IT innovation, research and development

CW Nordics: Banks and startups increase collaboration

First they were deemed a threat, now they are potential partners. According to a new report by Nordic accelerator Fintech Mundi, banks are increasingly turning to financial technology (fintech) startups in their hunt for new ideas and market opportunities. Also in this issue, read now Baker Brun, a bakery company in Norway, is modernising its business processes through the latest technologies, and hear how Stockholm’s CIO is relishing the challenge of trying to make the Swedish capital the smartest city in the world. Continue Reading

UAE telco Du pushes SaaS adoption in Middle East

The Middle East looks set to see strong growth in software as a service and IT departments need to take a different approach Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

How banking technology has changed since the crash

In this week’s Computer Weekly, 10 years after the financial crash, we examine how banking technology has changed as a result of the economic crisis. We look at how GDPR, the EU’s new data protection laws, will affect your data storage strategies. And we ask if the cryptocurrency boom will remain a niche pursuit or whether the underlying technologies can bring benefits for enterprise IT. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Box uses Google’s AI to support image recognition in the enterprise

Optical character recognition and automated generation of image metadata is now possible, thanks to Google Cloud AI Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Barclays ring-fencing project means downtime for customers

Many Barclays services will be unavailable this weekend as part of the bank's project to separate retail and investment operations Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

A decade of IT change since banking meltdown

With 10 years passing since Northern Rock had to be bailed out by the government, we look at how banking IT has changed since the financial crisis Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Fiat joins BMW's autonomous car platform initiative

Car makers Fiat and BMW are working in collaboration with Intel and Mobileye to develop a scalable platform for self-driving vehicles Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Bristol hosts successful test of 5G mobile edge computing

Participants in the three-week trial of mobile edge computing technology took part in a virtual treasure hunt around the city centre Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

BBVA tops Forrester mobile bank app chart

Spanish bank BBVA has the best mobile banking app in the world, according to Forrester Research Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

HSBC uses IBM to automate the processing of 100 million document pages

In another instance of banks adopting automation to lower costs and drive productivity, HSBC uses IBM analytics technology to cut down on its paper trail Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

China tests hack-proof quantum satellite communications

China has tested a prototype communication system that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to make it impossible for hackers to access Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CIO interview: Daniel Gebler, chief technology officer, Picnic

The Netherlands has the highest supermarket density in the world, yet a technology company has been able to gain market share from the established order Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

CW Benelux: IoT Tech Day showcases innovation

Read about this year’s IoT Tech Day in Utrecht, Netherlands, which featured hobby projects such as light-sensing curtains that automatically open and close, but also showed that the IoT is growing up to encompass more serious applications. Also read about the lessons to be learned from the ‘Petya’ ransomware attack that has hit 60 countries, and find out how Dutch railway stations are monitoring the movement of travellers to reduce people jams. Continue Reading

Nordic countries top digital nations ranking, but risk stalling

Nordic countries are leaders when it comes to digitisation – but they must continue to innovate to retain their position Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

Formula 1 goes digital

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn hopes to make the sport more digital to enhance the fan experience of Grand Prix racing. We learn how virtual reality is being used to deliver healthcare services. And we examine the ethical concerns around artificial intelligence technology. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Voice control in BBC iPlayer pilot demos Microsoft's AI ambitions

An internal BBC pilot in collaboration with Microsoft shows how voice control could be used on the iPlayer TV streaming app Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

How logic games have advanced AI thinking

Pitting a chess computer against a chess champion used to be the end goal for machine intelligence. We explore how game play has improved artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

AI: A brief history of man versus machine intelligence

Over the last two decades machines have proved they can surpass humans at playing logical games Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Imperial College, University of Edinburgh and Harvard to run NHS Digital Academy

Consortium comprising Imperial College, Harvard University and the University of Edinburgh has been chosen to run three-year, £6m virtual academy aimed at upskilling CIOs and CCIOs Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

