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New Irish Writing: The Number by Sarah Gilmartin is February 2020’s winning story

Kath's fertility journey is a mean, teasing kind of loneliness, shared with another person, and not shared at all

Illustration: Yiming Wei

Illustration: Yiming Wei

In the back seat of the taxi, Kath rooted in her purse. Rosary beads on the rear-view mirror swished left and right. The driver took her money, wished her good luck. She thanked him and looked again at the picture of his granddaughter on the dashboard, at the red velour babygrow that he’d bought himself for the child’s first Christmas.

Kath had gotten into the habit of having personal conversations with taxi drivers, especially the cutie, older ones. They seemed to leech the stories out of her. “Take care,” she said, closing the door. She walked up the footpath, its fancy paving covered in pale pink petals. A stone fountain near the entrance spurted water into the air.

Inside the clinic, she chatted for a few minutes to the young receptionist who did a fine job of keeping things cheerful every appointment. Kath was grateful for her bright eyes and multicoloured hairbands.

She went to wait on the creaky leather couch, perched on the end of it, away from the sinkhole. This was the first time Rob hadn’t dropped her off. She wondered if it might make a difference, then chided herself for her silliness. She was 38-years-old and had lost her sense of reason.

Somewhere along the corridor she could hear her doctor’s mellow accent giving instructions about a wheelchair and she wondered why she’d never needed one herself. Maybe she would ask him before he knocked her out. Dr Fernandez was generous with information, unlike other doctors she’d been to, and he listened to her questions, even if she’d asked them before – even if he didn’t have answers.

Why three eggs last time?

Why five eggs this time?

Why can’t people just have what they want?

Of course she hadn’t asked him that, but she imagined his brown eyes widening if she did, the sad, knowing smile he might give her. He would wonder where Rob was today. Kath wouldn’t tell him the truth, which was that her husband had gotten his dates wrong. When he’d realised his mistake, he’d offered to cancel Deco, but the other, murkier truth was that she’d told him she was fine to go on her own, that he could pick up her afterwards. “This bit’s on me,” she’d said, and neither of them had argued with that.

She was still in some cotton soft place from the drugs and couldn’t look him in the eye, not yet

A short while later the receptionist called her name and said she could go and get changed. Kath walked down the corridor to the little room with the lockers and gowns. The whole building was sleek and unfriendly, but it was better than the last place, the windowless clinic in the hospital basement, where only the lucky women got to graduate into the light of the maternity ward two floors up.

After the procedure they gave her water and a slice of dry toast and when she was finished, Dr Fernandez came into the room with a clipboard. She was still in some cotton soft place from the drugs and couldn’t look him in the eye, not yet. Better to focus on isolated details: a piney smell of cologne, the shirt collar loose at his neck, the straight, narrow bone of his nose. Her nails were a show, the remnants of polish like dots of fresh blood.

Eventually she looked straight at him and tried to gauge the number of eggs by the speed of his blinking lids. Rob would think this ridiculous, but it didn’t seem to her all that less scientific than the rest of what went on in the building. And Rob wasn’t here now, anyway.

“Well,” she said. “Hit me.”

“Pardon me?” Dr Fernandez sat back, alarmed.

“Sorry.” Kath laughed. “I mean the number, tell me the number.”

As he laughed with her, she imagined the two of them away from this sterile, beige room, at a comedy gig or abroad somewhere, with hundreds of other people laughing too.

“You Irish.” He was still smiling, his eyes backlit. “You crazy talkers, Kat.” She loved the way he dropped his Hs. “Years – I don’t learn.” The white coat bunched around his shoulders.

“We’re all mad here,” Kath agreed. “But, the number?”

He rested a hand on the side of the bed: immaculate fingernails and the welt of a wedding band. The mattress sagged and he apologised, removed his hand, grew flustered with the clipboard. They had met so many times now it was like watching a friend struggle to give difficult news. A terminal diagnosis, a partner seen. She wanted to tell him it didn’t matter, that it wasn’t his fault.

“You like to wait for Robert perhaps?” he said.

“Tell me.”

They stared at each other.

“Is one. One egg.”

Kath looked out into the corridor.

“Hopefully mature,” he said. “We check.”

“But it’s unlikely? I mean, four out of five failed last time.”

“No fail,” he said, softly. “Unlucky.”

He had said the same in previous rounds but it felt too intimate a thing to hear now. For a second it seemed like he might reach over and touch her hand but instead he cocked his head at her and went to call the nurse. She watched his white back recede down the featureless corridor. One egg. Without even meaning to, her mind started calculating: the freezing, the thaw, the timing, the odds of her being able to carry it, the cost of the add-ons, and of the hope.

In reception, the clock over the noticeboard hit twenty to seven. Kath checked her phone for a pointless update. An accident on the M4 – Rob wasn’t even at Lucan. She looked out the long glass doors at the carpark. Most of the clinic were gone and the fountain tossed up its water into a lonesome, evening pink sky.

Shifting in the chair, she felt a twinge in the small mound of flesh over her pubic bone. Each round of egg retrieval had been a little sorer, the drugs wearing off a little quicker. Long needles inserted into the vaginal walls were not for getting used to. She crossed her legs and concentrated on the noticeboard. In the early visits, it had seemed such a sweet idea, thank-you cards with pictures of beautiful babies. Blue-eyed babies, fluffy haired babies, identical twin babies in gingham, and Rob’s favourite–the baby that looked as if it had eaten all the other babies.

Fixing the cushion at her back, Kath scanned the pile of women’s magazines on the table, but knew she didn’t have the energy for all that shame and self-improvement. She was still hazy from the drugs, though the glorious, silky feeling was gone. Her third time. Third and final – she pushed the voice away. They had not discussed it. There was no common language. She seemed to have defected somewhere along the way, and it felt so wrong – no, it felt criminal – because in the early days she’d been the one to push relentlessly. Rob couldn’t make a cup of tea without her at him.

Yes, she’d nagged him into submission, though it had not been kind of him to point it out. The treatments had been a fast track to the worst parts of both of them, parts that might otherwise stay hidden for decades. All the useless yearning, the inability to appreciate what they already had (what good are two empty bedrooms?), the fights over money, the waste, and even, what constituted waste, all the eliminating, the counting, the supplementing, the vigilance, the hormonal tempers, the angry, brilliant sex, and then the other, far more frequent kind, the inert, mechanical pounding that barely resulted in release. She did not like the person she had become. And what about Rob? Her husband. It was the turning away that killed her. His loss, his money, his dead baby that one almost time.

There was no badness in him, not even in his golf with Deco, there was just an ineffable blue hurt and two people trying to escape it. They were not a lucky couple and they’d figured it out too early. Perhaps that’s what it came down to in the end.

Behind the counter, the receptionist was putting on lipstick in a pocket mirror, the hairband replaced by a high, rigid bun.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to call someone else?”

“I can just Hailo?” Kath tried again. “It’s not far.” She touched the app on her phone, looked down at the options. Imagine how ridiculous it would be to pre-pay a fare with only a fifteen percent chance of reaching your destination.

It was such a mean, teasing kind of loneliness, shared with another person, not shared at all

The receptionist showed more teeth. “You know we can’t let you leave without a guardian.”

Yes, she knew – it was like creche, or day release.

“But the drugs are wearing off.” Kath walked slowly to the counter. “Actually, I was wondering if you’ve painkillers? I forgot to bring the prescription ones.”

“I’m not licensed to give them out.”

The twinge spread to Kath’s tailbone.

“Look,” the girl said. “Most of the doctors are gone but let me try upstairs.”

“Thanks.” Kath hobbled back to the chair. “My husband shouldn’t be long.”

Her pelvic muscles tensed as she sat down. There was a sharp, plummy smell coming from her underarms. She fixed the hem of her cheap, elasticated skirt from Penneys – her egg skirt, Rob liked to joke.

Rob. Rob. Rob.

Where was he?

Oh, it was such a mean, teasing kind of loneliness, shared with another person, not shared at all. Kath hated crying in public, but the weight of the day and the weeks of hormones she’d been injecting into her stomach suddenly smothered her. What had happened to them, to their marriage that seemed stuck at the beginning and close to ending, all at the same time. Here in the stale-aired reception, she tried to account for the past few years.

She remembered their first appointment in the basement place, where Rob had sat with his arm around her as the doctor listed the add-ons that might speed things along. It had felt like the start of a journey, but looking back, she could see now that they were already lost and weary by then. A year of fun, innocent trying, then another two, at least, of ovulation test kits, optimum conception days and impossible cameras shoved up into her impossible parts. But there was nothing wrong with her-with either of them, which was the hardest answer of all. There was nowhere to put the blame. Tears filled her eyes, the carpark far away, the noticeboard a blur of pink and blue.

Dr Fernandez walked into the foyer with a briefcase and a foam cup.

“Poor Sally,” he said to the receptionist. “Still here?”

The girl shrugged.

When he reached Kath’s chair, he left the briefcase between her feet. “Somebody feeling sore?” He pulled out a strip of tablets. “Two now. Two more at home.” He winked at her. “Safe, no sorry.”

