text:
CompanyNewsHQ
Finance and Utilities
M&A News
Pharmaceutical Company News
Bayer-transforms-pharma-business-through-breakthrough-innovation-in-healthcare
January 13, 2021 Michael Crowe Bayer
Berlin, Germany, January 13, 2021 – At its virtual Pharma Media Day, Bayer presented exciting progress in transforming its pharmaceutical business with breakthrough innovation in healthcare that will significantly help patients suffering from conditions that are currently still difficult to treat. The company has recently heavily invested in external innovation with an unprecedented number of more than 25 collaboration agreements and acquisitions.
"The biomedical and technological revolution that is transforming healthcare at an unprecedented pace is taking place now. Our company is at the forefront of the wave of innovation in cell and gene therapy as well as digital health," said Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management, Bayer AG and President of Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division. "We are driving this transformation and growing our promising development portfolio together with our partners. Our joint goal is to bring breakthrough treatments to patients and make healthcare systems more sustainable in the mid- and long-term."
At its virtual Pharma Media Day, speakers from Bayer, its partners and leading experts demonstrated under the theme "Transforming Healthcare. Transforming Bayer" how the company is committed to transforming patient health by fulfilling its strategic ambition in the areas of cell and gene therapy, digital health and by driving forward the company's promising development portfolio.
Cell and Gene Therapy: Accelerating breakthrough innovation for patients
Cell and gene therapies offer for the first time the possibility to address the root cause of disease, providing options for conditions considered intractable or where the current standard of care only addresses symptoms to different degrees. Bayer's increasing investments in the field are consolidating the company's emerging leadership and confirm its strategic significance as a growth-driver for its pharmaceutical business.
Bayer has just established a new Cell and Gene Therapy Platform. This platform steers Bayer's strategy in the area and orchestrates all activities along the value chain providing an innovation ecosystem for all partners, including BlueRock Therapeutics and Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), two companies fully owned by Bayer but independently operated. Bayer's development portfolio of cell and gene therapies already comprises seven advanced assets in different stages of clinical development. These are focused on multiple therapeutic areas with high unmet need, such as neurodegenerative, neuromuscular and cardiovascular indications, with leading programs in Pompe disease, Parkinson's disease, hemophilia A, and congestive heart failure. With over fifteen preclinical assets in the cell and gene therapy field, the pipeline is expected to grow steadily year by year.
"Cell and gene therapies hold the promise to significantly impact patients' lives by moving from treating symptoms to potentially curative approaches," said Wolfram Carius, Executive VP and Head of Cell and Gene Therapy at Bayer. "Together with our partners, we want to accelerate innovation at its source and along the whole value chain to ensure a fast translation of science into therapies for patients who have no time to wait."
BlueRock Therapeutics recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared their Investigational New Drug application to proceed with a Phase I study in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. This will be the first trial in the United States to study pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons in patients with Parkinson's disease and a big step forward for the stem cell field.
Digital Health: Empowering patients through Integrated Care
Digital healthcare offerings have become an important pillar of modern healthcare. The combination of conventional healthcare approaches with innovative digital technologies makes it possible to offer efficient solutions addressing the needs of a person in his/her specific environment. Bayer is developing Integrated Care concepts which offer individual support of patients. This personalized approach addresses complex and interconnected health challenges within the individual circumstances.
Integrated Care is a key element of Bayer's digital business strategy in pharma. In collaboration, Bayer and the digital health company Informed Data Systems Inc. (IDS/One Drop) are expanding their business based on IDS's existing diabetes management platform. This solution was downloaded more than 3 million times. Together, the companies are now creating new health offerings to address the needs of patients in the areas of cardiovascular diseases, women's health and oncology. Experts from both companies are jointly working on the first two modules, which are to become available within a year.
More: Leaps-Bayer-leads-USD-million-Series-B-financing-Senti-Bio-develop-next-generation-therapies-using
"By focusing on the individual patient, not their disease, Integrated Care is the path to truly inclusive and personalized healthcare," said Jeanne Kehren, Senior VP of Digital & Commercial Innovation and Member of the Pharmaceuticals Executive Committee of Bayer AG. "We are determined to make Integrated Care solutions a major pillar of our company's pharmaceutical business. Building on our expertise in the pharmaceutical sector, we can bridge the gap between tech and healthcare. In the next ten years, we expect digital health offerings to significantly contribute to our revenues."
Growing a robust pipeline: New approaches for unmet medical needs
Bayer is continuing to build a strong development pipeline advancing more than 50 projects through the clinic with a focus on cardiovascular diseases, oncology and women's health. The company highlighted two promising pipeline programs in mid-stage development demonstrating medical innovation at Bayer.
As an innovation leader in cardiovascular diseases with deep disease understanding and a long history of successful drug development, Bayer is particularly strong in the field of anticoagulation. Heart attack and stroke still represent a major health burden and new, more effective treatment options in thrombosis prevention are needed. The company is advancing a promising mid-stage program of Factor XI (FXI)-targeting compounds, a new class of anticoagulants, comprising of three investigational assets. A small molecule oral FXIa-inhibitor has commenced a Phase IIb program (PACIFIC), planning to enroll more than 4,000 patients in total. In addition, an anti-FXIa antibody and a FXI-ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide (FXI-LICA), which Bayer is developing under exclusive license from IONIS Pharmaceuticals, have recently started Phase II trials, in patients with end-stage kidney disease. FXI-pathway inhibition may offer protection from thromboembolic events without increased risk of bleeding. This may provide a treatment option to patients for whom currently no suitable therapeutic options are available.
With its P2X3 multi-indication program, Bayer highlighted another important candidate in mid-stage development. At Bayer, the promise of P2X3 antagonists was first identified for endometriosis within the company's strategic research alliance with Evotec, a Germany-based drug discovery and development company. Endometriosis is a clinical condition affecting approximately 10 percent of women in reproductive age, many of whom experience severe chronic pain with debilitating effects on their professional, personal and social lives. P2X3 also has a prominent role in several other medical conditions associated with pain and neurogenic hypersensitivity such as chronic cough, overactive bladder and neuropathic pain. Although these diseases are not life-threatening, they severely impact the quality of life for a very large number of patients – and P2X3 antagonists could potentially offer a new treatment approach and relief to these patients. For its development strategy, Bayer decided to explore a novel path in research and development pursuing not one but multiple possible indications early on and in parallel in the clinic. As of today, Bayer has entered Phase IIb clinical trials for refractory and/or unexplained chronic cough, with a trial in endometriosis soon to follow. In addition, Phase IIa clinical studies have commenced for overactive bladder and diabetic neuropathic pain.
"Our research in the fields of Factor XI inhibitors and P2X3 antagonists are just two promising examples of mid-stage programs that demonstrate our ongoing commitment to building and advancing a strong development pipeline," said Stefan Oelrich. "Positioning Bayer as a leader in the highly dynamic space of healthcare innovation, we will continue to lead the field in bringing new solutions to patients who need them."
At the same time, the company is also successfully delivering on its late-stage pipeline in the areas of oncology and cardiovascular disease including also a number of potential blockbuster products. In the area of oncology, for example, darolutamide (jointly developed with Orion Corporation), a differentiated treatment option that extends survival for men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who are at high risk for developing metastatic disease (nmCRPC), and shows a favorable safety profile. The product has received regulatory approval in several markets, including the U.S., the European Union (EU), Brazil, Canada and Japan. The Phase III study ARASENS in the indication of metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) is expecting data read-out in 2021. Larotrectinib is a first-in-class precision oncology treatment designed to treat patients with solid tumors harboring a Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase (NTRK) gene fusion (1). The product is approved in more than 40 countries, including the U.S. and countries of the EU. It was the first treatment in the EU to receive a tumor-agnostic indication.
More: Bayer completes the sale of its Animal Health business unit to Elanco
Finerenone is an investigational first-in-class treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), a condition of high unmet medical need and limited treatment options. Finerenone has been submitted for marketing approval in the US and in the EU based on Phase III data from the FIDELIO-DKD trial. The Phase III program with finerenone in CKD in T2D is the largest Phase III clinical trial program to date in CKD and T2D. It comprises two studies, evaluating the effect of finerenone versus placebo on top of standard of care on both renal and cardiovascular outcomes. The second Phase III trial in patients with CKD in T2D, FIGARO-DKD, is still ongoing. Vericiguat, which is being jointly developed with MSD (a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA), is currently under development for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It could offer a specific mechanism of action to restore the functioning of a critical pathway, so far not addressed by current therapies. Vericiguat has been submitted for marketing authorization in the U.S., EU, Japan and China as well as multiple other countries. In July 2020, the FDA granted MSD's application the status of priority review for the approval of vericiguat.
In the field of women's healthcare, Bayer recently added a highly attractive asset to its development portfolio through the acquisition of KaNDy Therapeutics. BAY-342 (formerly NT-814) is a first in class, non-hormonal, once-daily, oral neurokinin-1,3 receptor antagonist for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) during menopause, planned to start Phase III development in 2021.
(1) Larotrectinib is the first precision oncology therapeutic of its kind to treat adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that display an NTRK gene fusion, who have a disease that is locally advanced, metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and who have no satisfactory treatment options.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2019, the Group employed around 104,000 people and had sales of 43.5 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.9 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
Find more information at https://pharma.bayer.com/
Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pharma.bayer
Follow us on Twitter: @BayerPharma
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
More from: Bayer |	Category: Pharmaceutical Company News
← Emma Bunton set digital boundaries for her kids during the pandemic
Atos recognized twice by Springboard Consulting for its excellence in disability inclusion – Atos →
Oct 29,2020 | Results from the Investigator-Initiated Phase I Study of RAF/MEK Inhibitor, CKI27 Published in the Lancet Oncology Online | News | CHUGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
October 29, 2020 Michael Crowe
Third Pivotal Phase 3 Study Shows RINVOQ™ (upadacitinib) Plus Topical Corticosteroids Improves Skin and Itch Symptoms in Atopic Dermatitis Patients
July 28, 2020 Michael Crowe
Otsuka Announces Top-line Results from Two Phase 3 Studies in Japan for Atopic Dermatitis Drug Candidate Difamilast (OPA-15406)|News Releases | Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
March 26, 2020 Michael Crowe
Post a Press Release ⏩
Top 1000 Company Lists ⏩
Breaking Company News
O2 tops MNO performance scores in latest Ofcom & UKRN Performance Scorecard – O2 The Blue
Answers to 9 crucial questions about the coronavirus variants spreading around the world
China's Tencent buys audiobook platform Lazy Audio for $417 million
Publication of listing prospectus
Unpacking Galaxy Unpacked 2021: Producing the Virtual Galaxy S21 Launch Event in the Midst of a Pandemic Was No Small Feat
Unboxing Innovation: Looking Back at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked Events
8 In 10 Small Businesses Start 2021 With Resolutions To Get In Shape For The Year Ahead | Hitachi Capital UK
Buyer sought for portfolio of pubs
AT&T Is Bringing 5G+ to U.S. Air Travelers
LyondellBasell to Discuss Fourth-Quarter Results on Friday, January 29, 2021
SolarLeaks Selling Alleged Source Code from Microsoft, Cisco | Avast
Health dashboard update
RSM Manager awarded John Beere Award for 2020
Imfinzi approved in the EU for less-frequent, fixed-dose use in unresectable non-small cell lung cancer
London development firm plans to transform "iconic" Victorian building with £4m acquisition
Thermo Fisher buys Henogen for nearly $880 million in gene therapy expansion
SAP Extends Executive Board | SAP News Center
Invitation to presentation of EQT AB's Year-End Report 2020
PNC Reports Full Year 2020 Net Income Of $7.6 Billion, $16.96 Diluted EPS
Supreme Court verdict on business interruption insurance test case ABI
Chubb Announces Chief Financial Officer Philip Bancroft to Retire; Peter Enns to Become CFO Effective July 1
233 job cuts as M&S finalises Jaeger deal
Leading law firm for 12 areas in 3 jurisdictions in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021
New research reveals family dinnertime is on the decline with only 28% of households sharing the same meal
Merkel calls for tougher restrictions as German cases top 2 million
Charity Commission to consult on updated responsible investment guidance
Clifford Chance | Mark Shipman re-appointed to Hong Kong Government's Financial Services Development Council
JD.com Selected as a Franz Edelman Award Finalist by INFORMS – JD Corporate Blog
Walmart to Host Virtual Investment Community Meeting and Release Fourth Quarter Financial Results on Feb. 18, 2021
Naturgy to invest up to $1.8 billion in U.S. after solar acquisition
Hill Dickinson advises PAM Group on the acquisition of Physio Supplies and 66Fit
Disregard misinformation on lockdown, FG advises Nigerians | The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
FCA publishes Defined Benefit Advice Assessment Tool
Unleash Your Spirit: Eli Johnson
EE brings Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and 5G smartphones together
Freddie Mac Prices First-of-its-Kind $276 Million in Multifamily Structured Credit Risk Notes | Freddie Mac
Health & Fitness Subscription Boxes to Try in 2021 | The Wowcher Blog
EE Extends Unlimited Data Offer to June for NHS Heroes
Japan Eyes Law Revision to Ensure COVID-19 Bed Capacity
Hanwha Aerospace to acquire 30% shares of Satrec Initiative
Clifford Chance | Clifford Chance advises on first US dollar sustainability-linked bond in Asia (ex Japan)
Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung advises Dian Swastatika Sentosa on thermal power plants sale in Indonesia
My week with an electric car – the new Volkswagen ID.3 – Which? News
Cross Country Skiing is Booming Despite COVID
How China Is Controlling the Coid Origins Narrative — Silencing Critics and Locking up Dissenters – The News Lens International Edition
GEODIS expands and renames its specialist Project Logistics business | GEODIS
DSV builds integrated logistics centre in Stockholm, Sweden
Company News HQ is a global business news portal. It is the leading industry news source for major companies across a number of industry verticals.
News Tracking Service
Copyright © 2021 CompanyNewsHQ. All rights reserved.


