Manage
Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.
Manage
Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.
Three ways to define and implement a corporate strategy
The term "strategy" means different things to different organizations. But no matter how it's defined, every company should have one. James Champy offers three pieces of advice on how to determine and implement your company's strategy. Continue Reading
Security solutions: Cost-justification guidelines
CIOs often have trouble justifying the value of security solutions to the business side. ROI expert Tom Pisello offers four tips for cost justifying IT investments. Continue Reading
The Eternal Quest for IT and Business Alignment
The next step in IT-business alignment requires that CIOs move from reactive to proactive roles. Continue Reading
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A Business Relationship Manager by Any Other Name
Leadership Award Winners Utilize IT Governance, Good Relationships
IT governance and solid business relationships equal a winning leadership strategy for our 25 CIO Decisions Midmarket Leadership Award winners. Continue Reading
Taming the Wild World of Information - (problem solved)
Editor's Letter: Show-and-Tell IT Leadership
Off the Cuff: Sybron Dental Specialties
Public-Sector CIOs Find Self-Service Applications Serve All
Local governments are turning to self-serve technologies to combat Medicaid costs and decreasing tax revenues.Continue Reading
IT Infrastructure Provides the Foundation for IT Leadership
Even with the best people, processes and tools, you still need an IT infrastructure that works.Continue Reading
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ERP Journey: Phase One of the ERP Conversion Ends; Team Makes the Leap
Go-live is here, and IT stands at the ready, prepared to fight a fire that never arrives.Continue Reading
A Corporate Email Policy Can Rein in Bad Behavior
Email policies, as well as those for blogs and IM, show your users what they can do on their office laptop -- and in the process can reduce your company's risk.Continue Reading
Options for recovering data with Data Protection Manager
Having backups of your data won't do you any good unless you know how to restore them. Here are some options for restoring data through Microsoft's Data Protection Manager.Continue Reading
Embedded analytics: The next wave in business intelligence
Business intelligence (BI) software has many strategic benefits to offer organizations. However, it is often not used to its fullest potential. In his latest column, expert Wayne Eckerson reviews the benefits of embedded analytics and how they will ...Continue Reading
Open source routers: Booting tips and benefits
There are advantages to using an open source router, as Tom Lancaster points out in this tip. Here, he shares tips for distributing, configuring and booting.Continue Reading
ITIL Version 3: Perfecting processes to solve problems
ITIL is a set of suggested standards and practices for setting up efficient processes to solve your IT and business problems. Here's a look at the enhancements being made in Version 3, which is set to be released later this year.Continue Reading
Security VARs -- Buyer beware
A value-added reseller is not a security panacea, but according to security specialist Mike Rothman, it has its advantages.Continue Reading
Fix URLs broken across multiple lines
A utility called URL Kicker takes the hassle out of copying, pasting and reassembling long, nonlinked URLs from a Web page or text document that's broken across several lines.Continue Reading
Tips for verifying that your backups work
The only thing worse than losing data is discovering that your backups don't work in the first place. These four tips will help you verify that your backups are indeed up to snuff.Continue Reading
Leading indicators deliver better business results
IT can provide tremendous value to those responsible for delivering business results by proactively identifying emerging problems and taking timely action to address them. ROI expert Dan Merriman offers advice on how to identify and implement ...Continue Reading
Instant messaging compliance suite points: SMB Buying Decisions
IM is something SMBs don't pay enough attention to but should, due to regulatory compliance and security factors. Luckily, there isn't a shortage of options for SMBs.Continue Reading
Editor's Letter: The Visibility Factor and Business Transformation
Business Mentor: SOX Compliance and Good IT Governance
Good governance and SOX compliance go hand in hand.Continue Reading
Diving Into Executive Dashboards
Bells, whistles and whiz-bang results help make dashboards all the rage. But you could become one angry executive if you don't follow the rules of the road when it comes to building your own.Continue Reading
Business Sense a Factor in Landing CIO Job at Cosmetic Company
