Google's enterprise push a 'future growth engine'
Google is looking at its cloud-based apps for the enterprise not as a small side business, but as a major driver of future growth.
Free and cheap ways to study for IT certifications
Studying for and taking IT certification exams can be costly. These tips can help you find inexpensive study resources and ways to get hands-on experience with the technologies you're studying.
Epicor CEO Pervez Qureshi talks company's renewal, SaaS and growth plans
Following last year's merger with Activant Solutions, ERP (enterprise resource planning) vendor Epicor is closing in on US$1 billion in revenue, a figure that belies the vendor's relatively low profile compared to giants such as Oracle and SAP.
How to manage IT contractors
Contract IT workers may walk, talk and code like staff, but in fact they're not company employees -- something managers should keep in mind. Insider (registration required)
Microsoft Office 2013 fires shot at Google's enterprise push
With the upcoming release of Office 2013, Microsoft is putting a lot of focus on the cloud in a bid to compete with Google.
ERP software woes ding aerospace company's profits
Aerospace and energy system components manufacturer Woodward is the latest company to see its profits hurt by costs associated with an ERP software project, according to an announcement it made.
Graceful exits from IT: Why CIOs decide to move on
Some highly successful IT professionals decide the CIO's life isn't for them, so they move on to seek fulfillment elsewhere, perhaps as consultants or entrepreneurs. Do such departures represent a natural progression in the careers of accomplished executives, or do they say something troubling about the working environment of enterprise IT?
Globalized IT operations pay off
By interlocking business services, companies gain customer knowledge, efficiency and speed. The payoffs are huge, but laying the groundwork for IT standardization is no easy task.
Data center fabrics promise flatter, simpler networks
Early adopters say revamping a data center's switching gear is worth the time and effort required; benefits include killer bandwidth and more flexibility.
Wall Street Beat: Hardware hits headwinds, software picture clears up
While hardware and components makers face economic hurdles, the picture for software is getting brighter, according to earnings reports from major vendors and mid-year market research polls.
Lenovo close to grabbing PC supremacy from HP
If Chinese-based computer manufacturer Lenovo keeps moving at its current pace, the company will surpass Hewlett-Packard as the world's largest PC maker by the beginning of 2013, industry analysts say.
Survey finds ERP software project overruns 'distressingly common'
It is "distressingly common" to see ERP (enterprise-resource-planning) projects involving Oracle, SAP and Microsoft Dynamics software end up taking longer than customers anticipated, according to a new survey.
Tech hotshots: The rise of the IT business analyst
Business analysts, whether assigned to IT or embedded elsewhere in the organization, are in high demand. Here's how to manage the analyst relationship to your mutual advantage.
BYOD: Big security, small devices
Enterprises may be ready for BYOD, but most consumer devices aren't, so vendors are adding high-level security features to their new and upcoming products.
Enterprises Must Collaborate and Get Social Now (or Pay Later)
Jacob Morgan, author of 'The Collaborative Organization,' speaks passionately about what collaboration can do both inside and outside the enterprise. CIO.com talked to Morgan about the emerging trend and why it's important to act now.
Windows 8-powered PCs, tablets to launch in late October
Microsoft today said it will officially launch Windows 8 in late October when it starts selling upgrades and its hardware partners begin selling PCs, tablets and hybrid devices powered by the new operating system.
Windows Server 2012 Release Preview: Compelling new features
Windows Server 2012 Release Preview features a better virtual desktop experience, much easier DirectAccess deployment and a full-scale file-classification and access control system.
Google Glass launches new age of personal computing
If Google's latest computing plan stays on track, the definition of a computer could broaden significantly.
Bye bye, corporate phone
Once a status symbol and a perk, the subsidized corporate phone is being phased out as users demand their own devices -- and are willing to pay for the privilege.
