00AET

Good Luck to the Winter Class of 2007 MIS with their blogs

2007-03-14T23:21:00.000Z

The high quality of blogs written by the 2007 class is testament to the capability and development of blogs over a short time period. All of us at 00AET would like to wish all the bloggers the best for their presentation tomorrow night

Viacom to sue YouTube for $1bn

2007-03-14T11:11:00.000Z

The basis of it's suit is that Viacom claims that You Tube have published over 160,000 of it's clips from various programmes and is accusing the company of a "brazen disregard" for copyright law".

Online Teaching At School

2007-02-11T17:30:00.000Z

Learning via the Internet is not a new idea, however, when it is combined with a classroom environment, it adds a new twist to online 'education'.

The British media group, Pearson, are pioneering the idea with current tests at St Austin school in Texas. Students follow a lesson using the Internet, and if a particular point requires further explanation they simply pause and ask for the teachers help. This ensures that the subject matter is absorbed at the individuals pace, and helps to concentrate the mind.

So far, the tests are proving positive and the system is expected to be rolled out into different subjects and then of course to differing levels of education. This benefits the teachers too as monitoring, individual interaction and the endless capabilities with the web as a teaching vehicle are all potential improvements to the system, only time will tell!!!

The Commonwealth Cup is in our grasp!

2007-02-09T11:42:00.000Z

"Ned Kelly, Robert Menzies, David Campese, Kylie Minogue, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Ian Thorpe, Yvonne Goolagong, Mel Gibson, Rolf Harris... your boys took a hell of a beating"

Macc Rugby beat Congleton in thriller

2007-02-07T23:42:00.000Z

Congrats to MRUFC who beat Congleton RUFC. 6-3 at Rugby on Sunday, obviously following in the footsteps of England's destruction of Scotland.

Remove DRM says S Jobs

2007-02-07T13:56:00.000Z

So Mr Jobs wants the music industry to remove all traces of DIgital Rights Management.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6338603.stm

England humiliate Australia at Cricket!!!!!!! Avvvvvvvit!!!!

2007-02-02T22:59:00.000Z

Today England beat Australia at cricket by 92 runs. I guess that upset Punter's palns for a ten nil thrashing. Now if Aus beat NZ, and England beat NZ. England could beat Aus in the final and become commonwealth bank champions. Now come on the rugby boys in the six nations.

It makes your heart bleed, NOT!!!!!!!

MS Launches VIsta - Choose MAC OS

2007-02-02T22:56:00.000Z

Check it out. Many a true word spoken in jest.......

YouTube to share ad revenues with users

2007-01-29T17:05:00.000Z

The founders of the video-sharing website YouTube have announced they will be sharing advertising revenues with the people who submit films on their websites. The scheme should be introduced ‘within months’.

This will open up a very exiting new medium for advertisers and therefore media agencies. The new opportunity will no doubt have the agency creative departments fighting to work on the new campaigns!

It will be very interesting how they formulate a rate card and if they address agency commissions!

Myspace recruits due to success

2007-01-29T14:06:00.000Z

Myspace have increased the number of employees to 400, double the number employed six months ago, and is still growing at a similar pace!

It now attracts 320,000 new profiles a day. Interestingly 25% of these new profiles are from outside the USA compared with last year's figures of 200,000 new profiles per day of which 8% were not from the US.

The implementation of localised formats starts with Canada, Mexico, and then onto the Far East will increase the non-USA user percentages!

Literally WATCH THIS SPACE!

Iphone component makers - listed here

2007-01-27T06:33:00.000Z

Apple i-Phone ODMs
Apple has taken the world by storm with the introduction of its i-Phone.
Now, the question is -- who's making it for Apple? Foxconn will be the
main assembler, Unimicron and Tripod will likely supply the PCBs,
Lite-On and Primax the camera modules, Largan Precision the camera
lenses, Catcher and Foxconn the cases, Entery the Connectors, Sunrex the
push buttons, etc.According to rumors, Cambridge Silicon Radio is
supplying iPhone's bluetooth, Samsung is supplying its video processor,
Marvell is providing the 802.11, Broadcom the touch screen controller,
and Infineon the baseband. Other rumors point to Cheng Uei and Entery
for connectors/cable and Bluetooth modules, and Altus for the camera
module.

Stevo family survives tree falling down in gardens of house

2007-01-27T06:27:00.000Z

The tree missed the house by a matter of feet........ 100 years old and gone with a blust of wind

David Beckham is trying to cross the chasm

2007-01-17T17:29:00.000Z

'Brand Beckham' has accepted a $250million 5 year deal to cross the water and play football in America.

Although still relatively young it has been hinted that Real Madrid were interested in extending his contract but not on terms that he wished to pursue. Apparently no Italian club showed any interest and it was felt that having fallen out with his beloved Manchester United (and manager)

there wasn't a chance that he would wish to join another English club. The appeal of earning huge money and the opportunity of exposing brand Beckham to the American market proved too much of a lure and the deal was struck.

The remaining professional challenge is of course that football is still not a mainstream sport in the states and like a number of the greats before him -Pele and George Best being two big names - have attempted to raise the interest in the game. Many have tried, but no-one has yet crossed the chasm - time will tell!

iPhone is a hit with the Apple faithful

2007-01-10T18:59:00.000Z

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! The iPhone was launched this week at the Mascone convention centre in San Fransisco at a retail price of $499!!

Corporate Lesson 1

2007-01-08T20:58:00.000Z

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next door neighbor. Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel,"

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 dollars and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?"
"It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies.

"Great!" the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes
me?"

Moral of the story: If you share critical information pertaining to
credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a
position to prevent avoidable exposure.

The Ashes Disaster - Rugby Next

2007-01-05T23:51:00.001Z

IY seems that after the farce from the football boys in the World Cup, the cricket team failed to achieve on a monumental scale. Now all we need is the English Rugby Team to fail to retain the world cup and England will slip back into sporting obscurity.

The Corporation - Watch this movie - Change your life!

2007-01-05T17:27:00.000Z

I am concerned for the future of this planet and of the Human Race. I have been wondering about what I could personally do about it. This film has been helping me find the answers and I have already changed my business life. I am a plunderer and I will change my ways as soon as I can.

The techies are waiting for 'the next big thing'

2007-01-05T16:22:00.000Z

The consumer electronics show - Las Vegas - next week will be expecting around 150,000 visitors. They will all be hoping to see the launch of 'the next big thing'!

Previous innovations launched at the Vegas show include:

1970 Videocassette recorder
1974 Laserdisk player
1981 Camcorder; CD player
1990 Digital audio technology
1991 Interactive CD
1994 Digital satellite system
1996 Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
1998 High definition television
1999 Hard-disc VCR
2000 Satellite Radio
2001 Microsoft XBOX; plasma TV
2002 Home media server
2003 Blu-ray DVD; High-definition TV DVR
2004 Digital radio
2005 Internet protocol T V

WATCH THIS SPACE!

ORACLE AD ATTACKS SAP

2006-12-18T10:35:00.000Z

There is a very interesting advertisement on the front page of the Financial Times today - the ad, placed by ORACLE, carries the headline SAP -More Risk-. The ad is interesting because it blatantly attacks SAP in a very simplistic poignant way.

