Thursday, September 25, 2008

IT Business leap barriers

As the autumn - normal season intensifying IT-business. But this year, all waiting for the autumn with some nastorozhennostyu. It shows one important thing: how the global financial crisis - Enhanced oil, falling dollar and the recession in the U.S. - will affect (and will affect whether) to the computer and telecommunications industries.


Search Engines: Evolution

In anticipation of the issuance of shares of the company «Yandex» Russian journalists asked for financial analysts to calculate cost-effectiveness of the Internet companies. Was a figure in the 54,7-55,8%. Illustrative time: «Yandex» released only one option for fiscal year 2007 - revenue. According to the company, this figure compared with the 2006-meters rose «roughly double», ie can make $ 167 million According to reporting Ltd. «Yandex», published in «SPARK-Interfax», company revenue in 2007 - $ 172.9 million (4.4 billion rubles.) net profit - $ 64.2 million (1.6 billion rubles.). Let me remind you that this autumn «Yandex» plans to place a high-tech stock exchange Nasdaq 15-20% of its shares. Organizers IPO - Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and «Renaissance Capital». Preliminary assessment of the entire company at $ 5 billion buying the same shares in «Yandex» interests of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.


Help "IT SECTOR":

«Yandex»: Internet company. He speaks portal Yandex.ru with a daily audience of about 6 million people (to TNS Gallup). Shareholders: 30% - the founders, about 20% - managers, more than 30% - Funds Internet Search Investments and Baring Vostok Capital Partners, 15% - Tiger Global Management, 5% reserved under the stock options. For information: in 2006 profitability «Yandex» was 59.4%, that is, for the year it fell by about 3%. This may be due to the increasing number of partners, and thus contributions, analysts say. However, representatives of «Yandex» far refused any comment.

A competitor «Yandex» - the company Mail.ru - profitability above: 64.5%. This is due to the fact that he Mail.ru 68% of revenue comes from sales of banner advertising. «Yandex» is shared with partners, revenues from contextual advertising, which brings it to 80% of the proceeds. The profitability of the Rambler in 2007 was 11% in I quarter of 2008 th - 18-20%. Do Google - 35,9%.

By the way, about «Rambler». Holding Rambler Media withdrew financial director Artur Akopyan. This is when it has become a profitable company, but at the same time, and rid itself of its two major assets - Rambler TV channel and contextual advertising «Begun». Already aware that Akopyan become one of the top managers of Global Technology Fund (GTF), close to Eventis Telecom. Akopyan, who had worked since 2005 in «Sinterre», became findirektorom Rambler year and a half ago. He came in the Rambler with a new management team of Mark Opzumera, who replaced Irina Gofman's director. In 2007 the first Rambler finished the first 12 months, with net profit (largely due to the sale of Rambler TV for $ 23 million in the first half). The yield holding at 4.75 times increased to $ 7.6 million, $ 7.1 million of which was received in the II half of the year. But we can not say that the improved financial situation Rambler relates only to Akopyanom - this whole team credit, analysts emphasize. Over the past year, Rambler also received control over «runners», and at the end of July to agree on the resale of Google. Operating profit from the transaction will be approximately $ 50 million, that 2.7 times that invested in «Begun» amount. From a financial point of view of selling «Begun» benefit, but so far unclear how it will affect the revenue Rambler in the future - the system works in the growing market of contextual advertising reduplicative is not the first year in a row. According to the consulting agency Mindshare Interaction, in 2007, this market in Russia has doubled and increased to $ 210 million Rambler Revenues from contextual advertising will «grow faster», said after the deal Akopyan, the company «will specialize in a vertical or topical search».


Corporations and figures

According to data provided in the financial report of Hewlett-Packard for the III quarter of 2008 (ended on 31 July), the overall HP revenue grew by 10% compared to last year's indicators and a $ 28 billion net profit also increased by 14% and reached $ 2 billion These financial results exceeded expectations of analysts, forecast earnings at only $ 27.4 billion because of the possible impact of the economic crisis on the sale of the company. According to HP, repay negative from lower purchasing activity in the United States and Western Europe succeeded thanks to the growth of revenue from activities in developing markets, increase sales of laptops and the constant improvement of business solutions and products to be scanned and printed. Indeed, sales of notebook companies for the quarter increased by 26%, while desktops - only 6%. Income from operations for the same markets of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) increased by 24% compared with last year. In their forecasts for IV quarter of fiscal year (ending 31 October) analysts the company is also optimistic laid plans of $ 30.2 to $ 30.3 billion of revenue. Mark Hurd, chairman of the board of Hewlett-Packard, told reporters: «Our global situation, a wide range of products and services and growing opportunities to reduce cost of production give us confidence in the continuation of significant revenue growth in the future».