It seems there is some strong evidence that the more intelligent a person is the less he/she believes in the existence of God. In a study done by the psychology department at the University of Edinburgh last year, Gary J. Lewis, Stuart J. Ritchie, and Timothy C. Bates looked at links between lower levels of intelligence and high levels of religiosity.
Their findings showed that intelligence was significantly and negatively associated with measures of religion, especially fundamentalism. What was demonstrated was that those with greater cognitive skills are able to form more open-minded (antiauthoritarian) attitudes than those with lesser cognitive abilities. In other words, greater intelligence leads to more open mindedness and individualism; resulting in an intellectual conflict with the arguments made by religious scripture and leaders. This is particularly true with fundamentalism's literalistic interpretation of scripture.
In another study done three years ago, Average Intelligence Predicts Atheism Rates Across 137 Nations, by Richard Lynn, John Harvey, and Helmuth Nyborg, the authors reviewed evidence pointing to a negative relationship between intelligence and religious belief in the U.S. and Europe.
The factors included not only evidence pointing to a negative relationship between intelligence and religious belief; but also lower percentages of those who are extremely intelligent holding religious beliefs compared with the general population, a decline of religious belief with age among children and adolescents as their cognitive abilities increase, and the decline of religious belief during the course of the twentieth century as the intelligence of populations has increased.
The authors mention 38 other studies that found a negative correlation between intelligence and religious belief; and a study in the Netherlands that reported agnostics scored 4 IQ points higher than believers. In another study it was demonstrated that those who responded to "not religious at all" had the highest IQ.
In the 1990s, a study of members of the American National Academy of Sciences reported that seven percent believed in the existence of God, as compared with approximately ninety percent found in the general population. In Britain, it was found that 3.3 percent of Fellow of the Royal Society believed in the existence of God, while 78.8 percent did not believe.
It seems clear from these studies that intelligence/cognitive abilities determine one's acceptance of religious mythology.


For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Pelipper.
Pelipper (Japanese: ペリッパー Pelipper) is a Water-type Stage 1 Pokémon card. It is part of the Sun & Moon expansion.
Put 1 of your Benched Pokémon and all cards attached to it into your hand.
Gathering food is the work of young males. They store food in their capacious beaks and carry it back to others waiting in the nest.
Fly is a move in the Pokémon games that Pelipper can learn via HM02 in Generations III through VI and via TM76 in Generation VII. This card's Pokédex entry comes from Pokémon Moon.
This page was last edited on 23 July 2018, at 14:12.


This October, Selkirk Sings facilitated by Jane Green, welcomes everyone from Selkirk College and the community to bring their voice– even if it might be a little shy – and join in weekly singing gatherings on the Castlegar Campus.
Singing has always been a part of Green's life. As a youth, she participated in school, church and community choirs belting out songs in all genres. When Green went off to complete her undergrad degree, music was central to her studies. Her voice and ability to gather people through song has been a powerful tool she's brought with her to Selkirk College.
Selkirk Sings has already been gathering people together in song on campus. EACSW Instructor Jane Green offered a Healthy Campus Discovery Day session that was well received.
Then, two years ago, Green jumped at the chance to take her passion for song to the next level. She joined 14 people from around the world to take the Community Choir Leadership Training led by Siobhan Robinsong and Denis Donnelly in Victoria, BC. Green trained in the approach of the Gettin' Higher Choir which embraces the Ubuntu Choirs Network philosophy of deep listening, celebrating diversity and community, and that singing is an essential human birthright.
In an Ubuntu choir, a person who initially sings off key is welcome: "A new singer may struggle to carry a tune alone but when other singers are helping to carry it, they can sing magnificently." The Leonard Cohen line "forget your perfect offering," from his song The Future resonates with Green who assures there is a place for everyone in Selkirk Sings.
"If you can talk, you can sing. If you can walk, you can dance," she says.
An instructor in the Education Assistant and Community Support Worker Program, Green has used song in the classroom with her students. Their enthusiasm reinforces the influence singing can have –community strengthening, memory building and stress relief. Singing is an all-around healthful activity, she says.
Selkirk College's Sing When Asked To (SWAT) Choir has shared songs at our annual Christmas party.
Selkirk Sings has already been gathering people together in song on campus. Green offered a Healthy Campus Discovery Day session that was well received and the SWAT (Sing When Asked To) choir has also gathered at International Women's Day, the Celebration of Diverse Ability and the Selkirk College Christmas party.
Selkirk Sings meets in the Gathering Place on the Castlegar Campus from 4 -5 pm on Tuesdays starting October 9th and will include songs of resilience, peace, nature and acceptance that are good for the heart. The choir will start with a warm up including breath work and move on to familiar songs. Then, Green will introduce a piece to learn often using a call and response format. More breath work and poetry will round out the hour.
Follow the Selkirk Sings Facebook page at www.facebook.com/selkirksings and contact Green at jgreen@selkirk.ca for more information.


