FACTS Computer Software House, Dubai, UAE

Microsoft's big draw for Oracle on Azure: Simplified licensing Rent Windows Server instances on Azure and get Oracle's database offerings too -- but for how much? Two long-standing rivals --  Oracle  and  Microsoft  -- stood on the same stage together Tuesday at Oracle OpenWorld to pool their resources for a new enterprise cloud deal. Many of Oracle's biggest products, from Java to databases to Oracle Linux offerings, are all now supported not only on Windows Server Hyper-V but also on Windows Azure. The most vital question on the lips of many long-standing customers for both companies, though, won't be one of application compatibility or migration. It'll be about licensing for Oracle's products. At its core, the Oracle/Microsoft deal is impressive. Windows Azure users can now use Oracle Database, Oracle WebLogic Server, Oracle Linux, Oracle Solaris, and Java. All products are not only allowed but directly supported by Microsoft as well. Users can mak...

Offshore IT service providers are the leading users of L-1 visas The IEEE-USA is calling for reform of the L-1 visa program, which unlike the H-1B visa has no cap or prevailing wage requirement The IEEE-USA is calling for reform of the L-1 visa program following the release of a government report that identified offshore IT service providers as the biggest users of the visa. In the report, the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that some of the L-1 visa program's rules are vague and the program is vulnerable to fraud and abuse. [ For a quick, smart take on the news you'll be talking about, check out  InfoWorld TechBrief  -- subscribe today. ] The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer foreign employees into the U.S. Unlike the H-1B visa, there is no cap or prevailing wage requirement with the L-1. The largest users of the L-1 visa are companies either based in India or with operations there, said the report, compiled ...