Digital transformation
Digital transformation is a means of using digital technologies to innovate operations, products, services and processes and improve employee and customer experience. Here you can read news, guides and tips on how to lead digital transformation efforts. Learn how blockchain, AI, automation technologies and other tech fits into transformation projects.
Top Stories
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Feature
12 May 2025
RIT showcase offers glimpse of early tech innovation cycle
Connected vehicle security, AI and 3D printing were among the technologies featured at Imagine RIT, an annual exhibition focusing on student and faculty innovation. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 May 2025
Enterprise risk management team: Roles and responsibilities
Every facet of business operations is exposed to risks, requiring a risk management team that's composed of a diverse mix of corporate executives and managers. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Oct 2019
6 ways AI and automation could improve process mining
Creating a digital twin of your enterprise, identifying automation candidates for RPA and connecting isolated tasks into processes are a few ways CIOs can advance process discovery. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2019
Squads, pods, cells? Making sense of Agile teams
Workers are now organized in new types of groups as a result of the movement known as Agile at scale. However, to succeed, the changes have to be more than in name only. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Sep 2019
Book excerpt: Communication structures of an organization
The following is an excerpt from 'Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow,' by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais, as well as a Q&A with the authors. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Sep 2019
CIOs talk public sector innovation at Pluralsight conference
If you think city and state governments are reluctant to adopt new technology and the innovations that brings with it, there are forward-looking CIOs who want to set you straight. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Sep 2019
Pros and cons of RPA platforms vs. APIs
Because RPA and APIs are considered competitive approaches for automating business processes, we compiled a list of pros and cons to ensure you're getting the most out of each one. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2019
5 ways CIOs can take their AI project to the next level
We've covered the basics for CIOs getting started with AI -- now, we're taking a look at the potential challenges they may face and how they can prepare for and mitigate them. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Aug 2019
How to deal with the lack of chatbot standards
A lack of standards around chatbot development has created a situation in which enterprises are building and rebuilding bots. But that could change in the near future. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Aug 2019
RPA journey: Schneider Electric's global plan taps Blue Prism, UiPath
Schneider Electric, a multinational energy management company, has embarked on a robotic process automation journey, establishing a global team to evaluate RPA use cases. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Aug 2019
Blurring the lines between RPA platforms and APIs
RPA is quickly making itself known in the automation market, but the real game changer is utilizing the technology in an API-rich environment to deliver a more seamless experience. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Aug 2019
How one CIO overcame the challenges of shadow apps
CIO John Rathje explains how he's tackling shadow IT challenges in the recruiting admissions process at Kent State by deploying a data integration tier that supports data movement. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2019
Efficiency vs. effectiveness in business: Which comes first?
Operational efficiency gains do not equate to operational effectiveness. Expert Dan Morris explains efficiency vs. effectiveness in business process automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jul 2019
AI for decision-making shows promise, but worker trust an issue
Companies like Walmart are using AI for decision-making in business processes, but the discipline is new and workers are wary. Experts offer ways to build trust. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2019
Amid pivot to the cloud, a change management plan builds support
A comprehensive change management plan was critical to the success of SoulCycle's big shift to the cloud. Read how IT coached employees to change the way they worked. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2019
Automation Anywhere's Microsoft pact indicative of hot RPA market
RPA vendor Automation Anywhere said it's poised to take full advantage of the burgeoning RPA market. Its recent deal with Microsoft is just one indication of RPA's popularity. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2019
Criteria for success in AI: Industry best practices
