Business automation, robotics and business process management
With technology now available that incorporates robotics process automation and other automation technologies, companies can achieve greater efficiency, adapt to changing business needs and reduce human error. Read the latest news and tips about business process management and automating business processes, including how to demonstrate a strong return on investment when integrating enterprise automation tools into company operations.
Top Stories
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Feature
03 Mar 2023
5 big digital transformation trends in 2023
The threat of a recession coupled with the ongoing need for transformation and growth means CIOs must make force multiplying investments in 2023. Here are five strategies. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2023
What is low-code? A guide to enterprise low-code app development
Learn how low-code concepts and practices code can help enterprise developers be more efficient, create valuable apps more quickly and contribute to broader business initiatives. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2017
A cloud implementation methodology for legacy apps
Maximizing the benefits of cloud while minimizing risk requires a fine-tuned migration strategy. Here, Scott Lowe lays out a cloud implementation methodology for legacy apps. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Apr 2017
Nestlé builds 'digital ecosystems' to transform its massive bottled water biz
ReadyRefresh, the name for Nestle S.A's re-imagined bottled water delivery business, will succeed based on its mastery of three digital ecosystems. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2017
Executing strategies: Close the gap between vision and implementation
That vision thing won't do CIOs much good if they fail to execute on strategy, management experts say. Here's how to overcome the hurdles that can get in the way of success. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2017
Unclouding: How one company reversed the cloud migration process
As cloud use matures, more companies are considering scaling back and starting a reverse cloud migration process. Here is one IT officer's 'unclouding' experience. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Mar 2017
The IT value stream and the quest for 'fast flow'
Business velocity has changed the approach to service delivery and the IT value stream. Achieving 'fast flow' through optimization of IT processes can enable better, faster IT. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Mar 2017
The new products development process and IT innovation
Most people don't know what their company's business objectives are. But for IT to contribute to a successful new products development process, your team needs to know. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2017
Two IT leadership strategies that made me a successful CIO
A new way to prioritize IT activities and an epiphany about leadership made all the difference in Niel Nickolaisen's career as an IT leader. Read about these two IT leadership strategies. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
17 Mar 2017
Intel-Mobileye partnership emphasizes data-driven autonomous car industry
The following is our weekly roundup of SearchCIO and SearchCompliance content. This week, an Intel announced its purchase of autonomous driving company Mobileye, putting a spotlight on the industry ... Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Mar 2017
Break the bottleneck with this new IT/business engagement model
CIO teams need to interact more directly with business stakeholders -- from the digital sophisticates to the digital naïfs. Here are five elements of a new business engagement model. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Mar 2017
Creating IoT-powered smart city platforms; hiring a CDO
The following is a roundup of last week's SearchCIO and SearchCompliance content. Creating IoT-powered smart city platforms is no easy task, according to Rob Lloyd, CIO for San Jose, Calif. "Can we ... Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Mar 2017
The power of positive four-letter words to unlock employee potential
Four-letter words like can't and don't crush an employee's potential and quash creativity. Have the courage to use positive four-letter words and watch what happens. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2017
Product line management is fundamental to the new IT operating model
Digital transformation requires CIOs to rethink the way IT operates. At the center of the new IT operating model is product line management, explains CEB's Matt McWha. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Feb 2017
Data transparency is the lifeblood of new information economy
Many companies have invested in the analytics infrastructure that helps turn data into a business asset. Now what? Gartner's Debra Logan offers insight. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Feb 2017
Reporting lines for the CDO role: Context counts
The chief data officer (CDO) role may be gaining influence, but a lingering question that both public and the private sector organizations have yet to answer is: Who should CDOs report to? ... Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Jan 2017
What is the SIAM model and why do CIOs need it?
