News

ONC Stresses Flexible EHR Strategy

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is taking incremental steps to make life easier for healthcare providers struggling to meet the criteria for the meaningful use of electronic health record technology. It's welcome relief for

By Brian Eastwood

Mar 10, 2014 5 mins

Government Healthcare Industry Regulation

VMware Unwraps Hybrid Cloud Desktop Virtualization

With the new VMware Horizon DaaS offering, IT organizations can deploy enterprise-class virtual desktops to a public cloud, private cloud or seamlessly mix the two with a hybrid cloud deployment.

By Thor Olavsrud

Mar 10, 2014 4 mins

Desktop Virtualization Hybrid Cloud Virtualization

Would You Pay for a Custom BBM PIN? (Poll)

BlackBerry appears to be considering a new feature that would let BBM users customize their unique PINs. But the company could charge a fee for the privilege.

By Al Sacco

Mar 7, 2014 2 mins

‘Findery’ iOS App Creates Rich Maps with Crowdsoured Info

The co-founder of Flickr released a new photo-centric app that ties users' personal stories, historical information, news and more to maps. You can learn a lot about a place from the app, according to CIO.com blogger James A. Martin — t

By James A. Martin

Mar 7, 2014 2 mins

Mobile Apps iPhone

Project Management Definition and Solutions

IT Project Management topics covering definition, objectives, systems and solutions.

By Joseph Phillips

Mar 7, 2014 13 mins

IT Leadership Project Management Tools

Facebook Backtracks Big-Time on Major Redesign Vision

You will notice bigger photos in your Facebook news feed over the coming weeks, but the layout and navigation of the site remain untouched. A massive redesign envisioned by top brass at the company was mostly scrubbed to indulge the lowest common den

By Matt Kapko

Mar 7, 2014 5 mins

Facebook Internet Marketing

Silicon Valley Tech Workers Living the Startup Dream Again

Thanks to blockbuster acquisitions such as Facebook's $19 billion purchase of WhatsApp, successful IPOs and a healthy environment for startups, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive again in the Silicon Valley.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 7, 2014 3 mins

Financial Services Industry IT Jobs Venture Capital

6 IT Strategies to Stay Ahead of Data Center Trends

Automation, virtualization, cloud computing — these technology trends are transforming the data center and enabling companies to lower costs, increase flexibility and improve reliability. However, these shifts require IT, and their outsourcing provi

By Stephanie Overby

Mar 7, 2014 4 mins

Data Center IT Strategy Outsourcing

How to Add New Job Skills Without Going Back to School

E-learning is a cost-effective, accessible way to boost your job skills without the hassles of 'traditional' degree programs.

By Sharon Florentine

Mar 7, 2014 4 mins

Certifications IT Skills Mentoring

HP Sets Standard for 2014 IT Analyst Presentations

HP was the first IT vendor out of the gate with its analyst-only event. CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle was there to grade HP on five metrics and see how the company stacks up to IBM, EMC and Dell — all of which know a thing or two about successful in

By Rob Enderle

Mar 7, 2014 6 mins

Computers and Peripherals Laptops Tablet PCs

Verizon and AT&T Top National Wireless Test

Verizon's network is the most reliable, while AT&T is the fastest and Sprint is the slowest, according to new extensive national wireless tests.

By Bill Snyder

Mar 6, 2014 3 mins

Carriers Mobile Small and Medium Business

How The Container Store Uses Wearable Tech to Think Outside the Box

The Container Store is piloting a wearable device that it hopes will replace the thousands of walkie talkies it uses for in-store communication. The wearable also lets the company track employees when they're at work, among other things, and cou

By Al Sacco

Mar 6, 2014 12 mins

Small and Medium Business VoIP Wi-Fi

ICSA Labs Ready to Take EHR Certification, Interoperability Reins

ICSA Labs, an independent division of Verizon, is now one of the largest government-approved EHR testing and certification body. The organization has aspirations beyond meaningful use, though, and hopes to drive healthcare IT vendors toward interoper

By Brian Eastwood

Mar 6, 2014 5 mins

Healthcare Industry Mobile Security Regulation

7 Things You Need to Know About WhatsApp

WhatsApp may have the most users but it's clearly not the only messaging app out there. In fact, it faces at least 50 competitors. So what makes WhatsApp a $19 billion baby?

