Ballack blows title race wide open.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

CHELSEA midfielder Michael Ballack breathed new life into the Premier League title race as his late penalty clinched a dramatic win over Manchester United.

Avram Grant's side are now level on points with leaders United with two games to play after Ballack's double settled a thrilling clash at Stamford Bridge. The German opened the scoring in the first half before Wayne Rooney punished a horrendous mistake by Ricardo Carvalho to equalise after the break.

United had one hand on the title but Michael Carrick gifted Chelsea a lifeline when he handled in the penalty area and Ballack took advantage.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have a vastly superior goal difference with games at home to West Ham and away at Wigan to come.

But Chelsea have ensured the battle will go down to the wire.

And Ballack insists his team-mates can handle the pressure to stay with United, and steal the title.

"There is always pressure and in big games you have to score," said Ballack.

"I enjoy being under pressure - it's good. We have a number of players who can handle this type of situation."

And Chelsea boss Avram Grant attempted to put the pressure on United.

"It is not easy when you are under pressure to win two games. We hope that we are happy at the end of the season," he said.

"We did what we needed to do. We won the game and put them under pressure.

"This team has a lot of character and we played good football today."

The Blues bristled with a muscular aggression, while United seemed content to soak up the pressure.

Chelsea dominated after United were forced to replace Nemanja Vidic early after he took an accidental knee to the head from Didier Drogba.

And the breakthrough they deserved arrived when Drogba sent in a perfectly-weighted cross to the far post, where the unmarked Ballack planted home his header.

United were focused, but it took a gift from Carvalho to draw them level.

The defender panicked after taking a pass from Paulo Ferreira and hit a careless ball back towards his own goal. Rooney seized on the woeful pass and made no mistake with a low shot.

The hosts had to go for broke now and the pressure told in the 86th minute when Carrick inexplicably handled Essien's cross. Referee Alan Wiley's assistant flagged for the offence leaving Fergie livid and United's players berating Wiley in their usual fashion.

But Ballack held his nerve to calmly step up and send Edwin van der Sar the wrong way with his spot-kick.

There was still time for drama as Ashley Cole cleared Ronaldo's shot off the line, then Andriy Shevchenko did the same to deny Darren Fletcher.

CHELSEA: Cech, Ferreira (Anelka 66), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Obi, Essien, Kalou (Shevchenko 81), Drogba, Joe Cole (Makelele 87).

MAN UTD: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (Hargreaves 14), Silvestre, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (O'Shea 65), Nani, Rooney (Ronaldo 63), Giggs.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

iovation to Host FFIEC Webinar on Combating Banking Fraud.

Learn How Best Practices Can Ensure Optimal Efficacy and Balance with Sophisticated Device Identification and Out-of-Wallet Questions

PORTLAND, Ore. -- iovation, the Device Reputation Authority[TM] protecting online businesses from fraud and abuse, today announced its upcoming webinar discussing the recent FFIEC Guidance, "Supplement to Authentication in an Internet Banking Environment," and methods to exceed the recommendations in that guidance.

iovation's webinar, "Ensuring Optimal Efficacy and Balance with Device Identification and Out-of-Wallet Questions," will be presented by Max Anhoury, Vice President of Global Sales for iovation, and will feature guest speaker Keir Breitenfeld, Senior Director, Experian Decision Analytics and Fraud.

Webinar:		FFIEC Guidance and Combating Banking Fraud
Date:		July 26, 2011
Time:		10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT
To Register:		www.iovation.com/ffiec

Five things financial institutions will learn by attending:

* How to achieve risk-based authentication with device reputation, authentication, scores and analytics -- all while minimizing friction for the customer.

* How to apply proportional treatment to your risk-based authentication efforts and dynamically manage credit and non-credit data questions to fight fraud.

* How to find optimal process points and question session configuration to strike the right balance between fraud prevention, customer experience, and cost.

* The many differences between simple device identification and complex device identification.

* How leading financial institutions are collaborating using 'device reputation' today without sharing PII.

The July 26th webinar will share how layering iovation's device reputation services with authentication technology offers a comprehensive solution for not only meeting the FFIEC's most recent guidance, but also exceeding it.

iovation's fraud prevention service, ReputationManager 360, is backed with over 7 years of experience with complex device identification experience and includes techniques involving assessing larger sets of attributes and applying pattern recognition algorithms and pattern-learning processes in the identification and re-recognition of Internet-enabled devices, old or new. Taking complex device identification and device profiling even further, it's device reputation that provides financial institutions with insight into how devices are connected to each other, including their past and current behavior, in real time.

