IBM takes to a consumer electronics show to present what it claims is the first "integrated universal approximate quantum computing system" for commercial use in the world-- the Q System One.

The Q System One is housed inside a dramatic glass cube, and features what Big Blue describes as "a sophisticated, modular and compact design optimized for stability, reliability and continuous commercial use." It promises to address one of the challenges involved in quantum computing, namely maintaining the quality of qubits (aka quantum bits, the superposition of 1s and 0s making the basic units of quantum computing) used in quantum calculations. Qubits are apparently delicate creatures, and are easily affected by vibrations, temperature fluctuations and magnetic waves.

HPE sets to stride further into AI and analytics with the acquisition of BlueData, provider of EPIC big data-as-a-service software able to run large-scale distributed machine learning and analytics workloads in Docker containers.

Financial details of the deal are not available.

“BlueData has developed an innovative and effective solution to address the pain points all companies face when contemplating, implementing, and deploying AI/ML and big data analytics. Adding BlueData’s complementary software platform to HPE’s market-leading Apollo Systems and professional services is consistent with HPE’s data-first strategy and enables our customers to extract insights from data – whether on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid architecture,” HPE says. “We are excited about the significant value we can deliver for our customers by working with the talented team at BlueData.”

Danish distributor Unit.DK must stop selling an imported product, Wireless Media, as the Maritime and Commercial High Court of Copenhagen rules in favor of Barco.

Barco says this Chinese wireless presentation system is a look-alike of Barco’s successful ClickShare--launched in April 2012 as a game-changing meeting room technology which allows any meeting participant to share content on the central meeting room screen via ClickShare buttons.

The court finds it likely Barco is right: the product may infringe Barco’s patent and the Danish case will now continue on the merits. In the meantime, Unit.DK must pay Barco’s legal costs--and STOP selling the Wireless Media branded product.

Recently appointed Cisco Global Channel Chief Oliver Tuszik takes the stage for the first time at the company's Partner Summit event in Las Vegas-- and his message urges partners to follow in the transformation from hardware to software.

Formerly Country Leader for Germany, Tuszik took over from Cisco veteran Wendy Bahr little more than a month ago at the tail end of September 2018. His keynote teases a set of incentives and specialisations for partners, including a simplified recurring revenue structure and the addition of an "activation bonus" for the DNA Centre software as part of the Value Incentive Program (VIP).

“There are a huge amount of new products coming to market and a lot of models are changing for our customers,” Tuszik says. “Customers want a business partner who helps them use technology. This is where we are going. We need to find a program for the future to allow partners to find their own speed for the challenge."

Barco looks to face changing market demands and growth opportunities with a restructuring plan-- one addressing organsiational structure and effectiveness, as well as reinvestment in "certain growth initiatives."

“Since launching our ‘focus to perform’ program in 2016, Barco has made measurable and steady progress primarily by rationalizing the business portfolio and part of its manufacturing footprint, and by implementing value engineering initiatives," CEO Jan De Witte says. "With this plan we take the next step in our "focus to perform" program and embrace Barco’s future as a successful hardware, software and services company."

Microsoft revenues reach $29.1 billion in fiscal Q1 2019 (ending 30 September 2018)-- a 19% Y-o-Y increase, with net income reaching $8.8bn, up 34% Y-o-Y, on operating income of $10bn, a 29% Y-o-Y increase.

“We are off to a great start in fiscal 2019, a result of our innovation and the trust customers are placing in us to power their digital transformation,” CEO Satya Nadella says. “We’re excited to help our customers build the digital capability they need to thrive and grow, with a business model that is fundamentally aligned to their success.”

The Windows Maker sees growth across the three main divisions, namely Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud and More Personal Computing. Productivity and Business Processes covers Office, LinkedIn and Dynamics products and services, and has revenues grow by 19% Y-o-Y to $9.8bn, with all segments seeing growth. For instance, Office commercial revenues are up by 17% Y-o-Y, while Office consumer revenues are up by 16% Y-o-Y. LinkedIn also sees impressive 33% Y-o-Y revenue growth, with record levels of engagement.