News

Macs at Work: Five Little Known Surprises

Employees can't wait to get their hands on company-issued Macs — the hip, user-friendly alternative to clunky PCs. But once they get them, employees realize Macs have their own quirks and present their own little surprises.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 24, 2010

Browsers Cloud Computing Computers and Peripherals

LinkedIn Quick Tip: New Free Tool Matches Users to Job Openings

If you're on the hunt for a job, here are two tips to ensure your profile appears as a match for LinkedIn job posts.

By Kristin Burnham

Mar 24, 2010

IT Jobs LinkedIn Social Networking Apps

Productivity Tools in the Cloud: Real World Best Practices

Moving applications to a cloud service is a disruption to any business, but in Ron Markezich's experience as Microsoft's VP of Online Services, a well executed cloud migration can redefine a company. Here are three best practices he's

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 24, 2010

Cloud Computing Microsoft Office Office Suites

10 Ways Microsoft Tried and Failed to Rule Mobile

Take a tour through Microsoft's forgettable, regrettable mobile OS history.

By Josh Fruhlinger

Mar 24, 2010

Mobile Operating Systems Small and Medium Business

IT Outsourcing: 9 Signs It’s Time to Fire Your Vendor

It's complicated, costly and painful. But sometimes you have to end your relationship with your IT outsourcing provider. These nine signs indicate when it's time to find a new partner.

By Stephanie Overby

Mar 24, 2010

Outsourcing

Sustainability: Important, But Boring As Hell

Companies are a little too proud of their sustainability efforts, which aren't especially interesting to most customers.

By Thomas Wailgum

Mar 23, 2010

Enterprise Applications

Unemployed? 10 Ways to Fight Depression in Your Job Search

Job loss, unemployment and never-ending job searches can make even the most upbeat people feel depressed. Follow IT professionals' and mental health experts' tried-and-true advice for preventing depression before it derails your job search.

By Meridith Levinson

Mar 23, 2010

Careers IT Jobs Relationship Building

Six Cool Cloud Companies at DEMO Spring 2010

At DEMO Spring 2010 this week, cloud computing startup companies got to strut their stuff. Here's a look at who stood out in the cloud crowd.

By Laurianne McLaughlin

Mar 23, 2010

Cloud Computing

What To Do with Your CRM Systems After a Merger?

The M&A market is picking up. And the business units you'll be picking up in an acquisition will have a CRM system. You don't want to operate multiple CRM systems forever, so what's the best strategy for consolidating them?

By David Taber

Mar 23, 2010

CRM Systems Data Center

A new study suggests that social media addiction is on the rise. Do you fit the profile?

By Kristin Burnham

Mar 22, 2010 2 mins

Enterprise Applications

TeleNav Updates GPS Nav Software for AT&T BlackBerrys, Releases Free “OnMyWay” App

GPS-navigation provider TeleNav has updated its nav-software for BlackBerry users and released a brand new app that helps travelers alert parties at their destinations when they can be expected to arrive. Unfortunately, both apps are initially availa

By Al Sacco

Mar 22, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

IT Careers: Can You Survive Unemployment?

If you lose your job, get ready for a wild ride on the emotional rollercoaster. Your daily routines, lifestyle, relationships and identity will be upended, say IT executives who survived long job searches and unemployment to tell the tale.

By Meridith Levinson

Mar 22, 2010

Careers IT Jobs

ERP Application Consolidation: When It’s Time to Cut

Consolidating ERP apps can be an unpopular strategy — it's expensive and difficult. But a Forrester Research case study of one company's travails offers insights into why such consolidation might be absolutely necessary.

By Thomas Wailgum

Mar 22, 2010

Data Center ERP Systems Project Management Tools

Apple Developers, IT Departments Frustrated with iPad

As third-party developers race to meet consumer demand for native iPad apps, IT departments will also be scrambling to certify the iPad in their enterprises. Mac engineers say the rush is caused by Apple being Apple.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 22, 2010

Consumer Electronics MacBook Tablets

The BlackBerry-to-iPhone Switch: Converts Speak

CIO.com's smartphone-watcher Al Sacco found six gadget-geeks who recently made the switch from BlackBerry to iPhone–and two more who went from BlackBerry to iPhone and back again. Their stories shed light on reasons why you might want to switch

By Al Sacco

Mar 22, 2010

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

Cloudnomics: The Economics of Cloud Computing

As the general value proposition of cloud computing has bcome accepted there is an increased interest in cloud TCO. CIO.com's Bernard Golden discusses the economics of cloud computing and shares other notes from the CloudConnect conference.

