Top 10 IT trends for 2009

What IT technologies are able to bring enterprises with competitive advantage in the predicted tough times of 2009?

1. Software as a Service (SaaS)
According to RBC Capital Markets, SaaS is expected to command a 23% share of the $120 billion software market in US by 2010 with its current annual growth rate of above 40%.

2. Virtualization
It is estimated that about 50-60% of all servers are now virtualized to reduce server sprawl.

3. Enterprise Mobility
This is boasted by the emergence of high speed wireless network, such as the 3G, HSPDA, etc.

4. Energy-Efficient Data Centres
The concept of Green IT is blooming...

5. Security, Risk and Compliance
More automation will be seen in these areas.

6. Social Networking
Companies are tapping into the powerful virtual communities in social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, etc.

7. Web 2.0
More and more websites and web applications are jumping into this bandwagon, which is able to provide seamless ubiquitous rich content and better interactivity.

8. Document Management and E-Discovery
More and more IT vendors are producing and enhancing solutions in this area.

9. Project Management (PM) and Project Portfolio Management (PPM)
More and more organizations are migrating from simple tools such as spreadsheets and e-mail to formal PM and PPM applications.

10. Web and Video Collaboration
More and more organizations are adopting video conferencing and telepresense systems.

* The top 10 IT trends above are referenced from an article written by Samuel Greengard in the Baseline Magazine.

Latest BLR rate of banks in Malaysia as of Feb-2009

Following Bank Negara's move to reduce the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 75 basis points to 2.50 percent and Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) from 3.5 percent to 2 percent effective 1 February 2009, banks in Malaysia have reduced their deposit interest rates as well as their Base Lending Rate (BLR) respectively.

Here are their latest BLR rate as of today (5 Feb 2009):

• Majority of the banks: 5.95%
• Bangkok Bank Berhad: 5.50%
• Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (M) Berhad: 5.75%
  
• Deutsche Bank (M) Berhad: 5.75%
  
• J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Berhad: 5.75%
  
• The Royal Bank of Scotland Berhad: 5.75%
  
• Affin Bank Berhad: 5.90%
• Citibank Berhad: 6.00%
• EON Bank Berhad: 6.50% (not yet revised)
• AmBank (M) Berhad: 6.55% (not yet revised)

You can always click here for the latest BLR info of the banks.

Citibank offers 2x Rewards Points on property assessment payment

Citibank is currently running a Property Assessment (Cukai Pintu) Bill Payment by Citibank Online and Citi Mobile Campaign for their core credit cards (including supplementary cards).

2x Reward Points will be given for property assessment payment made during the campaign period via Citibank Online website or Citi Mobile phone banking.

Campaign period: 20 Jan 2009 - 28 Feb 2009

Eligible credit cards: All Citibank Malaysia Platinum, Gold, Classic, Choice, Clear and CitiBusiness credit cards, excluding Cashback, AirAsia, Giant, Shell and Celcom cards.

Terms & Conditions: Each person is given a maximum of 1000 Reward Points for this campaign.

The assessment payable by Citibank Online includes:

• Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL)
  
• Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ)
  
• Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ)
  
• Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ)
  
• Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA)
  
• Majlis Perbandaran Selayang
  
• Majlis Perbandaran Klang
• Majlis Perbandaran Kajang
• Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI)
  
• Majlis Perbandaran Seremban
• Majlis Perbandaran Melaka
• Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang
• Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai
• Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (MBJB)
  
• Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah
• Majlis Perbandaran Muar
• Majlis Perbandaran Kulai

Click here for more information about the Property Assessment (Cukai Pintu) Bill Payment by Citibank Online and Citi Mobile Campaign.