IT vendor selection and management
Successful IT vendor selection and management can help you control costs and mitigate risk in IT projects. Weighing the pros and cons of various vendors and weighing them against one another to make the best choice is no easy task. Get guidance with IT vendor selection and management news, tips and other resources in this section.
Top Stories
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Tip
14 Jun 2022
How to create a proof of concept with 6 free templates
What is a proof of concept and how does it help an organization? Here we dive into the importance of writing a POC and provide a list of free templates to help get you started. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
House Judiciary Committee advances 6 antitrust reform bills
Six antitrust reform bills made it through the House Judiciary Committee review and will now be considered by the House of Representatives. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
11 Jun 2021
Top 5 benefits of a new cybersecurity market model
Companies are struggling to identify the cybersecurity technology that would actually be useful for their use cases. It's time for a new market model around efficacy instead. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
09 Apr 2021
4 IT contract negotiation strategies to drive value in 2021
To ensure businesses today can effectively save costs through IT sourcing and outsourcing, we're offering four tips for IT leaders to consider when in negotiations with providers. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
16 Mar 2021
Where IT is headed in 2021: 5 key trends to watch
2021 might not yet feel too different from 2020, but CompTIA's latest report highlights five intriguing trends in the IT industry for which you need to be ready. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Feb 2021
Biden wants review of IT exemption in Buy American law
Commercial IT products including hardware and software systems could soon fall under the purview of the Buy American Act if their exemption is removed. Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2020
Social media data practices land in FTC crosshairs
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking information on how social networking giants like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube collect and use consumer data. Continue Reading
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News
09 Dec 2020
FTC, states sue Facebook for breaking antitrust laws
The antitrust lawsuits allege Facebook impeded competition by buying up rivals to control the market. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Dec 2020
RACI matrix for project management success, with example
A lack of clarity around roles and responsibilities is a common cause of project failure. A RACI matrix can help project managers address this issue. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Nov 2020
CIOs: Nominate your IT services partner for project award
Here's your opportunity to recognize an MSP, IT consultancy, systems integrator or other tech service provider that has made a difference to your organization. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2020
Government action on big tech monopoly power moving quickly
Government antitrust actions are building against tech giants Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. They could lead to tighter regulation or even a breakup. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Sep 2020
MSP roles and responsibilities are undergoing rapid change -- here's why
It's a new era for managed service providers and CIOs. MSPs increasingly act as strategic partners, helping IT teams fulfill the outsized role technology plays in business success. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2020
Set IT vendor selection criteria to evolve with the times
As enterprises' IT tool sets expand to include more specialized providers for cloud and DevOps deployments, they face new vendor management challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2020
Contract risk management: Focus on these 6 areas
Inspecting vendor contracts for risk is increasingly important as CIOs scramble to stay nimble in a volatile economy. ClearEdge Partners explains how to protect your interests. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2020
How to write an RFP and statement of work for an IT services contract
Master how to write an RFP and statement of work to get the IT services you need using these best practices from consulting firm ClearEdge Partners. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2020
Coronavirus pandemic ups the IT contract negotiation game
IT contract negotiation has always been a difficult dance between customers and vendors, but the coronavirus pandemic means there are new rules to navigate on both sides. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2020
Improve your IT contract negotiations by focusing on 5 factors
When buying technology, a bare-knuckle approach rarely succeeds. To get a good IT deal, CIOs should pay heed to five transformations driving businesses, ClearEdge's CEO says. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2020
How to negotiate a good software subscription agreement
A big mistake IT execs make in negotiating software subscription deals is overbuying. Here are seven steps from ClearEdge Partners' Rachel Annello that will lead to a better deal. Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2020
List of tech conferences canceled, postponed due to coronavirus
IT events across the globe are being canceled, rescheduled or streamed in response to concerns about the possible spread of COVID-19 in public spaces and large groups. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2019
CIO's breadth, depth, business savvy on display at Trace3 Evolve
Technology leaders from NetApp, First American and Experian were among those honored at the Trace3 Evolve event. Their outsized role in driving business value was on full display. 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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News