The fields of Athenry – how Apple’s datacentre plans are causing turmoil in a small Irish town

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look into Apple’s controversial plans to build a huge datacentre in a small town in the west of Ireland, and hear the local arguments it has caused. We find out how the Met Office is managing the vast quantities of data it uses for weather forecasting. And we examine Google plans to bring artificial intelligence tools to the job recruitment market. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

AA Ireland turns to predictive analytics in fraud crackdown

Roadside assistance company invests in analytics software to fight fraud and introduce dynamic pricing after its split with the AA Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Nordea deploys AI to speed up customer service

Nordea is reaping the rewards of its fintech investments through its latest project to use artificial intelligence to support customers Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

How the DVLA is making driving digital

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we hear from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about how it is becoming a digital hub for motoring and moving away from its legacy IT. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the future of data management. And we look at the importance of understanding the small print in your software licensing agreements. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

UAE hotel upgrades wireless network and internet connectivity

Beach resort completes major project to revamp its wireless infrastructure with TP-Link technologies Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

Tech disruption forces CEOs to rethink leadership

Headline figures from KPMG’s Outlook 2017 survey of 1500 CEOs shows that 40% expect technology innovation to cause major disruption Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

What are Amazon Web Services’ Nordic plans?

Amazon Web Services' head in the Nordic tells Computer Weekly about the region's increasing demand and use of the cloud Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

Daimler and Bosch show off autonomous valet parking

A test of an app-based autonomous valet service is to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart over the next few months Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

What's behind Google Hire?

Google Hire is the latest move by the internet search giant to expand its reach. We investigate the implications Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

TSB to introduce iris scan authentication in September 2017

TSB customers will soon be able to access their mobile bank accounts through iris scanning, which is regarded as the most secure biometric authentication available Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

London Stock Exchange uses IBM blockchain technology

The London Stock Exchange is testing out IBM's blockchain technology in a platform to help SME operations become more transparent Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Airbus helps secure critical infrastructure

In this week's ezine, Computer Weekly explores how to secure industrial control systems, which have often lagged behind the leading edge of IT security and pose serious risks to critical national infrastructure. Airbus believes that despite the vulnerabilities of individual components, industrial control systems as a whole are quite resilient. We also speak to the head of technology at Centrica about how the utility company is becoming a specialist provider of data lake integration tools, and we explore the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard. Continue Reading

How Formula 1 plans to digitise fan experience

For a sport built on advanced technology, Formula 1 has lacked a truly digitally enabled fan experience – but that could be about to change Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Wimbledon 2017: The tech behind the tennis

Each year IBM and Wimbledon work together to deliver an excellent sporting experience to both fans and players through the use of technology Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

HPE and CSC merger wins confidence of Zurich

Zurich Insurance has demonstrated confidence in CSC's merger with HPE through a contract extension Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Cognizant opens London lab to help customers with digitisation

Cognizant has opened its latest digital development centre in London, where it will work with customers and partners on digital business challenges Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

CW Middle East: How women can fill the tech skills gap

The growth of the IT sector continues to drive both innovation and employment in the Gulf, but women – as with all industries in the region – are under-represented in technology by significant margins, and could help to fill the tech skills gap. Also in this issue, read about growing threats in Saudi Arabia’s cyber sector, and how Dubai is becoming a world leader in smart city developments. Continue Reading

Legal & General picks HomeServe’s IoT LeakBot to protect homeowners

Insurance firm partners with HomeServe to deploy its internet of things LeakBot technology and lower customer premiums Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Met Police signs £8m digital forensics deal

MASS wins seven-year contract to supply a digital forensics managed service to London’s Metropolitan Police Service Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Mobile operators must act soon as 5G business models emerge

Full deployment of a commercial 5G mobile network is still at least two years away, but new business models are already beginning to crystallise around the technology, and operators would be wise to start preparations soon, a new report claims Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Experian admits mobile and online issues after system upgrade

