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Nikkei Computer

March 20, 2006 Issue <<Contents>>

FEATURE 1 IT Divisions Take on a Challenge of Self-Reforming They must prevent themselves from becoming a risk factor in corporate management - While IT is supposed to support corporate management, it sometimes becomes a major risk factor that hinders the company’s growth or undermines trust of customers.  The IT divisions of many companies are aware that the situation has become critical, and they have started to reform themselves, asking “What is the real role of the IT division of a corporate user?”   This article examines the efforts being made by companies to renovate their IT divisions. The Key Term — “Getting back to Basics” Honda Motor’s Challenge: Daring to become a “contrarian” organization Promise’s Determination: Its IT division absorbs IT staff members in the sales division Isuzu’ Resolve: Don’t depend on vendors anymore The “IT division = risk” pattern has become a realityHow to further strengthen IT divisions FEATURE 2 Up-To-Date Information on Automatic Software Generation Thanks to the advent of Domain Specific Language (DSL), automatic software generation is once again drawing a lot of attention FEATURE 3 The Increasing Use of Identity Management A complete lineup of full-featured products

REPORT

[Inside]

- Daiei has started making full-scale investments in IT and has adopted Teradata for its new data warehouse system

- The accounting system of Saikyo Livedoor Bank has been put up for sale at the price of ¥1 billion

- Other stories


[News & Trends]

- Microsoft Japan’s plan to raise the fees for Software Assurance sparks objection from users

- The shortage of IT engineers becomes more acute

- The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants intends to make IT audits in accounting audits more stringent before the Japanese version of the SOX law comes into force

- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Financial Services Agency object to corporate users’ attempts to blame IT vendors alone for system failures.  The two bodies maintain that users must realize that they are also responsible for system operations.

- Oracle’s “Fusion” strategy has finally emerged

- Why have the presidents of Sun Microsystems Japan and Dell Japan both been replaced?

- How committed is Hitachi to its plan to expand its overseas consulting business?

- Major Internet service providers have finally started making genuine efforts to fight against spam e-mail- An American company that provides business software applications such as ERP packages in the form of an ASP (Application Service Provider) model via the Internet is expected to enter the Japanese market


[News Flash for Each Industry]

- Finance: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation adopts a finger vein authentication system for their ATMs in convenient stores

- Manufacturing: Daikin Industries reduces delivery times for built-to-order products by two-thirds

- e-Japan: With an investment of ¥60 billion, Japan Post plans to establish a fourth-generation online system called the Postal Advanced Network System (PNET)- Service: Japan Airlines has decided to invest ¥43 billion over the next five years towards the development of new systems

PEOPLE

Interview
Tadaaki Jagawa: Chairman of the Board, Hino Motors, Ltd.

- IT is indispensable for excellent companies


Real Feelings Expressed by Top Executives
Toshiaki Katayama: President, Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.

- Instructions should be given succinctly

CASE STUDIES

Investigation of a Noteworthy Project
Seven Bank, Ltd.

- The bank has started the operation of a new accounting system as scheduled


Absolute Solutions for Enhancing IT Strategy
Toshiba TEC Corporation

- The company is now improving its parts information database


A Computer That Does Not Work
Posful Corporation

- A vendor in charge of the renovation of Posful’s sales management system withdrew from the project just before operations began


[Novel / Cyber Lawless Area]

First Chapter: Head Hunting (5)

MANAGEMENT/TECHNOLOGY

Key Points in System Design for Increasing Business Value
- You can create a virtuous cycle that enables you to secure sufficient human resources for system development and operation


A Practical Project-Management Course for Users
- It is important to decide, at an early stage of any project, how a system should be operated and maintained after it is launched


Techniques for Management Reforms That Can Be Used Immediately — Internal Control
- It is essential to study the entire structure of systems for the purpose of complying with the Japanese version of the SOX law


Useful Legal Advice for When You Are in Trouble
- A company should formulate rules before it starts checking its employees’ e-mail


IT Keywords You Should Have Known Long Ago

Ajax