IT applications, infrastructure and operations
IT infrastructure and operations management excellence has become essential to maintain quality control over technology-related policies, processes and equipment. Read news and tips to assist modern IT operations and infrastructure management, including strategies to ensure the proper flow of data throughout enterprise applications and other information systems.
Top Stories
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Feature
18 Nov 2022
What is the metaverse? An explanation and in-depth guide
The metaverse is described as the inevitable evolution of the internet. But what exactly is the metaverse, and what will it become? Learn what businesses need to know now. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2022
12 top metaverse predictions for 2030
Like AI before it, the metaverse carries unlimited potential and hyperbole. We address the questions of how big, how fast, how far, how scary and how impactful on businesses. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2022
History of the metaverse explained
The term 'metaverse' has only recently gained currency, but its history is long. Learn about the technologies that gave rise to a concept many believe will change civilization. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2022
Top metaverse investors and how to start investing
Would-be metaverse investors have many ways to get in on the action. Read our coverage of the metaverse's top investors, direct investing opportunities and investment risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2022
Metaverse privacy concerns and how to address them
Data privacy in the metaverse is a moving target. Learn about the main privacy issues and risk for businesses and users -- and how best to address them. Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2022
Tech inflation data drops -- what does it mean for IT budgets?
The U.S. government's latest producer price data, which shows declines for servers, storage and services, could signal an economic shift and boost CIO confidence moving into 2023. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Nov 2022
Metaverse pros and cons: Top benefits and challenges
Lifelike experiences, equal access, better collaboration and new business opportunities, yet there's the potential for higher costs, privacy violations, bullying and addiction. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2022
Venture capital mindset helps CIOs deal with tech deluge
As CIOs and CISOs push for innovation, mindset changes might be in order. They can take a cue from VCs and think about ideation funnels and technology investment portfolios. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Nov 2022
4 sustainability leadership tips from Impossible Foods founder
Impossible Foods' Patrick Brown is proof that a focus on climate action can drive market success. Here are four sustainability mindset tips that IT leaders can use for themselves. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Nov 2022
Why companies should be sustainable and how IT can help
Pressure is mounting for the business sector to address its environmental footprint and become more sustainable. Here's a look the key drivers and how technology can help. Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2022
Capital One study cites ML anomaly detection as top use case
The bank itself is making ML a key part of its digital transformation strategy, deploying the technology to locate aberrations, detect fraud and support marketing. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Nov 2022
The Metaverse Standards Forum: What you need to know
Creating an open and inclusive metaverse will require the development and adoption of interoperability standards. That's the tall order of the Metaverse Standards Forum. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Nov 2022
Metaverse vs. multiverse vs. omniverse: Key differences
Virtual realities are coming to a computer interface near you. Will you be joining a metaverse, multiverse or an enterprise-oriented version of the omniverse? 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
20 Oct 2022
Gartner: IT spending to grow 5.1% amid optimization push
The market research firm said enterprise IT spending will endure in a tough economy, but noted an emphasis on optimization, productivity gains and rooting out inefficiencies. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2022
Sustainable procurement goes mainstream, influences IT buys
ESG considerations add a new dimension to IT purchasing criteria and, more broadly, could bridge the gap between business leaders and IT professionals. Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2022
Micron investment to spark chip ecosystem in New York
The $100 billion plan aims to bring businesses and thousands of workers to the Syracuse, N.Y., area -- and boost the chip supply for the IT staples and innovations CIOs pursue. Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2022
Test beds, workforce critical to U.S. technology leadership
The CHIPS and Science Act allows the U.S. to invest in critical technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Sep 2022
Make business case for tech spend based on IT's, CIO's role
CIOs should help evaluate management goals to support long-term strategy. Learn how IT can assist business objectives and justify tech spending with a business case. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Sep 2022
Business-led IT strategy casts shadow IT in more positive light
Traditional shadow IT is giving way to business-led technology deployments that have the IT department's approval. But CIOs must manage the process to avoid problems. Continue Reading
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News
15 Sep 2022
IT services inflation follows broader market trend
CIOs can expect to pay more for consulting and professional services as pricing in the sector continues an upward trend that first surfaced last year. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Sep 2022
10 examples of smart contracts on blockchain
Smart contracts support enterprise blockchain by automating tasks. These use cases showcase the benefits and challenges IT leaders may face during implementation. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Aug 2022
ESG for IT: How CIOs can drive environmental sustainability
