Small-business IT strategy
Information technology integration with company processes has become essential to business success in the digital age. This is not easy for the largest organizations, never mind a small business with limited resources. We are here to help: Read news and tips that provide small organizations with IT/business strategies to help stretch limited IT resources for maximum gain.
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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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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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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Tip
27 Oct 2020
How to develop a technology strategy
Implementing a technology strategy can be difficult for any CIO, but following this step-by-step guide enables them to build one that delivers on an organization's needs. Continue Reading
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Guide
29 Feb 2020
ITIL and ITSM best practices for process improvement
ITIL and ITSM best practices improve business processes by standardizing and optimizing the delivery of IT services. Learn more in this comprehensive guide for CIOs. Continue Reading
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Feature
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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Tip
16 Jul 2019
Facebook's Libra project -- why enterprises should prepare
Facebook's foray into cryptocurrency is setting off alarm bells in government and finance circles. The question is how could the Libra project help the enterprise? Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Jun 2019
CIOs need a strategy for AR and VR use cases -- now
CIOs need to start thinking about AR and VR and other immersive technologies as the new enterprise UI. Continue Reading
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News
30 May 2019
Google's John Solomon redefines the cloud worker for CIOs at MITCIO
Who is a cloud worker? According to Google's John Solomon, CIOs are shortchanging their companies by not enabling virtually every worker today to use the cloud to do their jobs. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2019
How to build a startup: 7 tips from Keith Krach
Entrepreneur Keith Krach recounts how he started Ariba, sharing a treasure trove of tips in part two of this three-part Q&A. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2019
5 reasons CIO career paths go south -- and how to protect yourself
Safeguard your CIO career path. Agiloft CEO Colin Earl details the top five reasons CIOs get the ax -- and how to avoid them. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2019
21st-century CIO job description puts CIOs in vortex of emerging tech
The ban against pursuing tech for tech's sake -- it's been lifted. CIOs need to dive into emerging tech to extract its business potential. Welcome to the new CIO job description. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2019
Barclays Bank takes a crack at IBM's quantum computer
Quantum computing may one day explain the universe. Today, the biggest challenge for an early adopter is making the problem sufficiently simple to run on a quantum computer. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2019
CIOs share their 2019 tech resolutions
We asked five CIOs to share their tech resolutions for the new year. Ambition is sky high. Projects include RPA, AI that can handle sensitive data, scaling the business and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2019
Free IT mission statement examples for CIOs
These free IT mission statement examples and how-tos can help CIOs and their IT departments identify and refine their organizational goals. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2019
5 IT trends shaping 2019 CIO strategies
Tech executives sound off on the IT trends they see shaping CIO strategies in 2019. AI and cloud loom large, but the test for CIOs is not just technical. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2019
Top drivers of digital transformation projects have inward focus
Our IT Priorities Survey shows that close to 70% of companies are pursuing digital transformation. Learn what metrics they're targeting and how they're spending 2019 IT budgets. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2018
Lottery.com eyeing blockchain for charity games to boost transparency
Online mobile lottery service Lottery.com wants to use blockchain as a service to bolster a new business initiative: expanding into games for charities. Read about the challenges and payoffs. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Nov 2018
6 ways CIOs can make valuation of data a business driver
Gartner believes data should be on every company's balance sheet. Here are six data valuation models on how CIOs can put a price tag on their data. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2018
Benefits of ITSM: Use an ITSM portal as gateway to cloud services
Requiring users to access the cloud via an ITSM portal will reduce spending, explains Andy Sealock in part two of his tip on leveraging the benefits of ITSM in cloud services. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2018
ITSM in the cloud: Using ITSM best practices to optimize cloud usage
Cloud-based services can't be beat for their ease of use, but companies often experience some 'unhappy surprises' when the bill comes due, says Andy Sealock. ITSM in the cloud can help. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 May 2018
CIO uses master data management to speed digitalization
IMA Financial Group CIO Michelle Vercellino's effort to clean up, protect and govern the firm's data is an important step in the firm's quest for 'data intelligence.' 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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Feature
29 Jun 2017
Run a hackathon event that pays off -- and draws women
IBM Watson Health's chief scientist explains how a hackathon event can pay dividends for a company, provided it's run right. Plus, advice on how to get more women to hackathons. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2017
A cloud implementation methodology for legacy apps
Maximizing the benefits of cloud while minimizing risk requires a fine-tuned migration strategy. Here, Scott Lowe lays out a cloud implementation methodology for legacy apps. Continue Reading
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Guide
22 Nov 2016
The essential guide to ERP for small and medium-sized businesses
By integrating important business processes and unifying data, an ERP system can help small and medium-sized businesses go up against the big guys. Here's what you need to know. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2016
Become a change agent: Stop procrastinating
Don't be like the white-haired bride and groom who put off the big event until they could afford it. Now is the time for action, says organizational agility expert Joseph Flahiff. Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2016
Macro trends HP is tracking: Urbanization, globalization, demographics
HP Inc. CTO Shane Wall weighs in on three big macro trends that are shaping the company's long-horizon strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
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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Feature
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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Tip
24 Aug 2016
Mobile security issues and solutions
Mobile technology usage is growing just as the number of threats facing mobile data is growing. CIOs must combat mobile security issues to stay ahead in the mobile-dominated world. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jun 2016
Delegator vs. micromanager: What kind of boss are you?
