Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Building a SaaS Business in 2010 - Cost Effectively

As we kick-off 2010, many software companies will focus on how best to transition to a Software as a Service (SaaS) model after many years of success in the on-premises software model. Sure there are services, consultants, and a host of "cloud" options out there today, but finding the right mix for your specific needs isn't easy. There are many things to consider, but making the leap doesn't have to be as risky and disruptive as you might think.

In this webinar, you'll hear from leaders in SaaS enablement technology (SaaSGrid) and consulting (ZSL (Zylog Systems Ltd) and SaaSAttack). The focus will be illuminating the SaaS business and marketing models while highlighting ways to reduce the complexity and the capital required to embrace the SaaS model. Agenda: • Introduction to the SaaS Scene • Understanding the SaaS Business Model • Building a SaaS Sales & Marketing Model • Our Value Proposition – Cost Effective SaaS Enablement Speakers: • Vincent O’Hare, Principal Consultant, SaaSAttack – SaaS focused research and consulting firm • Devon Watson, Director of Business Development, Apprenda – creators of the SaaSGrid Application Server • Shiv Kumar, Executive Vice President, ZSL – Global Systems Integrators and Solution ProvidersJoin Apprenda, ZSL, and SaaSAttack for a webinar that will show you how you can make the leap to SaaS faster and more cost effectively than you ever thought possible.

Register for the event at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/197663259

Title:

Building a SaaS Business in 2010 - Cost Effectively

Date:
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Time:
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

ZSL Receives Certification to Become an Authorized Seller of IBM WebSphere Software

Edison, New Jersey, January 26, 2010ZSL, today announced it has achieved certification to become an Authorized seller of IBM WebSphere Core software by meeting the skills requirements of the new IBM Software Value Plus initiative.

ZSL is a pioneer in adopting the latest emerging technologies and leverages its paramount expertise to offer its customers technology solutions on the upcoming technologies. ZSL thrives in delivering greater values to customers through new technologies which lowers their TCO and optimizes their businesses for business agility, performance enhancement and greater ROI within a short time span. IBM’s recognition of ZSL as authorized reseller of WebSphere Core products gives ZSL an advantageous stance to serve its customers with vibrant and cost effective solutions in the SOA enablement and connectivity space through its acquainted knowledge, expertise and capability.

The IBM Software Value Plus initiative is designed to meet the demands of clients who are looking to drive more value from their technology investments by working with trusted partners with proven skills to quickly and effectively implement new infrastructures. IBM Software Value Plus enables IBM Business Partners to set themselves apart by gaining key technical and industry skills necessary for smarter technology implementations that help clients achieve their business goals.

"IBM is committed to supporting an ecosystem of skilled partners that can provide the most value to our shared clients," said Sandy Carter, vice president, IBM Software Group Channels. “Business Partners who invest in the proper skills and expertise are well positioned to help clients achieve a faster time-to-value with the right solutions, reduce risk in solution development, and increase their return on investment over time."

“With our investment in building advanced technical skills through IBM Software Value Plus, ZSL is well positioned to design and deliver to our customers industry-based technology solutions cost effectively that brings business agility and value to their business through enhanced business processes and performance at reduced TCO," says Shiv Kumar, Executive Vice President of ZSL. “ We are excited about the opportunity to add value to our customers and partners through our business-aligned R&D and solutions development," added Mr. Kumar.

IBM Software Value Plus rewards Business Partners who invest in skills and expertise and are focused on delivering greater client value. Under the initiative, IBM Software partners choose on which IBM software to build technical, marketing and sales skills, such as WebSphere, Information Management, Tivoli, Lotus and Rational. Partners can become certified and authorized to sell these products across multiple industries.

To read the press release online at PRWeb, please visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2100/01/prweb3519434.htm

Friday, January 22, 2010

IBM Client for Smart Work Available Through Business Partners in India

Businesses Flock to Offer, Adopt Cloud and Linux Collaboration Package with IBM LotusLive

Orlando, Jan 18, 2010: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the immediate availability of IBM Client for Smart Work in India through business partners. The IBM Client for Smart Work, IBM and Canonical's popular cloud-and Linux-based desktop package, is designed to help companies do more with less and lower desktop computing costs by up to 50 percent.