The developers at Baker Diagnostics in Waukesha are highly trained in many types of database programming and developement platforms. Database systems such as MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, FoxPro, DBase, Oracle, flat-file based, and XML are common solutions created by Baker Diagnostics. We offer multiple ranges of applications including managed and stand-alone versions. We can do everything from simple contact management to enterprise level database-driven intranet portals and e-commerce store fronts. We can setup the data system on your in-house server, or we can manage it on one of ours. So, what would you like for us to do for you today? Give us a call, and we will get started on your project immediately!


text:
Buy Or Sell: Chukwuma Okorafor Will Start At RT In 2019
Topic Statement: Chukwuma Okorafor will start at right tackle this season.
Explanation: After trading Marcus Gilbert, the Steelers intend to have something of an open competition for the starting right tackle position this summer between Matt Feiler, second-year Chukwuma Okorafor, and Jerald Hawkins. Okorafor has the highest pedigree and ostensibly has the most talent.
Given the fact that he seemingly substantially exceeded expectations for his rookie season, it's reasonable to assume that he will make a significant leap from year one to year two as well. Okorafor when drafted in the third round was regarded as raw, but he didn't show it.
In fact, his performance in the preseason was the best that the Steelers have seen from a rookie offensive lineman for as long as I have been paying close attention. At least among tackles. He also performed ably when he started against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Having a season of not just learning but also playing under his belt will be a major boost for Okorafor heading into his second season. He has more talent and athletic ability than does Feiler, over whom the Steelers were already dressing him as the swing tackle when Gilbert was healthy.
While Okorafor represents potential, Feiler has already demonstrated the capability of being a proven full-time starter, doing so for 10 games in 2018 and playing at a high level. That alone means that the coaching staff is probably going to be hesitant to make a change unless there is a clear difference in performance.
And Feiler, while not young in terms of age, is still a developing player heading into his third NFL season (after spending three years prior to that on practice squads), where he will for the first time since being rostered get to focus more or less fully on playing tackler. He was even playing some center last season. In other words, Okorafor is going to get better, but Feiler is still, in theory, getting better too.
Related Items:Chukwuma Okorafor
2019 Steelers Training Camp What To Watch For: Offensive Tackles
2019 Stock Watch – T Chukwuma Okorafor – Stock Even
Shaun Sarrett Says RT Spot Will Be Battle Between Feiler, Okorafor, And Hawkins

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring involves measuring blood pressure (BP) at regular periods over a 24 hour period while you undergo normal daily activities, including sleep. Patients should continue with normal daily activities, preferably including a work day rather than a rest day.
The monitor will automatically check your blood pressure every 30 minutes during day time hours (7am-10pm) and hourly during night time hours (10pm-7am).
The portable monitor is worn on a belt connected to a standard blood pressure cuff worn on the arm. A top with loose sleeves will best accommodate the cuff and a firm waistband will help support the monitor.
The device must not get wet, therefore you will not be able to shower/bathe during the 24 hour reading.
When the test is complete, the device is connected to a computer that prepares a report of the 24 hour readings, day time, night time and average readings.
Ambulatory monitoring is safe and is not usually associated with complications; however inflation of the cuff may cause some transient discomfort, particularly in people with hypertension.


Lorne Lofsky is an internationally recognized jazz guitarist.
Born and raised in Toronto, he has been playing professionally for the last 42 years. He has played/toured or recorded with a who's who of the jazz world, including Oscar Peterson, Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, Chet Baker, Joey DeFrancesco, Pepper Adams, Ray Brown, Neils Henning Orsted Pederson, Rosemary Clooney, Kirk MacDonald, Dave Holland, and many other respected members of the international jazz community.


text:
.icon-rs-custom{
	background: red;
	display: inline-block;
	height: 32px;
	width: 32px;
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
#ifndef WEBRTC_SYSTEM_WRAPPERS_SOURCE_THREAD_LINUX_H_
#define WEBRTC_SYSTEM_WRAPPERS_SOURCE_THREAD_LINUX_H_

#include "thread_wrapper.h"
#include <pthread.h>

namespace webrtc {
class EventWrapper;

class ThreadLinux : public ThreadWrapper
{
public:
    static ThreadWrapper* Create(ThreadRunFunction func, ThreadObj obj,
                                 ThreadPriority prio, const char* threadName);

    ThreadLinux(ThreadRunFunction func, ThreadObj obj, ThreadPriority prio,
                const char* threadName);
    ~ThreadLinux();

    // From ThreadWrapper
    virtual void SetNotAlive();
    virtual bool Start(unsigned int& id);
    // Not implemented on Mac
    virtual bool SetAffinity(const int* processorNumbers,
                             unsigned int amountOfProcessors);
    virtual bool Stop();
    virtual bool Shutdown();

    void Run();

private:
    int Construct();

private:
    // processing function
    ThreadRunFunction   _runFunction;
    ThreadObj           _obj;

    // internal state
    bool                    _alive;
    bool                    _dead;
    ThreadPriority          _prio;
    EventWrapper*           _event;

    // zero-terminated thread name string
    char                    _name[kThreadMaxNameLength];
    bool                    _setThreadName;

    // handle to thread
    pthread_attr_t          _attr;
    pthread_t               _thread;
#ifdef WEBRTC_LINUX
    pid_t                   _linuxPid;
#endif

};
} // namespace webrtc

#endif // WEBRTC_SYSTEM_WRAPPERS_SOURCE_THREAD_LINUX_H_


Few composers have been as successful at creating and perpetuating the impression of having emerged fully mature, Athena-like, from artistic infancy as Richard Wagner. To the observer acquainted with the scores that remain in the repertories of the world's opera houses, it must indeed seem that the Wagner of Tristan und Isolde, Der Ring des Nibelungen, and Parsifal was at work even at the dawn of the composer's career. Admittedly, unlike the works of almost all other composers but Monteverdi and Mozart [Puccini's La fanciulla del West and complete Il trittico still are not performed as often as they deserve to be], all of Wagner's mature operas remain in almost continuous circulation, but his early operas, those apt to be unknown to casual Wagnerians (and not without the composer's tacit approval), only sporadically show the obvious handiwork of the genius of the Green Hill. Die Feen, Das Liebesverbot, and Rienzi, all enjoyable works when appropriately performed, might justifiably be said to lack nothing needed to be typical grand operas except Auber's, Halévy's, or Meyerbeer's signatures on their manuscripts. At its first performance in 1843, then, Der fliegende Holländer must have seemed incredibly radical even to those in the Dresden audience acquainted with the young Wagner's style. In Der fliegende Holländer, Wagner embraced the ephemeral emotions of larger-than-life mythic characters that would guide the course of his creative development throughout his career, and his pioneering—but not altogether original, as is often suggested—use of leitmotivs took a major step towards Der Ring des Nibelungen. Celebration of the bicentennial of Wagner's birth was the occasion for the concert performances in Amsterdam's storied Concertgebouw that produced this recording on the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's house label, and a celebration it is: presented in clear, spacious sound with finer balance than has been achieved in many studio recordings, RCO Live's performance of Der fliegende Holländer exults in the profuse musical and dramatic capacities of Wagner's score. The quality that makes this performance of Der fliegende Holländer especially interesting, however, is its pragmatism. Rather than being a stilted, tumefied obeisance to a musical leviathan, this performance takes Der fliegende Holländer on its own terms, treating it as a living, sentient work, not a frigid artifact that must be admired only from a distance.
Recorded at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw over two nights in May 2013, this tempestuous performance would be worth having for chorus (the NDR Chor and WDR Rundfunkchor Köln) and orchestra alone, but it has strong soloists too: Terje Stensvold, warm and only too chillingly persuasive in the title role; Anja Kampe an urgent, obsessed Senta; Kwangchul Youn as her father, Daland; and Christopher Ventris as the spurned Erik. Jane Henschel's Mary and Russell Thomas as the Steersman contribute excellent cameos. The Royal Concertgebouw's low brass and timpani shine, but all is secure under the experienced baton of Andris Nelsons, fast becoming the Wagner conductor of choice. There's no shortage of great recordings out there, but if the excitement and risk of live performance appeals, this is a must.
I am a little surprised that this wasn't released in SACD—anything by Wagner, especially with this orchestra, deserves the full treatment, and if this is really the first Wagner opera recording by the Concertgebouw—which I believe it is—then all the more to fill up the balloons and celebrate. But it was not to be, so we are left with a recording that sounds very good but doesn't approach state of the art, even for two-channel. This doesn't mean it's bad—it's actually very good—yet I kept envisioning what it might have been. The piece is "live" but also a concert recording, which eliminates many of the normal distractions—or atmosphere if you like to hear operatic stage noises—and generally speaking the entire production is presented in a clean and audible excellence.
The title role is problematic—though Terje Stensvold is an accomplished Wagnerian and knows this role very well, there are times when the raspy nature of the voice can't be definitively ascribed to either acting or vocal insufficiency—I tend to think the latter. At any rate, this Dutchman sounds old and tired, as well we all might be if bound eternally to sail the rather lonely mystical seas, but I can't be convinced that the young Senta (sung admirably by Anja Kempein in a role of tremendous difficulties) sees him as the man of her dreams. Nevertheless, each of these roles has never been completely mastered by any two singers on record, and for the most part the pairing is satisfactory, especially if you take into consideration the cast as a whole. Jane Henschel is superb as Mary while Russell Thomas brings considerable life to the part of the Helmsman.
It was the composer's 1830 trip from Riga to London that inspired the work, though the main is taken from Heinrich Heine's The Memoirs of Mister von Schnabelewopski. The hints of Wagner's later style, complete with leitmotifs, are present throughout, and the rebel in him led him initially to perform the work continuously without intermission. Today the piece is normally presented in its three-act guise. In comparing this one to the recent Pentatone set it's difficult to say which I prefer; this one definitely has the better Senta, but overall I like the shape that Janowski fashions better, though Nelsons is no one to sneer at. But all things being equal, the sound casts the defining vote, and this RCO Live can't complete in that category, while the Concertgebouw has only a marginal advantage over the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin on Pentatone. It could have been different, but alas, it's not. But this is a worthy issue among contemporary recordings, of which there are surprisingly few. Many will want to stick with Klemperer, understandably, for all-around excellence, but this is a fine backup.


