Research and Markets: ICT Needs of Enterprises in Emerging Markets: Case Studies and Opportunities in Various Business ...

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/tt3ckl/ict_needs_of_enter) has announced the addition of the "ICT Needs of Enterprises in Emerging Markets: Case Studies and Opportunities in Various Business Segments" report to their offering.

When looking at telecom opportunities in emerging markets, much of the focus has been on the growth of mobile devices and services due to less-developed fixed markets, the success of the low-cost prepaid mobile operator business model and growth strategies addressing lower-income segments. As mobile growth rates slow and the market starts to mature, market segmentation becomes more important, and the consumer/enterprise split is the primary way in which to distinguish customer types.

ICT Needs of Enterprises in Emerging Markets focuses on the enterprise opportunity as it pertains to emerging markets. The analysis includes examples from more developed markets to better understand how emerging markets are likely to develop and to highlight the best practices employed by leading operators in these markets. An important focus of the report is to look at the scope of products and services that an operator can offer in the enterprise market, the ways in which to expand the portfolio, and the potential benefits and risks of doing so.

Key findings include:

- The enterprise portion of the communications markets in emerging markets is similar to that of developed markets.

- Operators must have a clear picture of local business demographics and allocate resources accordingly. The structure of business demographics and employment differs significantly country-by-country in terms of the sizes of business and the preponderance of different vertical industries.

- Business density is lower in emerging markets. The burden of formalizing a business falls more heavily on smaller businesses in economies with a lower income, and so tends to also result in a lower portion of small businesses.

The report is targeted at a range of industry participants requiring an overview of the market and an analysis of the different players, including:

- Mobile network operators

- Service providers

- IT managers in emerging markets

- Local and national government leaders

- NGOs

Companies Mentioned

- Belgacom

- Bluefish

- Google

- Intuit

- KPN

- LOT

- Microsoft

- Mobily

- Mobinil

- MTN

- Orange

- Play

- QSC

- StorTech

- Telefonica

- Verizon

- Vodacom

- Vodafone

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/tt3ckl/ict_needs_of_enter

View the original article here

Oregon Investment Act: Responding to business needs across Oregon - Oregonian

By Ted Wheeler, Cliff Bentz and Tobias Read

We heard hundreds of stories, from across the state -- in Ontario, Klamath Falls, Bend, The Dalles, Portland, Pendleton, Coos Bay.

Business stories. Your stories.

The themes were consistent. Oregon must do better -- and be smarter and more strategic -- to support and invest in business opportunities. And the state can better connect capital to job creators, whether they are fledgling startups or established companies with plans to expand.

A manufacturer in the Columbia River Gorge can't get financing for a new project, which prevents it from hiring more than a dozen people. A promising Bend technology startup is struggling to connect with investors. Small businesses need help to hire technical assistance in Klamath Falls.

When we look around Oregon, we see signs that business is picking up. Opportunities abound. That's reason for optimism.

However, opportunities don't become realities on their own, and Oregonians are missing too many of them now. A recent analysis financed by the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon State Treasury and Meyer Memorial Trust identified a spectrum of "capital gaps" that are hamstringing business development in Oregon.

That's why a bipartisan coalition is proposing a new storyline when it comes to our economic development imperative: the Oregon Investment Act, which will be considered in February.

Oregon spends significant Oregon Lottery profits and other funds today to enhance business development. Yet those tools are scattered across multiple agencies and have little strategic connection, and sometimes have little accountability to measure results.

The Oregon Investment Act responds to the common themes we heard. It will require that we allocate state funds in nimble and effective ways, and it will help ensure that Oregonians get value for their money.

The multifaceted approach could include thoughtful participation in bank loans, focused attraction of venture capital, targeted tax credits and small-business assistance. The overriding goal: better help for communities across the state to build their own economic futures.

Government is in the economic development arena because taxpayers directed it. At the same time, taxpayers rightly expect that the state will invest our limited resources in a coordinated way that will maximize job creation and retention.

Oregon can and should.

