HP Revolutionizes Enterprise Customer Support for the Cloud Era

Always On Support Services from HP deliver issue prevention, improved first-time resolution rates and reduced downtime

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8, 2012 – HP today announced the industry’s first IT support services architected for multivendor, converged and cloud environments, helping enterprises address problems before they occur, realize 95-percent first-time resolution rates and resolve unplanned downtime issues up to 66 percent faster.(1)

The new Always On Support Services from HP integrate the intelligent technologies built into the HP Converged Infrastructure with innovative services to deliver a modern support experience for today’s complex IT environments.

Legacy support services offer a break/fix model for an individual piece of equipment in a single technology silo. However, that equipment is likely part of a virtualized, multivendor or cloud environment with interdependencies across the IT infrastructure, adding a level of complexity to operations.

Diagnosing problems in these environments can be slow, leading to unplanned downtime that can cost the average enterprise $10 million per hour.(2) As a result, today’s enterprises need a new outlook regarding support.

According to a recent Gartner report, the definition of support is changing. Customers want and need support services that help them to avoid issues occurring far more than they need reactive services that fix problems after the fact.(3)

In instances where predictive measures aren’t enough, clients also require more streamlined support when a problem arises, such as a single point of contact that is familiar with their environment and can resolve issues quickly.

“Technology advances such as virtualization and flexible infrastructures are combining with multivendor environments to create complexity and make today’s technology environments much more challenging than in the past. As a result, customers need and expect more from their support providers,” said Rob Addy, research director, Gartner. “Legacy support models are becoming less relevant. It is time for a complete overhaul of support practices. The use of predictive and proactive prevention based methodologies is now highly desirable.”

Offering proactive support from informed experts Always On Support Services from HP provide “direct to expert” communication with a professional who already knows the client, the details of the client’s environment and what the client’s system is experiencing prior to the first call.

The recently announced HP ProLiant Gen8 Servers were built with this new service model in mind. By tightly integrating server diagnostic data with advanced HP Insight Remote Support automation tools, new support and delivery capabilities, and customer warranty information, HP can provide an economical support experience that is unmatched for industry-standard environments.

“Enterprises need to be built on a technology foundation that helps IT shift time and resources from problem resolution to innovation,” said Ramaswami Venkatesan, Country Manager, Technology Services, HP Malaysia, “The traditional reactive IT support model is no longer effective – the industry needs to change the way it delivers support to offer proactive solutions and customized service offerings – and HP is leading that charge.”

Convergence of support and HP Converged Infrastructure

To deliver an enhanced client experience along with proactive problem resolution, Always On Support Services from HP continuously monitor the 1,600 diagnostic data points collected by the HP ProActive Insight Architecture. This architecture, currently embedded in HP ProLiant Gen8 servers, will soon be integrated across the entire HP Converged Infrastructure portfolio.

Always On Support Services from HP include:

— HP Foundation Care – expedites problem resolution for optimal performance by simplifying support with a single point of contact at HP for both the hardware and software in the client’s environment. By leveraging relationships with leading independent software vendors (ISVs), HP eliminates the “finger pointing” typical of legacy support models.

— HP Proactive Care – minimizes downtime and optimizes performance by addressing problems before they occur. It also provides immediate and direct access to HP experts so clients receive the right support and guidance, when they need it. This eliminates the delay spent cycling through escalating levels of support personnel often associated with legacy support models.



— HP Datacenter Care – provides customized support for a client’s multivendor environment with a single point of contact at HP. It delivers enhanced call handling, proactive services, reactive support and relationship management enabled by HP tools and predictive analytics to deliver premium value at a cost-effective price.

HP also offers Lifecycle Event Services that augment the above HP Care portfolio with HP expertise throughout the technology life cycle of an IT project. This includes strategy, design, implementation and education services, allowing clients to select services “a la carte” to best serve their needs.

Always On Support Services from HP are available now through HP Technology Services and HP authorized partners. They can be delivered by certified HP ServiceONE partners.

HP’s premier client event, HP Discover, takes place June 4-7 in Las Vegas.