By Bernard Golden

Mar 22, 2010

Cloud Computing Virtualization

The Truth About Broadband Speeds

Entrenched broadband providers sell their connection speeds using "up to" marketing tactics. Good luck determining if you're actually getting those upload/download speeds — and don't bother looking to the FCC for help.

By Bill Snyder

Mar 22, 2010

Consumer Electronics Networking Social Networking Apps

CIO Job Tenure Rises – Long-term Trend or Fleeting Phase?

CIO job tenure is now averaging 4.6 years, which is way up from the 2-3 year average that we saw just a few years ago.

By Forrester Research

Mar 19, 2010

IT Leadership

We’ll All Work for a Tech Vendor One Day

That, my friends, is the consequence of IT jobs disappearing because new technology needs fewer guardians. Join the club, IT.

By Thomas Wailgum

Mar 19, 2010

Enterprise Applications

Is IT Keeping Up with a Changing Infrastructure?

As IT infrastructures become increasingly converged and components increasingly interdependent, IT admins are still not factoring in the collateral impact of individual changes to the IT environment, said one exec.

By Kathleen Lau

Mar 19, 2010

Cloud Computing Computers and Peripherals IT Strategy

Social media policies make sense to protect employees and businesses in the age of Facebook and Twitter. For expert perspective on how to create a social media policy, consider this advice from the team that wrote NASA's rules.

By Kristin Burnham

Mar 19, 2010

IT Governance Legal Twitter

Desktop Virtualization: It’s Microsoft vs. VMware in Cost Smackdown

Virtualization watchers have speculated for years when Microsoft would throw a low-cost blow at arch-rival VMware in the desktop virtualization fight. This week, Microsoft delivered the punch via a new partnership with Citrix.

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 19, 2010

Small and Medium Business Virtualization Windows

More Companies Will Outsource in 2010, And For Far More Strategic Reasons

A new study by Horses for Sources offers insight into the IT and business process outsourcing market.

By Beth Bacheldor

Mar 19, 2010

Enterprise Applications

Apple Aggravates iPhone Partners Again

First, Apple ticked off some iPhone app developers. Now it's giving the boot to iPhone screen protector vendors.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 18, 2010

Mobile Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry Slider, aka “Mr. T,” aka “Talladega,” to Launch in April? Don’t Hold Your Breath…

A new rumor suggests the BlackBerry slider could become available in April. But CIO.com's Al Sacco thinks that's highly unlikely

By Al Sacco

Mar 18, 2010

Mobile Small and Medium Business

Supply Chain Data: Real-Time Speed Is Seductive and Dangerous

Businesses face pressure to make supply chain data available at near real-time speeds to customers, suppliers and partners. But remember, bad data delivered that much faster is still bad data — and can lead to worse decision-making.

By Thomas Wailgum

Mar 18, 2010

Data Center Risk Management Supply Chain Management Software

Windows 7 Adoption Survey: IT Is Worrying Less, Deploying More

A rise in Windows 7 migration plans and reduced interest in Windows alternatives highlight a new Windows deployment survey.

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 17, 2010

Data Center

The New SAP: The Techies Are Back in Charge

SAP's new co-CEOs faced scrutiny since their crowning: But can they innovate out of SAP's "glory days" past?

By Thomas Wailgum

Mar 17, 2010

Enterprise Applications

Facebook Preps 2-D Bar Codes That Work With Cell Phones

QR codes, or 2-D bar codes that work with cell phone cameras, could change the way we use Facebook. But would you use the tech?

By Kristin Burnham

Mar 17, 2010 2 mins

Enterprise Applications

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Enhancements Coming Soon: What to Expect

RIM today told its Facebook fans to expect new BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) features in the "days and weeks ahead."

By Al Sacco

Mar 17, 2010

Mobile Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry Developers Get New BlackBerry Push Service for Instant App Updates

BlackBerry developers today got a new tool from RIM to help them boost their applications with near-instant content updates.

