Rhys Stacker

PERTH tech company Working Systems Solutions Ltd has strengthened its interest in the international health IT market by merging its health business into its recently acquired subsidiary Global Health Ltd.

WA’S IT professionals, graduates and university students are recognising the benefits of joining one of the State’s many IT associations.

THE IT industry appears to be unimpressed by Hewlett Packard’s plan to acquire rival Compaq Computer for $25 billion, with many commentators talking down the prospects of a successful merger and the markets hammering both companies’ stocks.

THE software developer supplying solution tools for the WA Department of Transport’s licensing and registration systems overhaul believes its support programs are the major contributing factor to the project’s success.

THE first step in the Federal Government’s ambitious package to address the IT skills shortage was announced last week, with Australian universities set to receive funding for an additional 2670 places.

AUSTRALIA’S IT sector could be six months away from a return to positive growth and good employment prospects, according to industry commentators.

PERTH technology companies switched their gaze from the US and UK to the subcontinent this week with the arrival of a 21 member delegation from India.

PERTH technology and licensing company QPSX has risen above the tough tech industry climate to post a $400,000 net profit, in place of a forecasted loss of $32,000.

WA’S Internet Services Providers have welcomed plans by Australia’s top telecommunications watchdog to introduce a code of conduct for the ISP industry.

A LOCAL computer wholesale distributor has received a boost from Acer Communications and Multimedia’s strategy to increase its penetration across state markets.

WHILE the low Aussie dollar may mean holidays to the US and the UK are more expensive, it is providing Perth-based IT companies with a chance to expand into international markets.

SUCCESSIVE governments, both state and federal, have been on the receiving end of vitriolic public criticism over the decline in levels of service to rural areas.

ALTHOUGH the dizzying heights of the dot.com days may be just a memory, Internet advertising is alive and well in Australia.

WA’S peak Internet association has criticised a recent National Office for the Information Economy survey that indicates 93 per cent of government agencies are online.

ORBITAL Engine Corp last week announced that development of its unique combustion technology had reached a new milestone.

A SURVEY released by Olivier Recruitment last week showed the Australian IT sector is missing out on the employment growth enjoyed by other industries.

BUSINESS leaders who feel they are maximising the potential of the Internet were given a reality check at two recent seminars in Perth.

WHAT’S in a name? For some IT companies, it seems, everything.In the past few months web developers and solutions providers have dropped the quirky names, spruced up their business image and focused on being good corporate citizens.

WA-BASED Interactive Video Security has announced plans to merge with a South African security firm, bringing the WA company a greater international focus.

TEN years ago Global Positioning System (GPS) devices cost more than $100,000 and were used only by large mining and surveying companies.

DESPITE many companies slashing their online budgets in recent times, more than half of Australian businesses believe they are participating in the Internet economy, a new report has found.

PHILIP Trouchet got a lot more than he bargained for after his visit to Burswood Resort for a recent stock market expo.

AMONG the car dealerships and light industry in the Perth suburb of Burswood sits a small tech company with global aspirations.

SHAREHOLDERS of a WA company planning to popularise straight-line harness racing on the Internet have agreed to a change of name and direction.

JOBS could be under threat at Harman IT just months after the local IT consultancy was acquired by global communications company Marconi.

A ROW has developed between Mac users and the Australian Taxation Office over the accessibility of the ATO’s eTax software.

WHILE e-commerce and B2B may be IT buzzwords this year for large corporations, WA’s small business sector is trying to work out how email systems and websites can help their bottom line.

THE head of Pretzel Logic believes government agencies can save money and deliver improved customer service by embracing e-commerce solutions.

THE recent acquisition of WA-based Enterprise Solutions by Perth business Focal Systems will speed up the expansion of a unique, Danish-designed e-business service into WA.

A DOT.COM company’s chief executive officer is embarking on a six month, round Australia “tech trek” as a roving ambassador for the Internet Industry Association, and to report on the digital divide.

THE managing director of METHOD, formerly Method + Madness, said the forecasted drop in full-year revenues of parent company Sausage Software would not affect its operations.

MARK Lapins hunts computer viruses. The managing director of Netguard watches the web and listens to rumours to spot some of the 100 or so viruses it’s estimated are released onto the World Wide Web every week.