The market for memory ICs emerged a paradoxical situation: the flash memory market for NAND-type susceptible to a significant decline because of overproduction. But over time there is a need for ten new giant factories to the production could keep up with the growing demand for NAND - well, at least, argues SanDisk CEO Eli Harari. Quote: «Our industry is experiencing a time of testing. Industry is not healthy ». Indeed, the production and marketing of flash memory has been about two and a half years have experienced a rapid drop in prices. The situation resulted from a significant excess of production over consumption. It is estimated that the proposal exceeds demand by about 10%, which prints the majority of suppliers in the «red zone». For comparison: suppliers of DRAM, which are also experiencing is not the best of times, faced with an excess of supply over demand at only 1-2%. According to Harari, the market is waiting for the applications that will raise the demand. Examples of areas of potential growth is the expansion cards, mobile devices, solid state drives. For the industry to respond to the expected transition to the ascending part of the curve and meet the needs of new applications, to assess Harare, will take another ten «megafabrik» to produce NAND.

According to projections organization SEMI - «sectoral trade union» of companies - manufacturers of semiconductors - updated every six months, sales of equipment for semiconductor manufacturing in Europe on the basis of 2008 will grow to $ 2.53 billion in the next year, the market should grow another 3.6 % To reach $ 2.62 billion market for materials for the production of semiconductors will grow and will reach close to this year's $ 4 billion will recall that the main drivers of growth in world semiconductor market experts believe the development of technology in emerging markets and growth in output PCs and mobile phones.

British online advertising in 2007 surpassed the volume television (broadcasting), capturing 19% of the market. According to the telecommunications regulatory body Ofcom, last year in the UK spending on online advertising grew by 40% - up to 2.8 billion pounds. The percentage of cable television is declining is not the first year. If in 2002 it accounted for 83% of advertising expenditure, the 2007-meters - just 67%. Thus, last year on advertising in television lasted a little more than 2.3 billion pounds. In general, for all types of television in Britain spent 3.5 billion pounds, as in the year before last. This amount includes a digital TV channels, which account for up to one third of the advertising revenue. From 2002 to 2007 being conducted by the British before a computer screen, grew by 4 times - up to 24 minutes a day. A mobile phone Britons said twice more.


AMD Restructuring

Sensation came the news that the company AMD is exploring the possibility of split into two companies. If that happens, the first part will develop chips and the second - their production. It is anticipated that this will revert to the profits that the manufacturer does not receive from the end of 2006. The official separation announcement is expected in the current September. No easy task to split into two companies AMD, according to some data, charged the former director of AMD Hector Ruiz, in July lost their position, but nevertheless remaining in the position of chairman of the board of directors. According to the «informed sources», the company will be divided into two parts: first, the main part, led by new CEO Dirk Meijer, nominated for a seat Ruiz, will develop semiconductor technologies, the second focus in the production of processors. Both companies are closely linked. It is stated that all the most important decisions on this issue have already been taken. Dividing the company will be implemented in strategies Asset Light and Asset Smart, led by Ruiz. But, nevertheless, the future role of Hector Ruiz, AMD, prorated for eight years, remains unclear. Perhaps it will take a decision-making positions - for example, will be CEO of productive units. The marketing team is trying to focus the company on merit Ruiz and get rid of possible associations, that supposedly he led the company to the situation in which it currently is. According to the company Lehman Brothers analyst Tim Luke, the strategy of Asset Smart companies have already yielded significant results. This he described himself a former CEO. Perhaps the manufacturer of microchips able to get the restructuring scheme without the involvement of additional capital - for example, through the sale of equipment. We know that AMD has already rid itself of equipment from its plant in Germany, selling its Russian concern «Angstrom», which has attracted for this purpose loan of 815 million euros. According to the research agency iSuppli in 2007, the company AMD took a 11 th place in the ranking of the largest manufacturers of chips. Its share in the world market for microprocessors is 13% - this is 6 times less than the shares of Intel. Net losses AMD in the II quarter of this year totaled $ 1.19 billion in revenues the company increased by $ 40 million compared to the year 2007 and totaled $ 1.35 billion


