| Feature articles |
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Article no.: |
1 |
| Topic: |
ICTs for micro, small and medium-sized enterprise competitiveness |
| Author: |
Maria del Rosario Guerra |
| Title: |
Minister |
| Organisation: |
Information and Communications Technologies of Colombia |
| PDF size: |
180KB |
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| About author: |
María del Rosario Guerra is the Minister for Information and Communications Technologies of Colombia. The Minister’s long career in public service includes appointments as the Director-General of the Colombian Institute for the Development of Science and Technology - Colciencias; General Manager of the National Financial Fund for Development Projects - FONADE; Deputy Manager of the National Rehabilitation Plan - PNR (Presidency of Colombia) in terms of reintegration, peace process and strategies for overcoming the consequences of violence; and as a Consultant at the Department of Agricultural Studies of the Ministry of Planning.
María del Rosario Guerra also served as the Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia and has lectured for the Economics Departments of top-level universities such as the Universidad de los Andes and the Universidad Nacional in Bogotá, Colombia. Ms Guerra has conducted research and published articles on topics linked to poverty, higher education, science, technology and innovation, and the development of the productive sector. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Columbia’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) create 81 per cent of the country’s jobs and 37 per cent of its GDP. MSMEs drive socioeconomic development in Columbia, but most have poor management skills and technological capabilities and make little use of ICTs to improve productivity. Columbia’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies has embarked upon an ambitious project to rapidly increase the use of ICTs by MSMEs to build the sector and the economy that has had significant success. |
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Article no.: |
2 |
| Topic: |
A wireless world |
| Author: |
Chris Pearson |
| Title: |
President |
| Organisation: |
3G Americas |
| PDF size: |
516KB |
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| About author: |
Chris Pearson, the President of 3G Americas, LLC, is responsible for the strategic planning of the organization and providing executive management in the areas of technology, public relations, finance and regulatory affairs. Mr Pearson has worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 22 years. Prior to this position, Mr Pearson served as Executive Vice President for the Universal Wireless Communications Consortium (UWCC) where he was in charge of strategic management. Before joining the UWCC, he held the position of Strategic Alliance Manager for the Advanced Network Services Provider Program (ANSPP) at AT&T Wireless Services. Mr Pearson also worked for GTE Telephone Operations where he held several senior account management and technical marketing positions.
Chris Pearson holds a Masters of Business Administration from The Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University,
and a Bachelor of Arts, with emphasis in Marketing and Finance, from The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Wireless is enabling considerable efficiencies for Latin American enterprises while improving quality of life for consumers, and it could provide additional benefits in a more progressive and updated regulatory environment. The new wireless ecosystem developing throughout the world will positively influence Latin America’s economy if it is encouraged through appropriate spectrum planning that accounts for mobile broadband data while leaving behind old legacy policies designed for a voice-centric world. |
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Article no.: |
3 |
| Topic: |
In the name of the future |
| Author: |
Rodolpho Cardenuto |
| Title: |
President |
| Organisation: |
SAP Latin America |
| PDF size: |
180KB |
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| About author: |
Rodolpho Cardenuto is the President of SAP Latin America; he has over 25 years of experience in the technology sector. Prior to joining SAP, Mr Cardenuto held several managerial positions at Hewlett Packard, most recently as Executive Director for the Latin America & Caribbean TSG (Technology Solutions Group).
