, speed dial, or through the Windows® Start menu. Simply select the desired destination party directly from the Contact list or by direct dialing the number to initiate the calling card or callback request. With the calling card application the call is made immediately and the application handles the sending of caller authentication, login and destination information. With the callback application, after the request has been made, in mere seconds the mobile subscriber's phone will ring and he will be connected to the desired party. By offering applications that are so tightly integrated into the phone, mobile users can now make international long distance calls in the same manner — and with the same quality — as regular calls but at significantly lower cost. In addition, next-generation service providers are able to drive additional revenue and margin to their networks by capturing long distance traffic that is currently being serviced by mobile carriers. The Talking SIP solution can service calling card and callback requests from mobile subscribers located anywhere in the world — thus removing any and all geographic boundaries to the service provider's target market.

Microsoft's worldwide converged mobile device shipments grew 135% (year over year) in 2006, according to leading IT market research and advisory firm IDC. The industry is quickly taking notice of Microsoft in the wireless arena and realizing the business benefits of Windows Mobile® devices — resulting in IDC's expectation that Windows Mobile will experience the largest growth of any mobile operating system worldwide, at 75.6%, through the year 2010. With Microsoft's growing market share of the mobile smartphone market, there is tremendous opportunity for these applications and to the service providers that implements them into their networks.

"The integration of Talking SIP into the Microsoft Windows Mobile® Smartphone 6 platform offers a compelling service to mobile subscribers with tremendous cost savings while providing next-generation service providers with the opportunity to capture additional traffic and revenue to their networks. Our integration into the Windows Mobile® Smartphone platform further exemplifies our commitment to continually provide innovative solutions that reduce customer churn, drive revenue, and increase margin to the service provider network," said Barry Sher, Vice-President of Business Development, IVR Technologies, Inc.

About IVR Technologies
IVR Technologies is an advanced software development company emerging as a leader in the SIP space for Voice over IP enhanced services and real-time billing.

Please send reader inquiries to: IVR Technologies: 555 West Fifth Street, 30th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013: +1 866.856.0301. E-mail: pr@ivr.com

To learn more about our company please visit our web site: http://www.ivr.com

SysLOCATE Announces Launch of New Reseller Program

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SysLOCATE is looking for experienced GPS resellers. They have the opportunity to increase their revenue stream and expand their customer base.

San Diego, Calif. (PRWEB) January 14, 2008 — SysLOCATE today announced the SysLOCATE Reseller Program, a program designed to give experienced GPS tracking resellers an opportunity to grow their revenue stream and expand their customer base. SysLOCATE markets GPS tracking units to Buy Here, Pay Here dealers and rental car companies. With asset recovery being one of the biggest challenges for BHPH dealers and rental car companies, the market opportunity for the SysLOCATE product is substantial.

"The SysLOCATE GPS vehicle tracking unit brings the added security to Buy Here, Pay Here dealers who are faced with increasing loan defaults and vehicle repossessions," said Joel Hartley, Chief Technology Officer, SysLOCATE Inc. "Installation takes just a few minutes and SysLOCATE offers several features to make asset recovery quick and easy."

Program features include:

  • Multi unit high volume monthly sales potential
  • Bulk unit discounts for higher volume resellers
  • Lowest cost service plan currently available
  • 30 day money back guarantee
  • No contracts and 100% customer satisfaction guarantee
  • White label and rebranding available

Prospective resellers can visit our site at http://www.syslocate.com/dealer.php and receive additional information on the SysLOCATE Reseller Program.

Recent SysLOCATE news:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/12/prweb573209.htm

About SysLOCATE Inc.
SysLOCATE Inc., operating under their registered trademark SysLOCATE, helps companies with the management, location, tracking and recovery of their mobile assets. Based in San Diego, the company's SysLOCATE GPS tracking system and S3000 GPS Vehicle Tracking Units offer unique advantages with ease-of-use/install, functionality, and scalability not found in other commercial products. This includes the ability to manage diverse asset portfolios, receive real-time GPS tracking data from a variety of platforms/devices, and to operate over a variety of networks and countries. Additional information and a live, hands-on demonstration of the tracking capabilities are available at www.syslocate.com.

SysLOCATE is a registered trademark licensed to SysLOCATE Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. 2008 SysLOCATE Inc. All rights reserved.

