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Technology helps to check burglaries

Crimes in general and burglaries in particular are known to have spiked in all parts of the globe as the world economy falls deeper into recession. Here in Sri Lanka, people's life and property are not exempt from this worrying phenomenon. According to UN data, Sri Lanka had 12,666 burglaries in 2007 (0.631 per 1,000 people). Whilst well below that of the USA which has the highest rate, it's still alarmingly high for a small island nation, especially if we compare the levels to Oman who had no burglaries to report.

In addition to the burglaries there were also some 4,647 robberies reported (0.231 per 1,000 people). Data from Interpol suggests that these crime rates are growing by between 12 and 25 percent each year.

Consequently, more and more people are looking at high-tech solutions to addressing the home security issue. The evidence suggests that the cost of having the technology installed is reasonable and the investments are abundantly worthwhile. Additionally, these little devices are simple and easy to operate.

Take for example Jayawickrama, whose detached Colombo 5 home was the target of a ruthless burglar at 2 a.m. one night recently. A robber had tried to enter the house through a window but fortunately for Jayawickrama he had recently fitted a device supplied by KayJay Security and the intruder system detected the forced entry and triggered an alarm. Consequently, the robber panicked and ran off which was fortunate for the robber as the triggering of the alarm sets off four SOS calls. Two calls are dispatched to the owners and the other two alerts the KayJay HQ and the area supervisor.

Jayawickrama said that he and his wife were sleeping upstairs when they heard the alarm going off. When he went down stairs he realized that the intruder's entry point was through a window and upon the alarm being triggered, the burglar had rushed out without taking any valuables with him. By contrast, Wickramasinghe house had been burgled some 18 months back at the same residence when several valuables were lost. The initial incident had prompted him to install the KayJay system on a monthly payment scheme.

These alarm systems are recognized around the world as a viable solution to the problems posed by rising crime. The systems that are supplied by KayJay Security can be installed for a monthly fee with no initial payment or installation charge.

The monthly fee also includes monitoring. Whilst no one wishes for a burglar to set foot into their property or that of their neighbours, the harsh realities of the modern world dictate that it is 'better to be safe than sorry'. Jayawickrama was certainly glad he was secured with a system that saved his goods and most importantly, his life.

eMarketingEye completes two years

eMarketingEye, an Internet marketing agency offering integrated Internet marketing solutions, marked two years of successful operations. The company recently received Google AdWords Qualified status and is one of the few Asian firms to have achieved Google Analytics Authorized Consultant status.

Founder and CEO of eMarketingEye Rajitha Dahanayake

eMarketingEye offers a wide range of online marketing solutions to improve the performance and visibility of any website. Search marketing, strategy consultancy, performance optimization and web analytics are effectively combined to provide customized online solutions. The company also closely monitors internet trends and consistently updates its service offerings. Social Media Optimization is an example of a recent service the company mastered, providing its clients the ability to increase brand awareness, brand loyalty and revenue through popular social media websites.

Founder and CEO of eMarketingEye, Rajitha Dahanayake, said that the continuous dedication to strive for excellence and building strong client relationships makes a significant impact in their performance. "We have been able to continuously achieve our growth targets, even during these troubled times when many firms are cutting back and struggling to maintain existing operations" he said.

eMarketingEye also won the Best Search Engine Optimization Strategy Award in 2008 at the prestigious ad:tech conference in San Francisco. The award was presented for the successful Search Engine Optimization campaign carried out for Millennium and Copthorne Hotels, a leading hotel chain with over 120 individual hotels in 19 different countries.

In the past two years the company has also won four impressive Adrian awards for its Internet Marketing campaigns from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

With 20 percent of the world's population currently using the Internet, Online Marketing has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. With billions of web pages and millions of products and services competing on the Internet, Online Marketing constitutes the multi-faceted strategies that ensure a website's targeted user traffic, find that website, resulting in increased revenue and brand awareness.

Skills 16th anniversary

Sixteen years ago, under the initiative of Sri Sangabo Corea, Skills Advertising and Marketing (Pvt) Ltd set forth with an ambitious vision of tapping into the inborn creative talents of individuals and utilizing those talents to further the commercial, social and communal aspirations of companies and individuals through focused and creative advertising.

A decade and a half later, what differentiates Skills in today's cluttered environment is their proven leadership as a new breed of agency uniquely qualified in total market solutions.

Following the change of management in 2001, Skills aims to provide their clients with the most effective media mix in order to position their products/services above their competitors through effective, innovative and highly customized advertising and marketing solutions.

"Today, we reflect on the accomplishments of our sixteen years, but more importantly we are poised for an even bigger and better future," said MD, Ananda Samarasinghe.

