Tag Archives: Competitive Technology

Competitive Markets: Important Issues in Business Technology

Competitive Markets: Important Issues in Business Technology

By Competitive Technology

Information technology has played a rising level of importance in recent years and these industry trends have increased the abilities of even the smallest companies to grow faster and more effectively. For these reasons, market analysts have recently explained that tech sector trends have guided the world of finance.  Essentially, the tech sector has been part and parcel if we are thinking about the inner operations of most companies and businesses can flourish quickly when critical IT operations are working smoothly. 

If things do not go well with a company’s IT systems,  the situation can become frustrating and demoralizing for employees, so a great roadblock to the operations of the business can be encountered when business technology is not given its proper level of importance within the organization. These tools and systems make the business efficient and profitable but any malfunction can lead to serious business issues that are not favorable to anyone involved in regular transactions.   In this article, we will highlight common issues related to the concept of business technology. 

Confusion of the Cloud

“Cloud technology” is now a common term used in business but it needs to be understood in practical terms.  The concept of cloud computing might be introduced when a company is not ready to invest more in its tech infrastructure in order to meet IT needs without much effort.  As cloud services vary in cost and availability, these services need to be used along with internally owned technology. This approach can also save money, so working with an IT partner for assistance will often ensure cloud solutions are secured.

Integrated Issues 

The release of new technology may sometimes create hurdles in your business if the software is not compatible with older system and applications. It can result in the double-entry of data and you need to look in multiple places to seek information. Some other inefficiencies may also arise. By completely planning before the implementation of new technologies these issues can be minimized. To eradicate integration issues working with an experienced IT partner is recommended.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Accidents such as power failure or a system crash may lead to the loss of important data. It can be one of the greatest failures in business technology. Sometimes there is a need to delete a file purposely, here comes the significance of having a reliable data back. An efficient disaster recovery plan to restore data in such an unfortunate event can make your business grow. Eliminating and minimizing downtime saves a large amount of money in the long term. IT department should have a schedule and a plan to back up the data and restoration when an issue arises.

Risk of Security

Unfortunately, there is an increase in cybercriminals and hackers in the market. Professional hackers target businesses and can put a heavy loss to a company. All sorts of information regarding the business and confidential details are stored on the computer. If all of your trade secrets were to be stolen, locked or deleted, how your business would be affected. Hackers target business confidential such as details of recipes, private emails, HR data, and customer information. Businesses can easily go out of the market after six months of a cyber-attack. It is important not to become a victim of hackers. You should look for cost-effective solutions that ensure the security of the company’s data. Security issues may not become a reason to end your business.

Inefficient Employees

Working and interacting with business technology is not an easy task. The company’s employs should be intelligent enough to cope with modern technology. Having inefficient employs with less diligence can harm your business greatly. Look for product management and an efficient team that can complete its tasks well in time to support your business. Resist hiring incompetent people so that your business may flourish.

Maintenance and Outdated Systems

Technology needs regular maintenance so that the system runs properly and securely. Using updated IT processes many problems can be predicted and can be planned for. This will allow for resolving the problem before they become urgent and companies like Microsoft and Amazon are the current market leaders. It is better to resolve the issues before they turn into an emergency that may be costly and time-consuming. Outdated systems with frequent problems make it difficult for employees to work efficiently. Technology should be up to date to fight with issues in the road progress of your business.

Lack of Legal Pathway

There are certain guidelines, laws, and rules to act upon while using the data, storing or sharing it. Many businesses overlook such rules and protocols. These laws are designed to safeguard the information of the business and its customers or clients. To cope with such an issue, do audits of your business network. It will ensure to know you where lies the issue. This enables you to know what you need to do correctly and legally to protect your business from unseen issues.

Lack of Strategic Planning

There are such times when business leaders and IT departments are not well connected. This is due to a lack of planning and poor strategy. The infrastructure of business technology is a thing to be planned properly. The planning for goals and direction of the company. The leadership of the business should be connected with the IT department. This strategy helps to diminish the problems of technology. The strategy and planning implemented in this way ensure the profitability of the business community. You need to develop a road map for better IT planning.

Ignoring the Root Cause of the Issue

To understand the cause of the issue is significant. You should supply as many details as possible. When an issue arises thoroughly document the issue so that you can report it to IT department. They must discover the root cause of the issue. It will provide an understanding to remove the main cause of the issue.