Rodolpho Cardenuto holds an Electrical Engineer degree from the FEI - Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and an Engineer degree from the Washington University, St. Louis, USA. Mr Cardenuto also earned an MBA in Finance and Administration from BSP, Sao Paulo, Brazil, as well as an MBA in International Business from the University of Toronto, Canada. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Sustainability is about more than just recycling plastic bottles or pieces of paper, more than virtualization, energy-efficient data centres and green IT tools; it is a business imperative part of the ‘triple bottom line’ of ecological, social and financial performance. “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Enterprise software can provide tools to manage resources efficiently and responsibly by optimizing and transforming business processes. |
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Article no.: |
4 |
| Topic: |
Preparing for the upturn |
| Author: |
Jaime Vallés |
| Title: |
Vice President |
| Organisation: |
Cisco Latin America & Caribbean |
| PDF size: |
300KB |
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| About author: |
Jaime Vallés is Cisco Systems’ Vice President for Latin America; he has over 20 years of Information Technology industry experience. Prior to taking over his role at Cisco, Mr Vallés was President of Sun Microsystems Latin America and, earlier, President of Sun Microsystems Mexico. Mr Vallés experience includes time at IBM of México where he was presented with several awards for his work.
Jaime Vallés holds an Electronic Engineering Degree from Universidad Anahuac in México, and speaks fluent Spanish, English and Portuguese. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Latin America is facing the economic crisis better than most parts of the world. Nevertheless, the economic situation is provoking a market transition and providing powerful opportunities for technology investments that enhance global competitiveness, innovation and standard of living. Technology can make the biggest difference in the areas of government; customer relations and services; by facilitating the business ecosystem of partners, channels and supply chain participants; employee support; and by making new business models possible. Broadband Internet connections have the biggest impact. |
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Article no.: |
5 |
| Topic: |
The challenges of unified communications |
| Author: |
José Formoso |
| Title: |
President |
| Organisation: |
Embratel |
| PDF size: |
192KB |
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| About author: |
José Formoso is the CEO and President of Embratel. Prior to joining Embratel, Mr Formoso served as Vice-President of Telmex América Latina, President of Telecom El Salvador, General Manager of PCS Nicarágua, President of Telgua S.A, (Guatemala), General Manager of Cablevisión (Mexico), and Operations Manager and Business Manager of Condumex (Mexico). Mr Formoso played a key role in the acquisition of Embratel and since then has been the Vice-Chairman of the Administrative Board of Embratel Participações S.A., Vice-Chairman in the Administrative Board of Embratel, Vice-President of Embratel Participações S.A., and General Manager of Embratel.
José Formoso got his Engineering degree from La Salle University, Mexico and his degree in Business Management from Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresas, Mexico. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Unified Communications - the integration of almost all business communication services, including IP telephony, instant messaging, presence, video conferencing, voicemail, e-mail, SMS and fax - helps businesses facilitate the interchange of information, so customers interact better with the company, service-delivery is accelerated and business costs are reduced. With UC, company personnel can easily be found on the device of their choice, using the most efficient and economical means available at the moment. Accordingly, contacting anyone is dramatically simplified and efficiency multiplied. |
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Article no.: |
6 |
| Topic: |
Staying competitive in today’s economy |
| Author: |
Mary E. Livingston |
| Title: |
Vice President, Canada, Caribbean and Latin America |
| Organisation: |
AT&T |
| PDF size: |
308KB |
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| About author: |
Mary Livingston is the Vice President of AT&T’s global sales team in the Canada, Caribbean and Latin America (CCLA) region.
Ms Livingston has held various leadership positions in sales and sales support; most recently, as Vice President of Sales Operations for Enterprise Business Sales. Ms Livingston spent half of her tenure with AT&T as a Region Vice President in the Premier Client Group.
Ms Livingston also served as a national account manager, a branch manager, and ran AT&T’s international and private line center and was a key member of the digital services product team. Ms Livingston was highlighted in Katzenbach’s book on Real Change Leaders, and NJBiz magazine named her one of New Jersey’s 50 Best Business Women for 2008. Ms Livingston is on the Summit Area YMCA Board of Trustees, President’s Circle for NJ All Stars/Developmental School for Youth, the Greater NY Explorers Leadership Council, and is an active member of the International Women’s Forum. She is also the founder of Team 101.
