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Looks like they applied for a patent. Not sure of the status, though.
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=US2000007485&wo=2000057382&DISPLAY=STATUS
I see what you're saying, OTC, but I still think that licensing is possible. Most licensing contracts that I've seen specify a number up front - not pay as you go. So, say the license is for 10,000 units. Then, 10,000 units are paid for up front and when the user gets to that point, they purchase another license. To me that keeps a licensing deal in the realm of possible (acknowledging that possible and probable are two different things.)
Also, what about intellectual property rights? I know the company never patented in this country but, if memory serves me correctly, it was patented in Europe.(?) If so, that in itself is a reason to license rather than invest the money in R&D. Not to mention the time frames involved - my understanding is that all of the stimulus monies (whether it be the US stimulus plan, China's, etc.) are meant to be spent within this year and the next. With that in mind, a 2 year R&D window is pushing it.
Also, the last time I read the fine print on the US stimulus package, funds were not to be spent on R&D (and I'll admit that could have changed since I last perused it some time ago) but I would assume that every other country has similar parameters and limits on their stimulus packages which would make the need for this technology immediate.
All just my opinion, of course - and that may be colored by my desire to see this thing succeed - but I think a savvy manager might be able to pull something out of the fire. Whether I think Spigno is up to the task is another story.
I don't know, OTC. Maybe I'm too optimistic but I'm not seeing the lack of operating capital as an insurmountable problem. It seems the best course of action would be for CONC to just license the technology at first. (I believe that's what they were going to do with the fictitious Hensheng Tongda company.)
If they were to do that, CONC could still (eventually) be looking at some considerable contracts (even with an extremely conservative licensing fee of 10 cents per meter.) And since someone else would be bearing the costs of production, those fees would be nearly pure profit.
Like I said, maybe I'm too optimistic but I think it could be done. Now, whether management can get it done is another question entirely.
otc, lister's quoting a page from http://www.deepmarket.com/blogs/conce. The next symbol in their list is CONEQ. Click on that link and you'll find that CONEQ is the symbol for Carrier1 Intl Sa Adr. It has nothing to do with Conectisys.
Lister, that's just the next symbol being profiled on that website (it's a link) and has nothing to do with Conectisys.
http://www.deepmarket.com/blogs/conce
Who did SMUD choose to supply the meters? (Silver Spring Networks is more of a back-end supplier.)
Grybuck, I'm still not getting the connection. It's been a VERY nasty day (had a tree fall on my garage this morning) so you are going to have to walk me through this.
In your first post you say:
"Didn't they say in there april report that they were working with siemens Canada? " and you posted a part of the article stating that Siemens was contracting with eMeters (which seemed posted to somehow validate your April report statement.)
When I pointed out that, when one read the full article, the contract between Siemens and eMeters was for software, not meters you responded "But they partner with alot of the majors on the meter end and conectisys isn't one of them."
When I asked which "they" (Siemens or eMeter - the only two companies mentioned up til then) you were talking about, you gave me a list of companies (which didn't include either Siemens or eMeter.)
Like I say, it's been a mucho nasty day for me but, can you connect the dots on whatever it is you are claiming or trying to say?
Thanks.
When you say "they partner" which "they" are you talking about? Siemens or eMeter? Sorry but it's been a long day already and I guess my brain is not engaging.
As I understand the article, eMeter is being contracted for software which will be used to manage the data that gets collected from meters and other sources along a smart grid.
Full Article:
Siemens Teams with eMeter for Smart Grid Global Centers of Competence / Partnership provides best practice expertise for smart energy services worldwide
ORLANDO, Fla., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Energy has partnered with eMeter, a leading provider in Smart Grid management software, to introduce the first three Global Centers of Competence dedicated to supporting the growing demand for smart energy services. Designed to facilitate the transition from the existing infrastructure to an advanced Smart Grid, the centers will provide new and existing customers with the expertise to understand, deploy and extract maximum value from their Smart Grid investment. The centers will be located in Houston, Texas, U.S.; Vienna, Austria; and Nottingham, England.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )
"Forming the very foundation of the Smart Grid, meter data management (MDM) enables utilities to effectively manage the enormous amounts of data that will become available with the mass deployment of smart meters," stated Ron Jarvis, Director of Metering Services Americas at Siemens Energy. "EnergyIP(TM) is the best-in-class MDM platform from eMeter Corporation and it provides the flexibility and scalability to meet the challenges of our customers."
