Gartner Says Worldwide Application Infrastructure and Middleware Market Revenue Grew 5.6 Percent in 2013

Analysts Examine the State of the Industry at Gartner Application Architecture, Development & Integration Summit 2014, May 19-20 in London

  http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2740318 

 The worldwide application infrastructure and middleware (AIM) software revenue market* totaled $21.5 billion in 2013, a 5.6 percent increase from 2012, according to Gartner, Inc.

"Application infrastructure and middleware projects are becoming the cornerstone of the digital business," said Fabrizio Biscotti, research director at Gartner. "While spending in traditional AIM products continues and remains sizeable, we are seeing a growing interest toward newer offerings, such as platform as a service (PaaS), low-latency messaging, complex event processing and in-memory data grids. These technologies are essential to developing a digital business strategy, for example, connecting digital marketing and channels, or empowering staff with social networks."

"The use of multiple delivery models, increased reliance on governance technologies, and the convergence of application and data integration requirements are all driving organizations to sustain significant investment in AIM technologies and skills," said Mr. Biscotti.

Emerging opportunities such as cloud computing, Internet of Things, mobile enablement, intelligent business operations and in-memory computing are all areas in which AIM providers continue to play an active role as innovators.

"We are witnessing the early days of the idea of 'integrated business', where it is not only applications or processes that are interconnected, but also sensors and things," added Mr. Biscotti.

In terms of vendor dynamics, IBM retained the No. 1 position with a 1.6 percent growth in 2013 (see Table 1). The rankings of the top five vendors have not changed over the last three years; however, they are showing mixed performance under pressure from specialized vendors, in particular PaaS providers and open source software suppliers.

Table 1
Worldwide Vendor Revenue Estimates for Total AIM Software, 2013 (Millions of U.S. Dollars)

Company	2013 Revenue	2013 Market Share (%)	2012 Revenue	2012 Market Share (%)	2012-2013 Growth (%)
IBM	6,448	30.0	6,345	31.1	1.6
Oracle	3,298	15.3	3,285	16.1	0.4
Microsoft	1,084	5.0	1,023	5.0	6.0
Software AG	703	3.3	650	3.2	8.1
Tibco	545	2.5	558	2.7	-2.3
Others	9,435	43.9	8,519	41.8	10.8
Total	21,512	100.0	20,378	100.0	5.6

Source: Gartner (May 2014)

North America and Western Europe are the largest regional markets (44.3 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively), followed by mature Asia/Pacific countries (14.0 percent). Middle East & Africa, Asia/Pacific and North America have grown the fastest at 13.5 percent, 9.2 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.

"Organizations that take advantage of the digital era's opportunities are realizing that their established application infrastructure middleware strategies are no longer adequate," said Massimo Pezzini, vice president and Gartner Fellow. "Enabling digital business transformation requires IT organizations to operate with much greater agility and “on demand”. They must provide much deeper business insights, web scale systems and the ability to integrate myriad of endpoints, such as mobile apps, cloud-based applications, social networks, heterogeneous data sources and a growing number of 'things'."

To support these requirements, IT departments need to refresh their application infrastructure adding the capabilities needed to rapidly scale their systems, inject real-time operational intelligence into business processes, and target an adaptive approach to integration.

"To this end, traditional, feature-rich, but also expensive, middleware products are being increasingly complemented — and at times replaced — by lightweight, low-cost technology aimed at enabling much faster time to value," said Mr. Pezzini. "This is one of the reasons why most traditional AIM vendors are growing only modestly, whereas open source software middleware vendors and PaaS providers are achieving double-digit growth."

The need for web scale and operational intelligence is paving the way for the adoption of in-memory computing technology and is boosting the rapid growth of in-memory computing vendors. Adoption of these new technologies poses formidable new challenges to IT departments, but those who do not have the nerve to tackle them and become change agents will risk being marginalized as more IT budgets move toward lines of business and departments within the organization.

7 Step Online Reputation Management

Reputation Management understands the importance of having a positive image. Reputation management is the response to the reputation managing information. Bad postings, negative blogs, horrible testimonials in popular forums, unrealistic scam allegations and product reviews can potentially put a company out of business and this can eventually affect your reputation management and thus to meet this growing need internet reputation management was created.

