Many of my clients have been asking me for a good comparison between Apple ‘s  new Lion OS and Microsoft’s proposed Windows 8 ( only two months now until release)

I have attached some links of the better comparisons that I have seen, that do not appear to be written by either of the respective vendors

See http://mashable.com/2012/07/29/mountain-lion-windows-8/  or http://www.itproportal.com/2012/07/31/mountain-lion-vs-windows-8-which-os-has-the-right-strategy/ or http://www.pcworld.com/article/252499/windows_8_vs_mountain_lion_which_os_succeeds_at_bringing_mobile_to_the_desktop.html

A video which is rather poor in production quality and views, but does show several features, can be seen at

http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/home-it/55935-os-wars-nexus-7-jb-41-–-ios-6-mountain-lion-108-windows-8-linux#

I have read and heard much hype over the last few years about the Service Delivery Network( or SDN). My take on this is that it is essentially where hardware infrastructure is a commodity, and basically all network devices run via virtualized software clients.

We are seeing more and more virtual software solutions for environments where a hardware device use to be a necessity. Examples include PBXs ( Mitel’s virtual appliance) and WAN Optimisation( Silverpeak’s virtual appliance) plus the fact that most router/switch companies now offer virtual modules in their routers/ switches.

The real benefit is that SDNs are driving down the cost of provision of networks, as well as providing more options around redundancy.

As an example, SilverPeak, (who was recently awarded Number 1 WAN Optimisation technology by Info tech, as well as being in Gartner’s WAN Optimisation Leader’s Quadrant), have slashed the price of their virtual clients to the point where their recent pricing decreases suggests that WAN Optimisation is now a commodity product in commercial reach of all organizations.

For a video overview of a sample client,  http://blog.silver-peak.com/largest-steel-fabricator-moves-data-fast-video

Implementing Clinical Care software in RACFs can have enormous pros, but can also require extensive training and cultural and business process change. Most medium size organizations(sub 1000 beds) typically do not have the in house skills (IT and otherwise) to cope with moving from a paper based to an IT based system.

We have just released a video showing the feedback from a few client deployments, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU_sD3JHqU0&feature=youtu.be

We have shown how a complete solution can yield immediate benefits, and have an OPEX of less than 1% of revenue, with expected revenue increases of greater than 1%. This gives the solution an almost immediate ROI and is cash flow positive.

See further blogs at https://johnoperkins.com/

This week’s Aged Care Technology Advisory Service looks ta the Top 10 Technologies shaping the future

For all those that have not seen it, see http://www.cio.com.au/slideshow/431201/pictures_10_technologies_shaping_future_it/?image=1 for CIO magazines InfoWorld’s top 10 technologies that are shaping the future.

Of particular interest is that Adobe is stopping flash, advancements in high speed level 1 storage, and client based hypervisors that provide enormous flexibility and provisioning for BYOD environments. The tools and ability to offer BYOD in almost all environments is becoming a reality.

It certainly is becoming the new world order driven by software applications, where infrastructure is becoming more and more of a commodity. Network appliances are being replaced by virtual appliances, whether they be PBX, firewalls, WAN optimisation etc etc devices. We have seen that these trends towards virtualised network appliances have proven improvements in price performance of around 60%.

The above link is a good summary which you can read in 5 minutes.

Silver-Peak WAN optimisation is a good example of a network appliance with proven price performance improvements of 60%. For more information, have a look at http://www.youtube.com/silverpeaksystems

I am very excited about the potential of idevices to dramatically reduce the cost of in home management of chronic diseases for the elderly.

With the ease of use of Apple  idevices, and the relatively rapid adoption of idevices ( iphones and ipads) by the elderly, the idevice is enabling a reduction in the cost for in home care to the elderly.

I am seeing more Chronic Disease Management devices, such as blood glucose and heart monitoring devices, which have connected idevice apps, becoming available. Chronic disease lifestyle management i device apps are becoming more readily available, as are low cost web based management systems. For an example, see http://store.apple.com/us/product/H8974LL/A or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWn4GRVIrk0 or https://wellspace.alerehealthdemo.com

Please note my bias, as I am heavily involved in work Apple and Systems Integration Services as well as a working relationship with Alere.