Microsoft's translating telephone

Speech recognition and machine translation alone are prone to errors, so certainly combining the two is likely to lead to some pretty comical results, but it certainly shows the promise such technology holds. Even today, it would probably do in a pinch.

Not all the errors were the computer's fault either. In a couple of cases, the translation or speech recognition engines didn't get things quite right. However, another time, it was a case of human miscommunication. I asked Seide how long Microsoft had been working on the project and, instead, he explained how the project worked, which the prototype then translated.

For more cool stuff from Tech Fair, check out this story on how Microsoft researchers are creating some pretty decent still images from some rather wobbly video.

The effort combines speech recognition, machine translation, and text-to-speech technology to let two people who don't share a common language nonetheless carry on a phone conversation. As part of a regional techFair at Microsoft's Silicon Valley office on Thursday, I got a chance to try out the technology, conversing with Frank Seide, one of the researchers behind the project.

Source By: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20004451-56.html

30,000 IT jobs for Saudis over next five years

RIYADH – There will be 30,000 information technology (IT) jobs for Saudi nationals over the next five years, according to Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Ja’fari, Governor of the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC).
Al-Ja’fari told Okaz in the sidelines of the information technology forum in Riyadh Sunday that the commission will ask the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) to fill these positions with Saudis.
The forum is entitled: “The challenges and opportunities for developing information technology in the Kingdom”.
Al-Ja’fari said the information technology sector’s current spending is an estimated SR22 billion. He expects it to reach SR37 billion in 2014.
He added that there is a shortage of information technology specialists in the Kingdom and this shortage will increase over the coming five years.
Al-Ja’fari called on the private sector to try to benefit from the information technology sector.





Source by: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010051071895

The Government should invest in IT, not cut back

A survey carried out by SAP, the enterprise software vendor, supports this point.

As part of the study, research firm Coleman Parkes found that 60 per cent of central government IT heads felt public sector IT could be more ambitious. But 80 per cent of interviewees in central government, and 60 per cent in local government, said they were being asked to do more on lower budgets.

Of course, there is a case for making Government IT more efficient, and I am sure our friends at SAP will happily provide some sophisticated technology to do this. But whether Government IT is efficient or inefficient is rather beside the point. The question Government chief information officers (CIOs) should be addressing is whether investing in IT will make their departments’ core business processes more efficient, or more effective.

Over the last decade, private sector CIOs – as well as enterprise IT vendors – have become much better at speaking in business language, and explaining that spending a pound on IT is worthwhile, if it saves more than a pound in the business.

Sorce By: http://www.itpro.co.uk/622405/the-government-should-invest-in-it-not-cut-back

UK unemployment surges to 15-year high - contains video

UK unemployment surges to 15-year high - contains video

UK unemployment surges to 15-year high

Unemployment rose unexpectedly in the three months to February to hit 2.5 million - the highest level in more than 15 years.The number of people out of work increased by 43,000 between December and February, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The number of “inactive” people in the economy, classed as those who are not working because they are ill, studying, or looking after children, also rose again by 110,000 in the quarter, to reach a record high of 8.16 million.

However, the number of people on jobless benefits dropped by 32,900 in March to 1.54 million.

However, economists predict more than 250,000 jobs will be cut in local government , 100,000 in the NHS, 50,000 in quangos and at least 50,000 in the Civil Service according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Overall employment also dropped in the three months to February by 89,000, to a 14-year low of 28.8 million.

There was also additional signs that increasing numbers of people are taking up part-time work because they can not find a full-time job. The number of part-time workers who could not find a full-time job soared to 1,046 million in the three months to February.

Sorce By: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article7103488.ece

Marks & Spencer Signs Deal With IBM and SAP

IBM and SAP today announced an agreement with Marks & Spencer (M&S) to implement a suite of SAP Retail applications.
Marks & Spencer Director of IT & Logistics, Darrell Stein, says: "We selected IBM and SAP after an extensive assessment of the market. In addition to strong retail credentials, we felt there was also a strong cultural alignment. In order to provide the very best customer service, we need to be flexible and agile to their changing needs. The SAP solution, implemented by IBM, will allow us to do that."

"IBM is committed to helping retailers deliver smarter solutions which drive operational excellence, demand-driven merchandising and supply chain processes," said Simon Rabone, Associate Partner, Retail, IBM Global Business Services. "IBM's retail expertise and ongoing relationship with M&S will help the retailer develop new innovative ways to add value to their business and drive down operational costs."

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software(*), offering applications and services that enable companies of all sizes and in more than 25 industries to become best-run businesses. With approximately 76,000 customers (includes customers from the (acquisition of Business Objects) in over 120 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE, under the symbol "SAP."

Source:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0469173.htm

SAP Jobes In London

The SAP Job Board site assists many top organisations based in London to recruit SAP professionals to fill their SAP job in London. Companies currently using The SAP Job Board to find quality SAP candidates are: Accenture and IBM.

Salaries for London SAP jobs range between £30,000 to over £65,000 year depending on seniority and qualifications, with the average salary at £56,285. Research shows that this is a 5.31% increase on last years average salary, proving that demand for quality SAP professionals in London is constantly increasing.

The SAP Job Board offers both permanent and contract SAP positions. Search for jobs on the site by skill to find the latest SAP job in London.