GLG News by Automated Teller Machines (ATM) Industry Experts

Michael SchiffFounder and Principal AnalystMAS Strategies

Spyware Problems - Users Are Only Partially To Blame

February 26, 2008

Analysis of:Spyware forum: Computer users often to blame for problems | www.computerworld.com

● In a perfect world all users would immediately install any patches or upgrades that would enhance the security of their systems.  ● However, many users, especially in home or home office environments, are reluctant to change something that seems to work.  ● Of course, in a perfect world software patches and upgrades would not cause problems of their own; unfortunately, this is not always the case and a user who has been burned once may be hesitant about applying new fixes.

Michael SchiffFounder and Principal AnalystMAS Strategies

Microsoft Patches a Windows Update Patch

January 7, 2008

Analysis of:Microsoft Patch Puts Up Stop Sign For Some IE Users | www.computerworld.com

● The release of a Windows Update patch that potentially crashes Internet Explorer 6 is a major faux pas for Microsoft.  ● As with all software, IT organizations need to thoroughly test any Microsoft patches prior to allowing them to be installed on users' PCs.  ● Microsoft should have reacted more quickly once the problem was reported; initially advising users to manually edit the Windows Registry was not an adequate solution.

Ronald KiimaPresident Kiima Incorporated

2007 Accounting Error of the Year: Depreciation and Amortization

January 2, 2008

Analysis of:Securities Suits Spike in 2007 | www.cfo.com

The subject article provides some interesting insights into the upward reversal in the number of securities class-action lawsuits filed during 2007.  Given such, I thought it might be fitting to offer my personal insights into what I continue to believe is the most common, yet rarely noticed, accounting error. As in prior years, inappropriate depreciation and amortization methodologies once again gets my nomination for Accounting Error of the Year.  Unfortunately, absent some unforeseeable improvement in oversight by corporate auditors and the SEC, I suspect that I will again be making the same nomination this time next year.      

Robert KempProfessorUniversity of Virginia - CC

Financial Analysis - The Ultimate Impact of IFRS

December 10, 2007

Analysis of:The Economics of IFRS | www.cfo.com

1.  Countries adopting IFRS are not always adopting the same standards.  If you look closely, the term "as adopted' is being used a lot (e.g., China).  What that means is countries are adopting IFRS in principle, but are differing on interpretation and actual application/practice. 2.  The end result is the need for financial analysts to become more educated and dig deeper into financial statements.  The idea that we will have one set of standards, simplifying analysis, is false.  Analysts must begin to appreciate how each country is "adopting" IFRS.   3.  Accountants must likewise be sensitive to the "as adopted" challenge.  This goes beyond understanding and dealing with different approaches in different countries.  It also deals with investor expectations and the legal structure within and between countries.  Unless accountants grasp changing investor expectations, they will find themselves in a legal nightmare. 

Robert KempProfessorUniversity of Virginia - CC

Pension Pressure Reduced - Good News For Corporate Valuation

November 15, 2007

Analysis of:Out of the Shaows? PBGC Deficit Shrinks by $5 billion. | www.cfo.com

The reduction of the PBGC's deficit reduces pressure on Congress to take action that could impact corporate values.   Such action would most probably hurt corporate value by adversely affecting cash flow and risk.

Michael SchiffFounder and Principal AnalystMAS Strategies

Microsoft's Tactic to Combat Piracy in China

November 13, 2007

Analysis of:Microsoft Makes Anti-Piracy Move | www.forbes.com

• By having its operating system pre-installed on Founder Technology Group's PCs, Microsoft should be able to reduce the piracy of its operating system in China. • This will also benefit Founder's users as their operating system software will pass Windows Genuine Advantage test and thus receive non-critical operating system updates. • It should serve as a model for other PC vendors, both in China and other "high-piracy" countries, and encourage them to seek similar agreements with Microsoft.

Michael SchiffFounder and Principal AnalystMAS Strategies

IBM and Business Objects - A Strong Partnership Becomes Stronger

November 7, 2007

Analysis of:IBM and Business Objects Bundle Wares | www.cbronline.com

• With IBM including a starter edition of Business Objects software with IBM DB2 and DB2 Warehouse, Business Objects will gain new prospects. • The strengthened alliance between IBM and Business Objects demonstrates that despite SAP's pending acquisition of Business Objects, third parties like IBM are still very much interested in partnering with Business Objects.

Robert KempProfessorUniversity of Virginia - CC

Financial Analysts Beware: The Rules of Pensions Are Always Changing

October 31, 2007

Analysis of:PBGC sets new pnsion benefit limit for 2008 | money.cnn.com

1)  The PBGC increasing the amount of insured benefits for qualified, defined benefit plans is a normal, annual event. 2)  Ignoring the impact of this increase on firm valuation can be problematic. 3)  Financial analysts, following mature and declining industries and firms, must pay particular attention to this increase due to solvency and liquidation issues. 

Michael SchiffFounder and Principal AnalystMAS Strategies

BI Consolidation - The Trend Will Likely Continue

October 25, 2007

Analysis of:The Next Software Acquisitions | www.businessweek.com

• The BI industry will continue to consolidate as BI specialists seek to broaden their platform capabilities while database and/or enterprise application vendors seek to acquire their own BI technology. • A vendor dichotomy consisting of BI specialists and application and/or database vendors is developing within the market. • Additional acquisitions could occur in the near-term; in particular HP may be interested in broadening its data warehouse capabilities by acquiring a BI vendor like Cognos or a data integration vendor like Informatica.

Michael SchiffFounder and Principal AnalystMAS Strategies

Vista - Its Time Will Soon Be Here

October 24, 2007

Analysis of:Vista: None for All? | www.microsoft-watch.com

• While the adoption of Windows Vista in 2007 may have been somewhat disappointing, it should accelerate in 2008. • This will be driven by business users having almost no choice but to obtain Vista when they acquire new home PCs and by Microsoft's expected Q1 2008 release of Service Pack 1.

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