Some customers of credit referencing company are having problems accessing a service they pay for following an IT upgrade and large customer migration to a new system Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Nordic CIO interview: Ann Hellenius, City of Stockholm

Stockholm’s CIO is relishing the challenge of trying to make the Swedish capital the smartest city in the world Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

Europe takes measured approach to 5G, driven by ROI concerns

European operators may be more concerned with getting the maximum value for money from their 3G and 4G networks than rushing to roll out 5G Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Why now is the time to appoint a chief agility officer

Companies need to innovate and find new ways of getting products to the market more quickly. Appointing a chief agility officer to the board will help Continue Reading

By

• Simon Masters and Tess Bregman

How the iPhone shows the value of innovation in a capitalist economy

Ten years of watching the iPhone transform markets around the world demonstrates the economic value of technology innovation Continue Reading

By

• Tim Worstall, Adam Smith Institute

Sweden trials blockchain for land registry management

Swedish land registry is trying out blockchain as a means of proving ownership Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

Dubai Police to enhance smart services with robot police

The streets of Dubai will soon see Robocops to help fight crime and help people out Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

Interview: Louise McCarthy and Valeria Della Rosa, EBRD

Two women are at the helm of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development’s technology change programme – the bank’s first-ever digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Why entrepreneurship is the only escape from AI-fuelled unemployment

Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, predicts up to 15m people could lose their jobs due to AI. Society must adapt Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Swedish fintech Klarna gains full banking licence

Swedish online payments provider Klarna becomes one of “the largest banks in Europe” after being granted an EU-wide banking licence by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

The human apprentices behind robotic automation

IT apprentices are helping large businesses transform their back-office processes through software robots Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

South African game reserve goes digital to save the rhino

Dimension Data and Cisco have teamed up to protect rhinos living on a private game reserve in South Africa with the latest networking and IoT sensor technology Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Palo Alto Networks set to drive new era in security innovation

Palo Alto Networks announces a cloud-based application framework the company claims will enable its security platform to disrupt and change the security industry completely within a decade Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

University of Edinburgh and Huawei collaborate on joint data lab

University is setting up a research and development lab dedicated to distributed data management and processing, with help from Chinese company Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

TfL develops artificial intelligence app on Facebook Messenger

Transport for London has begun using chatbots on Facebook Messenger to provide a level of automated customer service Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Theresa May appoints Damian Green as Cabinet Office minister in reshuffle

Green takes on responsibility for digital government after Ben Gummer lost his seat in last week’s general election Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CIO interview: James Robbins, CIO, Drax Group

Power company is embarking on a technology change programme, aiming to create a more diverse IT set-up and exploit new technologies Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Malaysia’s Cyberjaya to get smart city boost

Tipped as Malaysia's Silicon Valley, the Cyberjaya township will pilot a slew of smart city projects, including e-payments and mobile bus ticketing Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Lloyds bank staff will move to IBM in outsourcing deal

About 1,500 IT staff at Lloyds Banking Group will join IBM as part of an IT infrastructure outsourcing agreement Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Virtual reality as a healthcare tool

Virtual reality is being used as a treatment tool across healthcare, tackling issues such as mental health, phobias and chronic pain management Continue Reading

By

• SA Mathieson

Digital economy to contribute 7% of Australia’s GDP

Besides improving living standards, digital technologies could also lead to a resurgence of manufacturing in Australia Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

General Election 2017: Who gets the tech vote?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as the UK votes for a new government in the 2017 general election, we examine the digital policies in the manifestos of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, and hear what IT trade body TechUK would like to see for the tech sector from the next administration. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

GDPR about change management, says startup DPO

There are threats and risks associated with the GDPR, but one data protection officer believes organisations should focus on the business opportunities instead Continue Reading

Australia’s Icon Group taps IBM Watson to boost cancer care

Watson for Oncology will provide oncologists with medical information and treatment options to support clinical decision making Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Hundreds of sub-postmasters have applied to join IT-related legal action since March

