Manage

Manage

Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

• Monitor VDI performance in these five key areas

  To help maintain a good user experience, IT should turn to VDI monitoring products that look at the performance of deployment automation tools, write cache and more. Continue Reading

• Ctrl+Winkey+C Toggles Win10 Display to Grayscale Mode

  For some people, learning that Ctrl+Winkey+C toggles Win10 display to grayscale mode comes as an unpleasant surprise. Fortunately, it's easy to reverse. Continue Reading

• How well do you know your Windows 10 update options?

  Microsoft offers three Windows 10 servicing channels, a host of tools for managing updates and different update types. See if you can sort it all out with this Windows 10 update quiz. Continue Reading

• How do the Windows 10 servicing channels work?

  IT can use the servicing channels for Windows 10 to assign different deployment cadences to different devices and defer updates where necessary. Continue Reading

• NirSoft NetBScanner Offers Win10 LAN Insights

  After the 1803 upgrade monkey with LAN visibility for some nodes, NirSoft NetBScanner offers Win10 LAN insights to help get things running again. Good stuff! Continue Reading

• Let customer acquisition costs steer marketing, service plans

  Customer acquisition and customer retention strategies start with people and marketing automation tools. How much you should invest in either area depends on a number of factors.Continue Reading

• AI strategy comes first, then AI tools second

  If your organization plans to implement AI into its workflow, be sure to develop a sound strategy and provide the necessary training to get the most out of the software.Continue Reading

• Set Win10 RS5 Rollback Retention Interval

  I don't normally write much about the Insider Preview builds for this blog post. Practicing Enterprise admins have enough on their hands keeping up with current branch versions of the OS. But when ...Continue Reading

• Supply chain risk mitigation strategies on multiple fronts

  Experts say you can't tackle supply chain risk with a one-size-fits-all approach. It has to address many facets -- and supplier relationships are the key.Continue Reading

• Six secrets of competitive recruiting best practices

  If you're in the market for great talent, you need a stellar recruiting process. Annie Rihn, VP of recruiting at the Zillow Group, offers an inside look at just that.Continue Reading

• Two Win10 Setup.exes Offer Differing Capabilities

  If you build conventional Win10 installation media, you'll find two Win10 Setup.exes offer differing capabilities. One is good to upgrades or repair an existing Win10 install, the other for ...Continue Reading

• Tread carefully with modern Windows application management

  With the Windows winds changing, IT pros must consider whether it's time to transition from SCCM to modern management via the cloud.Continue Reading

• Six tips to deploy a quality unified communications system

  In order to troubleshoot a unified communications system, IT leaders should have a written list of common problems and a description of how to resolve those issues.Continue Reading

• Ten tips for honing social media customer service skills

  Navy Federal Credit Union ingrains customer service in social engagement, sometimes the only channel where sailors at sea can get critical questions answered. Here's how they do it.Continue Reading

• IoT may throw a lifeline to PLM systems

  PLM systems have functioned mostly in engineering, but now IoT-connected devices are allowing PLM to be more useful across the entire product lifecycle.Continue Reading

• Dalsin Industries returns to on premises with Epicor ERP system

  Dalsin Industries implemented a Plex cloud ERP system to replace an old Epicor system but moved back to on-premises Epicor when the cloud proved to be inadequate for its needs.Continue Reading

• Salesforce's GDPR DPO preps partners, customers for compliance

  Salesforce's data protection officer discusses GDPR compliance challenges and strategies for customers and partners, along with the company's own GDPR readiness.Continue Reading

• Win10 NetBIOS Names Get Weirder

  When I say Win10 NetBIOS names get weirder I mean two things: they are indeed case sensitive, and sometimes the actual defined case-correct name string won't resolve properly.Continue Reading

• Five areas to focus on in a SharePoint and GDPR compliance strategy

  SharePoint admins need to be ready for the General Data Protection Regulation, too. Expert Reda Chouffani suggests five things to focus on when preparing for GDPR.Continue Reading

