All posts by Richard

Airline, Business Intelligence, Business Processes, Revenue management, RMS

Revenue Management Systems Unveils airRMexpress for Small Airlines

Revenue Management Systems (RMS)  is launching airRMexpress, a new cloud-based airline revenue management solution designed specifically for small airlines.

With airRMexpress, RMS brings the advantages of powerful forecasting and optimization capabilities to a whole segment of the airline industry that was previously underserved. And RMS delivers it at a price that is affordable. In addition to forecasting and optimization, airRMexpress also features many other tools, such as an executive dashboard, flight analysis screens, a report builder and the popular Business Rules manager.

“There are literally hundreds of small airlines around the world today who are either spending too much time making manual inventory adjustments or are using solutions that don’t have all the features they need,” said Scott Schade, CEO of RMS. “We have designed airRMexpress for these airlines so they can quickly and efficiently optimize their seat inventory, thereby significantly improving their bottom line.”

As a cloud-based solution, airRMexpress can be rapidly deployed. Accessing the system via the internet also saves airlines from having to buy expensive server hardware.


Human resource management, Human Resources

SyncHR Announces Cloud-Based Human Capital Management Suite

SyncHR is announcing the launch of its Human Capital Management solution at the HR Technology Conference in Chicago, October 8th and 9th. SyncHR is one of a new breed of cloud-based Human Capital Management solutions that provides enterprise-class, fully integrated HR, Benefits and Payroll software at an affordable price in astonishing implementation timeframes.

“SyncHR has identified a huge gap in the market for HCM solutions. For decades, companies have benefited from the efficiencies rendered through transactional systems to manage payroll, benefits etc., but lacked the ability to achieve strategic workforce alignment in their business,” said Pamela Glick, CEO of SyncHR. “Our solutions simplify the complexity of HR through patented technology that automatically adapts to our client’s business strategy, resulting in lower operational costs and reduced administrative burdens.”

The rich data model and extensive developer APIs ensures maximum configurability and easy integration to external systems. “Working collaboratively with our subject matter experts and partners, strategic alignment for your specific company is embedded into the technology,” said Barbra Chase, SyncHR VP of Sales and Marketing. “The workflow, communications, and workforce engagement tenants become part of your solution.”

SyncHR’s application delivery model is enhanced by an open standards architecture. This highly innovative approach offers business-critical advantages over traditional HR platforms. SyncHR provides users of HR, payroll and benefits, the ability to run their business more effectively by analyzing events and updating relevant data in real time. Thereby, simplifying the complexity of its customer’s HR, payroll and benefits so they can run their businesses the way they want to.


Cloud gaming, EMEA, IPTV, Orange, Partnerships, Video game

G-cluster Global, Orange Group Strike Cloud Gaming Partnership

Beginning October 11, Orange broadband customers will experience a seamless and easy-to-access top quality video gaming experience directly on their TV.

The Orange cloud gaming service powered by G-cluster offers to Orange customers a gaming solution free of any old generation hardware concerns and allows them to easily access and play a wide catalogue of video games directly on TV.

With a catalogue of about 100 video games at launch, the Orange cloud gaming service provides valuable gaming content for the whole family! This innovative gaming solution provides many benefits for the end user: simplicity of access and use, attractive prices, a diversified and wide catalogue of games.

G-cluster has been rendering cloud gaming service since 2010. The launch of the Orange cloud gaming service reinforces G-cluster’s position as the leading cloud gaming platform in Europe.

As with video on demand, the end user can access games directly and quickly without the need to download content or purchase any new physical devices. To play, just use the remote controller or a gamepad (any USB gamepad or the one recommended by Orange). The end user can play alone, with other players in the same room or remotely with other Orange TV customers who have subscribed.

Orange offers a new model of usage for interactive content to its new TV users with an attractive price point. End users will be able to enjoy a diversified catalogue of games thanks to unlimited and no commitment monthly subscription packs or with 24h, 48h or 1 week rental offers. A free try-before-you-buy offer is available for all the games in the catalogue.

– Discovery pass: 5€/month for unlimited access to 50 top casual games

– Premium pass: 10€/month for access to premium console games on top of the entire catalogue of casual games

– Rentals: 24h, 48h or weekly rentals of games at affordable prices

Orange and G-cluster have partnered with top leading casual and premium publishers such as Disney, Ubisoft, Playrix, MumboJumbo and Alawar to provide a fun and entertaining experience to all the household members.

The Orange games on demand service will offer games for anyone in the family: action and air fighting games like H.A.W.X® 2 from Ubisoft and kids’ games like Toy Story 3 from Disney. Pixar.

Erik Piehl, president of G-cluster Global says, “G-cluster is very happy to provide its white-label cloud gaming service to Orange, the largest IPTV provider in Europe. This further expands G-cluster’s lead as the largest scale TV cloud gaming provider.”

Jean-François Rodriguez, VP Games and social media at Orange says, “Orange and G-Cluster have built a strong partnership to offer a new gaming experience by leveraging on Orange high speed broadband network and G-Cluster cloud gaming technology. After Video on Demand, streaming music, Orange customers will now enjoy games on demand service.”


