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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Tip
20 May 2025
Benchmarking LLMs: A guide to AI model evaluation
LLM benchmarks provide a starting point for evaluating generative AI models across a range of different tasks. Learn where these benchmarks can be useful, and where they're lacking. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2025
Early-stage tech companies comb through data, software code
Software startups participating in the 2025 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium's Innovation Showcase take on the challenge of picking out the key signals from vast amounts of data. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2022
Consider Azure AD group-based licensing for Office 365 users
Administrators who manage many users can go one step further toward streamlining license assignments by taking advantage of a new feature from Microsoft. 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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Definition
19 Sep 2022
macrotrend
A macrotrend is a pervasive and persistent shift in the direction of some phenomenon on a global level. Continue Reading
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News
16 Sep 2022
What's old is new again as Workday aims to break down silos
At its user conference, Workday showcased tech and customer stories on bringing down the walls between HR, IT and finance. It's not a new story, but it may be newly relevant. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Sep 2022
Rich Text Format (RTF)
Rich Text Format (RTF) is a file format that lets you exchange text files between different word processors in different operating systems. 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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Opinion
07 Sep 2022
How automating distributed cloud infrastructure changes IT
As IT environments become increasingly distributed and complex, organizations are exploring how automation can address their evolving IT operations and infrastructure needs. Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Sep 2022
What to consider in scaling automation for distributed cloud
Infrastructure automation accelerates IT ops, fosters innovation and creates competitive advantage -- but executive support is essential, especially in complex cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Aug 2022
Learn to monitor group memberships with PowerShell
Use PowerShell automation to build reports in local group memberships on a server and security groups in Active Directory to keep tabs on any irregular behavior. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Aug 2022
inkjet printer
An inkjet printer is a computer peripheral that produces hard copies of a text document or photo by spraying droplets of ink onto paper. 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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Definition
12 Aug 2022
operation (computing)
An operation, in computing, is an action that is carried out to accomplish a given task. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Aug 2022
deprecated
In information technology (IT), deprecation means that although something is available or allowed, it is not recommended or that -- in the case where something must be used -- to say it is deprecated means that its failings are recognized. 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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Tutorial
10 Aug 2022
Learn to perform a DNS backup and restore
DNS outages cause connectivity issues that prevent basic tasks from executing properly. Understand how to perform a restore for a DNS zone, which is not always intuitive. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Aug 2022
fuzzy search
A fuzzy search is a technique that uses search algorithms to find strings that match patterns approximately. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2022
Explore print server alternatives to avoid IT headaches
Increased difficulties related to printing have many organizations exploring their options. See what these third-party print management alternatives have to offer. Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2022
Will cloud, IT services prove recession-resistant businesses?
Partners expect demand for their offerings to endure through economic turbulence and, to some extent, because of the unsettling times; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2022
House sends CHIPS Act to Biden's desk
Congress approved the CHIPS Act and billions more for scientific research to help the U.S. better compete against China in technology markets. 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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Definition
18 Jul 2022
six degrees of separation
Six degrees of separation is the theory that any person on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
15 Jul 2022
Learn how to set up Windows Server 2022 SMB compression
Microsoft added SMB compression to the new server OS to reduce bottlenecks when transferring files with Windows-based file shares. 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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Definition
14 Jul 2022
interrupt
An interrupt is a signal emitted by a device attached to a computer or from a program within the computer. 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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Guest Post
30 Jun 2022
Tuning enterprise architecture to cope with accelerating change
In the realm of enterprise architecture, real agility starts with architectural simplicity. Learn how businesses can reduce complexity -- and boost organizational dexterity. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2022
resource allocation
Resource allocation is the process of assigning and managing assets in a manner that supports an organization's strategic planning goals. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jun 2022
POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface)
POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) is a set of standard operating system interfaces based on the Unix operating system. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2022
security audit
A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of a company's information system by measuring how well it conforms to an established set of criteria. 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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Tip
28 Jun 2022
Do you meet all the modern authentication requirements?