Software Inefficiencies

The office should not be filled with a lot of papers and documents. It will slow you down. Proper systems should be put in place to ensure that efficiency is maximized.  Moreover, paperless systems allow users to find data more quickly. In this way, users can interact with the data more fully and reach hypotheses that might not have been considered previously.

 

 

 

Why Should Businesses Use Blockchain Technology?

Competitive Technology: Why Should Businesses Use Blockchain Technology?

By Competitive Technology

The age of competitive technology has come with so many important innovations. The world is evolving at a very pace. There are discoveries and inventions made daily. Humans have evolved from the anachronistic trade by barter systems as a means of exchange to the cash currency system and finally the complex online digital currency system known as cryptocurrency. The records of the transactions involving cryptocurrencies are processed by a system called blockchain.

What is Blockchain Technology?

This is simply a system which keeps record of the transactions involving cryptocurrencies across several computers in the globe. Through this system, every transaction is stored in a block and they are subsequently linked to the previous ones. This way, there are no glitches in the system.

Benefits of Blockchain Technology for Businesses

In the business world, everything is all about making use of the least possible resources to make profits within legally accepted bounds. It also entails reducing the cost of expenditure to the barest minimum. Hence businessmen look for the safest and cheapest alternatives.

High levels of innovation has been made possible through the use of innovations such as the blockchain technology. Blockchain systems come with many packages which are beneficial to businessmen. The benefits when utilized by businesses can help them grow and reach the global market. Below are the reasons businesses should use the blockchain technology.

Reduction of Business Costs

Owning a business comes with its costs. One of which is predominantly in the accounting section. There are several transactions that need to be recorded and this is prone to human errors. Auditing and balancing accounts come with its costs.

Audits are done by highly trained professionals who charge exorbitantly for their services. In the blockchain technology, there is an accurate record of every transaction made on the platform. This invariably means that if a business utilizes the platform in making and receiving payments, every detail of these transactions will be recorded by the system.

Thus, saving businesses the stress of account you the stress of auditors and their fees. It is very easy to trace how cryptocurrency left your wallet and how it came in. Consequently, reducing the business costs.

In addition, unlike cash transaction platforms that charge fees for the transfer of funds from one account to another, there are no transfer charges on blockchain. This because there are no middlemen to collect their fees. There are no limitations to the use of Bitcoin.

Since it will be easier to make and receive payment, it will be easier to pay and receive payments from international clients and customers. This gives the company a larger audience. Another reason why businesses should utilize its benefits is because since Bitcoin is the same all over the world, there are no exchange rates.

Blockchain is Reliable and Secure

The blockchain technology is a very reliable platform. There are security upgrades periodically. This makes it harder for it to be hacked and also relatively more secure than our conventional banks.

Consequently, your cryptocurrency is safe. It is scarcely possible for someone to hack your wallet. Except of course you give out your private key. Should you lose your private key, it will nearly be impossible for you to retrieve your wallet.

You would have to go through a rigorous process of proving your identity. This process is so complex that you would almost give up on your attempt in retrieving your wallet. Even the best of auditors make mistakes. However, this is not the case with blockchain.

Data on blockchain ledgers can be trusted as fully accurate and free from human input errors. Every transaction on the blockchain is documented and the fact that there is no human input keeps them free from mistakes. This makes it very reliable. This is another reason why blockchain should be utilized by businesses.

Encrypted Transparency

Paper currencies come with their problems one of which is the lack of transparency. Since every transaction done on Bitcoin is recorded, everyone can see it.  Also, it is easier for paper currency to get stolen or get fraudulently moved from one account to another with traces meticulously covered.

Of curse, this is nearly impossible on the blockchain platform. A major reason why businesses should use blockchain then is because of the high level of transparency as every transaction going on the site is open for everyone to see.

In addition, all blockchain wallets are linked. This makes it easier for a person to track the flow of bitcoin. Since Bitcoin is not controlled by a central agency, it will be harder to fraudulently move heavy sums without a trace, an act which is usually done by smart accountants and exceptional hackers.

Transaction Privacy

For businesses that love to protect their financial data, blockchain technology is the perfect tool to utilize. This is because the identity of every user is kept anonymous. This keeps people from interfering in your affairs. This is definitely a good reason to make use of the blockchain technology.

Blockchain: The New World Bank

Since cryptocurrency is now generally accepted all over the world, it has gained greater legitimacy in the marketplace. The various transactions involving them are recorded by blockchain. These records are accurate and detailed. This invariably makes blockchain a global bank with its branches across thousands of computers.