1. Identify stakeholders (customers, ex-employee, press, industry opinion leaders, competitors, grudgers)
2. Conduct a reputation audit - cover search, social networking, portals, video, press, opinion and  complain sites
3. Improve your online assets - you must own a minimum of 100 web pages linked to your or your company or product or product category name
4. Define goals and create a strategy - address customer issue, contact websites for removal, develop new content
5. Implement plan of action - dedicate a team with predefined yet flexible steps
6. Monitor online reputation - set up auto alerts and scan internet regularly. Categorize all postings into good and bad 
7. Repair and strengthen - Focus on addressal of complaints/negative posts and strengthening of web assets. Use web assets as a lead generation source to pay for ORM.http://www.areputation.co.uk/ormpositive.html

CCK reviews digital signal distribution tariffs down

http://www.cck.go.ke/news/2013/CCK_reviews_digital_signal_distribution_tariffs_down.html

The Communications Commission of Kenya has today reviewed downwards tariffs for digital signal distribution in a move geared towards facilitating a smooth migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting in the country.

According to Determination No. 1 of 2013 on Cost-Based Terrestrial Digital Broadcast Signal Distribution Tariff issued today, Digital Signal Distributors shall charge broadcasters (also known as Content Service Providers) at KES. 125,990 per Megabit for Nairobi and KES.93,202.75 per Megabit for other sites in Kenya.

The new tariffs take effect from today.

Before the review, the Pan-Africa Network Group (PANG) had proposed to charge broadcasters a monthly signal distribution fee of KES 1,135,312.50 per channel in Nairobi. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation-owned SIGNET on the other hand had proposed to charge KES 248,141 per mega bit (Mbit) for signal distribution services within Nairobi.

For other sites in Kenya, SIGNET had proposed to charge a uniform signal distribution fee of KES248,141.45 per mega bit, while PANG had proposed to charge a flat monthly fee of KES.378,437.50 for signal distribution services in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisii and Meru.  For Malindi, Webuye, Garissa, Narok, Kericho, Isiolo, Kitale, Bungoma, Embu, Voi and other regions, PANG had proposed to charge broadcasters a flat monthly fee of KES.126,145.83 to distribute their digital signals.

In the determination, CCK further requires the two Digital Signal Distributors – Pan African Network Group (PANG) and Signet, to publish a Reference Offer three months from today in order to ensure that there is access, transparency and non-discrimination on the terrestrial signal distribution platform.

According to the determination, digital signal distributors are also expected to prepare separate accounts for each commercial subsidiary including the appropriate allocation of central overheads within six months from today.

In arriving at the afore-cited tariffs, CCK adopted a consultative approach where the signal distributors were involved. 

The full Determination is available on our website.

Issued by
Mutua Muthusi
Director/Consumer Public Affairs
For: DIRECTOR GENERAL 

Doba Faculty introduces online Master’s degree programme

Europe-based institution plots to benefit from growing demand in Africa for overseas university degrees

DOBA Faculty of Applied Business and Social Studies, a leading online private education institution in South-Eastern Europe, has today introduced its online Master’s degree Programme for the African market.
The Faculty’s flagship course will be the Masters Programme in International Business Management, which will cost KSh406, 117 (U$4.695) per academic year.

The director of the  Faculty, Ms Jasna Dominko Baloh, said e-learning would help many people with limited time and finance advance their education from their home countries at affordable fees.

“Online learning is an alternative for those who are unable to attend face to face lectures due to their career or family commitments, such as full-time employed people who want to advance in their career, young adults with active lifestyles and young mothers with limited free time,”  Ms Baloh said during a media briefing in Nairobi.

The Faculty is targeting those employed in diplomatic organizations and multinationals, entrepreneurs, middle management, civil servants, alumni of bachelor programmes and young people aged between 19 and 25 years old.

The objective of the Faculty is to prepare students for solving practical business problems and challenges in their future careers, for the challenges of the business world that requires great flexibility and an individual, innovative and creative approach.  European recognized degree.

“We develop professionally successful, personally happy and satisfied graduates, who will contribute to the greater competitiveness of the economy. Our success is the quality knowledge, employability and permanent satisfaction of our alumni.56% of graduates experienced positive changes in their workplace immediately after graduating,” said Ms Baloh.