HITACHI DATA SYSTEMS REDEFINES UNIFIED STORAGE

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur — May 8, 2012 — Hitachi Data Systems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT/ TSE: 6501), today redefined unified storage with the new Hitachi Unified Storage (HUS) and single management framework. Now available in Malaysia, HUS stores multiple data types with more flexibility and more balanced scalability than any other midrange solution. It helps customers manage their critical business applications and meet their growth requirements without compromising performance, scalability or cost efficiency. In addition, Hitachi Data Systems is announcing today that its entire hardware product portfolio, including the new HUS, will be supported by Hitachi Command Suite management software. As the first enterprise-class vendor to provide a single software management platform for all of its products, Hitachi Data Systems is helping its customers further reduce costs and complexity throughout the data center.

According to Johnson Khoo, Managing Director, Hitachi Data Systems Malaysia, “Data is the foundation of any organization. The roots of current unified storage products on the market today are based on the needs of smaller organizations that did not have the storage volumes, IT resources or budgets to acquire and manage separate platforms for block and file data. The traditional definition for unified management has focused on managing file and block on these general-purpose lower-end storage platforms. This all changes today as we bring to market the first enterprise-class unified storage solution to help our customers in Malaysia and around the world manage their data, reduce costs and gear for growth. Hitachi Unified Storage helps organizations meet application availability and performance requirements with lower investment. Customers can deploy storage for all data types and easily grow to meet expanding requirements, while still meeting service level objectives for critical business applications.” Saravanan Krishnan – Director, Storage Platforms & Solutions Business, Asia Pacific at Hitachi Data Systems

"IT organizations in mid-sized and large enterprises are struggling with a deluge of data and increasingly diverse data management needs. They require storage solutions that meet their growth requirements while simplifying operations, reducing the total cost structure, and quickly adapting to changing business needs," said Richard Villars, vice president, Information and Cloud research, IDC. “Hitachi Unified Storage provides enterprises with a single foundation for efficiently managing block, file and object data without making trade-offs in performance, scalability or capacity utilization.”

Unified Without Compromise: Strength across File, Block and Object
Hitachi Unified Storage consistently and efficiently provisions, tiers, migrates and protects all data, regardless of type, throughout its lifecycle. HUS further saves costs with data efficiency capabilities such as thin provisioning and automatic tiering. Built-in automation optimizes performance and makes it predictable to assure customers that they will get the most out of their investment. Intuitive and easy-to-use software that comes with each system has been designed to simplify even the most complex environments.

Hitachi Unified Storage supports object data through a unique object-based file system that intelligently adds metadata for each file and enables automated tiering and migration, fast file snapshots and clones, faster replication over WAN, and fast data searches. Additionally, Hitachi Unified Storage supports Hitachi Content Platform (HCP) for a true object store with custom metadata and provides regulatory compliance. Unlike alternative systems, HCP can share HUS capacity with file and block applications from the same storage pool. Combined, this solution is far more space efficient and cost effective for customers than separate and siloed object store implementations.

HUS has the most balanced scalability in the industry. Unlike other solutions that scale only in capacity, HUS also scales by predictable performance, replicated data, block volume size and file system size. The benefit for customers is that the HUS platform will have a longer service life than competing products and be a better investment.

HUS is the fastest midrange storage system available today for block and file data access, enabling organizations to achieve performance goals at the lowest possible price. High-end storage functionality, such as page-based auto-tiering, is available with HUS to facilitate automated placement of data for the highest performance at the lowest cost.

The new Hitachi Application Protector, also introduced today, is an application-aware, snapshot-based data protection, backup and recovery software suite for Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server and SharePoint environments. Integrated with Hitachi Unified Storage, Hitachi Application Protector lets administrators for each of these applications protect their data sets using familiar interfaces such as Microsoft Management Console. Application administrators can initiate backup and recovery jobs, and more easily meet service level objectives for critical business applications.

