Mike Schaffner directs the information technology project management group for the oil and gas products and services company, Cameron, in Houston and aims to infuse a business-based approach to IT management.

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These strands came together in 1999 in the Cyberport project, a property development disguised as an information-technology initiative, negotiated with the Pacific Century Group of Li Ka-shing, the most redoubtable of Hong Kong tycoons.

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The project is a joint research initiative of nine partners including Atos, Athens Information Technology, IBM's Haifa Research Lab, Imperial College London, City of Santander, and PRISA Digital and Telesto.

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To improve technology access, Microsoft also announced the deployment of a pilot project with the Kenyan Ministry of Information and Communications and Kenyan Internet service provider Indigo Telecom Ltd. to deliver low-cost, high-speed, wireless broadband and create new opportunities for commerce, education, healthcare and delivery of government services across Kenya.

ENGADGET: Microsoft launches 4Afrika initiative with Huawei W1 variant, TV white space broadband project