Multisourcing can boost IT and business agility, but the approach can also spiral out of control. The SIAM model aims to ensure delivery is seamless and strategic. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Jan 2017
Privacy trampled under the hooves of new tech
Consumer privacy took center stage at Federal Trade Commission's PrivacyCon event held in Washington D.C. on Thursday. Senior Executive Editor, Linda Tucci explores how advancements in technology ... Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jan 2017
Social movements offer CIOs a model for sustaining innovation
How to sustain innovation is a challenge for startups and large companies alike. Studying the ties that bind social and political movements could help. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jan 2017
CES 2017 for CIOs: Making consumer tech business-ready
Artificial intelligence and the internet of things were big at this year's extravaganza. Here's what IT chiefs need to know. Continue Reading
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News
29 Dec 2016
Teaching leadership to Millennials? First, get used to them
Teaching leadership skills is critical in a changing world, MIT's John Van Maanen says, but coaching Millennials comes with unique challenges. Continue Reading
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Opinion
29 Dec 2016
The commanding presence of quiet leaders
The MIT CFO Summit explores the inverse of the stereotypical extroverted leader and the effect that quiet leaders can have in an organization. Continue Reading
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News
22 Dec 2016
Becoming a strategic CIO
Strategic CIOs create customer value, improve profit and enhance shareholder value. According to Phil Weinzimer, they jumped through four high hoops to get there. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Dec 2016
Trump's tech policy: What CIOs should watch for
President-elect Trump's technology policies will impact the future of the enterprise, but that's not the whole story. Following Trump's invitation to tech leaders to talk policy, Features Writer ... Continue Reading
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Video
30 Nov 2016
The impact of mobile technology on business operations
The impact of mobile technology on business is becoming more evident as mobile computing moves to take over the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Nov 2016
To be leaders, technical professionals must move beyond IT expertise
Technical professionals sometimes flounder when adapting to leadership roles. Here are the four critical skills that they must strengthen to become high impact business leaders. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
23 Nov 2016
Is Microsoft-Linux alliance good for CIOs, open source?
In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has announced its plans to join The Linux Foundation, despite the companies' less-than-friendly repertoire over the years. Senior Site Editor John Moore ... Continue Reading
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Guide
16 Nov 2016
Key IT metrics: A CIO guide
As technology and the business evolve, so do IT metrics. In this Essential Guide, learn how to navigate KPIs, IT investment and cloud cost optimization techniques. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Nov 2016
Data lessons learned from Trump's victory
This week, the news of Donald Trump winning the U.S. presidential election made headlines. In Searchlight, Features Writer Jason Sparapani talks to experts to find out whether Trump's unexpected ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Oct 2016
The CIO takeaway from Gartner Symposium
This week, SearchCIO was at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando. In Searchlight, Features Writer Jason Sparapani provides a bird's eye view of some of the predictions from Gartner analysts, the ... Continue Reading
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News
21 Oct 2016
IoT data analysis may require hybrid approach
Where should companies analyze their IoT data, and what is AnalyticOps? The Data Mill reports. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2016
Samsung Note 7 disaster a CIO parable about quality assurance
Reasons for the Samsung Note 7 disaster are not fully known, but experts are certain of this: A shoddy quality assurance process can kill you. Also: Gig economy up; PC orders down; Amazon stores a-coming. Continue Reading
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Guide
07 Oct 2016
From blockchain to RPA: A look at cutting-edge tech and the enterprise
Cutting-edge tech has become a competitive advantage. Here's four technologies that should be on your radar. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2016
Become a change agent: Stop procrastinating
Don't be like the white-haired bride and groom who put off the big event until they could afford it. Now is the time for action, says organizational agility expert Joseph Flahiff. Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2016
Macro trends HP is tracking: Urbanization, globalization, demographics
HP Inc. CTO Shane Wall weighs in on three big macro trends that are shaping the company's long-horizon strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Sep 2016
How blockchain works: An infographic explainer
Understanding how a blockchain works is the first step in taking advantage of the technology. Learn how a blockchain unit of value moves from party A to party B. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Sep 2016
Robotic process automation technology gets to work
Robotic process automation technology can eliminate or speed up routine digital tasks now performed by humans. Finding RPA sweet spots and the right tools is the CIO challenge. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Sep 2016
Where are self-driving cars headed?
