A system of electronic archiving, if well designed, offers several advantages both organizationally and in terms of cost reduction.
According to a study conducted by the company ooPartners solutions, a tool for electronic data management can save up to 10 to 20% work efficiency and 10% business efficiency. The time to research and collect information is only a matter of seconds.
Archiving has always been a key concept in information management within an enterprise. Indeed archiving ensures its continuity in time and its exploitation. The current trend towards dematerialisation, causing companies to replace their traditional media archiving (paper) by electronic records management system. Companies can implement their project "internal" with creating their own archiving services, or "external" via a third party archiver.
Archiving will also bring opportunities for cost reduction. According to some sources the storage is much cheaper in electronic method. For the cost of classifying documents, companies can realize in most cases 50% gain. The search costs are divided by two or even three if it is an archival research and distribution costs are reduced by 80-90%.
The centralization of data is also a strength for a system of electronic data management. In fact the information is stored on a single server and the operations are done via queries written by the designer. Access control becomes easy, making the system much more reliable and more secure for administrator due to a single server.
The benefits of an electronic records management system in the company
An electronic records management system can also meet the legal requirement to archiving requirements. Thus the data once stored under certain constraints will retain their legal values and therefore be a way of evidence (tax audit, legal process...).
Some information in the company may be of a strategic nature. An electronic record management system to develop different means of encryption or digital signature guaranteeing the confidentiality of the information stored.
Dematerialization coated by the establishment of an electronic records management system allows a space saving significantly in the business and therefore lower costs.
Finally, an electronic records management system greatly facilitates the consultation of the data archived by optimizing the access time, access frequency,...
Today, less than 10% of companies are equipped with an electronic archiving system. However, 90% of multinational companies operating in Europe have a successful archiving solution.
How to implement an electronic records management system?
Before the actual establishment of a secure electronic archiving system, it is essential to question the existing system of archiving taking into account the context of both technical and legal. This preliminary study should determine and assess the issues of secure electronic archiving, identifying needs and general constraints.
Finally, management must consider the different software and services and then analyse costs in order to compare different solutions.
In terms of constraints, the notions of formats must be taken into account, that is to say what form will present information to archive. For example, is it a text or an image? The XML is widely recommended for his extensible open standard format but also as a metalanguage.
Regarding software offerings, the market today offers a broad and diverse range of archiving solutions that are accurate and complete. The types of products will vault to the general solution that includes archiving in managing full life cycle data (ILM).
At the software level, we must also choose between a solution on the market, open source software or a custom application. It is important to take the measure of this choice, regarding the fact the policy changes will cost it is better to know in advance if possible and avoid or at least anticipate. It is also important to consider the technical issues of data retrieval and maintenance.
The fact to identify all costs in a comprehensive way, both in terms of direct investment (hardware, network, security, services ...) and recurrent costs from operations (telecommunications, premises, personnel, maintenance ...) or other costs such as consumables, appears as a delicate and appropriate operation to carry out rigorously.
If travel costs are a major cost in your company, here are some tips to reduce these costs:
Set up a good Travel Policy with your employees
Anticipate your reservations to benefit from lower fares
Centralize bookings. It allows better control of expenditures and enables you to find out mutual purchases.
Regularly analyze trends and statistics on your travels
Negotiate agreements with airlines, railways, taxis, hotels or car rental companies. You will need to rely on a minimum volume of reservations, although other marketing arguments can also be taken into account.
Book online, there is always lower administrative costs
Report travel expenses to employees in order to reponsibilize them
Finally, educate your employees on use of videoconferencing. Besides economic gain, these systems represent an environmental argument.
There are mainly two reasons to explain the high energy prices in Belgium.
Firstly, there is the lack of competition, which makes Belgian prices structurally higher vis-a-vis the neighbouring countries. Electrabel Customer Solutions, a subsidiary of Electrabel, has a market share of 65% on the electricity market and 68% on the natural gas market. One of the most important reasons for this is that Electrabel has a very important share of the production capacity in Belgium (over 80%), thanks to its nuclear plants.
Secondly, we should look at the political structure of the energy market in Belgium. A large part of the energy bill (about 35 to 40%) is a remuneration for the transmission system operator, which are Eandis and Infrax (Flanders), Sibelga (Brussels) and Ores (Wallonia). The largest shareholders of these institutions are the cities and communities in Belgium. Hence it is not remarkable that the legislation is crafted in a particular manner: to benefit these local entities. The Electricity and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) recently calculated that each year, about 115 million euro is paid in excess to these institutions.
Start reducing your energy costs today by asking the Bridgewater experts for advice!