Appirio, Human Resources, Knowledge Infusion, M&A Activity, Talent management

Appiri Acquiring HCM Consultancy Knowledge Infusion

Appirio today announced its intent to acquire Knowledge Infusion, which will create the world’s largest cloud-powered Human Capital Management (HCM) consultancy. By marrying Appirio’s unmatched cloud expertise, technology innovation and global scale with Knowledge Infusion’s deep domain knowledge of HR, talent management and change management practices, enterprises finally have a partner that can help them prepare for and capitalize on the new way people work across all business domains.

“We have always considered cloud, social and mobile not just technology, but engines for business transformation,” said Chris Barbin, CEO of Appirio. “By combining forces with Knowledge Infusion, a recognized expert in people-focused processes, we can help business, HR and IT leaders develop the right strategy to ensure they engage employees as effectively as they would customers. That strategy, supported by the right technological innovation, can optimize how work gets done at a time when people’s expectations and motivations have drastically changed because of the consumerization of technology.”

Started in 2005, Knowledge Infusion has provided core HR, talent acquisition, talent management and social collaboration consulting services to more than 350 clients. This includes organizations like Amgen, Best Buy, Campbell’s, Dell, Hertz, Merck, Nationwide, Novo Nordisk, Starbucks and Target. The company’s end-to-end services model, on-demand subscription advisory services, and focus on customer success has made it one of the fastest growing HR technology consultancies in the world. In addition to its advisory work, Knowledge Infusion has become a trusted deployment partner of Workday, SuccessFactors, and Salesforce.com’s Work.com.

“McGraw-Hill is partnering with both Knowledge Infusion and Appirio to help us become a more nimble organization,” said John Berisford, Chief HR Officer at McGraw-Hill. “It is terrific to see their deep domain expertise, strategic thinking and creativity come together.”

“All organizations must take an outcomes-based approach when applying technology to transform and optimize their business,” said Naomi Bloom, Managing Partner of Bloom & Wallace. “When using a consulting partner to support these efforts, organizations need one that combines deep domain expertise and state-of-the-art technical knowledge, with a commitment to delivering rapid, cost-effective results. That’s why I couldn’t be more delighted that Knowledge Infusion and Appirio have decided to join forces. Together they will create a new and much-needed consultancy, sitting between the ‘big T’ process transformation shops and the product-based implementation mechanics. Their focus on business strategy, organizational design, and enterprise technology, all focused on business outcomes, will benefit their customers, partners and our entire industry.”

Appirio was started in 2006 with the mission to help enterprises power their business with the cloud, and has since helped more than 400 enterprises use cloud providers like Workday, Salesforce.com and Google to improve core business processes from HR and financials to sales, service and marketing.

Once the acquisition is final, expected in November 2012, the combined company will bring to bear nearly 600 strategy and technology experts on three continents, a global crowdsourcing developer community, and an integrated suite of applications, assets and analytics that ensure the best outcome for transformation initiatives.

“Like Appirio, we saw a fundamental shift happening in how companies did business, how the workforce was changing, and the inability for traditional service providers to help business leaders adapt to that shift,” said Jason Averbook, CEO and co-founder of Knowledge Infusion, who will become Appirio’s Chief Business Innovation Officer. “Appirio’s track record of innovation, their disruptive services model and culture make it a perfect home for Knowledge Infusion. We’re excited to work together to help organizations move beyond traditional HR and deliver on the full potential of people at work.”


Voice, Voxware

Voxware Cloud-based Voice Solution Goes GA

Voxware today announced the general availability of its Cloud Voice Management Suite (Cloud VMS). This marks the first high-end cloud-based voice software solution that enables companies to enhance operational productivity, improve accuracy and better serve its customers without investing in costly IT infrastructure.

Voxware announced the beta version of Cloud VMS in July of this year. Shortly thereafter, Hollywood Feed, a provider of natural and holistic pet food, as well as ancillary services, selected Voxware’s Cloud VMS to help improve its product fulfillment processes. Unlike on-premise solutions, implementation of the software took just 11 days, enabling Hollywood Feed to immediately leverage the product’s key capabilities. To date, all Hollywood Feed users have been trained, completed practice assignments and are currently using the solution in their daily operations.

“It is rare that an outside team can come in and integrate so easily within an organization; however, Voxware was able to achieve that,” said Shawn McGhee, President of Hollywood Feed. “We found that Voxware truly cares about our users, customers and the success of our company’s short and long-term goals. While there were a variety of factors that led us to select Voxware, I can attest today that they are a good fit for our operation and are already achieving tangible results.”

“With Cloud VMS, we have developed a low-cost, high-impact voice option for smaller to mid-size operations that delivers the same level of quality as our flagship on-premise offering,” said Keith Phillips, President and CEO, Voxware. “Introducing voice solutions to a new customer base extends our market potential and adds range to our well known product line. Evolving our voice solution and taking it to the cloud was a natural extension for us. The ease with which we can deploy and manage Cloud VMS simplifies our customers’ installation processes and drives better business results.”

