Apricot ICT Consulting Ltd

Apricot ICT Consulting Ltd Apricot Zambia is an ICT and Computer Systems Engineering Consultancy Zambian Registered company.

Established and set to become the leading ICT , Cyber and Electronic Security provider in Zambia. We work in collaboration with various renowned manufactures of ICT hardware and software products, ICT solutions of Computer Networking, Microsoft Products, Cisco Products , Juniper Products etc. We also offer Cyber Security Services such as Access Control Systems, Digital Electronic / Security CCTV

/ Surveillance, Biometric Identification Systems, Fire / Intruder Alarm Systems and Design of Security Systems for Corporate Institutions. Established and set to become the leading ICT and Security provider in Zambia. Apricot has built its foundation and reputation in areas such as recommending of the best customizable solutions for organisations, timely responding to clients’ queries/concerns and providing systems and hardware / software at competitive rates. The quality of products and services that are provided can also be seen in the number of organisations using them and the highly qualified personnel, with varied experience in the industry. Apricot was founded in August 2007 and we are excited about what we are planning to offer all our clients in the years ahead

12/06/2021

The Mastercard Foundation has announced that it will deploy $1.3 billion in partnership with the Africa CDC to acquire 50 million COVID-19 vaccines for Africa.

09/04/2016

Information Technology is the future.

11/12/2015

This week on Apricot, we take a look at the future of mobile payment technologies in Africa, the period in reference is 2013 to 2015 and the discussion is open.

11/12/2015

Mobile Banking Trends For 2014
Mobile banking will continue to evolve as more nuanced offerings come to the marketplace.
2013 was a big year for mobile banking, driven by trends such as increased smart phone adoption and the popularity of mobile check deposit. Looking into 2014, we see several areas that will drive mobile banking adoption even higher.

Bob Graham, Virtusa
Bob Graham, Virtusa
We have only begun to tap into the possibilities of mobiles devices with camera, geo location and social awareness capabilities. The first mobile banking features were simply a port of online capabilities like check balances, transfer balances and bill payment. Mobile check deposit was the first truly device unique capability, or so called ‘image banking’. 2014 will be the year of photo bill pay. While very few banks have made this capability available, there are many that predict adoption will be faster than mobile check deposit. Another area that will see progress is in personal finance management, particularly on the tablet. Various firms are working on leveraging device-specific characteristics around voice, video and touchscreen capabilities that will create new service opportunities for the advisor/client relationship.

Cross Selling will accelerate

Mobile devices provide a new opportunity to cross-sell and promote other banking products and services. Chase My New Home launched at the end of 2012 and is one of the first applications that provide capabilities to search for houses for sales, take and record photos and videos, calculate monthly mortgage payments and yes, connect to a mortgage banker. This is a great example of a bank using the unique elements of mobile devices to provide an end to end experience, driving more upstream from the transaction element to engage prospects and customers.

Some banks have begun to roll out merchant-funded rewards program, which allows customers to receive coupons from retailers by clicking on offers sent directly to their online banking accounts. We will also start to see applications using geo-location technology to alert customers of coupons while they are in the vicinity of retailers.

Gamification continues to be a hot topic

Gamification continues to be a hot topic among financial institutions as they look for new ways to both win new customers and increase loyalty. Banks are recognizing that the Millennial Generation represents the largest demographic in the U.S. today and will comprise more than 50% of the workforce by 2017. Millennials have grown up in a digital and always connected environment, heavily influenced by social media and instant results.

Banks are looking at how they can advance from promotional marketing to employing gamification techniques to ingrain desired behaviors that make their products and services stickier. Points, badges, rewards and leaderboards used in product engagement strategies are positive experiences for the consumer and ensure profits for the bank. Several banks have rolled out initial attempts here but most are still largely at the reward level (think points or credits).

Mobile Payments

Various studies have shown that mobile P2P is being used by less than 10% of mobile banking customers. As mobile users become more comfortable with the technology, expect more growth as users adjust to using an app instead of writing a check for situations such as sending your share of the rent and utilities or cash gifts.

Forrester predicts an explosion in the mobile payments market, growing from $12.8 billion in 2012 to $90 billion in 2017. The recent data hacking at retailers like Target and the reported credit card breach by hotel management firm White Lodging has created increased recognition that magnetic strip debit and credit cards are insecure. This is sparking a shift towards both EMV card technology where cards contain a microchip that encrypt each transaction and to secure mobile payments technology. Visa, MasterCard and American Express and separately, The Clearing House (TCH) and its 22 member banks, have announced initiatives that look to leverage dynamic tokens for mobile payments instead of storing card numbers and personal information.