All your competitors are trying to save money? Beat their results by applying the solutions of the experts in cost reduction for companies: Bridgewater.
Making an exact calculation is difficult, but the following numbers are an indication of the cost of today’s strike.
A first important number is the total value added on one day in Belgium. This is measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of one day: about 1.54 billion euro.
If we assume that about 500 000 people are on strike (which is comparable to the last general strike against the labour market reform in 2005) and the same amount couldn’t get to their work due to blocked roads and/or buildings, about 1 million people are not working today in Belgium. On a total working population of 4.5 million people, this equals 22%.
The GDP loss would be 319 million euro.
Luckily, 2012 is a leap year, which adds another 1.54 billion euro to the GDP because of the existence of February 29, compared to normal years. However, due to the strike today, the government sees this extra benefit decreased...
Traditionally, companies decrease the cost of fuel in two ways. Firstly, they negotiate better prices with their supplier. Secondly, they try to decrease the number of miles. Video conferencing, home working, car pooling and public transportation are some well known ways to reach this goal.
A third solution saves fuel in a structural way, while maintaining the level of miles. The solution exists in having ecological driving lessons for employees.
There are many (small) suppliers and driving schools which offer green drivings lessons. It is key that employees who follow these lessons, will still benefit from the education on the long term, in order to have the company financially benefit from it.
One shot
green driving education classes should be avoided.
To guarantee the long term effects of green driving lessons, two aspects are crucial: information while driving and follow-up after driving.
The following two companies make sure drivers are aware of the consequences of their driving. The return on investment in the long term is therefore positive, which makes this type of green driving lessons an interesting solution.
Alerts for overconsumption and/or budget limits (split billing)
Ecodriving training
Our consultants are available for more information on how to implement these measures while taking into account the characteristics and desires of your business.
Companies Partena and HDP intend to merge with the aim of forming a new group of services, with approximately 4,000 employees and a turnover of about 250 million euros, have they announced today.
Specifically, the proposed merger involves four activities, made in the form of association: social secretariats, the family allowance, the social insurance funds for self-employed and the "guichets d’entreprises".
"This is not a sale or other financial transaction, but a merge on a voluntary basis", indicate in a statement the two companies, but said that, based on the turnover, the merged family allowance fund will be market leader.
The details of the merger will be reviewed in the coming months.
Partnera currently employs 3,400 people and HDP 500 people.
A little known start-up company has developed an aircraft that harnesses energy from gusting winds more efficiently than conventional wind turbines.
Makani Power’s Airborne Wind Turbine was one of the more unconventional prototypes exhibited at the recent ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit. But if the company can get the technology beyond the concept stage and into production, it has the potential to really take off.
At first glance, the contraption bears a stronger resemblance to a model airplane than a power generator, and to a degree, is mechanically designed to fly like one too. The wind-spun rotor blades are used not only to power the the aircraft’s engine, but also to collect energy whenever the wind kicks up. The harvested energy is transferred to a ground station through a power cable that also functions to tether the aircraft.
Although pint-sized compared to the power turbines you see at wind farms, the Airborne Wind Turbine one-ups them in that it can produce electricity during periods of slower wind and also does it more efficiently. According to a report on InnovationNewsDaily, the turbine system can start generating electricity at a wind speeds of 20 mph and can convert about 60 percent of it in electricity. Standard wind turbines require at minimum 24 mph winds to go into power producing mode and with a conversion rate of 30 percent. The lightweight design also reduces costs and gives it a boost in energy production.
The company, which received $5 million in funding from Google, hopes to scale up the technology beyond the the smaller models by improving upon the aircraft’s aerodynamics.
Here’s a video demonstrating how the Airborne Wind Turbine works:
Consultants with a rigorous approach to the unprofessional websites, advices for companies to save money in overhead costs are increasing. Consequence of the crisis or new management style?
Read full article
Source:
Trends Tendances, Franceline Beretti, 12 janvier 2012
The French operator Free, already known for its low-cost prices for fixed telephony and internet, through its Freebox, has hit hard, this time in mobile telephony.
The operator has acquired in December the fourth 3G mobile license in France.
CEO of Free, Xavier Niel, has unveiled this morning in an American show two packages that will be offered on the market and will cost half the price of the current offers:
The first, at 19.90 euros per month, includes unlimited calls, SMS and MMS, and unlimited Internet access with limit of 3 GB of data. The package also includes calls made to 40 countries. For Freebox subscribers, this package is available for 15.99 euros.
The second package "social" is offered at 2 euros per month or for free for Freebox subscribers. It provides access to one hour communication and 60 SMS. The minute fee is charged off 5 cents and the SMS package out to a penny. Inspired by the offer created last year to the beneficiaries of RSA, this package will be available to all without proof of revenues.