'EPIC' Film

2006-12-15T12:48:00.000Z

A superb overview of technology and the future with regard to media -communications to the individual www.robinsloan.com/epic/

Try to cancel an AOL account - Check this out

2006-12-13T10:55:00.000Z

This is how hard it is to cancel AOL.

http://www.break.com/Top10/nightmare_of_cancelling_aol.html

Listen, it will make you laugh

Funniest Site on the Net

2006-12-12T22:57:00.000Z

http://419eater.com/html/andy_uba.htm

Check out the guy who winds people up who make 419 tricks.

Half of Mac Users over 55 - Metafacts

2006-12-11T19:47:00.000Z

Apparently this is the afct coming out of Metafacts - 46% of Apple Users are over 55 compared with 25.2 per cent of PC users. Apple dismisses these findings. Maybe the gret pound cares about ease of use, no viruses, and the sub zero Kendrick factor!

Stevo kept quiet - but not for long

2006-12-11T18:58:00.000Z

Stevo's knee operation was a success! After having keyhole surgery on the cartilage of his left knee last week, Stevo is up and about, back to his normal self.

As you can see - the scar was very small - and you will be pleased to know (possibly) that it hasn't changed the look of his nobly knees!

Although fully recovered Stevo is now addicted to morphine.

Widest Plasma Screen in the World

2006-12-10T13:46:00.000Z

This weekend the largest plasma television screen in the world went on sale at John Lewis in London.

For a mere £50,000, (plus £5,000 delivery and installation), you can enjoy the big screen experience from Panasonic. Measuring 103"(8ft7in) you will obviously need a room big enough to accommodate the quarter of a tonne weight 'monster'.

Even if you have the money and inclination to purchase one of these new TVs, don't expect to enjoy this new addition in your home this christmas, as there is a three month waiting list!

2006-12-09T17:01:00.000Z

Wayne Rooney scored Manchester United's first goal this afternoon against Manchester City.

Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo then both scored to secure the three points for United, beating their local rivals 3-1.

Alex Ferguson was delighted with the result and although he is not allowing himself or the team to become complacent Manchester United have now put a small chasm between themselves as they lead closest opponents Chelsea by nine points.

Chelsea could of course close the gap to 3 points if they win there two games in hand but the future looks bright for United and they have the advantage at this stage of the season.

See the Sky sports interview with Alex Ferguson... http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid353514675

SEXY WOMAN BEATS DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

2006-12-08T13:16:00.001Z

Check out our 'commercial of the week' - the right side of this blog site!

Join the queue - It is Wii Wii Time

2006-12-07T23:14:00.000Z

In 45 minutes time Nintendo will start selling their new Wii in the UK. Will you be an early adopter, or is it already main street. Has it crossed the chasm already before it started. I wonder if Iam Kendrick knows. Is it a sustaining technology or a disruptive technology? Is the handset the definitive factor or the rude name?

Manchester United Crossed the Chasm

2006-12-07T14:56:00.000Z

Despite leading the early stages of the first round of the European Group, Manchester United still went into the last game needing at least a draw against Benfica at Old Trafford last night. It looked as though the jinx for Man. United being able to cross the chasm by qualifying for the latter stages, was going to haunt them again when, in the 27th minute, Nelson put the visitors in front with a fantastic goal! Had the game finished with that score line United were out of Europe and yet again they would have failed in their quest to cross the chasm.

They did, however, turn things round and eventually won 3-1.

Having now won their group, United could face any one of the runners-up of the other groups including the mighty - Barcelona; Inter Milan and Real Madrid - possibly therefore facing an other chasm!

MANCHESTER UNTIED MAY THEN EVEN SETTLE FOR 00AET!

http://www.manutd.com/

Pamela Anderson Topless. In Very Cold Water.

2006-12-06T21:59:00.000Z

Monkey - the Men's mag from the publishers of Maxim (dennis) is out fre of charge. Just click, flick and enjoy the issue. See you next week! www.monkeymag.co.uk. It is a great mag if you like Loaded, nuts and all those type. Henry thinks it is sub zero.

I notice they have followed the instructions of the killer app book by Downes and Mui. This is a classic example of Cannibalising your markets. As Dennis own Maxim. It reduces transaction costas and they are giving it away free for life.

Web 2.0 - you are so cool.

By the way the headline was the subject of the email they sent me. Luckily I had the courage to open it.

Check-in at airports via a biometric scan

2006-12-06T07:51:00.000Z

The BBC news, this morning, reported that Heathrow (Terminal 3) is soon to test a new system that will handle passenger check-ins with the aid of biometric scanners. If successful,the system could prove to be a major leap forward in air transport efficiency as well as all the other major benefits that it could offer such as security, and tighter immigration control.

Stevo goes under the knife

2006-12-06T07:37:00.000Z

One of our blog team members goes under the knife for his much needed knee operation.

It's fantastic how technology has advanced so much in recent years, so much so that key hole surgery has enabled Stevo to have his operation and be home the same day. We all wish him a successful result and a speedy recovery.

2006-12-05T12:10:00.000Z

£100m is being spent during the next 12 months to launch BT's new service that will rival the main players BSkyB and NTL. The newly launched 'BT Vision' service is aiming to secure 2/3m subscribers by 2010. One of the keys to the success or failure of this new service will depend on whether BT Vision can persuade existing users of it's rivals to switch to BT.

Santa goes tech

2006-12-05T09:16:00.000Z

Santa has apparently brought himself into the 21st century. Instead of parents having to spend hours queuing with their children to see Santa they now simply have to go online and book the appropriate slot.

In the spirit

2006-12-04T16:50:00.001Z

The adult beverage world is awash in joy as holiday shopping kicks into high gear. A report in trade newsletter Impact says global Champagne sales are on pace to pop the 27.5-million-case record set in 1999 when everyone was getting all frothy over the approaching millennium. Couple that with an industry forecast that sales of spirits are up more than 7% over last year the stage appears to be set for a hic-hic-hooray holiday season....... So lets all raise our glasses to the drinks industry.......

Dinosaur Eggs for Sale....

2006-12-04T16:47:00.000Z

Stuck about getting a christmas gift for the person that has everything..... How about a rare nest of unhatched dinosaur eggs which goes up for auction this week in Los Angeles. The nest containing fossil eggs with exposed embryos, was unearthed in the Southern Chinese province of Guangdong in 1984 and privately sold to an Americn collector in 2003. The nest contains 22 unhatched eggs arranged in a circular pattern along the edge. Embryonic remains were uncovered in 19 eggs with one egg being removed for study. Some eggs were so well preserved that the embryo curled inside is visible. Its estimated to fetch between $180,000 and $220,000 at auction.............

Bill and Buses - Compare and Contrast...

2006-12-04T11:45:00.001Z

You get nothing for a long time then two at the same time!!!!!

Bill - We salute you!!!

Dell stores to hit High Street?

2006-12-04T11:42:00.000Z

Online PC giant Dell has suggested it may open retail shops in Britain, breaking from its 22-year custom of only selling over the phone and via the internet.

Weird one....

FT TECH BLOG WORTH A VISIT

2006-12-04T09:02:00.000Z

It's well worth visiting the FT blog on technology and the internet.

Read the latest comments from various correspondents from around the world.

www.ft.com/techblog

Is there a future for National Newspapers?