17 May 2019
Trump's move to ban Huawei a wake-up call for IT execs
The Trump administration's move to effectively ban Huawei products from U.S. networks has big implications for IT execs in charge of supply chain sourcing and security. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 May 2019
CIOs need to rethink how they're managing outsourcing transitions
The old rules for managing outsourcing transitions no longer apply. Here are three nontraditional approaches to help ensure maximum benefit when switching outsourcing providers. 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
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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Tip
17 Dec 2018
How to sustain hard-won ITSM automation gains
The ITSM automation gains you've reaped from your ITSM provider can vanish when you need to switch vendors. These five tips will prevent that from happening. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Nov 2018
5 tips to improve ITSM SLAs in IT shops with multiple service providers
How do CIOs develop ITSM SLAs that satisfy business expectations in today's complex environment of multiple service providers? David Clifford takes CIOs through five key steps. 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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News
12 Nov 2018
Cloud cost management tools heat up with Apptio sale
Why does private equity firm Vista Equity Partners want to pay nearly $2 billion for IT spend analytics vendor Apptio? Here's a clue: It's the rise of hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Oct 2018
Sunkist Growers reaps the benefits of managed disaster recovery services
Sunkist Growers turned to DRaaS to make its disaster recovery options more practical for the company and its employees. But while the market is maturing, it might not work for all businesses. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2018
Microsoft CEO: Buyer beware for digital technology platform choice
At Microsoft Ignite 2018, CEO Satya Nadella issued a 'tech intensity' challenge, as the company launched or announced updated offerings in the cloud, IoT and AI domains. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2018
4 ITSM best practices for managing service vendors
CIOs must align IT strategy to business KPIs, and so should their service vendors. In this ITSM best practices tip, experts explain how to tie vendor services to business outcomes. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2018
4 best practices to maximize the value of your ITSM vendor
If your ITSM vendor isn't living up to expectations, chances are you're ignoring these four ITSM best practices. ISG's Lois Coatney takes you through them, step by step. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2018
Texas college CIO pushes into enterprise service management
A mature ITSM program has not only won Link Alander's IT team kudos for superb service delivery, but it is also driving automation of business processes in other departments. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2018
An ITSM program evolves from subpar to superb
How do you go from 'lousy' systems and subpar services to an ITSM program that is driving a service approach across the enterprise? CIO Link Alander gives us the details. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2018
CTO: Hyper-converged infrastructure appliances cut costs
An Indianapolis school district's decision to deploy hyper-converged infrastructure appliances has reduced support overhead and cut acquisition and operating costs. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 May 2018
Early-stage company execs talk partnering with CIOs
Participants in the 2018 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium's Innovation Showcase discuss the relationship between early-stage company execs and the C-suite. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2018
How to measure usability when selecting an RPA tool
If an RPA tool isn't user-friendly and isn't built for the long term, chances are the dividends won't be immediate. Read this before choosing your RPA tools. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2018
Conversational AI: Start by enlisting the big vendors
It's time to develop a conversational AI strategy, according to Gartner analyst Svetlana Sicular. Her advice: Stay focused on the business case and lean on the AI platform vendors. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2018
How to create the best RPA architecture
Enterprises are embracing robotic process automation to automate rules-based, repetitive tasks in a cost-efficient manner. ROI depends on having the right RPA architecture. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Feb 2018
Web vulnerability scanners: What you won't learn from vendors
Web security flaws are a serious issue that web vulnerability scanners can manage. Discover your best fit scanner as expert Kevin Beaver shares tips that vendors won't tell you. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Aug 2017
How do you prepare if your UC provider is acquired?
The UC market is abuzz with mergers and acquisitions, but this activity creates uncertainty for organizations. Analyst Jon Arnold offers advice on how to handle vendor consolidation. 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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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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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 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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News
08 Oct 2013
Why is Microsoft licensing so complicated?
Live from the 2013 Gartner Symposium ITxpo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer discusses why Microsoft licensing is so complicated. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Apr 2013
Multi-hypervisor environments: Making it work or not worth the work?
