The news as of the first coffee this morning, and the music is the absolutely unique Miles Davis work A Tribute To Jack Johnson. Part jazz, part acid rock, part jagged glass fragments slicing through silk, it's like nothing else First Coffee's heard:
LeadMaster, a vendor of cloud computing products for sales lead tracking, lead management and online CRM, has announced a certification program for lead generation and lead providers designed to let users have sales leads flow in real-time into LeadMaster's Web-based, SaaS system.
LeadMaster, a vendor of cloud computing products for sales lead tracking, lead management and online CRM, has announced a certification program for lead generation and lead providers designed to let users have sales leads flow in real-time into LeadMaster's Web-based, SaaS system.
They're inviting all lead generation companies to join the Lead Provider Integration Program for free.
To participate in the certification program, a lead provider will register and receive access to the LeadMaster system as well as instructions on integrating and sending leads, company officials say: "The lead provider will test the integration to complete the certification process."
To participate in the certification program, a lead provider will register and receive access to the LeadMaster system as well as instructions on integrating and sending leads, company officials say: "The lead provider will test the integration to complete the certification process."
The instructions are described by company officials as "straightforward, and most companies are certified in less than an hour." Heck, this Web app is so simple even your technophobe sales reps can learn to use it in about an hour, they say.
LeadMaster officials say the product can accept data from "every industry. In addition to the demographic fields lead providers have an unlimited number of user-defined fields available through the LeadMaster custom form technology."
LeadMaster officials say the product can accept data from "every industry. In addition to the demographic fields lead providers have an unlimited number of user-defined fields available through the LeadMaster custom form technology."
With leads in the LeadMaster system, users get reminders to follow up. This is designed, obviously, to cut down on lost leads. As Andy Brownell, LeadMaster CMO notes, "you can't compete if you're still getting leads in a spreadsheet or via e-mail. You need a process whereby your sales leads drop into your lead management CRM system automatically."
Brownell says this will "turbo-charge" lead generation campaigns and "make it easier for companies of all sizes" to turn prospects into customers: "We've invested 12 years of development work into the LeadMaster lead management."
Brownell says this will "turbo-charge" lead generation campaigns and "make it easier for companies of all sizes" to turn prospects into customers: "We've invested 12 years of development work into the LeadMaster lead management."
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Kana Software has enhanced the social CRM capabilities of Kana 10, the company's service experience management platform.
Kana Software has enhanced the social CRM capabilities of Kana 10, the company's service experience management platform.
Specifically, Kana 10's "collective intelligence capabilities" can be used to assist agents in navigating processes, optimize cross-selling and up-selling offers, enhance search results ranking based on common search patterns and build communities of customers with similar interests and orientations, Kana officials say.
As part of this enhancement, Kana officials say they've entered into an OEM agreement with Baynote to integrate Baynote's Collective Intelligence Platform with Kana 10, to "provide companies with predictive analytics based on the implicit patterns of customers visiting their Web sites."
Launched in June, Kana 10 is built upon IBM's service-oriented architecture frameworks.
Social CRM is based on the idea that it's possible to employ the "wisdom of crowds" to improve service delivery. The way Kana officials explain their approach, "as customers search, shop, browse and work in forums, that information found to be most pertinent can be used to drive success for those that follow."
To that end, then, there's the integration of Baynote CIP and Kana 10, which "allows Kana's clients to capture and analyze customer experiences, and then to use that information to enhance the service experience" depending in part on "the collective input and insight of the crowd."
Baynote CEO Jack Jia said there is "a natural synergy" between the Baynote CIP and Kana 10: "The Baynote CIP allows businesses to deploy personalized on-site recommendations and social search."
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IBM and Canonical are introducing what officials of both firms call a personal computing software package for netbooks and other thin client devices "to help businesses in Africa bridge the digital divide by leapfrogging traditional PCs and proprietary software."
IBM and Canonical are introducing what officials of both firms call a personal computing software package for netbooks and other thin client devices "to help businesses in Africa bridge the digital divide by leapfrogging traditional PCs and proprietary software."
This is the first cloud- and premise-based Linux netbook software package offered by IBM and Canonical.
Part of IBM's Smart Work Initiative, the package targets what the partners see as "the rising popularity of low-cost netbooks to make IBM's industrial-strength software affordable to new, mass audiences in Africa."
Part of IBM's Smart Work Initiative, the package targets what the partners see as "the rising popularity of low-cost netbooks to make IBM's industrial-strength software affordable to new, mass audiences in Africa."