This week, Uber rolled out self-driving vehicles in Pittsburgh. In Searchlight, Senior Executive Editor Linda Tucci talks with industry experts to find out what implications it will have on the ... Continue Reading
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Video
25 Aug 2016
The difference between pipe and platform business models
Sangeet Paul Choudary, founder and CEO at advisory and research firm, Platformation Labs, explains the difference between platform business models and traditional pipe models. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Aug 2016
Mobile security issues and solutions
Mobile technology usage is growing just as the number of threats facing mobile data is growing. CIOs must combat mobile security issues to stay ahead in the mobile-dominated world. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Aug 2016
Intel CIO hire puts spotlight on IT gender gap
This week, Intel's executive IT ranks saw a shift from one woman CIO to another. But that doesn't mean the gender gap has closed -- far from it, in fact. In this week's Searchlight, Executive ... Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2016
Aligning IT and compliance procedures increasingly a business priority
Companies' regulatory management and tech teams often still operate independently, but businesses are starting to recognize the benefits of IT and compliance procedure alignment. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Jul 2016
New cloud standards will help ease contract negotiations
Cloud service agreements -- which spell out the obligations and responsibilities a cloud provider and a customer must adhere to -- are documents organizations with IT operations in the public cloud ... Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jun 2016
Delegator vs. micromanager: What kind of boss are you?
Being a delegator is one of the hardest jobs for a leader. Joseph Flahiff explains. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Jun 2016
A guide to blockchain implementation; insights from the Cloud Expo
Now is the time to get familiar with blockchain technology and what it can do for your company. In this two-part feature story, Editorial Director Sue Troy talks to leading experts to form a ... Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2016
How three digital leaders overcame resistance to change
Digital leaders at CBS, IBM and SAP point to culture as one of the biggest digital transformation hurdles. Here's how they prevailed. Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2016
Security of IoT-enabled devices remains low priority for developers
MIT Sloan cybersecurity expert Stuart Madnick talks about clear and present dangers in an IoT-enabled world. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2016
Without IT process documentation, companies risk being held 'hostage' by IT
As cybersecurity breaches surge, it's important that company leadership know what IT is up to. Kevin McDonald explains why IT process documentation is a must-have best practice. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Apr 2016
Intel's job cuts a sign of PC's metamorphosis; keeping cool during a cyberassault
Intel just announced that it's cutting 12,000 jobs in a restructuring effort that shifts focus away from PCs and onto growing technologies like wearables and IoT. In this week's Searchlight, Site ... Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2016
Instagram roundup: Disruptive business models, digital investments
2016 Fusion CEO-CIO Symposium caught on Instagram: Follow along as senior news writer Nicole Laskowski chronicles sessions on disruptive business models and digital investments. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Mar 2016
To beat odds, procurement officers should focus on value, not cost
Chief procurement officers (CPO) have a very short window of time in which to make their mark at a company: The average tenure is less than five years. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2016
Three keys to a good business reorganization
The typical reorg evokes fear, stress and suspicion -- and kills productivity. Here's how to change that. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Mar 2016
Data lake governance: A big data do or die
Data lake governance may not be a sexy undertaking, but it's become a critical component in modern data architecture, according to experts. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2016
Three key ingredients of any data lake implementation
A data lake implementation can provide enormous flexibility for analyzing all types of external and internal data -- but not without these three requirements. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
18 Mar 2016
CISO reporting structure debate heats up; Congress assesses blockchain security
Who should CISOs report to? That has been a longstanding question in the IT field, but, as cybersecurity rises to the tops of the business and IT priority ladders, it has taken a on new sense of ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Feb 2016
The four facets of an Agile PMO
The Agile project management office (PMO) leverages the centralized portfolio management team to deliver on projects and products faster, said Michael Nir, president and founder of Sapir Consulting ... Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2016
8 free IT budget plan templates for CIOs
Creating a reliable IT budget plan is no cinch, especially in today's digital age. Here, we've rounded up free, customizable IT budget templates to help. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Jan 2016
SaaS shines amid low global IT spending; tips for your private cloud journey
This Symmetry blog post rounds up all of the content published on SearchCIO and SearchCompliance this week. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jan 2016
Assessing the cost of private cloud
The high cost of private cloud requires a ton of due diligence on the part of CIOs and business partners. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
15 Jan 2016
FTC highlights unethical big data usage; IT pros share regrets and resolutions
This Symmetry blog post rounds up all of the content published on SearchCIO and SearchCompliance this week. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jan 2016
The steps to effective cybersecurity incident response
Planning and foresight are essential to any cybersecurity incident response plan. Follow these steps to make sure you're ready for a data breach. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jan 2016
How to test your DR/BC plan