Voxware has also created a self-evaluation tool that allows companies to determine whether a cloud-based voice solution is right for its business objectives. This tool is available free to all visitors of the Voxware website at Get Cloud VMS. With this tool, Voxware has streamlined the considerations that an organization needs to evaluate as it chooses a method to enhance productivity, safety and brand loyalty.

Key benefits of Cloud VMS:

  • Ease of use: Users do not need technical expertise to employ Cloud VMS
    – they simply complete a questionnaire before receiving a
    ready-to-deploy product
  • No IT overhead: Cloud VMS can run without an IT infrastructure,
    eliminating costs associated with server hardware, maintenance and IT
    personnel
  • Time-to-value: The delivery time is significantly shorter than the
    fastest full-fledged voice solution
  • Future-proof: Users receive automatic software updates, as well as
    hardware refreshes, to ensure they are always leveraging the latest
    technologies
  • No WMS necessary: Small operations that run without a WMS can now
    realize the benefits of a voice solution
  • Straightforward SaaS model: This model guarantees that users get what
    they pay for, without any hidden fees or peripheral maintenance costs


Cornerstone OnDemand, Employee referral, Employment, Human Resources, Recruitment, Social, Social media, Social network, Talent management

Cornerstone OnDemand Enhances Social Sourcing for Cloud-based Recruiting

Cornerstone OnDemand today announced significant enhancements to its talent acquisition solution, the Cornerstone Recruiting Cloud, that make it easier and more efficient for organizations to tap into social networks, as well as their own employee base, and find the very best candidates for the right roles.

“Research shows that while organizations invest more in traditional recruiting methods, nearly half of positions are ultimately filled by other means such as internal candidates, employee referrals and social networking sites,” said Adam Miller, founder and CEO of Cornerstone OnDemand. “We believe these latest enhancements to the Recruiting Cloud will help companies expand their reach and significantly improve their ability to identify, attract and engage the right candidates. This includes sourcing both internal and external talent, as well as tapping into the personal networks of current employees, to find applicants with relevant skills and experience.”

New Recruiting Cloud features include:

  • Social sourcing, which allows recruiters, employees and
    candidates to share jobs across hundreds of social networks, online
    communities and job boards. Recruiters and hiring managers also are
    able to automate and track the publishing of jobs, as well as segment,
    target and reach specific audiences by the types of social media they
    prefer.
  • Job matching technology suggests contacts for specific jobs
    based on social profile information, significantly improving the
    ability to identify, attract and engage the most qualified candidates,
    especially passive job seekers.
  • Employee referral capabilities help to engage employees at
    every level of the organization in the recruiting process, making it
    easy for them to initiate referrals and use their social networks to
    spread the word. And automatic tracking of referrals ensure that
    employees can get recognized for their contributions.

The Recruiting Cloud integrates with Cornerstone’s comprehensive talent management software suite, giving talent acquisition teams and hiring managers better insight into internal candidates and existing talent pools. Cornerstone’s solution also is typically deployed across the entire workforce, making it even easier for companies to engage employees in the talent acquisition process.


Free, Virtualization, VMware

VMware Hosting Provider StratoGen Offers Free Migration Service

StratoGen today announced the launch of a free migration service aimed at helping larger businesses migrate their on-site VMware footprint into a hosted environment, aiming to both ease and reduce the cost of the transition to the cloud.

“I’m really delighted to be able to announce this service” said Karl Robinson, Vice President of Sales. “For larger organizations moving to the cloud can be a hugely expensive and complex process. Careful assessment and planning is needed to ensure business continuity, along with comprehensive testing to ensure security policies are in place and business applications function correctly. By offering this service free of charge we have taken away one of the last barriers for cloud adoption.”

Engineers in the migration support team at StratoGen hold the highest level qualifications in VMware and Cisco technologies.

Recent surveys have repeatedly shown that business issues rather than technical problems are holding back organizations from migrating to the cloud. The latest report from the Cloud Security Alliance found that data privacy, testing and assurance were top issues.

Organizations planning their migration can also benefit from a consolidation of business applications. According to a recent Cap Gemini report 85% of respondents said their application portfolios were in need of rationalization.

“There is no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to planning a migration of this type” commented Karl. “We’ve helped countless organizations make the transition to private cloud hosting and enjoy the performance , resilience and agility that StratoGen offers.”

The StratoGen VMware platform is built on Cisco, HP and NetApp components and is available in multiple data centers across the US and Europe.  The company recently announces plans for additional datacenters in New York, USA and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For further information see StratoGen VMware.


Amazon AWS, AWS, Big Data, Database, Memcached, NoSQL, Redis, Research

Benchmarking Redis on AWS: Is Amazon PIOPS Really Better than Standard EBS?

The Redis experts at Garantia Data did some benchmarking in the wake of Amazon’s announcement of

Their conclusion:

After 32 intensive tests with Redis on AWS (each run in 3 iterations for a total of 96 test iterations), we found that neither the non-optimized EBS instances nor the optimized-EBS instances worked better with Amazon’s PIOPS EBS for Redis. According to our results, using the right standard EBS configuration can provide equal if not better performance than PIOPS EBS, and should actually save you money.

Read the full post for details and graphs.