2006-12-03T16:08:00.000Z

The Newspaper Marketing Agency is spending big money on communicating (via newspapers!) to both readers, and advertisers, that the printed media is still a mainstream medium. The current advertising campaign uses a different case study for the content of each ad.

It is somewhat ironic that the case study used in the NMA's full page ad in today's Mail on Sunday presents the success of the newspapers in a recent campaign for the Toyota Yaris in increasing web traffic to the relevant site by 44%.

It is interesting that the newspapers are portrayed as being a supporting element to the main medium - the internet. This is both interesting, and dangerous, as surely the best policy for stating a case for newspapers is as a being a vital part of the media mix. Either way statistics show that sales of printed national newspapers are falling, and that lateral thinking with concentrated efforts into online conected activity would be a good move for them all!

CONGRATULATIONS!

2006-12-01T10:13:00.000Z

The battle is over between the MBA/MIS Blog teams. All presented well yesterday evening at the Manchester Business School, 00AET came in with a late push, but the winners of the coveted bottle of champagne were Naked Chasm Jumpers with a good blog and an excellent presentation. The 00AET team members would like to congratulate the winners.

Disruptive Influences - Jackanory

2006-11-30T19:42:00.000Z

nice one

California given Country status?

2006-11-30T17:58:00.000Z

Surely not?

Is Arnie so powerful?

The economy is big enough though??

Group 1 cross examines Ancient Rock Legend Jimi Hendrick

2006-11-30T17:54:00.000Z

Kendrickx in Kangaroo Court Scanadal

Team 00AET head into battle - Veni Vidi Vici!

2006-11-30T16:50:00.000Z

We came, we saw, we conquered!

England 1966
Manchester United 1999
England Rugby Union Team 2003
England Cricket Team 2005
00aet Blog 2006??

Crossing the Chasm: Geoffrey A. Moore. 2nd Edition, 1999

2006-11-30T15:38:00.000Z

A Book Review by 00AET

Are all organisations market driven?

This obviously seems to be the view held by Moore in his seminal book entitled Crossing the Chasm. Of course, it is acceptable to say that the future of any company depends on the ability of its marketing department to perform. Yet selling high-tech products to mainstream customers is not an easy task. In order to achieve supeior return on investment, it is critical to reach the mainstream customers. This is the Holy Grail for any tech company and its marketing department is always charged with this incredibly difficult task. This is exemplified by the book’s title.

Marketing and Selling Technology Products to Mainstream Customers

The book begins with Moore describing the high-tech marketing model, TALC (Technology Adoption Life Cycle), figure 1, which is widely accepted in the marketing industry. Where Moore’s model differs is in the introduction of a gap or gaps between the different stages of the Technology Adoption Life Cycle. The single most prominent of these gaps (between E/A & EM) is the subject of the book. Moore sees the behaviour of each lifecycle as fundamentally different – concluding that specific marketing tactics and strategies are required to address them.

The next chapters lay out how Moore outlines changes to the standard adoption life cycle to include what he and his company (The Chasm Group) call the CHASM.

Figure 1

Moore first described the commonly accepted model, as shown in the diagram above.

Innovators were described as technology enthusiasts. They pursue new technology products - aggressively, seeking them out even before a formal marketing program has been launched. This, explains Moore, is due to the fact that technology is their central interest in life - regardless of whatever function it is performing.

Early Adopters - also known as Visionaries - are defined as those that buy into new product concepts very early in their life cycle, but unlike innovators are not technologists. These types of people, as described by Moore, are important to opening up any high-tech market segment, as they do not rely on well-established references in making these buying decisions - preferring instead to rely on their own intuition and vision. They appreciate the potential competitive edge a product can give their company and, as they are larger in number, tend to have more influence in the market than Innovators.

The Early Majority share some of the Early Adopters’ ability to relate to technology, but are ultimately driven by a strong a sense of practicality. They are sometimes known as Pragmatists and they represent a large section of the market. They tend to buy into new technology only after they have irrefutable evidence that it works and that it would be beneficial to their organisation. Convincing the Early Majority to buy into new technology is the most important part of that Technology Adoption Life Cycle model. This is where, marketing achieves success or failure, argues Moore.

The Late Majority - or Conservatives – forms a large proportion of the bell shaped dome of the Technology Adoption Life Cycle thus representing a large chunk of the market. Even though they share all the concerns of the Early Majority, they are not comfortable with their ability to handle a technology product. To buy into a product, people within the Late Majority bracket will expect proof that the product works and will be useful in their organisation.

Finally, there are the Laggards. This set of people only buys into any technology product if they absolutely do not have any other option. They will only adopt new technology if, for example, failure to do so will get in the way of doing things they have always been able to do. They are normally regarded as not worth pursuing.

Moore wrote the book because he believed that there are gaps between all the stages of the technology adoption life cycle. It is also his belief that the gap between the Early Adopters and the Early Majority is greatest because of the differences that exist between the two types of people found in these sectors.

The idea is that, when a product is released, it should travel from left to right in the Technology Adoption Life Cycle. While some products will follow these criteria, most don’t. Moore develops the concept that gaps exist between these divisions in the Technology Adoption Life Cycle, figure 2, and these gaps represent lulls in the market. Moore also claims that the gap between the Early Adopters and the Early Majority is much larger than the others and refers to it as a chasm. Surely the choice of the word chasm is due to Moore’s obsession with alliteration.

Figure 2

Moore claims the Firms products can traverse this chasm will succeed and those that do not will fail. Moore also showed that there is a lot of effort required to cross the chasm with any product - not just the marketing department’s attempts to convey the products to the mainstream, but with the whole firm pushing together in the same direction.

Moore argued that there are a lot of firms that become so caught up in the early success of their product during the Early Adopters’ stage that they fail to cross the chasm, - leading to failure.

The D-Day Analogy

The World War II, D-Day Analogy was used by Moore to describe a four stage approach to the theory of the chasm. His idea was to target the point of attack, assemble the invasion force, define the battle and launch the invasion.

Target the Point of Attack

“If you don’t know where you are going, you probably aren’t going to get there”

Moore argues that the fundamental principle for crossing the chasm is to target a specific niche market as your point of attack. Then focus all your resources on achieving the dominant leadership position in that segment. Therefore Targeting the Point of Attack, as explained by Moore, is to know what your target market will be. His idea is to create customer characterization profiles, with each customer defined and rated according to their reason for wanting a product.

Assemble the Invasion Force

In this section, Moore talks about the concept of the whole product model (Figure 3) as described by Theodore Levitt in his book, The Marketing Imagination.

Figure 3

The Whole Product Model

Moore explains that there is a gap between the marketing promise made to the customer- the compelling value proposition –and the ability of the shipped product to fulfil that promise. For that gap to be overcome, the product must be augmented by a variety of services and ancillary products to become the Whole Product.

Define the Battle

Moore believes that a pragmatic buyer is more interested in a product that is positioned among other competing alternatives.
What Moore fails to say is, “What happens if you are entering a market that does not have any direct competition?”

Launch the Invasion

As stated by Moore, the key is to launch a marketing campaign that will attract the pragmatic buyer. The product would also be expected to be priced at a level where it is competitive with other products in the market, and reflect in its pricing as the market leader. (Making the product cheaper than its main competitors does not make a product the market leader). Attractive pricing will eventually capture the audience of the mainstream buyers.