Unified Redefined: Hitachi Command Suite Now Manages Entire Integrated HDS Portfolio
The HDS strategy for unified management is to abstract the complexities of the underlying storage environment to create a service-oriented model in which organizations manage storage as a service to their consumers, regardless of the nuances of the underlying physical devices that serve up the storage. This strategy requires a fully unified approach, which is provided only by HDS.

Hitachi Command Suite software is a unified management framework for advanced data and storage management that improves operations, provisioning, performance and resilience for Hitachi block, file and unified storage environments. By enabling efficient management practices across all Hitachi storage systems, HDS lets organizations effectively manage their IT infrastructures with limited staff resources while building a sustainable foundation for future growth. HDS unified management includes:

- Unified management across all storage models: Block ( e.g. Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform), file (Hitachi NAS Platform, Hitachi Unified Storage), content (Hitachi Content Platform), and specialized appliances (Hitachi Data Ingestor)
- Unified management and control across all tiers of storage in the HDS storage portfolio: Enterprise and midrange systems, along with externally virtualized heterogeneous storage environments
- Unified management across functions: Encompasses all the management tools needed to configure, analyze, mobilize and protect data; includes a unified business intelligence layer that adds the critical functions needed to become more service-centric

New Unified Features and Customer Benefits
Built on a heritage of market-leading innovation, Hitachi Unified Storage provides organizations with a reliable, dynamic and open architecture that lets them meet their service level objectives more efficiently, save costs and protect their long-term investments. HUS is supported by a proven services organization and a network of partners to help reduce operational and capital costs. HUS also simplifies virtualized application management and deployment for both block and file requirements, including Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server and Microsoft Exchange Server, VMware View (VDI), and Oracle databases. See related press release also issued today: “Hitachi Unified Storage Embraced by Partner Ecosystem”) Features and benefits include:

Manage Data Growth
- Scale system capacity to nearly 3PB without affecting performance.
- Automatically correct performance issues and provision more quickly with dynamic virtual controllers.
- Use Hitachi Dynamic Provisioning to pool and grow file and block storage for maxi¬mum flexibility without capacity limitations.
- Leverage 256TB file systems and a single name space to reduce administrative effort.

Meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- Meet SLAs with 99.999% data availabil¬ity and advanced management tools.
- Manage storage from an application management portal.
- Perform system maintenance without interrupting host I/Os.

Reduce Downtime and Business Risk
- Dynamically manage replication and backup.
- Remotely replicate all capacity across systems and locations.
- Utilize crash consistent snapshots for application-aware backup and recovery.

Supporting Customer Quotes
- A*Star Computational Resource Center: “Hitachi Unified Storage has demonstrated significant improvements compared to the modular storage platforms of past generations. With today’s ever-changing and growing business requirements, a unified platform that is able to address block, file and content data; while being able to scale and perform at the highest level is of upmost importance to our organization. We believe that the new HUS has successfully addressed these challenges and have set a high benchmark for others to follow.” – Lai Loong Fong, deputy director
- University of Utah Health Care: “We have chosen the new Hitachi Unified Storage to help ensure that medical records and images are reliably backed up, which is critical to our operations. Our backup windows have been significantly reduced as a result of the system’s powerful write throughput performance. And we have saved on footprint and operational expenses through replacing four separate storage systems with a single HUS. The high density packaging leads to further power, cooling and floor-space reductions. Overall, the operational cost savings will lead to a rapid payback on our investment.” –John Fagg, manager, Storage Management Services


Future Information Cloud Strategy Milestones
Today’s announcement represents a major milestone in the ongoing commitment of Hitachi Data Systems to transform data centers into information clouds where access to blocks, files and objects is seamless and resides in a fluid and virtualized environment. Later this year, Hitachi Data Systems will make a series of announcements that will further advance its information cloud strategy. HDS will continue to expand its unified storage offering, which will include a new product coming later this year that will redefine the capabilities available to medium and large enterprise customers. HDS intends to introduce the new Hitachi NAS Platform F series of products within its file portfolio this year to help customers manage the growth of their unstructured data in the low tier of the market. As part of its ongoing effort to help customers further optimize their storage capacity and better manage large and ever increasing amounts of data, Hitachi Data Systems also plans to introduce a purpose built backup appliance later this year. This appliance will be based on deduplication IP developed by Hitachi Data Systems that enables faster, more reliable and more cost-effective data protection.