Kath smiled. “I could eat the packet.”

“No packet,” he said.

“I didn’t mean.” She swallowed both tablets at the same time.

She shook her head.

“You drink.”

Kath took a sip. It tasted good, actually, and she drank the rest.

The receptionist was on her feet. “Any sign of your fella?”

Kath checked her phone, shook her head.

“Where you live?” Dr Fernandez took the cup.

“Is no far. No problem.”

“But a guardian,” the girl said.

“I’m doctor.”

He gave a cartoon shrug and everyone laughed.

“Are you sure?” Kath looked up at his kind, tanned face.

“No problem.”

“Thank you, Dr Fernandez.”

“It’s above and –” Her voice started to crack.

“Hey.” He crouched beside her. “Is tough, I know. Is harder on the woman.”

She was done. A strange, withering feeling, but at least she could call it her own.

Holding out a hand, he helped her up from the chair. She kept her eyes on the tarmac as she shuffled towards the doors. A text bleeped from Rob, acknowledging her own message with a single, ugly X.

As she sat into the car, the tears came again, unstoppable now, falling heavy down her face in the blue dash light.

“Is hard,” Javier said, eventually. “Is harder on you.” He passed her a tissue and asked for her address.

She could barely get the words out. It was the end of a long day, a day that had gone on for months and months, for years, really, nearly four years, and thousands of euro, and millions of words and promises. She was done. A strange, withering feeling, but at least she could call it her own.

Kath gave him the street name and listened to his sat nav chirp the location back to her. It sounded like a stranger’s home. She closed her eyes and imagined the miles and minutes on the little screen, ticking down in relentless regularity.

Sarah Gilmartin is an arts journalist.
Sarah Gilmartin is an arts journalist.

Sarah Gilmartin is an arts journalist. Her stories have been nominated for the Sean O’Faolain Short Story Award and RTÉ’s Francis MacManus. She recently won Best Playwright in Short + Sweet Dublin 2019. This is her first published story.

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Fermanagh 0-12 Armagh 0-7 It was the evening that Fermanagh showed they had grown weary of supping sorrow from the rusty spoon of defeat to Armagh. (...)

Tyrone GAA player Jim Devlin in action courtesy of Coalisland Post.

“They were wild bad times,” shrugs Patsy Forbes, offering the common refrain as to why Jim Devlin, Tyrone’s lionhearted and crafty full back from the (...)

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny jokes with buskers on Jones Road on the way to the All-Ireland semi-final.  Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

It is after ten in the morning at 238th Street station and down below, Gaelic Park is lit by sunshine and its playing field is empty. Along the(...)

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The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

By The Irrawaddy 24 June 2017

Sanctions Off the Books, Some Restrictions Remain

The US Department of the Treasury removed sanctions regulations against Myanmar from the code of federal regulations on June 16 in a final move by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to culminate actions taken by the Obama administration in October of last year.

However US financial institutions must still undertake enhanced due diligence when processing financial transactions involving Myanmar because it remains a “jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern” pursuant to section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the legal website Lexology noted.

Myanmar businesspersons were removed from the Specially Designated Nationals list last October. But Americans doing business in Myanmar should continue to screen counterparties because they could be designated under other sanctions regimes such as North Korea and narcotics trafficking, according to the report.

Under America’s Jade Act, a non-disclosed list of Myanmar military officials and “any other Burmese persons who provide substantial economic and political support” to the military are still subject to a visa ban, and the US Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Controls continues to maintain a policy to deny exports of defense articles and services to Myanmar.

Lexology reported that Americans were still “encouraged to remain vigilant when conducting legal business with and in Myanmar due to remaining concerns about corruption, money laundering, and informal banking practices.”

Nevertheless, the latest removal of regulations “represents another step in the improving US-Myanmar relations, recognizing Myanmar’s democratic advancement, and welcoming it back into the community of nations,” the report stated.

Bus Engines Ordered from China

Myanmar has ordered thousands of bus engines from Chinese company Guangxi Yuchai Machinery, a subsidiary of China Yuchai International, the company announced.

Guangxi Yuchai Machinery received an initial order for 2,000 of its YC6G260N heavy-duty natural gas engines to power buses to be used in Yangon’s public transportation system.

A further batch of 1,000 of the engines which are compliant with Euro V emission standards is expected to be ordered later, the statement said.

“This order coincides with the Chinese government’s One Belt One Road initiative to increase economic cooperation between China and European and Asian countries,” it added.

Guangxi Yuchai Machinery has headquarters in Yulin, Guangxi Province and is a leading engine manufacturer in China, making a wide variety of light-, medium- and heavy-duty engines for trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, construction equipment and marine and agriculture applications. It was founded in 1951 and sold 320,424 engines in 2016, according to its website.

Logistics Firm Wins Start-Up Competition

Yangon-based logistics startup Kargo won the Myanmar leg of a global competition for early startups organized on June 21 in the commercial capital. The competition was organized by Seedstars World, a Swiss operation that promotes start-ups in emerging markets.

Kargo will head to Switzerland in April next year to compete with other startups from around 80 countries for a chance to receive up to $1 million in equity investment.

The Yangon firm also received a six-digit investment a month ago from Singapore-based venture capital firm Vulpes Investment Management, DealStreet Asia reported.

Eight startups from Myanmar participated in the pitching session for Seedstars World in Yangon, including agri-mobile app Greenovator; healthcare service Doctor On Call; Agtrade, a market-matching platform for farmers, brokers and traders and Amyanpoh, a delivery solution for e-commerce, DealStreet reported.

Kargo operates a fleet of independent truck drivers and companies for on-demand delivery around the country, with services offered in Yangon, Mandalay, Taunggyi, Pathein, Pyay and Lashio.

Seedstars World works closely with Omidyar Network, AYA Bank, Ooredoo and others in Myanmar. It hopes to establish a long-term presence in the country, according to DealStreet.

Cranes Ordered for Thilawa Port

The Myanmar Port Authority has awarded contracts to a Japanese company for two ship-to-shore cranes and six rubber-tire gantry cranes for a new container terminal being constructed at Thilawa Port, a trade website reported.

The terminal is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2018 and will be able to handle more and larger ships than congested Yangon port, according to the report.

Japan-based Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. won the US$27.3 million contract for the cranes which are due to be delivered late next year.

Thilawa is Myanmar’s first special economic zone and formally opened for business in September 2015 as a large-scale joint project between Myanmar and Japan.

Japan’s Toyo Construction Co. and JFE Engineering Corporation were awarded contracts early last year to build an 18-hectare container terminal at Thilawa, which is set to become one of the country’s key logistics hubs.

Nippon Express, Japan’s largest international freight forwarder, opened a new warehouse at the economic zone on June 1.

Global Logistics Firm Opens Office

International logistics and supply chain management firm CEVA has opened a dedicated office in Yangon.

CEVA is owned by US-based venture capitalists Apollo Management, according to its website, and employs 41,000 people in operations all over the world.

The company is offering a full spectrum of air and ocean freight services from Myanmar, where it has also operated freight management services through a partner for five years.

Myanmar has strong growth potential, said CEVA’s Mekong area manager Bruno Plantaz.

“In the past, the country infrastructure has always been a limiting and inhibiting factor, but with our global network and more importantly, our experience in emerging markets, especially in the region, we are confident that with our own office and robust IT offerings we can deliver options and solutions to the market and at the same time grow our commercial footprint,” Plantaz said in a company release.

China Freezes Myanmar Traders’ Accounts

Myanmar authorities were negotiating last week to reopen more than 300 bank accounts of Myanmar nationals frozen by banks in Shweli, Yunnan Province, China, The Irrawaddy reported.

The Myanmar authorities informed Chinese officials that the accounts belonged to Myanmar traders who were not involved in money laundering, gambling or trafficking.

Chinese bank officials said they were still checking the accounts, a Myanmar representative said.

The Chinese embassy in Yangon issued a statement on Monday saying the move was a crackdown on crime and illegal trade, but promised to free legitimate accounts and protect long-term stability with Myanmar. More than a hundred people held a protest march against the closures in Shweli on Friday.

In other media reports, traders said the accounts were mainly held by traders exporting rice and sugar. China is trying to discourage sugar imports and sugar smuggling as domestic sugar mills are facing competition from cheap imports, some reports suggested.


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ACS International School

King Edward's Witley appoints new Head of English

Published Tuesday 28th of August 2018 10:29:29 AM

Joseph Allen joins King Edward’s Witley in September as the new Head of English. A graduate of the University of Lancaster, Mr Allen has previously been Head of English at Reading Blue Coat School and St Swithun’s, Winchester, among other appointments in the maintained and independent sector. The position at King Edward’s Witley will see Mr Allen assume teaching responsibilities for pupils studying for English as part of their GCSE, A-level and IB examinations, across a number of year groups. Commenting on his upcoming position as Head of English, Mr Allen said, “I’m excited to be joining a School where English teaching already enjoys a position of strength, where I can play a pivotal role in driving the department further forward and make a genuine difference in terms of further stretching and challenging the most able pupils both in and out of the classroom”. Mr Allen will be living on site at the school, joined by his wife, young son and Purdy the cat!
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Three Palestinians, including pregnant mother and toddler, slaughtered in zionist regime strikes

At least three Palestinian people have been killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes across the besieged Gaza Strip.