Conclusion

As Geoffrey A Moore puts it, “Crossing the Chasm, is written for the entire high-tech community- for everyone who is a stake holder in the venture, engineers, marketers, and financiers as well. All must come to a common accord if the chasm is to be safely negotiated.”

The book is an easy read and contains lots of example to back up what Moore was trying to convey to his audience. It is easy to apply the book’s principles to most high tech businesses as it is in a non-academic format - i.e. not too many case studies or abstract theories.

The book assumes that TALC is correct and it bases its entire premise on this fact. From our findings, we believe that the book is not applicable to all market types; it is applicable to technology or disruptive technology types.

It ignores the fact that other firms exist in the market that could disrupt the crossing of the Chasm either intentionally or un-intentionally. The second edition, which is the current version, is several years out of date (circa, eight years) - which in IT is a lifetime. If the concepts conveyed within this book are adopted by everyone, then there will be no differentiation in the market place.

Inter-Relationship between Tesco’s IT Strategy and General Strategy

2006-11-30T15:32:00.000Z

The Case Study selected is Tesco. The primary reason that Tesco was chosen is that the group felt that Tesco is an excellent example to show inter–relationship between IT Strategy and General Strategy. We believe that Tesco clearly demonstrates how a successful combination can assist in creating not only strategic advantage, but also competitive advantage.

Tesco is one of the biggest food retailers in the world[1] and the largest in the UK, operating with over 2,000 stores and employing over 360,000 people in 13 countries. 80% of sales and profits come from the UK business where the company operates under four different store formats; Extra, Superstore, Metro and Express. Typically, a Tesco superstore stocks around 40,000 product lines, of which food comprises 25,000 - the rest consisting of clothing and other non–food lines. The company’s own-label products count for 50 percent of the total sales and are split into three categories, Value, Normal and Finest. Retailing services comprise of financial, telecom, gas stations and e-commerce. During 2006 Tesco’s sales increased by 10.7% to £32.7bn (last year £29.5bn), with like for like growth of 7.5% (including volume of 7.6%) and 3.2% from net new stores. The following report provides an analysis into the strategy of the popular supermarket company, Tesco, highlighting the inter relationship between their general strategy and their IT strategy. We have highlighted two specific examples that Tesco have stated on their company website.
In 2000, Tesco.com was launched, covering all Tesco e-commerce for customers. Tesco.com is now the most successful on–line grocery shopping service in the world. Sales continued to grow strongly in the year - up by 31.9%, to reach almost £1 billion. Profit increased by 54.9% to £56.2 million. The grocery home shopping service has since become the largest grocery e-tailer in the world achieved a profit of £12m in April 2003.
With the introduction of their loyalty card in 1994, they have brought about a significant change in the size of the company. They have achieved this by analyzing the data provided by the cards to develop an understanding of the departments that people shop in and the frequency in which they shop and the combination of those two variables.

TESCO STRATEGY

The core purpose of Tesco is to quote from their website; “To create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty.” The website then goes on to state that their success depends on people, both the people who shop in their stores and the people who work in them. Finally it summarises that “If our customers like what we offer, they are more likely to come back and shop with us again.” From these few words we can understand the absolute importance Tesco places on customer feedback.
Tesco has clearly articulated their strategy. It is based on a long term strategy for growth, and is segmented into four main parts:
~ Growth in the Core UK market
~ Expansion by growing Internationally
~ To be as strong in ‘Non-Food’ as in Food
~ To follow customers into new retailing services.
This is the explicit definition of Tesco’s strategy as displayed concisely on their website. However many analysts believe that contrary to popular belief it is not their sheer scale which is their real competitive advantage but their loyalty card: “Clubcard”. Their Clubcard is already renowned for tracking the habits of up to 13 Million British families for over a decade. This card is considered to be the single most important element in their strategy and acts as the hub that all the explicit strategies support or even emerge from. For example, according to Tim Mason, who Clubcard data informed a series of strategic decisions such as the move into smaller store formats and the launch of the Internet site, tesco.com. It also was given credit for the reason to start the selling Tesco Mobile phones, Pet Insurance and the “Finest” food Range.
Of course all supermarkets have the core information that essentially tells them what they have sold, when they sold it, and at what price it was sold for. However the Clubcard gives the extra layers on that data, and lets the retailer know exactly who bought it. Secondly according to the FT Magazine Article, Very Smart Card of November 11th/12th 2006, “One supplier who wished to remain anonymous, said it is particularly hard to pitch to Tesco buyers these days without using Dunhumby (Clubcard) data, since this data is the rationale that buyers are used to basing their decisions on.”
Tesco’s fundamental implicit strategy appears to be to understand everything about the customer through data mining of Clubcard. Then by using this data Tesco can operate their explicit strategies of growth through the four main parts of Core UK, International, Non Food and Retailing Services.

IT STRATEGY

The application portfolio outlined below can be effectively used to identify the collection of corporate IT application systems that are used by Tesco in respect of their IT strategy.

· Support demonstrates applications that can improve the effectiveness of management, which are not critical to the business.
· Turnaround or key operational applications are critical to sustain the existing business. A good example of this is Tesco’s use of Point of Sale (POS) which is linked to inventory control and distribution.
· Strategic are applications that are critical to the future of the business’s success.
· Factory or high potential applications are applications which are innovative and which may be of future strategic importance.

The IS/IT was introduced into Tesco initially to act only as a support to the business. However it was soon recognised that this could also be used to major strategic advantage as well. A good example of this is the use of the loyalty cards. When the Club card was first introduced its main intention was to provide a loyalty system to customers, however once senior managers realised what information the system was capturing they were able to use this to gain strategic advantage over competitors. Information gathered from the club cards, revealed both the spending habits of their customers and the areas of the store in which they normally shopped. By combining these two variables, Tesco was able to identify each type of customer demands, thus enabling them to more effectively adapt to customer needs.

As current market leaders, Tesco have been able to use IT effectively to improve their services, as demonstrated by the strategic grid below:

CONCLUSION

The Position we hold is that Tesco has a public (explicit) strategy and a private (implicit) strategy. The implicit strategy is essentially optimising Clubcard to its fullest extent. The explicit strategy is simply the four key parts - Core UK, International, Non Food and Retailing Services.

The area where IT demonstrates the greatest interrelationship with the implicit strategy is in the manner in which it has enabled Tesco to gain competitive advantage by capturing customer data from their loyalty cards. This is core. By effective usage of the data captured, Tesco has been able to base its pricing strategies, promotions, and marketing to target specific customers at specific times. Tesco now also print vouchers with till receipts provided to customers, specific to the category spending of the Club cardholder. It is technology and innovation like this that have made Tesco the undisputed number one retailer in the UK marketspace.

Furthermore the additional information gathered through Clubcard has aided their explicit strategies such as core UK, Non Food and new Retailing Services. Clubcard and the powerful data capture systems, databases and predictive modelling tools have helped Tesco to identify opportunities for diversification into new products such as Finest, Organic, Free from and Healthy Living, as well as develop new store formats and sizes. It is the analysis of the data from Clubcard that again has shaped their strategic diversification into new retailing services such as for example, non-food items and financial services. Tesco has realised that a better understanding of its customers means that it can meet customer needs more effectively, which means in turn the customer is likely to spend more.