Mary Livingston received her MBA from the University of Missouri. |
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| Article abstract: |
| As companies prepare to recover from the recession, ROI is critical and IT executives are pressured to deliver in half the time. Cost cutting, productivity and revenue building are top priorities; the timelines for long-term planning have shrunk until there is little distinction between short-term and long-term strategies. Business continuity and security solutions are most sought, closely followed by enterprise mobility and Web delivery solutions. Third party managed services can provide IT services and solutions that rapidly deliver cost-savings and efficiencies. |
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Article no.: |
7 |
| Topic: |
Rural telephony and $2 ARPUs |
| Author: |
Rajiv Mehrotra |
| Title: |
Founder, Chairman and CEO |
| Organisation: |
VNL |
| PDF size: |
204KB |
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| About author: |
Rajiv Mehrotra is the Chairman and Founder of Shyam Telecom a provider of RF equipment and systems for indoor coverage and capacity. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Shyam group of companies that today have a footprint in all areas of telecom. Mr Mehrotra laid the foundation of the cable TV revolution in India by pioneering local manufacturing of TVRO satellite equipment. Mr Mehrotra also founded one of the first operators in the world to deploy CDMA technology for fixed wireless services as well as the first GSM operator in Rajasthan (one of India’s largest states). Mr Mehrotra is associated with various industry associations in India and is on the Board of Sistema, the Russian consumer services conglomerate.
Rajiv Mehrotra earned his degree in Computer Engineering from Mumbai University. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Billions of the world’s rural residents lack access to voice and data communications. They will not be easy to reach; traditional mobile network equipment is too expensive, uses too much power, requires skilled engineers and is difficult to deploy. Microtelecom uses local stakeholder entrepreneurs, partnering with operators, to deliver mobile services within their communities. Microtelecom is a solar powered, low cost, self-contained, low maintenance way to extend GSM. Microtelecom networks in remote areas will generate dramatic social, environmental and commercial returns. |
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Article no.: |
8 |
| Topic: |
Money talks - cross-border mobile payments |
| Author: |
Stephen Gibb |
| Title: |
Chief Information Officer |
| Organisation: |
Upaid |
| PDF size: |
200KB |
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| About author: |
Stephen Gibb is the Chief Information Officer at Upaid, a company specialising in mobile payments. Mr Gibb joined Upaid as Senior Vice President of Customer Operations. Mr Gibb currently leads international technological operations, focusing on global projects through the Upaid Brazilian technology hub. Prior to joining Upaid, Mr Gibb served as Director of Strategy and Operations at ExchangePath, a CMGI company providing on-line payment systems. Mr Gibb was also a Program Management Consultant with Allied Irish Bank. Mr Gibb has over twenty years of previous international experience in telecom and financial services companies including IBM, Sun Microsystems, Alcatel and BNP Paribas.
Stephen Gibb holds an Honours degree from Newcastle University. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Globally, migrant worker remittances contribute greatly to the economies of the emerging markets receiving the funds - up to £100 billion per year. Today, the mobile top-up infrastructure is increasingly used for cross-border money transfers. In Latin America, mobile money transfer represents a significant prospective market for mobile operators, financial services organisations, governments and retailers. According to the International Monetary Fund, even in relatively developed areas such as São Paulo fewer than 40 per cent of households have access to financial services. |
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Article no.: |
9 |
| Topic: |
Social networking’s growing influence on telecom providers |
| Author: |
Manzar Feres |
| Title: |
Latin America, Director, Communications Sector |
| Organisation: |
IBM |
| PDF size: |
240KB |
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| About author: |
Manzar Feres is IBM Latin America’s Director of the Communications Sector, which includes Telecommunications, Media and Energy & Utilities industries. Ms Feres has 13 years of experience in the telecommunications market and participated in the privatisation of Brazil’s telecom sector working with several start-up operators. Ms Feres also has 20 years of experience in business and consulting services. Prior to joining IBM, Ms Feres served as the Director of Pricewaterhouse Coopers’ (PwCC) Telecommunications Sector practice.
