Wednesday, December 31, 2008

One sure way for India to become the next Innovation Superpower!

Will the search for a new Search Engine end with an Indian innovation?

Will an Indian Innovation drive the energy engines of the future?

“If India is the IT capital of the world, why was YouTube not invented in India?” Or, for that matter “Why are the richest Indian corporations not taking the risks to set the nation on path to top of the value chain?”

What’s holding us back - despite the fact that country has a rich tradition of path-breaking scientific achievements, from Aryabhatta’s discoveries in astronomy, use of rocket-fire by Tipu Sultan’s forces to the invention of carbon-steel originally by Indian scientists?

Smashing the Hand-Mind-Market barrier!

According to the author the reason is the hand-mind barrier in India, probably a legacy of the Indian caste system, which divided the population into distinct categories. People who work with hands do not have the education, and those that have education do not work with hands. This dichotomy is not conducive to innovation, as innovation happens when theory is translated into practical application (Think of a dentist creating a new tooth-material, or a surgeon attempting a new surgical technique!).

History of Innovations

SMASH Innovation: Smashing the Hand-Mind-Market Barrier attempts to guide the Indian scientific community on the path of major next-generation innovations – with real-life examples from how stage was set by Thomas Newcomen and others for James Watt’s steam engine, or Dr. P.K. Sethi’s collaboration with the sculptor Ram Chandra Sharma to produce the revolutionary prosthetic Jaipur-foot. Additionally, the book covers the entire history of innovations starting from Newton, Edison and Einstein, and finally going on to today’s areas like healthcare, energy, automotive sector, water management and lighting and appliances that will drive the innovations of future!

Creating a century of Indian Innovation

On the whole, this new book from Wiley India, describes individual and organizational approaches to developing a strategy and a culture tuned to innovation - including processes to manage innovation with case studies for creating an idea-rich environment, besides a model covering three aspects of individual innovation - create with freedom, nurture with passion, and transcend with detachment. While the approaches described in the book are general, the special focus is on creating a century of Indian Innovation.

About the Author

Gopichand Katragadda, Ph.D., is the General Manager – India Engineering Operations for GE Energy Infrastructure comprising 1600 engineers in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai. The team produces next-generation designs for higher efficiency and environment-friendly energy solutions. Previously as the Operations Manager for GE Global Research Bangalore (GEGR-B), Gopi worked with the GEGR-B technology team of 400 researchers to deliver growth through innovation. The team filed over 225 US patents in just three years. Gopi is a certified GE Six-Sigma Master Black Belt.

S.M.A.S.H
Innovation: Smashing the Hand-Mind-Market Barrier
By Gopichand Katragadda
Published by Wiley India
978-81-265-1906-4
INR 299/-

Read latest review of this book:
http://www.indiainfoline.com/Bschool/innernews.asp?storyId=90943&lmn=13&cat=10

Read recent interview of the author:
http://www.businessworld.in/index.php/Books/Breaking-The-Barriers.html

Monday, December 8, 2008

Information Systems Security: Security Management, Metrics, Framework and Best Practices

Security was, is, and will always be a double edged sword. You have to expose your systems and applications to the external world in order to conduct business; but you want to remain in control. How does one achieve this balance?

The best approach, it seems, is to understand information and communication systems themselves, from a security viewpoint. Then one needs to understand the ‘soft spots’, where the systems can be exposed to intrusion and risks, within the overall architecture and design of these systems. These areas of risks can span the entire gamut of information systems including databases, networks, applications, Internet-based communication, web services, mobile technologies and people issues associated with all of them. Effective strategy to ameliorate the risks associated with these aspects of IT systems then needs to be developed, to provide businesses with the confidence to operate in the real world. Furthermore, with increasingly stringent legislations, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOx) legislation, that impose rigid auditing controls over businesses – particularly through their information and communication systems – it is vital for businesses to be fully aware of the security risks associated with their systems as well as the regulatory body pressures; and develop and implement an effective strategy to handle those risks.