For a Project Manager, Failing to Plan Means Planning to Fail
When it comes to project failures, doesn't it seem like Groundhog Day all over again?Continue Reading
ERP Journey: The Run-Through Before the ERP Implementation Goes Live
The team waits in the wings for the dress rehearsal for system go-live.Continue Reading
Document Management System Deployment Part of Law Firm's IT Overhaul
Law firm Paul Hastings LLP was operating in the technology dark ages. Bringing users into the 21st century required cutting-edge change management.Continue Reading
Cinema Sector Turns to Business Intelligence Systems, Mobile Devices
Movie theaters are hurting from the pressures created by declining admissions and at-home entertainment. Now they're using the latest mobile and self-serve technologies to reel the crowds back in.Continue Reading
Salary and Careers Survey Finds Good News for Midmarket CIOs
The results of the first CIO Decisions Salary and Careers Survey are in -- and there's lots of good news for CIOs.Continue Reading
Rebels With a High-Tech Cause: How Rogue IT Projects Happen
Impatient business units often concoct quick IT fixes, even if it means rendering the company's email server useless. Here's how to end the end-run on IT.Continue Reading
Storage planning for SMBs: Check IT List
A successful SMB storage plan requires a thorough examination of your storage needs, budgets and resources. Greg Schulz asks and answers seven key questions for small and medium-sized businesses to consider.Continue Reading
Utility audits user access to files and directories
To maintain security, administrators often need to know what kind of accesses specific users or groups have to resources, including files, directories and registry keys. A tool called AccessChk can help answer those questions.Continue Reading
How to make Web services secure
Web application threats abound. If you use Web services with those applications, then there are other security issues you need to be aware of. In fact, some say Web services, if not secured properly, can pose security threats that extend beyond ...Continue Reading
How to secure Microsoft Office
MS Office is the most widely used application suite in the world. It presents a definite security concern on the desktop. Make sure your clients are secure.Continue Reading
Troubleshooting WLAN connectivity on the network
This tip looks at potentially troublesome areas you should consider when troubleshooting WLAN connectivity on the network.Continue Reading
USB wireless security lets you lock your PC by walking away
A USB wireless security device employs proximity-based security to lock a PC or server when the user or admin steps away. The device has been turned into a plug-in.Continue Reading
Firewall and IDS architecture setup for SMBs
Small and medium-size businesses are a prime candidate for network attacks. Setting up firewalls and intrusion detection systems is easy, inexpensive -- and essential.Continue Reading
Incident response made easy (and cheap)
Creating an incident response process for small and medium-sized businesses doesn't have to break your budget or strain your staff. Here are four easy steps.Continue Reading
Four steps to successful IT/business alignment
Business alignment remains a top priority for IT executives. James Champy offers CIOs advice for turning IT into an integral part of their business operations, and no longer just a service center.Continue Reading
Business process re-engineering effort helps bank achieve more than 500% ROI
A business process re-engineering efforts helped one bank achieve more than 500% ROI in eight months.The project also allowed the financial institution to effectively optimize internal processes and re-assign workloads and personnel.Continue Reading
How to build a project management office that helps IT
A strong project management office can take an IT shop to the top. But a weak PMO can sink it -- quick.Continue Reading
Lone Survivor: How a CIO Survived a Massive IT Layoff, Merger and More
CIO Charlie James survived a merger, a bankruptcy and several housecleanings at hotelier Lodgian. While others might have ducked for cover, James stayed on, ultimately leading the organization through a turnaround.Continue Reading
Off the Cuff: Houston Astros Baseball Club
Leverage Service Orientation to Take IT to the Next Level
Hospital CIO, CEO Turn to COO to Help Tackle IT Projects
After a two-year freeze on IT projects, Antelope Valley Hospital had to update its technology. The CIO and CEO discuss how they prioritize projects with their new COO.Continue Reading
How to Use an Open Source Wiki to Transform Information Exchange
Welcome to the wonderful world of wikis and better information sharing. But midmarket CIOs need to consider the limits and best use of this groupware tool before signing on.Continue Reading
CIOs Moving On, Moving In
Can the Broken Relationship Between IT and HR Leaders Be Fixed?