About iovation Inc.

iovation protects online businesses and their end users against fraud and abuse through our industry-leading combination of shared device reputation and real-time risk evaluation. 2,000 fraud managers around the globe leverage iovation's database of Internet devices and relationships between them to determine the level of risk associated with any type of online transaction. Retail, financial services, social network, gaming and other companies make real-time queries to iovation's knowledge base of 650 million devices from every country in the world. Every day, iovation protects more than 8 million transactions and stops over 150,000 fraud attempts. For more information, visit www.iovation.com.

Retail convergence: while more consumers are shopping and comparing prices online, the store is still relevant.(FOOD FORUM)

Retailers are experiencing an unprecedented rate of market change driven by a time-starved, digitally-empowered and increasingly elusive consumer. Consumers have access to extensive product information and can comparison-shop at the touch of a screen. With the range of technology options available, consumers are more knowledgeable and more demanding, expecting to conduct transactions when, where and in a manner of their preference. The consumer's search for value is also putting increasing stress on retailers to retain loyalty.

These observations are confirmed by recent NCR research showing 67% of North American consumers switch between retailers to get price discounts and more loyalty points. These same consumers increasingly use technology when searching for the best deals and are accustomed to the personalization that technology gives them. Consumers expect retailers to understand their preferences (how they prefer to do business) and their presence (where they are).

With the increased use of technology and the rapid growth of online shopping, you might think the store is less relevant. While it is true that nearly half of retailer volume is influenced by the web, 96% of transactions are still completed in a physical store--and consumers are still looking for an enjoyable shopping experience when they get there. To deliver a compelling shopping experience, the retailer must be able to seamlessly respond across channels to their customers whether they are out of store (on the Internet at home or office), near store (with mobile and GPS) or in-store (at any touchpoint from kiosk to self-checkout).

Retailers who succeed in this environment are those who evolve their business models in ways that acknowledge the consumer-driven reality. Grocery stores are in a unique position to develop strong customer relationships because of the numerous in-store touchpoints. Additionally, grocery shopping is frequent and consistent, affording grocers opportunities to engage consumers regularly. Grocers that adopt technologies that enable a personalized experience for shoppers foster greater customer satisfaction and enhance loyalty.

Engaging customers to influence purchasing decisions begins with recognition of the new, consumer-driven consumer-to-business (C2B) marketplace. In this C2B world, the successful retail model will have two significant characteristics, both applicable to grocers.

First, the C2B model will be one where interactions are personalized based on consumer presence and preferences.

Presence: Out of store or near store, consumers make purchasing plans and decisions (researching recipes and building grocery lists) where they choose and from the channel they prefer--grocers can meet customers where, when and how they are present, communicating important discounts/promotions or allowing for coupon downloads.

Preference: Knowledge of a customers personal preferences--and grocers' subsequent response to that insight--creates value for both parties. A grocer can utilize an individual's preference information to offer name recognition, language choice, personalized promotions and tailored recipe suggestions specific to tastes, online or at in-store kiosks and point-of-sale.

Secondly, the new C2B retailing model will also be defined by convergence. Convergence brings structure to the chaos and confusion of consumer interactions. Facilitated by the availability of wireless communication technology, it will allow consumers to easily communicate their presence and preference via the channels of their choosing and will deliver timely, personalized transactions, information and promotions. It will do this seamlessly across all channels, including the web, assisted and self-checkout, informational and transactional kiosks, digital signage, c-marketing sites and mobile technologies.

The benefits a retailer can realize by increasing their influence in the purchasing decision process are too compelling to ignore. The grocery shopping process typically begins "at home" with steps including researching recipes, making a meal plan and building a shopping list. At each of these steps, shoppers are shaping buying decisions.

The next steps provide additional opportunities for grocers to influence purchasing decisions of customers in-store while they are shopping, and then at checkout. Location identification systems via mobile device can alert store personnel of a customer's arrival and download the shopper's list to appropriate departments. The download can initiate necessary food preparation activity in relevant departments such as the bakery, deli or meat counter. Furthermore, interaction between in-store kiosks and wireless devices offer shoppers the convenience of downloading coupons and other information onto their mobile devices quickly.

The next few years will be a time of significant movement toward the promise of converged retailing, as disparate technologies and channels converge. Grocers hoping to survive in this new landscape must integrate technologies that maximize operational efficiency while enhancing the consumer shopping experience if they hope to win customers and nurture brand loyalty.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mike Webster is vice president and general manager, retail and hospitality for Duluth, Ga.-based NCR Corp.

Stack your company with real deals, not pretenders.(Joseph Dellanno on Communication)

Byline: JOSEPH DELLANNO

Stack your company with real deals, not pretenders

Evaluate employees to understand where lost dollars are going

How many of us have heard the line: Fake it 'till you make it? How many of us have been in texting conversations or email threads that you read over and over knowing full well the person you are trying to communicate with does not have a clue to what they are saying? How does this affect your business' bottom line? Do you catch yourself talking out loud and complaining the second you hang up your mobile phone and get a sick feeling in your gut? I do.