By Al Sacco

Mar 17, 2010

Mobile Small and Medium Business

How to Know if Your iPhone Battery is on Death Row

The ugly truth about your iPhone battery? It's got a lifespan of less than two years, but may not even last that long if you're careless. Here are expert tips to help you take better care of it – and then know when to send it to that recycl

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 17, 2010

Consumer Electronics Ultrabook iPhone

Bouncing Back

A look at company failures during the recession.

By Michael Friedenberg

Mar 17, 2010

IT Leadership

Outsourcing: Prepare Now for Anti-Offshoring Legislation

It's unclear whether Congress will ever pass any anti-offshoring legislation, but if they do, outsourcing customers will scramble to comply with it. Here are three simple ways outsourcing customers can address "protectionist" legislati

By Stephanie Overby

Mar 17, 2010

Outsourcing

Forensics Tools Help Companies Investigate Intrusions Remotely

For global companies, forensics applications provide another weapon in the security arsenal.

By Robert McMillan

Mar 17, 2010

Cybercrime Legal

How QVC Rings Up Sales with Mobile Commerce

Retailer QVC, a mobile commerce leader, keeps shopping from smartphones simple.

By Kim S. Nash

Mar 17, 2010

Consumer Electronics Mobile Small and Medium Business

Build Up Your Influence

Establish credibility and create strong relationships early while working with stakeholders.

By CIO Executive Council

Mar 17, 2010

IT Leadership

How Evolving Business Strategies Are Changing the Nasdaq CIO’s Role

At Nasdaq OMX, changing business strategies means the CIO is responsible not only for operational efficiency, but also for turning a profit. This makes the company an ideal laboratory in which to observe the evolution of the CIO role.

By Kim S. Nash

Mar 17, 2010

CIO Data Center

Data Storage: Delphi Capital Management Opts for Cloud Solutions

How Phil Mentesana, chief technology officer at Delphi Capital Management, replaced the companyu2019s clunky, tape-based data backup process with online storage solutions.

By Cindy Waxer

Mar 17, 2010

IT Strategy

iPhones in Redmond: Embrace It Ballmer

Microsoft employees are wielding iPhones and top execs aren't amused. But this is a blessing in disguise for stubborn Redmond.

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 16, 2010

Data Center

iPhones Spotted on Microsoft Campus

It's a sign of troubling times ahead for Microsoft.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 16, 2010

Mobile Small and Medium Business

Verizon BlackBerrys to Get New Push to Talk (PTT) Feature for $5/Month

Select Verizon Wireless BlackBerry smartphones will soon get a new, $5-per-month push to talk (PTT) service.

By Al Sacco

Mar 16, 2010 2 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business

I Was a CIO: Do COOs Make CIOs Redundant?

Technology is now so ubiquitous and so central to business enablement that arguably the responsibilities of any business executive will include most of the essential elements of what today is in the CIO's exclusive domain. Is it therefore not pl

By Paul Bellack

Mar 16, 2010

CIO IT Leadership

LinkedIn Quick Tip: Getting the Most From “Answers”

LinkedIn's Answers feature can help you showcase your expertise and connect you with people that hold similar interests, but use it with caution, experts say.

By Kristin Burnham

Mar 16, 2010

LinkedIn Social Networking Apps

How Best To Use Executive Search Firms

Aetna CIO Meg McCarthy shares her experiences hiring through executive search firms

By Phil Schneidermeyer

Mar 16, 2010

IT Strategy

Supply Chain Management to the Rescue

Imperial Sugaru2019s supply chain systems helped save its reputation after a refinery disaster.

By Stephanie Overby

Mar 16, 2010

Supply Chain Management Software

Enterprise Software Licensing: New Options, New Headaches

IT has told enterprise software vendors that they want more choices. Now, licensing models have morphed and IT has its wish — and a whole new set of chores, IDC's software licensing guru Amy Konary explains in this Q&A.

By Thomas Wailgum

Mar 16, 2010

Cloud Computing ERP Systems Enterprise Applications

Xobni for BlackBerry Now Available: Mobile Contact Mgmt. Redefined

BlackBerry users just got a whole new way to store and access contacts on the go: Xobni for BlackBerry. CIO.com's Al Sacco says the new app's a must-have for any and all heavy e-mail users with large contact lists. Here's why.

By Al Sacco

Mar 16, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones