IT operations careers and skills
IT operations administrators wear many different hats, which comes with many necessary skills and knowledge. From coding and automation to soft skills and collaboration, IT ops admins are kept on their toes. Get expert tips on enhancing your ITOps career.
Top Stories
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News
13 Dec 2024
Last-minute geek gift ideas for the holidays
Still searching for holiday gifts for geeks? Try these offbeat suggestions recommended by our panel of consultants, from the practical to the fantastic and everything in between. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2024
Top Scrum certifications: Which path to choose
Ready to level up your Agile and Scrum skills? Here are the top certification paths, from Scrum master to Agile leadership, that will make your resume stand out from the others. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Nov 2024
Top 10 generative AI courses and training resources
These wide-ranging resources help users of all skill levels learn the ins and outs of generative AI, offer advice and training on tools, and help users keep up with trends. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Nov 2024
What is an AI prompt engineer?
An AI prompt engineer is an expert in creating text-based prompts or cues that can be interpreted and understood by large language models and generative AI tools. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
21 Nov 2024
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2024 news coverage
This guide to the North American and European KubeCon + CloudNativeCon events covers updates to Kubernetes and other open source cloud-native technologies. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Nov 2024
What is an AI prompt?
An artificial intelligence (AI) prompt is the input submitted to a large language model (LLM) via a generative AI platform, like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Nov 2024
Tips for learning new technologies
Technology doesn't stop evolving and neither should you. Stay sharp on your tech expertise with the strategies outlined in this article to adapt to the changing tech landscape. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2024
A guide to the CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ certification exam
CompTIA recognizes that nontechnical decision-makers require knowledge of cloud services, accounting and design. Could the Cloud Essentials+ exam provide a solution? Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2024
13 common QA interview questions and answers
Use these typical QA interview questions -- broken into basic, intermediate and advanced -- to progress from the screening interview to the final stages and land the job. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2024
Diversity in leadership: Forge your own success
Eugina Jordan is a CMO in tech who wrote a leadership book for underrepresented professionals who want to become corporate leaders. Here, she answers four questions about the book. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Oct 2024
Key technical debt reduction strategies
Suboptimal software fixes cost time and money as well as strain departments throughout the organization. Here's how to develop software the right way. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Sep 2024
What is PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act)?
PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act, sometimes seen as Plan, Do, Check, Adjust) is a repetitive four-stage model for continuous improvement in business process management. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Sep 2024
What is an IT service catalog?
An IT service catalog is a list of information technology resources and offerings available from the IT service provider within an organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Sep 2024
What is impedance?
Impedance, denoted with Z, is an expression of the opposition that an electronic component, circuit or system offers to alternating or direct electric current. Continue Reading
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Podcast
12 Sep 2024
CTO challenges software security status quo
A former U.S. Department of Homeland Security researcher argues that software is fundamentally broken from a security perspective. So, where does the industry go from here? Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Sep 2024
14 tips for taking exams as an adult learner
Preparing for IT certification exams as an adult is a different experience. This article offers effective study habits and time management tips for an exam to help you succeed. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Aug 2024
10 top study tips for adult learners
Learning new material can be challenging for adults considering life distractions and ever-changing technology. Check out these study tips to help you focus and gain new skills. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Aug 2024
7 popular tech side hustles in 2024
For those looking to earn extra money, there are side hustles specific to tech. Learn about top tech side gigs such as app development, data analysis and prompt engineering. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Aug 2024
Top 9 most in-demand tech jobs of 2024
For job seekers in 2024, it's important to find a role that will be in high demand both now and in the coming years. Here are nine of the most promising jobs in technology. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Aug 2024
What is ROI? How to calculate return on investment
Return on investment (ROI) is a crucial financial metric investors and businesses use to evaluate an investment's efficiency or compare the efficiencies of several different investments. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Aug 2024
9 AI-proof IT jobs, plus how to be irreplaceable
As automation and artificial intelligence tools do more work in more organizations, some technologists are worried AI will take their job. Learn which jobs are safest and why. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jul 2024
Understand the k-means clustering algorithm with examples
The k-means clustering algorithm groups similar objects or data points into clusters. This approach is popular for multivariate numeric data. Continue Reading
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Video
19 Jul 2024
An explanation of data architects vs. data engineers
Data architects and data engineers are both necessary for effective data management teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2024
GitOps vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
Compare GitOps vs. DevOps for your organization. GitOps focuses on applications and infrastructure, whereas DevOps covers tools, collaboration and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2024
How to build and organize a machine learning team
Explore the process of building an ML team, including reasons to build one and descriptions of the core roles of project manager, data engineer, data scientist and ML engineer. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Jun 2024
How to use regex in PowerShell
A regular expression is a series of characters that determine a matching pattern in text to find or replace input validation. Walk through a regex example in PowerShell. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Jun 2024
machine learning engineer (ML engineer)