This book covers all of the aforementioned issues in depth. It covers all significant aspects of security, as it deals with ICT, and provides practicing ICT security professionals explanations to various aspects of information systems, their corresponding security risks and how to embark on strategic approaches to reduce and, preferably, eliminate those risks. The coverage of the book is vast, and the relevant to immediate practice.

Salient features of the book

• Written by an experienced industry professional working in the domain, a professional with extensive experience in teaching at various levels (student seminars, industry workshops) as well as research.

• A comprehensive treatment and truly a treatise on the subject of Information Security

• Coverage of SOX and SAS 70 aspects for Asset Management in the context of information systems security.

• Covers SOX and SAS 70 aspects for Asset Management in the context of Information Systems Security.

• Detailed explanation of topics "Privacy" and "Biometric Controls".

• IT Risk Analysis covered.

• Review questions and reference material pointers after each chapter.

• Ample figures to illustrate key points – over 250 figures!

• All this is in a single book that should prove as a valuable reference on the topic to students and professionals. Useful for candidates appearing for the CISA certification exam. Maps well with the CBOK for CSTE and CSQA Certifications.

About the author

Nina Godbole has vast experience in the IT industry – System Analysis & Design and Development, as well as Application Support Services, MIS, IT Perspective Planning Training, Security Audits, Quality Management, Operations Management. Nina has also led BPR initiatives and has played an instrumental role in successfully driven organizational initiatives – the ISO 9001, P-CMM and CMM-I. She is an active member of many professional bodies and academic research groups.
Nina holds a Masters Degree from IIT and MS Engineering (Computer Science) degree from Newport University, USA. She is a CQA, CSTE, CISA, PMP and ITIL Foundation Certified professional.

Companion CD contains:

• 37 appendices with checklists, guidelines and more, on the topics covered.
• 17 case illustrations to help readers appreciate/reinforce the understanding of the concepts.
• Workshop Mapping document with ideas for mapping contents of chapters to workshops/seminars on security and privacy.


ISBN: 978-81-265-1692-6 Information Systems Security: Security Management, Metrics, Frameworks and Best Practices Price: Rs 549/- Pages: 1020

To know more, click here:
http://www.slideshare.net/wileyindia/information-systems-security-security-management-metrics-frameworks-and-best-practices

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A rapidly developing field of engineering

Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of precision mechanical engineering, electronic control and systems thinking in the design of products and manufacturing processes. It relates to the design of systems, devices and products aimed at achieving an optimal balance between basic mechanical structure and its overall control.

The word itself is a blend of 'Mechanics' and 'Electronics'. Mechatronics is now a rapidly developing interdisciplinary field of engineering.

The utility of the microcomputer and other similar microprocessor-based devices have been employed in countless applications to system monitoring, data handling, data presentation and control. The modern mechanical engineer must therefore, be competent in the application of microprocessor-based systems. The primary disciplines important in the design of mechatronic systems include mechanics, electronics, controls, and computer engineering. Therefore, a mechatronic system requires a multidisciplinary approach for the design, development and implementation of its product.

A must have book

This new release from Wiley India integrates the principles of electrical and electronic engineering with Mechatronic system application in a simple manner, and is designed for both mechanical/industrial engineers. This book enables one to design and select analog and digital circuits, microprocessor-based components, mechanical devices, sensors and actuators, and control devices to design modern mechatronic systems.

It consists of 16 chapters and each chapter begins with learning objectives and a brief introduction. Topics are then divided into labeled sections with explanations, examples, along with appropriate practical applications. A variety of solved problems with step by step solutions are included. Each chapter ends with key terms, summary of the chapter, objective type questions and exercises.

It’s USP

• Text presented in an integrated and lucid style.
• Design of discrete control systems using fluid power circuits and PLCs explained.
• User-friendly book with simple explanations and illustrations.
• Many worked out examples and case studies.
• Numerous illustrations, review questions, problems and exercises given.
• Appendices, solved question and answers included in companion CD.
• Instructor Manual CD with Powerpoint presentations and questionnaire will be made available in December 2008.


Covers university specific syllabi

This book is designed to meet the requirements of syllabus for mechanical, industrial, electronics and mechatronic engineering programmes, prescribed by VTU, Anna University, JNTU and many other Universities in India and abroad.

