Microsoft needs your help

If you are looking for some adventure in your life and you’re feeling more than a little crazy, you can be one of the 2.5 million people given the “opportunity” to download Microsoft’s new operating system Windows 7, which is now in public beta. And don’t worry if you’ve never even tried MS windows Vista. That means you were probably a very smart person.

Starting this week, for a limited time, the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Beta is available in English, German, Japanese and Arabic. You have to register as a beta tester at www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx before you can begin the download. Please read the warning messages at the site if you’re considering trying this new operating system. Such warnings include, “It can be glitchy — so don’t use [it on] a PC you need every day;” and “You’ll need a system recovery disk, and know how to use it.” How inspiring!

Irish furious over Dell’s move

Dell will migrate all production of computer systems for customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) from Limerick, Ireland to its Lodz, Polish facility and third-party manufacturing partners over the next year. The manufacturing migration will be completed in a phased transition during 2009 and is part of the company’s cost reduction strategies.

Dell expects to reduce its Limerick manufacturing workforce by about two-thirds or 1,900 employees over the next 12 months. The initial release of employees will occur in April, with the full transition expected to be completed by January 2010. According to agency reports, up to 10,000 people in Ireland working in businesses dependent on the Dell plant and its workers, could lose their jobs as a result of Dell’s action. An investigation by the EU has been launched into the move.

Lenovo follows Dell’s lead

Lenovo will reduce the number of its employees worldwide by 2,500 during 1Q 2009. This is approximately 11 percent of its total workforce. The reduction is includes management and executive positions. The company is also reducing expenses in support and staff functions, such as finance, human resources and marketing. Lenovo also plans to reduce executive compensation by 30 to 50 percent, including merit pay and long-term incentives, as well as any performance payments for the coming year.

In a press release, the company stated that it hopes the measures will help it increase its efficiencies and become more competitive in the face of the continuing global economic downturn.

“Although the integration of the IBM PC business for the past three years was a success, our last quarter’s performance did not meet our expectations,” said Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo’s chairman of the board. “We are taking these actions now to ensure that in an uncertain economy, our business operates as efficiently and effectively as possible, and continues to grow in the future.” Results for Lenovo’s third fiscal quarter ending Dec. 31, 2008 have not yet been reported.

Remote robot supervision

Do you have a boss who arrives late, goes home early and takes long vacations, leaving you in peace in the office? Well, your happiness could be short lived due to the development of new robot technology from California’s Anybots, Inc.

The company has developed a telepresence robot which would allow a manager to be in two places at one time. Called QA, the telepresence robot operates simply and quietly and aims to give managers a full, physical presence — so they can creep up on unsuspecting employees.

The robot runs on rechargeable batteries that last four to six hours. QA stands 152 cm tall, weighs 14 kgs and can travel up to 10 km/h. It gives managers or owners the ability to move around and interact with employees in a remote location from the comfort of home or corporate headquarters.

The robot has full audio and video functionality. QA offers 802.11g wireless connectivity or optional 3G cellular connectivity and is PC or Mac compatible. The 18 cm color LCD in QA’s chest allows the manager to communicate visually with employees. The robot can bend to see if there are feet visible under a toilet stall but as of yet it doesn’t have the ability to turn a doorknob.

KSA call center success

Acer reports that its dedicated call center for its Saudi based customers has seen a 100 percent success rate in the first three months of operation. The world’s third largest PC vendor stated that all calls to the service center are answered in less than 30 seconds, and 95 percent of all queries are addressed in under three minutes.

Customers can access the call center through a toll free number: 800- 897-1456. Customers can also use an email facility — [email protected] to address their queries. The issues in ninety percent of all email traffic to the call center are handled the same day. The Acer call center is open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Saturday to Wednesday.