How can CIOs take the lead in fixing their broken relationship with HR departments?Continue Reading
The FBI's Case Management Files: Virtual Case File vs. Sentinel
Disparate Systems, Lack of Interoperability Pose Problems for Builders
Collaboration is king in the architecture, engineering and construction industry.Continue Reading
Taking corporate openness to the next level
Some organizations are turning to social media formats to communicate with internal and external clients. But columnist Paul Gillin cautions that all this openness can leave you vulnerable to both positive and negative feedback.Continue Reading
Don't just calculate ROI of IT projects. Help deliver it
IT and business teams are beginning to put more effort into measuring the actual business value enabled by their technology investments.Continue Reading
Information security metrics that work
Effective information security metrics can help CIOs better justify their security investments.Continue Reading
Disaster recovery planning: A business impact analysis for IT
Before you develop a disaster recovery plan, you must understand, analyze and plan for the business impact -- from an IT perspective.Continue Reading
Offshore outsourcing contracts should focus on value, not price
Price is no longer the most critical issue to address in an offshore outsourcing relationship. Offshore outsourcing contracts should focus on value, not price.Continue Reading
SMB business continuity planning basics
Small and midsized companies can't afford to lose business because of an unexpected disaster. Here are basic steps for a business continuity plan at SMBs.Continue Reading
Network appliance roundup for small offices
As the supply and demand for network and security tools increases for small and midsized businesses, so do the options for SMB network appliances. Ed Tittel offers advice for your network setup.Continue Reading
Business process management tools: SMB Buying Decisions
Business process management tools are no longer just for improving workflow. When it comes to keeping up with other small and medium-sized businesses, reduced cycle time, increased productivity, better customer service and reduced overhead are just ...Continue Reading
IRS E-File Service Gaining in Popularity
Data center crossroads: Is outsourcing the next step?
Every midmarket organization reaches the point when it must consider outsourcing as part of its data center strategy. Options abound.Continue Reading
An ERP System in Less Time, for Less Money
Off the Cuff: Virgin Entertainment Group
Business Mentor: If You Can Measure IT Performance, You Can Manage IT
Smart metrics can earn CIOs credibility and respect.Continue Reading
BioPassword Inc. Offers Biometrics Without the Bio
How to Change Your Company's Business Model
Dolby Laboratories CIO, Exec. Discuss How to Prioritize IT Projects
At a unit of Dolby Laboratories, the CIO and president discuss how they are managing double-digit growth and competing IT requests.Continue Reading
Custom-Blended: Growth May Mean Changes for Peet's IT Infrastructure
Peet's Coffee is hot right now, for sure. But its IT infrastructure needs a jolt to keep up with growing business demands.Continue Reading
Data Center Management Challenges to Ponder
Is a data center too strategic an asset to be outsourced?Continue Reading
Making Sense of Service-Oriented Architecture
Service-oriented architecture is the latest approach to reusable software. And midmarket companies looking for easier integration are finding it worth the effort.Continue Reading
The real reasons vendors are moving to open source models
More vendors are adopting open source business models. Columnist Paul Gillin offers advice on how users can leverage this new vendor interest to their advantage.Continue Reading
Wireless LAN security tools: SMB Buying Decisions
Wireless LAN security is critical for small and midsized businesses, which are often the target of unauthorized access attempts and denial-of-service attacks.Continue Reading
Building an employee intranet brings benefits
Small and medium-sized businesses can benefit most from intranets, which offer better productivity, knowledge sharing and money-saving resources.Continue Reading
Network security: Where's the ROI?
