A round-up of today's other technology stories in brief

Sedilla to offer ASC software to companies

Two former executives at Softech Telecom have established Sedilla Technology, a company providing telecoms software for the business market.

Its ASC (automated switchboard control) product uses voice recognition technology channel to speed up the process of directing incoming calls. The product automatically answers calls after just one or two rings and allows callers to seek a person or department by name rather than having to know an extension number.

The company reckons savings in reception and switchboard costs will allow companies recoup the cost of the product within four to six months.

Minister to launch fibre-optic systems

Communications minister Noel Dempsey launched fibre-optic networks in six towns in the north-east this week.

The networks in Monaghan, Cavan, Kingscourt, Carrickmacross, Drogheda and Dundalk, will be run by Limerick group e-net, which manages the State's broadband network and now oversees fibre-optic infrastructure in 27 towns across the State.

"The launch of these six metropolitan area networks is a great boost for the region and brings broadband access a step closer to businesses and householders in these towns," said e-net chief executive Michael Tiernan.

Norkom wins €1m software contract

Norkom Technologies has won a €1 million deal to provide financial crime and compliance software for French banking group Natexis Banques Populaires.

The deal will see Norkom's software implemented in phases as part of the bank's move to enhance compliance with anti-money-laundering regulations.

Natexis has 155 offices employing close to 13,000 people, with profits after tax last year of €695 million.

Norkom chief executive Paul Kerley says the company's products "are proven to decrease financial crime incidents by up to 70 per cent and speed up investigations by 98 per cent".

Insight lands Intec software deal

Galway-based telecoms software group Intec has appointed Insight Test Services as its software quality assurance partner.

Insight, which has offices in Dublin, Galway and in Britain, is Ireland's largest quality software provider. It has been working with Intec for the past year.

Intec's Galway operation employs 130 people and supplies business and operations support services to the global telecoms industry. Intec's parent, UK-based Intec Telecom Systems, supplies more than 350 communications carriers in over 80 states.