Being a delegator is one of the hardest jobs for a leader. Joseph Flahiff explains. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2016
How three digital leaders overcame resistance to change
Digital leaders at CBS, IBM and SAP point to culture as one of the biggest digital transformation hurdles. Here's how they prevailed. Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 May 2016
IoT data security and privacy starts now for CIOs -- and educators
IoT data security and privacy is racing to the forefront of CIO agendas. Just ask employees whose companies have doled out fitness wearables, says Niel Nickolaisen. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2016
Without IT process documentation, companies risk being held 'hostage' by IT
As cybersecurity breaches surge, it's important that company leadership know what IT is up to. Kevin McDonald explains why IT process documentation is a must-have best practice. Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2016
Instagram roundup: Disruptive business models, digital investments
2016 Fusion CEO-CIO Symposium caught on Instagram: Follow along as senior news writer Nicole Laskowski chronicles sessions on disruptive business models and digital investments. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2016
Three keys to a good business reorganization
The typical reorg evokes fear, stress and suspicion -- and kills productivity. Here's how to change that. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Mar 2016
Data lake governance: A big data do or die
Data lake governance may not be a sexy undertaking, but it's become a critical component in modern data architecture, according to experts. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2016
Three key ingredients of any data lake implementation
A data lake implementation can provide enormous flexibility for analyzing all types of external and internal data -- but not without these three requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2016
8 free IT budget plan templates for CIOs
Creating a reliable IT budget plan is no cinch, especially in today's digital age. Here, we've rounded up free, customizable IT budget templates to help. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jan 2016
Assessing the cost of private cloud
The high cost of private cloud requires a ton of due diligence on the part of CIOs and business partners. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jan 2016
How to test your DR/BC plan
Woe to the IT organization that hasn't taken its DR/BC plan out for a spin. The right kind of testing will close the gaps and save IT and the business a lot of grief. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Dec 2015
Writing a statement of work? Here's what you should include
A project's success can hinge on having clear and specific details about it. Download this free checklist to see critical elements of a statement of work. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2015
Free statement of work template examples for CIOs
Statements of work are critical in helping CIOs keep projects on track and meet business goals. Check out these free statement of work template examples. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
25 Nov 2015
TechTarget's 2015 salary survey results; the difficulties of organizational agility
The results from TechTarget’s 2015 Annual IT Salary and Careers Survey are in! SearchCIO members broke down the numbers and got reactions from CIOs and IT executives: First, Editorial Director Sue ... Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Nov 2015
How organizational agility will save and destroy your company
Aiming for organizational agility? Prepare to change how you scope work, structure teams, develop talent, practice leadership, and deliver and sell your products. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Oct 2015
IT asset management strategy: License compliance and beyond
In this Q&A on IT asset management strategy, read up on what it's like to run afoul of software companies' license compliance requirements and how IoT will impact ITAM. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Oct 2015
Building an online game platform: Startup caters to developers
The online game platform startup STOVE aims to solve the catch-22 of platform businesses by offering business assistance to its content producers, in addition to user analytics. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Oct 2015
CIOs sound off on Dell-EMC deal; why 'failing fast' is hard
What does the Dell-EMC deal, the largest technology acquisition ever, mean for IT? We asked CIOs and IT pros to weigh in on the deal and its impact on digital strategies, vendor relationships and ... Continue Reading
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Guide
30 Sep 2015
A CIO's guide to enterprise cloud migration
Considering an enterprise cloud migration? This Essential Guide delves into the process and lays out best practices for getting the job done. 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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Tip
31 Aug 2015
Larry Wall's programmer virtues and 'vices'
IT pros who are lazy, impatient and hubristic are just what CIOs need. Gartner analyst Danny Brian explains why in this SearchCIO tip. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Aug 2015
Why platforms enable transformation; experts talk Windows 10 privacy
There are many factors to consider when undergoing a digital transformation: Having a platform to support that transformation is one of them. Senior news writer Nicole Laskowski sat down with MIT's ... 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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Blog Post
05 Jun 2015
Demand shaping in the digital age; Apple's stance on consumer privacy
In the digital era, top-notch IT management is essential to business success. But how do IT and business teams bridge the divide? Experts at the recent MIT Sloan CIO Symposium explain why CIOs ... Continue Reading
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Guide
03 Jun 2015
CIO guide to project management basics, DevOps and Agile
In this Essential Guide, learn project management basics and get expert advice on how to get the most out of DevOps and i an Agile digital strategy. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
15 May 2015
IT systems integration key to multichannel retail; Samsung chips away at IoT market
Digitization is changing the way we shop, and making strong multichannel strategies a necessity for retailers. In this feature, experts discuss how they can adapt to the growing e-commerce market ... Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2015
The secret to becoming a 'digital master'? Close the IT/business gap.
