Technology

How Cloud Computing is Changing the IT Outsourcing Business Model ?

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There has been an increased importance to Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). These have been regarded as disruptive changes in the way technology services are delivered.

Will cloud computing make the traditional outsourcing irrelevant?
Although cloud computing has a disruptive impact on traditional outsourcing, it would not make traditional outsourcing completely irrelevant. Cloud-based offerings are standardised and meant for large number of audiences. Large corporations have their individual requirements that need a customised solution and they also remain skeptical of security issues in public cloud computing. Application Development and Maintenance work is likely to remain relevant for such firms. However, non-core functions, such as Human Resource Management (HRM), have been increasingly moved to cloud.

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Microsoft Under Attack – PC Market Shrinks; Windows Phones / Tablets Failure

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IDC recently increased the decline it expects for PC shipments in the March quarter to 7.7% decline. Given the change in the computing landscape, it may prove difficult for the PC market to experience growth. We expect PC shipment revisions to continue a negative trajectory. The enterprise refresh which has driven results in the Windows segment has past its peak as over 60% of enterprise desktops worldwide are on Windows 7 according to the company.

Microsoft’s traction in the SmartPhone and Tablet marketplace remains lackluster. Tablet growth is estimated by IDC to reach 190 million units and post 49% growth. We estimate that smart phone shipments could exceed 1 billion units in 2013, as emerging countries increasingly turn to inexpensive Android phones

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Baidu Weigou Testing Google MarketPlace / Product Search Like Ads

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Baidu Engineering TeamChinese Search Giant Baidu reportedly has been testing a web application, Baidu Weigou. As part of the service, Baidu will display product information and prices from e-commerce sites (similar to that of Google Product Search) under the search box, based on the product queries entered by users. Clicking on these products will direct users to a “fast buying” channel on the same search results page. Users are able to place orders by simply leaving their mobile phone number, recipient name and delivery address. Currently only cash on delivery (COD) is supported.

According to our channel checks, the service currently only supports a limited number of products for transaction, such as the iPhone4S, Wu Liang Ye (a famous Chinese liquor brand), Dove Chocolate, etc. Meanwhile, fuzzy search queries (e.g. an input for “iPhone” instead of “iPhone4S”) do not seem to trigger the Weigou feature.

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The Rise of Analytics in Computing / IT Services

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In recent years we have witnessed a rapid proliferation of data globally. The total size of data center traffic is estimated by Cisco1 to be ~2.6 ZB and expected to reach ~6.6 ZB by 2016 at ~31% CAGR over 2011-16. As per Wipro’s estimates, the amount of big data stored globally is to the extent of ~6,500 petabytes.

With data proliferation, there is a greater need to analyze the data and use it to tweak systems and processes as well as provide real business insights. Worldwide business analytics services revenues have thus grown at ~10% CAGR over 2009-11 in a period where overall IT Services spending has grown at ~5% CAGR.

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Cloud Hype was greater than reality

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Over the past few years, there was a lot of hype around cloud-based technologies and their benefits. Today, most enterprises have done / continue to do cloud pilot projects, proofs of concept and initial implementations. However clients still must get comfortable with new contract structures and address concerns on security and data privacy.

Cloud broadly encompasses three main opportunities – (1) SaaS – provision of software; (2) PaaS – an application platform; and (3) IaaS – storage and infrastructure. Opportunities also exist for consultants, integrators and aggregators who help clients progress into the cloud and manage a range of services on the cloud.

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UIDAI / Aadhaar Based Payment Systems Live in India

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In order to allow various agencies to use UID as a verification of identity, the UIDAI has created an online authentication system. UIDAI has partnered with RBI, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the banks, to develop two key platforms to ensure Aadhaar authenticated payments. Aadhaar Payments Bridge This system facilitates seamless transfer of … Read more

OnMobile Global – Banking on International Business

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OnMobile’s international revenue grew an impressive 7% QoQ and contributed ~64% of revenue in F3Q13, with Latin America accounting for the majority share (~25% of revenue). Businesses in Europe and Africa have also demonstrated strong revenue growth, albeit at a lower base. Last quarter, the company secured two major contracts for RBT in Europe (in Spain and Turkey), which are expected to go live in the next two to three quarters.

The domestic business revenue has been declining for the last eight quarters, largely due to regulatory issues affecting the industry, including the TDSAT order on VAS requiring the operators to receive confirmation from customers for usage of VAS within 24 hours of activation.

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Tencent Holdings – Expanding user base and product range

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Chinese Tencent continues to enhance its platform strength. Active QQ accounts, now 800m, still managed to edge up at a similar pace as the PC Internet accounts in China. Weixin continued to grow fast and gained high-end users as well as international users. Co has seen strong usage in wireless IM, Weixin (100m daily users), … Read more

91Mobile releases 4Q mobile app report

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Chinese mobile internet firm 91Mobile recently launched a report on 4Q mobile app development trends in China. 91Mobile boasts two of China’s most popular distribution platforms for Android-based apps, 91 Assistant and HiMarket, which acted as the basis for the underlying data in the report. The number of apps launched per month on 91 Mobile’s … Read more

SinoMedia – Mobile TV / Video King in China

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SinoMedia is the third-largest shareholder of 100TV, one of the largest mobile TV platforms and service providers in China. The company also holds a roughly 5% stake in Zhongtoushixun, a mobile TV operator that provides content for CNLive’s mobile TV platform and mobile TV services through the mobile communication network.

SinoMedia officially launched wugu.com.cn, an agricultural online portal that provides users with information on industrial trends and issues. According to the company, the online portal attracted an average of 320,000 visits by 86,000 unique visitors in December 2012.

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