Sustainability as a business initiative has rocketed up the priority list as investors, consumers and legislators demand accountability from businesses. Here's how IT can help. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2022
Inflation: Server costs rise, software sells at a premium
Latest PPI data reveals a 3.1% month-over-month uptick for host computers and servers, while storage prices drop slightly and professional services stand pat. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2022
12 AI and machine learning use cases in ITSM
AI-enabled ITSM, while still maturing, promises to greatly improve the speed and quality of IT service management. Here are 12 AI and machine learning use cases in ITSM. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Aug 2022
The effect of digital transformation on the CIO job
Digitization and digital transformation sound similar, but they couldn't be more different in what they demand from CIOs, explains Genpact's Sanjay Srivastava. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Aug 2022
Instilling a culture of digital transformation
Communities of practice, agile methods, cross-functional teams and platform strategies rank among the methods IT leaders use to institutionalize change and create a culture of digital transformation. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Aug 2022
Key concepts of public vs. enterprise blockchain
The distinctions between public and enterprise blockchain matter. Gain insight into those differences and what to consider when implementing the distributed ledger technology. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2022
Technology costs rise as inflation hits hardware, services
Inflation is affecting the CIO market basket, influencing purchasing. Government data showed a sharp increase in cost for servers, which continue to face supply chain issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2022
Environmental sustainability considerations for IT teams
With customers, employees and investors pressuring companies to go green, IT needs to take a lead on sustainability. Learn some of the ways IT can make progress. Continue Reading
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Quiz
18 Jul 2022
10 blockchain quiz questions: Test your understanding
IT leaders are learning how to implement blockchain, a distributed ledger technology, within their organizations. Use this blockchain quiz to test the depth of your knowledge. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2022
PenFed expands chatbot strategy via Salesforce platform
The credit union, one of the nation's largest, is using the Salesforce platform to deploy chatbots that can handle a growing set of customer-facing tasks as well as in-house uses. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2022
Enterprise architect role reverts to tech in pandemic
The pandemic has sent many enterprises into survival mode, which altered the scope of the enterprise architect's role once again, according to a Forrester Research study. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2022
Laggards, leaders face digital transformation challenges
No one can relax in digital business: Those trailing behind must conquer the basics to get on the innovation path, while successful firms must endeavor to stay there. Continue Reading
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Report
24 Jun 2022
The evolving CIO role: From IT operator to business strategist
This in-depth guide to the role of the CIO traces the job's evolution, explains what is required of the position today and why it has become so important to businesses. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2022
Eli Lilly data strategy paves way for AI in drug discovery
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has embarked on an enterprise data initiative that paves the way for greater AI use. Read about the company's strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jun 2022
5 factors reshaping the role of the CIO in 2022
The role of the CIO in 2022 is being shaped by a constellation of new technologies and the business's burning need to use them for competitive advantage. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2022
CIOs share advice on leading through disruption
Discover how a focus on three areas -- cybersecurity, employee experience and proactive management -- can help CIOs plan for and better manage disruptions. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jun 2022
9 top CIO trends and priorities for 2022
CIOs face a tough challenge in 2022 as they balance the need for technology investment and growth amid a growing call for fiscal prudence in uncertain economic conditions. Continue Reading
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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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Tip
10 Jun 2022
15 tips for delivering a successful presentation to the board
What do you do when everyone thinks they're the smartest person in the room, and all of them are counting on you for answers? Here's how to give a presentation to the board. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jun 2022
The push is on to build the autonomous enterprise
The concept of an autonomous enterprise is becoming more real as enterprises combine technologies to automate all kinds of human work. Welcome to the 'Autonomous Revolution.' Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2022
Should your digital transformation include gamified apps?
Gamification means more than adding AI or video to apps, or even offering badges and prizes. See how behavioral psychology can engage, motivate and help your audience learn. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2022
Liberty Mutual CIO tackles digital transformation complexity
Liberty Mutual's CIO discusses the difficulty of moving the global insurer to the cloud, shares why a focus on ethical AI is important and weighs in on workplace flexibility. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jun 2022
Top 7 CIO challenges in 2022 and how to handle them
IT leaders this year face hybrid work, inflation and the prospect for sustainability regulations, while they deal with perennial issues such as staff retention and cybersecurity. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jun 2022
What is IT-business alignment and why is it important?
