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Nikkei Computer

June 12, 2006 Issue <<Contents>>

FEATURE 1 Information Systems Are Plagued by Human Errors Increasing operational risk - Systems that have been running smoothly can suddenly experience serious trouble due to mistakes made by anyone, which include mistakes resulting from operational errors, subjective assumptions, and a lack of knowledge.  Operational risk, which is defined as risk incurred by system users, is increasing. This article examines why such human errors occur and how companies can prevent them by analyzing more than 20 of the latest cases. Part 1: The impact of frequent errors: Checks and warnings are overlooked repeatedly Part 2: Roundtable discussion: Errors are occurring at the work sites where systems are operated, which are now creating severe situations Part 3: Endless struggle: Standardization of operations, analysis of errors, and involvement of top executives FEATURE 2 Ensuring the Quality of Software Based on the Assumption that Tests Are Necessary - In spite of the fact that the demand for high quality software is increasing, people who are directly involved in system-testing are criticized as “unplanned,” “haphazard,” and “based on large-scale mobilization of labor.”  In order to ensure the high quality of software, we have no choice but to fundamentally review the way tests are conducted.   Some companies are now thinking better of “preventive testing,” which allows users to design the content of a test in upstream process stages, as a method for testing the quality of software. FEATURE 3 Cisco Systems Uses IT Fully for Corporate Acquisition

REPORT

[Inside]

- Promise has decided not to renew its long-term outsourcing contract with IBM Japan

- A standard-setting organization plans to perform an experiment with an aim of establishing a storage area network that links multiple locations in Japan and the U.S.

- There are other articles as well


[News & Trends]

- What measures have Japanese ERP vendors provided for dealing with the Japanese version of the SOX law

- The Japanese government may exclude Microsoft’s Office application products from its procurement of office software

- Indian IT vendors recruit Japanese engineers with offers of higher salaries

- Java continues to evolve by incorporating new features such as Web 2.0

- IT service providers have undergone mergers and acquisitions, mainly in the system operation business

- KDDI has developed its own accreditation system as a means to prevent information leaks  

- NEC commits itself to the network business for corporations

- Oracle Japan has made preparations to use PeopleSoft’s products effectively


[From BusinessWeek]

- The Internet bubble is growing again in Silicon Valley


[News Flash for Each Industry]

Finance
Six credit unions in Hokkaido have enhanced measures to prevent failures in their outsourced system from recurring in collaboration with vendors

Distribution
Seven & I Holdings plans to introduce terminals that are capable of dealing with several different kinds of e-money

PEOPLE

Interview
David B. Hoppe: Founder and Principal, Access International Law Group

- Companies in the United States are forced to bear a greater burden due to the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) law


Real Feelings Expressed by Top Executives
Eiji Kawamura: Executive Officer; General Manager, Information Systems Department, Kaga Electronics Co., Ltd.

-People in charge of IT at a trading company are required to think and act like merchants

CASE STUDIES

Investigation of a Noteworthy Project
Kokubu & Co., Ltd.

- The company has converted the programs of its mainframe computers to open-source software in preparation for a sharp increase in data


A Computer That Does Not Work
McAfee, Inc.- A defect was found in the company’s anti-virus software for W-ZERO3 pocket PC phones


[Novel / Cyber Lawless Area]

Second Chapter: Employee Monitoring (5)

MANAGEMENT/TECHNOLOGY

Hints for IT Managers [New Series]
- Meetings that required an overnight stay were held on an irregular basis to share a sense of crisis with top executives


Risk Management That Leads a Project to Success [New Series]
- Insufficient understanding of risks leads to a lack of management


A Practical Project-Management Course for Users
- It is important to be aware of the need for business continuity when you develop a system  


Techniques for Management Reforms That Can Be Used Immediately — Internal Control
- It is vital to strengthen a structure for promoting internal control.  The cases of NEC and Nisshin OilliO Group are examined.


IT Keywords You Should Have Known Long Ago

Peer to Peer (PtoP)


Commentary

“IT Skill Standards Version 2” was revised drastically to address the complaints of users