OLYMPUS INTRODUCES FLAGSHIP MODEL, TOUGH TG-1 COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA

Olympus Malaysia is proud to announce the release of the OLYMPUS TG-1, its latest flagship compact camera model under the Tough category. Check out its great assortment of features ranging from waterproof functionality, drop shockproof, resistance to low temperatures, high-speed GPS and iHS technology (Olympus original technology enabling high-speed operation and excellent night shots). And what makes this new stylish model different from the previous Tough series is that it is now equipped with impressive lens with a maximum aperture of f2.0.

Expected to be released in June 2012, this bright f2.0 lens goes far beyond any previous tough camera, possessing a brightness far above and beyond the rest. A bright lens enables the user to enjoy faster shutter speeds and is called a “high-speed lens”. High-speed lenses allow shooting of night scenes and in bad weather when there is insufficient light. The lens keeps the ISO speed at a lower value, reducing noise and offers beautiful images.In addition to improved image quality due to iHS, the combination of the backlit CMOS sensor and SLR image processor TruePic VI dramatically improves the camera’s operational speed in the following three areas: the time the camera is powered on until shots can be taken, time necessary for focusing and continuous shooting function.

Location information can also be acquired at high-speeds with the GPS function. Because users can record location information in images and record the route traveled to an SD card, this function is perfect for recording outdoor activities.
The speed with which the internal GPS unit operates from the start of positioning until location information is acquired is an important feature. A-GPS uses GPS assist data via a PC application to drastically shorten the time it takes to acquire location information from satellites.

The 4x zoom lens boasts a super wide 25mm to 100mm equivalent angle of view at the telephoto end. And what make this model even more unique are the two types of completely waterproof conversion lenses.With the fish-eye lens, users can shoot at extremely wide angles, and the tele-converter lens allows an angle of view up to an equivalent of 170mm. Both lenses are completely waterproof, satisfying the needs of this outdoor-system camera. These accessories are sold separately.The OLYMPUS Tough, released in 2006, was the world’s first completely waterproof digital camera. While maintaining and improving its tough capabilities, we have done our best to respond to the demands of photo enthusiasts who love shooting outdoors. The TG-1 is the flagship Tough model, promising toughness that will survive the great outdoors, speed to match the reflexes of outdoor users, and the highest image quality in the harshest conditions. The TG-1 is the ultimate outdoor camera, letting users capture scenes and images that were impossible until now.

Price for this camera is yet to be confirm, announcement will be made prior to its availability in June 2012.

Canon together with Simon Yam Bring Joy to Yayasan Sunbeams Home

Kuala Lumpur, 8 May 2012 – It was truly a memorable and most anticipated Sunday for the children at Yayasan Sunbeams Home in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur when Hong Kong superstar and Canon ambassador Simon Yam along with representatives from Canon Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd visited their home to present Canon IXUS cameras as gifts to the home and spent the day with them.

The children at Yayasan Sunbeams Home were treated to a sumptuous lunch followed by Sunday afternoon movie screening of the award winning Hong Kong film “Echoes of the Rainbow” starring Simon Yam himself.
Group picture of Canon ambassador Simon Yam, Simon Wong, Director of the Imaging Communication Product division of Canon Marketing (Malaysia) with the Yayasan Sunbeams Home children and management team.

“This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to give back to the society and we hope that this will brighten the life of the children from Yayasan Sunbeams Home and encourage them to take up photography as a new hobby,” said Simon Wong, Director of the Imaging Communication Products division of Canon Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Canon ambassador Simon Yam was back in Malaysia to celebrate Canon Malaysia’s 25th anniversary at the Eye on Canon showcase and took the opportunity to visit the home with the Canon team. “I was moved by the children here. Being a father myself, I understand the importance of parental love to a child and I am very happy to be able to spend the day with them and hopefully inspired them to work hard and live their dreams,” said Simon Yam.(from left to right): Simon Wong, Director of the Imaging Communication Product division of Canon Marketing (Malaysia), Canon ambassador Simon Yam presenting the gifts of Canon IXUS cameras to Pastor Alvin Tan, founder of Yayasan Sunbeams Home and the children.