It's more important than ever that IT and the business operate from the same playbook. So why do so many organizations struggle to achieve IT-business alignment? Continue Reading
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Feature
31 May 2022
How IT leaders can drive digital innovation
More CEOs want their CIOs and CDOs to think strategically and help transform their organizations' products and services. Learn how some top IT leaders are tackling this challenge. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 May 2022
Key enterprise software-buying team roles, responsibilities
The enterprise software team has critical tasks to achieve for your organization's success. This guide explains each person's role and area of influence and offers tips for success. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2022
MIT Sloan panelists urge cyber resilience focus
Enterprises must prepare for cyber-adversity, think beyond protection, establish lines of communication -- and learn to take a punch, according to security executives. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 May 2022
CIO career path: How to become a CIO
The career path to becoming a CIO has evolved as the role has become increasingly critical to business success. Find out how to become a CIO and what the job entails. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2022
Ukrainian startup offers financial cloud, business advice
Fuel offers early-stage companies a mix of cloud-based financial products, working with domestic clients and diversifying into European and U.S. markets. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2022
8 free IT strategic planning templates and examples for CIOs
As technology becomes a business differentiator, a well-thought-out IT strategy plan is more crucial than ever. These IT strategy templates help CIOs make IT a business driver. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2022
MIT-CIO event explores pandemic's effect on digital ecosystems
Allan Tate, executive chair of the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, lays out the big idea of the 2022 conference and explains how the event itself reflects its relevance. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 May 2022
CIO vs. CTO: Key differences in roles and responsibilities
CIOs and CTOs both play a valuable role in a company's technology strategy, but their focus and responsibilities are different. Learn more. Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2022
MIT Sloan innovation startups pursue AI at scale
Modzy and Snowplow are among the early-stage companies aiming to move AI from science project to enterprise asset. Success will let businesses reap the benefits of the technology. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
4 types of information technology cultures explained
How the CEO and other top leadership view the IT department has a major impact on how CIOs should make their business cases for new technology. Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2022
Cal Poly Pomona pursues digital student experience
The public university's digital experience initiative, which builds upon its use of ServiceNow, aims to help students focus on their education rather than administrative tasks. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
9 top business process modeling techniques with examples
Business process modeling techniques and tools provide a visual representation critical to monitoring, improving and streamlining the flow of tasks along numerous processes. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Apr 2022
Cloud-first strategy forces big shift on IT infrastructure, skills
More and more, IT infrastructure is in the cloud. As organizations adopt cloud-first strategies, forward-looking CIOs are refocusing their teams on new roles and tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Apr 2022
Bolstered BPMN standard is core of new BPM+ ecosystem
BPMN, now part of the expansive BPM+ ecosystem, has been updated with new capabilities to handle complex business processes and the use of advanced technologies. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
RPA vs. BPM: How are they different?
Don't confuse RPA with BPM. These process-oriented initiatives are distinctly different yet highly complementary when planning, automating and improving key business operations. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
6 trends shaping the future of BPM
BPM is evolving quickly as advanced automation, integration with software platforms and democratized tools extend its reach. Read about the future of BPM. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
6 top business process management benefits, advantages
Streamlined workflows, greater agility and scalability, tighter process controls, reduced risks, lower costs and better customer engagements are among the notable BPM benefits. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
7 business process management challenges and how to fix them
On the road to a successful BPM initiative, missing C-level support, unclear goals, cultural change and poor testing environments are among the roadblocks that can be overcome. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
How to develop a business process in 8 steps
Well-designed business processes help organizations achieve their goals faster, but they require planning and effort. Follow these steps to develop processes that deliver value. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
How to improve and optimize business processes, step by step
Hundreds of processes that form the lifeblood of business operations require constant monitoring, so the most vulnerable can be revitalized through a methodical series of actions. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
17 top business process management tools for 2022
BPM tools are evolving rapidly as vendors add intelligent automation software and cloud-based functionality. Read about products from 17 top BPMS providers. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2022
16 BPM best practices to ensure project success
A BPM approach to transformation enables companies to continuously improve and reinvent their business processes, injecting innovation as they go. Learn how to do it right. Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2022
Ukrainian company offers lesson in IT resilience
Keiki, a product development company, uses remote collaboration tools and cloud resources to continue operations and keep its educational apps in the hands of children. Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2022
DOD official asks for faster commercial technology adoption
Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, said the lack of an effective approach to adopting commercial technology is a 'glaring weakness' in modernizing the DOD. Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2022
Gartner IT spending forecast cites higher service prices
CIOs can expect a rate hike as service providers offer their employees more competitive salaries amid talent shortages, higher attrition and soaring utilization rates. Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2022
Tech companies in Ukraine open economic front in Russian war
Developers and engineers serve as an economic bulwark in the country's battle for survival. The regional reshuffling of talent, meanwhile, could spell higher costs for IT buyers. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
Metaverse platforms offer opportunity and risk for CIOs
Accenture's recent Technology Vision event underscored the transformational possibilities of virtual worlds, but also pointed to security and safety challenges. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Mar 2022
The CIO's key role in environmental sustainability
