Tech Shorts

A roundup of today's other technology news in brief

Savings in the office

Companies could save more than €40,000 a year by eliminating software they don’t need, a new survey has revealed. Research by Dublin-based software company Openplain found that companies don’t use 70 per cent of the software they have bought, and could save €420 per worker by removing it. In a medium-sized company, this could translate into savings of €42,000 a year.

A further €20,000 could be saved every year by ensuring employees switch off computers at night and weekends, Openplain said.

AdMob VP to address gathering

Russell Buckley, vice-president of AdMob, the mobile advertising firm sold to Google for $750 million (€504 million) earlier this month, is the keynote speaker at next week’s Futureproof conference in Dublin.

The event will focus on mobile technologies and how businesses can engage with consumers using apps, marketing, social media and entertainment.

The one-day conference takes place on Thursday, November 26th, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8.

E-mail, don’t post: charities encourage Christmas e-cards

Four Irish charities are encouraging businesses to send electronic cards this Christmas and say it ensures more money goes to their chosen cause than if they are posted.

Aware, the Jack and Jill Foundation, the Marie Keating Foundation and Plan Ireland have joined forces with online marketing agency Ingage for the This Christmas initiative.

Businesses can send cards, customised with the company logo and signatures, to 1,000 e-mail addresses for €495. The four charities will receive €335, or 68 per cent of the cost.

Karl Murray, a director of Ingage, says that when charity cards are sent in the post much of the cost is lost in time and postage, whereas e-cards mean more goes to the charity. The initiative aims to raise €150,000.

[ www.thischristmas.ie ]