By Matt Kapko

Mar 6, 2014 4 mins

Facebook Mobile Apps Social Networking Apps

3 Ways Google+ Hangouts for iOS Tops Skype

Thanks to a significant software update, the Google+ Hangouts iOS app is now an even more compelling alternative to Skype, according to CIO.com blogger James A. Martin. Here's why.

By James A. Martin

Mar 5, 2014 3 mins

Mobile Apps iPad iPhone

10 Desktop Apps to Power Your Windows PC

These apps will help you work with files of all types — as well as back them up and keep them secure.

By Paul Mah

Mar 5, 2014 6 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Windows

Target CIO Resignation Puts Retail CIOs on Alert

As Beth Jacob's resignation from Target shows, retail CIOs are culpable for security breaches even though they might not have the resources in-house to protect the company.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 5, 2014 3 mins

CIO Data Breach Retail Industry

CIOs Must Look to Adaptive Security Systems in Face of Evolving Threats

Microsoft's government security expert warns that there's no such thing as perfect security, so systems must be able to adapt and respond to attacks on unforeseen vulnerabilities.

By Kenneth Corbin

Mar 5, 2014 4 mins

Data Breach Government IT Regulation

Splunk and Tableau Join Forces to Give Machine Data to Business Users

Splunk and Tableau have formed a strategic alliance through which Tableau's visual analytics business intelligence platform can connect to machine data from Splunk as a native data source. The partners say the alliance will drive new kinds of re

By Thor Olavsrud

Mar 5, 2014 3 mins

Analytics Big Data Business Intelligence

CIOs Battle Worker Apathy Towards Lost or Stolen Mobile Phones

American workers don't get too worked up about lost or stolen mobile phones — even if those phones contain company data. A large percentage think it's not their problem and don't change their security practices afterwards. Are CIOs pa

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 5, 2014 3 mins

CIO Mobile Device Management Small and Medium Business

The Legacy IT Conundrum: Money Pit or Value-Add?

An analysis of IBM's new BlueMix project, which puts most of IBM's software in the cloud, reveals that 80 percent of IT spending goes to legacy systems. As organizations finally learn to stop worrying and love the cloud, IT departments will

By Bernard Golden

Mar 5, 2014 6 mins

Developer System Management Virtualization

Oscars Showcase Power of Second-Screen Interactivity

Twitter dominated the social conversation on Oscars night, but it holds no exclusive claim to that role on live TV. The battle for second-screen companionship in real-time on social media has never been more competitive. But the big question: Can Tw

By Matt Kapko

Mar 5, 2014 8 mins

Facebook Internet Twitter

Elaborate New Scam Targets Netflix Users

A security expert identified a new scam that uses an elaborate form of phishing to target Netflix subscribers.

By Bill Snyder

Mar 4, 2014 3 mins

Consumer Electronics Internet Security

Embrace the Executive Blog

How Michael Smith, CIO of Mylan, used a simple tool to drive a major transformation.

By Martha Heller

Mar 4, 2014 6 mins

CIO IT Jobs IT Strategy

Red Hat Extends JBoss with Open Source BPM

Red Hat is extending JBoss up the middleware stack with a new business process management suite that gives organizations advanced decision and process automation capabilities.

By Thor Olavsrud

Mar 4, 2014 6 mins

BPM Systems Open Source

12 Ways to Disaster-Proof Your Critical Business Data

How can you keep critical data safe when disaster strikes? There is no one magic answer, but there are steps your business can and should take to protect important files and applications in the event of a disaster.