With climate concerns growing by the day, technology leaders are critical to driving sustainability initiatives. Here's advice on getting those started and aligning with the business. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Mar 2022
Digital transformation projects rekindle innovation, for now
IT leaders began the year with the wind at their backs, building on investments made during the pandemic and focusing anew on innovation. Can it last amid the fog of war? Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2022
Tech firms relocate Ukrainian developers
Companies tapping Ukrainian coding talent are working to relocate employees willing to move. Tech firms, in the longer term, may need to rethink resiliency plans due to the war. Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2022
Digital leaders open gap on digital laggards
A Boston Consulting Group report reveals that 30% of large enterprises are on the path to becoming 'digital incumbents' while the remainder risk falling behind. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Feb 2022
10 key ESG and sustainability trends for business, IT
From consumers to employees to investors, more people are choosing companies that prioritize environmental, social and governance concerns. Here are 10 ESG trends that matter. Continue Reading
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Guide
11 Feb 2022
Consumption-based, pay-for-what-you-use IT as a service
Composable infrastructure provides CIOs flexibility in combining compute, storage and networking into one framework. Learn the benefits of this relatively new technology and HCI. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Feb 2022
Sustainability in business practices: What IT should know
Bjoern Stengel, global sustainability research lead at IDC discusses the trends he's seeing in the use of sustainable tools and technologies and what leaders need to focus on. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Feb 2022
Creating a more sustainable IT department
Technology leaders share some of the ways they're focused on lowering their carbon footprint and helping their companies advance sustainability goals. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2022
Ukraine tech firms stay calm but ready for Russia conflict
Ukrainian software company MobiDev is ready should the Russia conflict worsen. Nearly 70% of MobiDev's clients are U.S. companies. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jan 2022
CIOs: Nominate your IT services partners for project award
Here's your opportunity to recognize an MSP, IT consultancy, systems integrator or other tech service provider that made a difference to your organization in 2021. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2022
IT spending trends point to CIO innovation
Gartner's global forecast calls for a resumption of longer-term technology projects in 2022, with hyperautomation and AI on the anticipated IT agenda. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jan 2022
EU closes in on regulating big tech with Digital Markets Act
While there are some areas the EU's Digital Markets Act gets right, Boston University professor Marshall Van Alstyne said it's still a work in progress. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Dec 2021
5 edge computing trends to watch in 2022 and the future
While edge computing is still evolving, organizations are making efforts to bring data closer to the edge, and here, we identify the top trends they should be looking out for. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2021
30 top edge computing companies to watch in 2022
With the amount of data organizations are generating today, IT leaders should consider edge computing technologies to keep all that data closer to the edge. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Nov 2021
Top 10 edge computing use cases and examples
The move to edge computing will increase over the next few years. Here, we list the areas where it's proving to deliver high value. 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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Feature
08 Nov 2021
C-suites need to prioritize sustainability, climate change plans
Government regulations are one driving force behind business sustainability and climate change efforts. Following the UN COP26, businesses should be prepared for more regulation. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Aug 2021
Evaluating the benefits of 5G for businesses
With its high speeds, low latency and other advantages, 5G is delivering value in the enterprise. Now, business leaders view the new wireless technology as key to future success. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Jul 2021
Edge-to-cloud architecture turns key for digital initiatives
Enterprises pursuing digital transformation initiatives may need to reexamine their infrastructure architecture to bring compute and storage closer to data generated at the edge. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
02 Jul 2021
The mirrored world: What are the benefits of digital twins?
Building digital twins is the first step on the path to the mirrored world for businesses. Leaders are bringing together data and intelligence, creating an agile, connected future. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2021
A CIO's guide to legacy system modernization
For CIOs, understanding what legacy system modernization entails, when it's necessary and which approaches are right for their needs leads to optimal performance in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2021
What is the hidden cost of maintaining legacy systems?
One of the main factors when deciding whether to keep or replace legacy systems is determining the cost. Here we dive into five of the hidden costs CIOs should be aware of today. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jun 2021
HealthBridge Financial banks on AWS, Boomi to build business
Startup HealthBridge Financial used cloud-only infrastructure and Boomi's iPaaS to launch and scale its business of providing a second-payer benefit option for employers. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
26 May 2021
Uneven tech forecasts and the downstream impact on talent
Business leaders need to consider how today's 'uneven' economy is impacting talent in the tech space and why they should continue investing in human capital. Here's why. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 May 2021
What CIOs need to know about digital experience monitoring
As evaluating user and employee digital experience becomes more common, CIOs need to learn how the technologies work and what they stand to gain by implementing DEM. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 May 2021
RPA vs. cognitive automation: What are the key differences?
CIOs are now relying on cognitive automation and RPA to improve business processes more than ever before. Here are the important distinctions between the two technologies. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2021
Social media algorithms under Senate microscope
Social media algorithms, like those from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, have created economies and sowed misinformation. Senators want to know how they should be legislated. Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2021
Apple App Store, Google Play scrutinized in antitrust hearing
Spotify, Tile and Match spoke against Apple and Google's app store practices during an antitrust hearing Wednesday. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Apr 2021
Hybrid care is healthcare's future
Hybrid care is neither digital nor physical, neither in-office nor at home. Instead, it's a little of everything, and one health IT leader thinks it's where healthcare is headed. Continue Reading