CIO's, IT directors and IT architects from all types of organizations in India, even those that typically cannot afford new PCs, can now gain immediate access to collaboration capabilities to help them work smarter, with the simple download of the IBM Client for Smart Work onto various thin clients, such as netbooks and other devices.

“Government leaders, CEOs and CIOs are seeking an open, cost effective and collaboration rich client strategy to leapfrog into the 21st century,” said Pradeep Nair, director of IBM India Software Group. "The IBM Client for Smart Work solution brings together the strengths of cloud-based collaboration, virtual desktops, netbook devices and open source, supported by a strong ecosystem of business partners, to help Indian innovators harness the next wave of growth.”

The collaboration package runs on Ubuntu Linux operating system available from Canonical and provides the option to deliver collaboration through the Web in a cloud service model. The Client comes with IBM Lotus Symphony, IBM LotusLive iNotes/Connections and IBM Lotus Notes/Domino, with the option to add IBM Lotus Connections and IBM WebSphere Portal, as well as virtual desktop capabilities using VERDE from Virtual Bridges.

With the mounting interest in this solution, IBM today also announced that Simmtronics Semiconductors will ship their new Simmbooks (netbooks) with IBM Client for Smart Work on Ubuntu already preloaded to clients in India, US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, UK, and Vietnam.

"We launched Simmbooks based on the high demand for netbook type devices for enterprises worldwide," said Indrajit Sabharwal, managing director, Simmtronics Semiconductors. "Delivering Simmbooks with IBM Client for Smart Work on Ubuntu will help our customers lower their total cost of ownership and be on the forefront of innovation."

IBM is also establishing Academic Initiative Centers of Excellence on IBM Client for Smart Work and advanced analytics at Indian engineering colleges and universities, in partnership with Kerala Information Technology Alliance (KITA), a non-profit consortium based out of New York. This includes Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam and College of Engineering Chengannur in the State of Kerala.

KITA is collaborating with IBM, Zyxware Technologies and Canonical to pilot IBM Client for Smart Work and associated virtual desktop capabilities at the IT Park in the State of Kerala, India.

"Developing countries worldwide are looking for ways to optimize IT costs and at the same time make use of emerging technologies to bypass tough roads driven by their predecessors," said George Abraham, CTO of United Nations Pension Fund and Chairman of KITA. "IBM Client for Smart Work will be a real enabler to accelerate establishment of smart cities and villages in countries like India, where overcoming traditional boundaries using social networks and leveraging the dynamics of a global flat world is driving domestic growth.”

A growing ecosystem of partners including Zyxware Technologies in India, and more than 40 business partners through Virtual Bridges, a company that provides the virtual Linux desktop capabilities using VERDE, are offering the IBM Client for Smart Work to clients around the world. ZSL, a leading ISV and Global Software Solutions and Services provider, announced “PowerCube” Desktop as a Service solution powered by IBM Client for Smart Work in India, US and Africa. The “PowerCube” is a comprehensive desktop solution and includes IBM's open collaborative and productive components – Lotus Notes and Lotus Symphony on Ubuntu Linux in the cloud or on-premise. In addition, Virtual Bridges announced new customers, including ShvinTech with cloud partner KalariSys, and partners adopting IBM Client for Smart Work.

Canonical will also support Lotus Symphony, a key component of IBM Client for Smart Work, available through business partners, to help clients adopt IBM Client for Smart Work on Ubuntu. This will be initially available in the US.

IBM today also announced the unveiling of a new IBM Open Company Center in the IBM Innovation Center in Waltham, MA. The center will give IBM business partners and clients hands-on experience with the IBM Client for Smart Work on Ubuntu and Red Hat. It will showcase a variety of use-cases including logging into a virtual Linux desktop using a memory stick, using different Linux-based netbooks along with laptops, desktops and thin other hardware clients. The Center will also provide banking, education, government and healthcare specific demos. This new center in Waltham joins similar IBM Open Company Centers around the world including those in Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Netherlands.