Woe to the IT organization that hasn't taken its DR/BC plan out for a spin. The right kind of testing will close the gaps and save IT and the business a lot of grief. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Dec 2015
Writing a statement of work? Here's what you should include
A project's success can hinge on having clear and specific details about it. Download this free checklist to see critical elements of a statement of work. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2015
Free statement of work template examples for CIOs
Statements of work are critical in helping CIOs keep projects on track and meet business goals. Check out these free statement of work template examples. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
25 Nov 2015
TechTarget's 2015 salary survey results; the difficulties of organizational agility
The results from TechTarget’s 2015 Annual IT Salary and Careers Survey are in! SearchCIO members broke down the numbers and got reactions from CIOs and IT executives: First, Editorial Director Sue ... Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Nov 2015
How organizational agility will save and destroy your company
Aiming for organizational agility? Prepare to change how you scope work, structure teams, develop talent, practice leadership, and deliver and sell your products. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Nov 2015
Google unveils app streaming; business lessons from blackjack
Google's new app-streaming feature is taking deep linking even further, seeking to improve the mobile experience of users reluctant to download apps. But what does it mean for developers? In this ... Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Oct 2015
IT asset management strategy: License compliance and beyond
In this Q&A on IT asset management strategy, read up on what it's like to run afoul of software companies' license compliance requirements and how IoT will impact ITAM. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Oct 2015
Building an online game platform: Startup caters to developers
The online game platform startup STOVE aims to solve the catch-22 of platform businesses by offering business assistance to its content producers, in addition to user analytics. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Oct 2015
CIOs sound off on Dell-EMC deal; why 'failing fast' is hard
What does the Dell-EMC deal, the largest technology acquisition ever, mean for IT? We asked CIOs and IT pros to weigh in on the deal and its impact on digital strategies, vendor relationships and ... Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Oct 2015
Pixar president on why building a 'fail fast' culture is hard
The duality of failure, IBM's bet on cognitive computing, and the difference between a data officer and an analytics officer: The Data Mill reports. Continue Reading
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Guide
30 Sep 2015
A CIO's guide to enterprise cloud migration
Considering an enterprise cloud migration? This Essential Guide delves into the process and lays out best practices for getting the job done. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Sep 2015
How to govern your IT outsourcing provider after the ITO deal is done
The best ITO deals need tweaking as time goes on. Good governance ensures that you and your IT outsourcing provider are on the same page. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2015
Infographic: Strategic IT plan checklist for CIOs
A company's IT strategy can determine whether it sinks or floats in today's competitive marketplace. Download our free checklist to find out what components should be in your strategic IT plan. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Sep 2015
KPMG: Death of BPO at the hands of RPA
Bangalore, Delhi, Manila, Cebu City, Shanghai. CIOs have traveled far afield in search of cheap labor for business process outsourcing (BPO). But according to a recent report from Cliff Justice, ... Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Aug 2015
Larry Wall's programmer virtues and 'vices'
IT pros who are lazy, impatient and hubristic are just what CIOs need. Gartner analyst Danny Brian explains why in this SearchCIO tip. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Aug 2015
Why platforms enable transformation; experts talk Windows 10 privacy
There are many factors to consider when undergoing a digital transformation: Having a platform to support that transformation is one of them. Senior news writer Nicole Laskowski sat down with MIT's ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Jul 2015
Duolingo cofounder explains crowdsourcing to the MIT crowd
When Luis von Ahn was 12, he dreamed of becoming a "gazillionaire" by building a chain of free gyms where the kinetic energy people expended on exercise equipment would be captured and sold to ... Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2015
The platform business model: An introduction
Airbnb does it; Uber does it. What about your organization? Sangeet Paul Choudary lays out the fundamentals of the platform business model. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jul 2015
McCormick spices up food market with digital platform business
Former McCormick CIO Jerry Wolfe talks about his role as CEO of the spice company's new tech spinoff and why a digital platform is so essential to reaching today's foodies. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Jun 2015
Demand shaping in the digital age; Apple's stance on consumer privacy
In the digital era, top-notch IT management is essential to business success. But how do IT and business teams bridge the divide? Experts at the recent MIT Sloan CIO Symposium explain why CIOs ... Continue Reading
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Guide
03 Jun 2015
CIO guide to project management basics, DevOps and Agile
In this Essential Guide, learn project management basics and get expert advice on how to get the most out of DevOps and i an Agile digital strategy. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 May 2015
The logistics of a 'bossless' workplace; dated security practices endanger companies
Imagine never having to report to a boss or supervisor again. Sounds great, right? Well, not all the employees at Zappos think so. The company's controversial new holacracy system enforces ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
15 May 2015
IT systems integration key to multichannel retail; Samsung chips away at IoT market
Digitization is changing the way we shop, and making strong multichannel strategies a necessity for retailers. In this feature, experts discuss how they can adapt to the growing e-commerce market ... Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2015
The secret to becoming a 'digital master'? Close the IT/business gap.