Cases game

At the end of the review, as usual, talk about the market of computer games. The Corporation Electronic Arts has not renew its offer to buy the company Take-Two. Now the company will not publicly discuss the merger, and during private talks. I recall that Electronic Arts offered for Take-Two $ 2 billion of Electronic Arts said that was no longer believe in the beneficial integration of Take-Two before the festive season. Following the decision of EA shares of Take-Two fell to $ 23.38 apiece. Leadership Take-Two Electronic Arts intends to submit a timetable for release of new products and financial projections for three years in advance. Earlier, Take-Two has repeatedly rejected the proposal by Electronic Arts, saying that she appreciated the company too low. The first public offer to purchase the creators of Grand Theft Auto Corporation Electronic Arts has made at the end of February 2007, after which several times extended the offer.

The company Flagship Studios, created action / RPG called Hellgate: London, is closed. Chief Operating Officer and one of the founders of the company Max Scheffer said that at the moment of any formulation of speech is not. Flagship Studios is now practically not functioning - only to have the leadership to bring up unfinished business. Scheffer also added that earlier, none of the leaders are not confronted with the need to close the company. This may explain the fact that, until the very last moment the situation with Flagship Studios has remained unclear. I'll add that in early August Max Sheffer and Travis Baldri announced a reorganization of units Flagship Seattle, after which a new independent company Runic Games. Flagship Studio was founded in 2003 by former members of Blizzard Entertainment, who worked on the series Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo. The post of President of the new company took Bill Roper. Information that Flagship Studios have begun to leave the staff, appeared in early June this year. Leadership has long denied these rumors, but in July the company confirmed them. Soon it was closed beta testing multiplayer online game Mythos, and Hellgate: London has disappeared opportunity to register new subscribers. Above Mythos worked developers of the unit Flagship Seattle, but Travis Baldri noted that the studio, renamed the Runic Games, is unlikely to continue to work on this project.

IT-industry: the readiness of the entire

Pass last summer days. That is about to come autumn, and with it - and the long-awaited revitalization of the entire global IT-business. But then, perhaps, is to warn against excessive optimism. Analysts company Gartner noted that the weakening global economy soon may force consumers to buy fewer electronics. In the coming months, expect widespread decline in sales of computer equipment that quickly affects the producer of microchips. Until this year, sales of PCs and mobile phones stood at a high level thanks to emerging markets (China, India, Russia, South America) that the fuel industry. But Gartner believes that soon, and in these countries will be felt the impact of the global economic crisis.

In March this year, experts Gartner forecast changed the overall production of chips, taking into account the decline in prices for memory and the deterioration of the global economy. Thus, if a previously expected increase in annual profits in the IT-industry stood at 6.2%, whereas now it has fallen to 3.4% ($ 278.4 billion). According to forecasts Gartner, improvements in the industry should not wait before the second half of next year.


Smart passion

One of the most remarkable events of this summer was the revitalization of the two largest producers of processors - AMD and Intel. Both companies sought to consolidate its position in the market. However, a number of failures by the leadership of AMD, led to a weakening market position of the manufacturer. One of those mistakes has been the acquisition of ATI, eventually turning to AMD large losses. Nevertheless, the company does not intend to give up: Now AMD is making serious efforts in trying to remain competitive. In July the company was headed by Dirk Meyer, who succeeded as general director Hector Ruiz.