Each center is staffed with industry experts from Siemens and eMeter, providing customers with personalized guidance to design, deploy and operate their Smart Grid initiatives and meet business goals. Utilizing best-practice implementation technologies, products and business process automation techniques, the centers will provide complete smart service solutions to international customers. The Houston, Texas, center will be serving the Americas, the Vienna, Austria, center will be serving mainland Europe and the Nottingham, England, center will serve the rest of the world.
"Siemens' strong position across the energy value chain is the perfect complement to our expertise in advanced data management, creating a focal point for best practices that enable utilities to deliver the full promise of the Smart Grid and reap maximum rewards," said Cree Edward, CEO of eMeter. "These centers give us the mobility to expand our ecosystem of technology solutions and offer global support for our services on the ground."
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world's leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2008 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR22.6 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR33.4 billion and posted a profit of EUR1.4 billion. On September 30, 2008, the Energy Sector had a work force of approximately 83,500. Further information is available at: http://www.siemens.com/energy.
About eMeter:
With over 24 million meters under contract, eMeter enables electric, gas and water utilities to realize the full benefits of their AMI and Smart Grid initiatives, through the eMeter Smart Grid Management software suite. eMeter's experienced professional services team can help ensure project success, as well as provide strategic consulting services for meter data management, advanced metering and demand response. http://www.emeter.com/.
Source: http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2009-06/14183465-siemens-teams-with-emeter-for-smart-grid-global-centers-of-competence-partnership-provides-best-practice-expertise-for-smart-energy-services-worldwi-008.htm
Stimulus working in China, World Bank says
Bank boosts China growth forecast for 2009 to 7.2% from 6.5%.
June 18, 2009: 4:13 AM ET
Money Summit 2009
CNN Money Summit
Finally -- some rays of hope for the unemployed. Can the recovery last? Most important: Where are the jobs?
Get the answers when Anderson Cooper and Ali Velshi host our panel of experts and check in on virtual town halls across the country.
Thursday, June 18 at 8p.m. ET
(CNN) -- China can expect 7.2% growth in 2009, according to the World Bank, which says the country's fiscal policies in the face of a global financial slowdown have kept the Chinese economy "growing respectably."
The 7.2% projection for the nation's gross domestic product -- a basic measure of an economy's performance -- follows China's November announcement that it would inject $585 billion into its economy to offset declines in industrial and export growth.
"China can have the confidence to focus on forward-looking policies and structural reforms," said senior economist Louis Kuijs, the main author of the World Bank's China Quarterly Update, released on Thursday.
Government-influenced investment has soared, and housing sales and imports have recovered, but exports remain very weak, according to the update.
Though signs of stabilization have emerged, "global growth prospects remain subdued," and a lot of uncertainty remains, the World Bank said.
The bank forecast that exports are likely to grow significantly less in the coming decade than in the previous one.
China needs more domestic demand -- and therefore reforms that channel resources to growth sectors and support domestic markets and urbanization -- the World Bank said.
"Such reforms could be pursued all the more boldly and successfully if they are flanked by a well-functioning public finance system and social safety net," the update added.
It noted that longstanding problems, such as local governments having trouble matching funds, hampered fiscal initiatives.
The $585 billion in stimulus spending announced by China in November included the loosening of credit restrictions, tax cuts and massive infrastructure spending.
In March, the World Bank cut China's economic growth forecast for 2009 to 6.5%, down a full percentage point from its November projection.
In 2007, before the global economic slowdown, China's gross domestic product grew 13%.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/18/news/international/china_economy/index.htm?postversion=2009061804
Grybuck, disregard my suggestion to check your computer. I found the bug on the main page and emailed its whereabouts and instructions for removal to Luca. It's up to him/them now.
I've checked out the site several times and have even downloaded all of the javascript codes and checked them line by line but have found nothing.
Are you sure install[1].exe is not in your system already? Have you checked your task manager to see if it is running behind the scenes?
Will continue to check the site, though.
Good point. Thanks, Fiat.
