Business Bits

By Zoe Francis, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Oracle's Managed Cloud Services Gets Top Ranking

Oracle's Managed Cloud Services has been ranked as the clear leader in cloud service versus other providers through the Annual Frost & Sullivan Best Practice Awards.

Oracle was awarded the North America Managed Cloud Customer Valued Leadership Award. Oracle's system received an exceptional rating in nine out of 10 evaluation categories.

"Oracle's suite of managed cloud services offers customers a highly secure and reliable yet dynamic infrastructure that addresses the entire cloud stack and can easily be evolved to meet business needs at the time of deployment and into the future," the Frost & Sullivan research paper stated. "Oracle's customer focus is unmatched in the managed cloud market."

Frost & Sullivan, a growth partnership company, gives the annual awards with the intent of driving innovation and excellence in the global economy by recognizing best-in-class products, companies and individuals.

Oracle is based in Redwood City with a campus in Hacienda. Learn more about Oracle at oracle.com. View the Frost & Sullivan award report at oracle.com/us/dm/frost-sullivan-award-report-2259864.pdf.
Roche Improves Blood & Plasma Screening

Roche Diagnostics has launched two testing systems for blood and plasma donor screening that offer the fastest results with the highest amount of material processed that can lead to increased efficiencies in labs.

The cobas 6800/8800 Systems allow the longest walk-away time, enabling lab staff to work more efficiently while adapting to ever-changing testing demands.

"The integrated and fully automated design of the new cobas 6800/8800 Systems will allow labs to generate a high volume of results faster, with fewer manual steps, thus improving laboratory operations," Harry Bos, diagnostics director at the Sanquin Blood Supply in Amsterdam, said. "These systems will help ensure a safe blood supply as the dynamics of the blood screening industry continue to rapidly change."

The systems are commercially available in Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Asia. They are not yet available in the United States.

"These systems will set new industry standards with technical innovation for throughput, speed of results, automation and flexibility that have not been seen before in a molecular diagnostic system," Roland Diggelmann, COO of Roche Diagnostics, said. "We are proud of the benefits they will bring to people and the healthcare environment."

Roche Diagnostics, a division of Switzerland-based Roche, is based in Hacienda. Learn more about Roche Diagnostics at roche.com.
Zoho Connect Improves Business Communications

Zoho Connect, a social application for the workplace, now offers a new range of features and a new two-tiered pricing plan.

Zoho Connect offers social networks for companies so that employees and teams can effectively and efficiently share information and communicate. The new features allow employees to communicate beyond office walls with vendors, customers and more.

"The first version of Zoho Connect was designed as a private social network to collaborate with people within an organization," Raju Vegesna, of Zoho, said. "With the introduction of external networks, we are extending the collaboration capabilities of Zoho Connect beyond the company. Businesses now can effectively collaborate with partners, vendors, customers and external stakeholders through external networks."

Zoho Connect offers a free edition and now has simplified pricing for its paid edition.

Learn more about Zoho Connect at zoho.com/connect.
Medea Vodka Back on Market with Programmable Bottle

Medea, the award-winning vodka with an electronically programmable bottle, is back on the market, thanks to new ownership and management.

"We're thrilled to return Medea to the marketplace and provide the adult beverage-buying community with this deliciously smooth vodka and great new gift idea," Terry M. McGann, Medea chairman and CEO, said.

Medea has a rich history dating back to its 1777 founding in Holland at one of the oldest distilleries in the world. Medea gets a modern twist from its patented programmable scrolling LED band that comes programmed with six often-used phrases or can be customized.

Medea has made its debut at 13 Costco stores in Southern California, as well as stores in New Jersey, British Columbia and Switzerland. The world's only programmable bottle makes a great gift for the adult public.

Learn more about Medea, with an office in Hacienda, at medeavodka.com.

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January Business Bits

Business Bits