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Nikkei Computer

September 18, 2006 Issue <<Contents>>

FEATURE 1 Farewell to PCs If nothing is done, we won’t be able to continue using PCs - It costs a great deal for companies to use personal computers, including delivering and updating software, security measures, relocation and replacement, and repairs. Until now, the only choice companies had was to continue using the PCs while complaining loudly. Now, however, the introduction of thin clients has allowed corporations to move somewhat away from their dependence on PCs. Some companies, including Daiwa Securities, Suntory, Secom Group, and Hokuriku Coca-Cola Bottling, have decided on the widespread introduction of thin clients. Companies are now beginning to consider abandoning their PCs. - PCs have little room left for improvement - Thin clients have been launched - A practical solution is emerging FEATURE 2 The Track Record for 10-Year IT Projects - While low-cost, short-term system development becomes the mainstream, several systems whose development started 10 years or so ago have recently gone into operation. However, they are now facing the possibility of shutdown due to a need for system reconstruction or reorganization for project promotion. This article examines the factors that caused three “10-year” projects to fall into the abyss and offers measures for recovering their systems.

REPORTS

Inside

- Japan Post to procure 22,000 PC servers from NEC

- Sharp to enhance internal control by requiring its business locations around the world to use the same version of “R/3 Enterprise”


News & Trends

- The boom in corporate IT investment is likely to continue in fiscal 2007, driven by the financial industry, as was the case in fiscal 2006

- In the field of high-end servers, differences in terms of hardware are disappearing

- More progress is expected in the effort to rank IT vendors

- The primary focus of the Japanese government’s IT budget for fiscal 2007 is security

- Foreign-affiliated ERP vendors go on the offensive using a low-price strategy

- Ever since they increased their production of IC tags, leading vendors in Japan have reinforced their systems for proposing IC-tag based systems

- The “Web 2.0” wave hits the groupware market


From BusinessWeek

- Google pushes ahead of its competitors in the area of moving-image ads


Actual Practice of Internal Control (7)

- Sumitomo Electric Industries conducts three trial projects in preparation for Japan’s version of the SOX Law


News Flash for Each Industry

- Finance: Nippon Life Insurance has announced that it will invest \100 billion to develop three next-generation systems

- Service: Information on thermal power plants has been leaked from Chubu Electric Power’s sub-sub contractor via peer-to-peer file sharing software, the fourth of similar incidents for the company

PEOPLE

Interview
Shigeru Shiinoki: President, IBM Business Consulting Services K.K.

- It is time to adopt a merit-based compensation system


Real Feelings Expressed by Top Executives
Yukoku Suzuki: President, Tektronix Japan, Ltd.

- A lazy person’s way of thinking is not always bad

CASE STUDIES

Absolute Solutions for Enhancing IT Strategy
Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

- The company has decided to use “rich client” technologies for the development of new systems


A Computer That Does Not Work
Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.

- The company has delayed the operation of a newly developed system for managing security services


Novel / Cyber Lawless Area

Third Chapter: Excessive Self-Defense (5)

MANAGEMENT/TECHNOLOGY

Hints for IT Managers
- The operation and maintenance of a system should not be outsourced, and the team in charge of such tasks should remain within the IT division. We must take into consideration factors other than cost.


Tips for IT Investment and Outsourcing
- It is important to manage IT investments in accordance with the progress being made by information technology


Risk Management That Brings a Project to Success
- Problems often emerge when you sign a contract with an IT vendor before you have defined the requirements. Be sure you to select the type of contract appropriate for the risk level of your project.


An IT Project Recovery Management at the Site
- The third step in recovery (2): Four methods for full-scale inspection


IT Keywords You Should Have Known Long Ago

IPv6