General Motors India Ltd plans to bring out a new car, a model between the small and premium car segments, company zonal sales manager (south) RK Ramesh said. Talking to reporters at Hyderabad after the launch of the company's diesel version of `Opel Astra' car with turbo power in the twin cities, Ramesh said the new model will be out most probably in next year. General Motors India is a joint venture between General Motors Corporation and the CK Birla group.

Spice Telecom to extend cellular services:

Spice Telecom has announced the extension of their cellular services to Hassan, Chikmagalur and Shimoga in Karnataka. Hassan and Chikamgalur will be first cities to be linked through Spice's optical fibre cable (OFC) cellular backbone, a company release said on Monday. The OFC is now operational for 200 kms between Bangalore (Neelamangala) and Tiptur. Work is in progress at 75 sites in the state and we expect to complete the Rs 25 crore cellularbackbone by November, Spice Telecom general manager Vijaraghavan said.

Pixel Infotek forum:

The Bangalore-based Pixel Infotek Pvt Ltd in association with the US-based Bentley Systems is organising India MicroStation Forum 1998 on Wednesday. During the meet Pixel will formally launch the MicroStation J, a software designed for large-scale collaborative engineering across the Internet and corporate intranets, a company release said.

Nicco Infotech ties up with Oracle Corporation:

Nicco Infotech Ltd, a subsidiary of the New Jersey-based Nicco Infotech Inc, on Monday tied up with Oracle Software India to set up a oracle applications institute in Calcutta. Nicco Corporation chairman and managing director Rajive Kaul, told reporters that the training centre, Nicco Institute for Oracle Applications, will impart education in Oracle applications for manufacturing and financials. Nicco Infotech, with an equity base of Rs 3.1 crore, has diversified in the areas of cables, steel, turnkey projects,software, theme parks, and financial services.

Computer trainers body code:

The National Association of Computer Trainers (Nact), an organisation of computer training institutes in the country, is in the process of formulating a code of conduct for its members to ensure minimum standards for computer training institutes. The three member group expects the model code to be ready in the next three months, Nact president Suresh G Bharwani told reporters in Pune. He said Nact is also seeking industry status for itself, which will allow it to access bank loans for their working capital needs.

Tata IBM system:

Tata IBM's Software group has developed a "file and letter tracking system" to assist the Rajasthan government's efforts in automating the state government's office operations. The software will be used initially at the office of the chief minister. The software deployed enables tracking movement of files and letters within a department and between different departments. The e-businessapplication is web-enabled for access within the department. Tata IBM is also in talks with the Rajasthan government for setting up an e-business competency centre to develop IT skills within and beyond the state borders.

Oberoi Hotels `executive choice' in asiamoney poll:

Asiamoney has chosen the Oberoi Group's hotels in the capital and Mumbai as the `executive choice' for 1998 after a business travel poll in the Asia-Pacific region. The awards are based on results of travel poll conducted among top-end international business travellers, the company said in a release. The hotels were rated on several parameters such as location, room size, price, comfort, service, food, ambience, business facilities, leisure and sports facilities.

Koshika PCO services plan:

Cellular operator Koshika Telecom of the Usha group has sought government permission for setting up public call offices (PCOs) in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa using its existing cellular network. "Through our existing network,we can provide PCO services at the cost of an instrument only," company vice-chairman and managing director Anil Rai said. The group plans to invest Rs 1,200 crore by the end of 1999 in developing technologies in the telecom sector including installation of PCOs in three states, Rai said. By November 1998 Koshika will add another nine cities to its network, he added.