• Smart manufacturing technology is changing business processes

  The future is here: AI enablement and smart manufacturing technologies are transforming business systems today, according to technology futurist Jack Shaw.Continue Reading

• Analyst details industrial roles of 3D printing technology

  In this Q&A, Gartner analyst Pete Basiliere discusses how advancements in 3D printing may move beyond prototyping to help improve traditional manufacturing processes.Continue Reading

• GDPR call center compliance can be a sticky wicket

  GDPR compliance for call centers can be complex and require the collaboration of business execs, call center managers and outside lawyers to establish data protection policies.Continue Reading

• How do you monitor performance of communication APIs?

  Measuring API performance depends on whether the API is provided by a vendor or developed in-house. API expert Tsahi Levent-Levi offers steps to monitor APIs.Continue Reading

• Check off those GDPR call center requirements

  With GDPR about to go into full force, there are last-minute details and loose ends to tie up to ensure that your call center complies with the necessary regulations.Continue Reading

• How to monitor application performance in the cloud

  As you move real-time applications to the cloud, you might relinquish some network control. However, several mechanisms are available to monitor application performance.Continue Reading

• Win10 1803 Gets New Bluetooth Version

  Amidst a raft of other changes, enhancements and additons, Win10 1803 gets new Bluetooth version that leaves some users in the lurch, functionality-wise.Continue Reading

• Don't forget agent training in your GDPR call center plan

  The General Data Protection Regulation will affect call center agents. A GDPR plan for call center agent training should cover the expanded definition of PII and more.Continue Reading

• Don't let customer service automation override customer experience

  CRM expert Jay Baer, author of NYT bestseller 'Hug Your Haters,' joins the Pipeline podcast and answers host Don Fluckinger's litany of personal experience CRM complaints.Continue Reading

• Best practices for setting up Citrix Cloud services

  Citrix Cloud enables organizations to host XenDesktop, XenApp and more in the cloud, but IT should first set up administration and Cloud Connectors and ensure high availability.Continue Reading

• Win10 DCOM 10016 Errors Are Mostly Benign

  Finally! A Microsoft Support note explicitly confirms what I've long suspected: Win10 DCOM 10016 errors are mostly benign. They occur by deliberate design, in fact.Continue Reading

• Future of collaboration technology: More Slack and AI, less email

  Companies have moved beyond messaging and email to Slack, Teams and even AI-powered scheduling and voice recognition. Are you ready for collaboration hubs and virtual assistants?Continue Reading

• GDPR customer data compliance for service and support teams

  Getting your Salesforce-powered customer service and support staff ready for GDPR involves more than just the free Trailhead training module. But it's a start.Continue Reading

• Bring Back Basic Win10 1803 Networking

  The demise of HomeGroup makes it necessary to bring back basic Win10 1803 networking for Workgroup based Windows networks. Here's how!Continue Reading

• Ten tips to help Salesforce teams prepare for GDPR

  The General Data Protection Regulation implementation date is closing in. Salesforce experts have some advice for companies tasked with complying with the EU guideline.Continue Reading

• MS Publishes Big Free Command Line Reference

  Last Friday, my partner in crime at Win10.Guru, Kari Finn, sent me a link to a very interesting document. It comes from the Microsoft Download Center and shows up with very little descriptive ...Continue Reading

• The definitive VDI cost savings guide

  VDI cost is a key consideration in any deployment because the price affects numerous other decisions, including how to manage, maintain and repair the desktops.Continue Reading

• Digital transformation hinges on information governance policies

  Data governance is an important part of any digital transformation plan. The trick is to lead with the governance tools that ensure the digitization strategy is a success.Continue Reading

• Does deploying VDI affect other systems?