Therefore, it is important for businesses to make use of blockchain technology. This is because their own branch of this bank will be their own computer. Consequently, they will be able to conveniently manage their transactions at the click of a mouse. There is also no need to go through the troubles of popular online payment platforms with rigorous demands and unnecessary charges.

Conclusion

The blockchain technology is an innovation that should be welcomed by all. It has not only helped in securing a world currency. its potentials have been harnessed in different spheres of life. It has been used to develop artificial intelligence, develop electric cars that mine crypto when they are in use and also it has also been used in creating highly innovative video games. Overall, the possibilities of the blockchain seem endless. Hence, it is crucial for businesses to harness its potential.

Crypto Technology: Why Should Businesses Use Cryptocurrency?

Many businesses in the world use cryptocurrency as a means of completing business transactions with both their vendors and customers. Many are yet to understand what cryptocurrencies really are. Worse still, some are yet to the awareness of the existence of cryptocurrencies. What exactly is a cryptocurrency and how does it help businesses?

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency also known as virtual or digital currency are digital coins whose value can be transferred only online from one computer wallet to another. This transaction process is protected by an advanced information security process called cryptography (encryption of cryptocurrencies so they cannot be duplicated).

Cryptocurrencies operate in a decentralized system independent of the control and regulation of governmental financial agencies and banking systems. Most people now use cryptocurrencies as a form of cash, especially when making transactions online.

Why Should Businesses Subscribe to Crypto Usage?

With the rise of cryptocurrencies came numerous risk, as they were the targets of hackers and online thieves due to its unregulated and digital nature. Some of these risks include duplication of cryptocurrencies and the risk of losing for coins if your private key (a set of numbers that verify your identity as the owner of a crypto wallet) is copied by someone or lost. Many of these risks, however, have been eliminated to the barest minimum by a technology called blockchain, making cryptocurrencies highly safe for usage.

With its rapidly growing popularity in the global market, many businesses are faced with the question of whether they should accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. The answer to this question cannot be a general because your business accepting and using cryptocurrencies as a form of payment is based on your business needs and goals.

Using cryptocurrencies, however, come with its numerous advantages comes with its numerous that you don’t want your business to miss out from. Highlighted below are some of the important reasons why cryptocurrencies would actually be advantageous to your business.

Cost Efficient:

The use of cryptocurrency is actually one very simple and effective way of saving your business transactional costs in the long run. With the arrival of cryptocurrencies, cam the elimination of the cost of using banking and other monetary services like PayPal or Living Without Microsoft in order to perform monetary transactions.

When these banks and financial services process monetary transactions, they incur a lot of chargers which are passed on to the end-users. With cryptocurrencies, these charges are significantly reduced. Because of its decentralized system, it does not require middlemen. It just simply enables owners to transfer money to their recipient account without incurring the amount of charges they would normally have if using other forms of monetary transactions.

Pan-Global Acceptance:

Cryptocurrencies, unlike our normal payments, are now accepted worldwide. Utilizing cryptocurrency as a tool for promoting your business, will save your business the stress of exchange fees and exchange rates. Most especially if your business deals in supplying and purchasing of products and raw materials from other countries. Due to its global nature, it can successfully help you circumvent foreign transactional fees.

Time-Efficient:

Cryptocurrencies have an added advantage when it comes to time. When transferring transactions are processed immediately and completed in a few minutes. With its usage, you no longer have to be frustrated by the long process of identity verification and time spent by banks when they perform monetary transactions. Since waiting is not part of the world’s description of time management, cryptocurrencies time efficiency is definitely a perk you don’t want to miss out on.

Trusted and Secure:

Its transaction is one of the most trusted in and secured financial transactions. You are secured from being sent counterfeited or duplicated coins. This is made possible by the advancement of blockchain technology which regulates and records all transactions made. Once transactions are made, they are recorded in a block which (houses all recent cryptocurrency used), and are linked together to a chain. This prevents you from and chargebacks.

Cryptocurrency transaction is trusted because it requires a confirmation from both the payers and payee before payments are missed. Finally, you don’t have to be scared of losing your coins. Hackers cannot fake your identity because you re kept anonymous.

Autonomy:

With baking institutions and other financial stuff, your autonomy when it comes to your money is reduced. There are many regulations that you have to follow before keeping certain amounts in your account or before performing some transactions beyond some stipulated amount, cryptocurrency, on the other hand, removes this challenge. You have total control of your wallets and can make of any amount you deem fit. You don’t have to go through the stress of verifying your identity. All thanks to its decentralized nature.