Smoke plumes could be seen rising from Gaza City following the Israeli raids that began on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday morning.

Gaza’s Health Ministry announced that a Palestinian was killed in northern Gaza, while at least six others were injured in airstrikes across the coastal sliver.

It added that Enas Khammash, 23, and her 18-month daughter Bayan were also killed in an airstrike in Jafarawi in central Gaza, while her husband was injured. The ministry said Enas was also pregnant.

Israeli media claimed the airstrikes were a response to a barrage of rockets that had hit various parts of the occupied Palestinian lands earlier on Wednesday.

According to reports, an Israeli man was slightly injured when two rockets from Gaza landed in the southern town of Sderot.

Rocket alert sirens went off in other parts of the occupied territories on Wednesday as at least six more rockets hit various targets. Israeli officials said they had been able to shoot down two of the rockets using the Iron Dome missile system.

Israeli tanks fired shells at Palestinian resistance movement Hamas’ posts in northern Gaza after shots were reportedly fired from the other sides of the border.

Meanwhile, Palestinian incendiary balloons caused at least 11 blaze near Israeli facilities.

On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes killed two Hamas members in Gaza.

Israeli strike kills two Hamas fighters in Gaza

Two Hamas members are killed in yet another Israeli military attack against the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Israel carries out regular attacks on Palestinians in Gaza under the pretext of hitting Hamas targets.

The Gaza Strip has been under an inhumane Israeli siege since 2007 and witnessed three wars since 2008.

Tensions have been running high near the Gaza border since March 30, which marked the start of a series of protests, dubbed “The Great March of Return,” demanding the right to return for those driven out of their homeland.

Nearly 160 Palestinians have been killed and some 17,500 others wounded in the fresh wave of violence, according to the latest figures released by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

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IBRSC 60th BIRTHDAY - 3rd August

  • IBRSC 60th Birthday

    Dear Friend

    This year is IBRSC 60th birthday and we are planning a reunion for past and present members on August 3rd 2019. There will be ample of opportunity to watch boats on the water, catch up with old friends over a drink and some finger food or have a sail (Round the Island in any class of boat and Match Racing in RS Visions). The club will be open from 1000 with sailing between approximately 1130 to 1500. We would like to advertise the event as widely as possible, please help us spread the word if you are in touch with past members. Alternatively just send me email addresses.

    We would also like to display photos (ideally covering 6 decades). If you have pictures that you hold fond memories off please email a scan to Mike Jones ( by July 15th.

    I very much look forward to meeting many of you on August 3rd.

    With very best wishes

    (IBRSC Commodore)

    CLUB OPEN - CURRENT PRACTICES    find out more


text:
Japan on Telephone Automation

A commemorative postage stamp on the Nation-wide Completion of Telephone Automation in Japan :

Tokyo Central Telephone Office : Telephone Dials (Nation-wide Automatization)Issued by Japan

Issued on Mar 14, 1979

Issued for : To commemorate the total automation of telephones in Japan, a postage stamp was issued. The automation of telephones was set on foot in 1926 from the Kyobashi branch of Tokyo Central Telephone Office and gradually enlarged with final completion of national network on March 14th, 1979.

Design : Telephone dials

Designer : Mr. Minoru Hisano

Colour : Multicolour

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : 50 Yen

Perforation : 13

Printing Process : Photogravure

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New AirPods Add “Hey Siri”,More Talk Time & Optional Wireless Charging

If you use Apple’s AirPods, you’re probably a fan. But if you haven’t tried them, you may not realize what you’re missing. They pair quickly and reliably with all your Apple devices, provide excellent audio quality, and sit comfortably in most people’s ears (more so than the wired EarPods). The AirPods are Apple’s most popular accessory—the company sold 35 million in 2018.

Apple has now unveiled the second-generation AirPods, the first hardware update since its initial release in December 2016. A new Apple-designed H1 chip designed for headphones provides faster connections, more talk time (up to 3 hours), and the convenience invoking Siri with “Hey Siri.” (With the first-generation AirPods, you can configure a double-tap to bring up Siri—when the AirPods are active, look in Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods.)

The new AirPods still cost $159 with a standard Lightning-based charging case, but Apple has also introduced the Wireless Charging Case, which is bundled with the new AirPods for $199 or available separately for both the first- and second-generation AirPods for $79. The Wireless Charging Case works with any Qi-compatible charging mat. It features a tiny LED indicator light on the front of the case to show the case’s charge status.

Considering a New iMac? Wait No Longer—Updates Are Here!

The iMac has long been the core of Apple’s desktop lineup, but it hasn’t received any updates since June 2017. Now, however, Apple has quietly updated the 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display and the 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina display while keeping prices the same. The bargain-basement non-Retina 21.5-inch iMac remains for sale, but received no changes.

These updates are targeted at improving performance, so you won’t see any changes to the case, screen, or even networking capabilities. But if faster CPUs, GPUs, and memory are what you want, now’s a good time to buy.

The new 21.5-inch iMac boasts speedier 8th-generation Intel quad-core processors and an optional 6-core processor at the top of the line that delivers up to 60% faster performance than previous models. For even greater speed boosts—Apple claims up to 2.4 times faster performance—look to the 27-inch iMac, which now offers 9th-generation 6-core Intel Core i5 processors running at 3.0, 3.1, or 3.7 GHz. If that’s not enough, you can choose an 8-core 3.6 GHz Intel Core i9 processor for the best performance short of an iMac Pro.

Modern computers rely heavily on graphics processors for both silky smooth screen drawing and computationally intensive tasks. By default, both new iMac models have updated versions the previous Radeon Pro graphics chips, but anyone who needs more power can instead choose a blazingly fast Radeon Pro Vega. For the 21.5-inch model, Apple says the Radeon Pro Vega is up to 80% faster; for the 27-inch iMac, it’s up to 50% faster.

Note that both iMacs now use 2666 MHz RAM instead of the previous 2400 MHz RAM. It probably won’t make much of a performance difference, but it’s worth keeping the speed in mind if you’re buying RAM separately from the iMac.

For those ordering a Custom Order iMac from us, if the options you want are in the top-level configuration, start there rather than in the next configuration down. It’s possible to configure two Macs to have the same options for the same price but get a better Radeon Pro graphics processor if you start from the top-level configuration.

For storage, we generally recommend SSDs over Fusion Drives—add external storage if you need more space. Whatever you do, don’t buy an iMac with an internal hard drive because it will destroy the performance.

For those looking for the ultimate power in an iMac Pro, Apple also quietly added options for 256 GB of RAM (for a whopping $5200) and a Radeon Pro Vega 64X GPU ($700) while simultaneously dropping the prices on some other RAM and storage options.

Apple Updates iPad Lineup with new iPad mini and iPad Air

iPad mini lovers, rejoice! If you’ve been holding onto an aging iPad mini because of its small size, you’ll be happy to learn that Apple has at long last released a new 7.9-inch iPad mini with modern-day technologies. Joining it in the lineup is a new 10.5-inch iPad Air that turns out to be a retooled iPad Pro for a lot less money.

iPad mini Gains A12 Bionic Chip and Apple Pencil Support

It has been hard to recommend the iPad mini 4—last updated in September 2015—for several years now because its hardware was increasingly long in the tooth, and Apple hadn’t seemed enthused about updating it.

That has all changed with the fifth-generation iPad mini, which boasts the same speedy A12 Bionic chip that powers today’s iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. It provides over three times the performance as the iPad mini 4’s A8 chip and graphics that are nine times faster. The other huge change is that the iPad mini now lets you use the $99 Apple Pencil for drawing, taking notes, and more. Note that the iPad mini supports only with the first-generation Apple Pencil, not the second-generation model that’s specific to last year’s iPad Pro models.

Another welcome, but less notable, changes include a screen that is 25% brighter, displays more colors, and supports Apple’s True Tone technology for matching the color temperature of the screen to the light in your surroundings. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model of the iPad mini also now supports faster gigabit-class LTE connections and the improved Bluetooth 5.0.

The basic specs of the rear-facing camera on the new iPad mini haven’t changed—it’s still an 8-megapixel camera—but it likely takes better photos and videos thanks to the A12 Bionic chip’s computational photography capabilities. Plus, the front-facing FaceTime HD camera can now capture 1080p video at 30 frames per second for better FaceTime calls.

You can order the iPad mini now in silver, space gray, and gold. For 64 GB of storage, a Wi-Fi–only model costs $399, whereas a 256 GB model is $549. Adding cellular connectivity bumps the prices to $529 and $679.

iPad Air Lowers the 10.5-inch iPad Pro Price with a Less-Capable Camera

Despite its name, the new 10.5-inch iPad Air has far more in common with the now-discontinued 10.5-inch iPad Pro from 2017 than it does with the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2 from 2014.

