Westpac turmoil - Sias out, McKinnon in

Westpac's IT organisation has again been plunged into turmoil, with Bob McKinnon brought in to head up its technology operations only days after former CIO Simon McNamara jumped ship.

Westpac CIO bound for Singapore

Westpac Banking Corporation's group chief information officer, Simon McNamara, has resigned.

Clarius on the hunt after Bianchini exit

IT recruitment operator Clarius is hunting for a new leader of its core Candle ICT division after the departure of Jane Bianchini.

Renewals drain near-empty talent pool

The IT recruitment industry faces a tough task meeting surging demand for skills as the major banks start replacing core technology, writes Paul Smith.

Teamwork to tackle welfare fraud

Federal government computer systems designed to track welfare cheats will be overhauled under a project that will make it easier for Centrelink and Medicare Australia to co-operate on fraud investigations.

Commander wears a brave face

Early this year Commander Communications launched into a vigorous restructuring aimed at saving the business from imminent collapse.

Wheels turn for Toyota's green push

Toyota is set to vote on a new green IT policy as it moves to reduce its impact on the environment with a program that takes in manufacturing and corporate operations.

ANZ builds a common Asian platform

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group is working to shorten the time taken to build information systems to support its new banking operations in Asia.

A conversation with Steve Vamos

Microsoft's Steve Vamos discusses Steve Ballmer's take on the threat posed by Google, the Vista issues Microsoft needs to address, his time at Redmond and what he plans to do when he leaves Microsoft.

Systems overhaul key to IAG restructure savings

IAG has flagged improvements to its Australian and New Zealand information systems as it restructures its operations, designed to save $130 million a year.

Lord exposed to margin calls

Melbourne businessman Geoff Lord has emerged as a common link between four information technology and life sciences companies swept up in the collapse of Chimaera Capital's margin lending arm, Primebroker Securities.

Carbon's silver lining

Corporate Australia is expected to paint a grim picture of the next 12 months when 2008 financial results are handed down, but there are still some big opportunities out there for technology companies despite the looming threat of budget cuts.

VMware dumps Diane Green

VMware president and CEO Diane Green has been ousted, replaced immediately by president of EMC's cloud computing division, Paul Maritz.

Yahoo talks on if board goes

Microsoft has waded into a looming board stoush at Yahoo! and said it would be willing to reopen discussions with the one-time takeover target if its shareholders voted to oust a number of directors, including chief executive Jerry Yang.

Marriage made in customer heaven

iiNet's acquisition of Westnet brings together two ISPs with a fiercely loyal customer base. Indeed, Westnet was founded on a commitment to put its customers first, writes Renai LeMay.

Rabie reckons on Espreon

Reckon chief executive Clive Rabie might be in the middle of trying to stitch together a $26 million acquisition of the corporate services and billing divisions arm of listed services play Espreon, but at head office the phones are ringing off the hook for a different reason.

Carbon trading a winner for Logica

Tier-two computer services company Logica Australia experienced double-digit earnings and revenue rises in 2007 as it laid the foundations for a tilt at billions of dollars of technical work expected over the next few years in support of carbon trading.

Plugger keep tabs on directors' links

Australian web start-up Plugger has launched an online tool that tracks board-level connections between companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Downgrade as BSA loses traction

Telecommunications services contractor BSA has issued its second profit downgrade in less than three months after losing major contracts, a move that has slashed its shares by a quarter and prompted a strategic review.

Lift link now clear at Bravura

Private equity firm Ironbridge Capital is aiming to finalise its proposed $272 million buy-out of listed finance software maker Bravura Solutions by the middle of September, a month later than initially thought.