There are potential benefits to running a multi-hypervisor environment but are they worth the management challenges? Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Apr 2012
Strategic outsourcing and vendor management guide
Get strategic outsourcing tips and IT vendor management best practices in this IT outsourcing guide for enterprise CIOs. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Oct 2011
A CIO's time is expensive; not every vendor relationship deserves it
Managing vendor relationships is something most CIOs are not taught. Rule No. 1: They don't all deserve your time. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Oct 2011
Don't be bullied into vendor lock-in by cloud providers
Vendor lock-in is a legitimate concern when it comes to cloud computing -- maybe more so than security. But you don't have to settle. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2011
Negotiating maximum cloud uptime from service providers
Uptime issues with health care cloud services can lead to HIPAA compliance issues, not to mention lawsuits. To avoid problems, be firm when negotiating service agreements. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Sep 2011
Which cloud computing vendors will end up on top?
Gartner delivers its take on which cloud computing vendors -- from Microsoft to Google -- have the best chance of taking the lead. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Aug 2011
Multivendor outsourcing model for the rich and bold
A multivendor outsourcing model, managed properly, will help CIOs give their companies a competitive advantage. But can they afford it? Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2010
In lieu of customers, cloud vendors form partnerships at Cloud Expo
At the recent Cloud Expo in New York, a real cloud and a lack of enterprise customers left cloud vendors with little to do but form partnerships. Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2010
Up next: Cloud computing management
With the market saturated with cloud computing platforms and services, it was inevitable that another crop of vendors would emerge to help enterprises make sense of it all. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2010
ITIL framework and IT outsourcing a formidable duo
An ITIL framework has proven useful as a relationship-building tool for enterprise organizations pursuing IT infrastructure outsourcing. Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2010
WordPress problems: Temporary blog failure shows need for DR, BC plans
WordPress saw problems this week as a data center outage led to the failure of millions of users' blogs, and underscored the importance of a disaster recovery and business continuity plan. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2010
Oracle plays hardball with Rimini on third-party maintenance
In Oracle USA Inc. v. Rimini Street Inc., Oracle's sharp-tongued lawyers accuse Rimini of illegally downloading software and support materials "in a scheme that is vast in scope." Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2009
Software vendor evaluation criteria: Sample scorecard templates for IT projects
Need a hand in evaluating prospective vendors or managing your current crop? Here's a sampling of software vendor scorecards and requirements to help you create your own. Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2009
Failure to track virtualization licensing terms can cost you
How are vendors counting licenses under the virtualization model? Our blogger explains why you should look into your virtualization licensing terms -- or be ready to pay some hefty fees. Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2009
Pros and cons of IT outsourcing in popular Asian countries
The benefits and challenges of IT outsourcing in India, China, the Philippines and Vietnam range from pricing to intellectual property barriers. Learn more here. Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2009
Virtualization licensing terms: A call to arms
There is clearly still a lot of confusion out there surrounding virtualization licensing terms. Our blogger dives into the issue. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2009
Internet traffic overload: What does it mean for cloud computing services?
Cloud computing services have felt the strain of recent news events. Our blogger wonders: Should customers ask how providers will handle such traffic surges? Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jun 2009
How to mitigate operational, compliance risk of outsourcing services
Companies must have an approach to evaluating partner risk, the level of risk of both the service and the provider, and the adequacy of the security practices of the provider. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2007
Offshoring to grow rapidly, report predicts
The quarterly CIO User Survey found that 72 percent of CIOs plan to to increase their spending with outsourcers, but spending on internal IT staff remains the largest part of IT budgets. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2006
User connects EMC Clariions over Cisco for DR
It took five rounds of talks with EMC and some technical help from Cisco, but AQR Capital has a working DR plan connecting EMC Clariion's over 50 miles using Cisco. Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2006
State of the blade: Report from the Server Blade Summit
According to attendees at the Server Blade Summit last week, IT shops are standardizing on single vendor platforms for consolidation. Analysts say IBM is leading the pack. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2006
Buyers should beware in BI negotiations
Business intelligence platforms are complex, expensive purchases. A Gartner analyst offers helpful tips for getting the most for your money and avoiding hidden costs down the road. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2006
'Sandal and ponytail set' cramping Linux adoption?
The former Massachusetts CIO blames Linux's slow uptake in commercial environments on dress codes. He also suggests politics prevents some technology workers from going public about their support for open source. Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2005
CIOs slam software vendors for status quo
Citing Salesforce.com and do-it-yourself programming as cheaper and better alternatives to traditional vendors, CIOs at last week's Software 2005 conference let loose a litany of complaints. Continue Reading