A machine learning engineer (ML engineer) is a person in IT who focuses on researching, building and designing self-running artificial intelligence (AI) systems to automate predictive models. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 May 2024
information technology (IT)
Information technology (IT) is the use of computers, storage, networking and other physical devices, infrastructure and processes to create, process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 May 2024
strategic management
Strategic management is the ongoing planning, monitoring, analysis and assessment of all necessities an organization needs to meet its goals and objectives. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2024
intellectual property (IP)
Intellectual property (IP) is a term for any intangible asset that is the product of someone's mind. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Apr 2024
project scope
Project scope is the part of project planning that involves determining and documenting a list of specific project goals, deliverables, tasks, costs and deadlines. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Apr 2024
internet
The internet, sometimes simply called 'the net,' is a worldwide system of interconnected computer networks and electronic devices that communicate with each other using an established set of protocols. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Mar 2024
IT project management
IT project management is the process of planning, organizing and delineating responsibility for the completion of an organizations' specific information technology (IT) goals. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Mar 2024
strategic planning
Strategic planning is a process in which an organization's leaders define their vision for the future and identify their organization's goals and objectives. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Feb 2024
revenue cycle management (RCM)
Revenue cycle management (RCM) is the financial process, utilizing medical billing software, that healthcare facilities use to track patient care episodes from registration and appointment scheduling to the final payment of a balance to ensure proper identification, collection and management of revenues from patient services. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2024
11 best free DevOps certifications and training courses in 2024
Learn why DevOps is important and how getting certified can help launch a career in the field with these 11 free certifications for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Jan 2024
DevOps engineer
A DevOps engineer is an IT professional who works with software developers, systems operators and other production IT staff to oversee code releases and deployments. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Jan 2024
shared services
Shared services is a delivery model organizations use to consolidate similar business functions into a single unit that supports the entire organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jan 2024
startup culture
A startup culture is a workplace environment that values creative problem-solving, open communication and a flat hierarchy. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Jan 2024
runlevel
A runlevel is an operating state on a Unix and Unix-based operating system that is preset on the Linux-based system. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Jan 2024
paternalistic leadership
Paternalistic leadership is a managerial approach that involves a dominant authority figure who acts as a patriarch or matriarch and treats employees and partners as though they were members of a large, extended family. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Jan 2024
GNU Project
The GNU Project is a mass collaborative initiative for the development of free software, specifically a free operating system called GNU. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Jan 2024
cost price
Cost price is the total amount of money that it costs a manufacturer to produce a given product or provide a given service. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Dec 2023
pilot program (pilot study)
A pilot program, also called a feasibility study or experimental trial, is a small-scale, short-term experiment that helps an organization learn how a large-scale project might work in practice. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Dec 2023
SRE vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
The lines between site reliability engineering and DevOps aren't always clear. Building a harmonious relationship between the teams starts with understanding their distinct roles. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Dec 2023
localization
Localization is the process of adapting and customizing a product to meet the needs of a specific market, as identified by its language, culture, expectations, local standards and legal requirements. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Dec 2023
holistic (holistic technology)
Holistic technology is an approach to IT management that considers the infrastructure as a whole instead of as a collection of individual systems. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Dec 2023
IT cost structure
IT cost structure refers to the relationship between different types of expenditures within a larger IT budget. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Nov 2023
Geek gift guide 2023: Security first, at home and on the go
The COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended in 2023, but the threat of cyberattacks grew. Geeks had security on their minds, along with home comforts and travel gear. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Nov 2023
process innovation
Process innovation refers to a change in an existing operation or product that creates significant value for an organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2023
platform engineering
Platform engineering is a specialized discipline within software development that focuses on designing, building, maintaining and improving the toolchains and workflows software developers use. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Nov 2023
ITIL V3
ITIL V3 is the third version of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), a globally recognized collection of best practices for managing IT and for implementing IT service management (ITSM) practices. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Nov 2023
ICT (information and communications technology or technologies)
ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is the infrastructure and components that enable modern computing. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Nov 2023
cross-functional team
A cross-functional team is a workgroup made up of employees from different functional areas within an organization who collaborate to reach a stated objective. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Oct 2023
site reliability engineering (SRE)
Site reliability engineering (SRE) is the application of scripting and automation to IT operations tasks such as maintenance and support. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Sep 2023
10 DevOps engineer skills to add to your resume
DevOps plays a critical role in modern IT. As app development and deployment practices change, orgs will seek pros with hands-on experience -- and the skills to match. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Sep 2023
