More clarity needed around G-Cloud, urges VMware

Cloud services providers need to do a lot more to address concerns of lack of clarity and poor communication surrounding the government’s G-Cloud initiative, if a new survey of public sector buyers by VMware is to be believed.

Nearly six months after the government first published its G-Cloud strategy, with which it hopes to make savings of £200m per annum through 2015, just 19% felt the plans had been well-communicated to the public sector, and 17% said they did not fully understand the plans because they hadn’t bothered to examine them yet.

Buyers were by-and-large sceptical that the government would hit its target of 50% of new IT spending on public cloud services by 2015, with 63% giving the thumbs down. Reasons cited were a need to maintain legacy services; tie-in to existing contracts;…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/technology/cloud-computing/more-clarity-needed-around-g-cloud-urges-vmware/

Dell confirms UK jobs on the line

Dell has said that it will look to make a series of limited job cuts in the UK as it bids to operate “as effectively as possible”.

The PC builder claimed this ongoing quest for operational efficiency required it to “rationalise resources and capabilities between business units.”

In an emailed statement, Dell said: “Through this process, we’ll continue to keep our teams informed and look for opportunities to grow our people.

“Dell remains committed to its successful operations in the UK the UK will continue to play a pivotal role,” the company spokesperson added.

Dell declined to put a figure to the number of workers who will be shown the door.

The news comes as rival HP is also expected to make cuts in the near future, a good number of which may…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/managing-business/managing-sales-force/dell-confirms-uk-jobs-on-the-line/

Post-Comet life remains tough for Kesa

Electrical retailer Kesa has found life without Comet not much easier after weak economic conditions too their toll on the high-street player.

Having off-loaded Comet to Opcapita for the princely sum of £2 back in February the latest trading update was a snapshot of life post that disposal. 

Having retreated back to its home turf in France the retailer found life was still a struggle with year-on-year sales down 5.9% for the 16 ended 30 April.

Operations in Italy and Spain did little to contribute in a positive way and were highlighted as some of the problems the firm faced.

“Trading conditions have been volatile and have remained weak in most of our markets, particularly in vision (TVs) and in Italy and Spain,” said chief executive Thierry Falque-Pierrotin.

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Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/managing-business/credit-finance/post-comet-life-remains-tough-for-kesa/

Resellers compete for pole position with Nimans

Niman and Mills are encouraging resellers to compete for glory in a nationwide challenge – on the go-karting track, writes Linda Endersby.

As official Fusion Data installation distributors, they have teamed up to launch the Formula Fusion 2012. The season will run across the country until October.

Regional heats are already underway with dealers and data installers revving up for glory and a shot at a driving prize. Six heats will see the competitors reaching speeds of up to 80 miles an hour in karts barely an inch off the ground.

The top four drivers from each session qualify for the Grand Final Grand Prix at Whilton Mills in Northamptonshire on October 12th, when the industry’s fastest driver will be crowned.

The first heat at Thruxton in April attracted 20 customers who were eager…

Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/managing-business/marketing/resellers-compete-for-pole-position-with-nimans/

HP on verge of massive job cuts, say reports

Between 25,000 and 30,000 jobs could be on the line at HP, according to reports, as the IT giant preps deep cuts that expected to be made public in its earnings statement next week.

It is thought that the bulk of the cuts will impact in three main areas, IT services, PCs (PSG) and imaging and printing (IPG), all areas where HP has struggled to remain competitive, to the extent that it merged PSG and IPG earlier this year.

According to Bloomberg, a good number of the redundancies would be made through early retirement offers, and the vendor expects to save over a billion dollars as a result. 

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Article source: http://www.microscope.co.uk/managing-business/managing-sales-force/hp-on-verge-of-massive-job-cuts-say-reports/