Read the Press release online at http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/29205.wss#release

Thursday, January 21, 2010

ZSL Unveils “PowerCube” DaaS in the U.S., Africa and India


ZSL Unveils “PowerCube” DaaS in the U.S., Africa and India
Powered by IBM Client for Smart Work and Canonical’s Ubuntu Operating System

Lotusphere, Florida, January 19, 2010 – ZSL, a leading ISV & Global Software Solutions and Services provider, today launched “PowerCube” DaaS (Desktop as a Service), an open source-based desktop collaborative solution with supporting ZSL consulting practice. Available today in the U.S., Africa, and India, “PowerCube" will help mid-market customers using proprietary platforms to migrate to the IBM Client for Smart Work on Ubuntu's operating system.


Intended for PCs, laptops, netbooks and thin clients as an alternative to commercial desktops and platforms, the ZSL "PowerCube" solution includes packaged services for migrating to the IBM Client for Smart Work, from user segmentation, TCO analysis, BPM based role identification and SOA, to application migration, pilot and production deployment. The DaaS capabilities provide customers with the option of using virtual desktops based on VERDE from Virtual Bridges on a private cloud managed by ZSL or on customer premise.


According to market estimates, migrating to proprietary software costs around $2,000 per seat for many PC users, and hardware requirements alone contribute a significant portion. With PowerCube, companies can save up to 60 percent on costs per seat against commercial platforms. This includes 50 percent savings in software licensing and upgrade spending, as well as 10 percent savings in implementation.


"The Linux-based IBM Client for Smart Work underscores IBM's commitment to open, standards-based collaboration that improves productivity while reducing costs," said Dr. Bob Sutor, VP, Linux and Open Source, IBM. "IBM applauds our partner ZSL for using the IBM Client for Smart Work to free mid-market customers who were previously locked in to other desktop solutions."


ZSL's consulting practice brings together the strengths in open source platforms and IBM technologies based on IBM Client for Smart Work to speed up IBM Client for Smart Work implementation at competitive costs. The DaaS option allows mid market customers to get started quickly and focus on their business rather than worry about the desktop infrastructure.
“ZSL being the trail blazer for emerging technologies, established rapid proof points for reducing TCO and optimizing workforce productivity with a pilot deployment of PowerCube-DaaS in our R&D group,” says Shiv Kumar, Executive Vice President at ZSL. “We are seeing significant customer demand to specialize PowerCube-DaaS based on industry specific roles and optimize them around differentiated business processes".


For more information on ZSL’s PowerCube DaaS solution, please visit: http://www.zslinc.com/Pdf/Desktop-Computing-Services.pdf
About ZSL
ZSL is a global technology integrator and business solution provider based in Edison, NJ with more than 2000 employees worldwide focused in developing and delivering enterprise IT solutions and services using the emerging technology platforms to keep the TCO low and ROI high. ZSL is a pioneer in business and technology solutions, innovations, has expertise in providing Onshore, Offshore & Near shore technology solutions and services to the enterprises worldwide. We're happy to announce that ZSL has been recognized and listed in CRN Fast Growth 100 for the year 2009 and ranked 245th among North America's Top 500 Technology Integrators in VARBusiness 500 list and also won “Top Technology Practices” Award for Excellence in “Greenware Computing”. Visit http://www.zslinc.com/ to explore more about ZSL and its offerings.


Contact:
ZSL Inc.
85, Lincoln Highway
Edison, NJ 08820.
Phone: 732-549-9770 Fax: 732-767-6644

ZSL Selected as Finalist for IBM Lotusphere CTO Award 2010

New Jersey, January 15, 2010 - ZSL's PowerCube-DaaS (Desktop as a Service) made to the Finalists Category (3 out of 12 contenders) to compete for the CTO Award at the IBM Lotusphere 2010.

ZSL will demonstrate its PowerCube DaaS powered by IBM Client for Smart Work (ICSW) running on Ubuntu Desktops and virtually enabled through Verde of Virtual Bridges.

PowerCube DaaS is a virtual desktop environment alternate to microsoft desktops intended to use in existing PCs, low cost netbooks, laptops and any thin clients. It is very cost effective as compared to the propreitary software, where companies can save upt0 50% of the costs spent on hardware, license and software upgrade.