Manzar Feres earned her degree in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Systems and Computing, from the University of Rio de Janeiro. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Social networking - with sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, LinkedIn, Twitter among others - is shifting communications patterns from two-way conversations, to many-to-many, collaborative communications. Control of communications - facilitated by better, faster and cheaper technology is moving from telcos to Internet platform providers. Social networking websites and services have become the communication media for digitally aware consumers; advertisers and enterprises are now using social media to reach and influence customers and communicate with geographically dispersed employees, suppliers and partners. |
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Article no.: |
10 |
| Topic: |
Mobilising services |
| Author: |
Célio Bozola |
| Title: |
Vice President |
| Organisation: |
EDS, an HP company in Brazil |
| PDF size: |
268KB |
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| About author: |
Célio Fernando Bozola is the Vice-President of EDS, an HP Company in HP Brazil; he joined EDS as President of the Brazilian operation. When HP acquired EDS, he became a Vice-President of HP in Brazil and the CEO of EDS. Mr Bozola has more than 25 years’ experience in IT and Telecom in Brazil, England and the United States. He previously served as director of Diebold Procomp Services, CEO of Impsat Brazil and as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Telcomp - Brazilian Association of Providers of Competitive Telecommunication Services. He also held various management positions at NCR, including as President of its Brazilian subsidiary. Mr Bozola also served in leadership positions in several national computer companies.
Célio Fernando Bozola graduated as an electronic engineer from The University of São Paulo’s Polytechnic School and earned an MBA from Fundação Dom Cabral. |
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| Article abstract: |
| New hardware, software and communications technologies are now mobilising services, to make them widely and affordably - and most important, simply - available both to corporate users and individuals. Some of these services are available for users of today’s increasingly versatile mobile devices, while others are professionally managed highly complex services suitable to deal with the requirements of the most demanding corporate applications. Mobile payments systems bring consumers savings and convenience; big corporate systems offer big savings, convenience and environmental advantages. |
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Article no.: |
11 |
| Topic: |
Find hidden power in networks |
| Author: |
Yves Hupé |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
Memotec Inc. |
| PDF size: |
196KB |
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| About author: |
Yves Hupé the CEO of Memotec is a seasoned telecommunications industry executive with over 17 years of experience in the service provider sector. Mr Hupé served previously as the VP of Marketing and Product Management at Memotec. In the past, Mr Hupé held a number of executive positions in Tier-1 companies (Alcatel-Lucent group) and start-ups.
Yves Hupé holds an MSc in Physics and Electronics from the Ecole Superieure d’Electricité (ESE) Paris, France, with a Major in Computer Science and Robotics. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Availability of network capacity is a critical consideration for telecom service providers. New services drive the need for bandwidth at an ever-increasing rate. Providers with insufficient bandwidth risk customer dissatisfaction and churn. To meet growing demand, network planners need to balance the heavy cost of networks upgrades against the short-term advantages of lower cost ‘quick fix’ tactical solutions. New network optimisation techniques, including bandwidth compression, statistical multiplexing and packet-level service aggregation, among others, can provide robust solutions to network capacity problems. |
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Article no.: |
12 |
| Topic: |
Profitability despite disparity |
| Author: |
Greg Le Neveu |
| Title: |
President, Americas |
| Organisation: |
Subex Ltd |
| PDF size: |
248KB |
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| About author: |
Greg LeNeveu is the President of Subex, Americas, responsible for the company’s software products business in North and South America. Prior to joining Subex, Mr LeNeveu had many years of sales, marketing, and consulting experience in the telecom and enterprise software markets at companies, such as Micromuse (later acquired by IBM), Precise Software (later known as Veritas, which subsequently was acquired by Symantec), RiverSoft, and TEKsystems.
