Enterprise business applications
Enterprise business applications are an integral part of an organization's IT strategy and CIOs are tasked with making sure employees have the right applications and that those applications are running smoothly. Read the latest news and opinion on enterprise applications such as ERP, CRM, open source and supply chain management software as well as mobile apps.
Top Stories
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Feature
31 May 2023
6 must-have blockchain developer skills
Successfully navigating the many roles and responsibilities of a blockchain developer requires specialized skills ranging from cryptography, to smart contracts, to web development. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Feb 2023
6 must-read blockchain books for 2023
Numerous sources provide comprehensive information on blockchain fundamentals and applications. We narrowed the field to six of the most popular and diverse books available. Continue Reading
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28 Dec 2022
8 top blockchain certification courses to pursue in 2023
Numerous blockchain certification courses are available for beginners and seasoned professionals, so we narrowed the field to some of the more diverse and comprehensive programs. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Oct 2022
5 advantages and 6 disadvantages of open source software
Open source software is popular with both small and large organizations, and for good reason. But CIOs should understand which situations works best for this lower cost option. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2021
Vendia expands serverless blockchain data sharing platform
The Vendia Share service gets new features that enable more database-type capabilities, alongside smart contracts to support complex business rules. Continue Reading
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06 Dec 2021
Agility and resiliency vital to digital-first business models
For enterprises transforming their business models, ServiceNow's Yoav Boaz explains how Disney and Peloton reinvented themselves and thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
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24 Nov 2021
Hyperautomation technology speeds digital transformation
To businesses plotting a digital transformation course, ServiceNow's Yoav Boaz says hyperautomation is instrumental in consolidating siloed processes and smoothing workflows. Continue Reading
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16 Nov 2021
7 steps to a successful digital transformation journey
ServiceNow's Yoav Boaz defines evolutionary vs. revolutionary approaches to business modeling and proposes a step-by-step digital transformation roadmap for businesses to follow. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2021
How can IT teams better manage shadow IT?
As the advent of cloud technology has made it easier to launch shadow IT, CIOs must be increasingly diligent to identify and manage these activities. Here are 14 tips to do just that. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2021
What are the pros and cons of shadow IT?
As employees continue working remotely, the prevalence of shadow IT grows. This inevitability is forcing IT leaders to weigh the pros and cons of unsanctioned technology use. Continue Reading
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29 Jun 2021
Step-by-step guide to the software purchasing process
This guide to software purchasing will help you create a procurement plan for the software that best meets your business need. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Mar 2021
10 digital transformation benefits for business
Businesses cite efficiency, resiliency, productivity, ROI and competitive advantage as critical reasons to digitally transform their operations in the wake of COVID-19 disruptions. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2021
Supplier segmentation lessons in the wake of COVID-19
Supplier segmentation is more necessary than ever for businesses during COVID-19. Here's how to start the process and why it matters for your business. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2020
Private 5G companies show major potential
Companies across several vectors are deploying their own private 5G networks to solve business challenges. Here, experts dive into the areas where they're showing the most potential. Continue Reading
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09 Dec 2020
Top private 5G use cases and benefits in the enterprise
Although 5G is still years away from mainstream adoption, some enterprises have started rolling out use cases that can deliver significant ROI by transforming private networking infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Dec 2020
The benefits of CIO dashboards and tips on how to build them
CIO dashboards can be a vital tool for assessing metrics in real time to gain insight on IT performance and support better decision-making. Here, we dive into how to build one. Continue Reading
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12 Nov 2020
CIOs tasked to make healthcare infrastructure composable
Healthcare is already on the path to becoming composable. The next steps, however, will present challenges and require good stewardship from CIOs, according to Gartner. Continue Reading
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03 Aug 2020
Use of virtual digital assistants for enterprise applications
Virtual assistants are increasingly becoming popular across several industries. Read about how enterprises are utilizing them to combat shortcomings, particularly during the pandemic. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jul 2020
Effective QA practices for RPA bot maintenance
Effective RPA QA ensures your bots don't go haywire. Learn how RPA bots fail, effective QA workflows to fix them, and how, when and where human testers should get involved. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2020
5 post cloud migration risks and how CIOs can avoid them
We've covered issues that arise when making the move to the cloud but here we're diving into the challenges CIOs and their IT teams face post cloud migration and how to avoid them. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2020
The 7 crucial RPA developer skills