Capgemini's Didier Bonnet shines a light on how businesses are mastering the digital transformation: The Data Mill reports from the CDO Summit. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Apr 2015
Ten analytics success stories in a nutshell
Analytics success stories from the likes of Burberry, CBS, Coca-Cola and L'Oreal. The Data Mill reports. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Apr 2015
Target's need for industrialized IT; A lesson on digital leadership from the pros
Customer demand for Target's Lilly Pulitzer clothing line was so high that it overwhelmed the retail giant's website and mobile app. How could the company have avoided the snafu? Site Editor Fran ... Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Mar 2015
The digital effect on the BPM lifecycle
Digitization has fundamentally changed how businesses operate, but is the same true for business process management? Here's why the BPM lifecycle remains the same. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2015
Loss of focus chief reason for startup failure
Too much passion, too little passion, too many cooks -- there are many factors that can lead to loss of focus and, ultimately, to startup failure. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Feb 2015
Chief innovation officers need friends in high places
Hyatt, Merck and Nestlé Purina execs explain their business processes for innovation and detail why backing from on high is important. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2015
Private cloud termination agreement: What CIOs need to know
Relationships between companies and their cloud providers can be fleeting. Knowing this, it's important for CIOs to think about exit strategies before they sign that cloud contract. David Rutchik, a partner at Pace Harmon LLC, offers advice. Continue Reading
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Quiz
30 Jan 2015
SMAC strategy and governance: A CIO quiz
The intersection of social, mobile, analytics and cloud is transforming IT strategies. Are you properly governing your SMAC strategy? Take this quiz to find out. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Jan 2015
Profiting from big data; highlights from CES 2015
Everybody's talking about big data, but is your company actually profiting from it? IT leaders at two retail companies share their big data money-making secrets with SearchCIO Senior News Writer ... Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jan 2015
A tale of two retailers profiting from big data
A young and an old retailer shed light on how they're profiting from big data. (Hint: The secret is in their approach to project management.) Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Dec 2014
7-Eleven guru's eight-step program for building an innovation team
IT innovation is on every CIO's agenda -- or it should be. Before plotting your strategy, consider these eight tips from 7-Eleven's innovation guru. Continue Reading
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Feature
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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News
24 Jul 2014
What to include in a post-DR-test after-action review
What should go into your organization's after-action review following a disaster recovery test? #CIOChat participants suggest what to include in the report and why. Continue Reading
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Guide
06 Jun 2014
The CIO cloud blueprint: A strategic planning guide
In this CIO Essential Guide, learn how to craft an enterprise cloud blueprint that supports your organization's software and infrastructure needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 May 2014
Four elements of creating business agility
Organizational agility expert Joseph Flahiff lays out four practices that lead to business agility. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Mar 2014
Free IT templates for CIOs and technology managers
SearchCIO rounded up free IT templates from around the Web to help technology managers organize their IT departments, projects and service offerings. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Feb 2014
Free project management template examples for strategic IT planning
These free project management template examples from around the Web provide project guidelines and strategic IT planning tools to CIOs and IT leaders. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2013
CIO tip: Learn how to present a risk-management plan to the board
CIO tip: Companies are getting serious about risk management plans -- and leaning on CIOs to help them. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Oct 2013
Ten big data case studies in a nutshell
What are companies such as Macy's, Tesco, American Express and Wal-Mart Stores doing with big data? The Data Mill reports. Continue Reading
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Quiz
17 Oct 2013
Quiz: Mobile BI strategy, techniques and practices for CIOs
Mobile business intelligence techniques are a hot topic in today's IT departments. Test your knowledge in our mobile BI strategy quiz. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Oct 2013
Creative destruction and the cloud: Why it's a good thing
The creative destruction brought on by the cloud is an imperative and unavoidable part of your IT and business strategy. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Oct 2013
Cloud: A disruptive technology that's worth the disruption
Cloud computing is a disruptive technology that promises to upend the enterprise, but the upsides are worth the risk. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Sep 2013
Free technology roadmap template examples for CIOs
These free technology roadmap templates and examples will clear up your organization's strategic vision, combining detail with overarching goals. Continue Reading