DOBA Faculty of Applied Business and Social Studies holds the honour of being the first and only higher education institution in South-Eastern Europe to receive the UNIQUe international certification for quality in e-learning which is awarded by the European Foundation for Quality in e-Learning.

Online learning with DOBA Faculty offers a truly global experience. Students have the opportunity to study in internationally varied groups and work with other students who bring new ideas as well as their own professional and cultural experiences enriching the learning process. This cultural exchange provides added value to our programmes. During the whole programme students are monitored and guided by a tutor, who is available to you 7 days a week.

“Our students have numerous opportunities for networking and strengthening both business and private connections in the European Union and Africa through: the online Master’s programme, various programme-related activities, and active participation in the alumni club,” Ms Baloh said. 

The Faculty employs a state-of-the-art virtual learning platform known as the Blackboard Learn to support Online students.  The platfom allows students access all information that is needed for the course, including course materials, chat rooms, discussion forums on their computers or mobile phone and tablet.
DOBA is the latest entrant into the market as European-based higher learning institutions are targeting a growing number of people in Africa seeking overseas university degrees  by introducing cost-effective online programs for the region.

On the 21st November at 6 PM, there will be a presentation at Nairobi Hilton open to anyone who is interested in studying in exciting new programmes and courses available to all those who are interesting in earning a European recognised Master's Degree from one of the top European online faculties.

Gartner Says Smartphone Sales Accounted for 55 Percent of Overall Mobile Phone Sales in Third Quarter of 2013

Worldwide mobile phone sales to end users totaled 455.6 million units in the third quarter of 2013, an increase of 5.7 percent from the same period last year, according to Gartner, Inc. Sales of smartphones accounted for 55 percent of overall mobile phone sales in the third quarter of 2013, and reached their highest share to date. 

Worldwide smartphone sales to end users reached 250.2 million units, up 45.8 percent from the third quarter of 2012. Asia/Pacific led the growth in both markets - the smartphone segment with 77.3 percent increase and the mobile phone segment with 11.9 percent growth. The other regions to show an increase in the overall mobile phone market were Western Europe, which returned to growth for the first time this year, and the Americas. 

“Sales of feature phones continued to decline and the decrease was more pronounced in markets where the average selling price (ASP) for feature phones was much closer to the ASP affordable smartphones,” said Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner. “In markets such as China and Latin America, demand for feature phones fell significantly as users rushed to replace their old models with smartphones.” 

Gartner analysts said global mobile phone sales are on pace to reach 1.81 billion units in 2013, a 3.4 percent increase from 2012. “We will see several new tablets enter the market for the holiday season, and we expect consumers in mature markets will favor the purchase of smaller-sized tablets over the replacement of their older smartphones” said Mr. Gupta. 

While Samsung’s share was flat in the third quarter of 2013, Samsung increased its lead over Apple in the global smartphone market (see Table 1). The launch of the Samsung Note 3 helped reaffirm Samsung as the clear leader in the large display smartphone market, which it pioneered. 

Lenovo’s sales of smartphones grew to 12.9 million units, up 84.5 percent year-on-year. It constantly raised share in the Chinese smartphone market. 

Apple’s smartphone sales reached 30.3 million units in the third quarter of 2013, up 23.2 percent from a year ago. “While the arrival of the new iPhones 5s and 5c had a positive impact on overall sales, such impact could have been greater had they not started shipping late in the quarter. While we saw some inventory built up for the iPhone 5c, there was good demand for iPhone 5s with stock out in many markets,” said Mr. Gupta. 

Table 1

Worldwide Smartphone Sales to End Users by Vendor in 3Q13 (Thousands of Units)

Company	3Q13 Units	3Q13 Market Share (%)	3Q12 Units	3Q12 Market Share (%)
Samsung	80,356.8	32.1	55,054.2	32.1
Apple	30,330.0	12.1	24,620.3	14.3
Lenovo	12,882.0	5.1	6,981.0	4.1
LG Electronics	12,055.4	4.8	6,986.1	4.1
Huawei	11665.7	4.7	7,804.3	4.5
Others	102941.8	41.1	70206.8	40.9
Total	250,231.7	100.0	171,652.7	100.0