Is it useful to study how companies outside of your industry are applying AI? Experts from Shell, Uber and Fellow Robots believe so. Read about their criteria for success in AI. Continue Reading
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Video
28 Jun 2019
Law firm CIO says RPA investment delivering 'material benefits'
CIO Vince DiMascio describes how investment in RPA is optimizing legal processes and serving as the glue for integrating business systems at Berry Appelman & Leiden. Continue Reading
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Video
28 Jun 2019
Law firm CIO successfully deploys RPA and AI to improve client service
Vince DiMascio, CIO at Berry Appleman & Leiden, details how his team is using natural language processing, machine learning and RPA to help deliver top-notch legal services. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2019
New BPMS architecture is answer to 'future-proofing' the enterprise
An aging, complex IT environment needed to become more nimble -- and remain stable. A months-long project using a new BPMS architecture pointed the way. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jun 2019
AI's carbon footprint will be an issue for enterprises
AI is touted as the tech that will help us combat global warming, but training AI models requires a shocking amount of energy. What are the implications for enterprise AI strategies? Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jun 2019
Enterprises need to plan for deepfake technology
Politicians and Hollywood stars aren't the only ones at risk: Enterprises need to understand the dangers deepfakes pose to their brands and employees. Here's a primer. Continue Reading
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Video
18 Jun 2019
Mercer's 'digital core' built on cloud, microservices, APIs, talent
Mercer's chief digital officer, Gail Evans, discusses how the HR giant is building a 'digital core' to replace legacy systems and arm its workforce to thrive in a digital economy. Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Jun 2019
CIOs need a strategy for AR and VR use cases -- now
CIOs need to start thinking about AR and VR and other immersive technologies as the new enterprise UI. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2019
AI in IT infrastructure transforms how work gets done
Cutting through the hype around AI has become a major job for IT leaders. Our in-depth guide on where and how to add AI to your IT infrastructure will help. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2019
RPA use cases that take RPA to next level
Taking RPA use cases to the next level entails automating complex processes, establishing a governance program and using management techniques such as Six Sigma. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2019
In-depth look at what the Oracle-Microsoft agreement means to CIOs
The Oracle-Microsoft deal could solve technical problems that curtail cloud strategies, letting CIOs focus on business criteria. It could also introduce new complexity. Continue Reading
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Video
04 Jun 2019
Automating business processes a top priority for BCBS of Mass. CIO
Beth O'Rorke, CIO at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, said operational efficiency is a top five priority. One of her approaches? Automating business processes. Continue Reading
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News
31 May 2019
Move to cloud computing lifts SoulCycle, Middlesex Health productivity
At the recent MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, fitness company SoulCycle and Middlesex Health recount how cloud has become a workforce enabler. Continue Reading
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News
30 May 2019
Google's John Solomon redefines the cloud worker for CIOs at MITCIO
Who is a cloud worker? According to Google's John Solomon, CIOs are shortchanging their companies by not enabling virtually every worker today to use the cloud to do their jobs. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2019
Expect graph database use cases for the enterprise to take off
Digital giants use graph databases: Traditional businesses not so much. Learn what graph tools do and why graph database use cases should be on every CIO's radar. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2019
The C-suite case for hiring a chief customer officer: 5 elements
Delivering world-class digital customer experiences has become job No. 1 for companies. Nemertes' Robin Gareiss makes the case for putting a chief customer officer in charge. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 May 2019
Deep learning pioneer Fei-Fei Li on the fundamentals of ethical AI
AI luminary Fei-Fei Li was among a group of distinguished AI researchers asked to share their thoughts on how to develop ethical AI. The right data and careful observation help. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2019
Andrew Ng's AI playbook for the enterprise: 6 must-dos
AI legend and online education pioneer Andrew Ng has developed an AI playbook for businesses. Here are six must-dos. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Apr 2019
When does the state of quantum computing become relevant for CIOs?