Create Investment Opportunities:

The increasing of cryptocurrency price especially bitcoin (which is now at almost $8000 for a crypto coin) provides you with an awesome investment opportunity. This volatile nature of cryptocurrency is best for investors who are seeking very high profits and are willing to take the elevated risks involved. With this opportunity, you can buy a cryptocurrency at a time when the price is reasonably low and expect it to skyrocket so you can sell later in the future

Easy to Use:

If not for any other reason, this should convince you to accept cryptocurrency for your business technology. They are very easy to use and transfer with just a computer and internet access. No need to go through the complex procedures required by banks.

Currency of the Future:

Believe it or not, cryptocurrency is gradually taking over our paper currency. More cryptocurrencies are created every day and people are becoming more familiar with the world of digital currencies. It has also been anticipated by financial experts and cryptocurrencies users alike that cryptocurrency is likely to replace paper money in the nearest future.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrency, since its invention has gone through many phases. But one thing is sure: cryptocurrency has come to stay. They are now accepted generally in the global market. With its popularity, it is important for a business to use cryptocurrency as their payment. This is advisable because cryptocurrency would soon become the world’s “new dollar”.

Growing Fields of Man-Made Brainpower: How Neural Networks Work

Neural Networks as ‘Artificial’ Brain

Human brain capacities can be imitated by neural networks and can portray a registering procedure. According to Andy Chun from City College of Hong Kong’s Bureau of Software engineering, with the use of neural networks, we can try to mimic how nature works when it comes to learning the process of several things.

Chun added that neural systems show how data is passed in the middle of the neurons to “acquire knowledge and learn new things”. The human brain is for the most part comprised of neurons, which are associated with by inward wiring called ‘neurotransmitters’.

The Essence of Neural Networks

Chun added that there are neural networks’ researches about speech recognition and generation, recognizing faces and images. Neural systems are superior to most AI technology at taking care of issues that are “perceptual in nature”, like talking and seeing. Chun believes that neural systems exceed expectations at perceiving designs.

In any case, as neural systems learn individually, engineers need to simply compose a small amount of possibly long line of codes because it is given that it would take “a huge number of lines” of code to program more smart AI frameworks. Profound learning requires a gigantic measure of figuring power, with quicker processors and more mind-boggling neural structures. All things considered, profound learning is behind Tesla’s self-driving autos, which show themselves by watching film of human drivers from everywhere throughout the world, Chun says.

What’s more, AlphaGo, the AI technology program that as of late beat the best on the planet of the Go tabletop game, took in its moves “from observing all diversions at any point played by people on the web”, according to Chun.

Neural Networks’ Influence on the government

Later on, Chun predicts that administrations will have the capacity to learn distinctive things considerably more precisely about its citizens in living, work, and wellbeing propensities and in transportation needs. Furthermore, he added that forecast will be a key advantage from this profound learning.
Specifically, he distinguishes medical advantages like analyzing and learning wellbeing examples of people and be ready to perhaps offer projects to keep nationals from becoming ill in any case.

Chun further added that the greatest obstacles are security policies and regulations. When you have a self-sufficient AI, at that point governments need to make sense of how to appoint duty, if a defective self-driving auto gets into a crash, for instance. In any case, it is critical to take note of that as governments utilize resident information to learn and remove learning.

Developments in the use of Neural Networks

Assets to urge new businesses to concentrate on profound learning are given in Hong Kong, according to Chun. Additionally, Singapore’s Administration Innovation Organization has recognized profound learning as a key concentration for 2017.

In the interim, in China, engineers of Baidu search engine had built a chatbot to help specialists in noting patients’ inquiries and proposing treatment choices. Also, a group from Northeastern College in China has lately built up a neural system that can recognize the area of flawed flags in microgrids, which are littler lattices that are associated with the fundamental power framework yet, can work without it. In conclusion, neural networks could in future ‘spare’ the world in an unexpected way while tackling issues that influence every one of our lives such security and the possible impact of technology.

Upgrading Organizations’ Security System through Neural Networks

For the past decades, there are a number of researches on how to enhance the current technology and methods to defend systems from intrusions. Today, businesses and other organizations utilize ‘anomaly detection’ and misuse or ‘signature-based detection’ to find malicious network activities and identify if these are known or new security threats. Unfortunately, these methods are still subject to progress.

When it comes to cyber security, computer network protection is crucial. This is even compulsory for companies that need to protect their employees’ and clients’ sensitive information. One breach of a company’s data security would destroy its entire structure and reputation.