The idea, IBM officials say, is that businesses which probably couldn't afford traditional PCs for all employees "can now use any type of device and low-cost software" regardless of the level of communications infrastructure.
According to AIB Research, netbook computer sales are expected to quadruple from 35 million in 2009 to 139 million by 2013. AIB Research predicts that Linux will outgrow Windows on netbooks by 2012. More than 30 percent of netbooks are sold with Linux, which reduces their cost substantially below the typical retail cost of personal computers running Windows XP.
IBM estimates that it costs about half per seat than a Microsoft-based desktop. A network of local service providers such as Inkululeko and ZSL is expected to extend the IBM Client locally throughout Africa.
The IBM Client for Smart Work is now available across Africa and is being piloted for other emerging and growth markets worldwide. It includes open standards-based e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and other software. It runs on Canonical's Ubuntu Linux operating system, and provides the option to deliver collaboration through the Web in a cloud service model.
The IBM Client for Smart Work is now available across Africa and is being piloted for other emerging and growth markets worldwide. It includes open standards-based e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, unified communication, social networking and other software. It runs on Canonical's Ubuntu Linux operating system, and provides the option to deliver collaboration through the Web in a cloud service model.
For those who want, this software bundle can be extended to virtualized work spaces using VERDE from Virtual Bridges, available locally through business partners and voice-based collaboration pilots through IBM Research.
The IBM smart client package is also being billed as a product to "help African governments deliver open standards using Open Document Format... The reduction of personal computing costs may enable governments to transfer information technology expenditures to fund mission-critical initiatives such as crisis management, education and health care."
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Betting on mobile, especially text messaging, to reign as the communications method of choice, Premiere Global Services has integrated Clickatell's SMS-as-a-Service platform to provide customers with the option of "adding mobile text message alerts into all aspects of existing business communications," such as e-mail, voice, online, and physical mail communications.
Atlanta-based Premiere Global Services has "a presence" in 24 countries, PGS officials say.
The company say the idea behind the integration is to give customers the ability to use Clickatell's gateway to send SMS notifications to customers through an interface in Premiere Global Service's software, which also lets customers add and customize SMS distribution based on user preferences and opt-ins.
The partnership with Clickatell allows Premier Global Service's customers to offer such services as text-based flight status notifications, delivery reminders, trade confirmations, transaction alerts, appointment reminders, automated notifications to streamline accounts receivable, pretty much whatever clever, imaginative customers can think of.
Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO, noted that, available on 4 billion-plus handsets worldwide, "SMS remains the most used mobile application -- over instant messaging, media rich MMS, mobile e-mail, and even voice in many regions. People simply prefer to be notified via SMS on their mobile phone."
The man's most likely correct: In Australia alone, according to proprietary research commissioned by Premiere, Frost & Sullivan reports that enterprise SMS message volumes will grow to 290.4 million messages per day by 2015 from 175 million messages per day in 2008.
David Adams, Premiere Global Services' Products Director, APAC, when asked why, replied "Because there is money in it. Our customers are trying to satisfy, retain and attract new customers while reducing operational costs. SMS delivery information directly to cell phones and it is exactly what people want -- text messaging remains the most common mobile denominator in terms of acceptance."
Betting on mobile, especially text messaging, to reign as the communications method of choice, Premiere Global Services has integrated Clickatell's SMS-as-a-Service platform to provide customers with the option of "adding mobile text message alerts into all aspects of existing business communications," such as e-mail, voice, online, and physical mail communications.
Atlanta-based Premiere Global Services has "a presence" in 24 countries, PGS officials say.
The company say the idea behind the integration is to give customers the ability to use Clickatell's gateway to send SMS notifications to customers through an interface in Premiere Global Service's software, which also lets customers add and customize SMS distribution based on user preferences and opt-ins.
The partnership with Clickatell allows Premier Global Service's customers to offer such services as text-based flight status notifications, delivery reminders, trade confirmations, transaction alerts, appointment reminders, automated notifications to streamline accounts receivable, pretty much whatever clever, imaginative customers can think of.
Pieter de Villiers, Clickatell CEO, noted that, available on 4 billion-plus handsets worldwide, "SMS remains the most used mobile application -- over instant messaging, media rich MMS, mobile e-mail, and even voice in many regions. People simply prefer to be notified via SMS on their mobile phone."