Today's uncoordinated system of economic development will be improved by a new Oregon Growth Board that must partner with private sector expertise. That collaboration will allow Oregon to do a better job anticipating and reacting to opportunities.

The board will catalog the myriad ways Oregon now pays for economic development and ensure that funds are spent as wisely as possible. The board also will identify potential new sources of funding to bolster innovation and job creation.

The Oregon Investment Act will attract private dollars by using public funds as a catalyst, such as through investment partnerships and private loan guarantees. By combining those resources, we can help strengthen a culture of entrepreneurship.

It is important to note that the Oregon Investment Act restructures government, rather than adding to it. At least one existing state entity, the Oregon Growth Account Board in the State Treasury, will be dissolved.

This vision is the result of many voices, from small-business owners to community leaders to Oregonians of every political stripe. Together, we are working to write a new chapter in Oregon's story.

And together, we can encourage the business growth that will catapult us into a more prosperous tomorrow.

Ted Wheeler is Oregon's treasurer. Republican Cliff Bentz represents Ontario in the Oregon House of Representatives; Democrat Tobias Read represents Beaverton.

View the original article here

Business viewpoint: MLPs fuel the needs of energy infrastructure - Tulsa World

The increased energy production coming from developing basins or shale plays needs to be transported to refineries and other storage and distribution destinations to ultimately reach the consumer in a safe, efficient manner. This means additional pipeline infrastructure must be built to transport crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and eventually biofuels.

Pipelines are the safest, most efficient and reliable mode of transportation capable of moving large volumes of liquid energy, making them the preferred choice for moving the energy that our nation needs.

New pipeline systems require a great deal of capital to build. Over the next 20 years, substantial investments will be required to expand our nation's energy infrastructure and accommodate increased domestic energy production, especially for crude oil. Our country's ability to successfully transport, store and distribute our growing domestic energy production is dependent on companies structured as master limited partnerships, MLPs.

Many of the nation's pipeline companies are structured as MLPs. These are businesses that access the public equity markets for capital and are treated for tax purposes as partnerships. The MLP structure helps keep capital costs low, which facilitates funding of large-scale investments including pipeline, storage and distribution infrastructure.

The MLP structure has other significant benefits, as well. It provides Americans, through the public equity markets, the opportunity to invest in companies with large, capital-intensive projects such as pipelines, storage and other energy infrastructure. The quarterly cash distribution paid by MLPs is particularly attractive to those on fixed incomes.

Along with the construction of new pipeline systems, MLPs are also focused on organic or "bolt on" growth projects that enhance their existing infrastructure. Whether it's building new pipelines or enhancing the existing system, MLPs are hiring direct and indirect employees to work on these much-needed infrastructure projects. Even during the recent economic downturn, many MLPs were responsible for creating thousands of domestic jobs by hiring new employees and contractors.

Since 1987, Congress has limited the types of businesses that can be structured as MLPs to those involved in capital-intensive industries that generate the majority of their income from specifically defined qualifying sources of income, such as the storage and distribution of energy resources. Pipeline companies building new and expanding existing infrastructure to accommodate increased domestic energy production is exactly what Congress envisioned, and the tax structure has clearly promoted investment in our nation's energy infrastructure.

MLPs not only support U.S. energy infrastructure needs, they also provide much-needed sources of investment income for a significant number of Americans nearing or in their retirement years.

In Washington, it appears that all corporate tax provisions are under increased scrutiny at this time. Congress must ensure that it continues to support the long-term energy infrastructure needs of our country while protecting the steady income source MLPs provide to retired Americans with any tax changes considered.

Original Print Headline: MLPs fuel needs of our energy infrastructure

Michael Mears is president and CEO of Magellan Midstream Partners LP, a Tulsa-based master limited partnership.

The views expressed here are those of the author and not necessarily the Tulsa World. To inquire about writing a Business Viewpoint column, email a short outline of the article to Business Editor John Stancavage at john.stancavage@tulsaworld.com. The column should focus on a business trend; the outlook for the city, state or an industry; or a topic of interest in an area of the writer's expertise. Articles should not promote a business or be overly political in nature.