By Jennifer Lonoff Schiff

Mar 4, 2014 9 mins

Backup and Recovery Cloud Storage Data and Information Security

Techies Ditch the Hoodies and Google Glass

In the Silicon Valley, techies — blamed for gentrification and sky-high rent — have become the recipients of nasty stares, curses, threats and even physical confrontation. So you can't blame them for trying to go incognito.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 4, 2014 2 mins

Consumer Electronics IT Leadership Innovation

5 Things Cloud Providers Need to Know About Selling to the Government

Selling cloud services to the federal government is a rigorous process. Documentation, not to the mention the word 'No,' play a big part. Here veterans of the FedRAMP cloud certification process share some tips and dispel some myths.

By Kenneth Corbin

Mar 4, 2014 6 mins

Cloud Management Developer Government IT

How to Build Trust as a New IT Executive

Whether you're a new IT executive who just got promoted up the ranks or a new hire entering the organization, earning the trust of your co-workers and direct reports should an important part of your strategy.

By Rich Hein

Mar 4, 2014 10 mins

CIO IT Leadership IT Strategy

When Tech Titans Join Forces: The Verdict on 6 Big Mergers

Some things go together like peanut butter and jelly. Others are more like peanut butter and motor oil. The joining of tech titans is no different. Here we discuss whether six high-profile mergers have made a tasty combination or a gross one.

By John Brandon

Mar 4, 2014 5 mins

Android Facebook Smartphones

Law, Tech Disconnect as Court OKs Map Apps While Driving

A recent ruling in Calif. is another example of how U.S. law lags behind today's technological change, according to CIO.com blogger Bill Snyder.

By Bill Snyder

Mar 3, 2014 3 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

4 Ways Businesses Use Free Wi-Fi to Better Serve Customers

Wi-Fi is largely a given in today's homes and office buildings. Increasingly, though, retailers, schools and specialty shops are getting into the mix. Here four firms discuss the philosophy behind their free Wi-Fi.

By Jen A. Miller

Mar 3, 2014 5 mins

Personal Software Small and Medium Business Wi-Fi

How Gamification Makes Customer Service Fun

One company is using gamification to change the customer service paradigm from frustrating to fun — and customers are loving it.

By Sharon Florentine

Mar 3, 2014 4 mins

CRM Systems Careers Consumer Electronics

Up-and-Coming IT Leaders Focus on Business Customers

Winners of the 2014 'Ones to Watch' awards say they're trying to reduce the distance between corporate IT and external customers.

By Mary K. Pratt

Mar 3, 2014 7 mins

CIO IT Skills Innovation

Dating App Tinder Tops 10M Matches a Day, Users Swiping Like Crazy

The matchmaking social app is 'really an analogue for what we do in the real world,' says founder and CEO Sean Rad. Tinder aims to connect users and remove tension from budding relationships.

By Matt Kapko

Feb 28, 2014 4 mins

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

CMOs Eye CEO Office, But Need CIOs to Get There

Thanks to social media, mobile marketing and data analytics, the CMO is now closer to sales revenue. CMOs are among the most important executives at a company — and they know it and want to take the next step to the CEO's office. The good news

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 28, 2014 3 mins

CIO Marketing Markets

Everything You Know About Enterprise Security Is Wrong

Whether you're talking about your network, your company's building or your home, a perimeter approach to security is no longer adequate. As McAfee discussed at this week's RSA Conference, you can't provide physical or electronic s

By Rob Enderle

Feb 28, 2014 5 mins

Cybercrime Firewalls Regulation

Mobile Emergency Response App Keeps College Ready for Crisis

A mobile app for smartphones and tablets delivers step-by-step procedures for responding to incidents from hurricanes to on-campus shooters, serving as Cliffs Notes for Miami-Dade College faculty and staff facing crisis situations.

