These are some samples of the proposed logos for FORMIS BASS Software.  I think the one on the left mutilates our existing formis logo eventhough it is nice and cheerful (too bad we are not in the entertaintment industry.)  The one in the middle looks too much like ABS while last one on the right is too boring.  What's your thoughts?

Pow Chee Meng reported yesterday that Pak Hamdan underwent angioplasty, after his angiogram, to clear one of two blocked arteries on the heart.  Doctors at Pantai diagnosed Pak Hamdan to have two blockages and will schedule to clear the second blockage next week. Meantime, Pak's condition is said to be satisfactory.

Company Secretary, Agnes Lim reports that the change of name from Bass Consulting Sdn. Bhd. to FORMIS BASS Software Sdn. Bhd. has been effected by the Registrar of Companies effective February 21st, 2007. The name change is in line with the Group's reorganization of its Software business.

Under the reorganization, Formis Software Dynamics and Bass Consulting are merged into a single entity, FORMIS BASS Software. The consolidation announced on December 13th, last year, will affect about 120 employees.  The new consolidated entity is expected to be launched formally in early April 2007.

Hamdan Hamzah, General Manager for Formis Media Teknologi Sdn. Bhd., is currently hospitalised. He was admitted on Saturday after complaining of breathlessness. He is due to undergo an angiogram at noon today.

We all pray it is nothing serious and wish him well. For those who like to drop by and provide moral support, Pak is in Intensive Care Unit, 1st Floor at Pantai Medical. Hang in there, Pak!

Colleagues over at Menara SMI and Menara PanGlobal now have a new place for casual meeting. Over at 10th Floor Menara SMI, the vending machine has finally arrive.  With this, the cafe area (I think we should call it Cafe 10) is fully equipped with the facilities to provide a venue for the  perfect meeting place for co-workers, customers and principals alike.

For those who still don't know about the facilities at 10th Floor Menara SMI, besides the usual meeting and training rooms, the cafe area serves for an informal types of meetings. Coupled with the availability of soft drinks, tea and water, and Astro piped-in through a 32in LCD TV, it gives an out-of-office touch to your meetings.  Power outlets and wireless access to the Internet and Intranet are also available. It provide links back to the office, if needed. All these, in a healthy smoke-free environment. (I guess this means the smokers out there will still prefer Geo or Ah Wong's.)

However, the competition will feel the heat as the vending machine can cough out your favorite softies at RM 1.30 a pop while water, coffee and tea are on the house. Enjoy!

You may see KK Liew, the former Vice President for Risk Management around the corporate office for the next three to six month. No, he has not re-joined Formis. Instead he prefers the darlings at 12th Floor (FJ Benjamin.) KK is working on a short term consulting project for FJ Benjamin.

Welcome back to the building KK and don't be shy to ask us out for lunch. (Of course, you need to bring along those darlings from 12th floor with you...) 

Formis Computer Services (FCS) is currently conducting trial connection to the Internet via two Service Providers; Time and TMnet.  This is made possible through a piece of equipment called a Multi-Homing or Load Balancing Router. The router, an Edimax BR-6624 is equipped with two modems. Its throughput is rated at 40Mbits/sec and is able to do both inbound and outbound load balancing. The box is has a maximum capacity to handle 253 users.

The trial is conducted by FCS' John Raymond. The box will be hooked up to Time's Broadband and TMnet's Streamyx.  Initial trial with two Streamyx was successful but final throughput was adversely affected by TMnet's congested Raja Chulan's exchange. Nevertheless, the idea of having dual connection out to the Internet will reduce outage probability due to service providers. At a cost of RM 850, the equipment will pay for itself in terms of higher bandwidth and reduction of outages. This dual service system is expected to be up by end of the month. For more information, please email John at John.Raymond@formis.net. 

The official signing ceremony held at JW Marriot KL this morning was witness by a handful of personalities from the local IT industry. Among those present were K Raman, Managing Director for EMC Malaysia, Ron Tan, Country Manager for Unisys ES 7000 and CSA's Lee Boon Hoo.

Signing on behalf of FST was Rudi Nazaruddin, Vice President for Formis Group while BMC Software was reperesented by the Managing Director for South Asia, Peter Goh. According to Patrick Lee, General Manager for FST, business with BMC has started since April 2006 and todate they chalked up about RM 1.0 million in revenues so far. Next financial year, FST expects revenues from BMC business to reach between RM 4-5 million.

From left to right: Patrick Lee, GM of FST, Peter Goh, Rudi and Alex Lim, Manager Business Partner BMC Software

Ruddy Poespoprodjo, our General Manager in Jakarta has reported business disruption at our FSI office. On Monday, February 5th, only 3 staff managed to come in for work.  According to Ruddy, “The last few days only 2 or 3 staff was able to reach office. I monitored that 2 staff's house flooded and the rest isolated by the water. Today, 9 staff is already in the office and only Lanie still cannot come since she and her family is in the evacuation [center].”

Richard Lau, Managing Director of DGB who was in Jakarta last week, said “The flooding started as early as Thursday. I had to change my flight back to KL to early Friday morning to avoid unnecessary risks of delays. The ride back to the airport took 3 hours but luckily the plane delayed take-off due to lack of passengers and maybe the crew too.” 

Although, the situation in Jakarta is looking better today, residents are warned to be prepared for more rainy days ahead.

A car in Jakarta street

An email from Corporate Communications & Information (CCI) dated Jan 16, 2007 regarding changes in the Board of Formis Resources Berhad created confusion among HOCs about the status of the Managing Director, Chan Ngow.

Jenny Ong, Vice President CCI, wishes to clarify that the changes only affect the composition of the Independent Non-Executive Directors.  En. Ahmad bin Khalid has resigned as Director of FRB and taken up position as COO, Timedotcom Berhad. In his place, the Board has appointed Dato' Hairuddin bin Mohamed.

Jenny further reiterates, “There are no other changes at the Board level with regards to personnel or designations.”

Genie Network Resource Management Inc., a network appliance company from Taiwan launched their Genie ATM range of products  for the South East Asian region today. The launch was hosted by their local representative, Genie Network Solutions Sdn Bhd (Genie) at Mutiara Crowne Plaza Hotel  Kuala Lumpur.

Seen here activiting the launch are (on the left)  Mr Richard Liu who is the SR VP Product Marketing of Genie Network Resource Management Inc., and Mr CK Wong, Managing Director of Genie.

Genie ATM is a flow-based network monitoring system. It offers alternative to existing products in the market which utilises link-based technology. Flow based approach will offer customers with larger network substantial savings over link-based systems.

Genie is currently working closely with Diversified Gateway Berhad to market their products in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.