3 Precise versions of this text will be produced for VTU, JNTU and ANNA universities by May/June 2009.

For those who want to excel in this field

This textbook is written for undergraduate students embarking on introductory course in Mechatronics and is also a reference book for engineers, and other practicing professionals, who are keen on understanding the principles of Mechatronic systems and engineering.

This book is authored in a systematic approach and the entire mechatronic system is treated in an integrated manner by a multidisciplinary team of engineers.


Experts behind this book

Dr. K.P. Ramachandran, B.E, M.Tech, Ph.D is currently working as Associate Dean (Academic), Caledonian College of Engineering, Sultanate of Oman-Muscat. He has been instrumental in designing, developing and validating many new academic programmes, setting up many laboratory facilities including the Mechatronics lab at Caledonian College of Engineering. He is a professionally qualified mechanical engineer and has specialized in the area of maintenance engineering and management. He has research interests in vibration measurement, analysis and control; condition monitoring of rotating machines. He has more than 50 publications to his credit and has been conferred the Sir C.V.Raman award for the best technical paper published in the Journal of Vibration & Acoustics (1997).


G.K. Vijayaraghavan, B.E, M.Tech, Ph.D is working as a Senior lecturer in the department of mechanical engineering, Caledonian College of Engineering, Oman. He has an M.Tech from IIT-Madras and currently pursuing a Ph.D in the area of Thermography NDT. He has taught for more than 11 years in various engineering colleges in India and abroad and has many research publications to his credit. He has authored more than 12 textbooks in the area of mechanical engineering as per Anna University syllabus which are well received.


M.S. Balasundaram, is a post graduate in Electrical Engineering from the regional Engineering College, Tiruchirapalli, and is presently teaching at the Caledonian College of Engineering, Muscat. Prior to this he was with M. S. Engineering College, Bangalore as a professor and head of the department of Electrical Engineering. He is a consultant to NEXANT Inc USA and has consulted for USAID projects in power sector reforms in India. He has a long experience in the industry working with Bharat Heavy Electricals, India for more than two decades in the field of power engineering systems, power electronics and industrial drives.


Mechatronics: Integrated Mechanical Electronic Systems | Dr. K. P. Ramachandran, G.K. Vijayaraghavan, M.S. Balasundaram | ISBN13: 978-81-265-1837-1 | Price: Rs. 399/- | Pages: 852

Monday, October 6, 2008

Analytical Chemistry: Essential Reference for the Scientific Reference Library

This series of 34 books provides a uniquely comprehensive and integrated coverage of analytical chemistry, covering basic concepts, classical methods and instrumental techniques. The learning objectives of each text are clearly identified and the reader’s understanding of the material is constantly challenged by self assessment questions with reinforcing or remedial response.

The overall objective of Analytical Chemistry by open learning is to enable the reader to select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to solve analytical problems, and to interpret the results obtained.

This essential reference for the scientific reference library published by Wiley India is priced at Rs 39995/- (Worldwide Price $ 4500).


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Monday, August 25, 2008

Explore the Challenges Faced by IT Industry through Service-Oriented Architecture

Service-Oriented Architecture is a book that emphasizes on architecture, design and development of enterprise applications based on SOA. The book provides detailed information on many dimensions of SOA-reuse, agility and integration-that can be put to immediate use for creating transformational impact. It also offers a comprehensive and structured set of techniques for custom-built service-oriented enterprise applications that can be readily applied by system integration companies and end-user organizations to address customer needs.

The book equips you with both concepts and technology detail in addressing the IT challenges faced by organizations on their business transformation journey with SOA. This is the most sought after book by students who need to have an understanding of the concepts of SOA; architects, designers and developers who build SOA based enterprise applications and CXOs and Project managers who make decisions on undertaking SOA projects.