PREVENT SHORT SELLING
The danger for CONC stock right now is short selling since shorting the stock will drive the PPS down. As most of you probably already know, in order to sell short they need to "borrow" shares from somebody else's account. However, they cannot borrow shares if they are spoken for - as with a sell order in place. I have put in a sell order for mine at $5 each to keep them from being borrowed for shorting. I figure $5 is high enough that I won't be hit with an accidental sale that I don't want (and since I monitor my accounts every day I can move that up to correspond with a rise in PPS.) I would urge anybody else who is interested in preventing such short selling to do something similar (the only other way to prevent shorting is to have the certificate in your name but then it takes days to deposit it into a trading account for use.)
Just my two cents...
Upstarts ready to rule world's economy
A research firm predicts the West's share of the global economy will be eclipsed by emerging markets this year. No wonder Tim Geithner's in China.
By Paul R. La Monica, CNNMoney.com editor at large
June 3, 2009: 1:12 PM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- It's only fitting that General Motors, once the embodiment of U.S. economic might, decided to sell its Hummer brand to a Chinese manufacturer after GM (GMGMQ) filed for bankruptcy.
We may not like to admit it, but it's time to get used to this fact: emerging markets such as China and India are quickly becoming the world's new economic powerhouses.
In fact, according to a report from a leading economic research group released earlier this week, emerging market economies may overtake the U.S. and the rest of the Western world this year.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), a London-based economic consulting firm, predicted that the United States, Canada and Europe will contribute 49.4% to the world's total gross domestic product in 2009.
According to the CEBR, this will be the first time since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century that non-Western economies produced more than half of the world's GDP.
The CEBR said it had originally predicted emerging markets would make up a bigger portion of the world's economy than the West -- but not until 2015. The firm said the resurgence of China's economy is the main reason why it expects the West's share of global GDP to dip below 50% this year.
"We had expected this to happen, but not quite so soon. The West will have to start to get to grips with the fact that we are no longer dominant and cannot expect to have things our own way," said Douglas McWilliams, chief executive of CEBR, in a statement.
Now the United States is still the world's economic leader. If the global economy were a basketball team, the U.S. is Kobe Bryant. But China is LeBron James (sorry, Cavs fans). In other words, China isn't the champ yet, but it's catching up fast.
Along those lines, CEBR forecast that China will surpass Japan this year as the world's second largest economy. China is already the largest holder of U.S. Treasury notes and the country's second biggest trading partner.
Rest of Article:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/03/markets/thebuzz/index.htm?postversion=2009060313
No Problem.
Also no problem with Google Chrome.
I checked it on IE8 (I don't have IE7) and Firefox on XP and had no issues of any kind.
I've got nothing, OTC. Are you having troubles with the main page or the conectisys.com/asia page and what browser and operating system are you running?
I guess it's a matter of how you're looking at this glass.
I've ridden this puppy down (probably like you) from .22 a share in 2001 and through a reverse split and felt that, with no prospects, it was down almost as low as it could go. While distant (in terms of miles and time) it does seem (in my opinion) to now be on the right track to enter into an emerging market with emerging technology. And, while I will agree there are a host of variables that may come up to derail this, this looks to me (if the scant information that we are receiving is accurate - another variable) to be the best placed that Conectisys has been in the time that I've owned it. So, to me the price is up (in April it was headed down to sub-penny land) and the glass is looking, not half full, but fuller than it was. It's a matter of relativity (and opinion).
Actually, the price is still up. PPS was 0.009 on April 15, 2009.
Exactly what did you hear?
Level II at 10:03 PDT...
The asks are ranging from .051 to .0001 and the bids are:
MMID - - - Ask - - - Size
NITE - - - .069 - - 5000
HDSN - - - .07 - - - 5000
ETMM - - - .11 - - - 5000
STEW - - - .11 - - - 5000
DOMS - - - .90 - - - 2500
AUTO - - 2.00 - - - 500
MAXM - - 2.00 - - - 500
PERT - - 2.00 - - - 500
SSGI - - 2.00 - - - 500
Yes, I see the Mobitex connection as a good sign for not only this project (shorter term) but in the long run, since interfacing with Mobitex will then make Conectisys the meter of choice in every Mobitex market, as well.
Noticed that the memo entitled "Engineering Tasks for H-Net" at http://www.conectisys.com/asia/Documents/NCEPU/NCEPU_HNet%20Task.pdf is cc'd to Adam Chen. I crossed referenced his name with North China Electric Power University and found that he is the head of Mobitex's office in Beijing. It appears that they're trying to make the Conectisys system interface with the Mobitex product.