Apple has clearly taken the iPad Pro and modernized it with the current A12 Bionic chip, gigabit-class LTE, eSIM, and Bluetooth 5.0. But to cut $150 from the iPad Pro’s $649 starting price, Apple replaced the iPad Pro’s rear-facing camera with a less-capable model and traded the quad speaker system for stereo speakers. That’s not to say that the iPad Air’s rear-facing camera is a problem—it’s the same 8-megapixel camera as in the iPad mini—it’s just not at the level of the 12-megapixel camera that was in the 10.5-inch iPad Pro.

Like the old iPad Pro, the iPad Air supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and the original $159 Smart Keyboard (again, not the Smart Keyboard Folio for the 2018 iPad Pro models).

As with the iPad mini, Apple offers only two tiers of storage, 64 GB for $499 and 256 GB for $649, and the cellular option increases the pricing to $629 and $779. The color choices are again silver, space gray, and gold.

Other iPads

Apple’s slate of iPads makes a lot of sense now, with this new fifth-generation iPad mini and third-generation iPad Air joining the sixth-generation iPad and the 11-inch iPad Pro and third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

If you want small, get an iPad mini. If you want cheap, buy the iPad. If you’re looking for a bigger screen or Apple keyboard (the Smart Keyboard is excellent), go for the iPad Air. And if you have the budget, the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are fabulous. Apple has a helpful online comparison tool, or feel free to ask us what we’d recommend for you.

Apple Updates the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and Revamps the iPad Pro

At a special event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Apple threw back the curtains on significant updates to the long-ignored MacBook Air and even longer-ignored Mac mini. Then Tim Cook and company followed up with revamped 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, complete with an enhanced Smart Keyboard Folio and redesigned Apple Pencil. You can order all of Apple’s new gear right away, though demand may delay shipping for a week or two on some items.

MacBook Air Gains Retina Display and Touch ID

When Steve Jobs introduced the MacBook Air in 2008 by pulling it out of an envelope, it set the standard for the ultralight notebook category. But Apple has focused on the high-end MacBook Pro line of late, making this major revision extremely welcome.

Retina Display and Touch ID

Most notably, the new MacBook Air features a 13.3-inch Retina display that’s far crisper than the previous model’s screen. Although the screen is the same size as before, Apple eliminated the aluminum bezel around it, taking the screen much closer to the edge. That let the company reduce the MacBook Air’s size, making it almost an inch (2.1 cm) less wide and more than half an inch (1.5 cm) less deep. Even more important, Apple dropped the weight by almost a quarter pound (100 g). It’s noticeably smaller and lighter now.

The other major improvement in the MacBook Air is the addition of a Touch ID sensor in the upper-right corner of the keyboard. Rather than typing your password to log in, you can just place your finger on the Touch ID sensor. It also works to unlock some apps like 1Password. To support the Touch ID sensor, the MacBook Air includes Apple’s T2 security chip, which prevents the boot process from being tampered with, encrypts all data on the SSD, and enables “Hey Siri.”

Evolutionary Updates

Many of the remaining changes just bring the MacBook into the modern age. It sports two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left side for charging and connecting peripherals, and a headphone jack on the right side—all the previous ports are gone. The keyboard is the same one used in the most recent update to the MacBook Pro, which isn’t universally loved—if you’re particular about keyboards, give this one a try before buying. Apple also replaced the old Multi-Touch trackpad with a larger Force Touch trackpad that’s more responsive and provides additional capabilities.

By default, the MacBook Air comes with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD. You can jump to 16 GB for $200, and we generally recommend that. Similarly, you can upgrade the storage to 256 GB for $200, 512 GB for $400, or 1.5 TB for $1200.

We haven’t mentioned performance yet. Apple says only that the MacBook Air’s 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor delivers “the performance you need for everyday activities like organizing your photos, browsing the Web, creating presentations or viewing and editing videos.” Since Apple never misses the chance to say how much faster a new Mac is than the model it replaces, we have to assume that the new MacBook is no faster than the old one. Hopefully, benchmarks will appear soon.

The new MacBook Air comes in silver, gold, and space gray, and pricing starts at $1199 for 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. If performance is important to you, however, you should consider the non-Touch Bar 13-inch MacBook Pro, which costs only $100 more and is just a bit heavier. And if you’re willing to settle for older technology and a larger form factor, note that the old MacBook Air remains for sale starting at $999. Finally, the 12-inch MacBook also remains in the lineup, but at $1299, it’s overpriced and underpowered, and thus interesting only if you want the smallest possible Mac.

Mac mini Goes Pro with Massive Performance Boost

Apple updated the MacBook Air for consumers and students, but the company is aiming the revamped Mac mini at professional users. This update, the first in over 4 years, takes a cue from the similarly pro-focused iMac Pro in changing the color from silver to space gray, but otherwise, it retains the same form factor—7.7 inches (19.7 cm) square and 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) high.

Speeds and Feeds

What has changed are the guts of the Mac mini, which offer huge performance gains over the previous version from 2014. Those improvements come from eighth-generation Intel Core processors: a base 3.6 GHz 4-core i3, a mid-level 3.0 GHz 6-core i5, and a top-of-the-line 3.2 GHz 6-core i7. Apple claims up to five times the performance of the previous Mac mini and up to 60% speedier graphics performance thanks to the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630.

You won’t lack for RAM or storage either. The Mac mini comes with 8 GB of RAM, but you can upgrade to 16 GB ($200), 32 GB ($600), or 64 GB ($1400). Less expensive memory is available from other vendors. While the Mac mini’s base 128 GB of SSD storage might be adequate if all your data is stored on a NAS device, you can upgrade to 256 GB ($200), 512 GB ($400), 1 TB ($800), or 2 TB ($1600). That storage is automatically encrypted thanks to the Mac mini’s T2 security chip, which also speeds HEVC video transcoding.

While Apple’s notebooks have been shedding ports, the Mac mini has bucked the trend. It features four Thunderbolt 3 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-A ports, an audio jack, and a Gigabit Ethernet jack, with 10 Gigabit Ethernet as an option. Thanks to the Thunderbolt 3 and HDMI ports, you can connect either a 5K display and a 4K display, or three 4K displays.

All this power comes at a price. The new Mac mini starts at $799 for the 3.6 GHz 4-core Intel Core i3, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. However, build-to-order options for a faster processor, more RAM, and more storage could raise the price to a whopping $4199.

Nonetheless, the Mac mini is once again an attractive option for anyone who already has a good display, keyboard, and mouse, none of which are included. It’s also ideal for those who want to stuff a Mac into a tight space, bring it on stage for a live performance, or stack a bunch of them for rendering video.

11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro Boast New Screens and Redesigned Apple Pencil

As welcome as the MacBook Air and Mac mini updates were, Apple really knocked it out of the park with its new iPad Pro models, which are the most significant changes to the iPad line yet.

Face ID Enables Physical Redesigns

Like the iPhone X series, these new iPad Pros drop Touch ID in favor of Face ID authentication. The 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera on the front of the iPad Pro that makes Face ID possible also enables support for Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and Animoji and Memoji.

Losing the Home button enabled Apple to bring the display closer to the edge of the iPad. With the 11-inch iPad Pro (the measurement is the diagonal screen size), that means a larger display in roughly the same form factor as the older 10.5-inch model (which remains for sale). And with the 12.9-inch iPad, Apple kept the display size the same as before but shrank the height of the case by almost an inch so it’s now the size of an 8.5-by-11-inch piece of paper and a little lighter.

Apple also changed the industrial design slightly, reverting to the flat edges last seen in the iPhone 5s. One of those edges sports a magnetic attachment area and wireless charging spot for the redesigned Apple Pencil.

Speaking of charging, Apple broke with tradition and dropped the Lightning connector in favor of the industry-standard USB-C for charging and connecting to peripherals. That will make it easier to connect to an external display. You may also need a $9 USB-C-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter.

Incremental Changes

Those are the most obvious new features, but some of the more evolutionary changes will be equally as welcome. Most notable is the new A12X Bionic chip with an embedded M12 coprocessor and Neural Engine. This Apple-designed chip is reportedly faster than 95% of laptops available today, and it gives the iPad Pro unparalleled performance among iOS devices.

That performance also powers the improved 12-megapixel rear camera, giving it enhanced computational photography capabilities, like Smart HDR, which takes multiple images and combines them intelligently for the best possible exposure. On-screen performance is improved, and everything will look better than ever before thanks to a new Liquid Retina display that features Apple’s True Tone and ProMotion technologies. In a classic Apple touch, the screen now features rounded corners.

Along with the revamped iPad Pro models, Apple introduced a new Smart Keyboard Folio that improves on the previous Smart Keyboard by wrapping around to protect the back of the iPad Pro as well. It uses a redesigned Smart Connector and provides two viewing angles.

More impressive is the new Apple Pencil, which now features a flat, touch-sensitive surface that you can double-tap to change drawing modes in many apps. That flat surface also makes it easy to attach to the edge of the iPad Pro magnetically so you won’t lose it and where it charges wirelessly. The easy-to-lose cap is gone, as is the Lightning connector, so the Apple Pencil is now shorter and more pencil-like—it won’t roll off the desk anymore.