View the original article here

Oregon Investment Act: Responding to business needs across Oregon - Oregonian

By Ted Wheeler, Cliff Bentz and Tobias Read

We heard hundreds of stories, from across the state -- in Ontario, Klamath Falls, Bend, The Dalles, Portland, Pendleton, Coos Bay.

Business stories. Your stories.

The themes were consistent. Oregon must do better -- and be smarter and more strategic -- to support and invest in business opportunities. And the state can better connect capital to job creators, whether they are fledgling startups or established companies with plans to expand.

A manufacturer in the Columbia River Gorge can't get financing for a new project, which prevents it from hiring more than a dozen people. A promising Bend technology startup is struggling to connect with investors. Small businesses need help to hire technical assistance in Klamath Falls.

When we look around Oregon, we see signs that business is picking up. Opportunities abound. That's reason for optimism.

However, opportunities don't become realities on their own, and Oregonians are missing too many of them now. A recent analysis financed by the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon State Treasury and Meyer Memorial Trust identified a spectrum of "capital gaps" that are hamstringing business development in Oregon.

That's why a bipartisan coalition is proposing a new storyline when it comes to our economic development imperative: the Oregon Investment Act, which will be considered in February.

Oregon spends significant Oregon Lottery profits and other funds today to enhance business development. Yet those tools are scattered across multiple agencies and have little strategic connection, and sometimes have little accountability to measure results.

The Oregon Investment Act responds to the common themes we heard. It will require that we allocate state funds in nimble and effective ways, and it will help ensure that Oregonians get value for their money.

The multifaceted approach could include thoughtful participation in bank loans, focused attraction of venture capital, targeted tax credits and small-business assistance. The overriding goal: better help for communities across the state to build their own economic futures.

Government is in the economic development arena because taxpayers directed it. At the same time, taxpayers rightly expect that the state will invest our limited resources in a coordinated way that will maximize job creation and retention.

Oregon can and should.

Today's uncoordinated system of economic development will be improved by a new Oregon Growth Board that must partner with private sector expertise. That collaboration will allow Oregon to do a better job anticipating and reacting to opportunities.

The board will catalog the myriad ways Oregon now pays for economic development and ensure that funds are spent as wisely as possible. The board also will identify potential new sources of funding to bolster innovation and job creation.

The Oregon Investment Act will attract private dollars by using public funds as a catalyst, such as through investment partnerships and private loan guarantees. By combining those resources, we can help strengthen a culture of entrepreneurship.

It is important to note that the Oregon Investment Act restructures government, rather than adding to it. At least one existing state entity, the Oregon Growth Account Board in the State Treasury, will be dissolved.

This vision is the result of many voices, from small-business owners to community leaders to Oregonians of every political stripe. Together, we are working to write a new chapter in Oregon's story.

And together, we can encourage the business growth that will catapult us into a more prosperous tomorrow.

Ted Wheeler is Oregon's treasurer. Republican Cliff Bentz represents Ontario in the Oregon House of Representatives; Democrat Tobias Read represents Beaverton.

View the original article here

Oregon Investment Act: Responding to business needs across Oregon - Oregonian

By Ted Wheeler, Cliff Bentz and Tobias Read

We heard hundreds of stories, from across the state -- in Ontario, Klamath Falls, Bend, The Dalles, Portland, Pendleton, Coos Bay.

Business stories. Your stories.

The themes were consistent. Oregon must do better -- and be smarter and more strategic -- to support and invest in business opportunities. And the state can better connect capital to job creators, whether they are fledgling startups or established companies with plans to expand.

A manufacturer in the Columbia River Gorge can't get financing for a new project, which prevents it from hiring more than a dozen people. A promising Bend technology startup is struggling to connect with investors. Small businesses need help to hire technical assistance in Klamath Falls.

When we look around Oregon, we see signs that business is picking up. Opportunities abound. That's reason for optimism.

However, opportunities don't become realities on their own, and Oregonians are missing too many of them now. A recent analysis financed by the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon State Treasury and Meyer Memorial Trust identified a spectrum of "capital gaps" that are hamstringing business development in Oregon.