AUTHOR
Shankar Kambhampaty heads the Technology Advisory Group (TAG) in Satyam Computer Services Limited. Shankar has been involved for 20 years in architecture, design, development and management for a number of software projects executed globally. He has also played a key role in development of software products that have been exhibited in AIIM and COMDEX shows. Shankar has written several papers for International Conferences in the areas of Service-Oriented Architecture and Software Engineering. He has a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Digital Systems from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

This book is meant for:
Student, Software Engineers, Designers, Architects, Business Analyst and Consultants
Project/ Program Managers and IT Consultants, CXOs

Book is available in all leading bookstores. To buy online visit:

http://shopping.indiatimes.com/ism/faces/tiles/product.jsp?productID=1522122&catalogueID=20375432&categoryID=111279&parentCategoryID=111014&bid=&prc=&sid=&q=&k1=&k2=&k3=&k4=&k5=&k6=&k7=&k8=&k9=&k10=&k11=&k12

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http://www.infibeam.com/Books/info/SHANKAR-KAMBHAMPATY/Service-Oriented-Architecture-For-Enterprise-Applications/9788126516384.html


To know more about this book:

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Get Your Frog Out of the Well: Private Lessons for the Global Economy by Chuck Boyer



The book…
Is a compilation of remarkable and often amusing series of universal insights into what works and what doesn’t work in the art of doing business in the global economy. The title comes from a Hindu proverb about a frog and his need to see more of the world than just the narrow confines of the well in which he lives.

It’s USP
The author combines entertaining stories from his own experience with words of hard-earned wisdom from exclusive interviews with a star-studded list of business leaders – Subroto Bagchi, co-founder of MindTree Consulting, Bikramjit Maitra of Infosys, and Ajay Kela, COO of Symphony Services, Dr. Sridhar Mitta of e4e, and others – who talk candidly about what works today and what doesn’t.

The book also includes the top ten points of advice offered by first-level IT managers from across India. Their Number One advice on getting ahead in the New Economy: “Be Honest.”

Master the art of doing business in the global economy

While many of us today spend time pushing buttons on our smart phones and iPods, real progress in the New Economy comes from universal insights into what works and what doesn’t work in the art of doing business in the global economy. The title comes from a Hindu proverb about a frog and his need to see more of the world than just the narrow confines of the well in which he lives. In a clever and often humorous new book by Wiley India we learn how to identify our personality type, move beyond a “problem and solution” mind set to a broader “issue and expectation” view, the keys to finding our voice in business, and some refreshing views on developing PowerPoints, presenting a plan, and even finding a job with the best companies in India.

Each Indian, says the author, is just like each American, meaning we are all different. Americans, he writes, do tend to be more of a “get it roughly right and get on with it,” culture, while Indians tend to “over think” their work. But even that he insists is changing. The author makes a strong case that in today’s global environment, good Indian companies and good American companies are more alike than they are different. The key difference today is less about culture, and more about finding ways to think and act “outside the well.”

For those who want to make it big in the corporate world

This book provides candid and often humorous advice for recent graduates to senior managers on how to survive and thrive in the New Economy—from dealing with Americans to mastering the art of finding your own voice and making it heard.

The books is also of interest to editors, journalists, bloggers, and the blogosphere covering the New Economy, IT Business, Education, and “Corporate Life” in general.

Not just this! There is even a chapter aimed at students, outlining how to use some of the book’s insights to help them land a great job.


The man behind all of this

Chuck Boyer was, until the mid 1990s, Manager of IBM’s Corporate Publications Department, Armonk, New York, responsible for the annual report and other stockholder publications. At the same time he was Editor of IBM’s 60-year-old THINK magazine, and manager of the company’s Management Report Quarterly. Also during his 16 years with IBM, he worked as a speechwriter, advertising project manager and communications advisor.

He has previously authored “The 360 Revolution, the story of IBM’s coming of age”.He currently writes speeches, policy papers and annual reports for several companies, including IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Symphony Services (India). Along with Connie Nicolosi, Chuck has also founded a company called X3 Communications which is a partnership of senior writers and marketing specialists.

ISBN: 978812651671| Pages: 184| Price: Rs 249/

TO ORDER ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE:
http://shopping.indiatimes.com/i/f/t/-pid-1636422-ctl-20375432-cat--pc--


Thursday, July 31, 2008

Financial Derivatives: Key Instruments for Reducing Risks and Optimizing Profits

Financial Derivatives are important instruments of trade in all major stock exchanges. Many investors and end-users depend on the broking community and financial advisors for putting these instruments to use. For corporate organizations, derivatives help reduce risks and optimize profits.