Capgemini's Didier Bonnet shines a light on how businesses are mastering the digital transformation: The Data Mill reports from the CDO Summit. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Apr 2015
Ten analytics success stories in a nutshell
Analytics success stories from the likes of Burberry, CBS, Coca-Cola and L'Oreal. The Data Mill reports. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Apr 2015
Target's need for industrialized IT; A lesson on digital leadership from the pros
Customer demand for Target's Lilly Pulitzer clothing line was so high that it overwhelmed the retail giant's website and mobile app. How could the company have avoided the snafu? Site Editor Fran ... Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Apr 2015
Profiles in digital leadership at Forbes, CBS, US Bank
Forbes, CBS and US Bank use social media marketing, mobile devices, Agile project development -- and strong IT-marketing partnerships -- to drive digital projects. Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2015
Wells Fargo continues massive data center consolidation
Since merging with Wachovia in 2009, Wells Fargo has closed 100 data centers, decreasing its risk profile and reducing its carbon footprint. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Mar 2015
The digital effect on the BPM lifecycle
Digitization has fundamentally changed how businesses operate, but is the same true for business process management? Here's why the BPM lifecycle remains the same. Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2015
What startups can teach CIOs about IT funding
Getting the CEO and CFO to fork over funding for innovation IT projects is never easy. At the Fusion 2015 CEO-CIO Symposium, Gartner's Barbara Gomolski advised CIOs to look at how startups raise capital. Here are three tips. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Mar 2015
Reverse mentoring turns Millennials into teachers
In 2007, Apple introduced its first generation iPhone. Yesterday, it announced the launch of its much-anticipated iWatch. It's just one example of how consumer technology is marching on at an ... Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2015
Staff shortage impacted by security and compliance skills demand
The data threat landscape has forced companies to rethink hiring processes before a staff shortage negatively impacts security and compliance. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Feb 2015
Gartner: DevOps is good; DevSecOps is better
Make way for DevSecOps. According to Gartner analyst David Cearley, CIOs need to add security professionals to their DevOps teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2015
Loss of focus chief reason for startup failure
Too much passion, too little passion, too many cooks -- there are many factors that can lead to loss of focus and, ultimately, to startup failure. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Feb 2015
Chief innovation officers need friends in high places
Hyatt, Merck and Nestlé Purina execs explain their business processes for innovation and detail why backing from on high is important. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2015
Private cloud termination agreement: What CIOs need to know
Relationships between companies and their cloud providers can be fleeting. Knowing this, it's important for CIOs to think about exit strategies before they sign that cloud contract. David Rutchik, a partner at Pace Harmon LLC, offers advice. Continue Reading
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Quiz
30 Jan 2015
SMAC strategy and governance: A CIO quiz
The intersection of social, mobile, analytics and cloud is transforming IT strategies. Are you properly governing your SMAC strategy? Take this quiz to find out. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jan 2015
Seven secrets to big data project success
Are there traits that spell big data success? Are there big data pitfalls that can spell disaster? The answer is an emphatic “yes,” according to three experts. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Jan 2015
Profiting from big data; highlights from CES 2015
Everybody's talking about big data, but is your company actually profiting from it? IT leaders at two retail companies share their big data money-making secrets with SearchCIO Senior News Writer ... Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jan 2015
A tale of two retailers profiting from big data
A young and an old retailer shed light on how they're profiting from big data. (Hint: The secret is in their approach to project management.) Continue Reading