Ananda Samarasinghe, who has been in the print and electronic media fields and has vast experience in the advertising sector, has joined the management by Priyanga Jayaweera, who has over 20 years experience in the advertising and marketing field both locally and internationally, as well as by L. D. Ganegoda, who has a name in the business community and has helped take the Company to all levels of the society.

The highly professional team of creative personnel, including 4 creative directors and 3 art directors-each with close to 20 years of experience in the field, who are passionate about their work in Skills' biggest strength. What makes Skills stand out is that their small size and intense professionalism makes the product exclusively tailor-made to achieve the desired end in the market.

Based in Kirullapone, Skills Advertising and Marketing offers a full range of marketing, advertising and public relations services for a diverse range of products, including banking, healthcare, education, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), IT and software, and communications etc.

As much as every department is essential for a complete and unique package, the Media Department is of crucial importance to any advertising agency. Cordial relations with media personnel are of utmost importance and SKILLS capitalizes on the exceptional PR skills of their media personnel to get their clients the best deals in town.

Enhancing home hygiene:

Arpico Plastishell septic tanks launched

Arpico has launched Arpico Plastishells septic tanks for improved sewerage and sanitation.

A septic tank

Septic tanks are essential for sewerage from toilets and the traditional septic tank in Sri Lanka is built from bricks or concrete. As septic tanks are installed underground, this method often causes problems of seepage and contamination that are unsanitary for the residents. Arpico Plastishells Septic Tanks however are made of plastic LLDP and withstand the pressures that underground septic tanks are subjected to and are far more durable than the old fashioned septic tanks.

The interior of Arpico Plastishells Septic Tanks are divided with two seperator walls forming three compartments which is unique as no other tank in the market has this advantage. The three compartments facilitate the flow of solid waste and prevent over-spilling and ensure no odours even during the rainy season.

Arpico Plastishells Septic Tanks can be easily fitted to the existing sewerage system in the home and its heavy duty lid ensures no water will seep in even when the area is flooded. An Arpico Plastishells septic tank can be used by an ordinary sized family.

Explaining the new concept, Brand Manager of Arpico Plastishells Ltd, Derrick Perera said. advanced type of non-absorbent septic tank is compliant with international standards of quality and are used in developed nations because it eliminates all the problems associated with traditional septic tanks. Arpico septic tanks are ideal for small homes as well as for high rise buildings. Consumers also have the added confidence of the proven guarantee that has been the hallmark of other Arpico Plastishells tanks." The company has introduced a range of products including Diesel Tanks, 3-layer Super Star Tanks, Aqua Tanks, Sump Tanks.

PAB ties up with Amana Takaful Insurance

Pan Asia Bank and Amana Takaful Insurance have collaborated to offer Bancatakaful, under which, Takaful life policies will be offered to all Pan Asia Bank customers through the Pan Asia Bank branch network.

This is yet another first from Amana Takaful Insurance and Pan Asia Bank, who are rapidly moving towards the pinnacle of excellence in the finance sector in Sri Lanka.

Takaful is an insurance system through which the participants donate part of their contribution, which are used to pay claims for damages suffered by some of the participants while balances goes into an investment fund. Amana Takaful's role is to manage the insurance operations and invest insurance contributions in line with Islamic principles. Takaful is a novel way of insurance that is based firmly on values of taking care of each other through trust, equality and ethics.

The policy holder has the privilege in cancelling the policy at any given time and is entitled to withdraw the PIF along with the profit, subject to cancellation fee. In Takaful the risk fund, that is PTF is owned by the participants to the fund who are entitled to the surplus, while conventional insurance it is owned by shareholders who are entitled to the surplus.

Takaful operations are also governed not only by the regulator but also by a council of scholars (Sharia Board) who review and confirm the transparent nature of operations and conformity with the concept. With Bancatakaful, Takaful life insurance solutions will be available at all Pan Asia Bank counters, thus enabling Pan Asia Bank customers to enjoy the superlative benefits such as Customised Basic covers, Death and Permanent Total Disablement, with a list of supplementary covers to choose from to suit the individual needs, including a comprehensive hospitalization cover and Surplus Refund at the end of the policy period.

Director/CEO of Pan Asia Bank Kimarli Fernando said that Pan Asia Bank is delighted to be the first bank in Sri Lanka to collaborate with Amana Takaful and initiate a premier service to its customers in the arena of Takaful insurance, for the entire family.

This partnership will open new doors, propelling the banking industry to stratospheric heights. Having got valuable feedback from its Muslim customers for the need for Sharia compliant products, Pan Asia Bank as a "Bank of all communities", is keen to meet the needs of its customers, Kimarli said.