When it comes to network security, the CFO is probably certain that it's a big expense with no return. Here's how to determine network security ROI.Continue Reading
March Madness! Preventing network overload
Don't let March Madness maniacs bring down your office networks. Here are some steps to prevent network strain from increased Web usage during the NCAA tournament.Continue Reading
Implementing an identity and access management system
Once you've done your evaluation, planning and provisioning, it's time to implement ID and access management. Second in a two-part series on implementing I.D. and access management.Continue Reading
The problem with 'quickie' performance dashboards
Performance dashboards can prove tremendously useful, but they aren't a quick fix warns columnist Wayne Eckerson.Continue Reading
Disaster recovery planning gets another look after Hurricane Katrina
Disaster recovery planning is being revisited by many CIOs post Hurricane KatrinaContinue Reading
Network security -- Calm after chaos?
The road to the new network security infrastructure is bumpy and costly - but most likely well worth the trip for SMBs.Continue Reading
Setting up identity and access management for SMBs
Part one of this two-part series outlines the first three steps for setting up an identity and access management system: evaluation, planning and implementation.Continue Reading
Reasons to get to know your end users' business
Project managers: Get in the trenches and get in touch with users' needs.Continue Reading
Open source vs. SaaS: What SMBs should know
How big is your wallet? How high is your tolerance for complexity? These are just two of many factors to consider before you choose between open source or Software as a Service.Continue Reading
Project Expert: The Ingredients of IT Project Success
What do airline pilots, a chef, a magician and a doctor have in common? Techniques that lead to success.Continue Reading
Midmarket Companies' Spending on IT Products Tops $800K
Banks Expanding Market Reach, Complying With Government Regulations
Community banks address market uncertainty with initiatives to lure more customers.Continue Reading
The Promoting Kind: Four CIOs Who Moved Into Senior Business Roles
Some CIO stars shatter the techie ceiling and catapult into the highest ranks of a company. Here's how they do it.Continue Reading
If It's Monday, We Must Be in Saginaw: Twice the Strategic Initiatives
A Lifetime of Secrets: Securing Intellectual Property a World Away
Manufacturer Lifetime Products guards its intellectual property with a host of high-tech locks and lawsuits. But with its future in China, can it fend off the greatest IP bandits in the world?Continue Reading
Podium: A Four-Layer Approach to Manage the Business of IT
Complex enterprise architecture models bog you down; here's a simple one that moves you forward.Continue Reading
IT and Business Alignment Helps Carbonation Company Manage Growth
At NuCO2, which sells carbonation, two former Coca-Cola executives are modernizing IT.Continue Reading
CRM Rising: How the Midmarket Is Embracing CRM Projects
CRM has always dwelt in that torturous space between hype and hope. Now midmarket CIOs, armed with lessons of past failures, are making it real for users.Continue Reading
Business Mentor: Truth Behind IT Project Failure Is Users Hate Change
How to help users accept change.Continue Reading
Web-based customer self-service: SMB Buying Decisions
Web-based customer self-service offers better insight into what customers want while saving SMBs a lot of time and money.Continue Reading
SAP software on-demand: The hidden costs
SAP software, including CRM on-demand has basic sales force automation features, but integrating with back-end systems and mapping data to the on-demand platform could add fees.Continue Reading
CRM tools heed to SMB call
CRM buyers at SMBs have long waited for CRM technology to mature and for prices to fall. Alas, CRM is here.Continue Reading
Top five Windows threats
Valentine's day brings love -- and those who love to hack. Be aware of these Windows security threats.Continue Reading
CRM suites for SMBs
Salesforce.com may be the No. 1 hosted CRM software, but there are plenty of alternatives with more services and smaller price tags for SMBs.Continue Reading
A CIO's nine steps to a successful data warehouse project
A successful data warehousing initiative can generate revenue and cost savings. One IT expert shares his steps for restoring a data warehouse.Continue Reading
Cubicle Maker Resumes an ERP Project While Keeping Systems Going
The dot-com bust derailed a massive ERP project at office cubicle maker Haworth Inc. Last year, IT executive Michael Moon picked up the pieces.Continue Reading
How Activity Triggers, Workflow Tools and Dashboards Factor Into ERP
How well-crafted activity triggers optimize workflow and satisfy customers.Continue Reading