Canon (Marketing) Malaysia Sdn Bhd also channelled a total of RM3, 000 collected from the camera sales of Eye on Canon Showcase 2012 to support Yayasan Sunbeams Home which is a non-governmental, self-supporting institution that was established to care and provide for the orphaned, abused, neglected and abandoned children.

MAXIS LAUNCHES BUSINESS MOBILITY SOLUTIONS DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT SOFTWARE VENDORS

Kuala Lumpur, 8 May 2012. Malaysia's leading integrated communications service provider, Maxis Berhad (Maxis), today launched its Business Mobility Solutions developed in partnership with nine Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). The mobility solutions comprise customized products for enterprises to manage their costs and resources more effectively, increase productivity and improve their business processes through a wide range of mobile applications. They include Mobile Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Field Service Automation, Fleet Management, Mobile Device Management and Telemetry Services.

Fitri Abdullah, Maxis’ Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise and Government Business said, “With the convergence of integrated communications and IT services like Cloud Computing and Datacentre services, we are able to deliver compelling and relevant services as well as the necessary tools and technology that will deliver innovative solutions for today and the future.”Fitri Abdullah, Maxis’ Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise and Government Business (5th from right) and Sekar Shanmugam (6th from right), Maxis Head of Corporate Business launching Maxis’ Business Mobility Solutions with its nine Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) from Asterisk Business Systems Sdn Bhd, Mason Technologies Sdn Bhd, V-Work Sdn Bhd, Compurex Corporation (M) Sdn, Bhd, Infindo Technology Sdn Bhd, Wavelet Solutions Sdn Bhd, EMI Solutions Sdn Bhd, Agile Matrix Solutions Sdn Bhd and I-Power Berhad.

The nine ISVs, who have affiliations with reputable international ICT companies, are Asterisk Business Systems Sdn Bhd, Mason Technologies Sdn Bhd, V-Work Sdn Bhd, Compurex Corporation (M) Sdn, Bhd, Infindo Technology Sdn Bhd, Wavelet Solutions Sdn Bhd, EMI Solutions Sdn Bhd, Agile Matrix Solutions Sdn Bhd and I-Power Berhad.
“Through these partnerships, Maxis is providing businesses of all sizes with a mobility ecosystem by combining its unique integrated leadership position in both fixed and mobile network connectivity coupled by strong device offerings, with its partners’ expertise in advanced business software and mobile application development,” added Fitri.

As a leading integrated player, Maxis provides end-to-end solutions to customers that encompasses everything from the home, office, personal, fixed-line or mobile access, mobile broadband, interactive content, services and applications, machine-to-machine applications and cloud computing. Maxis’ Business Mobility Solutions further enhances this proposition by offering advanced mobility services that will add value to businesses especially in today’s highly competitive landscape.

Mobile CRM
Mobile CRM is a system that allows businesses to manage their customers in various ways direct from their mobile devices. They will be able to access relevant information anytime and anywhere, which in turn will help improve efficiency and productivity.

Field Service Automation
This service enables remote workers to work with all the relevant information electronically rather than on paper. This cuts out the need for customers to constantly travel back and forth for information, hence saves time and money.

Fleet Management
This service includes vehicle tracking and navigational tools, as well as real-time dispatching and status of pickups and deliveries.

Mobile Device Management
Mobile Device Management gives businesses the ability to proactively administer and secure multiple devices. This service will help keep all personnel synchronised, while protecting important files.

Telemetry Services
Telemetry services consist of several measuring, monitoring and recording instruments that collect real time data. The information is then made available through mobile devices, allowing users to make fast decisions and take immediate actions, resulting in improved efficiency.