"Mobitex Technology AB Opens Representative Office in Beijing
(Business News & Technology News, 12 Dec 2007)
Mobitex Technology AB has opened a new Representative Office in Beijing, mainland China, which will be responsible for selling and supporting the Mobitex technology throughout East Asia. The office will also produce a new line of Mobitex products particularly tailored to meet the needs of the electric power market in China.
Mobitex Technology has been working closely with the North China Electric Power University (NCEPU) to develop Mobitex products for the power market for two years. The products developed will enhance regional power distribution providing wireless and secure grid monitoring and control. Furthermore, Mobitex Technology is modifying the Mobitex infrastructure by transferring its operating system onto Chinese-built hardware in order to meet particular frequency requirements by the authorities.
"China is an increasingly important market for Mobitex Technology. Not only does it have the world's fastest growing economy, but with the new line of products and our close cooperation with NCEPU we are very well positioned in the electric power industry which is the single largest industry in China," said Andrew Fitton, President, Mobitex Technology AB.
The new office is headed by Adam Chen, who has operated at a senior level within the networking and telecoms sectors for several multinational organisations in China over the course of the past ten years.
Mobitex Technology's new office will enable the company to provide local support and services to the growing customer base particularly within the Far East Asia region and strengthen Mobitex's position as the selected technology for machine-to-machine communications in mission critical operations. "
http://www.wirelessdesignasia.com/article-7463-mobitextechnologyabopensrepresentativeofficeinbeijing-Asia.html
Z, I was thinking that, too. Maybe on the transceiver level. Usually, MHz is talking radio waves. I would think that's just a part replacement.
I agree that it may be awhile before the fruits of the NCEPU endeavor are seen. But the upside that I'm seeing in the shorter run is that such an association gives Conectisys more validity and appeal with potential domestic partners (and I'm thinking of those proposals in the April monthly report.) Hopefully Bob has the chops to play it right.
Dum, as I understand it from what I've read (and I am not in the energy field so I could be wrong) Mobitex, though in the field of energy, has a different product. "...distribution of Mobitex technology at 230 MHz frequency availability as a network technology of choice for grid monitoring and control." While Conectisys has meters that are used at the point of consumption, it appears that Mobitex manufactures something that reads, monitors and controls power flow throughout the power stations and power lines (the grid.)
If that is the case, it would appear that we're talking about complimentary technologies. One that monitors the supply lines to the consumer (Mobitex), and the other that monitor's the consumer's usage (Conectisys). (And interesting to note that Mobitex had to work with the North China Electric Power University first, also.)
And it certainly would make sense that if the Chinese government is building this new energy infrastructure they would incorporate as much new technology as possible in order to monitor and control it all.
Again, this is just how I read it. Maybe Z or somebody else who's been in the industry can give us an opinion on the Mobitex technology.
According to other Press Releases on the mobitex site, the Chinese government IS investing heavily in their energy infrastructure.
China is currently undertaking one of the largest infrastructure investments in the world, where investment in the power grid alone will reach USD $160 billion between 2007 and 2010. The government’s five year plan has specified that all electricity transformers above a certain level (10 KVA) must be monitored and, preferrably, controlled remotely. A government budget of $500M per year has been set aside for wireless data automation programmes, in order to address the issues of line loss and power outages.
http://www.mobitex.com/pdf/Press_releases/YuanWang.pdf
Cross referenced the name "Bell Qi" with North China Electric and found the following (and maybe Conectisys should note THIS presentation):
http://www.mobitex.com/campaign/MDM/china.pdf
China has a voracious appetite for power. Sustaining the country’s phenomenal growth and its emergence as a global manufacturer requires steadily increasing supplies of electricity. Major projects are underway on all fronts to provide new generating capacity. China is also purchasing increasing volumes of oil and natural gas for electricity generation. Still, demand threatens to outstrip supply, thus limiting future growth.
As important as finding new sources of energy may be for China’s continued economic growth, it is equally vital that the existing power grid is operated as efficiently as possible. Power losses in the grid can easily equal the capacity of several new generation plants. It is also essential to ensure that electricity distribution system is as efficient as possible, that customers are charged fairly for the power that they consume and that consumption patterns are changed wherever possible to avoid excess usage during peak periods when demand is highest.
As can be expected for a country with a population of well over a billion, China’s power grid is vast and extremely complex. The national grid is owned and operated by the State Grid Corporation of China, which consists of about half a dozen large regional grid companies. These regional companies in turn serve smaller power companies generally covering a single province.