When you are looking for a luxury treatment center, it is extremely important that you find individualized treatment for your needs. No two addictions are the same; everyone has different experiences, traumas and life stories that lead to addiction. Detoxing and withdrawal symptoms can differ in severity, circumstances are different from client to client and needs are constantly changing. That's why it is important that you find a luxury treatment center that will take the time to develop a plan for your individual needs.
Upon entering luxury treatment, you will first need to undergo the detoxification process. This is often one of the most uncomfortable and most feared reasons for entering treatment for addiction. That is why we strive hard to make it as comfortable for you as possible in luxury treatment, including a 24/7 medical staff and medications to help curb your symptoms.
After the detoxification process, you will work with a dedicated psychotherapist who will help you uncover and overcome the root causes of your addiction – the situations or experiences that caused you to use in the first place. It's not just about kicking the bad habit of substance abuse – it is being able to confront these root causes, learn how to handle the emotions of them and overcome triggers related to them to ensure long-lasting recovery. You'll also take part in group sessions to learn from other's experiences, share in a safe place and be able to relate to others in the same situation as you.
Once you are ready to return home, you will be prepared with a carefully thought-out aftercare plan that you will have collaborated with your therapist on throughout your time in treatment. We make sure your aftercare program is carefully individualized, and that you will have all the resources you need to succeed after leaving luxury treatment. Your relationship with Cliffside does not end when you walk out the treatment center doors. We are only a phone call or email away, ready and waiting to help you until your recovery is so firmly entrenched as a way of life that you can't imagine losing it, no matter what difficulties life throws your way.
One of the many benefits of a luxury treatment center are the holistic treatment approaches that are used in conjunction with evidence-based treatment. Going through therapy detox symptoms can be an uncomfortable and emotional experience. That is why it is so important to keep your stress levels low, and comfort at an all-time high. Being able to calm your mind, strengthen your body and think clearly can help you better navigate the recovery process.
The day you enter luxury treatment, you have already experienced so much from your addiction. Your addiction has not only left you physically and emotionally damaged, but it is likely your career, family and other important parts of your life have been damaged, as well. Admitting you have a problem and making the decision to completely change your life is uncomfortable, no matter how badly you may need it. That is why we make sure our clients have the best luxury amenities available to make them feel comfortable during the treatment process.
One of the many reasons clients enjoy coming to a luxury treatment is for exactly that – the luxury. You may choose to stay in a private bedroom, which is beautifully decorated and comparable to that of a 5-star hotel. We also offer shared bedrooms – and they are not bunk beds or tiny, awkward rooms. They share the same luxury as a private room, and are beautifully decorated for your comfort. Our rooms are equipped with in-room entertainment to help you unwind at the end of the day, or you can choose to spend time in the gorgeous living room to watch TV, play games and get to know new friends.
In addition to our beautiful rooms, our bathrooms share the same luxury. Each and every resident's bathroom is its own private retreat. Our bathrooms feature separate water closets and are elegantly decorated and appointed with items such as Egyptian cotton towels and boutique soaps. We also provide laundry service to help take chores off your mind, as well as a 5-star hotel linen service.
We also offer a meditation garden and rose garden if you need a moment to yourself, as well as a beautiful gym and heated pool to help strengthen your body and begin a new routine.
The panoramic ocean view is just the beginning of the beauty of our luxury treatment center. We offer a Sun Deck that overlooks the heated pool to get some Vitamin D, a balcony deck to gaze at the Pacific Ocean and an Ocean View Dining Room to eat your meals in complete, 180-degree serenity. Just imagine: Going for a morning swim in the heated pool, followed by a cup of tea on the balcony after breakfast, and sunbathing with a good book after lunch. Luxury treatment at it's finest.
Our world-class Cordon Bleu trained chef offers only the freshest, finest ingredients from our gourmet kitchen and full-time kitchen staff. He uses careful preparation of our food, ensuring a nutritious, and delectable dining experience. Whatever your taste is, our chef and his staff are dedicated to making sure the food served to our residents is the tastiest, healthiest, and most nutritious meal they can get. Cliffside accommodates all dietary concerns such as vegetarian and vegan diets, and food allergies.
Making sure you are comfortable, calm and in the best state of mind to receive treatment is of utmost importance. Experiencing active addiction can cause a lot of stress on the body, so being able to let go and take in healthy, positive habits in a luxury, serene environment is the biggest benefit of luxury treatment.


Guest blogger Laurence Cockcroft, a development economist and author of the recent book Global Corruption: Money Power and Ethics in the Modern World reviews Beyond Governments: Making Collective Governance Work – Lessons from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by Eddie Rich and Jonas Moberg (Greenleaf Publishing).
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has had remarkable success since 2003 in turning the idea of 'revenue transparency' into a governing principle of energy and mineral extraction in thirty eight countries . The founding premise has been that companies in the extractive sector would declare all payments (pre-signature bonuses corporate tax and royalties) made to governments and governments would declare aggregate revenue received. (The first two countries to be compliant were Nigeria and Azerbaijan: the list now includes the US and the UK) The initial primary objective was to expose and minimise flows of funds which were being syphoned out of national economies by corruption. As EITI has developed it has come to embrace broader issues in a number of 'compliant' countries including transparency in the expenditure of revenue. The success of the programme owes a great deal to its initial Chairman, Peter Eigen, and to his successor, Clare Short.
This book written by Jonas Moberg, the Head of EITI's Secretariart, and Eddie Rich, his Deputy, is not only a quasi-history of EITI, identifying the reasons for its success, but also an exploration of the kind of institutional structure which it represents, christened here 'collective governance' a variant on a theme which has been popular in academic circles concerned with the political economy of development. EITI has a membership drawn from corporates, governments and civil society, and an elected Board and Chairman. Its success is largely attributed to a determined effort to work with persuasive players at all levels in governments, companies and civil society and the identifies many of these by name.
The book also stresses that the on-going pressure from the civil society organisation – Publish What You Pay – which spawned EITI in the first place has also been critical. In an interesting discussion of the issue of impact the authors confirm that it is very difficult to show how many people have been lifted out of poverty as a result of EITI or even what the total increase in government revenue diverted from corruption has been. They argue on the other hand that the real benefits have been in 'process' and particularly in opening up effectively secret payment streams between companies and governments. They do not however address some clear anomalies such as the $20 Billion arising from oil revenue due to be paid to government and generated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in Nigeria as reported by the Banks's former governor Sanusi Lamido and the subject of a two year old major controversy (and investigation by PWC) in Nigeria.
The argument for collective governance which is the primary message of the book is made by repeated allusions to EITIs own experience in critical stages of assembling is institutional framework and the lessons learned. (A key one of which, endorsed in the preface by Clare Short, is proceed with 'humility'). The principal argument advanced for the application of loosely comparable systems to other sectors is that in many parts of the world, government is simply too weak to (or too corrupt) to address the critical issues which it faces, and so a coalition of governments, civil society and the corporate sector can be crucial to moving things forward.
The case is well made on the basis of what the authors admit to be a limited stock of evidence and one which is nearly entirely drawn from EITI with occasional complimentary references to the Natural Resource Governance Institute (initiated by Paul Collier) and the Kimberly Process (subject to recurrent stand-offs between civil society and governments). They suggest that a comparable approach could be applied to financial transactions, the media, land acquisition and the construction sector. One might add climate change itself to this list.
This reviewer considers that their case is flawed both by some of the unique circumstances surrounding EITI and the sheer difficulty of applying the approach elsewhere. In practice similar ideas have been suggested for forestry, construction and defence but have not advanced very far. At the heart of this is the question of both national sovereignty and corporate objectives. Notwithstanding this important caveat Moberg and Rich have written a demanding and important account of a remarkable initiative which undoubtedly has lessons for the future, if not quite as prescriptive as those they suggest.
We hope you can join us for this interesting and informative debate.
The TI-UK blog features thought and opinion from guest writers as well as TI staff. Any opinions expressed by external contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Transparency International UK.