Five tips to keep apps from failing
No business today that depends on online customers and processes to keep the lights on can afford an application meltdown. When an application critical to core business processes or revenues, such as a company's Web server, is down for even an hour it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
ERP vendors Syspro, Unit4 launch app stores
The app store model popularized by Apple is gaining further adoption in the world of ERP (enterprise-resource-planning) software, with new stores announced this week by Syspro and Unit4.
Putting predictive analytics to work
Predictive analytics involves both art and science, but getting started isn't for high rollers only. Here's how to ensure a successful outcome.
Could cloud computing change how we communicate?
At least one CIO has already done away with email and Office. Insider (registration required)
Cloud-based Office tools: Right for you?
When you're adopting cloud software, you need to think about features and functions, of course, as well as the costs involved. But process changes and user training can be even bigger factors. Insider (registration required)
New Oracle OpenWorld details give early look at company's plans
Oracle tends to keep a tight lid on the specific announcements it will make each year at the OpenWorld conference prior to show time, but a newly released session catalog provides plenty of clues and fodder for speculation as to what's in store at the event, which runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in San Francisco.
Data center fabrics catching on, slowly
Early adopters say the expense and time spent to revamp a data center's switching gear are well worth it; benefits include killer bandwidth and more flexibility.
Survival guide: Do's and don'ts for next-gen IT
Business IT is evolving behind your back. Here's how to head off extinction and assert a larger role
Long live SOA in the cloud era
You might not hear much about SOA anymore, but its imperative to make 'everything a service' is more relevant than ever
Lowe's seeks to attract future workers with social tools
At home improvement retailer Lowe's, executives aren't just focusing on their current employees. They're casting an eye toward the people they'll be hiring months or even years from now.
Cisco takes social collaboration to the cloud
Cisco announced that a cloud-based version of its social collaboration software will be available in North America in July
Oracle profit jumps 8 percent, though hardware sales decline
Profits at Oracle climbed 8 percent in the quarter just ended, though hardware sales declined and overall revenue was up only slightly.
Samsung's SAFE for Galaxy S III aims to help IT embrace Android
Samsung announced a new program on Monday to help enterprise IT shops feel more confident about allowing workers to use the coming Galaxy S III smartphone on the job.
John Reed: Invest in your IT talent; it's the key to retention
Businesses that cut training and development during the recession will be challenged to recruit IT professionals to help them grow as the economy improves. Robert Half Technology's John Reed offers tips for stepping up professional development efforts for IT staffers.
Joel Capperella: Attract talent by building the IT community at large
If you invest in the development of IT professionals outside your company, you help improve the level of talent in the entire IT ecosystem -- and, in turn, the quality of candidates who apply for your jobs, says Yoh's Joel Capperella.
Microsoft turning to Yammer to beef up social tools, reports say
Microsoft in serious discussions to buy Yammer, an enterprise social collaboration company, according to reports.
Java 7 auto-update could ding Oracle E-Business Suite installs
Oracle has issued an "urgent bulletin" asking desktop administrators to immediately turn off the Java Runtime Environment auto-update option "for all Windows end-user desktops connecting to Oracle E-Business Suite Release 11i, 12.0, and 12.1" due to a critical incompatibility.
Review: Up close with NetSuite's deep ERP
NetSuite offers extensive ERP, CRM, and other business management functionality to organizations that recognize the value proposition associated with SaaS
Image gallery: Must-have data center utilities
Your peers rely on these tools to help run their shops, for everything from real-time server graphing to capacity planning and virtual machine backup.
Raco, Enterprise Mobile join to aid in M2M rollouts
Raco Wireless and Enterprise Mobile have joined forces to help companies that lack telecom expertise get machine-to-machine (M2M) services off the ground, and in the process increase the sector's popularity, Raco said on Tuesday.
Oracle-SAP retrial delayed
Oracle and SAP will have to wait a bit longer to retry their corporate-theft lawsuit, according to a filing made Friday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Busting down the info silos
Savvy business leaders are starting to recognize the paybacks of helping all their business groups work from the same data.