ZSL offers a set of integrated package services for PowerCube DaaS solution, which are more value addded, ranging from TCO analysis from end user segmentation, BPM based role identification, SOA & BPM enablement, Remote Management, Pilot projects, production and deployment, maintenance and support and consulting services

To know more about ZSL's PowerCube DaaS, please visit the URL: http://www.zslinc.com/Pdf/Desktop-Computing-Services.pdf

Friday, January 8, 2010

Tomorrow's World






India, 5 January 2010 – Technology defines life. We have become so dependent on technology that life without a computer or a mobile phone is virtually impossible to imagine. A whole new generation has grown up into adulthood, not knowing that what it takes for granted was not always around. In India, computers are less than three-decade old, multiple TV channels less than two-decade old and mobile phone less than 15 year old. Mobile TV was not heard of 10 years ago and social networking became popular in the past five years. What will be the technologies that will define our lives in the next few years? We don’t have an electronic crystal ball to gaze, not just yet, but we took the help of experts to crystallise the defining developments of this decade.

Virtual desktops
When the PC came, it turned the world upside down, radically improving productivity and communications. That world is about to change again. Companies will be removing desktop link with the programmes on the hard disks. All computing will be done from central servers in a company which can be accessed from anywhere through a desktop, a laptop, netbook or a smartphone. Says Rob Willis, vice president, Asia Pacific at Citrix Systems, “IT freedom will become commonplace as users increasingly gain ability to work on any device, at any time and from any location. While such freedom previously meant more work for the IT team, virtualisation won’t add extra IT burdens retaining standards of security they expect.”
Expert believe companies will start adopting this from 2010, slowly replacing the existing infrastructure, with servers forming the heart of an enterprise’s computing needs. “The primary reason for slower adoption of desktop virtualisation is the complexity of its technology. However, one cannot undermine the advantages it offers in terms of better management and cost efficiencies,” said Satish Joshi, executive vice-president of Patni Computer Systems.

Cloud computing
Although the technology is a couple of years old, it has largely remained a buzzword. Cloud computing is now expected to graduate into a day-to-day applied technology. What virtualisation would be to end users, cloud computing would be to an enterprise. “At present, the focus is on converting applications to the services model on pay-per-use basis. In the coming two years gaps in cloud computing such as lack of interoperability and standardisation would be fixed,” says Shiv Kumar, executive vice-president of Zylog Systems.

Cloud computing allows a company to transfer all its computing need to server banks offering applications and programmes, paying only for what is used. As tools and platforms mature, more applications will get built into the cloud than what has been witnessed in the last one year.

Business mobile
With the rapid increase in the use of mobile phones, enterprises are looking to enable their applications such as customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning or point of sale terminals on the mobile platform for its field employees. “The mobile revolution is just waiting to happen in the enterprise segment. Companies are partnering with original equipment manufacturers to embed enterprise applications on phones. The technology is expected to hit the market in the third quarter of this year,” says vice-president of software engineering at American Megatrends Sanjoy Maity.

Corporate networks
The last couple of years have seen the emergence of online social networking such as Facebook, Orkut, Twitter, hi5, as a powerful tool to bond with family and friends. These sites have even helped in finding those long-forgotten, former classmates or colleagues. These sites have served the purpose of expressing one’s views and even finding jobs. The technology and platform of these sites is now expected to catapult to the next level to serve the purpose of corporate interactions. “One will see very interesting applications being built on social networking platforms as a collaborative tool for geographically dispersed teams to work together more closely. Google Wave is a good example of this trend,’’ says Patni’s Joshi.

Augmented reality
Hi tech comes to visual field. Using head mounted gear and handheld touchscreen computers, researchers at Wipro Technologies are planning to recreate historical events through what is being called ‘augmented’ reality. “We create what we imagine. We plan to recreate, say the site of Hampi, the ancient capital of Karnataka for a near reality experience,” says Ramachandra Budhihal a researcher at Wipro. With the help of 3D technology, special software and ‘haptic’ response system, the researchers expect to stimulate sight, sound and touch simultaneously. Haptic is a technology which allows recognition of objects through touch. They also plan to digitise and archive whatever they create for easy access by others. Already developers are creating augmented reality applications and games for a variety of smartphones.