The State Grid Corporation with its 728,000 employees is naturally able to devote considerable resources and expertise to operating the national grid, managing its assets and ensuring that power transmission in the high-voltage grids is as efficient as possible. The greatest inefficiencies also do not arise in these grids, but rather in local networks and in the distribution sub-stations and transformer stations where the highvoltage power is stepped down to lower voltages and
distributed to customers.
"In China, the local power companies all want to own their own networks," observes Bell Qi, general manager of Electric Power Technology in Beijing, which has partnered with Mobitex Technology to bring Mobitex to the power distribution system. "This is also where we saw an opportunity to increase efficiency by automating power distribution."
Potental for thousands of measuring points
Electric Power Technology and Mobitex Technology are now implementing two pilot projects to evaluate Electric Power Technology’s concept. Initially, each pilot installation will consist of about 100 measurement points served by three or four base stations. There is a potential for thousands of measurement points and hundreds of base stations in each city where the system is installed.
The Electric Power Technology system measures power and collects data at different points in the local network from distribution sub-stations out to smaller transformer stations and beyond. These readings make it possible to determine where power losses occur and analyze their causes. At each measurement point, readings are taken several times per hour, and the total amount of data to be transmitted may be as much as 100 kilobytes per day for locations at which data from several measurement points is concentrated before being sent over the Mobitex network.
In many cases, measurement equipment will be mounted on poles. One of the features of the Electric Power Technology system is that the company has been able to combine the unit used for collecting measurement data with the radio modem by using Mobitex
Technology’s M3080 OEM Mobitex modem and an onboard application (OBA), thus significantly reducing the cost of each measurement point.
Automated power distribution
Because power consumption is being monitored in near real time throughout the distribution network, it is possible to automate power distribution and dynamically reconfigure the network as consumption patterns change, thus increasing efficiency. The system naturally also meters consumption and provides the raw data for billing. "We see great potential in this system, not only for distribution automation, but also for remote meter reading and supporting electricity sales. So far, interest among local power companies has been substantial, and we are very excited about the future," says Bell Qi.
Mobitex is a relatively new technology in China that is still finding its place. At present, M2M applications for energy production and distribution systems are just one area in which Mobitex is being deployed, but its future in this area would seem bright. "We evaluated several alternatives for data communication, but in the end, Mobitex was the best choice for our application," emphasizes Bell Qi. "Mobitex offers proven and reliable technology at low cost. It can be deployed quickly and provides a large coverage area. These were compelling arguments."
A sign that Mobitex is gaining ground is that the partnership between Electric Power Technology and Mobitex Technology has attracted the attention of the North China Electric Power University in Beijing, which is the first choice among Chinese students for university studies in the field of electric power. Several employees of Electric Power Technology have experience as teachers or professors, and there is now considerable interest in establishing a test laboratory for Mobitex at the school.
"This represents a fantastic opportunity for Mobitex, and we will do everything we can to ensure that a test lab is created. We believe that Mobitex is the right technology for many M2M applications in the power industry, and we are proud to be working with such a foresighted and innovative partner as Electric Power Technology," concludes Dragi Atanasovski, business
manager at Mobitex Technology
Haven't checked over anything else, yet, but I did read about the China government budgeting nearly 10 billion for AMR on the meteringchina.com site.
http://www.meteringchina.com/event/meteringchina2009/en/summary.asp
China – US$9.7 billion investment kicks off AMR/AMI projects nationwide
GSL Consulting China is very pleased to announce the 3rd Metering, Billing, AMR & Data Management, and CRM/CIS Conference & Exhibition: METERINGChina 2009 Conference & Exhibition. This three-day event has been well recognized across the Chinese utility industry as the most educational & networking annual metering event in China!
China has been representing the fastest growing market globally. Despite the global financial crisis starting from the third quarter 2008, China’s overall Country’s economic conditions still remains relatively stable up to end of 2008. Experienced two major events in this special year 2008: devastating earthquake in Wenchuan and the successful hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games, China is expecting stable and even faster growth in economy, strong energy demand and consumption in 2009 and 2010.