How much will all this goodness cost? By the time all is said and done, you’ll be in MacBook Air range. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 for a Wi-Fi-only model with 64 GB of storage. 256 GB runs $949, 512 GB is $1149, and 1 TB will set you back $1549. Add $150 if you want cellular connectivity in any of these configurations.

For the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, add $200, so $999 for 64 GB, $1149 for $256 GB, $1349 for 512 GB, and $1749 for 1 TB. Cellular puts another $150 on the tab. Both sizes of iPad are available in either silver or space gray.

The new Apple Pencil costs $129, and the Smart Keyboard Folio is either $179 for the 11-inch model or $199 for the 12.9-inch model.

Remember, you can still get a regular iPad for as little as $329 and the original Apple Pencil is only $99, so if all you want is an iPad, you don’t need to spring for an iPad Pro. But if you’re using an iPad Pro as your primary work device and are willing to pay for the power, these new models are compelling upgrades.

Apple Unveils New iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, & Apple Watch Series 4

Apple has thrown back the curtain on its latest batch of iPhones and a new model of the Apple Watch. The company also announced plans to release iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 on September 17th. macOS 10.14 Mojave will follow a week later on September 24th.

X Appeal: The New iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR

Last year’s iPhone X was a massive hit, so Apple has gone further down that road, dropping the Home button and Touch ID and focusing on Face ID in this year’s iPhones. There are three models: the mid-level iPhone XS (pronounced “Ten Ess”), the big iPhone XS Max, and the less-expensive iPhone XR.

You can pre-order the first two on September 14th, and they’ll ship a week later. Those who want an iPhone XR will have to wait until October 19th to pre-order. Here’s how the pricing shakes out:

  • iPhone XS: 64 GB for $999, 256 GB for $1149, 512 GB for $1349
  • iPhone XS Max: 64 GB for $1099, 256 GB for $1249, 512 GB for $1499
  • iPhone XR: 64 GB for $749, 128 GB for $799, 256 GB for $899

What do you get for your money? All three new iPhones rely on Apple’s new A12 Bionic chip, which promises faster performance and reduced power consumption compared to last year’s A11 Bionic. Along with snappier overall responsiveness, the A12 Bionic enables new computational photography capabilities. Users of these iPhones will enjoy Smart HDR, which combines multiple images behind the scenes to produce better photos, and depth-of-field editing for adjusting the background behind a photo’s primary subject.

Apple also improved the camera hardware, enhancing the dual 12-megapixel rear-facing cameras in the iPhone XS and XS Max with larger, deeper pixels and an improved True Tone flash. The iPhone XR lacks 2x optical zoom because it has only a single rear-facing 12-megapixel camera, but thanks to the A12 Bionic’s processing power, it can still take photos in Portrait mode and do depth-of-field editing. The rear-facing cameras on all three models can capture up to 4K video at 60 frames per second—now with stereo sound. The front-facing camera on each iPhone is a 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera that can also capture 1080p video.

If you carry separate work and personal phones, or if you travel abroad frequently, you’ll appreciate the new dual-SIM capability that lets these iPhones support two phone numbers simultaneously, each with their own plan.

What differentiates these iPhones from one another? One big difference is the screens.

  • iPhone XS: 5.8-inch OLED “Super Retina HD” display with a 2436-by-1125 resolution at 458 ppi
  • iPhone XS Max: 6.5-inch OLED “Super Retina HD” display with a 2688-by-1242 resolution at 458 ppi
  • iPhone XR: 6.1-inch LCD “Liquid Retina” display with a 1792-by-828 resolution at 326 ppi

Apple makes much of the iPhone XR’s LCD display, which is essentially a newer and larger version of the screen in last year’s iPhone 8. It won’t look as good as the OLED screens in the iPhone XS models, but unless you’re watching a lot of video or playing photo-realistic games, you may not notice.

Another difference between these models is size. The iPhone XS is the smallest, clocking in at a few millimeters and grams under the iPhone XR. On the other end of the spectrum, the iPhone XS Max has essentially the same dimensions as the previous iPhone Plus models.

The other major difference between the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS models is the case material. The iPhone XS models have glass backs and are edged in stainless steel that comes in silver, space gray, and gold. In contrast, the iPhone XR features colorful aluminum casings in red, yellow, white, coral, black, and blue. Both are gorgeous, but if you’re like many people, a protective case will prevent you from appreciating the case material.

Should you consider upgrading to one of these new models? If your existing iPhone is on life support, absolutely. And, if you want the latest and greatest, the iPhone XS models are the best iPhones ever, particularly for photography. But for those with functional iPhones from the past few years, these new models are less compelling, especially since iOS 12 promises to speed up older devices as far back as the iPhone 5s.

If you decide to buy one, which model you choose probably depends on how much you’re willing to spend since these are Apple’s most expensive iPhones ever. The iPhone XR combines modern technology with a lower price than the other two models, and the decision between the iPhone XS and XS Max comes down to size and cost. Finally, if the prices for the new models are too high, you can still get the iPhone 7 starting at $449 and the iPhone 8 at $599.

Apple Watch Series 4: Bigger Screens and Health Monitoring

In a first for the Apple Watch line, Apple changed the size and shape of the Apple Watch Series 4, boosting the vertical screen dimensions to 40mm and 44mm, up from 38mm and 42mm, and making the screens a little wider to retain the same proportions. However, the new models are 1.1mm thinner and thus have less total volume. You’ll want to try on the different models before buying to see how they look and feel on your wrist. Happily, the Series 4 can use the same bands as previous models.

Apple claims the new display, which extends into the corners of the screen, is “edge-to-edge,” and while there still is a black border, it’s smaller than before. The overall viewing area is about 30% larger.

To use the extra screen space effectively and show off the power of its new S4 chip, the Series 4 comes with some new faces. The Infographic face can incorporate up to eight complications, the Breathe face moves in time with a deep breath, and Vapor, Fire, Water, and Liquid Metal faces animate behind virtual clock hands.

More practically, the Apple Watch Series 4 incorporates new and enhanced sensors. Later this year, the electrodes built into the Digital Crown and the back crystal let you record an electrocardiogram and, after 30 seconds, receive a heart rhythm classification that can identify signs of atrial fibrillation. Recordings are stored securely in the Health app, where you can share them with doctors. Even if you don’t use the ECG app manually, the Series 4 analyzes your heart rhythms in the background and alerts you if it detects irregular rhythms or if the heart rate exceeds or falls below a threshold.

Plus, the Series 4 can now use its accelerometer and gyroscope to detect hard falls. If you fall, the Apple Watch sends you an alert, and if you don’t move for 60 seconds after the notification, it calls emergency services and notifies your emergency contacts of your location.

Other improvements include a speaker that is 50% louder, a relocated microphone to make calls clearer, haptic feedback in the Digital Crown, a back made of sapphire crystal and ceramic for better cellular reception, and Bluetooth 5 for faster data transfer over greater distances.

All this technology comes at a cost, and Apple has raised prices to match. GPS-only models of the Apple Watch Series 4 cost $399, and cellular-capable models are $499 (plus you’ll need to pay an additional $10–$15 for a cell plan). The Apple Watch Series 3 remains available at lower prices: $279 for GPS and $379 for cellular. You can pre-order on September 14th, and the Series 4 will ship on September 21st.

Our take is that the new health-monitoring features of the Apple Watch Series 4 are compelling for anyone who is concerned about falls or heart monitoring. But the increased prices may steer those who are mostly interested in fitness features and iPhone notifications to the cheaper Series 3.

New MacBook Pros Provide More Speed & RAM +New Keyboard and Hey Siri

As students prepare to head off to college, Apple has updated the Touch Bar-equipped MacBookPro line to provide even more powerful options for students and professionals alike. The changes are primarily under the hood, focusing on faster performance, more RAM, and larger SSD-based storage, but there are a few modest physical changes too, including a quieter keyboard and a True Tone display.

Despite these improvements, pricing remains the same as for last year’s models.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro that has function keys instead of a Touch Bar remains the same, as do the 12-inch MacBook and 13-inch MacBook Air.

Performance Boosts

The new MacBook Pros move to Intel’s 8th-generation Core i7 and Core i9 processors. Previously, the 13-inch MacBook Pro used dual-core CPUs, but they now get quad-core chips. And the 15-inch models jump from quad-core chips to processors sporting 6 cores. More cores are better because more tasks can be split up between them, preventing one processor-intensive task from bogging down others.

Processing power is just one aspect of overall performance. If your Mac doesn’t have enough RAM for the apps you’re using, it has to fall back on much slower virtual memory. For those who use memory-intensive apps, the new 15-inch MacBook can now take up to 32 GB of RAM, up from a maximum of 16 GB. RAM in the 15-inch models is also DDR4, which is faster and uses less power than the DDR3 RAM used before.