text:
Home CelebritiesHas Pam Grier Retired from Acting?
Has Pam Grier Retired from Acting?
Celebrities, Celebrity Q&A, Featured Article, People, Where Are They Now
https://americanprofile.com/articles/pam-grier-retirement/
By Paulette Cohn on February 24, 2014
https://americanprofile.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pam-grier-150x150.jpg
—Collette Brown, Hastings, Nebraska
Pam Grier, whose career will be the focus of an episode of TV One's "Unsung Hollywood," has definitely not given up acting. Rather, she took a break to do theater — and she realizes when she does that, she is not as visible.
An example is the four years she spent onstage in 'Frankie and Johnny in Clair de Lune' and 'Fool for Love,' which she very much enjoyed but, which also, kept her from being in front of a camera.
"I was inspired by seeing 'A Soldier's Story' at the Negro Ensemble for the last year that it was established in New York City, and I just decided to do the boards for four years, but people dismiss it because it's not film," she says. "Not everybody wants to do theater. It's scary. You don't get a take two."
Grier did star in three films in 2012 — "Mafia," "The Man with the Iron Fists" and "Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day — but, of course, she is best known for her early roles as tough women in the genre films "Coffy," "Foxy Brown" and "Drum," and then, more recently, for the Quentin Tarantino film "Jackie Brown."
"Basically the first feminist in my family and my life was my grandfather, Daddy Ray. He wanted all the girls to do everything the boys did. So he taught me hunting and fishing, shooting, riding a tractor, and driving. It was equality that was the real purpose for me. And I translated that to film. What I wanted to do with film at the time, because Gloria Steinem was my mentor and there was the sexual revolution, is that I brought a political voice to sexuality for women."
After four decades in Hollywood, the Winston-Salem, N.C.-born actress, 64, wrote "Foxy: My Life in Three Acts," a memoir which reveals some of the most intimate and painful events of her life, and talks about the choices she made.
"When I did 'Coffy,' women didn't want to do "Coffy," she says. "It was written for a Caucasian woman to do stunts, hold a gun, a heavy form of Karate, or kung fu, or jiu-jitsu, or Aikido, or whatever they're going to do. I learned that on a military base. So I brought a lot of my own narrative to the work, which propelled me, but it probably inspired a globe of women to be themselves, which is great, because they can walk with confidence and not be judged as, 'Oh, you do stunts, so you must be a lesbian'… I just think we've come a long ways to be liberated. I can't say that I am the result of that. I had a lot to do with it."
Related: 'Larry Crowne' Review, Actor Michael T. Weiss
Found in: Celebrities, Celebrity Q&A, Featured Article, People, Where Are They Now
This Week in History: February 23-March 1
The Best Mardis Gras Celebrations Outside New Orleans


Can a Will Be Used to Escape Taxes?
When you are writing a will and planning an estate, there are many considerations to keep in mind. In addition to making sure your assets are passed on according to your wishes, you'll also likely want to make sure your estate doesn't pay any unnecessary taxes.
However, a will is not the best legal instrument for escaping taxes because wills are subject to estate taxes. So, if you are concerned about your estate paying too much on taxes, you may want to consider alternate means of transferring property, such as a trust.
Estate planning is a complex topic, though, so let's look at the basic notions, giving you an idea of what might be possible and where to start.
When a person dies, state laws will dictate the procedure for distribution of property through a process called probate. Each state has its own laws of probate but all address the orderly distribution of assets and repayment of debts from an estate.
To avoid this process, some people pass on assets through a trust, which is an estate planning tool that is used either as an alternative to a will altogether or to supplement a will. A testamentary trust transfers property into the trust only after a death, whereas a living trust holds property during the life of the granting party and may be revocable or irrevocable.
Trusts allow someone to give to another under very specific conditions and with a supervising party responsible for the distribution and oversight of the gift. The major advantage of passing on assets through a living trust is that whatever is put in trust will pass to the recipient through the trust rather than through the lengthier and sometimes costlier and more complicated probate process.
Some people divide distribution through trusts and wills -- for example, if you are concerned about your kids having access to cash immediately after your death, you may decide to put a certain amount of money in trust. Then if the rest of your property distribution process is going through probate, the kids are covered in the interim.
If you are concerned about estate planning, speak to a lawyer. There are numerous estate planning tools and the best ones for you depend on the details of your life -- the type of property you wish to pass on, the recipients, where you live, and more. Get expert guidance on this important matter. Consult with counsel.


