Google still on the hunt

Internet giant Google is still looking for a local country manager following the resignation of Stafford Masie, almost two months ago.

Google's job placement advert is still on its site, which could mean the company has not yet received any viable applications. However, it says it is hard at work looking for a replacement for the colourful Masie. According to a Google spokesman, the local projects started by Masie are ongoing. “In the interim, Mohammad Gawdat, our MD for emerging markets, is managing our South African team.”

Last year, the local arm got caught up in a Competition Commission complaint levelled against it by online marketing firm Entelligence, which accused Google SA of attempting to take control of its customers.

Entelligence is convinced Google has been behaving anti-competitively through its attempt to take direct control of one of its clients. It goes on to say that when this did not succeed, it threatened to close all of Entelligence's accounts with the search engine giant.

The search engine business has grown its local presence substantially since it opened just over a year ago. One of its biggest deals is its partnership with Faritec, which allows the technology company to sell and implement Google's enterprise solutions.

For more info visit:.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2009/0904291034.asp?O=FPTOP&S=Career%20Moves&A=MOV

Amit

Our IT Vision

SAP user group welcomes value-based maintenance increase

The SAP UK & Ireland User Group has welcomed SAP's decision to provide benchmarking and key performance indicators (KPIs) for its maintenance.SAP and the SAP User Group Executive Network (Sugen), a global federation of 12 user groups, have a agreed a set of KPIs which govern the ERP company's maintenance contract.

Speaking to Computer Weekly, Alan Bowling, chairman of the SAP UK & Ireland User Group, said, "This is what we have been asking for. SAP's decision reflects the influence of user groups."Significantly, the agreement between SAP and the user groups means that SAP will only be able to increase its software maintenance fees if it meets the KPIs agreed with the user groups. Bowling said, "We are linking real delivery of value to SAP's price increase."

SAP and the user group's represented by Sugen will conduct benchmarking to measure the improvements made to the maintenance.the KPIs cover four business continuity, business process improvement, protection of investment and total cost of operations. Bowling said SAP will be required to reduce the number of emergency software changes it issues.

For more info visit:.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/04/29/235848/sap-user-group-welcomes-value-based-maintenance-increase.htm

Amit

Our IT Vision

Most IT security professionals earn over £50,000 : Infosec 2009

UK businesses are still investing in IT security professionals and paying them competitive salaries, despite budget cuts in the economic downturn, a survey has revealed.
According to a poll of 300 members of professional organisations including (ISC)2, ISACA, BCS and CREST Fifty six per cent of these workers have been given a pay increase in the past year. Sixty three per cent said they earn more than £50,000, with bonuses adding between £10,000 and 100,000 to their basic salary. The high salaries reflect the fact that information security profession is dominated by senior roles, with £53,600 being the average salary of those polled.
Iain Sutherland, managing director at recruitment firm Information Security Solutions (ISS) said- This shows organisations are rewarding good security people, which conducted the survey. Organisations realise that in financially challenging times they cannot afford data losses or compliance issues and are investing to attract and retain the skills they need. For more info Visit: computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/04/29/235847/infosec-2009-most-it-security-professionals-earn-over.htm
Amit
Our IT Vision