Finally, if you don’t have enough fast SSD storage in a MacBook Pro, you may be forced to store large items like your Photos library and Parallels Desktop virtual machines on a slow external hard disk. The new MacBook Pros can have a lot more built-in SSD storage, but it’s pricey. The 13-inch models max out at 2 TB, which will add $1400 to your bill, and the 15-inch models can go to 4 TB, assuming you have $3400 to spare. The 512 GB ($200) and 1 TB ($600) upgrades are more reasonably priced.

Physical Changes

Apple continues to tweak the controversial butterfly-switch keyboard. Some people haven’t liked the shallow key travel and how much noise it makes, and its keys have a tendency to stick. The new MacBook Pros feature a keyboard that’s quieter and hopefully more reliable.

You’ll also notice the new Retina displays with True Tone. First introduced with the iPad Pro and added to the iPhone in 2017, True Tone adjusts the white balance of the screen based on ambient light to make the screen more comfortable to view. It should be particularly appreciated by students working late into the night.

Other Improvements

You know how you can issue commands to Apple’s virtual assistant on your iPhone or iPad by saying “Hey Siri”? That’s possible in the new MacBook Pros also, thanks to the inclusion of Apple’s new T2 chip. The T2 also manages the Touch Bar, facilitates a secure boot feature, and encrypts files on the fly to increase security.

These MacBook Pros are the first to support Bluetooth 5.0, which is backward compatible with Bluetooth 4.2. As Bluetooth 5.0 peripherals become more widespread, they’ll be able to communicate with the MacBook Pro at higher data rates and longer ranges—think of Bluetooth working across your entire house, rather than being limited to a single room.

Price and Availability

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1799, and the 15-inch model at $2399. With both models, you can choose between silver and space gray, and they’re available now. Contact us to purchase

Our take is that, like most of Apple’s speed-bump upgrades, these new MacBook Pros are simply better than the previous models—who turns down better performance for the same price? The True Tone display is also welcome, as is the quieter keyboard. And it’s nice that we can finally talk to Siri without having to hold down a key or click a button.

Deals on Previous Generation MacBook Pro’s

With the introduction of the new MacBook Pro models, we have some deep discounts available on the previous generation models. Pricing and availability is available here

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The ITAM Review

News, reviews and resources for worldwide ITAM, SAM and Licensing professionals.

Business Drivers for SAM Adoption

This is the second article from my SAM research project with Stephen Mann from Forrester Research looking at the partner / supplier element of our research. See also ‘Which services do SAM partners offer?‘.

This time we simply asked suppliers/partners and resellers “In your opinion what is the biggest driver for organizations adopting SAM?”

As you can see the three strongest business drivers were:

  • Cost Cutting – “We need to reduce software costs”
  • Vendor Audits – “We need to defend against, or clean up the mess after publisher-led audits”
  • Governance – “We need to reduce risk, unexpected software costs, adhere to regulations and maintain compliance”
Secondary business drivers were:
  • Software ROI – “We need to demonstrate the value of our software investments, return on investment, business value”
  • Visibility – “We just need better visibility of what we have so we can manage it more effectively”
  • Procurement – “We need to prepare for contract changes or renewals, we need to adhere to ever more complex license terms”
Finally, the last considerations with only minor influence included:
  • Operational Efficiency – “We need to reduce complexity on the Service Desk, improve service and manage the whole lifecycle more effectively”
  • Migration Planning – “We need to plan transitions to the cloud, new operating systems etc”
  • Security – “We need to monitor inappropriate apps, piracy, security risks”

In the next article I’ll dig into what blockers exist for SAM.

  • Survey conducted with ITAM Review newsletter subscribers in October 2012
  • Countries participating: 32
  • Total participants: 176

As always, I welcome your comments and feedback. Further analysis to follow.

About Martin Thompson

Martin is owner and founder of The ITAM Review, an online resource for worldwide ITAM professionals. The ITAM Review is best known for its weekly newsletter of all the latest industry updates, LISA training platform, Excellence Awards and conferences in UK, USA and Australia.

Martin is also the founder of ITAM Forum, a not-for-profit trade body for the ITAM industry created to raise the profile of the profession and bring an organisational certification to market. On a voluntary basis Martin is a contributor to ISO WG21 which develops the ITAM International Standard ISO/IEC 19770.

He is also the author of the book "Practical ITAM - The essential guide for IT Asset Managers", a book that describes how to get started and make a difference in the field of IT Asset Management. In addition, Martin developed the PITAM training course and certification.

Prior to founding the ITAM Review in 2008 Martin worked for Centennial Software (Ivanti), Silicon Graphics, CA Technologies and Computer 2000 (Tech Data).

When not working, Martin likes to Ski, Hike, Motorbike and spend time with his young family.

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.

  1. Stéphane Feuillu says:

    Hello Martin. I don’t know if I am anticipating your next article on the blockers. Anyway, I am curious to know to which extent CIO are reluctant to launch SAM efforts based on the idea of “If I start a SAM projects, it will end-up with true-up costs superior to potential savings” (at least in the short term).

    Or, to phrase my comment differently, which is the population talking about the “cost-cutting” driver ? Is it CEO, CIO, SAM people, consultants, etc…

  2. itsmreview says:

    The Blockers article will follow soon. We’ll then have the full picture.

  3. Björn Spåra says:

    Hi Martin,

    As the question was to identify the biggest driver for SAM (1) I think the total sum should be 100% right?

  4. itsmreview says:

    Hi Bjorn, answers were free form text and opposed to specific options, so some answers spanned multiple categories.

  5. I am suspecting the top 4 could actually be labelled the same thing, Vendor Audits.

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-Guest Bedroom: Two Twin Sized Beds-Private Bathroom

-Sleeper Sofa in the Living Room

This condo features an open concept layout, that makes spending time together a breeze! The living room has cozy couches and a large flat screen T.V. to relax at the end of the day. The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you need to cook delicious meals on the nights you want to stay in! No matter if you are on the couch or in the kitchen, you will be able to look out and see unobstructed views of the gulf! Spend mornings drinking your coffee, or catch a sunset from the covered balcony. Off the living room you will find the master suite, that also features stunning views of the gulf!

-Unobstructed Gulf Views

- Gated Community with 24 hr Security Staff

- 2x Community Pools (1 Heated Seasonally)

- 4x Tennis Courts

- 4x Shuffle Board Courts

- Grilling Area with Charcoal Grills

- Nice Playground for Children

- Separate Men and Women's Saunas

- Exercise Room

- Free WiFi

- On Site Rentals of Kayaks and Canoes

- Lake Side - Boat Slips and Fishing Dock

- Direct access to Lake activities as well as Ocean fun!

- 10 minutes to Shopping and Dining at Pier Park

Pinnacle Port is situated on Sugar Sand Beaches with Emerald Waters, just awaiting your arrival! Located next to Camp Helen State Park and Lake Powell, this property offers the best of both Worlds!

23223 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Property Type: Condo Beds: 4 Accommodates: 6 Check In: : 4pm Bedrooms: 2 Check Out: : 10am Bathrooms: 2.0 Pet Friendly: No
100 yards to the beach ATM/bank Air Conditioning BBQ Grill Balcony Bath Towels Beach Front Beach View Beach service availble onsite Beachfront CHARCOAL GRILL Cable Children Welcome Clothes Dryer Coffee Maker Community Charcoal Grills Community Lake Community Pool Covered Patio DVD Dishwasher Elevator Essentials Family Friendly Flat Screen TVs Free Parking Gulf front Hair Dryer Hangers Heated Pool Heating Ice Maker Iron Iron and Board Kitchen Linens/Sheets Microwave Minimum Age Limit for Renters Ocean View PUBLIC GRILL AREA Pillows Pool Private Balconies Refrigerator Satellite or Cable Shampoo Smoke Detector Soap Sofa Bed TV Tennis Toilet Paper Tourist Attractions Towels VCR WIFI Washer and Dryer Washing Machine bathtub childrens activities condo gated community groceries gulf view heating lakeside marina non smoking only pets not allowed ATM Atm Bathtub Cafe Convenience Store Food Gas Station Grocery Or Supermarket Health Wifi antiquing beach combing boating churches cinemas cycling deep sea fishing fishing golf gulf front horseback riding hospital kayaking live theater medical services paddle boating parasailing restaurants sailing scenic drives shopping sight seeing snorkeling snorkling/diving surfing swimming walking water sking wildlife viewing wind-surfing
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Reviews - 3.2 stars based on 9 reviews
Pinnacle Port C1-203
5/5 stars
Loved this location. Loved this location. Will return.
Reviewed on Jul 31, 2019 by Valerie Wilkinson, Ridgeland, MS   Report

We are so glad to hear that you loved this location, and would love to return! We hope to be able to host you again in the future =)

Manager Response
Pinnacle Port C1-203
5/5 stars
Great location, clean unit, reasonably priced
Reviewed on Apr 7, 2019 by Clint, Atlanta, GA   Report

Thank you for leaving your feedback! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay, and we hope to get the opportunity to host you again in the future :)

Manager Response
Pinnacle Port C1-203
5/5 stars
My stay in Florida at your condo was enjoyable. My extended family was there for my nephew’s wedding and because of the hurricane there were complications. You handled the situation making it possible for me to stay at your condo. That was greatly appreciated. I would recommend you. Thank you, Laine Cantrell
Reviewed on Oct 24, 2018 by Laine, Murfreesboro, TN   Report

Thank you so much for the kind review! We're happy you were able to stay with us in spite of the weather complications. We appreciate your recommendation!

