Business Review

While parts of the local economy are sinking under the pressure of the financial crunch, the IT branch seems like an island in a stormy sea. Not only have there been fewer redundancies, but the impact of the downturn on salaries was low. The software industry has always seen lively recruiting, and this trend has remained constant even during the crisis. Salaries in the industry are sure to rise this year, but will not reach double digit growth.

Otilia Haraga

Countries like the United States, Japan and some northern European states are spearheading the transition to LTE/4G, described as the cutting-edge technology of the future for mobile data. Romania is a market at odds with itself, as it is driven both by the penchant of the end-user for low prices but also by the big pull of last-generation services, which may set it on the 4G path before other countries in the region. The market is already starting to move in this direction, with preliminary talks underway among suppliers of network capabilities and telecom operators.

Otilia Haraga

Cloud computing has a couple of aces up its sleeve, both for large companies and SMEs. First, it has the advantage of scalability, letting companies control their computing power and pay only for what they use. Secondly, it allows infrastructure outsourcing, which can relieve users of IT administration burdens. This makes cloud computing no longer just a prophecy but a reality to which both IT providers and consumers are adjusting. However, concerns remain regarding the confidentiality of data stored in the cloud.

Otilia Haraga

Have you ever been robbed? Some of you may have. Are you active on social networks? You are? The two may be connected. For a lot of the threats to the security of our personal data, we only have ourselves to blame. Apparently, we are much too willing to share our likes and dislikes with our virtual ‘friends’ on the internet whom we may or may have not met, which we would not do with someone we had met even a few times in person.

Otilia Haraga

The market of television services is tipped to undergo drastic changes, as some major shifts are on the way. At the moment, the main players providing TV services are RCS&RDS, Romtelecom and UPC Romania, who together have more than a 70 percent market share, the rest being split between smaller operators. Large as they are, these firms, which can offer triple-play services, are negotiating takeovers to help them in the race for new customers.

Otilia Haraga

Prior to the economic downturn, entrepreneurs were typically seeking to develop luxury businesses through franchise. However, since the crisis hit, low-cost franchises have risen to the fore. The phenomenon is a direct result of the financial crunch, since entrepreneurs want to invest only small sums of money and recover their investment quickly and safely. 

Otilia Haraga

Romanian IT&C brands have to fight on a market that is dominated by the presence of international giants. Surely, in competing against the likes of HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Dell and Lenovo, a very clear strategy is needed to survive and prosper? Up to a point, the strategy is the same for local and global firms: production takes place in Asia, as in the case of many international producers. However, Romanian players claim to have a unique advantage: the ability to understand the local market and adjust to its specific needs. 

Otilia Haraga

Online buying has already become a trend, with data from Romcard showing that online card payments totalled EUR 127.8 million in 2010. Since Romanians like a bargain, several auction websites have already established a presence on the online market. Certain product ranges sell very well on such websites and at better prices than in a regular store. However, being relatively new, many of these sites face the mistrust of their customers who are yet to place their money whole-heartedly into an online purchase.

Otilia Haraga

The internet, the media channel of preference for the younger generations, may sometimes seem like a marketers’ paradise, with users offering private information willingly, on their blogs or social media accounts, and thus allowing brands to make their messages more and more personal. But there is more to the industry than meets the eye. Digital agencies explain to Business Review what this new, and just as cool, offspring of advertising is all about.

Corina Dumitrescu

The low purchasing power brought about by the recession has seen a new online business model emerge, that of social buying. Although such discounts seem well suited to the local market, the model was not born here, but was imported from abroad. Within just one year, a plethora of websites showcasing collective discounts have popped up and pundits expect the value of this market to reach several million EUR this year. Further new sites are on their way. In order to survive fierce competition, some are now starting to carve a niche for themselves.

Otilia Haraga