Of course IT interrelates with the explicit strategies in numerous methods. Like any other business Tesco is using its IT systems in context - in order to reduce and in some cases eliminate transaction costs. The greatest area for opportunity is the incorporation of RFID in order to remove bottlenecks from the queuing process and to hold the right amount of inventory.

They are using IT in order to aid their development into International Markets. Tesco has a powerful ERP system with multi currency, multi lingual interfaces - which allows for effective and efficient business processing. It also means that they can negotiate global contracts and arrange drop shipments, linked to Local customs and vendors systems through EDI.

In conclusion, I would say that the interrelationship between Tesco’s strategic relationship and its IT strategy are close to being synonymous. The implicit corporate strategy (Clubcard) depends 100% on the IT strategy in turn depends 100% on the commitment to Clubcard. All other IT strategies are purely context but the clubcard is core. In our considered opinion we would say that Tesco’s IT strategy and its corporate strategy are completely and utterly interdependent.

[1] Tesco now operates in twelve countries in addition to the UK; the Republic of Ireland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey and Poland in Europe and in South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and China in Asia.

Leading Portals Are Wary Of Smaller Rivals

2006-11-30T10:27:00.000Z

The Comment & Analysis section in today's FT, exposes a leaked memo from Yahoo. The memo highlights the concerns that the smaller rivals are gaining pace and increasing their market share.

The fear is that they will fall into the same trap as Excite Netscape and Lycos - all were leaders until they were victims of mismanagement, and new superior technology.

On the top global web properties ranking (by total unique visitors - September 2006 (million) Microsoft was the leader with over 500 closely followed by Yahoo and google and Ebay leads the remaining 'players' with jut over 200m. For the present players to lead the favoured portals they must constantly review their platform and constantly update and change, otherwise obscurity may still beckon.

http://www.ft.com/

Kodak in for a digital shake-up

2006-11-29T12:42:00.000Z

Although the Kodak company was at the forefront of the digital photographic age, it did not realise just how much it would revolutionize the whole industry, and become a disruptive technology. Others took the opportunity to seize the initiative and cross the chasm. Company head, Antonia Perez, has reduced the number of employees by 27,000 (out of a a 64,000 total) and is promising further changes to reduce the $3.4bn debt mountain.

Pound to hit 2 Dollars?

2006-11-28T11:32:00.000Z

So the currency analysts are saying. Before you get too excited, this is because the UK interest rates are going to rise again. Mortgages are going up!

Apple Set To Add Another Bite

2006-11-28T10:47:00.000Z

The forecasters are predicting that Apple will beat last year's, first quarter sales of 14 million iPods, generating $2.9 billion. The dynamic company is constantly looking to introduce disruptive technologies and have pioneered the 'crossing the chasm' theory. Speculation is mounting as to what the new Apple products, due to be launched at the MacWorld Expo trade show will offer - the current favorite is a product that integrates mobile phone technology!

Google accused of having a Southern bias

2006-11-27T14:28:00.000Z

Liverpool regeneration bosses have accused google of having a Southern bias as a search engine - in particular Google Earth which does not include the massive redevelopment areas within the city. Such landmarks as the new Wembley and Arsenal FC statiums yet it does not include liverpool's new £900m shopping and leisure development. If you haven't visited google earth recently - it is well worth a quick browse.

Online video 'eroding TV viewing'

2006-11-27T13:04:00.000Z

The online video boom is starting to eat into TV viewing time, an ICM survey of 2,070 people for the BBC suggests.

How will the licensing fee be affected by this?
Should the BBC start to look for other revenue streams?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6168950.stm

Smart homes a reality in S Korea

2006-11-27T12:56:00.000Z

More than 100 homes offering smart technology have just been built in South Korea and another 30,000 are planned.

Could this come to the UK?
I want one...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/6179868.stm

Feel the Wind - Inside the Tornado

2006-11-26T19:56:00.000Z

Following on from Ian Hendrick's classic lecture on chasm and the effects that happened to his business when his key business partner no longer required the services of Hendrick and co. I have noticed that this was happening to me with one of our suppliers and that whilst they were an important supplier to us, we were not an important customer to them, as they were in the tornado.

Well I felt the wind and decided to find a supplier which was much more stable and not experiencing such massive growth.

The heat is turned up for top of the table clash

2006-11-25T14:59:00.000Z

The media is now hotting up the hype over the clash of the 'Big Two' tomorrow afternoon at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Fergerson is delighted to have a full squad of players that are all fit, after Rio Ferdinand was free of his ankle injury. Hosts Manchester United will be looking to extend their lead but Chelsea favourite Frank Lampard has said "it's a must-not lose game for us"

Both clubs having identified the chasm clearly see the importance of winning the title.

BBC Still In Row Over Online Advertising Revenue

2006-11-25T14:30:00.000Z

The BBC is trying to earn revenue from advertisers through the BBC Worlwide website. There is already revenue from sponsorship of 'worldwide' via such channels as the 24 hour news and there is an obvious opportunity to extend this into online activity.

Polical pressure from various MP's, backed by the NUJ, is mounting in it's attempt to abort such a possibility.

Has RFID crossed the chasm?

2006-11-25T00:50:00.000Z

A brilliant article...

http://www.convertingmagazine.com/whitepapers/Has_RFID_Crossed_the_Chasm.pdf

Hon Hai to make Apple iPOD phone

2006-11-24T14:14:00.000Z

According to gossip on the Chinese EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services) Sites..
Hon Hai has received orders from Apple to assemble its mobile phones, to be shipped 1H07. The phones are expected to function as iPODs.

Da Vinci would have liked ERP systems

2006-11-24T11:01:00.000Z

After recently being inspired by the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci at the V & A museum I can't help wondering, what, with such a fantastic brain, would he have produced with modern technology. His brilliance was applied to diversities such as paintings, flying machines, tanks and even an early form of a calculator. This was back in the 16/17th centuries when information was limited.

If you have a chance to see the exhibition I would strongly recommend you do so - SUPERB!

Classic Road Sign

2006-11-22T21:06:00.000Z

Speed Cameras - A tax on the careless!

This piece of artwork epitomises the feeling of an entire nation.

Google Shares have broken USD500 each.

2006-11-22T12:53:00.000Z

Google now have a market cap of over USD154Billion. Great for an eight year old company!!!!!!!

However it seems that the share price at flotation of USD85 looks very cheap. Analysts are suggesting that the $1.65B acquisition of You Tube which looked expensive at the time has been the latest key driver in the surge.

My analysis suggest that the purchase of YouTube cost less than 1% of the current value of Google.

The value of Yahoo is now worth less than USD40Billion.

Now it seems that the next hurdle people are chasing is the USD600 per share for Google.

Who knows???

Disruptive Technologies for/to Graeme Wood

2006-11-21T22:11:00.000Z

My day-to-day life has changed! For two reasons, the first is that I have opted for the MIS module this term for one of my MBS-MBA Diploma options, and the second is the fact that we have started a 'blog' as part of the MIS requirement. The 'blog' is a shock because I didn't think that it was something that I would get into and it is the opposite! The Management Information Systems option is a subject that I put down as being for the 'Geeks' and not for the real world - HOW WRONG CAN YOU BE? I am currently changing my whole thinking when it comes to technology, the future, systems and the management of people when implementing change.

DISRUPTIVE? I think that is an understatement !