What do CIOs need to know about the state of quantum computing? Forrester Research provides some guidance. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2019
The shift to edge computing is happening fast -- here's why
Whether you call it the Fourth Industrial Revolution or digital transformation, enterprise IT is being changed fast, and forever, and edge computing is a big reason why. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2019
IoT, machine learning, MookieBot triple threat for Red Sox IT in 2019
Red Sox IT chief Brian Shield talks about the next leg of the franchise's digital transformation: using IoT and machine learning to serve fans and sharpen at-bats. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2019
How the Red Sox built a winning digital transformation roadmap
Years before it became a thing, Red Sox IT chief Brian Shield came up with a digital transformation roadmap that positioned the storied team for DX success. Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2019
Pointers on becoming a transformational CIO, pitfalls to avoid
A panel of CIO experts explore the role of the transformational CIO. Understanding organizational change and being plugged in are big factors. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2019
RPA software harnesses the potential of a digital workforce
RPA software cuts costs, boosts efficiency and frees employees from mind-numbing tasks. But governance challenges must be faced. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2019
Problems with blockchain and how they're being solved
Do you know about the blockchain trilemma? David Petersson looks at some of the problems with blockchain and how cutting-edge companies are tackling them. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2019
How to achieve digital transformation -- with CIO as linchpin
Companies achieve digital transformation along two dimensions -- through operational efficiency and offering a great customer experience. Getting there can be an uphill battle. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2019
Blockchain and AI combined solve problems inherent in each
David Petersson explains how blockchain could be used to democratize access to big data -- and make AI breakthroughs the province of many, instead of just a handful of tech giants. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2019
Capital One's cloud strategy advances to tap emerging tech
Capital One's cloud strategy continues to evolve as the financial powerhouse taps into emerging tech to improve customer experience. Read the step-by-step details of its journey. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2019
JOANN Stores hires new CIO to push customer experience strategy
JOANN Stores' announcement of a new CIO hire is another signal that engaging customers is increasingly part of the CIO portfolio. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Mar 2019
Comparing chatbots vs. virtual assistants vs. conversational agents
Is a conversational agent the same as a chatbot or a virtual assistant? Not exactly. IBM Watson VP and CTO Rob High explains the differences. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Mar 2019
The urgent need for enterprise AI governance -- and where to start
By 2022, 65% of CIOs will be tasked with modernizing governance policies to reflect the risks and opportunities posed by AI technologies. Here's why it can't be a one-person job. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2019
Google Empathy Lab uses 'design feeling' in search of a more human UI
Google Empathy Lab's Danielle Krettek touted the next big thing in UI design at the Wisdom 2.0 event: tech that feels your pain or happiness -- or whatever. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2019
Confronting big tech's role in digital addiction and digital wellness
Heard at Wisdom 2.0: Former Google employee Tristan Harris believes big tech needs to confront its role in promoting digital addiction and get serious about digital wellness. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Mar 2019
Value stream mapping vs. process mapping to drive process innovation
What's the difference between value stream mapping vs. process mapping? One is focused on making an existing process more efficient, while the other dissects the value of each step. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2019
BPM tools mitigate business disruption amid digital transformation
A major challenge in digital transformation is avoiding harmful disruption to the business while doing the work of creating a new business/IT operating model. BPM tools can help. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2019
Next-gen RPA bots automating job roles, not just tasks
RPA is moving beyond automating tasks to automating big pieces of certain job positions. Case in point: Automation Anywhere's new offering of Digital Workers. Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2019
Accenture predicts post-digital age where trust is the differentiator
The latest Accenture Technology Vision report calls out 'DARQ' technologies as the new must-have for CIOs and underscores the importance of building digital trust. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2019
Succeed at implementing RPA: Top tips from execs at IBM Think
Implementing RPA requires planning and coordination between multiple parts of the business to be effective. Execs at IBM Think share tips on how to craft a winning RPA strategy. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Feb 2019
Change management is critical to optimizing a digital workforce
In part two of his Ask the Expert discussion of working alongside chatbots, cobots and AI, IBM's Gene Chao focuses on the importance of change management. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Feb 2019
Managing the automated workplace: Humans vs. chatbots vs. cobots
Who's afraid of the automated workplace? IBM's Gene Chao answers questions on how chatbots, cobots and AI are impacting jobs and why hybrid labor requires new management skills. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2019
AI bots: How GE is adapting traditional management to AI
To get a handle on its AI strategy, GE is making AI more human: It's creating AI bots and assigning them to managers. Challenges abound. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Feb 2019
Should your company hire a chief AI officer?
Aramark's newly appointed chief AI officer, along with senior IT leaders from Kohl's, eBay and Square, make the case for an AI expert in the C-suite: Title may not be required. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2019
21st-century CIO job description puts CIOs in vortex of emerging tech
The ban against pursuing tech for tech's sake -- it's been lifted. CIOs need to dive into emerging tech to extract its business potential. Welcome to the new CIO job description. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2019
How to use AI in your business in 2019 -- AI sweet spots
Step one in figuring out how to use AI in your business is to know what AI can and can't do today. David Petersson lays out 2019's AI sweet spots for enterprise decision-makers. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2019
Barclays Bank takes a crack at IBM's quantum computer
Quantum computing may one day explain the universe. Today, the biggest challenge for an early adopter is making the problem sufficiently simple to run on a quantum computer. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2019
CIOs share their 2019 tech resolutions
We asked five CIOs to share their tech resolutions for the new year. Ambition is sky high. Projects include RPA, AI that can handle sensitive data, scaling the business and more. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2019
5 IT trends shaping 2019 CIO strategies
Tech executives sound off on the IT trends they see shaping CIO strategies in 2019. AI and cloud loom large, but the test for CIOs is not just technical. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2019
Top drivers of digital transformation projects have inward focus
Our IT Priorities Survey shows that close to 70% of companies are pursuing digital transformation. Learn what metrics they're targeting and how they're spending 2019 IT budgets. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2018
5 cloud computing predictions, trends for 2019
From rapid multi-cloud adoption to enterprises getting smarter about workload migration strategies, experts sound off on key cloud computing trends to watch out for in 2019. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Dec 2018
IT vs. business: Who owns the machine learning capability?