BYOD: IT execs learn to let go of 'command and control' mindset
Forward-thinking tech execs are learning how to stop worrying and love the gadget, lest their business units attempt an end-run around IT. Insider (registration required)
Mobile Devices Enterprise Android Use 'Severely Limited'
Adoption of Android tablets and smartphones in enterprises has been 'severely limited' by the complexities of managing the wide variety of devices and versions of the operating system, research firm Gartner said in a new report.
The Grill: Tracey Rothenberger wears two hats at Ricoh Americas
To help lead the merger of two multibillion-dollar companies -- IKON Office Solutions and Ricoh Americas -- Tracey Rothenberger last year added chief process officer to his existing titles of senior vice president and CIO.
Extreme BI
More organizations are developing mature BI infrastructures and practices to analyze data to develop ideas about what will happen in the future so they can craft better strategies to cope with what's ahead. Insider (registration required)
IT Skills: Jumping the Chasm
The current tech talent gap is just the first sign of a coming revolution in the IT labor market. Here's how to secure your footing now and brace for what's ahead.
Technology for the Greater Good
Dozens of 2012 Computerworld Honors laureates are leveraging low-cost, consumer-oriented technologies to create and deploy systems and applications designed to benefit society, especially in the areas of education and healthcare.
10 SaaS delivery companies to watch
Analysts and industry watchers agree that the next frontier for SaaS is setting distribution channels designed specifically for the cloud and providing mechanisms for managing multiple SaaS offerings from a single control point. These advancements will likely come from a variety of sources: established SaaS vendors, startups providing SaaS channel enabling software, and cloud service brokerage houses. Here are 10 to watch, listed in alphabetical order.
Attention IT: Your interns have something to teach you
IT interns brought innovation to NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, the White House and We Energies. Here's how to inspire similar results from your summer crew.
Mobile device management: Getting started
Get started by focusing on the device(s) and the data plan, security issues and general policies.
Global business services net big returns
By interlocking business services, companies gain customer knowledge, efficiency and speed. The payoffs are huge, but laying the groundwork for IT standardization is no easy task.
Google's Motorola buy seen boosting Android in workplace
With the closing of Google's $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility this week, talk of the possibilities for Android in the enterprise has spiked.
Microsoft server and tool upgrades demand CIOs' attention
CIOs and IT directors tracking the barrage of major upgrades for Windows and Office also need to stay tuned to the refresh cycle for Microsoft's servers and tools, including Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, System Center 2012 and Visual Studio 11.
Minn. executive branch picks Microsoft to improve email, collaboration
The Executive Branch of the Minnesota state government uses cloud-hosted Microsoft email and collaboration software, first as part of BPOS and later, Office 365.
Security researcher urges IT to keep up with SAP patches
More than 95 percent of over 600 SAP systems tested by security firm Onapsis were vulnerable to espionage, sabotage and fraud, mainly because patches had not been applied, according to a researcher.
Wolfram unveils system modeling tool
Expanding beyond its scientific and engineering number-crunching software, Mathematica maker Wolfram Research released a desktop application for full-scale system modeling and simulation.
Google becomes hardware company with $12.5B Motorola buy
Google said Tuesday morning that it has closed the deal to acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion
Silver Peak bolsters virtual WAN optimization software
Silver Peak upgraded the software for its WAN appliance to handle automated optimization for TCP and non-TCP traffic, 512,000 simultaneous connections for 10 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) infrastructures and support for a bunch of common hypervisors.
The Cobol Brain Drain
As baby boomers retire, the business processes they used to create their Cobol programs may walk out the door with them. Here's what IT organizations are doing about it.
Up-and-Coming Tech Jobs
Big changes in IT are spawning a new class of tech job titles. Here are a few up-and-comers -- and a rundown of the skills you need to land these positions.
The Grill: TASC CIO Barbie Bigelow
CIO Barbie Bigelow led the effort to build an IT organization and infrastructure from scratch when the TASC systems engineering operation was spun off from Northrop Grumman. Her team completed the cutover in just under 12 months.