Environmental effects of Out of Date Electronics

2006-11-21T21:19:00.000Z

Every company I go to recently seems to have piles of old fashioned CRT monitors lying around. I always make a point of asking the question, waht are you going to do with them. The standard answer is that we are trying to give them away to a local schools but nobody seems to want them.

The LCD Monitor has been a disruptive technology that replaced CRT Monitors, however the real disruptive technology might be the Notebook Computer which wipes out LCD Monitors per se.

'MYSPACE' LOOKING TO GO MOBILE

2006-11-21T18:44:00.000Z

Following on from my Blog colleague's earlier entry, regarding mobile phone technology, social networking giant MYSPACE has announced it's intentions to link up with a distribution partner to launch a mobile phone venture that will also cover Europe.

Mobiles hope to be 'smart wallet'

2006-11-21T11:42:00.000Z

Here we go again on mobiles.

Looks like everything possible is now been loaded onto mobile phones.
How long before we jettison our laptops and make use of mobile phones instead?

At present, it is possible to get a full Qwerty Keyboard for your mobile, and as time goes on, the foldable screen will become more mainstream and you can unfurl it when needed and roll it back into your bag when finished.

Now where will all this fit into the CHASM theory?
Who will be the first to make all this happen?
What sort of killer app will be needed to make early majority (pragmatists) adopt the technology
Technology enthusiats are already there and Visionaries are already knocking on the door.
How will this cross the CHASM?
Will it?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6168222.stm

Disruptive Technologies Nearly Bring London to a Halt (Sort Of)!

2006-11-20T17:24:00.000Z

The Technology in the electronic points system on the London Underground, failed this morning, bringing chaos to the Central line which carries 600,000 passengers a day, and the Circle line which transports 218,000 passangers was at a complete halt. The District line was also suspended.

Hundreds of thousands of London workers were late this morning, obviously disrupting the normal Monday morning routine. Today is already being referred to as 'Black Monday' RMT General Secretary, Rob Crow, is calling for Train companies to increase - not decrease their number of staff. The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, is calling for sackings at the very top.

I was on the Underground earlier today but, luckily, the disruption was over and it was business as usual. There were, however, plenty of disgruntled passengers blaming this 'modern day technology'.

European TV Market in Massive Overcapacity throughout 2007

2006-11-19T22:50:00.000Z

Whilst the big giants are fighting for market share of large screen monitors/Televisions. They are all building capacity which far exceeds the demand of the market. This is one battle that nobody can afford to lose.

Sony are already humiliated across the world in most other product categories. They cannnot fail on TV sets.

Philips - need to remain a Top 3 TV Brand in their home market.

Sharp - Huge investments in 8G plants and the biggest R&D labs in the world...

LG, Samsung - Will Korea's twin tigers worry about losing a few billion more? They control 30% of the LCD Glass

Taiwan - They control almost 50% of the glass.

China - Will the goverment support their penetration on Europe with a low price strategy.

Turkey: The big 3; Vestel, BEKO and Profilo have been doing rather well with their EU assembly bypassing the 14% duty with their CRT business.

Will this be the biggest war ever on Consumer Electronics?

According to several sources in the US, Black Friday (prior to Christmas Sales) will deliver 40" LCD TV sets to the user at USD999 and 32" TV sets at USD499.

It seems at these prices LCD TV will be in the early majority sector of chasm theory.

ARE WE BEING WATCHED?

2006-11-19T17:36:00.000Z

I mentioned in my last blog that I was in London. Just received a phone call from the 'Outlaw' (mother-in-law) to inform us that our house has been broken into and the usual things have been taken i.e. the TV (which was about a month old) and electricals. These items and the broken patio window can easily be replaced, it's the personal items, like those that have been taken that Martin, my wifes late father bought as presents - it's not the money it's the sentimental value - irreplaceable. THE BASTARDS!

Rooney Sets Up Clash Of The Titans

2006-11-19T11:27:00.000Z

Manchester United are at home to Chelsea next Sunday, a game that could forge the basis for the eventual title winners. Not yet even half way through the season the clash will set the scene for the remaining games.

The 'red devils' retain their three point lead after winning a battle yesterday with bottom of the table strugglers Sheffield United. This was after going a goal behind thanks to a fantastic header from from Sheffields ex Manchester United player Keith Gillespie in the thirteenth minute. Despite Manchester United being in control for most of the game, it took some sublime football, and two goals from the in-form genius Wayne Rooney, to turn the game around.

Chelsea will need to win next week to pull themselves level with the league leaders, however, if United beat the current champions they will be six points clear at the top of the table.

I am currently in London for a few days, and the buzz has already started, obviously the local support is mainly from the Chelsea camp, and they are convinced that Chelsea will steal the win - I hope they are wrong - but whatever the result, for the sake of the 'beautiful' game, please don't let it be 00-AET!

www.extra.time@observer.co.uk

IS AMAZON TAKING OVER FROM SANTA?

2006-11-18T16:48:00.000Z

Amazon is ready with it's vast, 50,000 square yards of warehouse in Milton Keynes, to despatch online orders in time for christmas. The picture in today's daily mail shows an internal photograph of the amazon distribution centre that is the size of eight football pitches.
Watch out santa as you could be SORTED by disruptive technologies!www.dailymail.co.uk

Hydrogen Powered Car

2006-11-18T08:13:00.000Z

BMW has announced the launch of the worlds first commercially available hydrogen powered car.

The car, which is able to run on both conventional fuel and hydrogen using the same engine, is definitely a revolution, seeing that rival manufacturers are still struggling with so called electric cars.
Electric cars you will recall struggle to attain any meaningful distance on a single charge.
But how environmentally friendly will the BMW hydrogen powered car be?
What will it cost the environment to produce enough hydrogen to power a 7 Series Beemer?
How will they market this product to cross the chasm?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6154212.stm

Is the web going mobile at last?

2006-11-17T12:24:00.000Z

3 have just announced a tie up with Google, eBay, Yahoo and a host of others.
Will this revolutionize the way we access the web?

Meg Whitman, who runs eBay, calls 3's X-Series a "key milestone" in the development of the internet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6155678.stm

Ecstacy kills Alderley Edge Teenager

2006-11-16T13:10:00.000Z

Sadly Alderley Edge student Sian Sadler died on Saturday after taking a fatal dose of Ecstacy in Sankey Soaps nightclub in Manchester. Sian was a charming lady who sold the local threads in Bank Fashion Store.

Sian, you will be sadly missed....

Her parents Philip and Yvonne are setting up a memorial fund where the money will be donated to two local charities: The Rainbow Family Trust and Friends for Leisure.

MS Launch Ipod Killer secretly in the US - The Zune limps out into the stores

2006-11-15T23:29:00.000Z

So the Zune is out in the US - THe BBC Opinion is here. They are citing it as a modest launch ( Massive understatement)

Maybe it might come free with your operating system - then it will have a chance to topple the ipod

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6143500.stm

It seems the DRM is a bit strict on it as it has even been denying access to some of the reviewers own creations!!!!