  VDI can affect areas of a company network, such as internet bandwidth. IT can mitigate the effects of VDI users by allocating resources and monitoring system performance.Continue Reading

• Win10 1803 Sometimes Creates Phantom Recovery Drive

  Thanks to a minor but annoying error, Win10 1803 sometimes creates phantom Recovery Drive during the upgrade process. Here are two easy fixes to make it go away.Continue Reading

• How AI and machine learning help in upskilling employees

  The rapidly changing technology landscape requires companies to change their approach to L&D and deliver more individualized learning. Here's how AI and machine learning may help.Continue Reading

• Tune Into PortableApps.com

  If you tune into PortableApps.com and use their platform, you'll find a great way to take tools, utilities and applications with you onto any PC. Great stuff!Continue Reading

• CRM case studies: Customer relationship management in action

  CRM for today's businesses means AI chatbots, data mining, marketing personalization and equipping call centers to handle the many channels available to customers.Continue Reading

• Conquer the end-user productivity balancing act

  Keeping users productive is one of the most critical jobs IT pros have. But there are some hurdles to jump, including understanding the risks with collaboration tools.Continue Reading

• Finding Windows Defender Security About Info

  It turns out that finding Windows Defender Security About info is a little convoluted, but checking its Settings will point you in the right direction.Continue Reading

• Free GDPR tool for SharePoint aids data privacy compliance

  A free, open source tool for SharePoint helps admins build a GDPR management hub to comply with the EU's data privacy law.Continue Reading

• Are you prepared for a Windows 10 transition?

  When IT executes a transition to Windows 10, it must understand all the potential pitfalls inherent in an OS migration. Quiz yourself to see if you are ready for this challenge.Continue Reading

• The go-to guide for managing VDI users

  VDI shops can help keep their end users happy by using user profile management to enable personalization and by taking advantage of VDI monitoring tools.Continue Reading

• Why do EDI standards dominate for electronic transactions?

  The EDI standard format is the only option accepted by Walmart and other retailers. But as technology and data formats have changed over the years, is there a better way?Continue Reading

• How to track mobile app performance metrics

  Developers that don't track mobile app health will get little insight into the user experience. Learn these effective strategies to track and understand mobile app performance metrics.Continue Reading

• Blockchain adoption must overcome hurdles

  Blockchain applications are not yet widespread, but here are three business models that will be affected and three hurdles to adoption that blockchain must overcome.Continue Reading

• Fixing Recovery Drive Creation Problems

  Fixing recovery drive creation problems in Win10 turns out to involve running the utility twice: once with system files out, again with system files in.Continue Reading

• Four Windows 10 built-in security features to know

  IT needs an effective plan to maximize security for Windows 10 and get the most out of its built-in features.Continue Reading

• Using HR service delivery to improve the employee experience

  Improving HR service delivery remains one of the top 10 HR technology trends of 2018. HR experts explain why HR service delivery matters and how companies can capitalize on it.Continue Reading

• Three key VDI installation decisions IT must make

  Deploying VDI effectively comes down to several key decisions, including whether to run the back-end infrastructure on premises or with a DaaS provider.Continue Reading

• IT must seek identity management tools with AI, biometrics

  The current identity management market is evolving, but it isn't yet fully formed. Discover the technologies that will change ID management and how to use them.Continue Reading

• Intel Excludes Older CPUs from Spectre Updates

  Intel excludes older CPUs from Spectre updates. I summarize the charts to identify newly-added microcode updates, and CPUs for which updates will not be available.Continue Reading

• Four pillars of a strategic HR framework

  As power shifts to candidates, the HR tech landscape explodes and the economy improves, HR professionals are being forced to reinvent their roles. Here's how they should do it.Continue Reading

• How will AI in demand forecasting help improve accuracy?

  Changing consumer demand and supply chain disruptions are just two factors that might influence demand forecasting results. Here's a look at how AI can help.Continue Reading

• 3 reasons why you need a new corporate learning strategy

  Employees are getting more and more difficult to retain. That's why learning and development programs are so critical. Here's how to update yours.Continue Reading

• Integrating IoT with EAM systems can provide insights

  More EAM systems are using IoT data to offer information on systems and equipment, but it takes state-of-the-art analytics to return results quickly and get meaningful answers.Continue Reading

• How to deploy GPU-enabled virtual applications

  More apps are graphics-intensive than ever before. As a result, VDI shops must know the steps it takes to deliver said apps to users without too much hassle.Continue Reading

• HR in the cloud turned coders into analysts at National Instruments

  When National Instruments migrated its HR on-premises systems to the cloud, there was some fear about how it might impact the technical staff. The change was a positive one.Continue Reading

• Which supply chain visibility tools help improve logistics?