Now the company plans to reorganize production, but still kept secret. Do not forget AMD and its «direct responsibilities», while continuing to replenish its range of new products: last month were released three new quad processor Phenom X4. For this activity AMD followed strong growth position the company in the ranking: 20 th place, she moved to fifth. AMD competitor Intel, in the person also did not waste time. In the rating of proposals corporation was able to deprive the company Apple second place which is occupied for several months. After 40 years after the founding of the Intel case is excellent. To verify this, just look at the financial performance of the corporation for the II quarter of this year. In July Intel introduced the Intel Centrino 2 platform, which immediately attracted the leading manufacturers of notebook PCs. In addition, in the near future, the corporation intends to release to the market a number of promising products, including - dual-core processor Intel Atom, chips in the microarchitecture Nehalem, as well as video Larrabee. According to Steysi Smith, financial director of Intel, earnings for the quarter range from $ 10 to $ 10.6 billion (In doing so, according to Reuters Estimates, analysts predict Intel revenue in the III quarter at roughly $ 10.3 billion) Commenting on its forecast, Smith said that Intel has shown good performance during the year even though the economic slowdown has affected not only the U.S. but also Western Europe. The main reason for good performance Intel, according to Smith - the timely entry into the market of processors for mobile devices - in particular the issue of chip Atom, designed for use in low-cost gadgets and laptops. Now the development of sales Atom is becoming a priority goal in a slowdown of the world PC market. Quote: «Atom has become very good acceleration at the start, exceeding our expectations at the beginning of the year. The product fits perfectly into a modern prosperous state is not the American economy in which consumers pay more attention to low-cost device.

However, according to findirektora Intel, the company intends to establish exactly how and where the market is needed Atom, only in the next six months. In the meantime, it is assumed that the processor is well suited for use in mobile devices in emerging markets, as well as for people who want to be the second low-cost PCs in addition to the core. Along with AMD and Intel demonstrated a positive trend and other producers of computer equipment. For example, the company closed the first ten Dell, Toshiba and Nvidia divided between the 13th row, and Lenovo took 17 th place.


Incidentally, the Lenovo

According to quarterly reports of Lenovo, net profit in the II quarter of this year reached $ 110 million - a 65% increase over the same period last year, when profit was $ 66.84 million These figures surpassed the expectations of most analysts, forecast profit of $ 107 , 47 million Nevertheless, the total income in the II quarter increased by only 10% and amounted to $ 4.2 billion According to the company on quarterly financial performance crisis has affected the American economy and an earthquake in China. The structure of sales of Lenovo may be the one hand, the slowdown in sales of desktops, which amounted to only 3% (up to $ 1.7 billion), and strengthening the position of notebook PCs, sales growth which reached 17% (up to $ 2.4 billion). Now the share of notebook PCs accounted for 57% of sales. In the regional division showed the best performance of China, where sales growth was 22% (up to $ 1.7 billion). In the U.S., has sold products to $ 1.1 billion in Europe, Africa and the Middle East - at $ 904 million, while in Asia (excluding China) - at $ 497 million as stated by representatives of Lenovo, commenting on the results of the work in the II quarter, the company special attention to the Olympic Games in Beijing, where she is an official sponsor. According to plans, the fourth in the world PC manufacturer, Olympic marketing activities should make it a globally recognizable brand.


Via changing specialization

One of the few producers of alternative chipset - the company Via - will not produce a platform for third-party processors and plans to concentrate instead on the release of its own processor platform to x86. Vice President Richard Brown, Via said in this regard: «One of the main reasons why we decided to fully engage x86, is that, we estimate that business to produce chipsets for third-party processor is dead». As examples, Brown led the company to Intel and AMD, which themselves produce chipsets for its processors. Intel has reached what is now nearly all of its processors provided with its own chipsets. With the acquisition of ATI Technologies in 2006, AMD is approaching a similar scenario.

Rumors that Via is considering withdrawal from the business of manufacturing chipsets, there was still last autumn, when the publication DigiTimes reported the resignation of President and Chief Executive unit Via to develop platforms Cheveya Lin, together with the company, left the team of 40 specialists. Later they joined the ASMedia Technology - an affiliate Taiwan Asustek Computer. Among the reasons for departure cited fierce competition from Intel and AMD, as well as the uncertain future line of chipsets. Relations between Via and the world's largest manufacturer of processors Intel has always left wanting. Thus, in 2001, Via released a chipset Apollo P4X266, which had the support of DDR memory and a Pentium 4. However, it is necessary license from Intel for formulation of the chipset was not available. Fear of getting out of favor Intel, manufacturers of motherboards have to produce products based Apollo is not under his own name and under the name Via. Today the company is Via the five largest producers of system logic, which also includes Intel, AMD, Nvidia and SiS. Asked whether the company was able to improve relations with Intel, Richard Brown replied as follows: «Our company and Intel are direct competitors in the very difficult market. Nonetheless, we respect the Intel as our opponent and as the company has made an enormous contribution to the development of industry PCs ». I recall that in early August there were rumors that went out of business chipset company Nvidia. However, this information was immediately overcome its officials, who said that out of this segment does not make sense, because the position of Nvidia it strong as ever.