The number of sub-postmasters who claim to have suffered as a result of a faulty Post Office IT system has reached 1,300 Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Norwegian bakery chain gets the taste of mobile reporting

Baker Brun, a bakery company in Norway, is modernising its business processes through the latest technologies Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

Singapore to pave the way for tech startup IPOs

The agreement between the Singapore government and the local bourse will lower barriers to capital markets and make the city-state a more attractive destination for startup fundraising Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

ICC brings drones, smart bats and virtual reality to international cricket

International Cricket Council teams up with Intel to transform the cricketing experience for fans and players with drones, smart connected bats and virtual reality Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Quantum computing drives the future for Volkswagen

In this week’s Computer Weekly, Volkswagen’s global CIO explains how the car giant is using quantum computing to drive the future of transport. We examine how to make data analytics programmes work and deliver business value. And SAP’s CEO reacts to controversy around the software supplier’s indirect licensing policies that led to recent high-profile court cases. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Swedish government agencies join IT spending benchmarking service

Government agencies in Sweden are using a tool by Apptio to help them gain a better understanding of IT costs Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Gatwick launches augmented reality airport navigation

Gatwick has installed 2,000 beacons to help passengers find their way around the airport using augmented reality maps Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Dutch railway uses IoT to reduce people jams

Railway stations in The Netherlands are monitoring the movement of travellers to manage traffic flow and reduce people jams Continue Reading

By

• Jasper Bakker

CW ASEAN: Rise of the machines

In this month’s CW ASEAN, we look at how artificial intelligence and machine learning is improving the way ASEAN businesses fend off cyber attacks and better predict how customers react to various marketing efforts. The growing interest in AI in the region has also spawned start-ups such as Singapore’s Adatos, which is pushing the bar by using declassified methodologies and software used by US defense and intelligence communities to produce data-driven insights. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

CW ANZ: Machine thinking

In this month’s CW ANZ, we look at how artificial intelligence and machine learning is improving the way businesses fend off cyber attacks and better predict how customers react to marketing efforts. The growing interest in AI in ANZ has also turned Australia into a hotbed for data analytics, where consumers are making use of apps to find the cheapest fuel pumps. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Customer experience transformation at Macquarie bank brings legacy system retirement as a bonus

Australia’s Macquarie bank builds a data layer on top of legacy IT systems to transform customer experience Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Lack of skills preventing digital transformation, says 65% of decision makers

Research has found skills gaps in data science, AI and infrastructure management are standing in the way of digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

CW Benelux: 3D printing on the rise

This quarter’s CW Benelux looks at the practical use of 3D printing in the Netherlands. It seems the technology has found its home, at least initial home, in manufacturing, with the early buzz around its consumer potential now a reality in the enterprise sector. The possibilities have not escaped government attention. The Dutch ministry of economic affairs last year unveiled an action plan for smart industry to boost development and standards for smart industrial applications, including 3D printing. Also read how PostNL is using IT to help its business to prosper in a transformed mail industry, find out how businesses in the Netherlands are getting their heads around blockchain technology, and see what KLM is doing with virtual reality technology. Continue Reading

Aruba Atmosphere: Machine learning to transform networking

At Aruba Atmosphere EMEA in France, delegates learned how the network will incorporate machine learning features in the near future Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Highly skilled professionals at risk of being replaced by computers

Highly skilled jobs will be replaced by artificial intelligence by 2022, says Gartner Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Large UK businesses increasingly want CEOs to have IT background

More large businesses in the UK want a CEO that has a good understanding of IT Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Casting the IT skills net wider

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as research reveals that three-quarters of non-tech workers would be interested in a job in IT, we examine what’s stopping them from making the move and how cross-training can help. We analyse the key storage elements of building a private cloud. And Bloomberg’s head of data science talks about the benefits of machine learning. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

HPE ramps up investments in Singapore

Enterprise tech giant HPE will invest $140m over five years in its new regional headquarters and a startup incubator programme Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

