Nokia, facing slow growth in the market it already dominates for mobile handsets, has emerged as the upstart competitor in network security appliances.
That marks an advance onto the home turf of networking giant Cisco. Where Cisco (CSCO) security appliances rely primarily on Cisco's own software, Nokia (NOK) has struck alliances with key software vendors and is pushing the faster transmission speeds of the combined technology.
On Tuesday, the company announced a partnership with Check Point (CHKP), putting that company's virtual private network (VPN) and firewall software on its Nokia IP740 security appliance. That software, which scans Internet traffic for viruses and attempted hacks, has been optimized to transfer data at speeds up to 1.6 gigabits per second and higher -- 60 percent faster than most competitive offerings. The appliance is scheduled for an August launch.
By securing the networks that mobile phones use, Nokia hopes to accelerate adoption of wireless devices and generate more revenue from wired and wireless networks.
In addition to partnering with Check Point, Nokia also integrates in its security appliances leading intrusion-detection software from Internet Security Systems (ISSX) and antivirus software from McAfee.
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Oracle vs. Microsoft: Oracle unveiled a new online service that will lease its software to small businesses in a move designed to bolster the company's Internet business and challenge arch-rival Microsoft.
Oracle will charge $99 per month for online access to a suite of business software applications that will handle a variety of accounting, marketing and administrative chores.
The service is aimed at companies with fewer than 100 employees, a market that has been largely ignored by Oracle (ORCL) because of the difficulty of making money selling its software to such small accounts.
With the expansion, Oracle will be trespassing on territory already staked out by Microsoft (MSFT), which is trying to sell a similar online package through a site called bCentral.com. BCentral.com has about 100,000 subscribers that pay an average subscription of $30 per month, said Nigel Burton, bCentral's general manager of sales and marketing.
Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison described his latest foray as a "direct assault" on Microsoft and predicted his service would quickly establish itself as the industry leader. "BCentral is so bad that our biggest fear is that people will think online services won't work," Ellison said.
Burton predicted Oracle's online service won't win many converts unless the company pours more research and development into the concept. "We are pleased to see them join us, but we think they are just kind of putting a foot in the water here. We don't see them as much of a threat," Burton said.
Neither Oracle nor Microsoft is particularly well-equipped to sell software to small businesses, said Gartner analyst Lora Cecere. But Cecere thinks Microsoft put itself in a better position by buying the expertise of Great Plains Software for $1.1 billion in April.
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Drastic cuts: Lucent (LU) intends to cut more workers once it has completed its voluntary retirement program, sources close to the company said.
"The writing is on the wall and clear that there's going to be further reductions," one source said. A second source said the layoffs could be several thousand.
More than 10,000 Lucent employees have until July 10 to decide whether to accept early-retirement offers. The number of additional layoffs, most likely overseas where the company employs about 25,000, will be determined by how many take the retirement package, the sources said. Lucent expects a significant acceptance rate on the buyout offers.
Officials would not confirm more layoffs are planned. "We're on track with our previously announced reductions and are moving along with our voluntary offer," Lucent spokesman Bill Price said. "We continue to assess where we are with these actions and will make further decisions as we go along."
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AOL in your phone: America Online (AOL) and AT&T Wireless Group (T) said they had entered into a marketing deal that includes the development of a new service to be delivered via wireless telephone handsets.
America Online will provide AT&T Wireless with desktop features like mail, instant messaging and other content, to be featured in a co-branded and custom-designed handset that will be available in the first half of 2002. The service will be sold online and in AT&T Wireless' retail stores where it will also be marketed along with the software for the AOL service.
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More layoffs likely: JDS Uniphase (JDSU) is considering more job reductions on top of the 8,000 cuts announced earlier this year.
The company did not provide specific numbers. An update will be provided when earnings are released July 26, JDS spokeswoman Lori Goulet said.
"It is likely that additional layoffs will occur, but there's been no specific announcement," said Goulet.
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New structure: Ameritrade (AMTD) announced a new organizational structure and executive team.
The new management structure creates two principal business units: a private client division and one for institutional clients. Ameritrade also created the positions of chief strategy officer and chief administrative officer.
Pete Ricketts will head the private client division, and Vince Passione will head the company's institutional client program. Chief strategy officer is Phylis Esposito and chief administrative officer is Kurt Halvorson.
The company said the changes are designed to streamline its reporting structure, drive growth in its private and institutional businesses and dedicate resources to the long-term growth of the company.
Reuters and AP contributed to this report
