IBM is to invest nearly US$400 million in two cloud computing data centres as part of its goal to “re-engineer global computing infrastructure.”

GLOBAL tech firm Fujitsu has attributed strong growth in its IT services group for a doubling of its operating profit for its Q1 period from April to June.

A focus in recent years on its storage services business has paid off for US-based services giant EDS, with Gartner positioning the company in the Leaders quadrant in the 2008 “Magic Quadrant for Storage Professional and Support Services” report.

Troubled IT services and communications specialist Commander has appointed administrators after lenders declined to grant an extension for repaying debt.

Commander managing director and chief executive officer Amanda Lacaze said the board had appointed Ferrier Hodgson after the company suspended trading in its shares.

COMPETITION regulators in Europe have approved without conditions Hewlett-Packard’s US$13.9 billion (A$14.6 billion) acquisition of services giant Electronic Data Systems (EDS).

HEWLETT-Packard’s planned acquisition of services giant Electronic Data Systems for US$12.6 billion (A$13.1 billion) has been given the go-ahead by US anti-trust regulators, both companies announced.

THE Australian technology services market will grow at a compound rate of 4.4 per cent annually to reach A$15 billion by 2011, according to research IDC, though skills shortages will present the sector with ongoing challenges.

ASX-listed information technology firm UXC has acquired the Dutch-owned technology services provider Getronics Australia for an undisclosed sum.

IBM has unveiled plans to open its first Cloud Computing facility in China, giving emerging Chinese software companies the ability to tap into a virtual computing environment to support development activities.

STOCK market darling VMware has taken a share price beating after announcing disappointing fourth quarter results, prompting investors to flee in the face of competition from Microsoft and others.

IBM has stunned Wall Street with much stronger than expected returns for its fourth quarter, with exceptional growth in international markets.

THE worldwide outsourcing market will continue to grow at a healthy 8.1 per cent in 2008, while the Australian market will expand at a more modest 4.7 per cent to A$10.9 billion for the calendar year.

IT’S not every day that IBM’s global chief rolls into town. So when Big Blue CEO Sam Palmisano blew into Australia for the first time since taking the helm, it was always a good bet that the local subsidiary would make a big announcement.

ADELAIDE-based hosting and managed services firm Hostworks has been acquired by Broadcast Australia for $68.9 million.

THE Australian Taxation Office will conduct its first briefing for potential tech suppliers to its $1 billion outsourcing plan.