The greatest goal in the world

2006-11-15T23:15:00.000Z

My son has a new reward system. In the past when he was good I gave him a shiny ten pence piece, now in order to save money and as a reflection of his great achievements, his new reward is that he can appear on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhQ3CFnRPPA

42 INCH LCD TV PRICE CRASH

2006-11-15T14:14:00.000Z

As everyone alwys like to get my opinion on LCD TV. I can confirm that today was the day that the 42" LCD TV WXGA Panel price first broke through the USD600 barrier. This means that the complete BOM (Bill of Materials) for 42" High Definition LCD TV will be USD825 plus shipping, Euro Assembly and Profit. This price will happen in a few months based on the leadtime. In principle assuming everything goes perfectly and the channel makes no margin GBP599 inc Vat for a 42" LCD TV set is feasible in time for Easter!!!

New Revenue Streams for Media Companies - Some Questions??

2006-11-14T19:24:00.000Z

A bit of Kendrick-style future thinking here. Scenario Planning could follow.... A few rambling thoughts in the style of Syd Barratt.... leading to open questions..

Assuming that TV Companies are not capable or able to sell their content in the future - and the content has to be given away for free. There obviously needs to be a revenue stream attached to make the content happen assuming businesses still exist in their current format. What will that revenue stream be, and will it be larg enough to support the cost of producing it.

So.

For the BBC, if people are getting the content through the internet, does one really need a tv licence. Especially if all the devices are monitors or projectors connected to computers. Will there be a mountain of aerials in the future???? What will the BBC become?

Will advertising cease to exist in it's current format, as the technology is already capable of skipping advertisments in parallel?Will the technology exist in the future that can eliminate all forms of ads by understanding your preferences?

Will advertsing become part of the programme and vice versa, maybe sponsorship and product placement will grow at the expense of traditional pre-roll advertising?

Yet again we can see the power of the internet as the ultimate disruptive technology...

Are we not only elimiminating transaction costs but also transaction values too? Is there such thing as a transaction value?

I think revenue share will be the most important way forward, but it will need clever technology to calculate how it is going to work. Is this chasm theory. The future gets infinitely more complicated but ever so exciting.

Google your taxes

2006-11-14T14:01:00.000Z

An article in the FT today reports that the Tories will be introducing a bill to the Lords in the parliamentary session that starts tomorrow to introduce a website that details government spending. The website will be used to detail all expenditure over £25,000.
This proposal reflects the importance of the internet in politics.
http://www.ft.com/

Diagnosis via Google

2006-11-13T12:34:00.000Z

According to recent reports, Doctors are being urged to use the internet to help them diagnose illnesses, arriving at the diagnosis within seconds. Not all results were proved to be accurate and a spokesman from the patients association voiced concerns about this process.

The British Medical Journal has acknowledged that there is certainly an advantage for the medical profession, to have vast information through the internet, including worldwide reports on related cases, for diagnsis purposes.

The other side efect of having such information readily available is that there is a growing amount of self-diagnosing on the web, such people are known as CYBERCHONDRIACS. The NHS is certainly not going to be replaced by the net just yet!!

The Dark Side of the Net

2006-11-13T12:29:00.000Z

The internet is being used by paedophiles to target their victims.

A recent court case resulted in a man being found guilty of blackmail and demanding sexual performances through the net - threatening to wipe out the computer files on the victims PC if they did not comply.

A frightening thought for all parents and a close eye on childrens useage is essential

Diagnosis via Google

2006-11-13T12:11:00.000Z

According to recent reports, Doctors are being urged to use the internet to help them diagnose illnesses, arriving at the diagnosis within seconds. Not all results were proved to be accurate and a spokesman from the patients association voiced concerns about this process.

The British Medical Journal has acknowledged that there is certainly an advantage for the medical profession, to have vast information through the internet, including worldwide reports on related cases, for diagnsis purposes.

The other side efect of having such information readily available is that there is a growing amount of self-diagnosing on the web, such people are known as CYBERCHONDRIACS. The NHS is certainly not going to be replaced by the net just yet!!

Blog Site Prize - Free Signed Girls Aloud Book

2006-11-13T11:05:00.000Z

In order to reward the regular viewers of our blog site. The team at 00AET have decided to give away a signed copy of Girls Aloud Official Year Book to the reader who leaves the funniest comment under this post.

The year book has already been signed by Woody and Stevo. Bill and Wale will soon put pen to paper. The publishers have already taken the initiative of including the signatures of the girls printed on Page 6. So all 8 signatures will be there in various forms.

This book will be unique as the team from 00AET have promised that they will never all sign another copy of a Girls Aloud Year Book. "This is the only one in the world and sure to become a collectors item" explained Bill.

Asked why the boys at 00AET have chosen the Girls Aloud as a prize. Blog team leader Wale quickly pointed out the shared ideology, and stated "the fact that we were both manufactured. The girls came together through a pop competition, and were voted the winners by a national TV audience. We however were manufactured and put in a team by the MIS dept at MBS and quickly came to a success via a nationwide audience of avid internet viewers!"

Graham Woody aka Woody was quick to point out that "although both groups held a lot of mutual respect for each other, there was a limited chance of an intra group romance taking place. They are all so busy with making their sounds, while we are all tied up writing original news articles for the globe to enjoy."

When quizzed about the rumour that Girls Aloud are thinking of starting a blog site and trying to cross the chasm and move into the boys territory. Stevo was quick to point out that "there are only two things from stopping us crossing the chasm and moving from the market winning blog site into pop music and they are: talent and looks."

Nokia re moving into GPS for cars, Apple to have 15.4" NB, PS3 still late

2006-11-12T20:59:00.000Z

Nokia car-use GPS

Primax Electronics has recieved orders from Nokia for 60K GPS devices. Primax already supplies Nokia with Bluetooth headsets. The device is sold as the Nokia 330 Auto Navigation. Nokia's entry into the GPS market is not expected to affect first-tier GPS vendors, but to challeng second and third tier vendors and other newcomers.

Apple Mac Book orders
Foxconn has received orders from Apple for its 15.4-inch MacBook, with shipments to begin May 2007. This win for Foxconn will represent a loss, and deduction of order volume, for Asustek.

PS3 orders
Foxconn will begin shipping PS3 game consoles to Sony in February 2007. Sony it is time to go back to cassette players and aperture frill Cathode Ray Tubes. A dead man walking the green mile. Close the company down and return the money to the shareholders.

Communication through technology

2006-11-12T14:09:00.000Z

I visited 'Stevo' one of my fellow blogger team-mates at his house yesterday (fantastic crib)!

- We had discussed getting together through email, organised it via text message, and confirmed the meeting by a mobile telephone conversation, I then used the satellite navigation system to find him. He then gave me the new ipod which he had ordered on my behalf (which no doubt will govern other aspects of my day to day life) and we had a conference call with another of the premier players from our blog team, Wale, to find out the fantastic news of the birth of his baby daughter (Congratulations from us all)! I then read later, through the blog that Dave's (Stevo) dog had sadly died, although, if I even see anywhere near 91 I will be a happy man!

The impact that technology has on our daily lives is quite incredible but fantastic and if you think of the how much (or how little) of the above wasn't available never mind commonplace 10/15 years ago it is mind boggling to think of what the next 10 years will bring!

One in - One Out - The death of my Labrador. RIP

2006-11-11T20:46:00.000Z

Tragically my ancient family pet Labrador Kite, died today aged 13 years old. That is a lot in dog years - some day use the ratio of 7, so she would have been 91 in human years. She will be sadly missed especially by my parents who have looked after her for the last thirtenn years. So I guess the DOG GOD will have to grasp the batten now for the final stage in the relay...