Manager Response
Pinnacle Port C1-203
1/5 stars
I'll start by saying this condo has an excellent location and beach access. We were very disappointed in the maintaining of this condo, it needs paint as the walls were very scuffed and dirty in places, it has the popcorn ceiling and most of the furniture was outdated. The sofa and loveseat and chair was very comfortable. having children we didn't care for the glass coffee table and dining set. The cable tv was in military time and most of the time we had to watch on demand previous recorded shows. the bathroom needs updated, the tub and vanity is old, and the toilet sometimes would stay running when you would flush it, also the bath fan would run when you would turn on the light and was extremely loud. The washer sounded like an airplane ready for take-off. My husband was very bothered my allergies of something in this condo, when he went outdoors he was fine, wondering if it was a mold issue as there is black around the walls on the floor in the bedrooms, The laminate flooring is beautiful and we loved it, would be nice to have that in the bedrooms. when we arrived the outlets in the master bath were not working and the balcony light, oven hood light and light above the kitchen sink wasn't working, i texted maintenance and they were very prompt about fixing these issues so i give them 5 stars. as far as the condo, it really needs some work, wasn't worth what we paid for it, We have family that stays in a different condo every year and pays half of what we paid and has a condo with updates and not issues like we seen. along the ceiling of the rooms there were large long cracks and ceiling is dirty. I would also like to add there is way too much furniture as far as tables and armoires, and kitchen table is way too large, there was only 1 bar stool, you could easily do 4 bar stools and a smaller table. it was a little clausterphobic, simplify would be better. If this condo was cleaned up and updated and the walls were fixed we would give it another try, but for now we would not stay in this unit again. Thanks again to maintenance for responding asap!
Reviewed on Sep 11, 2018 by Lisa, OLATHE, KS   Report

We are sorry you weren't entirely satisfied with your stay. Although this unit is in need of updates, it is overall very clean, and we feel as thought the photographs we use in our marketing accurately reflect the condition of the unit. This is the first report we have had of any "black around the walls," but we will be sure to investigate. None was seen by any of our cleaning staff, or by maintenance when they came to replace lights. Regarding the outlet, it only had a loose wire in the back, and did not need replacement. Once again, we are sorry this unit did not meet your expectations, and hope you will stay with us again at one of our other units. Thank you

Manager Response
Pinnacle Port C1-203
1/5 stars
This rental is in need of updating. Electrical outlets in MBr did not work. Had to purchase a pan as well as a spatula in order to cook. Hairs left on bathroom floors. Tub in Mbath would not drain. No filter on AC unit so AC likely to freeze up soon because of debris built up on it. TV would not work most of the time d/t on a weird condo internet network so most of the time shows were delayed and interrupted. Refrigerator could not keep food/drinks cold. Overall, would not recommend this condo until updates/repairs made. Owner should come for a visit and stay there to see what rental company is not taking care of for them.
Reviewed on Jul 28, 2018 by KD, Panama City Beach, FL   Report

Thank you for the feedback concerning your recent stay. We are however surprised at the contents of the review. The HVAC filters were replaced in this unit the week prior. An electrician had also been sent to the unit to repair an outlet and reported that all outlets were working when he left just the previous week. In addition, new comforters were placed on the beds just prior to the guests arrival. At no time during the stay were any of the items reported to our staff, including the refrigerator. Had they been they would have been addressed immediately. We do agree that the unit is a little dated, but it is a beautiful location and every effort is made to maintain the property at a comfortable level for all guests. We are very sorry for the experience of the guest received but definitely do not believe this property warrants such a severe review and ranking.

Manager Response
Pinnacle Port C1-203
1/5 stars
Very dirty, lots of things broken, well stained couch, outlets broken, loose, and unsafe. Stained comforters. Short on dishes, etc.
Reviewed on Jul 19, 2018 by Patrick, Canton, GA   Report
Pinnacle Port C1-203
3/5 stars
Nice location. Condo is spacious and quiet. The balcony is a nice size and the view is beautiful. The flooring in kitchen and living room is nice. The carpet in the master bedroom needs to be cleaned at minimum. It would be nice to have the same flooring as the living room. The condo could use some refreshing in the master bedroom and bathroom. The blue cover on the bed needs a good wash. The wall by bed needs paint. Windows could use a good clean. The closet seems a little over full with pillows. The vanity in the bathroom needs repaired and or painted/replaced. The vent fan in bathroom is always on when light is on and it is very noisy! At night, there is a strong urine smell. We were not able to locate the source. My husband thinks it comes from near bedroom door. The wallpaper in the master bath is peeling at the seams. More towels would be nice, we had to wash them every day to have enough. A shower liner would be nice In the shower, not just a flimsy curtain. In the kitchen, a decent blender would be nice for frozen drinks. The washer is extremely loud at times. The dishwasher top rack comes off the rails easily and the washing spout does not retract fully, has to be pushed back manually to open bottom tray. With a few upgrades and some cleaning, easily a 5 star rental.
Reviewed on Mar 31, 2018 by Jennifer, MASON, OH   Report

Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention! We will talk to the owner about bringing some updates to this unit when possible. The unit is older than some others in the area. We will talk to our cleaners about the cleanliness of the unit as well. We apologize that you were not completely satisfied with staying at Pinnacle Port, but we hope you will stay with us again soon! Please feel free to check out the other units we manage in the area at

Manager Response
Pinnacle Port C1-203
3/5 stars
The condo was in a great location- facing the beach with beautiful views from the balcony. We rented a 2 bedroom and it was spacious and clean. The only problem we had was the TV - the cable would freeze so we couldn’t watch TV in any room. We called maintenance and never heard back so my husband missed his football games on Saturday so he wouldn’t recommend this unit because of that issue.
Reviewed on Oct 16, 2017 by Bobbie, Cordele, GA   Report

Thank you for staying at our condo and for the feedback. We would like to respond regarding the cable issues you experienced. The HOA has recently contracted with a new provider and there is ongoing work being done to update and install a new satellite and internet system at all Pinnacle Port condos. We are so very sorry for the interruption and inconvenience. We have been actively reaching out to all guests and there are signs posted in all buildings informing guests of the ongoing process. We hope that this will be completed in a timely manner and want to reassure you and all travelers that this in not typical and will be resolved and updated soon. We hope that in light of this that you will decide to stay at our condo again. We see that you loved the views and felt is was spacious, clean and met your needs. We are very happy about that. Thank you again.

Manager Response
Pinnacle Port C1-203
5/5 stars
Our condo was wonderful! Great view of the gulf; beautifully decorated and VERY clean; quick response on maintenance request. My only complaints are that there was only one very small bar of soap in each bathroom, only one garbage bag for the kitchen trash can, and only one dish towel in the kitchen.
Reviewed on Sep 22, 2017 by Linda, Dothan, AL   Report

Thank you so much for staying with us! As for the soap/trash bags/etc, that is standard for a condo of this size. We are delighted everything else was well, and we look forward to hosting you again!

Manager Response

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14 December 2019
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Despite their rocky past, it looks like Liam Payne is super excited that his ex One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik is about to become a dad! Yep, the singer just congratulated Zayn and his pregnant girlfriend, Gigi Hadid, on their exciting baby news, and our hearts are seriously bursting.

During a YouTube video uploaded on Sunday, May 3, the “Strip That Down” crooner sent his former group mate a super sweet message.

“I wanted to make sure I said something on my own before I start getting asked about it relentlessly by everybody,” he said. “I just wanted to say congratulations to Zayn and Gigi, obviously, you know, they’re having a baby at the moment.”

For those who missed it, the model confirmed that she was expecting her first child with Zayn on April 30, 2020. It’s been reported that the 25-year-old is 20-weeks along and that she’s having a girl.

“Obviously, we wish we could’ve announced it on our own terms, but we’re very excited and happy and grateful for everyone’s well wishes and support,” Gigi said during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

As fans know, Liam and Zayn haven’t had the best relationship since the “Pillowtalk” singer announced he was leaving One Direction back in March 2015. Back in 2019, Liam, who is a father himself, revealed that he still holds a grudge against the 27-year-old.

“We had our differences throughout the whole experience with some things. I still think about some stuff that was said and done that now I would do differently, but then that’s all part of growing up. Being in One Direction was such a schoolyard mentality somehow — the One Direction University, I call it. Everyone has stuff they’ve said at parties they wished they hadn’t but, for us, the difference was that it was all happening in front of the world,” he explained. “Now we are older, for me certainly there are things that I am just not as bothered about. I think with Zayn’s particular exit and the way he chose to go, we haven’t really heard from him since he left. He didn’t even say goodbye, if I am being honest. It was a really sordid scenario, from our side certainly. A bit strange. It’s difficult.”