Near field communication
This is a short-range wireless connectivity techn­ology that provides consumers with simple, sec­ure and convenient interaction between a variety of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, co­mputers and digital cameras. It has evolved from a combination of contactless identification and networking technologies. You could wave your phone at the machine for entry into metro or a bus. Ticket money would be deducted from the stored value in a mobile. According to co-inventor of the technology NXP Semicondu­ctors, “NFC is central to a vision of a world where ever­yone can always connect to information, entertainment and services - anytime and anywhere.” NFC is just on the verge of being implemented in India in finance, ticketing and health sector.

Green tech
Technologies with better cost efficiency and lower carbon footprint will rule the roast this decade. Whether it is corporate social responsibility or early adoption to green standards, more companies and customers are looking towards products that consume less power and are easy to recycle. This not only adds to their productivity but also builds on their image as a sustainable vendor, something which is likely to become important in business relations.

“India is warming up to green technologies for business competitiveness and cost efficiency and we have seen significant steps towards this primarily driven by cost reduction needs in all segment,” says Princy Bhatnagar, director of Office Business Group at Xerox India. Regulations and incentives for energy-efficient, less polluting systems will drive the adoption of new technology.

Face recognition
A Hamburg-based advertising firm has designed and installed a poster in a bus shelter in Berlin that uses face tracking software to change what is on display when someone looks at it. In fact the campaign was for Amnesty International to raise awareness about domestic violence with a tagline: “It happens when nobody is watching.” Therefore, when one looks at the poster what you see is an amiable couple, but the moment you turn your face the image is that of a man raising his fist against the woman. The technology is likely to arrive in India soon. The developer, Vis-à-pix, claims that posters soon would be able to identify the sex of onlookers. That may be a great opportunity to marketers to target their brands and products more precisely.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Zylog to usher in low-cost computing



Teaming up with IBM, Canonical Ubuntu for desktop computer services.

Chennai, India, 30 December 2009 – Now, Desktop as a Service (DaaS), similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), for low-cost personal computers (PCs), which can be nearly 60 per cent cheaper than the conventional Windows-based PCs, is the in-thing.

Users can buy PCs with ‘open standard' software ‘as and when required' on a monthly fee and also get back end support from vendors. Till now, one could access ‘open standard' software from the Web for free, but could not get support services for many of the applications.

Independent market estimates range up to $2,000 for the cost of migrating to the Windows 7 operating system for many PC users. New PC hardware requirements account for a significant portion of the added expense.

Chennai-based Zylog Systems Ltd has partnered with IBM and Canonical Ubuntu to offer the DaaS-enabled Desktop Computer Services called ‘PowerCube', which was launched recently in the US to address the needs for low-cost computing.

IBM and Zylog will next spearhead the low-cost computing in India, Brazil and South Africa, Mr Shivkumar, Executive Vice-President, Business Development, Zylog, said. “We should be in India in the next couple of quarters,” he told Business Line.

PowerCube is powered by IBM Client and Ubuntu Desktops working on the ‘open source' platform with Zylog being the system integrator providing support services for clients. A conventional Microsoft-based desktop could cost $3,000-5,000 for maintenance while PowerCube costs $800-1,000 for enterprise run desktops, including support. A pilot is going in some of the district schools in the US using PowerCube. Initially, the target sector is education and retail, he said.

PowerCube's collaboration tools could reduce total cost of ownership by nearly 60 per cent and provide return on investment in 12 months. For instance, the solution in PowerCube includes open standards-based components such as Word processing, spreadsheets and presentations from IBM Lotus Symphony that is a free-of-charge download on the Web.
It also comes with email from IBM Lotus Notes or the cloud-based LotusLive iNotes, whose prices start at $3/user a month.

There is also the ‘cloud-based' social networking and collaboration tools from LotusLive.com starting from $10/user a month and Ubuntu, an open platform for Netbooks, laptops, desktops, and servers. Conventionally, all these applications need to be bought separately for a licence fee, he said.

Mr Kumar said Zylog invested nearly $1 million on resources and go-to-market strategy for PowerCube. Nearly 14 engineers worked on the project technology and research. The company will invest another $2 million on technology and R&D, he said.

Read the article online at:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/12/31/stories/2009123151450300.htm