Security Measures are Important to Every Organization

To ensure the contribution of clients in keeping the classification, morality, and accessibility of all data assets against leakages, an association’s first guard was created which characterized with all-around procedure and administration of frameworks. Security mindfulness training is design for staff to keep vital information that protects a computer from leakages and malware, reduces the dangers against system hacks, and against other emerging threats.

Information Technology (IT) rules and methods can help guard an organization against assaults for the users to be aware, however, when a malicious interruption is attempted, technology is the thing that protects the systems to ensure IT resources. With regards to information security, conventional protection procedures ought to be in layers: firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) can be utilized.

Dealing with inconsistency and error can work effectively in a possible way, even without the need of human communication/supervision in the procedure demonstrates by in different studies and new improvements in the field of IDPS (Intrusion Detection and Prevention System).

How Do Neural Networks Work?

A neural network method can adjust to specific imperatives, learn framework attributes, perceive examples and contrast late client activities with the standard conduct; this permits settling many issues even without human mediation. Some contextual investigations stress that the utilization of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) can set up general examples and recognize assault qualities in circumstances where rules are not known. The innovation guarantees to recognize abuse and enhance the acknowledgment of malevolent occasions with more consistency. A neural network can identify any cases of possible abuse, enabling framework overseers to ensure their whole association through advanced protection against dangers.

Developments on IDS and IPS Applications

IT experts have come to depend more on recognition and aversion advances to secure accessibility of business-basic data assets and to defend information secrecy and respectability by computer interruptions, ending up more typical and a developing test to beat.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can be delegated: Host-based or System based on the previous checking singular machines’ logs and the last breaking down the substance of system parcels; On the web or Disconnected, fit for hailing a risk progressively or sometime later to caution of an issue; Abuse based or Peculiarity based, either particularly checking a deviation from a standard conduct or contrasting exercises and ordinary, known aggressors’ conduct.

While IDS is outlined to detect attacks and ready people to any noxious occasions to research, an IPS is utilized to prevent malicious acts or square suspicious activity on the system. There are four distinct sorts of IPS:

1. Arrange based interruption counteractive action framework (NIPS) that takes a gander at the convention action to spot suspicious activity

2. Remote interruption anticipation framework (WIPS) that examines remote systems administration conventions and is so imperative in the BYOD and versatile driven world

3. Organize conduct examination (NBA) that can spot assaults that make irregular movement, for example, disseminated foreswearing of administration (DDoS) assaults, and it can utilize inconsistency based recognition and stateful convention investigation

4. Host-based interruption aversion framework (HIPS) that can be introduced on single machines and can utilize signature-based and peculiarity based strategies to distinguish issues.

Breaking Windows Will Cost Consumers and IT Industry Nearly $30 Billion

30 industry executives and noted economist say “remedies” will be disruptive and expensive

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers will pay the price of a $30 billion increase in software costs if some critics have their way and split Microsoft into multiple companies or force the company to license its code, according to a study released today. Both proposals, suggested as remedies in the Microsoft antitrust trial, would create multiple versions of the Windows operating system, fracturing a popular product many consumers have chosen to run their personal computers.

Stan Liebowitz, Professor of Managerial Economics and Associate Dean of the University of Texas at Dallas, authored the study, which examines just one of the consumer costs of breaking up Windows.

“In the first three years alone, increased software costs will mount to nearly $30 billion,” Dr. Liebowitz announced today. “This cost is particularly expensive and disruptive when you consider the lack of consumer benefit to these types of remedies.”

“The enormous costs we’ve shown, which are only one part of the story, are in no way balanced by potential benefit,” Dr. Liebowitz said. “While this study focuses on software development, we know that additional costs would be incurred by OEMs, resellers, trainers and corporate IT companies. In addition to higher prices, consumers will also pay with having fewer choices and greater confusion.”

In reaching the conclusions, the author examined independent reports on PC software company costs, industry forecasts of software sales on the Windows desktop platforms, and personal interviews with software companies.

The study was released in Washington, DC today in connection with a day of Congressional meetings planned for member companies of the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) and The ASCII Group, Inc. ACT is the fastest-growing industry trade association; ASCII is the world’s largest group of computer resellers. Company executives met with more than thirty Congressional offices to discuss regulation in the IT sector and the impact these remedies would have on their businesses. Mostly small- and medium-sized, the companies included computer resellers, software developers, trainers, Internet companies and IT consultants.