Maxis is already working closely with SMEs in Malaysia by sharing communication and technological tools that are relevant to their businesses. Todate, it has successfully launched and implemented Managed M2M services, the country's first managed wireless machine-to-machine service that allows for direct wireless communication between two machines without the need for human intervention, as well as Maxis Unity Solutions, Malaysia's first mobile unified communications service available for SMEs which addresses the challenge of mobilizing workforces to keep up with customers' demands while delivering real-time services on the go. Last month, Maxis launched Built for SME Retail, the first integrated solution specifically for retail SMEs, where customers can access a whole range of products and services such as hosted fixed voice options for SMEs, internet fibre broadband, pay-as-you-go Unity conferencing service, CCTV, and POS and ERP solutions running on the Maxis Cloud Computing Infrastructure.

Voopee voices out!

Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 8 May 2012 – “Generation Voopee” – a movement of savvy mobile phone users – today made a stand for hassle-free calls and Short Message Service (SMS) texts, using the Voopee-XOX mobile smartphone app.

Jointly developed by XOX Bhd and a Europe-based mobile solutions provider, and launched in Malaysia first, Voopee-XOX app utilises an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architectural framework that rides on an existing mobile data services plan to facilitate mobile telecommunication.Speaking at the media launch today, XOX Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ng Kok Heng said: “Voopee-XOX is more than just a communication app; it is a tremendous cost-saving proposition that will greatly enhance consumers’ telecommunication experience.

“Voopee-XOX allows users to make unlimited voice calls and SMSes within the Voopee-XOX network for free and this trend of paying mobile services by subscription in return for all free voice calls, SMS, IM (instant messaging), and data services will be the norm for all telecommunication providers in the future,” he continued.

Currently available for Android-powered smartphones, Voopee-XOX can be downloaded for free from Google Play. After which, users are provided a SIM-free mobile number, which is used to make free and unlimited voice calls and SMSes with other Voopee-XOX users. Locally, the users can also use the same SIM-free mobile number to make calls to those not within the Voopee-XOX network for a low local call rate of 22 sen/minute.

A call from one Voopee-XOX user to another Voopee-XOX SIM-free number overseas incurs no cost to both parties. In addition, a travelling Voopee-XOX user can receive calls from home country with free roaming charges. When overseas, they can also make international calls to any Malaysian telecommunications provider number at local call rates, by having a local data connection.

The Voopee-XOX versions for iOS, Blackberry and Windows mobile are in the pipeline. Future updates will include MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and IM services.

Ng also announced today that the first 10,000 downloads of Voopee-XOX would enjoy free usage for the first six months.

“Using the power of the Voopee-XOX network, the user enjoys immediate cost-savings, and not only for domestic calls and SMSes, but also more significantly for calls and SMSes received and made overseas.

“In this vein, we are first targeting users who have friends and family overseas and want to keep in touch anytime. Voopee-XOX is able to make that connection just that much easier,” said Ng.

Existing mobile communication apps ride on the Internet rather than on a public switched telephone network (PSTN). This means that they can only offer instant messaging (IM) or IM and voice communication over the data connection.

On the other hand, Voopee-XOX uses a smartphone’s PSTN data stream as a channel for high-quality voice calls and SMSes. As it utilises the world’s existing telephone network, users don’t experience the signal degradation issues often associated with other mobile apps.

Furthermore, Voopee-XOX’s SMSes utilise SMS protocols as opposed to other mobile communication apps that use IM protocols. Therefore, it can promise almost instant delivery of text messages when compared to other apps available today.

Ng added: “I believe ‘Generation Voopee’ will spread. It will go viral because consumers are tired of high roaming costs, high IDD costs, high SMS costs, pay-per-use costs, hidden charges and expensive mobile telephone bills. These oppressed consumers need to voice out for change – and now they have one.

“Ultimately, the proposition is that Voopee-XOX will make it possible for the whole world to have a mobile number that is free from any call or messaging charges. This is the next generation mobile network combining the best in mobile telecommunications technology, and the popularity and versatility of mobile apps.

“We believe that no one else in the world has done this before and we are proud to be the first to introduce such a revolutionary concept to market. In time, I believe it will change the way we communicate,” concluded Ng.

To push adoption of Voopee-XOX, XOX has undertaken a sales and marketing campaign that will utilise the power of social media to spread the word.