As enterprises move in on RPA, they need developers who can juggle both the business and technical sides of automation. Here are seven essential RPA developer skills. Continue Reading
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02 Apr 2020
SAP Business One overview: Features, benefits and more
SAP Business One promises holistic business management software. Learn more about its advantages and pitfalls, as well as pricing and integration, in this SAP Business One overview. Continue Reading
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19 Mar 2020
How RPA and digital transformation work together
Enterprises that think RPA is a good endpoint for digital transformation efforts are in for a rude shock. While automation is a good start, it can leave deeper issues unresolved. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Feb 2020
How ITSM services on mobile devices power employees, boost service
Delivering ITSM on mobile devices boosts productivity through the enterprise and will help CIOs drive digital transformation. Here's why and what you need to do. Continue Reading
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17 Feb 2020
How to overcome the limitations of AI
AI may not become the super-intelligent tool people envisioned, at least not in the near term. But that doesn't mean enterprises can't use AI in some valuable ways. Continue Reading
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06 Feb 2020
Why cloud migration failures happen and how to prevent them
Companies are moving more applications than ever to the cloud, but many of these initiatives fail. Learn how to avoid making your own cloud migration mistakes. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jan 2020
Quantum computing in business applications is coming
Quantum computers are closer than you think. While tech companies make progress toward building functioning machines, there are quantum applications that organizations can utilize. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2019
IT's technology experience problem gets HR tool
Technology deployments have been blamed for loss of productivity and even employee resignations. A new tool from Qualtrics could help IT get on top of bad tech experiences. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Nov 2019
Agile practices endure and continue to adapt
As the 20th anniversary of the Agile Manifesto approaches, Agile practices remain vital to software development and are being adapted to critical business functions outside of IT. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Sep 2019
Edge computing use cases must be driven by business value
For Schneider Electric and many other large enterprises that take a look at edge computing projects, the main criterion for success is whether the technology delivers business value. Continue Reading
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06 Aug 2019
4 steps to a blockchain implementation
If you're not experimenting with blockchain, you're behind the curve. Our step-by-step guide on implementing blockchain dissects the challenges, best practices and payoffs. Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2019
Colorado builds API integration platform to share data, speed services
In a quest to be the 'Amazon of state services,' Colorado's chief data officer is rolling out an API integration platform. Challenges abound. Here are the lessons learned. Continue Reading
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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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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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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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Feature
07 Jun 2019
Build a digital transformation strategy with software at its core
What is a winning digital transformation strategy? For many companies, it starts with an overhaul of their software environments. Our comprehensive guide explains how it's done. 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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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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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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05 Apr 2019
High-performance computing use cases and benefits in business
High-performance computing has moved from the rarified realm of research and government and into the enterprise. Learn how systems are evolving to handle data and deliver profit. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2018
Risk assessments essential to secure third-party vendor management
Panelists at Infosec North America advised those charged with third-party vendor management to perform due diligence and assess the innate risk vendors create for business processes. Continue Reading
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08 Nov 2018
How one CTO is building a plan for legacy code replacement
Legacy code removal leads 2019 digital transformation plans for CTO Niel Nickolaisen. Learn how his team is prepping for the implementation of a new codebase. Continue Reading
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02 Nov 2018
What HR leaders must know about blockchain for recruitment
Could blockchain -- with its ability to validate facts and transactions -- promote efficiencies in recruitment and other areas of concern for CHROs and their recruiting teams? Here's a look. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2018
Deploy RPA bots to clean legacy data
Got data cleaning issues? Business improvement expert Dan Morris shares how his team is experimenting with RPA bots to clean and reconcile data. Continue Reading
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15 Oct 2018
Why EY is investing in AI, data and blockchain technology initiatives
It's more than just an accounting firm. Jeff Wong said EY is using a $1B investment in new technology initiatives to expand its mission and address its clients' digital challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2018
Ensuring P2P apps don't cause network performance issues with IPv6
Peer-to-peer applications can cause performance issues with IPv6 branch-office networks. Universal Plug and Play might be an effective way to overcome access issues. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2018
Gartner Catalyst 2018: A future without data centers?