Redemtech Releases Off-Network Security White Paper

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Redemtech, a leading provider of Technology Change Management (TCM) and IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services, today released a new white paper: Preventing Off-Network Data Breaches: Securing the Final Mile on best practices organizations can implement to better protect equipment when it is removed from the network.

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) January 14, 2008 — Redemtech, a leading provider of Technology Change Management (TCM) and IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services, has released a new white paper: Preventing Off-Network Data Breaches: Securing the Final Mile on best practices organizations can implement to better protect equipment when it is removed from the network.

The recommendations are designed to close the gap revealed by a 2007 survey by the Ponemon Institute commissioned by Redemtech. Security professionals at mid-market to global 100 companies were surveyed to evaluate the state of their off-network security practices. Off-network security covers any data-bearing device, including computers, copiers, printers, CDs, tapes, memory sticks, smart phones, PDAs and iPods, that are not attached to an active data network and therefore not systematically visible during moves, storage or retirement.

"This white paper identifies the best practices that are essential in closing the off-network security gap, which the Ponemon study found affects three out of every four companies," said Robert Houghton, president of Redemtech and author of the report. "Security professionals have been trained to protect the network from intrusion, but often lack the policies and processes to ensure data is protected when devices are removed from the network. It's vital to lock all the doors both on and off the network, especially as data breach costs continue to rise. Just the cost of lost business has gone up 30 percent from 2006 to 2007."

Considering that 70 percent of data breaches result from the loss of off-network equipment, the white paper outlines the six off-network security processes every organization should employ to ensure assets are protected. They include implementing effective management systems, controlling and limiting inventory, creating documentary audit trails, ensuring reliable accounting processes are in place, and measuring the effectiveness of procedures and the means for improving them.

The white paper, Preventing Off-Network Data Breaches: Securing the Final Mile, and the Ponemon Institute study, National Survey: The Insecurity of Off-Network Security, are both available on the Redemtech Web site.

About Redemtech
Redemtech Technology Change Management (TCM) services help organizations increase IT asset utilization and assure regulatory compliance during technology transitions. Redemtech provides an outsourced solution to TCM that uses best practices and automated technologies to implement and manage processes for deploying, redeploying and decommissioning computer systems. Redemtech clients can realize a 40 to 70 percent reduction in asset recovery and disposition costs, while achieving 100 percent warranted data security and environmental compliance assurance. Redemtech is a wholly owned subsidiary of Micro Electronics, one of the largest privately held technology companies in the United States. For more information on Redemtech, visit Redemtech's Web site.

Video Converter Software Update from FXBear Supports iPod, iPhone, and PSP

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FXBear Software Solutions today announced the release of an update to their video converter software (www.fxbear.com/video-converter.php), adding functionality such as support for the PSP, iPod, and iPhone and video-to-audio conversion capabilities.

FXBear Software Solutions (www.FXBear.com) today released an updated version of their all-in-one video converter. The software update adds a wealth of new features including support for PSP, iPhone, iPod, and other conversion types, allowing users to enjoy their videos on popular mobile devices.

"We're excited to release this latest update to our video converter," says Terry Bytheway, founder of FXBear Software Solutions. "The updates will make it possible for our users to convert to and from additional video file types, and even extract the audio tracks from videos, all with faster conversions."

FXBear's video converter software now offers two-way video conversions between the following video file formats: AVI, DivX, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV, ASF, MOV, VOB, FLV, MP4, and SWF. The software also supports video conversions to PSP, iPhone, iPod, and 3GP file types and video-to-audio conversions in MP3, WAV, WMA, and AAC formats.

The video conversion software, like all FXBear software, is integrated with Windows Explorer, enabling users to convert files by simply right-clicking the file and choosing their preferred conversion options. Current owners of the all-in-one video converter can upgrade to the new version at no additional cost. A free trial is available for new users, and the software can still be purchased with free lifetime updates and an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee for $32 at www.fxbear.com/video-converter.php. A backup copy on CD can be ordered at an additional cost.

About FXBear Software Solutions
FXBear Software Solutions is a software development company launched by Terry Bytheway, specialising in audio and video file conversions and editing. The company currently offers a popular audio conversion tool which has won several awards from respected shareware sites, an all-in-one video conversion tool, and audio editing software.
For more information about FXBear Software Solutions or the video conversion software updates, please visit www.fxbear.com/video-converter.php, or contact Terry Bytheway at (+44) 01299824653.