Personnel who decide everything

Workers at IBM plants in the state of Vermont expects a 10 per cent decline in wages at the beginning of next year. Jeff Tell, a representative of IBM in Vermont, said that the company ceases to pay 20 per cent premium working 12-hour shifts. These measures affect about 3500 workers assembly line. To compensate for the abolition of bonuses, IBM plans to implement a single 10-per cent increase in basic rates. IBM plants in the state of Vermont produces processors for cellular phones, DVD-players and other consumer electronics, as well as specific processors for the game console. The company also intends to lower wages for some $ 120 administrative employees. Working night shifts will continue to receive bonuses of 12.5%. Thus, the measures taken by the leadership of the company, a different impact on individual staff members. The representative of IBM, competing companies do not pay bonuses to their workers. Jeff Tell also said that the aim of the planned IBM measures is to reduce costs and remain competitive.

Sanjay Jakarta, the new head of the mobile units of Motorola, intends to take a key strategy for the company's solutions for just 90 days. According to him, for the three-month period will be subjected to thorough rethinking of mobile platforms, and Motorola plans to manufacture cellular phones. Jakarta also intend to invite the new top managers to oversee areas of responsibility in which he personally did not have enough experience. I recall that, until recently, Sanjay worked Jakarta Administrative Director of Qualcomm. Observers suggest that many top managers will peremaneny it from there.


This amazing Russian IT-market

According to company IDC, in 2007 the Russian market for integrated systems management (ISUP) grew by 58.7% to $ 579 million, this figure almost double the average growth rate of Russian IT-market. According to analyst IDC software Petra Gorodetskogo, end-users to fully appreciate the importance of ISUP as a key tool for optimizing business processes and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises. «A providers and their partners were able to offer customers the best choice including solutions for individual business segments and industries», - explained the expert. It seems that the needs of enterprises is not only to acquire tools to extract information - for them relevant and appropriate financial reporting requirements of domestic law. That's why the market share of the budget and regularly updated products «1C» has been steadily increasing. And if, in 2005-2006, growth in market presence «1C» took place by reducing the share of Microsoft, in 2007, the «victim» proved corporation Oracle. Her representative explains what is happening on a small number of potential customers «heavy» ERP-systems. It's no secret that many Russian enterprises, including major industrial, in the absence of free funds are forced to be satisfied with the products easier class. «Rich heavyweight» are still companies with a continuous production cycle, specializing in the processing of raw materials including oil, as well as retailer, «Energy». Since the introduction of «1C» does not weigh heavily on corporate budgets, to automate the company began small and medium-sized businesses. This is truly a «bonanza». According to Deputy Director of corporate management systems company IBS Alexandre Saksina, the success of SAP is primarily the result of a corporation that is sensitive to a segment of the SME. According to IDC, in the SMB market in Russia SAP has received more than 30% of their income. It seems that Oracle policy in this regard inadequate. Specialists IDC believes that the Russian market ERP-systems in the next five years will grow by an average of 35% annually. The cost of automated systems in the retail and wholesale trade, energy, health, education and government will grow ahead of market dynamics.

Shares of major suppliers of ERP-systems in the Russian market (%)


200520062007
SAP39,74549,6
Oracle21,71814,9
«1С»9,71214,4
Microsoft9,487,8


Source: IDC.