Tomorrow when you are sitting down having your first cup of coffee, make two columns on a sheet of paper. Label the left column "The Real Deal" and label the right column "The Pretenders." This will be fun and you do not have to show your list to anyone, but if you want to email it to me I promise I will keep it safe.

Now, list the people who fall into these two categories. Let's start with, "The Real Deal." This person is generally: self-motivated, reliable, trustworthy, morally sound, clean and responsible. Let's move on to, "The Pretender." This person is typically: late, full of excuses, blames others, hygienically challenged, not goal oriented, will say yes to you but does not have a clue what you just said, and the list goes on and on.

Once you have your list complete, reorder it starting with "The Real Deal" list. List your top people in your organization that produce profit for your company and for your personal needs. Now list, "The Pretenders" who cost the company profit and do not provide income for your personal needs.

It is time to quantify your lists. How much money is obtained by "The Real Deal" and how much money is flushed down the toilet by "The Pretenders?" You may want to take a break because the truth is about to become black and white.

In a perfect world we surround ourselves with the right people, projects run smoothly and gas costs $.50 per gallon. This is not going to happen any time soon. We all have gone through a down economy and many of us are still feeling the sting but it is time to make adjustments to the design/build industry.

I challenge you as a business owner, manager or employee to stop settling for poor business behavior, excuses and not stepping up because it is easier to take another sip of my Dunkin Donuts' coffee, extra-large, double cream and with four sugars.

Your company deserves better and your clients expect better than how they are being treated today. You might have your act together, but does your team has it together. As an owner you are responsible to wake up the pretenders. Look at your list. They are costing you money every day, every week and every year.

The spring season is upon us and people will again be calling your office. We all need to make up lost financial ground from the past two years. So, the question is, who is going to help you reclaim what has been lost, "The Real Deal" or "The Pretenders?" The answer is obvious, but for most business owners finding and hiring the right people is an extremely painful process.

Outsourcing to reliable companies is a growing trend. The Internet and hand-held devices have become a stable platform for conducting real business in real time. Look at your list and reevaluate how many pretenders could be outsourced. Push yourself to make the tough decisions, talk to people you trust and take the next step to making it happen. People in your life think you are "The Real Deal" and they count on you to not be a pretender.

JOSEPH DELLANNO is the founder of My Design/Build Project, a web communication application for design and build teams, and president of My Design/Build Coach, providing design/build business training. He is also president of Design Solutions Inc., a national design firm. Send e-mail to info@mydesignbuildproject.com. Read past columns at rdbmagazine.com.

http://contracts.cygnuspub.com/JosephDellanno_ABCD_W-Y_L-Y_R-Y.asp

HGI members set the ball rolling on long-term strategy for next generation services to the connected home; The Home Gateway Initiative brings service providers and manufacturers together to enable next generation communications services.

M2 PRESSWIRE-May 17, 2011-: HGI members set the ball rolling on long-term strategy for next generation services to the connected home; The Home Gateway Initiative brings service providers and manufacturers together to enable next generation communications services(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:17052011

As part of the Home Gateway Initiative's (HGI) forward looking work, exciting plans for the analysis of next generation (NG) communications in the connected home have been drawn up in Paris by broadband service providers (BSPs) and manufacturers. Ideas were brought to the table by Samsung and France Telecom that will lead to integrated communications that enhance the end user experience.

HGI, which is the world's leading member-led organisation devoted to translating BSP's service plans into published technology requirements, agreed on applicable next generation technologies and devices. The technologies considered are DECT CAT-iq, SIP, UPnP Telephony, and RCS. The applicable devices are the Home Gateway, connected TV, multimedia cordless devices and Internet tablets.

Members at the HGI event discussed service deployment issues, communications use-cases, and technical architecture requirements and choices.

Philippe Calvet, HGI Business Group Chairman, said: "Communication services are key for BSPs. With the arrival of new rich communication services, it is key to federate a new ecosystem of connected communication devices including smart phones around the Home Gateway. It is also crucial for initiating calls from other devices. This HGI work will shape the rollout of a range of next generation communications services."

Duncan Bees, HGI CTO added: "HGI's Business Group is a unique working group within the broadband industry that allow BSPs and manufacturers to jointly discuss requirements for current and future services. In many cases this has led to important technical requirements documents being made available to serve as references for manufacturers. I expect the NG communications work to move forward quickly within HGI."

For more information about HGI visit www.homegatewayinitiative.org or email contact@homegatewayinitiative.org.

