Stories by Tim Lohman

Defence is on the hunt for a new chief information officer to replace its current CIO, Greg Farr.

Australia’s carbon tax is expected to have at most a moderate effect on employment within the country, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), predicts.

The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) is to offer banking via Facebook by the end of this year, and has further announced that its Kaching mobile payment application is now available for Android-based mobile devices.

It began with a trickle and now, for many organisations, it’s a flood. That rising tide of employee-owned smartphones, tablets and laptop computers threatens to drown already weighed-down IT leaders around the country, but all is not lost. In fact, with a little planning, the flow of BYO devices — while not diverted — can in fact be harnessed for the betterment of employer and employees.

While the National Broadband Network (NBN) has been touted as a boon for education and healthcare, one of the biggest benefits to Australia could be in its ability to stimulate regional economic activity.

The NSW Government has handed downs its 2012-13 Budget, revealing relatively modest investment in information and communications technology (ICT) and a strong focus on infrastructure investment.

The Victorian Government is to overhaul the way it procures information technology and communications (ICT) products and services through working with ICT suppliers to ceate a new whole-of-government eServices Register.

The Federal Government’s investigation into the effectiveness of the <i>Interactive Gambling Act 2001</i> (IGA) has delivered a damning assessment of the Act’s ability to minimise harm from problem gambling and deter Australians’ access to foreign online gambling services.

The billions of dollars invested in the Commonwealth Bank’s (ASX: CBA) Information Technology since 2006 have effectively lifted the bank to “world-leading” status, according to the bank’s chief information officer (CIO), Michael Harte.

CSC’s chief technology information officer, Bob Hayward, talks mobility, BYOD, virtual desktops, enterprise app stores and project management.

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has sung the praises of the greater use of automation technology in its Australian mining operations, suggesting that remote controlled trucks, trains and mining equipment will play an increasing role in the mining giant’s business.

The National Australia Bank (NAB) has again moved to reassure shareholders that its investment in its Next Generation Banking IT platform (NGP) is paying off.

SingTel has reported that its Australian subsidiary, Optus, has achieved an operating revenue of $9.37 billion, up 1 per cent, and an EBITDA of $2.36 billion, up 2 per cent for the full year to 31 March 2012. Net profit for the year was up 2 per cent to $787 million.

The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) is moving to address weaknesses in its ability to meet financial management requirements through the adoption of a budget management and forecasting software suite.

ICT investment under the Victorian government’s 2012-13 budget will concentrate on boosting the state’s manufacturing industry, funding the Myki e-ticketing system, e-health initiatives and upgrades to emergency service systems.