Apple Mac vs. Windows PC

An interesting statistics published by NPD Group. According to her figures, the average price of your Mac twice higher than the average Windows PC. While the average price of Windows-notebook dropped from $ 877 in June 2006 to $ 700 now, the average price of mobile PCs Apple is still about $ 1500, dropping over the past two years at $ 59. Desktops Mac is now sold in an average of $ 1000, while the typical Windows PC costs about $ 550. Of course, all these prices without taking into account the specifications of computers are only statistical interest rather typical configuration Mac and PC differed so much that they try to compare quite difficult. This is what is remarkable: despite the much greater difference in price, market share Apple has continued to grow, according to Gartner, currently at 8.5%. The main reason for the growth analysts believe Vista problems and lack of proper marketing response from Microsoft, which prompted buyers to part with a large sum of money in order to avoid meeting with the new Windows. Nevertheless, Apple is not sitting idly by, experts believe. The new marketing initiative by Microsoft, Apple decides to respond to a series of rollers Get A Mac, could bring slower growth of sales of products labeled with nadkushennogo apple. However, in Cupertino, it seems, this has long been ready: this could speak, announced in July the company reduce its gross margin from 35% to 30% - and with continued cost it can only report on lowering retail prices. Calculations show that if Apple is going to continue to increase its market share, or at least freeze it at 8.5%, prices would have to go down.

The market for mobile phones reformat

The research company Gartner released its medium-term outlook of the market mobile phones. According to analysts Gartner, before the end of 2009 the market of mobile phones, a number of new players, while the market will take only a few frank outsiders. Most manufacturers will actively promote the services of data transmission and value-added services, and the devices become easier to use with the old functionality. It is the greatest sales growth will occur in developing countries, while in Western Europe and Japan will begin declining, while in the U.S. - a long period of stagnation. Gartner experts have identified five key trends in the industry of mobile phones by the end of 2009 th.

First of all, the market of cellular devices will new players - for example, a manufacturer of GPS-navigators Garmin - the company postponed the release of its first phone with the IV quarter of 2008 th next year. The emergence of new producers in a fairly competitive market driven by the expansion and diversity of ready platforms. Secondly, pressure from operators seeking to lower prices for mobile phones, will force manufacturers to seek new sources of income, for example, from the sale of content and other services. On this path have already Nokia with its service Ovi, Sony Ericsson with PlayNow and Apple with iTunes. Similar projects are preparing to launch a number of manufacturing companies - for example, Motorola. In the future, according to experts, business links between manufacturers of phones and smartphones, cellular operators and content providers will be much stronger and more diverse in their points of convergence, new business models. Another important trend in 2009 - cellular phones (unless, of course, the word «phone» still can be applied to these devices) will become less complicated to use. The growing importance will play a mobile design and style, while the differences in functionality will become less visible. Manufacturing companies will design and implementation especially those new technologies that will reduce the price variation of design. For example, the expected conclusion of new agreements with the world's elite brands of accessories and sportswear - and, what features are not jokes, and can reach up to use food and automobile brands. Pepsi-phone and phone-style Jaguar today may cause a smile, but do not forget how quickly changing world around us. Co-products, manufacturers of mobile phones could increase the attractiveness of their vehicles in the eyes of consumers. Finally, the life cycle of high-tech phones will grow: it will be possible to download software updates, new copyright management (DRM), applications and services, multimedia files - all for the appliance to remain current as long as possible.

With regard to statistical projections of Gartner, then, on the basis of 2008 in the world to be sold 1.28 billion cell phones that by 11% compared to 1.15 billion vehicles sold last year. In I quarter of this year in the world were sold 294.3 million mobile phones. According to preliminary calculations, in the II quarter (April-June) in retail sales and in offices operators sent 300 - 305 million mobile phones. Leading Gartner analyst Carolina Milanezi said: «In III quarter sales growth to continue, but would be irrelevant because the company Motorola and LG have already warned of the quarterly decline in sales. In addition, remains challenging and economic situation. All hope lies at the end of the year when producers phones will be provided the largest share of new products. In addition, the increase in sales in the IV quarter should affect the seasonal factor ». However, sales growth will be achieved primarily by developing countries, countries in Eastern Europe, Russia (CIS) and Latin America. At the same time, in regions such as Western Europe, Japan and North America, the market has reached saturation point. According to analysts, the Asia-Pacific region in 2008 will be sold 472.5 million mobile devices that will be at the 17.9% increase over last year. In Western Europe, will be sold approximately 188 million phones - a 1.5% lower than the 2007-meters. Sales volume in North America amounted to 185.7 million units, which will give 5.3 percent for the year. At the same time, Japan will be sold 47.7 million vehicles, a country rising sun from last year will show 9.1-percent decline in sales of mobile phones.