Source: Gartner (November 2013)

In the smartphone operating system (OS) market (see Table 2), Android surpassed 80 percent market share in the third quarter of 2013, which helped extend its leading position. “However, the winner of this quarter is Microsoft which grew 123 percent. Microsoft announced the intent to acquire Nokia’s devices and services business, which we believe will unify effort and help drive appeal of Windows ecosystem,” said Mr. Gupta. Forty-one per cent of all Android sales were in mainland China, compared to 34 percent a year ago. Samsung is the only non-Chinese vendor in the top 10 Android players ranking in China. Whitebox Yulong is the third largest Android vendor in China with a 9.7 percent market share in the third quarter of 2013. Xiaomi represented 4.3 percent of Android sales in the third quarter of 2013, up from 1.4 percent a year ago.

Table 2

Worldwide Smartphone Sales to End Users by Operating System in 3Q13 (Thousands of Units)

Operating System	3Q13  Units	3Q13 Market Share (%)	3Q12  Units	3Q12 Market Share (%)
Android	205,022.7	81.9	124,552.3	72.6
iOS	30,330.0	12.1	24,620.3	14.3
Microsoft	8,912.3	3.6	3,993.6	2.3
BlackBerry	4,400.7	1.8	8,946.8	5.2
Bada	633.3	0.3	4,454.7	2.6
Symbian	457.5	0.2	4,401.3	2.6
Others	475.2	0.2	683.7	0.4
Total	250,231.7	100.0	171,652.7	100.0

Source: Gartner (November 2013)

Mobile Phone Vendor Perspective

Samsung: Samsung extended its lead in the overall mobile phone market, as its market share totaled 25.7 percent in the third quarter of 2013 (see Table 3). “While Samsung has started to address its user experience, better design is another area where Samsung needs to focus,” said Mr. Gupta. “Samsung's recent joint venture with carbon fiber company SGL Group could bring improvements in this area in future products.” 

Nokia: Nokia did better than anticipated in the third quarter of 2013, reaching 63 million mobile phones, thanks to sales of both Lumia and Asha series devices. Increased smartphone sales supported by an expanded Lumia portfolio, helped Nokia move up to the No. 8 spot in the global smartphone market. But regional and Chinese Android device manufacturers continued to beat market demand, taking larger share and creating a tough competitive environment for Lumia devices. 

Apple:  Gartner believes the price difference between the iPhone 5c and 5s is not enough in mature markets, where prices are skewed by operator subsidies, to drive users away from the top of the line model. In emerging markets, the iPhone 4S will continue to be the volume driver at the low end as the lack of subsidy in most markets leaves the iPhone 5c too highly priced to help drive further penetration. 

Lenovo: Lenovo moved to the No. 7 spot in the global mobile phone market, with sales reaching approximately 13 million units in the third quarter of 2013. “Lenovo continues to rely heavily on its home market, which represents more than 95 per cent of its overall mobile phone sales. This could limit its growth after 2014, when the Chinese market is expected to decelerate,” said Mr. Gupta. 

Table 3

Worldwide Mobile Phone Sales to End Users by Vendor in 3Q13 (Thousands of Units)

Company	3Q13 Units	3Q13 Market Share (%)	3Q12 Units	3Q12 Market Share (%)
Samsung	117,053.8	25.7	97,956.8	22.7
Nokia	63,048.4	13.8	82,300.6	19.1
Apple	30,330.0	6.7	24,620.3	5.7
LG Electronics	18,030.7	4.0	13,968.8	3.2
ZTE	13,696.4	3.0	16,605.9	3.9
Huawei	13,574.4	3.0	11,918.9	2.8
Lenovo	12,999.8	2.9	7,203.7	1.7
TCL Communication	12,345.6	2.7	9,326.7	2.2
Sony Mobile Communications	9,757.5	2.1	8,202.4	1.9
Yulong	8,801.0	1.9	5,218.5	1.2
Others	156,004.7	34.2	153,701.20	35.7
Total	455,642.3	100.0	431,023.8	100.0

Source: Gartner (November 2013)

Additional information is in the Gartner report "Market Share Analysis: Mobile Phones, Worldwide, 3Q13." The report is available on Gartner's website at http://www.gartner.com/document/2622821.http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2623415