That's why a bipartisan coalition is proposing a new storyline when it comes to our economic development imperative: the Oregon Investment Act, which will be considered in February.

Oregon spends significant Oregon Lottery profits and other funds today to enhance business development. Yet those tools are scattered across multiple agencies and have little strategic connection, and sometimes have little accountability to measure results.

The Oregon Investment Act responds to the common themes we heard. It will require that we allocate state funds in nimble and effective ways, and it will help ensure that Oregonians get value for their money.

The multifaceted approach could include thoughtful participation in bank loans, focused attraction of venture capital, targeted tax credits and small-business assistance. The overriding goal: better help for communities across the state to build their own economic futures.

Government is in the economic development arena because taxpayers directed it. At the same time, taxpayers rightly expect that the state will invest our limited resources in a coordinated way that will maximize job creation and retention.

Oregon can and should.

Today's uncoordinated system of economic development will be improved by a new Oregon Growth Board that must partner with private sector expertise. That collaboration will allow Oregon to do a better job anticipating and reacting to opportunities.

The board will catalog the myriad ways Oregon now pays for economic development and ensure that funds are spent as wisely as possible. The board also will identify potential new sources of funding to bolster innovation and job creation.

The Oregon Investment Act will attract private dollars by using public funds as a catalyst, such as through investment partnerships and private loan guarantees. By combining those resources, we can help strengthen a culture of entrepreneurship.

It is important to note that the Oregon Investment Act restructures government, rather than adding to it. At least one existing state entity, the Oregon Growth Account Board in the State Treasury, will be dissolved.

This vision is the result of many voices, from small-business owners to community leaders to Oregonians of every political stripe. Together, we are working to write a new chapter in Oregon's story.

And together, we can encourage the business growth that will catapult us into a more prosperous tomorrow.

Ted Wheeler is Oregon's treasurer. Republican Cliff Bentz represents Ontario in the Oregon House of Representatives; Democrat Tobias Read represents Beaverton.

View the original article here

Oregon Investment Act: Responding to business needs across Oregon - Oregonian

By Ted Wheeler, Cliff Bentz and Tobias Read

We heard hundreds of stories, from across the state -- in Ontario, Klamath Falls, Bend, The Dalles, Portland, Pendleton, Coos Bay.

Business stories. Your stories.

The themes were consistent. Oregon must do better -- and be smarter and more strategic -- to support and invest in business opportunities. And the state can better connect capital to job creators, whether they are fledgling startups or established companies with plans to expand.

A manufacturer in the Columbia River Gorge can't get financing for a new project, which prevents it from hiring more than a dozen people. A promising Bend technology startup is struggling to connect with investors. Small businesses need help to hire technical assistance in Klamath Falls.

When we look around Oregon, we see signs that business is picking up. Opportunities abound. That's reason for optimism.

However, opportunities don't become realities on their own, and Oregonians are missing too many of them now. A recent analysis financed by the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon State Treasury and Meyer Memorial Trust identified a spectrum of "capital gaps" that are hamstringing business development in Oregon.

That's why a bipartisan coalition is proposing a new storyline when it comes to our economic development imperative: the Oregon Investment Act, which will be considered in February.

Oregon spends significant Oregon Lottery profits and other funds today to enhance business development. Yet those tools are scattered across multiple agencies and have little strategic connection, and sometimes have little accountability to measure results.

The Oregon Investment Act responds to the common themes we heard. It will require that we allocate state funds in nimble and effective ways, and it will help ensure that Oregonians get value for their money.

The multifaceted approach could include thoughtful participation in bank loans, focused attraction of venture capital, targeted tax credits and small-business assistance. The overriding goal: better help for communities across the state to build their own economic futures.

Government is in the economic development arena because taxpayers directed it. At the same time, taxpayers rightly expect that the state will invest our limited resources in a coordinated way that will maximize job creation and retention.

Oregon can and should.

Today's uncoordinated system of economic development will be improved by a new Oregon Growth Board that must partner with private sector expertise. That collaboration will allow Oregon to do a better job anticipating and reacting to opportunities.