CIO interview: Conal Furie, innovations director, Jardine Motors Group

The motor trade is often seen as behind the times in technology, but a lot can be done to improve the customer experience with cutting-edge tech, says motor group’s head of innovations Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Metropolitan Police to hit massive IT overspend

The Metropolitan Police Service is set to massively overspend on IT as it attempts to improve digital policing Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Singapore to form data science consortium

Led by the National Research Foundation, the academic and research group will spearhead adoption of data analytics among Singaporean companies Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Case study: Specsavers furthers digital transformation with single customer view

UK retailer Specsavers has been in the process of digital transformation for several years, and has now partnered with Fujitsu to eliminate disparate systems and create a single customer view Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Cyber security centre of excellence to open at Cardiff University

Cardiff University and Airbus have launched the first centre of its kind in Europe to tackle cyber attacks on critical infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Public safety ‘imperilled’ by lack of functional and interoperable police IT, says report

Use of technology in the country’s police forces remains poor, according to chief inspector of constabulary Thomas Winsor, who is calling for a decision-making mechanism procuring, establishing and running police IT Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

PAC concerned Emergency Services Network will be undeliverable

The new Emergency Services Network could be delayed until September 2020, which could lead to the country being without the service for six months as a post-March 2020 extension of the current contract may not be possible Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Banks suffer average of 85 attempted serious cyber attacks a year, and one-third are successful

Banks face daily cyber attacks, many of which succeed in stealing data, research finds Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

CW ANZ: Immersed in cloud

In this month’s CW ANZ, we find out more about Australian marketing company Salmat’s plans to embrace a cloud-only operation after a successful project to replace highly customised on-premise systems with cloud-based software. Also, learn more about the problems that crowdsourcing service AirTasker had faced with its NAS systems, and the benefits it has reaped from its move to cloud storage. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

How Dutch university quickly connected thousands of students to new learning management system

Dutch university TU Delft is replacing its legacy learning management system after 17 years Continue Reading

By

• Rian van Heur

CW Middle East: UAE faces IT recruitment challenge

In this issue, read how organisations in the UAE face a challenge to attract and retain top-quality CIOs and other key IT staff as the region seeks to tackle a technology skills gap. Also, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has revealed that plans to unveil passenger-flying cars are in the final stages, with the initiative expected to launch in July 2017. Meanwhile, the UAE is mirroring global trends by eagerly adopting virtual reality technology. Continue Reading

‘Can do’ attitude of DevOps teams is driving cloud-first strategies

The cloud-first strategies of businesses across sectors are maturing, with DevOps teams playing a leading role Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Virtual reality in healthcare

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how virtual reality technology is starting to be used to improve health and patient care. We examine the new UK tax laws that are causing IT contractors to quit government digital projects. And we analyse the software licensing issues arising from SAP’s recent court case over indirect access to its applications. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Interview: Dave Perry, chief technology officer, DVLA

DVLA’s CTO talks about the agency’s plans to become a hub for digital motoring, the importance of culture, and moving away from legacy IT Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CIO interview: Richard Sharp, CTO, Shazam

We speak to the new chief technology officer at music discovery service Shazam about how to foster an innovation culture Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Middle East enterprises urged to embrace governance, risk and compliance

The enforcement of corporate governance issues is still variable throughout the Middle East and making a strong business case for investment in GRC can be a challenge. Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

Technology investments core to JP Morgan Chase success

US investment bank is reaping the benefits of its $9.5bn annual technology spend Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut gets sweet on cloud

Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut is increasingly using cloud-based apps to improve productivity and reduce costs Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK tech braced for Brexit

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as the UK government invokes Article 50 to leave the EU, we find out the tech sector’s concerns over two years of Brexit uncertainty. Our latest buyer’s guide looks at how to deploy SAP Hana, the software giant’s in-memory database suite. And we ask CIOs what they think about blockchain, the distributed ledger technology that’s generating so much excitement (and hype) in the IT community. Read the issue now. Continue Reading