“The companies represented here begin to tell the story of how decisions in Washington affect IT businesses across the country,” said ACT President Jonathan Zuck. “We’re going to see significant costs of breaking-up Windows, but we’ve yet to see how it will benefit consumers.”

ACT is an industry trade association representing businesses and professionals in computer software and hardware development, and consulting and Internet services businesses. Protecting the freedom to achieve, compete and innovate, ACT is dedicated to preserving the role of technology companies in shaping the future of the industry.

About Us

How It Began:

One day in 1998, several information technology executives woke up to find that Washington, D.C. was debating issues directly affecting their businesses — Y2K, antitrust, encryption, and broadband.  And the debate was considering how government intervention could “reform” the IT industry.

These executives, awake to the threat but busy running their businesses, formed the Association for Competitive Technology (ACT).   Today, ACT members include industry leaders and emerging stars in computer software, hardware, consulting, and the Internet.  Although their businesses vary, ACT members share a preference for market-driven solutions over regulated ones.

While market forces have been driving the success of the IT industry, uninformed government intervention threatens to stifle innovation and competition.  Through education, advocacy and collaboration, ACT gives the IT industry a powerful voice in shaping its future.

Competitive Technology Urges Department of Justice Not to Pursue a Microsoft Breakup

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to Assistant Attorney General Joel I. Klein today, Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) President Jonathan Zuck urged him to reconsider any extreme interventions into the IT industry.

ACT’s letter came as a response to news reports today that revealed that the Department of Justice may be about to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on an analysis that details how to break up Microsoft, despite overwhelming opposition from the IT industry and the public. While the reports show that the Department approached at least two technology investment banks, they also note that neither firm agreed to do the study because of the business community’s opinion that sees the DOJ’s action as interventionist.

“These firms’ reluctance to participate in this intervention is telling,” Mr. Zuck said in the letter. “It is likely that the only companies who would support such an endeavor are those that stand to gain handsome financial rewards from a Microsoft breakup.”

ACT has followed closely the Department of Justice’s case against Microsoft and found that radical measures, such as dismantling the company, are not only unprecedented but would bring extreme harm to consumers, the IT industry and the U.S. economy.  ACT’s legal analysis, economic study, and industry survey noted several key findings:

Extreme measures are legally unjustified. An analysis by noted antitrust authorities revealed no legal precedent for a breakup and that it would lead to ongoing regulation of the U.S. tech industry. 

Divestiture is bad for the industry and bad for consumers. An economic analysis showed that consumers will pay the price of a $30 billion increase in software costs if Microsoft is split into multiple companies or is forced to license its code.

IT executives do not support extreme measures. An independent industry survey shows that IT executives overwhelmingly oppose (63 percent) a Microsoft breakup. 

“With this evidence already available, it is baffling to me why the Department of Justice would be eager to spend hundreds of thousands more dollars on this case on what boils down to a fool’s errand,” Mr. Zuck said.  “Even without this kind of in-depth analysis, it is clear that the costs of such an extreme intervention into today’s dynamic technology industry would outweigh any potential benefit.  I urge the DOJ to allow the IT industry to continue on its path of service and value to the American consumer,” he added.

Competitive Technology is an industry trade association representing businesses and professionals in computer software and hardware development, and consulting and Internet services businesses. Protecting the freedom to achieve, compete and innovate, ACT is dedicated to preserving the role of technology companies in shaping the future of the industry.

Competitive Technology Files Friend of the Court Brief in the Microsoft Antitrust Case

ACT Files Friend of the Court Brief in the Microsoft Antitrust Case

The legal brief’s bottom line: tech competition is working and the DOJ’s case is bad for consumers and the high-tech economy (see press release.)

Following Judge Jackson’s invitation for the parties in the suit to each designate an amicus to file a “friend of the Court” brief, ACT petitioned Microsoft to be their amicus on behalf of the IT industry.  Microsoft designated ACT, and the IT trade association then worked with the renowned law firm Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering to compose the brief.

ACT filed its brief on behalf of about 9,000 IT businesses involved in all aspects of the tech sector from software and hardware development, to technology trainers, resellers and consultants, to Internet companies.

While Microsoft is a proud member of ACT, given they are a party to the case, funds were raised specifically for the assembly of this brief from among ACT members. Among the major sponsors are: Corporate Software and Technology, Norwood, MA; Clarity Consulting, Chicago, IL; Sax Software, Eugene, OR; and ComponentSource, Atlanta, GA.