This article is about a tool used as a piece of equipment. For other uses see Tool (disambiguation).

A tool is a piece of equipment that (most commonly) provides a mechanical advantage in accomplishing a physical task. The most basic tools are simple machines. For example, a crowbar simply functions as a lever. The further out from the pivot point, the more force is transmitted along the lever.

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The Economist: Telecommunications

Alcatel-Lucent: Bring down the barriers
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:35 -0000
Ben Verwaayen’s talents will be sorely tested in his new roleAFTER Alcatel SA merged with Lucent Technologies Inc two years ago, almost the last thing the new company could afford to worry about was balancing the interests of its French and American parts. But although less than half of the combined group’s turnover comes from its home countries, Alcatel-Lucent failed to transcend its national origins. Two small, weak telecoms-equipment firms became one big, weak one, beset by low-cost competition from new Chinese rivals and struggling in a business that internet technology was changing beyond recognition. Worse, demand has been weakening across the industry. Appointing people on the basis of nationality rather than ability is never a good idea; in conditions like these, it spelled disaster.Cost savings either failed to materialise or were swallowed by falling prices; despite hacking 16,500 jobs from a workforce of 88,000, Alcatel-Lucent made losses for six consecutive quarters and its share price fell by more than half. At the end of July it said that Serge Tchuruk, its French chairman, and Patricia Russo, its American chief executive, would depart. This week their replacements were named: a French chairman, who lives in America, and a Dutch chief executive, who will be based in Paris. Both Philippe Camus and Ben Verwaayen have the personality and experience that could iron out the beleaguered telecoms group’s problems. ...
Alcatel-Lucent: Goodbye and adieu
Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:10:21 -0000
The architects of a big telecoms-equipment merger decide to hang upWHEN Alcatel, a French maker of telecoms equipment, announced its plan in 2006 to merge with Lucent, an American rival, reactions were mixed. There was general agreement that bigger was better and that the combined firm would benefit from greater geographical reach. But there was also scepticism that its French and American managers would be able to get along. With good reason, it seems: on July 29th Alcatel-Lucent announced its sixth consecutive quarterly loss and the resignations of Serge Tchuruk, its French chairman, and Patricia Russo, its American chief executive. Their firm’s troubles stem in large part from its internal clash of cultures.This clash was an unhelpful distraction, given that the entire telecoms-equipment industry is suffering. The bonanza of 2000-05, when European operators upgraded their mobile-phone networks to new “third-generation” (3G) technology, is winding down. Sales growth is slowing, and even Ericsson, the industry leader, has seen its share price fall by 50% in the past year. Margins have also been squeezed by the rise of Huawei and ZTE, two Chinese firms. Their prices are sometimes 40-50% lower than those of Western vendors. ...
Tech.view: Home warriors
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:24:51 -0000
Telecommuters need more than e-mail and a broadband connectionTHE best thing about being a foreign correspondent is not having to commute to the office every day, attend dreary meetings, dress soberly, and generally get distracted from the nitty-gritty of doing the job. The worst thing is being out of touch with colleagues at head office, with little say over how your stories are treated. But if you can handle the patchy feedback and total lack of control, the freedom pays dividends in productivity and sheer job satisfaction.Being one of the most portable jobs on the planet, journalism provides a daily reminder that work is something you do, not some place you go to. For the past quarter of a century, your correspondent has smirked about the time and energy he’s saved through not having to travel to work. ...
Telecoms in Mexico: Slim’s pickings
Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:30:55 -0000
More competition should help to drive down exorbitant phone chargesIT HAS become quaint, in the era of Skype and unlimited calling plans, to worry too much about the cost of phone calls. But it is a textbook case of the old saying: “Them as has, gets”. The well-connected executive can use any number of voice-over-internet services to make free calls; but the rural poor, if they have phones at all, must pay high rates. Perhaps nowhere is this more true than in Mexico, where Carlos Slim, by some estimates the world’s richest man, dominates the telecoms industry. He controls Telmex, which has 81% of the fixed-line market, and Telcel, which has 72% of the mobile market. In the first quarter of 2008 Telmex had a profit margin before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of 48.7%; for Telcel the figure was 52.1%.This is well above the global average for telecoms firms of 35%, says Martin Lara, an analyst at Vector Casa de Bolsa, a research firm. Base tariffs have fallen in Mexico in recent years, but they do not include things like international calls or calls to mobile phones. Competition has not helped much, because smaller firms have been reluctant to undercut Mr Slim’s companies by very much—and high prices boost their profits, too. “No one wants to destroy these profits overnight,” says Mr Lara. ...

BBC News | Business | World Edition

More turmoil hits Asian markets
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:26:42 -0000
Asian markets plummet in early trading after Wall St stocks closed at their lowest levels for five years.
IMF in 'severe downturn' warning
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:42 -0000
The global economic downturn is likely to worsen as the financial crisis continues, says the International Monetary Fund.
Tata announces new plant for Nano
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:12:24 -0000
India's Tata Motors is to build the world's cheapest car, the Nano, in Gujarat state following a row over land for its original site.

NYT > World Business

Two Countries Plan Rescues as European Leaders Continue to Talk
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:27:22 -0000
Britain and Spain moved to mount separate rescues of their financial industries, a move that comes at a time when European economic weakness gives signs of deepening.
European Disunion: Facing a Financial Crisis, Nations Put Self-Interest First
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:16:55 -0000
As the financial storm spread, some of the 27 nations that make up the European Union have broken ranks to protect their own citizens and banks.
Iceland, in a Precarious Position, Takes Drastic Steps to Right Itself
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:16:41 -0000
In addition to seeking a $5.5 billion loan from Russia, Iceland pegged its currency to an index and took control of one of its largest banks as it struggled to keep its economy afloat.

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