By Stephanie Overby

Feb 28, 2014 4 mins

Mobile Apps Physical Security Small and Medium Business

New ‘Reporter’ iOS App Colors Your Quantified Self

A new iOS app from noted Facebook designer Nicholas Felton lets you track your daily activities against a neon-color background. It's fun and can be illuminating, according to CIO.com blogger James A. Martin, but it may not find its way into you

By James A. Martin

Feb 28, 2014 3 mins

Mobile Apps iPhone

Apple No Longer Forsaking the Enterprise (Press)

Breaking: Apple is no longer ignoring the enterprise press. In other news, the consumer-focused company published some new enterprise-specific documents, which suggests Apple may finally be changing its tune on corporate IT.

By Al Sacco

Feb 27, 2014 2 mins

Apple Technology Industry iPhone

8 Great Lightning Charging Gadgets for iPhone Aficionados

iPhone lovers will find a friend in each of these eight must-have Lightning charging devices, all of which are functional, stylish and unique.

By Al Sacco

Feb 27, 2014 5 mins

Consumer Electronics Smartphones iPhone

WatchDox iOS, Android Apps Let You Securely Edit Office Docs

Recent updates to the WatchDox mobile apps let you securely edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on your Android and iOS devices. The apps work well, according to CIO.com blogger James A. Martin, but they're not the only options for secure mobi

By James A. Martin

Feb 27, 2014 3 mins

Smartphones iPad iPhone

5 Ways to Improve Your PCI Compliance Program

Achieving and maintaining PCI compliance can be an arduous and costly affair. But if you approach it in the right way, a PCI compliance program can deliver ROI. Verizon Enterprise Solutions' PCI Consulting Services recommend five key approaches

By Thor Olavsrud

Feb 27, 2014 9 mins

Data Breach Intrusion Detection Software Regulation

Are You Too Old to Land a New IT Job?

Age really is just a number. If you're keeping current on new technologies and advancement, and show a willingness to keep learning and growing, there's no reason it should be an impediment to your job search.

By Sharon Florentine

Feb 27, 2014 5 mins

Careers IT Governance IT Jobs

5 Things You Need to Know About Bluetooth Low Energy

BLE — which Apple calls iBeacon — can be used for a wide range of applications, if privacy and security issues are addressed.

By Lauren Brousell

Feb 27, 2014 3 mins

Mobile Retail Industry Small and Medium Business

Mapping the C-Suite’s Digital Future

CIOu2019s Publisher Adam Dennison nominates the CIO as the best 'pathfinder' to help C-suite execs move confidently toward digital business, and provides a link to the CIO Executive Councilu2019s new digital readiness survey.

By Adam Dennison

Feb 27, 2014 2 mins

CIO CIO 100 Innovation

14 Tech Conventions You Should Attend in 2014

Taking the time each year to learn, grow and network should be part of your career plan, and tech conferences are a great way to do that. Here is a guide to the hottest tech events of 2014 (as well as a couple to look for in 2015).

By Rich Hein

Feb 26, 2014 9 mins

Careers IT Leadership Relationship Building

Analyzing Mobile Phone Choice by Age Is Risky Business

Are iPhones used primarily by more mature mobile users who crave ease of use? Are Android phones more popular among the young, techie and cost-conscious? CIO.com's Tom Kaneshige has discovered there are no simple answers.

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 26, 2014 4 mins

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

Will Healthcare Ever Take IT Security Seriously?

A recent threat intelligence study reports widespread security vulnerabilities in healthcare organizations, many of which went unnoticed for months. In December, a developer pulled unencrypted data from a 'certified' mobile health app in le

By Brian Eastwood

Feb 26, 2014 9 mins

Data Breach Encryption Intrusion Detection Software

What CIOs Need to Know Before Relying on Startups

It seems there's a startup for everything these days. Sure, there are benefits from introducing new, more efficient systems to your enterprise, but there are also technical, financial and practical considerations before signing on with a startup

By Jonathan Hassell

Feb 26, 2014 7 mins

CIO IT Strategy Venture Capital