IBM to create RFID software, services

IBM will invest $250 million (R1.6 billion) to create the Sensor and Actuator Solutions group, aimed at bolstering support for devices such as those used in radio frequency identification (RFID) chips.

The group will focus on the creation of software, consulting and other services. IBM says it will roll-out WebSphere-based RFID middleware to automate the collection and management of data collected from tags and readers at distribution centres, reports InformationWeek.

The Sensor and Actuator Solutions group will also work on sensors driven by field-programmable logic that can be programmed to manage manufacturing-execution systems and discrete control systems, says VP Robert Mayberry.

"We are on a mission to provide an integration layer from the physical environment to the back-end IT enterprise. For the last several years, the chip plant has used the Internet to get back-end applications like ERP and CRM platforms to communicate with each other."

Microsoft will start charging Hotmail users for accessing their account from the Outlook or Outlook Express e-mail clients in order to deter spammers.

The feature, which allows Outlook and Outlook Express users to retrieve Hotmail messages without opening a browser window, was a free service. But Microsoft now says it will only offer it to new subscribers who pay the annual fee for Hotmail Plus or MSN Premium.

The software giant says the switch is not profit-motivated, but rather a reaction to spammers using the Outlook-Hotmail mechanism in order to quickly create large volumes of new accounts and start spamming from them.

According to Internetweek, existing Hotmail users who have set up mail retrieval from within Outlook or Outlook Express won`t be cut off immediately, but will have until next spring to upgrade to a paying account.

Cisco Systems has changed its Catalyst switching products in order to reach small and medium enterprises (SMEs) wishing to deploy converged data, voice and video networks.

The offerings include entry-level extensions to the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series of modular switches for integrated connectivity to servers, wireless access points, IP phones, printers or users, reports Internetnews. The company also unveiled the Cisco Network Assistant to provide centralised management of network maintenance and deployment.

According to Gartner VP Jim Browning, SME staff and budgets struggle to keep pace with the demands on their networks. "SMEs need ways to decrease the total cost of ownership of their networks while minimising network staffing requirements."

Virgin Group has launched an online music store, becoming the latest entrant in the now highly competitive digital music industry.

According to Internetweek, the Virgin Digital service offers more than a million songs for 99c (R6.40) each - the standard price among the major online music stores. However, its $7.99 (R52) a month for its subscription music services is cheaper than competitors RealNetwork`s and Roxio`s Napster service.

While Virgin Digital will initially be available only in the US, there are plans to extend it to other countries.