You can't have machine learning without help from IT, but the discipline is bigger than IT. Practitioners weigh in on who owns the machine learning capability. Continue Reading
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News
21 Dec 2018
Top CIO articles of the year focus on cutting-edge AI, IT disruption
What were CIOs focused on in 2018? Cutting-edge AI was top of mind. IT disruption and industry bombshells loomed large. Here are the top 10 CIO articles of the year. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2018
Top 10 SearchCIO videos: IT industry leaders share DX advice
Get digital transformation strategy advice from IT industry leaders in this roundup of our top 10 most popular SearchCIO videos from 2018. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2018
2018 tech events: The year in photos
Did you hit the road in 2018 to learn about IT trends? We did. This photo roundup takes a look back at some of the notable moments from SearchCIO's tech event coverage. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2018
Top CIO tips in 2018 zero in on AI challenges, opportunities
Expert advice on AI problems and rewards dominated our 10 most popular CIO tips on SearchCIO in 2018. Read our summary of the tips and follow the links to the detailed coverage. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2018
2018's top blogs highlight goals, obstacles to modern CIO strategies
SearchCIO's top 2018 blog posts provide a glimpse into how evolving technology and the digital transformation of business processes are influencing CIO strategies. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Dec 2018
What are the benefits of serverless computing?
At the recent Gartner Symposium, analyst Arun Chandrasekaran highlighted the benefits of serverless computing and delineated the factors driving enterprise interest in serverless. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2018
BPMS architecture modernizes legacy tech, makes IT more strategic
The technology of the past put humans on the moon, but it's bringing businesses to a breaking point. Here's why CIOs should consider a BPMS architecture to modernize legacy systems. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2018
Lottery.com eyeing blockchain for charity games to boost transparency
Online mobile lottery service Lottery.com wants to use blockchain as a service to bolster a new business initiative: expanding into games for charities. Read about the challenges and payoffs. Continue Reading
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Podcast
03 Dec 2018
Why AI for social good is a thing
Tech companies love to promote their use of AI for social good. CMU's Fei Fang talks about why the ethics of AI is such a tricky topic in the final episode of 'Schooled in AI.' Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Nov 2018
Adobe CFO John Murphy on CFO role as digital transformation evangelist
Adobe's John Murphy discusses the CFO role in digital transformation at the recent MIT Sloan CFO Summit. One new aspect of his job: He's out there selling digital transformation. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
RPA projects are the future for communications firm
Robotic process automation, or RPA, is sweeping R.R. Donnelley & Sons, which enlists RPA adoption as a way to automate repetitive activities in the document preparation process. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
5 AI predictions for 2019: Pragmatic AI takes hold
What are the forces driving enterprise AI in 2019? Forrester Research breaks down five, CIO-tailored AI predictions for the upcoming year. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
How to ask questions the way great business leaders do: CFO Summit
Great business leaders are willing to endure all sorts of pain when they ask questions, says Hal Gregersen, who spoke at the MIT CFO Summit. That's how they solve problems. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Nov 2018
What is embedded intelligence and how can CIOs prepare for it?