In the new book published by Wiley India, Fundamentals of Financial Derivatives, one can easily get incisive information on the basic techniques of risk management and derivatives. The book offers a solid theoretical step-by-step approach to the understanding of basic derivative instruments, their pricing, uses in hedging and uses as synthetics and mimics.

This book is a result of the author’s experience in teaching Derivatives in Business schools. It is an excellent resource for beginners and for those who want to dwell deeper on the subject, and is written in a style that is understandable and very user friendly. This subject is a key elective in Finance in most B-schools. Students are exposed to various uses and applications of these instruments in conjunction with other assets.

The book comes packed with real-world examples and illustrations based on the Indian Stock Exchange. Solved problems and conceptual queries are also included at the end of the section relating to Futures and the one relating to Options. Topics such as Interest Rate Derivatives, Swaps and Credit Derivatives, Option Greeks, Delta hedging and Delta-Gamma-hedging are also covered in this book. Another USP of this book is that, it emphasizes on practical understandings, while avoiding the use of complex mathematical derivations and uses spreadsheet examples to drive home the concept.

Fundamentals of Financial Derivatives

N.R. Parasuraman

ISBN: 9788126516599| Papercover | 272 Pages| June 2008| Price: Rs. 299/-

Table of Contents:

  • Introduction to Derivatives Markets
  • Forwards and Futures
  • Types of Options
  • Principles of Option Pricing - Put-Call Parity
  • The Binomial Model for Pricing of Options
  • The Black-Scholes Model
  • Volatility and Implied Volatility from the Black-Scholes Model
  • Exotic Options - An Introduction
  • Introduction to Options Greeks and Basic Delta Hedging
  • Interest Rate Derivatives and Eurodollar Derivatives
  • Swaps
  • Credit Derivatives
  • Risk Management with Derivatives

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Cadbury's Purple Reign: The Story behind Chocolate's Best-Loved Brand

The story of how Cadbury came to be the world’s pre-eminent chocolate brand and its definitive history are to be told for the first time in the new book by John Bradley, Cadbury’s Purple Reign. This is a no holds barred account of the rollercoaster ride the organization has experienced, and how it ultimately led to its success.

The fascinating journey that has been the history of Cadbury makes it an ideal example with which to illuminate the story of consumerism. The company was established even before there were a mass of consumers to sell to, and was at the forefront of many of the developments which facilitated the rise of mass markets:

• Putting product quality at the heart of the brand
• Harnessing the miracles of the Industrial and Transportation Revolutions to drive explosive growth
• Industry consolidation via mergers and acquisitions to cement critical mass
• A radical approach to harnessing the potential of its workforce to create the most effectively run company in Britain
• The virtuous circle of economies of scale which slashed prices and brought chocolate to the masses
• Innovative marketing and selling approaches that put the Cadbury brand into not just the minds of consumers, but their hearts

Illustrated with fact, anecdote and beautiful images from previously archived material, this book provides the reader with an unprecedented insight into one of the world’s most iconic brands. These insights will help any consumer business that aspires to build longevity for their brand with lessons on how to better endear itself to consumers, and how to turn that relationship into profitable sales.

Cadbury’s Chairman Sir John Sunderland provides the foreword.

John Bradley joined the Cadbury UK Marketing Department straight from University in 1979 when the company was approaching its lowest ebb. His career path included a solid grounding in brand management, market research, and sales. His roles in the UK have included a prolonged spell managing Cadbury’s substantial Easter and Christmas portfolios, and General Manager of Cadbury’s bold venture into experiential marketing – Cadbury World.

After a move to Cadbury Canada, where John was Senior Vice President, Marketing, he ended a 24 year career with Cadbury by leaving the corporate world to build a new career as a consultant and writer.

John writes a monthly column in the leading Canadian marketing industry magazine, Strategy (published columns can be found at www.yknotsolutions.com/articles.html