text:
Drilling Contractor Get the latest oil drilling news with DrillingContractor.org
Keppel delivers first rig of 2020
Equinor awarded 23 new production licenses on the Norwegian continental shelf
Maersk Drilling selected by Total to drill at world record water depth in Angola-Namibia campaign
Permian still dominates as onshore market tightens, rig rates rise
Drill bit innovations target major barriers to ROP, durability
Digital solutions guide path to better accuracy in directional drilling
Completing the Well
Drilling It Safely
Drilling Rigs & Automation
Global & Regional Markets
IADC, Regulation, and Legislation
Innovating While Drilling®
Onshore Advances
The Offshore Frontier
Digital Reader
Digital Reader – Nov/Dec 2019
Digital Reader – Sep/Oct 2019
Digital Reader – Jul/Aug 2019
Sensor monitors oil degradation in real time, helps to prevent hydraulic system failures
Contractors/operators look to services integration for next efficiency step-change
US political landscape in flux heading into 2020 presidential election
Virtual Panel Discussions
"Accelerating and Sustaining the Learning Curve through Digitalization and Automation"
"Managed Pressure Drilling: Tomorrow's Drilling Standard Is Here Today"
"Today's Digital Oilfield: Dangers and Opportunities"
"Drilling & Completion in the Permian Basin Today"
"Examining Gateway, IADC's Training Program For New Employees"
"Leadership for the Upturn: Are Your People Ready?"
"Managed Pressure Drilling: The New Convention for Drilling Operations?"
"Hydraulic Fracturing Revealed: Debunking the Myths and Understanding the Technology"
"IADC WellSharp: A Revolution in Well Control Training"
"2004 – 2014: A Decade Of Drill Pipe Grades And Industry Standards Evolutions To Address Increasing H2S Challenges"
Home / 2008 / 2009 chairman profile: Maersk Drilling's Claus Hemmingsen
In 1981, Claus V Hemmingsen, born and raised just outside of Copenhagen, was fresh out of high school and had no inkling what he wanted to do or where to begin his career...
2009 chairman profile: Maersk Drilling's Claus Hemmingsen
in 2008, Features, IADC, Regulation, and Legislation, November/December Nov 18, 2008	0
By Linda Hsieh, assistant managing editor
In 1981, Claus V Hemmingsen, born and raised just outside of Copenhagen, was fresh out of high school and had no inkling what he wanted to do or where to begin his career. He certainly had no aspiration yet for the drilling industry, having had no prior exposure to the energy business.
In fact, he had no prior exposure to the shipping business either, yet decided to apply for the A.P. Moller Shipping Academy. As one of Denmark's largest companies, A.P. Moller – Maersk Group was known for taking care of its employees and conducting business on a long-term vision. It also has multinational operations covering not only shipping but also oil and gas, retail and manufacturing. The fact that it offers employees a global education was another plus, Mr Hemmingsen said. "So I applied for that, and, against my expectations, I got it."
By the time he completed the Shipping Academy's training program two years later, he was convinced that A.P. Moller – Maersk "was the right place to work, and I definitely had a long-term career in mind already."
However, when he actually started at the company, he didn't go into shipping. Instead, he wound up at the company's drilling business – Maersk Drilling – getting his first taste of offshore drilling rigs and operations. For six years, he stayed in the drilling contractor's human resources department, working to make sure that its rig fleet was always sufficiently manned and that personnel were properly trained.
In the beginning, he found he had stepped into a world that was unfamiliar and vastly different from the shipping industry he learned about in the academy and from the general image of A.P. Moller – Maersk. Yet it didn't take long before Mr Hemmingsen found himself completely immersed in the complexities and innovations of offshore drilling.
"I was really impressed with the industry and the people in it," he recalled. "They were entrepreneurs and very innovative, always finding new resources and solutions offshore. You could say it was the people in the industry who really motivated me in those years."
Back to shipping
However, no matter how innovative the industry was, it couldn't innovate its way out of the 1980s oil bust. An extremely oversupplied rig market and low oil prices meant that contractors had an increasingly harder time finding work for their units. For Mr Hemmingsen, this also meant a harder time fulfilling his ambitions of working abroad. The closest he got, he recalled, was spending three months in Canada, manning an acquired semisubmersible, the Maersk Vinlander, for operations – but then the contract fell through and he was sent back to Denmark.
He realized that, with the drilling market in the condition it was, he would have to make a strategic career change. So, in 1989, he looked back to his Shipping Academy roots and decided to apply for a job with Maersk Line, which handles A.P. Moller's container shipping activities. "I knew I wanted to do operations, and I wanted to do it in Asia, preferably Hong Kong," he said. Hong Kong was the location of the company's largest port operation in Asia, and "I knew it would be both an exciting and challenging place" to work and gain experience.
By 1992, he got his wish and, with his wife Susanne and baby son Mads, headed to Hong Kong as general manager of operations for Maersk Hong Kong. This marked both his first operational and commercial responsibilities and the beginning of a stay in Asia that would last nearly 12 years.
In 1997, he moved to Singapore to assume the overall regional responsibility in Asia for Maersk Line; then was promoted back to Hong Kong in 2000 to assume overall responsibility for A.P. Moller – Maersk's activities there. In 2002, his areas of responsibility were expanded to include the southern China provinces. "Basically I rose through the ranks through hard work and motivation over those years," he said.
Although the specifics of the shipping industry are completely different from drilling, Mr Hemmingsen noted that many of the broader challenges are the same, and he believes his shipping experience has been invaluable to him even in the drilling contractor business.
For example, his time in Asia marked a period of significant growth, both organic and acquisitions, for the company's shipping line. It also required working with people of different cultures – i.e., how to make a Western management culture work with local Asian employees. The drilling industry is going through some of the same issues now – it's feeling its way through a huge fleet renewal, and multinational crews are fast becoming the norm on rigs everywhere. These are challenging issues for industry leaders, he said, and he is happy to be able to carry those leadership lessons from shipping over to his drilling career.
Another lesson he has taken over to the drilling business is "client focus." "Shipping is a very transactional business. It's really about customer service and supplying logistics solutions. For me, moving from the operational side and going towards the customer side helped me to focus on what the customer really needs and understanding what our value proposition is, instead of just executing the business according to your own ideas."
Then, back to drilling
In 2003, it was time to get back to the company's Copenhagen headquarters. A reorganization of the Maersk Line business opened a new opportunity, and soon Mr Hemmingsen was promoted to senior vice president and moved back to Denmark to start a new project called Global Shared Service Centres and to assume responsibility for APM Terminals.
It took him a year to consolidate APM Terminals and move its headquarters to The Hague, The Netherlands. After that, he concentrated on developing Global Service Delivery and Global Shared Service Centres for Maersk Sealand and Maersk Logistics.
"Then it was back to where I started, you could say, in January 2005," he said, when he was appointed as CEO of Maersk Contractors (now Maersk Drilling).
"I was very enthusiastic about that because I saw opportunities. Contractors had not really been developing as fast as the (energy) industry in general, so there was room for us to create a strategy and grow this company," he said.
Mr Hemmingsen's appointment came in January, and by March that same year, Maersk had placed an order for four identical high-efficiency jackups from KeppelFELS in Singapore. By May, it had ordered two more rigs – deepwater semisubmersibles that could drill in up to 10,000 ft of water. In 2006, an option was declared for a third deepwater semi, and the acquisition of Petrojack added two more jackups to the fleet.
"To the credit of the people who were here when I joined, they had been working on these projects for years. What we did was create a new strategy and a solid foundation. Soon after, we got the approval from the board to follow the strategy, then approval for the projects. That was the given task and purpose, so I was happy to see it go through," he said.
Fleet build-up
The newbuild rigs each play into one of three growth areas that Mr Hemmingsen had helped to define for Maersk Drilling – harsh environment, deepwater, and high-efficiency jackups.
The first focus area, harsh environment, is one that Maersk knows well from its history in the North Sea. The fleet presently includes six harsh-environment jackups, five of which are working in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.
On the deepwater front, the Maersk Developer, the first of the three deepwater semis to be delivered, is already headed to the Gulf of Mexico on a four-year contract to Statoil Gulf of Mexico. The other two semis are expected to be delivered in 2009 and 2010 – one will go to Australia for Woodside Energy while the third may head to Angola.
"We have a rather positive view on the deepwater activity in the US GOM. From the latest lease sales in the US GOM, we have seen a strong interest in deepwater acreage from oil companies, which is an early indicator of deepwater activity and hence demand for deepwater drilling capacity. If opportunity arises, we will consider further investments in deepwater semisubmersibles," Mr Hemmingsen said.
In addition to sophisticated semis, the high-efficiency jackups were also designed to fit into Maersk's focus on having highly capable rigs.
"The high-efficiency jackups came about because operators were asking for modern rigs with good capacities. Since the introduction of our Maersk Innovator- and Maersk Inspirer-type jackup rigs in 2003, operators realized that improved drilling efficiency can be achieved, and they are increasingly asking for efficiency."
The four new jackups, which can work in water depths up to 350 ft (107 m) are expected to increase drilling performance by 20% compared with conventional jackups, although he noted that the Innovator and Inspirer, two of the largest jackups in the world, have been able to surpass the original 20% estimate. "We wanted to take that experience and apply it to smaller rigs as well. Also, we wanted to build for the future and for our newbuild rigs to differentiate themselves from the competition."
Two of the four high-efficiency units have been delivered so far. The Maersk Resilient is offshore Dubai working for Dubai Petroleum Establishment, and the Maersk Resolute is on its way to the Danish part of the North Sea for Dong Energy.
Mr Hemmingsen said it's possible that one or both of the remaining two jackups could end up in the North Sea, though the company is considering other areas as well. "We would like to place these rigs somewhere where we can obtain a return that justifies the extra investment we have made by introducing the various performance-enhancing features."
The two new high-spec 375-ft jackups, Maersk Completer and Maersk Convincer, have been working in Brunei since delivery in 2007 and 2008.
Although Maersk is clearly growing and intends to expand even more, Mr Hemmingsen noted that it is not after size. "We are not going to grow in size just to be big. We want to grow with the right equipment. We are introducing state-of-the-art rigs with features that promote better health and safety for our employees. They have mechanized equipment and handling that facilitate both drilling efficiency and safety. The crews have some of the best living quarters that exist offshore. Our vision and what we are striving for at Maersk Drilling is to keep growing in that segment."
Looking industrywide, even though the underlying fundamentals of oil and gas still suggest a positive forecast, he said, we are now in a time of great uncertainty. With the global crisis spreading what was a strictly financial phenomenon to all economic sectors, oil prices have sharply declined. Hence, markets are jittery. In the medium term, however, Mr Hemmingsen expects the positive outlook for rig owners to prevail.
Still, challenges of a more fundamental and threatening nature hover nearby.
"First, costs have risen rapidly," he said. As recently as September, we would have expected costs to continue rising. Now, that's less certain in the short term.
However, escalating costs over the past four years have pushed up yard prices significantly. "The high building costs are most certainly putting a damper on contractors' newbuild plans. Dayrates would need to beat new records in order for an investment to deliver a reasonable return. I expect the current situation to have an impact on prices from both yards and equipment suppliers, that ultimately will provide more balance to the overall cost picture "
The silver lining is that costs haven't had any negative effect on rig demand yet, he said. "There may of course be some programs that may be shelved either due to high costs or likely being down-prioritized due to tight availability. We do not know the projected oil price that the operators use for sanctioning drilling programs, but expect that the current level of oil prices still outweighs the rise in drilling costs."
In fact, rather than cost, he pointed out, the real obstacle for drilling programs may be people. "Experienced staff is in high demand, and access to qualified and experienced personnel might limit the number of projects being executed. This is a huge issue for rig owners and oil companies alike "
At Maersk, the recruitment process for new rigs began as soon as the decision was made to build them. "We also decided to broaden our search area to other parts of the world. It has so far proven to be the right decision, and we have recruited and employed people from all over the globe. Today we are a little ahead of the recruitment plan. However, as long as we add to the fleet and as long as the global rig market expands, it will remain a big challenge to identify and hire the right people."
Dayrates, like rig demand, are expected to stay strong, especially in deepwater. Mr Hemmingsen pointed out that some rigs with near-term availability have been contracted recently at dayrates above $600,000.
"With very limited availability, we are rather positive on the future direction of deepwater drilling rates, and we believe that high dayrates for ultra-deepwater floaters will prevail."
"At the same time," he said, "the drilling industry is inherently a cyclical industry, so I am convinced that there will be a day when the supply and demand will be better balanced than it is now. Right now there is a shortage of rigs, and we will probably go into a more balanced situation sometime in the future.
"In the near- to medium-term future, I don't think we will see an oversupply. The industry fleet is growing old fast. Combined with the increasing focus on environmental performance – everything from emissions to fuel consumption – and the need for better drilling efficiency, older rigs will be gradually phased out over the next five to 10 years."
IADC 2009 chairmanship
Recalling his first encounter with IADC, Mr Hemmingsen said he came across the name as early as 1981, when Maersk Drilling HR was using IADC stationary. More substantial involvement began when he became CEO of Maersk Drilling. "Very quickly after I joined in 2005, I took an interest in IADC."
He soon saw the important role the association played – for example, in ensuring global training standards and keeping companies abreast of regulatory issues. "IADC is not a body with executive power, but it can rally people around the industry on certain issues. The operations staff at IADC does a tremendous job in keeping everyone alert to changes from various authorities. I don't think that IADC should necessarily take it upon themselves to bring solutions to everything, but it will raise everyone's awareness and alertness."
As 2009 chairman of the association, Mr Hemmingsen noted two issues he would like to focus on – raising the profile of the industry in the public domain and making sure it can attract the right people into the business. "We need to make the world aware of what we do, and I think the IADC plays a key role in that. We also must make sure the industry can employ and keep the right kind of personnel, because we are heading into a severe challenge in that area."
He also firmly believes that IADC will take a more engaged approach to rising environmental performance requirements. "Seeing IADC rise to the same level of facilitation and development of members' environmental performance as it has for many years been done on safety will be gratifying," he said.
Finally, Mr Hemmingsen pointed to IADC's 2006 chairman, Claus Chur of KCA DEUTAG, and said he would like to follow in Mr Chur's footsteps to bring a more global perspective to the association. "I think the industry is very American-influenced; therefore it's a very can-do industry. I'm very impressed with the way people attack problems and find solutions. But sometimes we also need to remember that this is a global industry, and I look forward to bringing that angle once more to IADC, to make sure that we serve our members in all ends of the world."
Linda Hsieh
Previous: Chairman's editorial
Next: Simplifying MPD: Historical, manual methods to control annular pressure can be effective
Despite strong US economy, warning signs loom
Steve Brady is 2019 IADC Contractor of the Year
Look Inside The Magazine
Drilling News
Maersk Drilling secures contract for Maersk Valiant offshore Colombia
BSEE safety initiatives support record oil production
Talos Energy announces completion of independent resource evaluation of Zama discovery
ADES renews contract for ADMARINE 262 in KSA
Equinor aims to cut emissions in Norway towards near zero in 2050
Tullow Oil announces Carapa-1 well result
ExxonMobil secures exploration acreage offshore Egypt
Recent DC Articles
About Drilling Contractor
Drilling Contractor is the only viable magazine exclusively covering the global drilling and completion industry, both land and offshore.
The official magazine of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, DC has been published since 1944 and is the longest continuously published magazine focusing on drilling and completion.
Visit IADC.org
Recent Drilling News
Copyright © Drilling Contractor 2020. All rights reserved. | GDPR Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the best experience. You may opt out by clicking the Reject button. Cookie settings REJECTACCEPT


