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Nikkei Computer

June 27, 2005 Issue <<Contents>>

FEATURE 1 The Unstoppable Collapse in Prices Systems, SI services, and cost per man-month - Corporate users are now determined not to waste any more money.  They are making efforts to reduce their IT costs further, as if they were wringing out a wet rag.  Accordingly, in an increasing number of cases, purchasing departments come forward in the final competitive bidding to press for further price cuts.  Where will this trend of falling prices end?  This article examines the conditions surrounding the collapse in system prices. Part 1: Visiting the places where prices are collapsing Part 2: This is just the beginning; prices will decline further Part 3: It is users who determine prices Part 4: The common sense about pricing has changed FEATURE 2 The Operability of Web Applications Needs to Be Reviewed The impact of the new “Ajax” method FEATURE 3 How to Select the Technologies You Need The complete picture of the “Information Technology Map”

REPORT

Inside
- Nomura Securities rebuilds its mission-critical system using SOA


News & Trends

- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry intends to formulate guidelines to prevent software patents from being used improperly

- Vendors start providing low-price services for analyzing the vulnerability of websites

- The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases templates for contract documents for offshore development

- Aozora Bank replaces Microsoft Windows-based client PCs with Apple computers

- Nippon Keidanren makes recommendations on the development of highly competent IT professionals

- Chiba Bank renovates its information system

- “Accounting fraud is now a thing of the past,” John Swainson, CEO of Computer Associates, states

- The value of the offshore development and operation market for Japan in China is expected to rise to ¥694 billion by 2008

- TenArtni releases tools for reducing legal risks involved in open-source software


News Flash for Each Industry

- Finance: Citigroup loses tapes containing personal information on 3.9 million of its customers

- Manufacturing: YKK AP outsources the operation and maintenance of its system to IBM Japan

From BusinessWeek
- Users recapture the initiative in the market of virtualization technologies

From InformationWeek
- You can search for the optimal price of a product using a product pricing support system

PEOPLE

Interview
Takuma Otoshi: President, IBM Japan, Ltd.
- We are now in an age when we should no longer consider business management and IT separately


Real Feelings Expressed by Top Executives
Kazuhiro Sato: CIO, Managing Director and Managing Executive Officer,Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd.
- There are many problems with the adequacy of IT investments

CASE STUDIES

Investigation of a Noteworthy Project
Olympus Corporation
- The company’s team of non-professionals succeeded in introducing ERP very quickly

An Absolute Solution for Enhancing IT Strategy
Yamato Transport Co., Ltd.
- This company structure allows new technologies to be used effectively

A Computer that Does Not Work
Osaka Securities Exchange Co., Ltd.
- What really happened when the Exchange froze new applications for listing on its Hercules market due to a system failure?

Serialized Novel: Path to Renovating a Legacy System
- The system division was beaten to the punch by the president’s office

MANAGEMENT/TECHNOLOGY

Key Points in System Design for Increasing Business Value
- It is important to gain a shared understanding about the contents of a project through the use of system profiles

A Practical Project-Management Course for Users
- There are effective ways to narrow down the items that need to be formulated as a system

Techniques for Implementing Management Reforms — Six Sigma
- The key is to set priorities, and it is important to use the “voice of customer (VOC)” effectively

Useful Legal Advice for When You Are in Trouble
- Measures can be taken against the imitation of a system using mandatory disclosure procedures

IT Keywords You Should Have Known a Long Time Ago
- GIS (Geographic Information System)