The man's most likely correct: In Australia alone, according to proprietary research commissioned by Premiere, Frost & Sullivan reports that enterprise SMS message volumes will grow to 290.4 million messages per day by 2015 from 175 million messages per day in 2008.
David Adams, Premiere Global Services' Products Director, APAC, when asked why, replied "Because there is money in it. Our customers are trying to satisfy, retain and attract new customers while reducing operational costs. SMS delivery information directly to cell phones and it is exactly what people want -- text messaging remains the most common mobile denominator in terms of acceptance."
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As a certified sucker for any headline including the word "infotainment," First Coffee was interested to read that Amsterdam-based TomTom GO I-90 a) wasn't a product based on the interstate highway, and b) doesn't stop at navigation - "it's a double DIN navigation and radio solution, integrating world-class navigation and in-car infotainment for all types of cars."
As a certified sucker for any headline including the word "infotainment," First Coffee was interested to read that Amsterdam-based TomTom GO I-90 a) wasn't a product based on the interstate highway, and b) doesn't stop at navigation - "it's a double DIN navigation and radio solution, integrating world-class navigation and in-car infotainment for all types of cars."
The device will be available to buy through '12V' specialist retailers throughout Europe from December 2009. The device will cost Є599 excluding installation.
Integrated navigation systems usually come pre-fitted in new cars, or so they tell us -- First Coffee prefers to stick with adopting Volkswagen Beetles and buses since he can operate a map and remember directions. Evidently this product is for those with an more, ah, vintage car who want integrated navigation.
It can be fitted into any car, company officials say, adding that it provides "full radio integration with the car speakers for high quality audio when using spoken instructions, or making hands-free phone calls."
Yes it's integrated, but the navigation device is portable so it can be used in other cars.
Giles Shrimpton, TomTom's Managing Director AUTO, noted that features such as TomTom Map Share -- allowing users to make instant changes to the map and share these with others through TomTom HOME and Safety Alerts -- let drivers "save on speeding tickets" and drive safer.
Giles Shrimpton, TomTom's Managing Director AUTO, noted that features such as TomTom Map Share -- allowing users to make instant changes to the map and share these with others through TomTom HOME and Safety Alerts -- let drivers "save on speeding tickets" and drive safer.
The device, which comes with maps of Western Europe pre-installed and offers hands-free calling, so drivers can make calls while driving.
It also comes with iPod capability, coming with a USB connection for an MP3 or iPod connection.
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According to Yankee Group's research, the current $7.2 billion in stimulus funds earmarked for extending broadband service across the U.S. is "woefully inadequate," reaching "less than a third of the investment necessary to connect every U.S. household."
According to Yankee Group's research, the current $7.2 billion in stimulus funds earmarked for extending broadband service across the U.S. is "woefully inadequate," reaching "less than a third of the investment necessary to connect every U.S. household."
The group's report, titled "Ubiquitous U.S. Broadband Will Cost At Least Triple the Current Stimulus Package," analyze several scenarios and finds that "even the most bare-bones approach to extending broadband across the country will require funding -- and vendor cooperation -- far beyond what we see today."
Currently, about 12 percent of U.S. households, including those in some major metropolitan areas, have no access to broadband service, landing the U.S. 15th in broadband penetration worldwide.
Currently, about 12 percent of U.S. households, including those in some major metropolitan areas, have no access to broadband service, landing the U.S. 15th in broadband penetration worldwide.
The report examines four possible approaches to addressing the problem: an ultra-cost-conscious "Discount" option, a use-what's-in-place "Duct Tape" method, a "Pragmatic" middle-of-the-road approach and an all-fiber-to-the-home "Gold-Plated" scenario.
According to Yankee officials, all reach the Anywhere goal of at least one broadband connection per home, but "at a minimum, they all require unprecedented vendor cooperation and regulatory foresight."
Achieving ubiquitous broadband in the U.S. "will hasten economic recovery and put the nation back where it belongs in terms of technology leadership, but it will take a concerted effort on the part of all stakeholders," claims Vince Vittore, principal analyst at Yankee Group and author of the report.
Achieving ubiquitous broadband in the U.S. "will hasten economic recovery and put the nation back where it belongs in terms of technology leadership, but it will take a concerted effort on the part of all stakeholders," claims Vince Vittore, principal analyst at Yankee Group and author of the report.
Vittore said the research shows that "a minimum of $24 billion is required, and that's only if networks are deployed in the most efficient manner and much of the middle-mile infrastructure already is in place. While the stimulus is a good start, it's just that: a start."
