A round-up of technology news in brief

Speed Nanny to help drivers

A Wicklow-based company has launched an innovative device that uses global positioning technology to alert drivers to dangers on the road ahead.

Speed Nanny is a "switch on and go" device that sits on dashboards and verbally alerts drivers when they are approaching risks on the road.

"Busy roads and even busier minds lead to greater risks for drivers," said Seán Breen of Speed Nanny creator Ropas.

"Speed Nanny uses proven technology to give you advance warning of risks, helping you to keep you safe and focused on the road ahead."

The first of its kind in Europe, the device advises drivers to slow down when speeding. It also allows them to record their own risk locations and will notify them when approaching those places in the future.

Sabeo launches storage service

In a bid to capture the growing Irish storage market, systems and integration company Sabeo Technologies has started a new storage practice, which will provide an independent consulting service for clients.

The service will provide Sabeo customers with access to a team of storage experts, who will assist clients in aligning their company business goals and objectives with their IT infrastructure.

Sabeo has appointed IT veterans Tony Dillon and Justin Connolly to lead the practice.

"Our customers are telling us that managing storage and data growth continue to be major issues for them," said Sabeo chief executive Ned McQuaid.

"We have reacted to this with the foundation of this dedicated storage practice."

Nortel top in PBX/IP market

Communications company Nortel has been named the number-one player in the Irish PBX/IP market for the second year running by global telecoms and IT market analyst MZA.

A PBX/IP is a private branch exchange (telephone switching system within an enterprise) that switches calls between VoIP users on local lines while allowing all users to share a number of external phone lines.

MZA's 2007 report said Nortel had a 38 per cent share of the Irish PBX/IP extensions market.

It also named Nortel as leading the IP extensions market, with a 34 per cent share in this area.

"Our report indicates that there is significant growth taking place in the Irish IP extensions market as businesses seek out the cost advantages that IP represents," said MZA general manager Stephanie Watson.

MZA shows Nortel leading in both the Irish enterprise market for systems of more than 100 extensions and the small and medium-sized business market for systems of less than 100 extensions.

New step for Microsoft server

Microsoft has taken the next step in the development of its Windows Server 2008 operating system with the release of the "Candidate 0" version of the system, which is now available for download.

With new features such as enhanced networking capabilities and a server manager, Windows Server 2008 claims to provide customers with the most versatile and reliable Windows platform yet.

The new operating system has been designed using customer feedback and Microsoft says it is committed to giving customers the tools and applications they want and need.