The board will catalog the myriad ways Oregon now pays for economic development and ensure that funds are spent as wisely as possible. The board also will identify potential new sources of funding to bolster innovation and job creation.

The Oregon Investment Act will attract private dollars by using public funds as a catalyst, such as through investment partnerships and private loan guarantees. By combining those resources, we can help strengthen a culture of entrepreneurship.

It is important to note that the Oregon Investment Act restructures government, rather than adding to it. At least one existing state entity, the Oregon Growth Account Board in the State Treasury, will be dissolved.

This vision is the result of many voices, from small-business owners to community leaders to Oregonians of every political stripe. Together, we are working to write a new chapter in Oregon's story.

And together, we can encourage the business growth that will catapult us into a more prosperous tomorrow.

Ted Wheeler is Oregon's treasurer. Republican Cliff Bentz represents Ontario in the Oregon House of Representatives; Democrat Tobias Read represents Beaverton.

View the original article here

Oregon Investment Act: Responding to business needs across Oregon - Oregonian

By Ted Wheeler, Cliff Bentz and Tobias Read

We heard hundreds of stories, from across the state -- in Ontario, Klamath Falls, Bend, The Dalles, Portland, Pendleton, Coos Bay.

Business stories. Your stories.

The themes were consistent. Oregon must do better -- and be smarter and more strategic -- to support and invest in business opportunities. And the state can better connect capital to job creators, whether they are fledgling startups or established companies with plans to expand.

A manufacturer in the Columbia River Gorge can't get financing for a new project, which prevents it from hiring more than a dozen people. A promising Bend technology startup is struggling to connect with investors. Small businesses need help to hire technical assistance in Klamath Falls.

When we look around Oregon, we see signs that business is picking up. Opportunities abound. That's reason for optimism.

However, opportunities don't become realities on their own, and Oregonians are missing too many of them now. A recent analysis financed by the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon State Treasury and Meyer Memorial Trust identified a spectrum of "capital gaps" that are hamstringing business development in Oregon.

That's why a bipartisan coalition is proposing a new storyline when it comes to our economic development imperative: the Oregon Investment Act, which will be considered in February.

Oregon spends significant Oregon Lottery profits and other funds today to enhance business development. Yet those tools are scattered across multiple agencies and have little strategic connection, and sometimes have little accountability to measure results.

The Oregon Investment Act responds to the common themes we heard. It will require that we allocate state funds in nimble and effective ways, and it will help ensure that Oregonians get value for their money.

The multifaceted approach could include thoughtful participation in bank loans, focused attraction of venture capital, targeted tax credits and small-business assistance. The overriding goal: better help for communities across the state to build their own economic futures.

Government is in the economic development arena because taxpayers directed it. At the same time, taxpayers rightly expect that the state will invest our limited resources in a coordinated way that will maximize job creation and retention.

Oregon can and should.

Today's uncoordinated system of economic development will be improved by a new Oregon Growth Board that must partner with private sector expertise. That collaboration will allow Oregon to do a better job anticipating and reacting to opportunities.

The board will catalog the myriad ways Oregon now pays for economic development and ensure that funds are spent as wisely as possible. The board also will identify potential new sources of funding to bolster innovation and job creation.

The Oregon Investment Act will attract private dollars by using public funds as a catalyst, such as through investment partnerships and private loan guarantees. By combining those resources, we can help strengthen a culture of entrepreneurship.

It is important to note that the Oregon Investment Act restructures government, rather than adding to it. At least one existing state entity, the Oregon Growth Account Board in the State Treasury, will be dissolved.

This vision is the result of many voices, from small-business owners to community leaders to Oregonians of every political stripe. Together, we are working to write a new chapter in Oregon's story.

And together, we can encourage the business growth that will catapult us into a more prosperous tomorrow.

Ted Wheeler is Oregon's treasurer. Republican Cliff Bentz represents Ontario in the Oregon House of Representatives; Democrat Tobias Read represents Beaverton.

View the original article here