Managing Mobile Mania
Unified communications isn't easy or cheap, but for companies that want to differentiate their customer service, it's becoming a must-have. Insider (registration required)
Cisco mobility bundles target BYOD, mobile virtual desktop
Cisco announced three pre-tested bundles of products and services designed to cut through the confusing complexity of enterprise mobility.
VMware envisions virtualization in post-PC, BYOD era
VMware wasn't just looking to save money when it launched a BYOD plan with the mandate that all of its U.S. employees use their personal mobile phones for work. It was taking a crash-course that would help shape its vision of post-PC era computing.
SAP puts its HANA in-memory database in the spotlight
SAP seems to be betting its future on its HANA in-memory database, spotlighting the technology once again at the Sapphire conference in Orlando Wednesday, announcing a slew of new applications, partnerships and functional enhancements for the system.
Unified communications still fragmented
The technology may get a big push from mobile adoption, but integration among multiple UC components is still a tough slog.
NetSuite rolls out commerce-as-a-service platform
NetSuite is going up against vendors such as Demandware and Venda in the market for cloud-based e-commerce platforms, announcing a new product, SuiteCommerce, during the SuiteWorld conference in San Francisco on Tuesday.
SAP lays out cloud strategy post-SuccessFactors deal
SAP announced a broad set of plans to become a player in cloud computing, spanning from a "loosely coupled suite" of business applications to data integration and PaaS (platform as a service) Tuesday during the Sapphire conference in Orlando.
SAP certifies Business All-in-One for Amazon Web Services
SAP has certified its Business All-in-One ERP application for cloud-based deployments on Amazon Web Services, the companies announced Friday.
Public-sector cloud computing: The good, the bad and the ugly
From California and Utah to Ohio, Massachusetts and Maine, state and local governments are using the cloud to update antiquated systems, but the hurdles are high.
Epicor to move its apps to Microsoft's Azure cloud
Epicor is planning to work with Microsoft to bring Epicor's ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications to the Azure cloud service, the companies announced Tuesday during Epicor's Insights conference in Las Vegas.
Today, printers. Tomorrow, 'integrated peripherals'?
Printers are evolving from passive devices as vendors cram more features into them and buyers find ways to better integrate them into the overall environment.
No big shift to the cloud for unified communications and collaboration
The 2012 IDG Enterprise Unified Communications and Collaboration survey highlights the uptick in adoption and investments. Insider (registration required)
Half of all Macs will lack access to security updates by summer
Unless Apple changes its security update practice, nearly half of all Mac users will be adrift without patches sometime this summer.
Open-source cloud frameworks: A work in progress
Here's a look at the growing list of open-source platform-as-a-service providers and how IT managers can decide where the technology fits best in their organizations.
Wide-Open Search
With the explosion of unstructured data, companies are looking for more options for enterprise search. Here's a look at the benefits and limitations of open-source search-enabled applications.
Turning Long Demands Into a Short List
IT is under pressure to get more agile in its delivery methods and pursue flexible prioritization strategies to work with, not against, the burgeoning needs of the business.
Sage moves ERP apps to Microsoft's Azure cloud
Following an ongoing industry trend, Sage Group is moving a number of its ERP software products to Microsoft's Azure cloud service.
iPad in the Enterprise: IT Must Stay Ahead of the Curve
In a wide-ranging interview, an Apple expert shares real-world experiences about iPads in the enterprise, mobile device management and BYOD. Key takeaways for IT: Don't improvise when it comes to iPad adoption and don't get bypassed by rogue users.
IBM goes after enterprise mobility projects
IBM took steps on Monday to help enterprises go mobile, introducing a set of software and services called Mobile Foundation.
Holistic Virtualization
To take full advantage of virtualization's high-level benefits, companies must view the technology's capabilities across the entire IT organization. Here's some expert advice on creating a virtualization strategy that looks at the big picture. Insider (registration required)
Google Drive could be a boon -- and a headache -- for IT
With the launch of Google Drive this week, IT managers can look forward to a potential new productivity tool -- and some significant headaches, analysts say
SAP sees strong momentum for HANA and SuccessFactors business
Business software vendor SAP expects software and software-related service revenue to increase in the range of 10 to 12 percent at constant currencies during the year, largely in line with preliminary estimates that the company released earlier this month.