About the Home Gateway Initiative

The HGI, founded in 2004 by nine telecom operators, is shaping the next generation of internet and voice services. Starting from use-cases and service needs, the HGI sets requirements for Home Gateways, infrastructure devices, and the home network. The HGI now has members from across the globe, representing the entire spectrum of players in the broadband home area.

http://www.homegatewayinitiative.org/

For all media enquiries, please email Brian Dolby (brian.dolby@proactive-pr.com), or Liz Dolby (liz.dolby@proactive-pr.com), or call +44 1636 812152

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

Maine's Relay Service Provider Rolls Out Mobile Captions Service.

Hamilton Relay, the exclusive Telecommunications Relay Service provider for the state of Maine, has announced the availability of Mobile Captions Service (MCS).

As of April 18, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing will be able to read captions on a mobile phone using Voice Carry Over (VCO) technology, the Company noted in a release.

Developed by Mobile Captions Company, Hamilton Relay and Consumer Cellular, the MCS program lets subscribers speak, listen and read during a wireless phone conversation made on the Nokia E5. The Nokia E5 smartphone is M3/T3 hearing aid-compatible and comes with a large, 2.4-inch display and full QWERTY keyboard. The MCS program is available exclusively on the Nokia E5.

"Mobile Captions Service is valuable for the residents of Maine because it allows VCO users to stay in touch with friends and family while on the go," said Dixie Ziegler, vice president of Hamilton Relay. "Today, we all rely on our cell phones. That's why we're committed to delivering advanced mobile device solutions designed for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing."

Similar to closed captioning on television, Mobile Captions Service allows subscribers to read text of their phone conversations on the screen of their Nokia E5 smartphone. A specially trained operator types what the other person says. MCS subscribers can then read what is said directly on the screen of the Nokia E5, making it possible to catch every part of the conversation.

"We are pleased to extend this valuable service to the residents of Maine," says William Nye, Chairman of the Maine Telecommunications Advisory Council. "We're certain Mobile Captions Service will allow our residents with hearing loss to more easily communicate with their family, work colleagues and friends, allowing them to be more independent."

MCS is offered in participating states where Hamilton Relay is the Telecommunications Relay Service provider.

Hamilton Relay offers a variety of services including Traditional Relay Services, Captioned Telephone and Internet Relay services.

Consumer Cellular, the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, was founded in 1995 on the belief that everyone should have affordable access to the safety and convenience of cellular service.

Mobile Captions Company specializes in bringing enhanced mobile communications to people who are hard of hearing.

((Comments on this story may be sent to health@closeupmedia.com))

Maiden Voyage of the Ocean Star Pacific to Set Sail with MTN Satellite Communications VSAT, Crew Calling and Internet Services.

Ocean Star Cruises is the First National Cruise Line Based in Mexico

MIRAMAR, Fla., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), the global provider of communications, connectivity and content services to remote locations around the world, today announced that it will provide VSAT satellite communication, crew calling and Internet services aboard Ocean Star Cruises' first ship, the MV Ocean Star Pacific. The ship is set to start service in the Mexican Riviera, sailing three-, four- and seven-day itineraries from Manzanillo and Acapulco, starting April 10.

"We elected to partner with MTN based on their track record of technology innovation and best-in-class support that is proven throughout the cruise industry," said Diderik Van Regemorter, COO at Ocean Star Cruises. "Today, customers expect to have 24/7 connectivity, and through this partnership with MTN, we will be able to deliver quality services and secure communications to enhance our crew and guest experience."

MTN will provide a full range of satellite communication services for guests and crew, including onboard cellular phone service, OceanPhone crew calling, inbound dialing and Internet services with complete Wi-Fi coverage.

"This is the first national cruise line based in Mexico and Ocean Star Cruises understands that first impressions are everything. This means delivering a world-class environment, outstanding entertainment as well as state-of-the-art technology services," said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president of MTN. "Passengers demand that their communications needs are as reliable and accessible at sea as they are on land. We have the technology services that will not only meet, but exceed, crew and passenger expectations."

About MTN Satellite Communications

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) is the leading global provider of communications, connectivity, and content services to remote locations around the world. MTN's maritime VSAT solutions and global satellite communications network offer the reliability that only "Always On - Always Available" systems can provide. More than 600 vessels and land-based terminals worldwide, including cruise ships, commercial ships, offshore drilling and production sites, government and military vessels, private yachts, and ferries depend on MTN's voice and data networks to allow them to "be in the middle of nowhere and at the center of everything." Premium services include remote access for Internet, fixed and mobile phones, fax, television, onboard newspapers, banking services, direct payroll deposit for crew, and other enterprise solutions. MTN is based in Miramar, Fla. and has offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.mtnsat.com.

Press Contact:

Katherine Estacio +1.206.838.7700 office +1.206.390.0482 mobile katherine.estacio@mtnsat.com

SOURCE MTN Satellite Communications