For more information please go to:
www.voopee.com.my or https://www.facebook.com/voopeeXOX

Axis Communications announces Network Cameras, with support for edge storage

Axis Communications announces today the affordable and indoor AXIS M1013 and AXIS M1014 Network Cameras, with small design and support for edge storage, making them suitable for securing locations such as small businesses, boutiques, restaurants, hotels and residences.

“With their superb video quality in both SVGA and HDTV, and support for edge storage and AXIS Camera Companion, AXIS M1013 and AXIS M1014 are perfectly adapted for retail and other industries that require dependable video surveillance at an affordable cost,” says Nafis Jasmani, Country Manager, Axis Communications Malaysia, “These cameras allow store and home owners and other users to experience the resolution, full frame rate, and color fidelity of HDTV surveillance – without compromising the budget.”At full frame rate AXIS M1014 offers HDTV 720p / 1 megapixel resolution, while AXIS M1013 offers SVGA resolution. The small, affordable and indoor AXIS M10 Network Camera Series come with practical features that help installations with cost restraints: H.264 compression that reduces storage and bandwidth needs, and edge storage, which includes support for storage on MicroSDHC cards as well as recording to network shares such as Network-Attached Storage (NAS). This allows users to build cost-efficient and reliable recording solutions, and can for example be used to achieve redundancy in a system.

Thanks to the support for MicroSDHC cards in the cameras, they are ideal for AXIS Camera Companion, the recently launched intuitive and cost-effective IP video solution designed for small installations. Recording the video to a MicroSDHC memory card in each camera reduces cost, simplifies installation and ensures that there is no single point of failure in the system.

AXIS M1013 and AXIS M1014 models are supported by the industry’s largest base of video management software through the Axis Application Development Partner Program, and AXIS Camera Station. The cameras include support for AXIS Camera Companion, Hosted Video and ONVIF for easy camera system integration.

AXIS M1013 and AXIS M1014 Network Cameras will be available in Q2 2012 at the suggested retail price of 179 US $ for AXIS M1013 and 229 US $ for AXIS M1014).

iProperty Group to Acquire Leading Property Portal in Macau

Monday May 7th 2012 – iProperty Group Ltd, owner of Asia’s No. 1 network of property portal sites under the iProperty brand (www.iproperty.com), today announced that it had agreed to acquire vproperty.com, the clear leader in the Macau. The acquisition extends the reach of the Group in the region with the Macau based portal being managed by the iProperty Group’s gohome.com.hk business.

vproperty.com is the clear leader in Macau and currently generates revenue from local real estate agencies and property developers. The portal currently receives 50,000 consumer visits per month, generating 500,000 page impressions and has 60 registered agents as paying subscribers.

With a population of 500,000 Macau attracted 28,000,000 visitors in 2011, 65% of whom are from mainland China. Macau is experiencing extraordinary economic growth with GDP increasing by 21% in 2011 powered by the gaming and entertainment industry and lies at the heart of the Pearl River Delta area.

iProperty Group has agreed to acquire vproperty.com for USD300 thousand in cash upon completion of the acquisition. This acquisition will be paid for using existing cash reserves.

Shaun Di Gregorio, CEO of the iProperty Group said, “Following our success in making gohome.com.hk the leading property portal in Hong Kong, we see the Macau based vproperty.com as a natural extension in the region. This provides us with clear market leadership in both Hong Kong and Macau allowing us to offer advertisers a more compelling proposition and providing us improved access to property investors from mainland China. It’s the world’s most dynamic region and the acquisition of vproperty.com provides us with an expanded footprint and presence”

“vproperty.com will continue to maintain its local presence in Macau and work with local real estate agencies and property developers providing them online advertising solutions but will now benefit from the management and direction that will be provided by our Hong King based team operating gohome.com.hk. vproperty.com already has key customer including Jones Lang LaSelle, Century 21, Centaline, Ricacorp, Engel and Volkers and Savills and we look forward to growing the business in combination with gohome.com.hk and the iProperty Group network across Asia” Di Gregorio commented.