  At the intersection of IoT, analytics and other technologies lies better supply chain visibility. Here's a look at what's making logistics a little easier.Continue Reading

• Support for Macs in the enterprise: Three factors to consider

  There's no way around it: Many users just love Apple products. IT pros that want to support Macs in the workplace must take into account several considerations.Continue Reading

• Five ways SharePoint plays a key role as a digital workspace tool

  New working structures, rules and geographies have made SharePoint a more and more important platform, as it enables workers to get it done anytime, anywhere, on any device.Continue Reading

• KB4089848 Poses Widely Reported Win10 Problems

  With oodles and scads of users reporting issues, KB4089848 poses widely reported Win10 problems that occur often enough and with severity sufficient to make it advisable to block this update outright.Continue Reading

• Script Out Your Win10 Build History Using PowerShell

  A nifty pair of carefully crafted commands let you script out your Win10 build history using PowerShell for each PC you run it on.Continue Reading

• How does user location affect VDI capacity planning?

  When coming up with a VDI capacity plan, IT must account for exactly where users are located and possibly consider an SD-WAN or edge computing.Continue Reading

• Reducing Win10 Upgrade Offline Time

  MS says a key goal in improving feature upgrades is reducing Win10 upgrade offline time. Personally, I find their current list of upgrade/install steps more informative.Continue Reading

• Understanding NTUser.dat in Windows 10

  Understanding NTUser.dat in Windows 10 means knowing that those files capture user profile settings and preferences, and are best left alone and untouched for proper OS operation.Continue Reading

• Social media customer care important to brands, experts say

  In this Pipeline podcast, we discuss what was a primary topic at Social Media Marketing World: how companies should interact with customers through social media.Continue Reading

• How does Microsoft Near Share for browser file sharing work?

  Microsoft Edge, Windows 10's default browser, includes a file-sharing tool called Near Share, which is helpful, if not truly groundbreaking.Continue Reading

• Inside sales strategy, millennials highlight Accelerate 2018

  Learn what happens when a SearchCRM editor joins a panel as the paid skeptic to discuss whether AI technologies provide real value for helping businesses increase revenue.Continue Reading

• Check Current Win10 for In-place Upgrade Repair

  If you carefully check current Win10 for in-place upgrade repair, you'll be able to choose and download the proper ISO to attempt such repairs every time, without fail.Continue Reading

• Digital sales transformation may require shadow IT dark ops

  Sales tech initiatives culminating with flipping the AI switch require operational and IT prep involving data aggregation, training salespeople and, possibly, shadow IT experiments.Continue Reading

• MS Offers New Spectre Updates

  As MS offers new Spectre updates through the Microsoft Update Catalog, I realize that it's going to be a long slog to get those vulnerabilities patches on all my PCs.Continue Reading

• At Ceridian, role of CIO requires constant learning, adjusting

  You might say Warren Perlman, CIO at Ceridian, a global HCM software company, has been preparing for the role of CIO all his life -- ever since he got his first computer at age 6.Continue Reading

• MS Foils Coin Mining Compelling Telemetry Case

  Through clever and effective use of telemetry data, AI and machine learning, MS foils coin mining in a big way in Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.Continue Reading

• Leading brands see the need for personalized content

  Content personalization continues to expand within companies as maturing technologies make it a viable marketing option for customer engagement strategies.Continue Reading

• How to take advantage of SCCM and Intune co-management

  IT can combine Microsoft Intune and System Center Configuration Manager to manage users' mobile devices, as well as any legacy systems in its network.Continue Reading

• Mobile is at the forefront of digital transformation trends

  As 'digital transformation' dominates discussion, understand why it's important to keep mobile at the forefront of the initiative -- and what you can do to get started.Continue Reading

• AR content is the next frontier for execs to manage, monetize

  So you've built a great augmented reality platform for consumers at play or field staff at work. Now, all you need is to find and catalog the content to populate it.Continue Reading

• How can IT reduce smartphone viruses?