And when he was asked if One Direction would ever reunite with Zayn, the 26-year-old admitted, “No, I don’t think that’ll ever happen. When he left, it wasn’t on great terms so I don’t feel like it’s a thing. If he didn’t want to be here, he shouldn’t be here. Which is fine. Like I say good for him, he’s gone off and is doing his own thing and he’s doing really well so I don’t want to mess with his stuff… We did a whole stadium tour without him so I feel like it’s fine.”

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Honey Rush slot Review

Honey Rush slot Review

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Renaissance on the Avenue | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Renaissance on the Avenue

On May 6, the public is invited to view some working studios and exhibitions of local artists at the Millsaps Avenue Arts District Exhibition. This event will serve as Pearl River Glass Studio's annual spring Garden Show, and with the support of Andrew Young from Pearl River, other local artists have turned it into a neighborhood festival. The participating studios are Pearl River Glass Studio, Studio 2, Seven*Studioz and R. Potter Designs, all of which will open at noon and provide entertainment and refreshments until 6 p.m. except for Seven*Studioz, which will open at 3 p.m.

Andrew Young, owner of Pearl River Glass Studio, has been in the Millsaps Arts District since before it was an arts district. He moved to Millsaps Avenue in 1976 and has been having regular "Open Studio" tours since 1978. He says this is the first neighborhood show Millsaps has had in about 10 years. He credits this to the infusion of "new blood" into the neighborhood. When asked about the negative view some Jacksonians have of the area, he just chalks it up to having the wrong perspective. "If you are in midtown looking out, everything is fine," Young says.
Pearl River will feature a Yard Art theme in their courtyard for the Garden Show, as well as the work of many local artists. In addition to the artists Pearl River employs, work by Elen Langford, K.C. Williams, Harry Day, Wendy Eddleman and Daphne Nabors will also be on display.

Elli Williams of Studio 2 is a driving force behind making this a neighborhood event. Studio 2 is both the residence and art studio of Elli and her husband Joseph Williams. They have managed to incorporate a space for his pottery, her darkroom and painting studio, and their living space into one wonderful area, where artwork will be on display during the exhibition.

In addition to their art, a wide variety of wonderful artwork will be on display in their studio from artists such as Scott Jarret, Daniel Johnson and James Galpin. Gretchen Haien, who has a studio in the same building, will exhibit some of her work in Studio 2, including the series that won the 2005 Mississippi Arts and Letters, "Interior Frontiers."

A few doors down and up the stairs, R. Potter Designs will display paintings and mixed-media pieces by owner and artist Rebekah Potter. A large selection of her popular "bloks" will be on display, as well as some intriguing new paintings, which initially look like a departure from the style she has established, but once you take a closer look, the progression seems natural. She evokes a markedly feminist subtext through her use of textiles with prominent stitching. Although she primarily uses monochromatic fabrics, Potter is able to create a feeling of depth by using her well-honed collage skills and eye for design.

Down Millsaps Avenue, Ezra Brown, proprietor of Seven*Studioz, describes his studio as an umbrella company that "exposes what (artists) do on a weekly basis." He will have graphic art, digital projections, spoken word, music, DJs and even some graffiti artists working outside. Ezra hopes this art opening will "encourage art and (the) purchase of art."

The Millsaps Avenue Arts District Exhibition starts on May 6 at noon. Roy Adkins' work will also be on display.

Previous Comments

Roy, another great article. I have posted a link to your interview with CONVERSATIONS along with Ali Greggs comments about hers. Keep up the inspiring work.

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A cream plastic trophy at 7.5cm high is prefect for any individual or winning team. A trophy which makes the hard work and practice worth while. Choose from our range of centres available for this award from the options when you click customise and buy. Plate engraving is FREE of charge on this product. Simply enter your engraving details after clicking Customise and Buy.

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Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Of all the countries in the world which is the best ? Obviously it is India for me. I do not have a problem with any one who does not agree with me unless he or she is Indian by birth.  I am of the opinion that for anyone three fundamental factors,based on which one's personality depends, are non negotiable- mother, mother country and mother tongue. From my early school days- when I stood in line in St Alberts school's morning assembly to the  other day, as the tune came out of a cab while in reverse gear just in front of my house- whenever I listen to 'Sare jahan se acha'(better than the entire world it is....), my heart used to pump more blood to my veins which makes me feel something more than listening to any other patriotic songs, for that matter any songs.When I started growing up , while in university to be more precise, I used to wonder why that song was not selected as national anthem of India in spite most of the citizen adore. Only later I could find out why........

Patriotism does not limit to any anthem,flag or any symbol. For that matter not even a game, as the way cricket is projected among Indians! It is a state of mind ,acquired or natural as one is born and grown up in a country. When someone adapts another country for a living, one has to take an oath to be loyal to the constitution of that country. But I do not think that it makes one patriotic however the 'naturalized foreigner' tries! One can be loyal but not exactly patriotic! It comes more by birth than other factors. It is a sort of relationship one has with own mother... with mother country as well. Plus in case of Germans and few others where they call their own country as 'father land' and not mothers!

Earliest National Anthem
As a nation is born, along with the flag ,an anthem is also selected as we all know. Generally such anthem reflects the past history and traditions of that country which is played at ceremonial occasions or at certain sporting events or stage performances. The earliest one- anyone can guess- is the British anthem,'God save the King/Queen' which came to existence since 1740. Probably it must be the mostly played anthem so far in the world. With a lot acquaintance with the British over the last three decades in work and business , I think they do not miss a chance to play the hymn anywhere in the world even today.

 Whenever a British business delegation visits Doha, British Embassy arranges a reception to to them along with a selective local business crowd . Generally it will be in the embassy premises or hotels.Once -could be in 1994- such a visit of British business reps coincided with the friendly visit of a British war ship to Qatar. The British authorities promptly arranged the customary reception of the visiting and local business men in that frigate which was docked at the Doha port. I still remember the pomp but appreciative  way of reception there with playing 'God save the Queen' at the commencement where in most of the crowd was non British. They could mix their national pride with international business making us all salute or pay attention while the Union Jack was furled! I would say it was a smart thinking.

Indian Scenario
 During the peak of freedom struggle and towards India got independence in 1947, we had a short list of three anthems from which one was to be selected-Sare Jehan se acha,Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.....

'Sare Jehan se acha'
Even Dr.Allama Iqbal who contributed this beautiful poem in 1905 in the context of undivided India (Hindustan) which eventually parted also as Pakistan and Bangladesh might not have thought about the popularity of this poem among Indians a century later as he became one of the creators of Pakistan  after he penned down the poem. Mahatma Gandhi loved this song and used to repeatedly sing whenever he felt for it especially while in jails. Originally written in Urdu, I shall give below the official English translation. I love it for the contents and the way it is tuned -while as a student for the tune but later for the lyrics. This song did not make it for national anthem for obvious reasons but considered to be one of the most patriotic songs in Indian to this day.

Better than the entire world, is our Hindustan;
we are its nightingales of mirth, and it is our garden abode
Though in foreign lands we may reside, with our homeland our hearts abide,
Regard us also to be there, where exist our hearts
That mountain most high, neighbor to the skies;
it is our sentinel; it is our protector
In the lap of whose, play thousands of rivers;
gardens they sustain; the envy-of-the-heavens of ours
O waters of the Ganga mighty, do you recall the day
when on your banks, did land the caravan of ours
Religion does not teach us to harbour grudges between us
Indians we all are; India, our motherland
While Greece, Egypt , Rome have all been wiped out
till now yet remains, this civilization of ours {it has stood the test of time}
Something there is that keeps us,our entity from being eroded
For ages has been our enemy, the way of the world

Iqbal! Is there no soul that could
understand the pain in
Yes, although other older contemporary civilizations- Greek, Egyptian, Roman- have gone out of the world ,Indian civilization remains intact very much to this day.

'Vande Mataram'
Vande Mataram was the symbol of freedom among Indians under British rule. It is written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhya in 1876 using a fusion of Bengali and Sanskrit words. Interestingly Chattopadhya was a district collector under British administration but expressed his strong sentiments writing down this poem against the British who were trying to popularize God save the Queen among the British subjects !

 Vande Mataram ,although popular among the people and political leaders, has to be dropped from the race for national anthem since it personified India as a goddess which some Muslims and Sikhs objected thinking that it is offensive to their monotheistic beliefs. Most of the Christians do not object to this song I believe since I have witnessed playing this song by children in the church hall for  national events.
In spite the controversies this song remains very popular national song.

'Jana Gana Mana'.
At the stroke of midnight on August 14,1947, the day India got freedom officially, the historic session of the Indian Constituent Assembly opened with Vande Mataram and closed with Jana Gana Mana, which was later selected as national anthem.It is written by the famous Indian freedom fighter and nobel laureate Rabintranath Tagore in highly sanskritised Bengali. First it was introduced in public in 1911 . Tagore himself composed and tuned the poem. Bangladesh also opted for another Tagore poem- Amar Sonar Bangla- later as national anthem.

                                                   National anthem of India with lyrics
                                                                                -courtesy you tube