Offers from our operators in Belgium are ridiculously expensive in comparison to the dynamism of the telecommunications sector in France. In November 2011, Belgium Telecom regulator (IBPT) has granted to a fourth operator, Datang (under the Belgian company name BUCD).
The company, unknown to us is part of Chinese equipment Datang Telecom, which is positioned very aggressively on the European market for network equipment. In recent weeks, rumors were rife. According to the weekly Computer Data News, Datang Telecom would consider the implementation of a European headquarters in Wallonia and could join forces to enter the Belgian market, with the powerful operator China Mobile.
Hopefully his arrival may have the same impact on prices in France ...
The tacit renewal, which automatically extends your contract, is never beneficial to the client.
The client usually loses sight of the end dates of contract and if he decides to change supplier, he will rarely find himself at the right time to end the contract.
We recommend our customers to maintain all the termination dates of supplier contracts and notice periods.
Before this period, you must send a letter of termination, even if you do not want to change supplier.
His response, in general, will not wait and you will most likely receive a proposal for your updated consumption profile and new offers and discounts at that time.
The advantage of this method is that it gives you the opportunity to negotiate until the final deadline of the contract. In fact, you can always tell your current provider a few days before the end of the contract of your decision to continue your cooperation.
The worldwide demand for used paper has recently boomed. Direct consequence: European papermakers fear the risk of shortages.
You’ll never throw away your used paper as before ... This waste has taken an unexpected value in a few months. It has become a rare commodity. While the recovery of this material in Europe increased from 40% to over 72% in twenty years, never supply has been as difficult.
cc Stefan
Manufacturers are struggling to get recycled paper and cardboard. "Prices are rising, the material is scarce," says Stéphane Thiollier, the president of the manufacturer of recycled paper Careo. In six years, the price per ton of recovered corrugated increased from 45 to 151 euros. A ton of magazines and newspapers from 48 to 127 euros.
China, major client
The 60 million tonnes collected, sorted and valued each year are no longer sufficient to meet the appetite of European manufacturers. This considerable amount attracted very quickly the envy outside the borders of the Old Continent. The market for used paper has gone global and the world’s largest consumer of materials of all kinds, China has positioned itself as a client.
"Our supply difficulties are explained primarily by the thirst of China for all raw materials and paper in particular," an administrator Revipap analysis, the grouping of French papermakers use of recycled paper. From 2000 to 2009, Chinese imports of recycled paper and paperboard increased from 3.7 to 27.5 million tonnes. An annual growth of 30%. These imports could reach 35 million tons by 2014.
As for exports from Europe to China, they have exploded since 2003, as in any other region from 4.8 to 13.2 million tonnes in 2009. Why the greed? "Numerous production capacities have been opened in China in recent years. Reservoirs of wood and recycled paper are low," said Bernard Lombard, Director at the Confederation of European Paper Industries.
The recyclers in question
China (India tomorrow) attracts the more recycled paper and cardboard. It fills the container ships that previously returned empty to its ports. The material collected is used to produce packaging that package the products made in China shipped to Europe and the rest of the world.
Between 2001 and 2010, prices for paper and paperboard European export doubled. Only the period between late 2008 and early 2010 at the height of the crisis, has seen prices fall. Whatever types of paper, their prices are already above their level before the crisis.
Consequence of the shortage and rising prices: the relationship between industry players stretch. On the one hand collectors and recyclers by providing the resource. The other, cardboard and paper manufacturers, which supply recycled paper. Between them, the barometer is not looking good.
Recently, the leader of a paper manufacturer based in France has made known his complaints concerning the liability of recyclers in the leak of documents. "This has triggered the wrath of professionals, testifies he anonymously. I have received threats of retaliation if I continued to talk." His speech, however, is in step with the rest of his profession. "France is becoming a third world country. It gets a raw material and exports, creating value added outside the European territory, asserts an administrator Revipap without fear of caricature. We ’third Worldization. "
CEO of ArcelorMittal France and President of the Union of Recycling Industries, Hervé Bourrier concerned about the flight of recycled materials outside Europe. "Recycled products are a resource to become a competitive advantage for developed countries that have invested in infrastructure for collection and processing industries valuing these materials locally and sustainably," says he.
Lobbying papermakers
The three major recyclers Paprec, Sita and Veolia confirm export part of their products in China and Asia. But refute their responsibility for the shortage situation described by the paper manufacturers. "China is a scapegoat. We export what paper manufacturers do not take from us , protests Bernard Roth, the executive director of Sita Trading. We sell to the highest bidder, at market prices."