Mobile Wallets will get a lot of attention and make some strides

Mobile wallet usage has struggled in the mainstream primarily due to concerns around security, technologies (barcode/NFC) and confusion over what is a mobile wallet exactly. Yet the stakes are high as estimates have the U.S. market of over $4 trillion up for grabs. No single company has been able to step to the forefront as there are offerings from non-banks like Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook and PayPal, major payment networks, large financial institutions and top mobile network operators like Verizon. According to a study done by Parks Associates, by 2017 mobile wallet use will grow 183% to over 43% of smartphone owners. The key to mobile wallet growth will be adding value to both consumers and merchants while addressing concerns around fraud and security. Convenience features such as making it easier to organize consumer loyalty programs, location based offers, the ability to skip long checkout lines and rewards for using mobile will begin to spur user adoption. Of course, broad consumer adoption will only come when users feel the digital wallet is more secure than conventional credit cards and ease of use is comparable. The continued fraud events like Target and Neiman Marcus could provide an opening.

Bob Graham is Senior Vice President - Banking and Financial Services for Virtusa Corp.

20/09/2014

Oracle's Larry Ellison steps down as two successors named

Safra Catz (l) and Mark Hurd (r) will serve as chief executives, each responsible for different parts of Oracle
Oracle boss Larry Ellison is stepping aside as chief executive after 37 years at the helm of the software giant.

Mr Ellison, estimated to be the world's fifth wealthiest man, becomes chairman and chief technology officer, remaining an influential presence at the company.

Mark Hurd and Safra Catz have been named as successors, and become co-chief executives.

Mr Ellison, 70, co-founded what would become Oracle with Bob Miner and Ed Oates in 1977.

In a statement, Oracle board president Michael Boskin said: "Larry has made it very clear that he wants to keep working full time and focus his energy on product engineering, technology development and strategy.

"Safra and Mark are exceptional executives who have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to lead, manage and grow the company. The directors are thrilled that the best senior executive team in the industry will continue to move the company forward into a bright future."

Ms Catz will run the manufacturing, legal and finance operations at Oracle, while Mr Hurd will be in charge of the sales, service and business units.

The software and hardware engineering teams will continue to report to Mr Ellison.

Fortune
"The three of us have been working well together for the last several years, and we plan to continue working together for the foreseeable future," said Mr Ellison.

The shake-up comes at a critical time for Oracle, which is trying to adapt to technological upheaval in the business software market.

Many corporate customers are shifting to cloud computing instead of paying licensing fees to install programs on machines kept in their own offices.

FBR Capital Markets analyst Daniel Ives said: "While there was some speculation Larry could step down, the timing is a bit of a head scratcher in our opinion."

Forbes magazine has put Mr Ellison's fortune at $51.3bn, with much of it tied up in Oracle, where he owns about 25% of the company. He co-founded the firm with $1,200 of his own money.

A close friend of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, Mr Ellison antics away from Oracle kept him in the news. This included his personal financing of the winning team in last year's dramatic America's Cup yacht race in San Francisco.

10/09/2014

Apple Unveils Apple Watch—Apple’s Most Personal Device Ever
CUPERTINO, California—September 9, 2014—Apple® today unveiled Apple Watch™—its most personal device ever—featuring revolutionary new technologies and a pioneering user interface with a beautiful design that honors the rich tradition of precision watchmaking. Apple Watch introduces a specially designed and engineered Digital Crown that provides an innovative way to scroll, zoom and navigate. The Digital Crown is Apple’s most revolutionary navigation tool since the iPod® Click Wheel and iPhone® Multi-Touch™. Apple Watch will enable you to communicate in new ways right from your wrist by sending and receiving messages, answering calls to your iPhone, and with Digital Touch, sending something as personal as your own heartbeat. Apple Watch also introduces comprehensive health and fitness apps that can help people lead healthier lives. Apple Watch is available in three distinct collections—Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition.

“Apple introduced the world to several category-defining products, the Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “And once again Apple is poised to captivate the world with a revolutionary product that can enrich people’s lives. It’s the most personal product we’ve ever made.”

“With Apple Watch, we’ve developed multiple technologies and an entirely new user interface specifically for a device that’s designed to be worn. It blurs the boundary between physical object and user interface,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of Design. “We’ve created an entire range of products that enable unparalleled personalization.”

Apple Watch introduces a revolutionary design and iOS-based user interface created specifically for a smaller device. Apple Watch features the Digital Crown, an innovative way to scroll, zoom and navigate fluidly, without obstructing the display. The Digital Crown also serves as the Home button and a convenient way to access Siri®. The Retina® display on Apple Watch features Force Touch, a technology that senses the difference between a tap and a press, providing a new way to quickly and easily access controls within apps. Apple Watch introduces the Taptic Engine and a built-in speaker that together discreetly enable an entirely new vocabulary of alerts and notifications you can both hear and feel. Apple custom-designed its own S1 SiP (System in Package) to miniaturize an entire computer architecture onto a single chip. Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone.

Apple Watch comes in three distinct collections—Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition—available in two different sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm. The beautifully designed and durable enclosures are crafted from custom alloys of polished or space black stainless steel, space gray or silver anodized aluminum and 18-karat rose or yellow gold. Apple also created an entire range of watch straps: the high-performance elastomer Sport Band; the Milanese Loop in a flexible magnetic stainless steel mesh; the Leather Loop in soft, quilted leather that conceals magnets for quick fastening and adjustment; the leather Modern Buckle, which closes with a solid metal clasp; the leather Classic Buckle; and the stainless steel Link Bracelet. Apple Watch comes with a unique charging system that combines Apple’s MagSafe® technology with inductive charging for a quick connection that snaps into place.