Our business has been focusing on brand strategy. Customers' pleasure is our best advertising. We also offer OEM company for Blown Silage Wrap Film , Blown Silage Film , Round Silage Wrap Film , We believe in quality over quantity. Before export of the hair there is strict quality control check during treatment as per international quality standards.
"Quality 1st, Honesty as base, Sincere assistance and mutual profit" is our idea, in order to create consistently and pursue the excellence for Blown Silage Wrap Film , Blown Silage Film , Round Silage Wrap Film , We are eager to cooperate with foreign companies which care much on the real quality stable supply strong capability and good service. We can offer the most competitive price with high quality, because we are much more professional. You are welcomed to visit our company at any time.


Sometimes dainty hors d'oeuvre just won't do. This was the case for a gala honoring the 130th anniversary of Boston's Archaeological Institute of America, the 60th anniversary of Archaeology magazine and actor Harrison Ford's movie role as archaeologist Indiana Jones. To do the trio justice, Andri Magdalena Cauldwell, AIA's development events manager, had to do some (ahem) digging to develop the perfect theme. The result? A gala with an ancient ambience that left no stone unturned.
MONEY MATTERS Before history could repeat itself, Cauldwell had to make a big decision: whom to tap to design the gala. When she started planning the event, she had not yet chosen a theme. Most designers she interviewed suggested a modern environment with ice bars, lighted cubes, palm trees and crystal decor, she notes. Their visions didn't jibe with Cauldwell's, who decided to create the event herself, at a tremendous savings to AIA.
Cauldwell settled on an "ancient civilizations" theme, then went to work saving AIA even more money by serving as florist. "Cutting out the florist and going straight to the distributor not only offers unbelievable pricing but also choices," she says. The savings allowed her to go the extra mile in other ways to keep decor authentic. All the way to New Zealand, in fact. David Marchini of New York flower distributor George Rallis tracked down the perfect flowers to suit the scene, which required ordering waterlilies, a traditional flower of the Maya, from halfway across the world.
THAT'S ANCIENT HISTORY When you're attempting to re-create an ancient setting, not any modern venue will do. In fact, Cauldwell's venue needs were clear-cut: The interior had to resemble a temple. She found what she was looking for in the Capitale building in New York. The layout of the space then prompted a key decision — to present two different ancient civilizations at different points in the evening. So the event became a Greek cocktail reception followed by a Maya feast.
The Capitale's Corinthian columns and marble floors went a long way to setting a mood for the Greek reception. White roses native to Greece and a four-day Greek cruise giveaway added to the ancient angle, as did a living statue of goddess Minerva, holding an "Owl of Wisdom," a symbol in AIA's logo.
Dinner, on the other hand, went tribal with a ceremonial feel. Cauldwell lit the room red, a color the Maya used in both temples and body paint. Dark linen and tropical floral displays sparkled with the help of blue pin spots. A Maya archaeologist lent his expertise to a design element by creating custom glyphs — Cauldwell used the symbols on the front cover of the program and the place cards. Maya descendant Patricio Balona provided a thematic addition by taking the stage and speaking to the guests in Mayan. And Harrison Ford added a glamorous note to the evening by receiving via video the Bandelier Award for raising public awareness of archaeology.
FEASTING, HOLD THE SACRIFICE The meal did more than simply reinforce the theme — it brought it to a new level. Cauldwell re-quested Capitale's executive chef, Jason Munger, use only vegetables, fruits and meats available to the Maya, a challenge he happily accepted, she says. "The items that the Maya did not have are, of course, the most popular cooking aids to today's chefs: olive oil, butter, cream and dairy of any kind," Cauldwell notes.
Instead, the meal relied on foods recommended by Balona and AIA Maya archaeologist Ben Thomson that were a part of Maya life and mythology: corn, squash, citrus and pork. The latter, Cauldwell admits, was "a bold choice due to cultural sensitivities." But Munger so impressed the event team with his roasted feral pork that they decided to take the risk and serve it as the main dish — to much acclaim.
And the entree wasn't the only conversation starter. The print menu provided a window into Maya mythology by detailing a corresponding piece of folklore with the description of each dish. And the after-party "was all about tastings," Cauldwell says. The array included a nod to ancient ales with a Dogfish Head brew derived from cacao, just like the Maya used to make.
The Maya believed that the deities shed their own blood and mixed it with corn flour to make humans.
In the Maya creation story "Popol Vuh," a squash was used to replace the decapitated head of the mythological Hero Twin to trick the gods of the underworld.
Cacao, given to humans as a gift from the gods, was so important that it was used as currency by Maya elite.


text:
Society Teen gang targeting tourists, couples busted in Ho Chi Minh City
Teen gang targeting tourists, couples busted in Ho Chi Minh City
By Nguyen Bao, Thanh Nien News
HO CHI MINH CITY - Wednesday, December 09, 2015 16:34 Email Print
German tourist reclaims property after assaulted by muggers in Ho Chi Minh City
HCMC police arrest 5 boys, aged 11 to 15, for mugging tourists
Ho Chi Minh City police on Tuesday said they had arrested three teenagers and were searching for two others suspected of robbing several people, including foreign tourists, in the city downtown.
Huynh Minh Huy, 17, Pham Ngoc Thanh, 15, and Tran Hoang Phat, 13, were arrested last Saturday. Phat has been transferred to a social welfare center due to his young age.
The police are now searching for Nguyen Huu Tai, 16, and a boy known only as Kiet.
Tai is believed to be the leader of another related teen gang that attacked a German couple who were sitting near the Tau Hu Canal in District 1 on October 19 to rob their belongings.
The group attacked the man with bricks and knives as he was trying to resist. They took away some valuables.
District 1's police then arrested all the five gang members, aged 11-16. But they were then released given their young age.
On December 2, Tai allegedly asked Huy, Thanh, Phat and Kiet to join his scheme to rob couples near the canal.
They waited one hour after midnight and spotted a Vietnamese couple who were sitting on the bank.
They rushed to grab some belongings from the couple, who tried to resist. The teenagers attacked them with knives.
As the couple screamed for help, some passers-by arrived at the scene. The teenagers ran away.
Police said these teen gang members were homeless and usually gathered to rob couples near canals.
crimes robbery teen gang