Cloud computing advancements have led some organizations to consider eliminating their data centers. Here are strategies to determine which applications are cloud-ready. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Aug 2018
Business transformation project: Dealing with legacy data
Business transformation requires a solid data foundation. Expert Dan Morris offers a near-term fix for your data-quality problems and the basis for a long-term approach to better data. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2018
Digital transformation in logistics: Delmar begins tech overhaul
Delmar International has agreed to move its IT infrastructure to Rackspace managed services, representing a huge shift for Delmar's IT strategy and digital transformation plans. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2018
Resist 'garbage in, gospel out' doctrine -- defend data quality
The 'garbage in, gospel out' approach to business analytics may be a valid approach for doing big data projects, but CIOs should resist it for business transformation. Continue Reading
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19 Jun 2018
Digital transformation in manufacturing: Carton maker taps Predix software
Learn about a digital transformation project at Swiss manufacturer Sig Combibloc, which is using GE Digital's Predix software and IoT sensors to boost productivity and cut costs. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 May 2018
Bad data stops business process transformation in its tracks
Dan Morris introduces his new eight-part series on exploring how bad data can sabotage business process transformation and what CIOs need to do to fix it. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2018
Survey: Customer service chatbots aren't crowd-pleasers -- yet
A recent survey by Chatbots.org found that less than half of consumers find chatbots effective. What does that mean for CIOs trying to integrate the technology? Continue Reading
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08 Feb 2018
Smart contracts on blockchain the next wave of CRM automation
Sales and service contracts get automation from blockchain platforms as applications become more user-friendly and infrastructure evolves to support them. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Aug 2017
How should companies evaluate team collaboration apps?
Team collaboration isn't one-size-fits-all. Distinct user needs must be considered when creating a collaboration assessment to find the best team collaboration apps for your users. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2017
No code platform: Verité manages big projects via Quick Base
Verité, a non-profit organization focusing on labor conditions in international supply chains, turned to a no code product to boost efficiency and manage complex projects. Continue Reading
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02 Jun 2017
The risks and rewards of a multivendor ERP strategy
As old-school mega ERP implementations increasingly fall out of favor, companies are now picking and choosing software. Here are some of the issues that these choices create. Continue Reading
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25 May 2017
What is the role of demand shaping in supply chain planning?
In the age of omnichannel, an effective demand shaping process is critical. Here's what you need to know about the strategy and collaboration that process requires. Continue Reading
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05 May 2017
Top four supply chain strategies to create the omnichannel experience
The need for omnichannel capabilities is a major force affecting modern supply chain management. Here are four ways to get strategic, so you won't be left behind. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Nov 2016
Value drivers must be constant focus of digital technology initiatives
Getting caught up in the enterprise digital technologies hype is dangerous for your company. Here's what to do instead. Continue Reading
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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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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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Answer
13 Sep 2016
How can SAP Quality Notification help improve product quality?
SAP Quality Notification can help handle customer complaints for defective products, defective products produced in-house and defective materials supplied by a vendor. Here's a look at how it works. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Aug 2016
What are key features in discrete manufacturing production type?
Discrete manufacturers reap greater business benefits when they ensure planning, procurement, inventory, capacity and quality management are integral parts of their SAP ECC implementation. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 May 2016
What supply chain issues most worry discrete manufacturers?
Discrete manufacturers face challenges related to demand forecasting and inventory management, to name just two. Here's a look at why -- and what can be done. Continue Reading
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14 Apr 2016
Eight keys to supply chain sustainability
Figuring out how to create a comprehensive and compelling supply chain sustainability initiative can be overwhelming. Here's guidance on getting it right. Continue Reading
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22 Feb 2016
What are the components of a digital supply chain?
A digital supply chain can help companies gain insight into their business processes and enable greater connectivity with suppliers. Here's a look at why you need one. 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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Feature
06 Aug 2014
How PayPal rallied a 4,000-strong move to Agile
PayPal’s wholesale move to an Agile methodology was built on ‘four pillars,’ took seven months and changed the way 4,000 IT and product people did their jobs. Here’s how it got done. Continue Reading
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06 Aug 2014
Four pillars of PayPal's 'big bang' Agile transformation
PayPal's technology VP Kirsten Wolberg gives SearchCIO the facts, figures and philosophy behind a 'big bang' move to Agile that changed the way 510 cross-functional teams work. Included in the budget: $2 million to change out the furniture. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2014
Free RFP template examples for ERP
Use these free RFP template examples for ERP to make the best use of your business' technology resources. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Oct 2010
Where’s the love for Microsoft technologies?
Remember when Microsoft’s marketing machine could make up a word like goodness to describe a new software feature, and people would eat it up like, well, chocolate? The ooohs and aaahs at shows -- ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Aug 2010
Trade promotion management: A missing opportunity?
If you read Linda Tucci's recent story on the efforts of Tasty Baking Co. to find a workable solution for trade promotion management, you may have been struck, as I was, about why TPM can be such a ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 Aug 2010
Top five free Microsoft downloads
Every once in a while I like to check out what Microsoft admins are downloading these days. I sometimes do a search on Google, but to get a feel for the work being done in Microsoft shops, I always ... Continue Reading