Apple Watch is an extremely accurate timepiece that’s also customizable for personal expression. Apple Watch comes with 11 watch faces ranging from traditional analog faces to new faces like the dynamic Timelapse face; the Astronomy face with its interactive, real-time 3D model of the earth, sun, moon and planets; and the Solar face, a contemporary sundial. Apple Watch can be personalized in appearance and capability with additional information such as upcoming events, moonphases or your activity level, enabling millions of possible configurations.

Taking advantage of its location on your wrist, Apple Watch provides timely information that can be viewed at a glance. Smart Replies and dictation let you respond quickly to messages, and with Handoff, you can start a message on your Apple Watch and continue where you left off on your iPhone. Swipe up from the watch face for Glances that quickly show you information you care about, such as your current location, stocks or your next meeting. Pressing the side button brings up Friends, a view of your favorite people, so you can contact them quickly and easily. Digital Touch allows you to send a sketch, a gentle tap, an audio message through Walkie Talkie or even your own heartbeat. Apple Watch lets you interact quickly and conveniently with the world around you, so you can pay for coffee using Apple Pay™,* board a plane with a Passbook® boarding pass, control your Apple TV® or get directions.

Apple Watch includes a groundbreaking Activity app designed to help motivate you to be more active throughout the day, and an all-new Workout app designed to provide the metrics you need during dedicated workout sessions. Apple Watch uses the accelerometer, a built-in heart rate sensor, GPS and Wi-Fi from your iPhone to provide a comprehensive picture of your daily activity. The Activity app measures three separate aspects of movement: calories burned, brisk activity and how often you stand up during the day. The Workout app provides goal-setting and pacing during popular session-based workouts, such as running and cycling. The companion Fitness app on iPhone collects your activity data so you can see your activity history in greater detail. Apple Watch uses this history to suggest personal, realistic goals, reward fitness milestones and keep you motivated.

Apple introduces WatchKit, providing new tools and APIs for developers to create unique experiences designed for the wrist. With Apple Watch, developers can create WatchKit apps with actionable notifications and Glances that provide timely information. Starting later next year, developers will be able to create fully native apps for Apple Watch.

Pricing & Availability
Apple Watch will be available in three collections. Apple Watch, with a polished or space black stainless steel case and a choice of straps; Apple Watch Sport, with a space gray or silver anodized aluminum case and Sport Band; and Apple Watch Edition, with an 18-karat rose or yellow gold case and a choice of straps exclusive to this collection. Apple Watch straps include the Sport Band in black, blue, green, pink and white; the Classic Buckle in black and midnight blue; the Leather Loop in bright blue, light brown and stone; the Modern Buckle in midnight blue, brown, soft pink, rose gray and bright red; the Milanese Loop in stainless steel; and the Link Bracelet in brushed stainless steel and polished space black. Apple Watch will be available in early 2015 starting at $349 (US). Apple Watch is compatible with iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus running the latest version of iOS 8.

* Apple Pay is only available in the US.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Press Contacts:
Nat Kerris
Apple
[email protected]
(408) 974-6877

Sarah O'Brien
Apple
[email protected]
(408) 783-2400


Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Apple Watch, iPod, iPhone, Multi-Touch, Siri, Retina, MagSafe, Apple Pay, Passbook and Apple TV are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

10/09/2014

Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's a day you've had everything to do and you've done it

29/04/2012

Descriptive camera developed by student Matt Richardson in the US.

-A camera which produces written descriptions of scenes rather than photographs has been invented by a student in the US.

The device uploads pictures to the web which are described within minutes by users on Amazon's Mechanical Turk service.

The short description is then sent back to the camera and printed.

It was developed by Matt Richardson, an Interactive Communications graduate student at New York University.

"I'd been thinking a lot about how cameras capture a lot of metadata when we take a picture: the location where you are, it captures the date, the camera make and model," he told the BBC.

"A lot of information, but most of it's not really useful or has limited use."

29/04/2012

Samsung Electronics has overtaken Nokia to become the world's largest maker of mobile phones, according to research firm Strategy Analytics.

22/04/2012

The Cisco Smart Business Communications System supports:

Integrated communication: Quickly set up voice, data, video, and wireless services for a new way to reach, serve, and retain customers
Easy access to information: Offer secure communications access to remote workers and branch offices
Simple set-up: Take advantage of simple applications for set-up, management, and monitoring
Security: Give employees access to the company network and important data while protecting against viruses and other threats

Get in touch with apricot for more information.

21/04/2012

3D printers could create customised drugs on demand

-Scientists are pioneering the use of 3D printers to create drugs and other chemicals at the University of Glasgow
-more on bbc / technology

16/04/2012

You need to focus on running your business—not wrestle with IT challenges. Apricot ICT solutions can help you do just that.

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