I have not got a picture of her to hand but funny enough all black labradors look the same so hee is a similar looking one I found on Google Images.

It seems the blog site can bring births, deaths, christenings and maybe the odd bahmitzvah. The times they are a changing again.

Claudia Jones - Welcome to the World - Wale's new Daughter

2006-11-11T14:02:00.000Z

Wale Jones, one of the founding members of 00AET, the leading Blogsite from the MIS Course at MBS proudly announced. "It's a girl, we are calling her Claudia nd she weighed about six pounds and an Ounce. Both Mother and daughter are doing fine!" Wale on the other hand is working hard on preparing the book review on crossing the chasm, whilst trying to get a few minutes sleep in between caring for the new born baby. When asked why he chose the methodology of a blog to announce his daughters birth to the world, Wale suggested that the new media, like Blogging will be second nature to Claudia as she grows up. Naturally he kept his speech short. Wale also made the solemn vow that hw was going to take one picture of every day of Caludia's life and post it to her blogsite. THis will be an amazing diary for the lass as she grows up.

Wale on behalf of the rest of the team at 00AET. We salute you. It is your world and we are guests on it!

The Manchester United Team Should Read the FT

2006-11-10T12:36:00.000Z

A very interesting supplement in Today's FT is dedicated to collaboration, which perhaps would have benefited the Manchester United 'flunkers' had they managed (if they were able to) read this before they had their dismal performance against the 'mighty' Southend. Well worth a browse - if you can't manage to obtain a copy - log onto
www.ft.com/collaboration

UNleashing the Killer App - Website is Better than the book

2006-11-09T23:33:00.000Z

Check out the website from Downes and Mui. It is designed to complement the book. However in my humble opinion it beats the book hands down. Talk about cannibalising your markets, well they do! Talk about giving as much information as you can - then they do that too. This is real

http://www.killer-apps.com/

Big Hole Found in Derbyshire - Titan it's officially a chasm

2006-11-08T21:50:00.000Z

I wonder what Geoff Moore would say about crossing this chasm...

It is as tall as the London Eye apparently, but it is underground. I wonder if Derbyshire Pot Hole Club can use this chasm they have discovered to go mainstreet. Perhaps the market for Japanese Tourists could be their lead pin??

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/index.shtml

I wish it had been 00AET!

2006-11-08T10:14:00.000Z

Crossing the Chasm is exactly what Southend United did last night!

Struggling at the bottom of division one the strategy for the Southend United playing against the Premiership leaders - Manchester United - fielding a strong team including the top international players, was damage limitation, the manager was hoping to keep the score against them as low as possible.

Not only did Southend manage to keep the goals against to nil, but a super free kick delivered in the 27th minute stole the game for Southend United!

Apparently the Manchester United manage Alex Ferguson was unavailable for comment to the media for up to one hour after the game as he was still locked in the dressing room with his players - no doubt delivering the 'hair-dryer' treatment!

A devastated Wayne Rooney

The deal that nearly went down the tubes

2006-11-07T10:08:00.000Z

According to a report in the Financial Times today, there was little chance of Google agreeing the deal to buy YouTube without the piece of mind that lawsuits were not to follow from the music companies over infringement of copywrite.

Apparently the deciding factor was when Warner semi-legitimised YouTube by striking a deal to distribute its music videos on the site in exchange for a licensing fee and a share of advertising.

This underpins just how fragile the deal was, which is amazing considering the purchase price (equivalent) was $1.65billion.

Sale kick the Wasps out of town

2006-11-06T20:50:00.000Z

It was a good week for Rugby but not if you were a Englishman. I was priveleged to watch the match of the Sharks versus the Wasps on Friday night. It was not a great game of rugby, but was a great evening's entertainment.

It struck me that if you compare club rugby uniin to club football. It seems that Rugby has been stuck in the chasm. The crowd of 10000 was considered mammoth, but just down the road at Manchester the crowd of over 70000 was considered as normal... I wonder what the lead pin is...

http://www.wasps.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27619

Microsoft Office 2007 - The Toolbar is dead - Long live the ribbon

2006-11-06T20:39:00.000Z

According to a recent review of the famous productivity suite from Microsoft, the toolbars are officially dead, and the ribbon will take over. So instead of presenting a vast array of confusing commands - all tasks now will be relevant to the page that you are on. Thus making MS applications even easier to use!!!

I bet avid readers are all wondering how long before Apple copy this idea too!!! ;o)

This shows the sustaining technologies that MS are folowing. For me I will jump to the disruptive technologies of i rows and writely through the web. Unfortunately they are not ready for the mac yet........

Open Source has a far more compelling reason to buy - No Cost, and I am only a simple user.

Audi Q7 - Price plummets again!!! Sub 400 pounds.

2006-11-06T20:36:00.000Z

At this rate they will be free by Christmas..

Computers rule our health!

2006-11-06T17:42:00.000Z

It was reported today in the Times newspaper that a new computer device remotely controls insulin for diabetic patients. When the diabetics blood sugar is altered either by food/drink intake, or when medication is wearing off, the insulin is triggered and dispensed automatically - computer technology becoming life's blood!

The ramifications of this are very positive with regards to the future possibilities of health control via computer technology. i.e. How far in the future will pre-diagnosis be detected by our computers?

Help! They know all about me

2006-11-05T13:21:00.000Z

John-Paul Flintoff wrote an article in the Sunday Times today (05/11/06) on how Britain has become the most spied-upon and databased society in th western world.

Apparently your mobile phone is open to interrogation from law inforcement groups, in 2002 more than 400,000 requests for data from mobile network operators were made.

There are 6,000 speed cameras and 8,000 automatic car number plate recognition devices in the UK. Helicoptors have the ability to read number plates.

There is now one cctv camera for every 14 people within the UK - on an average day you could be caught on camera more than 300 times!

Even at the office, the management could be looking at your every entry on the computer via a keystroke monitor and all UK internet service providers are obliged to monitor the websites we visit and pass all information to the MI5 under the regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill.

Whether you are buying groceries at the supermarket, using a loyalty card ofr looking at your favourite web site, Big Brother Britain is monitoring you!

Google Bosses in Negotiations with Content Providers regarding You Tube

2006-11-04T09:29:00.000Z

According to rumours coming out of the states on Thursday and Friday. Eric Scmidt and some of his key staff are locked in meetings with Time Warner and the like. It seems that these media companies are very wary of google achieving the same dominance in video distribution that they have achieved in search advertising.

I do believe that this is a classic example of the original video providers fighting against the potential "disruptive technologies" as mentioned in Downes and Mui's classic novel - "Unleashing the Killer App."

New IPOD and IPOD Phone - Romour from Cruvvers

2006-11-01T10:16:00.000Z

Ceck these out - We don't just want them we need them....

http://techfreep.com/full-screen-ipod-iphone-confirmed-by-extremely-well-informed-apple-exec.htm

I guess it is an example of Apple Crossing the Chasm from mp3 player to mobile phone, oooooo I mean handheld computer...

I guess this is a modern day Newton??

Discuss?

US Dollar Hits 1.9099

2006-10-31T20:04:00.000Z

THe USD Dollar has devalued even more, and earlier today the pound was able to break through the 1.9 Barrier. I am not sure how quickly it will stay north of 1.9, I am sure it will not be long before it could be bouncing back south of 1.80.