Multi-core proccesors

In 2005 AMD introduced the first commercially available dual-core processor, officially pushing the envelope and challenging the traditional concept of single core processors and introducing the multi-core processor concept. A multi-core processor is composed of two or more independent processors combined on the same integrated circuit. The benefit of having multiple processors on the same integrated circuit is that it is easy to transfer data from one possessor to the next, thus allowing for faster clock speed ( a measurement of processor performance). (1)

The developments of dual-core has had two main advantages. First it has enabled greater overall performance than single-core processors. The main limitation of processors is that the faster the clock speeds they run at the more power they consume and the more heat they generate. Once it the temperature gets too high the processors face several problems limiting performance. Thus by spreading the processes over two or more cores this high temperatures are not achieved and overall performance is greater. This additional performance has allowed software used in business such as ERA, CRM and data mining to process data at a much faster rate and give results at in less time. This creates a competitive advantage for in today's fast paced business environment, an advantage which may allow your business to excel. (2)

Here are various processes which benefit from increased performance of multi-processors:

The other advantage of multi-core processors is that power and thermal reduction. This in the long run will save business money and will be better for the environment.

The technology however still has a long way to go. It is still very expensive and there are some software difficulties as the new proccessors are not always compatibale with the old software used to run single-core processors and new new software to allow effective communication between multiple processors. In addition, the theory suggests that having 2 seperate processors each on a seperate integrated circuit would have more performance then dual-core, however the limitation is as we mentioned the slow interconnection between the two processes, once a solution to this problem is found it is likely that manufacture such as Intel and AMD will switch back to multiple-processors.

The technelogical challenge now is how many processors can be fit on the same integrated circuit and how to reduce the price to make it more commercial.

1- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-core
2-ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/eserver/benchmarks/Benefits_of_Dual_Core--Intel.pdf

Voice over Internet protocol

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also called Voice over Broadband is the new way to make phone calls today, it takes advantage of the internet to route voice conversations through a internet protocol-based network. Put into simple language, rather then using the traditional analogue phone lines VoIP uses the internet to transmit to digital signals. (1)

VoIP is improving and will further improve the way not only individuals live, but the way businesses function. Using internet to make calls allows you to bypass the phone company (eg. Bell) and thus its charges, this has given rise to the advantage of VoIP; its very cheap, in fact making computer to computer alls is free!

The technology has greatly decreased the costs for many businesses which make many international calls. This is really clear in the outsourcing industry and the carriers business (2). In the case of the outsourcing industry VoIP has greatly reduced costs of setting up technical support centers in countries where labor costs are low, such as India. VoIP has greatly reduced costs associated with tracking of international shipments.

VoIP does however have disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the need of a internet connection in order to work. However other disadvantages are (3):

• Unlike normal phone lines VoIP is dependent on presences of electrical power, thus in a blackout VoIP cannot be used
• Other systems which are hooked up to phone lines cannot be integrated with VoIP
• VoIP do not have a local call center like phone lines, thus in case of emergency calls your call cannot be routed to the closest possible emergency service (police, fire department, etc.)
• Working other processes on the same internet connection can cause decrease in quality of conversations
• There are some concerns of security however so far they do not seem to be a problem (4)
  

The next step in making VoIP the dominant way of communication is integrating VoIP with Wi-Fi (5). By having complete Wi-Fi coverage in residential areas it will be possible to make VoIP anywhere with populated areas. This is not to far away in the developed world however the developing world may fall behind and not realize these new benefits until later on in the future.

1- http://communication.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htm
2- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_IP
3- http://communication.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony4.htm
4- http://www.circleid.com/posts/examining_two_well_known_attacks_on_voip1/
5- http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,121978-page,1/article.html?RSS=RSS

Project Management Software

Project management is the discipline of project planning and managing resources (e.g. people) such that a project may fulfill its objectives with certain time and cost constraints.

Project management software (PMS) is a tool which facilitates and organizes the different activities involved in project management. There are many different project management tools and techniques which we will not discuss here, however we will address the use of this software within organizations today. More specifically we will discuss the use of web-based PMS.

More and more small to medium size businesses (SMB), are making use of web-based applications such as PMS due to the many attractive benefits web-based PMS delivers.

Advantages of web-based PMS (1)

The software itself is hosted on the servers of the software-producer and access is allowed through the internet. Thus,

¨ No installation of software on company workstations is needed

¨ No need to worry about software updates as they are continuously performed by software provider directly onto servers

¨ Software can be accessed from virtually anywhere using any computer.

Most web-base software allow sharing, editing and saving files online, this can greatly helped the collaboration of employees working on the same project allowing real-time updates saved on a secure third-part server.

The cost of using such software has greatly decreased in comparison with desktop applications as most software providers provide a basic version of the software for free and have a monthly charge for more advanced and professional packages. Thus rather then spending thousands of dollars on purchasing and installing desktop software, small businesses can web-based software on monthly demand for a few much smaller value.

Disadvantages of web-based PMS (2)

The disadvantages of web-based PMS are similar to most web-based applications however, two disadvantages specific to PMS are:

¨ Many project managers are discouraged by the need to learn new software and prefer using a paper and a pen as it is easier to modify (3)

¨ Some project managers feel that the web-based PMS has decreased the personal interaction they had team members using the traditional system (4)

Other disadvantages common with all web-based applications:

¨ Security, the fear of hackers and data loss on host servers.

¨ Many applications are not available offline

¨ Providers usually provide one-size fits all packages and it may be difficult to customize according to specific needs

In conclusion the low cost of web-based PMS and the collaborative feature which it allows has pushed many SMB to make use of PMS to increase their productivity and give them a competitive edge over those who still do not use the software.

1- http://www.smartbiz.com/article/articleview/1118/1/42/

2- http://www.smartbiz.com/article/articleview/1118/2/42/

3- http://www.facilitiesnet.com/bom/article.asp?id=2563

4- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management_software