The ICTSA Programming Challenge 2010 was a 48 hour programming challenge held between the 26th – 28th February 2010.  This year, the challenge given to the competitors was the following:

The aim of the challenge is to approximate images using a small number of circular blobs of paint. The images are all rectangular, with each of their constituent pixels ranging over a small number of colours (8). Facing an empty (white) canvas, of the same dimensions as the given image, an artist paints circular blobs of paint (each one possibly covering previously painted ones) in one of the 8 possible colours. The challenge the artist faces, is to end up with a painting similar to the original one, not using more than a given number of paint blobs. Your task is to automate the artist.

CasaSoft, represented by its directors, Mark & Karl Cassar have entered the competition and managed to obtain 2nd place in the industry section of this competition.  The results were announced last weekend at the awards ceremony held on Saturday 6th March 2010 at Villa Bighi, Kalkara.

ICTSA Programming Challenge 2010 Award

We have just launched a new website for Strand Electronics.  Strand Electronics Ltd. is a limited liability company, which was established in 1987 as a member of M.C. Holdings Limited and has since established itself as a market leader in the electronics industry. It is an affiliate of Alf. Mizzi Group of Companies, one of Malta’s largest organizations. Among its well-established brands are Kyocera, Bosch, Utax, Karel and Intimus.

CasaSoft has been appointed to develop a new online presence via a new website.  Website includes full product listing of all the items offered by Strand Electronics.  Users can also perform direct online enquiries on certain specific items.  Website also includes online live chat where users will be able to speak directly with Strand Electronics staff members.  Website is backed up by our powerful, user-friendly and easy-to-use Content Management System (CMS) which have been developed in house.

Strand Electronics Website Homepage

Malta Enterprise have issued the third and last call for the ERDF e-Business Development Grant Scheme which supports Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the development of ICT solutions to enhance their business functions.

Following the success of the last two calls, this call is expected to be the last one which has been allocated a total budget of €990,000.

This incentive will support SMEs that are willing to innovate through the development of innovative ICT solutions which will facilitate their business processes and increase efficiency.

This scheme is extremely interesting as it aids businesses through co-financing 30% – 50% of the entire project cost and covers integral ICT hardware costs as well as ICT software costs.

Eligible ICT hardware costs are:

• Hardware required for the optimal functioning of the ICT solution;
• Other equipment that is essential for the optimal operation of the ICT solution (such as equipment required for Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Eligible ICT software costs are:

• Database Management Systems;
• Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions;
• Computer Aid Design and Manufacturing software;
• Content Management Solutions / Content Management Systems;
• Client Relationship Management systems (CRM);
• E-Commerce Systems
• E-Learning Solutions
• Rich Internet Applications (RIAs)
• Online Portals

We can help you in various sectors, whether:

• Developing a new online presence for your business.  Grasp the benefits of having an e-commerce enabled website powered through our very user friendly fully fledged, custom made content management system which will connect your business online internationally and potentially reaching to thousands of potential users, 24/7.
• Transitioning your business processes from traditional methods to an innovative ICT solution deployed either locally or most preferably over the internet through Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) which are today’s way forward.
• Developing a new e-learning application for your business or organisation.
• Developing a new innovative multimedia application.
• and various other possibilities!

Whatever your requirements, contact us either using our online enquiry form, via email on info@casasoft.com.mt or give us a call on (+356) 2166 2204  and we would be more than glad to provide you with more information on this scheme.  This advantageous scheme can help you enhance your business through the development of innovative ICT solutions which will help you facilitate your business processes and enhance your online presence.

The call for applications closes on Friday 26th March 2010 at noon.

For more information, visit the ERDF e-Business Development Grant Scheme page.

The ERDF e-Business Development Grant Scheme supports Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) who will invest in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects that integrate business functions, streamline workflows and enhance interactions with clients and suppliers. The scheme will co-finance ICT hardware costs and ICT software costs. The ERDF e-Business Development Grant Scheme Incentive Guideline is the official publication governing this incentive. The Incentive Guideline document includes details on eligibility, State aid regulations and the value of Aid that may be granted under this incentive.