  It's important for organizations to stay current on what's new in mobile malware and to develop security policies to combat these vulnerabilities.Continue Reading

• MS Offers Spectre Meltdown Updates Via Catalog

  Is is because OEM are taking too long to pony up that MS offers Spectre Meltdown updates via catalog downloads? I don't know, but I'm glad somebody's doing something!Continue Reading

• Integrating an EAM system with ERP makes sense, but isn't easy

  Experts say that integrating EAM and ERP systems helps organizations utilize their physical and financial assets, but they need to address challenges to make the systems work together.Continue Reading

• Firmware Update Proceeds at Glacial Pace

  Given that the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities created such a furor, one can only observe that the attendant firmware update Proceeds at glacial pace.Continue Reading

• Experts explore best practices for HR data analytics

  People analytics won't help much without the right metrics and a keen understanding of how they relate to employee engagement, customer satisfaction and overall performance.Continue Reading

• HR help desk reborn as employee experience, analytics tool

  The concept is two decades old, but experts say a new generation is leading the demand for employee-centric mobility and ease of use, which are helping HR run smarter.Continue Reading

• Salesforce GDPR marketing compliance involves rethinking lead gen

  The bigger -- and more complicated -- your marketing tech stack, the more complex your Salesforce GDPR compliance will be, vendors and experts say.Continue Reading

• E-commerce GDPR for Salesforce: Watch what data you capture

  Making your Salesforce GDPR compliance strategy for e-commerce starts with monitoring the customer data you collect, starting with cookies -- and we don't mean the Keebler kind.Continue Reading

• The evolution of the application performance management tool

  As apps evolve, the tools IT uses to manage them have to as well. App virtualization in particular has altered management needs by requiring that IT be able to see into the entire app stack.Continue Reading

• Win7 Still Activates Win10 2/27/18

  After skipping key entry on a clean Windows 10 install, I learn that Win7 Still Validates Win10 for activation. Woo hoo: my sister's HP Pavilion Dv6 is back in action.Continue Reading

• Expert: Boring retail is dying as tech gains importance

  Technologies such as augmented reality and AI in retail are becoming more important for brands looking to gain a selling edge. Tune in to the latest Pipeline podcast to learn more.Continue Reading

• Strategizing cloud GDPR compliance for the content app stack

  Box compliance president Crispen Maung discusses vendor-agnostic GDPR compliance tips for subscribers to CMS cloud services as they ready for GDPR enforcement in late May.Continue Reading

• Customer service chatbots help reduce product returns

  In previous years, Azumi Mobile was overwhelmed with customer calls after the holiday season as users attempted to return smartphones. This year, chatbots helped address that issue.Continue Reading

• Helpshift offers five Salesforce GDPR tips for customer support

  How much does the service and support team affect GDPR privacy mandates? Turns out, more than a little. A chat app developer's compliance journey uncovers some compliance tips.Continue Reading

• Colorado modernizes with Salesforce for government projects

  Colorado licenses Service Cloud and other Salesforce technologies to improve its citizens benefit program.Continue Reading

• How should enterprises deploy group collaboration software?

  Multiple communication platforms will make collaboration management difficult for IT. Overall efficiency will be reduced with too many different apps in one enterprise.Continue Reading

• Meet your friendly service agent -- The sales chatbot

  AI chatbots enable companies to automate some sales and service tasks, but the combination of people and smart machines creates better outcomes than either one alone.Continue Reading

• How to manage multi-factor authentication for Office 365

  Security is a priority now more than ever. IT pros can manage MFA for Office 365 using conditional and application access to succeed with their security strategies.Continue Reading