The Chinese electricity metering market has been growing faster than any other energy metering markets with an annual delivery of 100 million units of electricity meters, worth US$ 2.5 billion metering business. With the official announcement by the State Power Grid Corp of China in October 2008 that the State Power has decided to deploy AMR/AMI projects nationwide in the coming 3-5 years, the budgeted investment will be 68.5 billion RMB (about US$9.7 billion). Chinese electricity metering industry will experience a new milestone from 2009. Not to mention the need and requirement for better quality, innovative technologies and solutions etc as well as the driving engines from economic growth, rising energy demand and consumption and ongoing energy reforms from the industry.
China has already become the biggest manufacturers and users of utility meters and components /parts in the world. The deployment of AMR/AMI systems nationwide will continue to drive the market growth especially creating huge business opportunities for electronic parts/components, semiconductors, and system solution as well as communication technology providers.
With the fast development of customer information system, modernization of metering operation, efficiency improvement in Chinese power utilities, metering, AMR, billing, data management have become vital processes in the Chinese power sectors. The AMR/AMI further development will enable Chinese utilities to develop digital grids and smart homes, as well as further upgrade energy management skills.
METERINGChina 2009 will be the 3rd Metering, Billing, AMR & Data Management, CRM/CIS Conference & Exhibition, taking place in Beijing International Convention Center during 26-28 May 2009. The coverage of the main conference themes will include:
* Chinese metering industry latest policies and motivation
* Smart metering and billing technologies
* Data collection & management technologies
* Pricing & tariffs policies
* Metering reliability and stability
* Revenue protection through metering
* Customer service and information technologies
* Digital grid, energy saving and efficiency development
In parallel with the conference, a customer and technology driven exhibition will be organized. The exhibition will provide the major networking opportunities for you to meet the decision-makers and industry experts from vendors/utilities concerned with metering, billing, AMR, data management, and CRM/CIS etc.
METERINGChina 2009, based on past two years of experiences, has been regarded as the platform where you can truly meet most Chinese utility customers!
You are welcome to contact us if you are interested in exhibiting, sponsoring, speaking or reservation of conference seats or more information.
Looking forward to meeting you in Beijing
James Lau
Managing Director
Email: james.lau@gsl-consulting.com
Just did a search on google for conectisys.com, then checked out the cached page in the search results. The snapshot google currently has was taken May 29, 2009 03:38:30 GMT and the link to ncepu.net.cn was on the main page then.
http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:ABLu4O_y0hwJ:www.conectisys.com/+conectisys.com&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Don't know about the university but it looks like China IS serious about AMR and SmartGrid technologies.
http://www.gsl-consulting.com/
It sure would be nice to hear that Spigno stayed and made connections at the Metering China Conference this past week.
http://www.meteringchina.com/event/meteringchina2009/en/images/cp0518.pdf
What Web 2.0, SaaS and Cloud Computing Mean for Tax & Accounting Professionals
http://www.cpatechviews.com/2009/05/what-web-20-saas-and-cloud-computing-mean-for-tax-accounting-professionals/
Posted by Isaac.obannon@cygnusb2b.com on 5/22/09 • Categorized as Dave McClure, Isaac O'Bannon
Imagine a world with no computers. We might be there again someday soon, but not in the 1850s pastoral sense of “no computers.” Instead, more along the line that we won’t need boxes near or around our desks to perform all of the tasks that we currently rely on such boxes to do.
With the recent explosion of Software-as-a-Service and the Web 2.0 phenomenon, we are well on our way to making such a scenario a reality. SaaS and hosted programs have been offered for around a decade, but only in the past few years have they really matured into the fully-featured solutions that people can rely on for their computing needs, that small business owners can rely on to run their businesses, and that professionals can rely on to provide accurate and dependable client service.
SaaS
In brief, SaaS programs solely exist in a web-based format. They allow users to essentially rent the application for a monthly or annual charge. So, for instance, instead of purchasing an accounting system, installing it on their servers, maintaining and updating it, a business can instead use the program over their high speed data connection. The programs run either through a secure web browser or custom interface, providing the user with anywhere/anytime access to a full strength program. For most such programs, the fact that the program is hosted makes little actual difference to the user in terms of interface and operations, although there are certainly benefits inherent in the SaaS model to both the user and the technology vendor.
Web 2.0
And SaaS is just a part of the larger picture of Web 2.0 and Cloud Computing, which are the continuing evolution of how we use the internet and computer programs in general. Web 2.0 is primarily associated with websites and web tools that promote interactive collaboration, such as Wikipedia, Google Apps, YouTube and social networking sites. According to Tim O’Reilly, the original coiner of the phrase Web 2.0, one of the apparent indicators of the success of such a sites is that “the more people that use it, the better it becomes.”
The Cloud
The concept of Cloud Computing is, appropriately enough, at a higher level, reflecting many more things that we do (or can do) involving remotely available information, programs and computing infrastructure. In their February 2009 whitepaper “Above the Clouds,” academics at the University of California Berkely defined Cloud Computing as “both the applications delivered as services over the internet (SaaS), and the hardware and systems software in the datacenters that provide those services. A major component of Cloud Computing is often referred to as utility computing. Instead of users simply having subscription-based access to programs (SaaS), organizations, corporations and other entities can also buy access to virtual machines, storage space and even datacenters, allowing them to rapidly expand their own IT capabilities in very little time, but without the infrastructure and maintenance investment.
Growth in SaaS and Web 2.0
I noted a few years ago that hosted model of computing made sense for developers and for users, but at that time, users will still a little reluctant to place the same level of faith in a remote hosted program than they did in a locally installed one. My primary points then were that the hosted model was more cost-efficient for software companies and more preventive of piracy, while for users there were the very tangible benefits of being able to access the system and data from any location, as well as relief from the burdens of installing, updating and maintaining these programs.
My how things have changed. Current economic conditions have caused most traditional technology providers to experience static or even slightly declining growth, while the SaaS market has experienced double digit growth and is predicted by research firms Gartner and IDC to expand by 20%-30% in 2009.
While I would like to take some credit for this growth since I’ve frequently expounded on the benefits of SaaS, the growth has been across the board, a reflection of widespread adoption across all professions and industries. The evolution to the hosted model has taken a big step, moving beyond the early adopters, and into the realm of the mainstream. And this provides additional benefits to users, as the more mature offerings on the market will be joined by more and more competitors.
What Web 2.0 and SaaS Mean for You & Your Clients
For tax and accounting professionals, the promise held by hosted programs and collaborative Web 2.0 websites means, once again, less time keeping up with program updates and instant access to programs and data from anywhere. The primary reason more of these professionals haven’t moved to such programs en masse is because there were seemingly only a few options, leaving devotees of particular programs to remain with their standard applications. And while some of these programs now offer remote access add-on functions which allow for some added benefits, they are not hosted applications.
There are, however, several fully-hosted applications out there for both client service functions and internal management, from professional tax compliance systems like GoSystem from Thomson Reuters, and OrangeDoor Pro, to professional accounting/write-up systems such as Accounting Relief AC from AccountantsWorld. Professional firms can also achieve greater productivity through web-based applications for workflow processes from SurePrep and Copanion. Web 2.0’s offerings include the TaxAlmanac.org wiki, where professionals across the country collaborate to build an extensive tax knowledge encyclopedia.
The ASP model also fits into the SaaS model in a fashion, allowing firms to use programs online on a subscription basis, even though the programs aren’t offered in that way from the technology vendor. One such example is Insynq, which can host and manage a variety of professional accounting programs.
Web 2.0 and SaaS are also proving beneficial to small businesses and their relationship with their accountant. The giant in the room is still QuickBoooks with its online version, but it has been joined by other capable online small business management systems from NetBooks, Clarity Accounting and ClearBooks. The Accounting Relief AC system noted previously for use by accountants also offers a small business portal into the system, allowing these users to have access to only their data, but letting the accountant retain full control over their books and have real-time access to the data at all times. And NetSuite and Intacct have been offering client-side SaaS accounting systems for more than 10 years, with more extensive ERP, CRM and financial management features for mid-sized and growing companies.
Also noteworthy are tools that either add-on to an existing program, providing web-based features that enhance usability, as well as web-based utilities that focus on specific areas. The SmartVault system is an excellent example of the first, allowing users to easily scan and attach invoices and other documents to their QuickBooks transactions, with the documents stored online and accessible to remotely by their accountant. Likewise, Bill.com exemplifies the second, taking many of the headaches out of managing payables by providing a system through which small businesses scan bills, which are then fully managed and paid by Bill.com.
It’s So Easy, You’re Already Doing It
While you may not think about the terminology or technology behind the programs that you and your clients use every day, you are almost certainly already using many hosted applications and Web 2.0 websites. Whether that means you’re using any of the technologies I’ve noted in this article, or other advanced collaborative tools like Microsoft’s Groove and GoogleDocs. Or perhaps web-based research, backup utilities and social networking websites. Even portals, which when used in conjunction with a firm’s website, extend the benefits of Web 2.0 to the site, allowing clients and firm staff to share documents and work more collaboratively.
Outsourcing the PC
The promise of all of these trends, Web 2.0, SaaS and Cloud Computing, is that more and more of the things we currently rely on our own computers to do, will be done elsewhere. In short, the PC is gradually being outsourced, or at least most of its functions are. For most professional uses, the end result could very well be systems that require only a monitor and interface devices (keyboard, mouse- if they don’t all go to touchscreens). Users will be able to log into anything from anywhere, whether personal files, work programs, client data or collaborative processes. Hard drives won’t be necessary since everything will be stored in secure datacenter, which means backups will be automatic, and data will be much safer than if it were stored on a computer in a professional’s office and is vulnerable to many security threats.
The PC won’t die exactly, it will just evolve into something entirely different and eventually not even be referred to as a such, since it will no longer be “computing,” but instead will be the user’s interface to much greater and more powerful processing capabilities at the other end. All of this is coming as a result of Web 2.0, SaaS and Cloud Computing, to all professions and industries. It won’t be an immediate transformation, but it is already happening. And you’re already seeing some of the benefits in your practice today.
One other thing... I researched the name "Robert Casspi."
Came up with a "Robert A. Casspi" listed on whitepages.com with an address in Valencia. If that's a coincidence, it's a mighty big one.
http://www.whitepages.com/search/FindPerson?firstname=Robert&name=Casspi&street=&where=
OTC, I agree on just about everything you're saying. It's the verifiability that's the key (and God knows I've been doing overtime on this one.) I just don't like seeing people taking a little information and jumping to a conclusion - in either direction. I play devil's advocate on some issues because I want to know that conclusions are based on sound reasoning.
That said... I also agree it may be time to do something here. I agree on the SEC thing. Once Conectisys slipped down to the pinksheets they were off the radar as far as the SEC is concerned. But NOT with the Colorado Secretary of State. There are certain rules about what corporations need to do... annual meetings, information, etc. if they want to maintain their corporate status (which is very, VERY important because if they lose that - if they lose that corporate veil - the CEO and other officers can be sued as individuals which means any judgments against them can be fulfilled by attaching their personal wages and assets, like houses and investments.) But as with most actions involving bureaucracy, the more voices the better. So, if we're considering options, let's consider them all. The easiest thing to do at this point is request to inspect the company's financial documents. That will require someone to physically go to wherever the documents are being stored. Any information gleaned there should be enough to decide the next course of action...
Of course, if we're really lucky, some kind of PR will come out in the next day or so to make this all unnecessary.
When the documents first came out I tried to do a search on the name GeBao Xin with no mention anywhere and I also did a search on the email beijingjucai@vip.163.com (also with no luck.)
I just looked at vip.163.com. It looks like a webmail interface (Chinese Hotmail?). From there I went to www.163.com which had a search feature. I tried the email address again to no avail but the name GeBao Xin comes up on quite a few hits. They're in Chinese, of course, and look mostly like blogs of some sort. I don't know that this helps but at least I now know that GeBao Xin is a real name (whereas before it could have been something they pulled out of their anuses.)
Still wondering about all of this. The UPS store I can actually understand. In order to protect a company's corporate status it has to have at least one paid employee and a dedicated address (no working out of one's basement or home office.) So, with no revenue (and probably little mail), that was necessary to stay in business.
Instead, my curiosity comes back to this whole China thing. It would be sheer stupidity to undertake to defraud investors by drafting legal documents and posting them on the web. That's a lot more than bread crumbs for the authorities - that's freakin' GPS and spotlights! I know we've been dealing with inept people but I don't think they're out and out stupid.
Curiouser and curiouser, Alice.
Well you're dead on OTC. I just called and spoke with Ricki. She told me that while the UPS store is in a shopping center it is the only business with the address of 24307 Magic Mountain Parkway. When I asked her how addresses were handled - it they had to show PMB before the number - she said it really didn't matter. That customers could use PMB, just their box number or suite #.
Oh, and they also have a forwarding service...
New thought... could Spigno, et al, be holding off on a PR in order to drive down the PPS in order to grab a bunch at low levels? Surely that would have to be illegal but I'm still wondering... (Obviously, that's just my opinion.)