text:
The Cross of Laeken
Dedicated to the monarchs of Belgium, and other topics of historical, cultural, human, political, and religious interest.
Sites related to Belgium
Abbey of Maredsous
Abbey of Orval
Ars Moriendi
Belgica Catholica
Belgium in the Catholic Encyclopedia
BelVue
Cercle Léopold III
Fonds d'Entraide Prince et Princesse Alexandre de Belgique
Fonds Léopold III
Fonds Prince Philippe
King Albert I Memorial Foundation
King Baudouin Foundation
Médecins de la Grande Guerre
Prince Charles, Regent of Belgium
Prince Laurent Foundation
ProBelgica
Queen Paola Foundation
Royal Belgium at Flickr
The Belgian Monarchy
The fact that a link is provided on this blog does not necessarily imply endorsement of everything at the other end of the link.
A Note on Reviews
Unless otherwise noted, any books I review on this blog I have either purchased or borrowed from the library, and I do not receive any compensation (monetary or in-kind) for the reviews.
Marche-les-Dames
Credits: Jean-Pol Grandmont
Photos of the abbey and cliffs of Marche-les-Dames, near Namur, Belgium. Today, Marche-les-Dames is best known for being the site of the tragic death of King Albert I. Yet it has a fascinating older history. According to Bradshaw' s Illustrated hand-book for Belgium and the Rhine (1897):
The village owes the first part of its name to its situation on the confines of the ancient district of Namur ( Marche, frontier limit), and the latter part refers to the foundation of the Abbey, which still attracts a number of visitors to Marche-les-Dames. An affecting tradition connects its origins with the first crusade. When in the reign of Albert III, the crusaders set off for the Holy Land, such of their wives as were unable to follow them assembled in the rustic and lonely valley...they raised a modest chapel, in which, praying for the deliverance of the Holy Sepulchre, they waited for the return of their husbands. But out of the many warriors who had been to seek for glory on the burning plains of Palestine, very few, indeed, regained the green hills of their native land. When the crusaders who had escaped death returned to the banks of the Meuse, desolation reigned in the Valley of Notre Dame du Vivier, as it was then called. Most of those wives learned they were widows, and resolved to end their days in the retreat which they had chosen, and young girls, made fatherless, joined them. An abbey was founded there, which, in three centuries afterward, adopted the rule of St. Bernard...
I always find it very poignant that King Albert died here; as a crusader ought to be, he was pious and heroic. Like the crusaders' wives, Queen Elisabeth waited anxiously and in vain for his return (in this case, from climbing the cliffs), and her husband's loss plunged her into mourning and desolation.
Posted by May at 2:19 PM
Labels: belgium, catholicism, the middle ages
Viola said...
I'd love to go there! What an interesting story. I wish that I knew more about Belgian royalty.
It seems like one of those mystical places...I would also love to visit.
Was there last week, didn't know the story before visiting... very nice place, mystic, peacefull and full of life in the same time.
I'm glad it seemed peaceful.
The love of one's neighbors, the sense of duty, truth, and justice, if applied to daily life, would spare mankind countless sufferings, troubles, and anxieties ...
The solution of the problems which oppress the world can only be found in the practice of Charity between individuals and between nations.
-Leopold III, King of the Belgians, 1936
What is the Cross of Laeken?
King Leopold I and Queen Louise-Marie
King Leopold II and Queen Marie-Henriette
King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth
King Leopold III, Queen Astrid, and Princess Lilian
King Baudouin I and Queen Fabiola
King Albert II and Queen Paola
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
Empress Carlota of Mexico (Daughter of Leopold and Louise-Marie)
Queen Marie-José of Italy (Daughter of Albert and Elisabeth)
Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg (Daughter of Leopold and Astrid)
Queen Elisabeth Musical Competition
Freÿr
Abdication Speech of Leopold III
Astrid & Lilian
Raversijde
A Letter by Empress Carlota
A Filial Tribute
"Cette croix..."
Execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, 1867
Belgium's Lost Prince
Lilian & Esmeralda
Queen Astrid & Diana, Princess of Wales
"Monte à l'autel, ô prêtre, et fais couler les grâ...
Birthday of King Albert II
Marie-Antoinette and Diana, Princess of Wales
Marie-José's Memoirs
Birthday of Princess Astrid
Josephine-Charlotte, Princess of Belgium, Grand Du...
Albert I & the Sacred Heart
Founder of a Dynasty


September 9, 2012, 11:14 pm What Happened, Canada?
September 9, 2012, 9:02 pm 'Viewing Pain as a Disease' - a Prescription for Disaster ?
September 9, 2012, 12:45 pm August, a Memorable Month for Tamils for All Wrong Reasons!


Rare 1958 Munich Air Disaster signed first day cover. These covers were issued by the Irish Post Office to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. This cover has been hand signed by Manchester United legends and the air crash survivors Sir Bobby Charlton, Ken Morgans, Albert Scanlon, Harry Gregg & Bill Foulkes.
Rare 1958 Munich Air Disaster signed first day cover. These covers were issued by the Irish Post Office to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. This cover has been hand signed by Manchester United legends and the air crash survivors Sir Bobby Charlton, Ken Morgans, Albert Scanlon, Harry Gregg & Bill Foulkes. Own a piece of sporting history Each signed first day cover comes with a certificate of authenticity.


The word listed above (surface) is probably the correct spelling for the word that you entered (surfce). This is just an educated guess based on commonly misspelled words. To double check that this is the correct word you can use the resources below to find the definition of surface, antonyms for surface, synonyms for surface, quotes relating to surface and other information about surface.
According to our records, the word (surfce) may be misspelled. For information about what we believe to be the correct spelling of the word you are looking for (surface), please click here.


Twin Cities Business magazine featured Starting 11 CEO and co-founder, Teague Orgeman in a big spread discussing the booming local sports tech scene.
CEO Teague Orgeman is thinking big and looking to the World Cup, being held this summer in Russia. Orgeman says it could offer a worldwide stage; the 2014 World Cup was watched on television by 3.2 billion viewers.


text:
HomeArtsy MamaWalton Arts Center Broadway Subscriptions on Sale!
Walton Arts Center Broadway Subscriptions on Sale!
The Walton Arts Center is known for bringing big-name shows to Northwest Arkansas, but we think they've outdone themselves this time. Here's what's on tap for the 2010-2011 season, including the amazing Broadway series which is bigger than ever. Tickets go on sale TODAY, APRIL 5TH.
Starting today, you can purchase a 6-show Broadway subscription. Broadway subscribers will also have access to buy 3 additional Broadway shows, which are listed below. The advantage to buying a Broadway subscription is this: you get a guarantee of the same seats, in the best parts of the house, before tickets go on sale to the general public. You also get unlimited free exchange privileges and discounts on ticket prices.
Our friend Jodi, who's a VP at the Walton Arts Center, says it's "one of our strongest seasons ever." Here's the lineup:
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: July 27 through August 1, 2010
The Color Purple: October 19 through October 24, 2010
Young Frankenstein: December 14 through December 19, 2010
Mama Mia!: February 8 through February 13, 2011
Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway: March 29 through April 3, 2011
Les Miserables: May 3 through May 8, 2011
Additional shows available after subscription purchase:
Blue Man Group: September 2 through September 11, 2010
Spring Awakening: November 11-12, 2010
Monty Python's SPAMALOT: November 19-20, 2010
As more shows are added to the season, Broadway subscribers will be offered early access to buy them.
You should also know that, beginning April 19th, you can do a "Create Your Own" subscription (formerly called Flex subscriptions) that let you have access to all the Broadway shows listed above plus additional shows. These types of subscriptions come with some exchange privileges and discounts.
To order tickets, call the box office at 479-443-5600 or visit the Walton Arts Center online by clicking HERE.
PS: If Beauty and the Beast is a "can't miss it" performance for you and/or your daughter, niece, sister, mom, etc., mark your calendar for May 1, 2010 because that's when single tickets for that show will go on sale. We can't wait to see it!
Giveaway: Tickets to see "The Color Purple" at WAC!
Giveaway: Win tickets to see School of Rock at Walton Arts Center!
Beauty & the Beast tickets on sale at Walton Arts Center!
Summer drama camps!
Giveaway: Tickets to Beauty & the Beast Musical at Walton Arts Center
Doc Talk: Unusual pregnancy symptoms
Cool Website for Kids with Spelling Tests


In searching for inspiration for this post, I decided to bottom out an old suspicion of mine. After a brief but brave foray into the meme rabbit holes of the internet, I can confirm that indeed, "Everything-as-a-Service" remains a remarkably under-utilized as a buzzword. Something to strive for, I guess.
A shortage of memes might be behind the proliferation of the "-aaS" suffix in various areas. For example, let's talk about Containers-as-a-Service, or "CaaS". If containers are infrastructure, why do we need a new acronym, rather than using IaaS? And if your answer is "because IaaS is for VMs", then why don't we have VMaaS for virtual machines, BMaaS for bare metal, ARMaaS for ARM servers, and so forth?
So, is it just marketing hype, of the same variety that promotes "serverless" when most enterprise workloads are not even on the public cloud (yet), and those running on containers in production are just starting to emerge?
Or is one reason that actually, containers are different? It's great to have these ephemeral little Docker things, but to be usable they need orchestration, and tooling on top that is built-for-purpose, bridges Devs and Ops, and considers the architectural differences between the world of apps until now and microservices. And in this case, what is the scope of a CaaS offering?
For any cloud provider that isn't in the top-5 bracket, this isn't necessarily an amusing hypothetical question. As clouds like AWS and GCP add services and capabilities around containers, and expand into verticals and regions that were once strongholds for these regional providers, this becomes existential.
So let's ask again, more accurately: what could CaaS mean, as an effective competitive tool, for your medium-sized cloud provider? The annoyingly obvious answer is, "it depends" on the provider's overall competitive strategy and how containers fit into it. I see broadly two approaches.
For some, just having a UI on Kubernetes, or a minimal integration with a variety of open source services, would cover the urgent and visible need. This approach will likely run into problems once your usage goes from an experiment, to production workloads at scale. There's a reason why Google, the originator of Kubernetes, has a managed offering—they understand the complexity! The top clouds will no doubt be waiting patiently for these scenarios to unfold, taking advantage of the lack of customer added value of this approach.
Features that support specific use cases, such as compliance with financial or data sovereignty regulation (this is where I get to namedrop GDPR): e.g., observability, security permissions and firewall management.
Functionality that supports/encourages a hybrid environment (multi-tenant/single-tenant/on-prem and server/VM/container): e.g., hosted, dedicated and on-prem installations.
Capabilities that don't just match that of GKE/ACS/ECS, but look to go beyond them.
This is a more thoughtful approach to product strategy in general, and as such, will likely require long-term thinking and commitment from the provider. It will also probably deliver much more value to you, the enterprise user.
Cloud 66 has been running its own stack on containers in production since 2012, and since then we (pragmatically) swapped out our own orchestration engine for Kubernetes. We come from the cloud-native production angle, and have run into many of the problems most enterprises haven't yet considered. Most importantly for providers, working with partners and providers is core to our strategy.
Find out more about Cloud 66 Skycap, our container-native continuous deployment pipeline, and Cloud 66 Maestro, our application lifecycle management tool, or contact us at hello@cloud66.com.