Archived News for IT Professionals
Cloud computing technology in Australia has the potential to be world leading according to a Lateral Economics study.
The report, commissioned by Macquarie Telecom, identifies Australia’s stable political and regulatory regime as key factors in the potential for success, alongside solid infrastructure spending and a vibrant ICT sector that has already made substantial inroads in the industry.
The report concludes that the Australian industry has natural protection and competitive advantage from two sources:
ACCC vows to continue fight with Google
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has vowed to continue its ongoing legal dispute with Google after filing an appeal against a recent Federal Court decision in relation to advertisements on Google’s website.
Injunction blocks Samsung tablet
Apple has successfully blocked rival Samsung from selling its new Galaxy tablet in the Australian market after the courts found that the Galaxy 10.1 infringed on Apple’s patent rights.
Victoria announces broadband innovation funding
The Victorian Government has opened the second round of the Broadband-Enabled Innovation Program (BEIP), inviting applicants to apply for funding for projects that develop innovative broadband solutions to boost productivity.
Hays Quarterly Report finds strong demand for IT professionals
Recruitment specialist Hays has published its Quarterly Report – October 2011, finding that professionals with specific experience with Microsoft based software development top the list of skills in demand as job vacancies rise in many areas.
Report finds disability discrimination within ICT sector
Despite the ICT industry's role in developing technologies that enable people with disabilities to be accommodated in workplaces, the industry itself still discriminates against such people and is thus ignoring a large and potentially valuable pool of talent, a new report claims.
The report 'Disability and ICT: Re-think the Equation and Review the Opportunity', was produced by the Information Technology Contract & Recruitment Association (ICTRA).
According to the report: "While people with a disability form the largest section of the 'untapped' workforce, they are also the least likely to be included in an untapped workforce strategy by ICT recruiters in Australia and New Zealand and may have more hurdles to jump to access employment."
ICTRA CEO, Julie Mills, said: "People with disability form around 20 percent of the population and 10 percent of the workforce, and present a huge opportunity for companies struggling to improve workplace productivity and minimise skills shortages.
"Yet recruiters and employers often appear to discount accessing this group as a potential resource, instead focusing on other more publicised marginalised workers such as those returning to work after childbirth, indigenous workers or graduates."
An ICTRA survey of its members found that, of the half that had a diversity strategy, only 15 percent identified people with disability as a potential talent pool.
UWA joins supercomputing ranks
The University of Western Australia has purchased a new Fornax supercomputer that will allow UWA scientists to explore new, previously inaccessible areas of high-powered data research.
Neural Engineering Centre launches
The University of Melbourne has launched its new Centre for Neural Engineering, aimed at building a more complete understanding of the human brain and the diseases that effects the central nervous system.
Digital culture forum held
The Federal Government has conducted a forum in Sydney in an attempt form a strategy platform for how the government can best support, develop and export Australia’s digital arts and culture.
FTTH to outstrip ADSL by 2015
Research firm Telsyte has found that the National Broadband Network (NBN) direct fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections will exceed ADSL services by 2015, with an estimated three million connections in 2015 and 4.2 million by 2017.
Transfield Services secures Telstra contract
Transfield Services has secured a contract with Telstra to continue providing engineering services and upgrades to Telstra's exchange infrastructure assets across Australia.
DFAT IT contract goes to tender
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has released a request for tender (RFT) for a supplier to provide a comprehensive and integrated new system for issuing passports.
Mobile wireless connections more popular than DSL
The number of mobile wireless internet connections (excluding mobile handsets) exceeds the number of DSL connections in Australia for the first time, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
At the end of June 2011, mobile wireless broadband (excluding mobile handsets) connections accounted for 44% of all internet connections. DSL connections account for 41% of all connections.
Overall, internet subscribers in Australia climbed 4.4% to 10.9 million in the six months to June 2011, up from 10.4 million in December 2010.
At the end of June 2011, there were 9.7 million mobile handset internet subscribers in Australia, an increase of 18.1% from December 2010.
Further information is available in Internet Activity, Australia
UTS partners with telecommunications giant to provide ICT training
The University of Technology Sydney has announced a partnership program with by telecommunications giant Alcatel-Lucent which will see a new ICT training program available at the university from the first semester of the 2012 education year.
Apps spell end for Parramatta's parking problems
A new app developed for Parramatta City Council will see users track free car spaces in real time using their smart-phone GPS display. The free Parra Smart Parking application enables users to touch on any of the locations to view car park details including up-to-the-minute occupancy rates.
IBM launches security institute
IBM has announced the establishment of the Institute for Advanced Security in Asia-Pacific, to act as an extension to the company’s global advanced security operations.
NBN launches commercial services
The National Broadband Network will start its first phase of commercialisation, allowing the 14,000 residents and business owners who have been connected to order a service provided over the NBN from participating telephone or internet service providers, following the conclusion of the trial.
New broadband lab launched in Victoria
The Victorian State Government has announced a new laboratory which will act as a test-bed for businesses to explore and develop new applications for the use of new high-speed broadband which will be delivered through the National Broadband Network (NBN)
ACCC finds fixed lines dominate downloads
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Telecommunications Reports 2009-10 show clear trends developing around fixed and mobile services.
Rich job pickings keep IT professionals on the move
Information technology and telecommunications professionals are enjoying a boom in labour demand, leading to increasing rates of mobility amongst workers in the sector.