Deloitte advises CIOs keep their eyes on a new application of AI. The consultancy calls it pervasive intelligence. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Nov 2018
Advancing tech, analytics techniques give rise to the 'digital CFO'
The rise of digitized processes and data analytics in modern companies has unquestionably influenced the CIO's role -- a topic we cover often here on SearchCIO. But realizing the importance of ... Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2018
Enterprise AI adoption on fire, but foundation lacking for sustainable AI
McKinsey surveyed thousands of executives on their AI projects to find out what was working and what wasn't. Here's the lowdown. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2018
RPA project tackles financial processes, using SAP-savvy RPA vendor
RPA projects are not created equal. Read why automotive supplier Faurecia went with Redwood Software and about how the RPA implementation is playing out. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
26 Nov 2018
Multivendor RPA strategy is trending at enterprises
All RPA platforms are not the same. A multivendor RPA strategy is taking shape at enterprises -- for multiple reasons. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Nov 2018
Lumentum CIO talks building an enterprise cloud computing strategy
A well-defined plan is essential as cloud adoption becomes a business necessity. In this Q&A, CIO Ralph Loura sounds off on the must-haves for any enterprise cloud computing strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Nov 2018
6 ways CIOs can make valuation of data a business driver
Gartner believes data should be on every company's balance sheet. Here are six data valuation models on how CIOs can put a price tag on their data. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2018
AI-enabled enterprise starts with education, not tech
Step one for CIOs charged with building an AI-enabled workplace is to keep up with what's happening in the field. Next is to help their IT teams develop the habit. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Nov 2018
Beware of unwitting bias in AI algorithms, experts say
Companies need to know how bias can unwittingly creep into recommendations from AI algorithms, according to panelists at the recent AI and the Future of Work event at MIT. Sophie Vandebroek, vice ... Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2018
Travel commerce platform looking to blockchain, virtual reality in 2019
In 2019, Travelport's CIO is looking to build out the company's travel commerce platform with help from emerging tech like blockchain, machine learning, virtual reality and more. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Nov 2018
What should CIOs look for when choosing public cloud platforms?
In this Ask the Expert, Lumentum SVP and CIO Ralph Loura highlights two key factors to consider when choosing among public cloud giants AWS, Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
How augmented intelligence can enhance jobs
Augmented intelligence -- AI used to enhance human skills -- makes workplaces more productive, diverse, inclusive and authentic. That's one future conjured at an MIT forum on AI. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Nov 2018
What are the top IoT security challenges in corporate settings?
Extended product lifecycles, consumer apathy and lacking federal regulation lead the top IoT security challenges in corporate settings. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Nov 2018
Improving customer experience strategy with digital tweaks vs. transformation
Improving the customer experience with digital technologies doesn't have to entail full-blown transformation. Here are three organizations that make the case. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2018
How automating feature engineering can help data scientists
Feature Labs CEO Max Kanter explains how automating feature engineering for machine learning can help data scientists and why CIOs should care. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Nov 2018
5 'technology enablers' key to Travelport's digital transformation plan
Travelport CIO Matt Minetola details the five 'technology enablers' key to the success of the company's digital transformation plan and explains why the travel commerce platform relies on a hybrid cloud approach. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Nov 2018
Enabling digital transformation: CIO talks 3-phase journey
Enabling digital transformation at Travelport required the $2 billion company to rethink its business model, technology, processes and mindset. Destination: Better customer service. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2018
Google's Eric Schmidt on digital success -- be first, perfect comes later
Success for digital products doesn't follow the same trajectory as for physical goods. Google's Eric Schmidt laid out the case for a rush-to-market approach at an MIT event on AI. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Nov 2018
IBM-Red Hat deal: Minimal influence on CIOs' cloud decisions, for now
The tech world has been abuzz after news that IBM is snapping up Red Hat for a whopping $34 billion, making it the third biggest tech-deal of all time. Experts say, however, that the IBM-Red Hat ... Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2018
With AI techniques, don't get stuck in the data quantity rut
Gartner's Erick Brethenoux gives practical advice on how CIOs can get started with AI. One of his tips: Think data quality, not data quantity. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
Gartner breaks down the state of quantum computing technology
Gartner believes CIOs should prepare for quantum computing. When is it coming, what impact will it have and what do CIOs need to know? Gartner's David Cearley breaks it down. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Oct 2018
In 2019, CIOs should strive for flexible analytics architecture
Data and analytics are part of everyday survival for companies. But according to a new research note from Gartner Inc., organizations are struggling to manage the data they have let alone establish ... Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2018
Gartner top 10 technology trends for 2019: A comprehensive guide
For digital-minded CIOs, Gartner's 2019 top 10 technology trends should come as no surprise: IT is getting smarter, casting an intelligent digital web over the enterprise -- and everywhere else. Continue Reading