Most initial Oracle Fusion Applications customers going with cloud deployment
Most of the 250 customers that have licensed Oracle's recently launched Fusion Applications so far have chosen a SaaS deployment model instead of running it on-premises, a senior executive said this week during the Collaborate user group conference in Las Vegas.
The Upside of Shadow IT
As employees bypass IT and regularly subscribe to collaboration, analytic and other cloud services with the press of a button, some of the savviest CIOs are embracing and even encouraging shadow IT. Here's why.
Help for the Help Desk
Whether it's a 'teaching moment' or a system that provides more efficient ticket tracking, the help desk is getting a much-needed assist in some shops.
The Grill: SuperValu's Wayne Shurts on 'intensely business-focused IT'
Wayne Shurts, executive vice president and CIO at SuperValu, talks about how he's working to help the IT department at the grocery retailer better support the company's overall business. Insider (registration required)
E-discovery in the Cloud
Companies often assume data in the cloud is inherently discoverable, but is it? Know what questions to ask your cloud vendor so you can get your data back when required.
Microsoft touts corporate tools in Windows 8 Enterprise
Microsoft yesterday laid out the exclusive features of Windows 8 Enterprise, one of three editions of the upcoming OS and the only one limited to corporate customers.
Amazon Web Services offers one-click purchase of cloud apps from IBM, SAP, others
Amazon Web Services on Thursday announced a new online marketplace that allows customers to buy software and services from a variety of vendors at hourly rates through its cloud infrastructure platform.
Workday update pushes it deeper into Oracle, SAP's turf
Workday is rolling out version 16 of its cloud-based ERP (enterprise resource planning) software to customers this week, an update that includes upgrades to the financials component that could help it steal away deals with large enterprises from the likes of Oracle and SAP.
Time to de-Flash your site?
Flash is a problem for iDevices, which makes mobile access to a website problematic. Here's what smart shops are doing about it.
BYOD: 'The inmates of the asylum have control'
Mobile devices are multiplying and -- sanctioned or unsanctioned -- finding their way onto corporate networks. For IT pros, the influx of personal mobile devices to the corporate network is raising security concerns, creating management challenges, and swamping the help desk with support calls.
Should the CIO know how to code?
With IT integral to the business, an increasing number of companies are hiring CIOs who didn't rise through the ranks. Is that a good thing? Insider (registration required)
Software AG buys messaging company my-Channels
Software AG said Monday that it has acquired U.K. middleware company my-Channels, which develops low-latency messaging software that will be used to extend Software AG's current offerings.
SAP revenue rises 11% in first quarter, but margin shrinks
SAP published preliminary figures for its first-quarter results on Friday, showing revenue up 11% year on year, but margins shrinking with operating profit up only 6%.
Chevron's CIO Talks Transformation and Why IT Leaders Should Smile
In the latest installment of the CIO Interview Series, Louie Ehrlich, CIO and president of Chevron Information Technology Company, talks about the most important things he's learned leading a giant, global IT team through massive change. His answers may sound simple, but they're hard-won lessons for Ehrlich, the top tech executive for the nearly $250 billion energy company, whose transformation effort has yielded the better part of a billion dollars in payback for Chevron. Insider (registration required)
SAP lays out plans to become big player in databases, mobile
SAP made a series of announcements on Tuesday as part of its bid to become a high-profile player in the database market alongside the likes of Oracle and IBM.
Melissa P. Dodd
Melissa P. Dodd, CIO of the Boston Public Schools, shares her ideas on running a large school system's IT department. Insider (registration required)
Data analytics driving medical breakthroughs
Big data and other technologies are poised to start saving lives and enhancing quality of life for sick patients. |
