In Brief
Mind to showcase children's personal computer in Hong Kong
Hong Kong will serve next year as the launching pad for the world's first personal computer designed for children aged three to 12 years old. The product, created by Icelandic developer Mind, will be distributed by retail chain Imaginarium. 'Our new computer fills a gap in the market as the only edutainment personal computer that ensures each child interacts with the system intuitively, which effectively meets the child's level of maturity and best supports personal growth,' said Johannes Thordarson, chief executive and founding partner of Reykjavik-based Mind. The computer will allow children to learn to go online - via Wi-fi or 3G connections - independently in a safe, controlled environment, thanks to specially designed websites. Parents can simply pre-arrange plug-in keys that contain links to suitable websites for their children. Bien Perez
Yucheng wins contracts with banks for risk management
Nasdaq-listed Yucheng Technologies, a leading mainland information technology and outsourced services provider, last week won contracts with large mainland banks to provide risk-management and performance-measurement consulting and implementation services. The deals, worth about US$1 million in total, included projects for the Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Beijing, Huishang Bank and Guangdong Development Bank.
Hong Weidong, chief executive at Beijing-based Yucheng Technologies, said: 'With Chinese banks facing increased competition from both local and international players and requirements to be in compliance with Basel II by 2012, they are under pressure to improve their risk-assessment and management practices to better measure credit, market and operational risks and improve their profitability.' Bien Perez
CDC expands partnership with Sonokong in computer games deal
Mainland online and mobile games supplier CDC Games has expanded its business partnership with Sonokong, a South Korea-based toys and games developer. The deal includes exclusive distribution rights on the mainland for new Sonokong online action game Dragonsky and continued content updates for fantasy-themed online multi-player game Shaiya. Bien Perez
Austin Logistics to help Shanghai lenders on risk
Texas-based predictive analytic software provider Austin Logistics has set up shop in Shanghai with an eye to meet demand by mainland financial institutions seeking to track consumer credit facilities. 'Without the ability to quickly implement effective risk decision solutions, lenders may find themselves struggling to manage their lending risk,' said Tom Miller, Austin Logistics senior vice-president for global development. Bien Perez
Shanda takes on Force10 to power online gaming infrastructure
Shanda Interactive Entertainment, a Shanghai-based developer and operator of online games, has selected strategic telecommunications equipment from American supplier Force10 Networks to power its gaming infrastructure. Nasdaq-listed Shanda Interactive will use the TeraScale E-Series switches and routers to support about 18.5 million active paying subscribers to the company's gaming applications. Bien Perez