Greg LeNeveu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Telecommunications in the Central and Latin American (CALA) region is growing rapidly. The sector has done well bringing services to some regions and some countries, but has had difficulty meeting much of the widely varied demand for affordable voice, broadband and value-added services. Wireless telecom services in CALA are widespread and highly competitive, whereas the growth of fixed services is much more limited. Moreover, management of rapid service is often hindered by the lack of integrated operational support systems. |
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Article no.: |
13 |
| Topic: |
Blending television and the Net |
| Author: |
Mauro Bonomi |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
Minerva Network |
| PDF size: |
180KB |
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| About author: |
Mauro Bonomi is Minerva’s Founder, Chairman and CEO. Prior to founding Minerva, Mr Bonomi was Vice President of Marketing
at C-Cube Microsystems (Acquired by LSI Logic). Mr Bonomi has contributed heavily to the adoption of digital video technology in the consumer and communications markets.
Mauro Bonomi holds Master’s Degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Management from Stanford University and received an Undergraduate Degree with honours in Electrical Engineering from Pavia University in Italy. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The seamless integration of Internet content and applications with managed television services significantly increases the differentiation between IP-connected television services and legacy offerings. It will expand the range of business models open to operators offering television services. The next-generation television experience includes high-definition video, a vast variety of content, time-shifted programming, the ability to manage and share content across all devices in the home, seamless blending of Web-based content and applications, and business models based on targeted advertising with interactive response. |
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Article no.: |
14 |
| Topic: |
Satellites - a global platform for seamless rapid fibre deployment |
| Author: |
Jaxon Lang & Sergio Ruiz |
| Title: |
Jaxon Lang is VP of Global Connectivity & Sergio Ruiz is Market Manager for the Latin America Carrier Market |
| Organisation: |
ADC |
| PDF size: |
332KB |
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| About author: |
Jaxon Lang is ADC’s Vice President of Global Connectivity Solutions - Americas; he is responsible for all product and service development, manufacturing and sales for the Americas Region. Mr Lang also served as Vice President of Structured Cable Product Management and had responsibility for the company’s global enterprise strategy. Mr Lang served as Director of Product Management for Structured Cable and Director of Sales and Marketing Integration following ADC’s acquisition of KRONE. Mr Lang joined ADC as a Systems Engineer. He has one issued patent for telecommunications and network equipment design.
Jaxon Lang holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Given the ever-widening range of bandwidth-intensive services and the move from voice to data, the migration from copper to fibre is accelerating rapidly; gigabyte, terabyte and petabyte networks demand fibre. By building the network using factory-terminated, pre-connectorized hardened adaptors and hardened connectors at both ends of a fibre cable, carriers eliminate the labour-intensive splicing of hair-thin fibre optic cable; this cuts installation and operational expenses and accelerates installation and deployment of flexible and cost-effective fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. |
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Article no.: |
15 |
| Topic: |
Enhancing the contact centre experience |
| Author: |
Diego Gomez |
| Title: |
Vice President CALA |
| Organisation: |
Verint Witness Actionable Solutions |
| PDF size: |
268KB |
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| About author: |
Diego Gomez is Vice President, Latin America for Verint Witness Actionable Solutions, a global provider of analytics-driven workforce optimization (WFO) software and services for contact centre, branch/remote office, and back-office customer service operations environments. Mr Gomez has more than 20 years of experience in high technology software sales and executive management, including with PeopleSoft and IBM Corporation.
Diego Gomez earned a degree in information systems and a post-graduate degree in systems engineering both at UTN National Technological University Buenos Aires, Argentina. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The customer experience is a constant concern for businesses. Every contact with a company affects how consumers perceive it and influences their likelihood of buying from it in the future. Companies increasingly use information extracted from their contact centres to improve their service delivery, products and services. Contact centres are a rich source of customer feedback. ‘Speech analytics’ technology lets companies mine recorded conversations for particular phrases - essentially creating ‘focus groups on demand’ - and act upon their findings. |
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