Microsoft's push to a more secure method for user authentication and authorization could catch some enterprises flat-footed if IT hasn't done its homework. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2022
distributed applications (distributed apps)
Distributed applications (distributed apps) are applications or software that run on multiple computers within a network at the same time and can be stored on servers or cloud computing platforms. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Jun 2022
How to set up Exchange Online modern authentication
Microsoft plans to tighten up security on its hosted email platform to prevent attackers from gaining access to user credentials. Is your organization ready? Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Jun 2022
data latency
Data latency is the time it takes for data packets to be stored or retrieved. In business intelligence (BI), data latency is how long it takes for a business user to retrieve source data from a data warehouse or BI dashboard. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Jun 2022
chief data officer (CDO)
A chief data officer (CDO) in many organizations is a C-level executive whose position has evolved into a range of strategic data management responsibilities related to the business to derive maximum value from the data available to the enterprise. 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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Definition
22 Jun 2022
information technology (IT) director
An information technology (IT) director is the person in charge of technology within an organization. IT directors manage technology resources and employees to ensure that IT operations run smoothly. 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
16 Jun 2022
How to set up automated log collection with PowerShell
Gathering logs from on-premises Windows Server systems or Office 365 cloud services is a necessary but tedious job. Try a PowerShell script to ease the pain. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2022
Microsoft fixes Follina zero-day for June Patch Tuesday
A Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool flaw disclosed on May 30 and exploited in the wild gets resolved in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2022
Alternative data, multimodal AI tech produce new insights
AI fuels the delivery of new sources of investment and corporate information, such as satellite imagery, contact center audio logs, employee sentiment and social media data. 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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Definition
09 Jun 2022
calculator
A calculator is a device that performs arithmetic operations on numbers. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Jun 2022
round robin
A round robin is an arrangement of choosing all elements in a group equally in some rational order, usually from the top to the bottom of a list and then starting again at the top of the list and so on. 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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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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Definition
01 Jun 2022
conservation of angular momentum
Conservation of angular momentum is a physical property of a spinning system such that its spin remains constant unless it is acted upon by an external torque; put another way, the speed of rotation is constant as long as net torque is zero. 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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Tip
23 May 2022
Learn to work with the Office 365 unified audit log
Administrators who need to check on suspicious activities in the Office 365 platform can perform a unified audit log search to help with their investigation. 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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Definition
19 May 2022
multiprogramming
Multiprogramming is a rudimentary form of parallel processing in which several programs run at the same time on a uniprocessor system. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2022
Query event logs with PowerShell to find malicious activity
Every action on a Windows Server system gets recorded, so don't get caught by an avoidable security incident. Learn how to find potential security problems in event logs. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2022
chief procurement officer (CPO)
The chief procurement officer, or CPO, leads an organization's procurement department and oversees the acquisitions of goods and services made by the organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2022
replenishment
Replenishment is the controlled and regular movement of inventory from an upstream point on the supply chain to a downstream location that requires sufficient stock to cover demand. 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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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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News
10 May 2022
Microsoft corrects Windows zero-day for May Patch Tuesday
Administrators should plan on extra testing after deploying this month's patches due to the heavy concentration of fixes in three distinct areas of the Windows OS. 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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Tip
10 May 2022
Microsoft modern authentication deadline looms over Exchange
Support for basic authentication will end this year, giving administrators who haven't switched to a newer authentication method little time to prepare for a smooth transition. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 May 2022
Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven approach to improving efficiency, customer satisfaction and profits. 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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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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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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Feature
15 Apr 2022
Sound business process architecture requires key traits
Business processes require a coherent enterprise-level architecture. In this excerpt from his new book, Roger Burlton identifies key traits business processes should share. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2022
Microsoft plugs Windows zero-day on April Patch Tuesday
Microsoft issues corrections for 117 unique vulnerabilities this month with a significant number of security updates resolving printer spooler and DNS server problems. 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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Feature
05 Apr 2022
SD-WAN project covers security, latency and cloud
PM Pediatrics, an urgent care provider, hired service provider Vandis to improve branch security, but the project transformed into something much broader. 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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Definition
31 Mar 2022
multisourcing (multi-sourcing)
Multisourcing (multi-sourcing) is an approach to outsourcing in which IT operations and technology infrastructure are contracted to a number of vendors, usually in combination with some internally provided elements of information technology. 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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Definition
14 Mar 2022
Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Flash Player is software used to stream and view video, audio, multimedia and Rich Internet Applications on a computer or supported mobile device. 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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Feature
04 Mar 2022
3 colocation trends to consider in 2022
Key developments in the data center services market include smaller, more flexible deployments, AI optimization and a continuing focus on sustainability. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Mar 2022
Business benefits of an Agile networking approach
Enterprises that embed an Agile approach in their networking strategies could see benefits like better network performance, enhanced data security and faster rollouts of network services. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Feb 2022
canonical name (CNAME)
A canonical name (CNAME) is a type of Domain Name System (DNS) database record that indicates that a domain name is the nickname or alias for another domain name. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Feb 2022
What a big data strategy includes and how to build one
Companies analyze stores of big data to improve how they operate. But those efforts will bring diminishing returns without a big data strategy. Here's how to build one. 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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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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Feature
07 Feb 2022
How enterprises will use the still-undefined metaverse
Some metaverse systems will affect the future of work and how enterprises operate. However, their impact will be fully seen only after the full meaning of the metaverse is known. 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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Definition
13 Jan 2022
prescriptive analytics
Prescriptive analytics is a type of data analytics that provides guidance on what should happen next. Continue Reading