European Reseller

Barclays snubs tech titans to save billions

The Sunday Times reported that the Barclays Bank could reduce costs by 90 per cent

BARCLAYS will slash billions of pounds from its annual bill for IT spending a computer systems in a move that could upset technology giants such as Microsoft, Google, Oracle and SAP.

The bank has built its own “internal cloud” — a network of computer servers that can support the development of cutting-edge software. It is also starting to run large parts of its business using Linux, the open source software hailed by many experts as superior to offerings from market leaders such as Microsoft.

These actions in developing their own specialist software and Apps will slash the cost of developing computer systems by as much as 90%, Barclays claims.

Over time, the decision to build everything in-house will also slash annual licence payments made to tech giants for the use of their software.

The likes of Oracle, Microsoft and SAP have built their empires by making most of the worlds multinationals reliant on their technology and perpetual licence payments.

According to the newspaper, COO for retail and business banking Shaygan Kheradpir is rolling out the new system, which shuns traditional vendors in favour of open source solutions, across various departments of the bank, and he expects to save Barclays billions.

A new frontier

According to the paper, by avoiding products from Microsoft, Google, Oracle and SAP. The non-traditional infrastructure has also helped the bank cut down mobile app development time dramatically, and release its PingIt mobile service in seven months instead of two years.

Read more: Barclays snubs tech titans to save billions

Convergence Summit North 2014

Event Opening Times

Tues 11th March 2014 – 10.00 – 16.30

1. 12th March 2014 – 10.00 – 16.00 

Central 1, Manchester Central Convention Complex, 
Manchester, M2 3GX

Read more: Convergence Summit North 2014

Worldwide PC Shipments in the First Quarter of 2014 Declined 1.7 Per Cent

The End of Windows XP Support Provides a Boost in PC Replacements

Worldwide PC shipments totalled 76.6 million units in the first quarter of 2014, down 1.7 per cent over the last year, according to preliminary results by Gartner. This decline has eased compared with the past seven quarters.

We of course question whether the new PC on a stick presented by Imation Ironkey will be included in these results, given that it is a USB, but contains windows 7!

Gartner has suggested that the end of XP support by Microsoft in April has played a role in the easing decline of PC shipments, they believe all regions indicated a positive effect since the end of XP support stimulated the PC refresh of XP systems. Professional desktops, in particular, showed strength in the quarter. Among key countries, Japan was greatly affected by the end of XP support, registering a 35 per cent year-over-year increase in PC shipments. The growth was also boosted by sales tax change. We expect the impact of XP migration worldwide to continue throughout 2014. How ever time will tell, what inpact any major attack will have on the XP software!

Read more: Worldwide PC Shipments in the First Quarter of 2014 Declined 1.7 Per Cent

Embracing Globalisation

Embracing Globalisation