Recyclers highlight opportunities in the interest of Chinese demand, while the consumption of recycled paper and paperboard in Europe tends to stagnate. "We do not export recovered paper to China in 2010 and only 30% of our board," William tempers Lebec, the Director General for Trade at the recycler Paprec.
We advise our clients, companies and readers to not underestimate the value of paper and cardboard. Ask for prices to different providers. The main players in Belgium are Sita, Van Gansewinkel, Shanks, Vanheede, Indaver...
The Belgian telecom authority (BIPT) approved 4G licences to 4 operators. Besides the three ’traditional’ companies Belgacom, Mobistar and KPN, newcomer BUCD was also selected.
The auction - which offered 4G licences for 15 years - made the federal government a 77.7 million euro revenue, slightly less than the foreseen 80 million euro.
BUCD is a newly created company, backed by Asian investors. The company paid 22.51 million euro for 45 MHz. Belgacom and Mobistar each bought 40 Mhz for which they paid 20.22 and 20.02 million euro. KPN bought 30 Mhz and paid 15.04 million euro for this.
The 4G network will allow mobile high speed data traffic, such as video streaming in real time, on electronic devices. Applications which relied on heavy (telecom) hardware in the past, will become available on smartphones, tablets and laptops in the near future.
As of July 1st, 2012 the technology becomes available in Belgium. Hopefully the entrance of a new competitor on the market will lead to a higher level of competition and lower prices. Only half a year to find out!
According Datanews, the new service provider WiFi Zapfi has raised $ 1.5 million from private investors for a capital increase. These funds should enable the new company to develop its offer of free access to the Internet via WiFi in 20 major Belgian cities.
This new funding was made possible by the group which includes ZapHolding now Zapfi. Gery Pollet, founder of the company in 2010, said he wanted to use that money to extend the offer to about twenty major cities in Belgium including Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven. The city of Bruges already benefits from this free wireless access through agreements between the company and the city administration.
The company relies on the environmental qualities of WiFi to expand its business. Indeed, the standards more stringent imposed on operators to install antennae and 3G prices rather prohibitive, compared with those of our European neighbors, promise a bright future for this technology. Cleaner in terms of radiation and more powerful in terms of coverage, WiFi can be very competitive against mobile networks.
Q8 (Kuweit Petroleum) will equip 53 of its filling stations with solar panels by the end of 2011. Spread over 53 locations, the solar energy installation has a power output of 446 kWp. This equals a yearly production of approximately 400 MWh. This amount is the same as 100 average families in Belgium would consume during 1 year.
The execution of the project will be done by Solairco, in cooperation with engineering firm Nifecu.
By undertaking this project, Q8 does not only reduce its electricity bill, but the company also does decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 115 ton .
A recent survey made by the "Test Achats" shows mobile Internet in Belgium would offer limited coverage and prohibitive tariffs against its European neighbors.
To surf on your laptop anywhere, even without a fixed Internet connection or hotspot, your computer must be equipped with an integrated 3G modem, or you need to buy a modem as a USB key with a SIM card . Most operators offer annual contracts, but you can also opt for a recharge. The transfer rate and monthly quota depends on the provider and the plan chosen.
Today coverage in major cities is good but is limited in the countryside.
In Belgium, only 2.7% of the Belgian mobile Internet use, while the European average is 7.2%.
Our market is suffering from a severe lack of competition. The consumer has little choice between Mobistar and Proximus and Telenet (which uses the Mobistar network, but the prices are higher) and Mobile Vikings (which uses the network of Base).
What to choose?
At Mobile Vikings, you pay € 12 for 2GB per recharge. The USB modem is purchased separately. The provider uses the network Base, slower than Mobistar and Proximus. Mobistar is more expensive, € 15 for 750 MB per month. When you subscribe, you sign up for 12 months. The modem is free and each additional MB, you will be charged € 0.10. Proximus subscription costs € 19.99 per month for 1GB. The modem costs just € 1 and you only pay € 0.03 per MB excess. Telenet up the rear with 1GB for € 35 (€ 20 if you are already a customer Telenet). Not recommended, especially since it is still necessary to add the price of the modem: € 69. It is better to use hotsports Telenet. Base offers no specific formula for laptop internet. You can still subscribe to the "surf & mail" in addition to your mobile phone tariff plan.
According to a thousand questionnaires collected by Test Achats, the results indicate exorbitant prices, instability and slow connections. Overall the respondents said they were "moderately" satisfied with the services of their operator.
, causing companies to replace their traditional media archiving (paper) by electronic records management system. Companies can implement their project "internal" with creating their own archiving services, or "external" via a third party archiver.
