Those that work in the technology businessand even those like me who cover it for a livingare never taken by surprise when news comes out that someone or other has recognized how important technology has become to the lives of everyone.

ACORD, the nonprofit global data standards organization, and DISA, the organization for development of cross-industry electronic business interchange standards, announce that the two organizations would consolidate under the ACORD banner.

New Generali boss Mario Greco hopes to raise 4 billion euros ($5.3 billion) from selling non-strategic businesses, in a "revolution" aimed at turbocharging the Italian insurer's financial performance by 2015.