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Guide
03 Sep 2013
The history of cloud computing and what's coming next: A CIO guide
In this enterprise guide, learn about the history of cloud computing and how to successfully implement cloud technologies in your organization. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
19 Aug 2013
Leveraging cloud for backend ops
Leveraging cloud for backend ops At Dallas-based TopGolf, CIO Tom LaPlante is one IT leader who goes well beyond lip service when it comes to innovation. In just over year since he was named the ... Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2013
Netflix uses the OODA loop to stay ahead of the competition
OODA loops, the death of the IT department and personal privacy. The Data Mill brings news from the Gartner Catalyst conference. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jul 2013
All aboard: CIO wins the battle, initiates centralized IT organization
Our SearchCIO IT Leader of the Year Award winner, CIO Eric Hawley, explains how he built a centralized IT environment -- starting with listening. Continue Reading
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Quiz
30 Jul 2013
IT service management and delivery: A quiz for CIOs
Is your IT organization doing all it can to improve user experience? Review our CIO coverage and take our quiz on IT service management and delivery. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Jun 2013
The GRC maturity model and value proposition
In this CIO Matters column, Harvey Koeppel takes a look at the GRC maturity model and how CIOs can turn risk management into business value. 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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Tip
28 Feb 2013
Four steps to defining and articulating the role of risk management
Risk management programs are under pressure from all quarters. Here are four steps to defining and articulating the role of risk management. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Feb 2013
Free cost-benefit analysis template examples for CIOs
Check out this collection of free cost-benefit analysis examples to determine, in a systematic way, which decision or project is the most beneficial to your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2013
Project management lessons learned shouldn't be limited to postmortems
Making project lessons learned part of the project management lifecycle through Agile best practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2012
Free mobile device policy template examples for CIOs
Is the influx of mobile devices out of control at your organization? These free mobile device policy template examples can help you create guidelines. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Oct 2012
Free IT department budget template examples for strategic investments
Making strategic tech investments could help your business stay afloat. Take a look at these free IT department budget templates from around the Web. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Aug 2012
Facial recognition technology to be used by local law enforcement
Can local law enforcement utilize facial recognition technology against images now visible with the new Facebook privacy settings? That's one question raised by this week's Best of the Web, where ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
03 Aug 2012
London summer games CIO deploys piezoelectricity
TechTarget is a believer in fostering new talent in journalism. Welcome Miki Onwudinjo to the SearchCIO-Midmarket.com family as our new editorial assistant. CIOs are leaders in determining the ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
23 Jul 2012
Microsoft source code sexually harasses women in technology
Worried that you missed the latest news? Don't be. We scour the Web and wrangle up the best and brightest from around the blogosphere. This week, we're looking at the Cybersecurity Bill, creepy ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Jul 2012
Leap second creates havoc for cloud computing services
Did the "leap second" get you down this weekend? Did the Amazon cloud computing services outage prevent you from watching old episodes of Louie on your iPad’s Netflix app? Us too. Between all of ... Continue Reading
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Quiz
21 Jun 2012
Millennials 101: Test yourself with our generational diversity quiz
As the Millennial generation enters the workforce, CIOs are balancing a lot of generational diversity. Test your knowledge about managing Millennials. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Jun 2012
The role of the CIO is changing: What is your company doing about it?
I am going through the data from the second annual SearchCIO.com Role of the CIO survey. So far, the data suggests more skewing toward business transformation and innovation and away from ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Jun 2012
Let's not go overboard about Flame malware
The Flame malware exposure reveals some dangers, but keeping those dangers in perspective will be the more prudent position in the long run. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Jun 2012
Corporate innovation: Why you're never going to win
We scoured last week's blogs for the best and brightest blog posts and media on topics of interest to midmarket CIOs. This week we're examining the problems that plague midsize corporations, like ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 May 2012
Strategic and agile equals true business transformation
Linda Tucci raised a great point in her debut CIO Matters column last week. That is, and I'm paraphrasing, how far have CIOs really come in this digital age from being caretakers of technology to ... Continue Reading