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Intrigue QIP

Any good PR Specialist you will say: if the information needed excuse, any intrigue can unleash literally on level ground. That's what seems to have been the company «RBC» (RBC) in an effort to make public the fact that among its assets to add popular among Russian users of Internet-pager QIP.

I recall that QIP is considered one of the most common in post-Soviet space programs for instant messaging. QIP is 100% compatible with ICQ, as passed on a protocol Oscar - is proprietary protocol, developed by Israeli company Mirabilis - the creator of the program ICQ. The main difference between QIP official ICQ-client is the lack of advertising - is considered an advantage, and most users of the program. Plus, of course, given the absolute «bezglyuchnost» and stability combined with ease of use. It should be recalled that the developer of ICQ (and at the same time and the ideology of Internet pagers) company Mirabilis few years ago was acquired by telecommunications giant AOL and converted into a company ICQ Ltd. Since then, it was AOL owns all rights to technology Mirabilis, its commercial design and protocol Oscar, which enjoys a majority of the 66 known instant messaging. According to several sources, QIP regularly uses about half Runet users. However, credit rating services give slightly different figures. According to the company ComScore, at the beginning of this year's service QIP enjoyed 26.6% audience Runet. That figure has messenger ninth place in the ranking of ComScore. Nevertheless, analyst investment company «Finam» Leonid Delitsyn sure that QIP - still the most popular ICQ-client in Russia. In his view, this program uses 40% of Russian Internet users, and the placement of advertising could bring a year of not less than $1 million a matter of fact, until recently the exclusive partner of ICQ Ltd. in Russia was the Rambler, but in May a term partnership agreement. According to Leonid Delitsyn, RBC media could become - or at least try to become - a partner AOL. Possession of one of the most popular in runet Internet pagers would greatly increase the chances of success of RBC. With regard to the market value of QIP, it Delitsyn evaluates its $3 - $5 million, and most other experts - in «several million dollars».

And so PR-started preparations for the monetization of QIP. In late July, a well-known Russian newspaper «Official» first published information about the Internet connection, pager QIP and RBC. I note only that the potential for disseminating such information originated as early as last year, when it became clear that the domain name is registered to a company Qip.ru Valento Commerce, and she, in turn, tightly linked to the RBC. In addition, according to the organization ICANN, the company Valento Commerce has an entertainment resource fishki.net. The publication «Vebplaneta» then quite dramatically the past about this, saying that QIP, in fact, the «parasite ICQ», as it uses the protocol and the subscriber base. Meanwhile, the protocol remains officially closed (proprietary). This means that for serious business owner QIP is required to conclude an agreement with AOL - only this agreement will make it possible to use the protocol Oscar for commercial purposes. It turns out that the direct purchase of QIP provided RBC unprofitable because of high royalties to AOL. Then the mechanism was implemented «incubator» in the form of third-party offshore company - the very Valento Commerce, as reported and the «Official». However proveryavshim this information to the journalists could not find any mention of Valento in describing the structure of the holding or in a presentation to investors. It turns out that the fact that buying «Rosbizneskonsaltingom» company Valento Commerce, which was discussed in the previous year, or eventually failed, or simply is not confirmed. However, owners of the QIP any comments about his relationship with the holding company while RBC refused.


Information:

OAO «RBC Information Systems» - Russian media. He speaks the same Internet portal, news, magazines, newspapers, TV and other assets. Financial indicators (2007): revenues - $193 million, EBITDA - $24 - $26 million Capitalization (at 28 July 2008) - $1.05 billion Major shareholders (as of 1 January 2008): German Kaplun (9, 22%), Alexander Morgulchik (8.9%), Dmitry Belik (8.8%). For the first time Valento Commerce has joined the list of companies affiliated with RBC in April 2007. Of the reports of RBC should: Valento was bought 27 Oct, 2006 - the first Cypriot company RBC Investments, RBC owned by the owners. But in May 2007, Director-General RBC Rovenskiy Yuri said that the deal to buy Valento did not take place, although it was planned - «signed a contract of intent acquisition». Of the subsequent lists companies affiliated with RBC Valento disappeared and appeared only in July this year already.

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