enterprise IT (enterprise-class IT)
Enterprise-class IT (also known as enterprise-grade, or enterprise IT) is hardware, software and other IT services designed to meet the demands of a large organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Sep 2023
IT modernization
IT modernization is the process of updating an organization's information technology infrastructure, practices and systems to keep up with emerging technologies. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2023
10 common platform engineering interview questions
Platform engineering is gaining popularity across software enterprises. Job candidates can practice answering these 10 common questions to prepare for their interviews. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Aug 2023
IT controls
An IT control is a procedure or policy that provides a reasonable assurance that the information technology (IT) used by an organization operates as intended, that data is reliable and that the organization is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Aug 2023
IT organization (information technology organization)
An IT organization (information technology organization) is the department within a company that's charged with establishing, monitoring and maintaining information technology systems and services. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Aug 2023
IT audit (information technology audit)
An IT audit is the examination and evaluation of an organization's information technology, operations and controls. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Aug 2023
ISACA
ISACA is an independent, nonprofit, global association that engages in the development, adoption and use of globally accepted information system (IS) knowledge and practices. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Aug 2023
deputy CIO (deputy chief information officer)
Deputy CIO (chief information officer) is a role within some organizations that generally has responsibility for overseeing day-to-day information technology (IT) operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Aug 2023
cohort learning
Cohort learning is a learning strategy prioritizing coursework or lessons that groups of students complete together in an interactive fashion. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a service in Microsoft Windows operating systems (OSes) that allows download from and upload of files to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web servers and Server Message Block (SMB) file servers. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Aug 2023
How to kickstart a proof-of-concept IT project
Like any IT initiative, operations staff need a clear vision for a proof-of-concept project. From the justification to reporting stages, knowing the steps can bolster PoC success. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Aug 2023
26 tips to get the most out of a conference
With conference season fast approaching, use these tips to show up prepared to make the most out of your experience -- before, during and after the event. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jul 2023
invitation to tender (ITT)
An invitation to tender (ITT) is a formal document that is issued by a company or an organization inviting suppliers or contractors to submit a bid for a project or service. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2023
4 sustainability leaders reveal career path, challenges, goals
There's a demand for companies to create dedicated sustainability roles. Here are key insights and advice from four sustainability leaders on how to succeed in this career path. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
Practice troubleshooting Kubernetes clusters using log data
Knowing how to interpret application logs is essential for successful Kubernetes troubleshooting. Get hands-on practice with this walkthrough from Kubernetes expert Chad Crowell. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
A Kubernetes expert shares CKA exam preparation tips
Kubernetes admin and author Chad M. Crowell discusses how to prep for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam, whether getting a Kubernetes certification is worth it and more. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jun 2023
3 IT and DevOps trends to watch in the second half of 2023
From managing cloud costs in an uncertain economy to embracing AI and other emerging technologies, IT leaders face major challenges as they head into the second half of 2023. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2023
meter per second (m/s)
The meter per second (m/s) is the standard unit of speed and velocity in the International System of Units. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Jun 2023
prototyping model
The prototyping model is a systems development method in which a prototype is built, tested and then reworked as necessary until an acceptable outcome is achieved from which the complete system or product can be developed. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jun 2023
continual service improvement
Continual service improvement (CSI) is a method to identify and execute opportunities to improve IT processes and services, and to objectively measure the effects of these efforts over time. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Jun 2023
Request for Offer (RFO)
A Request for Offer (RFO) is a document an organization issues to solicit bids or proposals from potential suppliers for goods or services. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Jun 2023
Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)
A Chief Medical Information Officer, or CMIO, essentially serves as the bridge between medical and IT departments at a healthcare organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Jun 2023
business capability
A business capability is the ability of an organization to achieve a specific outcome or objective. Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2023
AI and automation take center stage at AnsibleFest 2023
Amid excitement around the possibilities raised by AI and automation, experts at Red Hat Summit and AnsibleFest 2023 highlighted the importance of trust and responsibility. Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2023
Ansible Lightspeed leads Red Hat generative AI agenda
Red Hat leans on IBM's expertise in training Watson Code Assistant to write Ansible playbooks, as worries linger about AI-generated code risks and rivals hold a strong lead. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 May 2023
World's 10 best cities for tech workers
Explore the key characteristics that make each city stand out, such as high pay, low cost of living, job opportunities and innovation. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 May 2023
Mini-ITX
Mini-ITX is a compact motherboard configuration designed to support relatively low-cost computers in small spaces such as in automobiles, set-top boxes and network devices. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 May 2023
5 best practices for building a strong DevOps culture
Under the CALMS framework, establishing an open, collaborative culture from the outset is just as important as tools and technologies when starting out on your DevOps journey. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 May 2023
telecommuting
Telecommuting allows an employee to complete work assignments from outside the traditional workplace using telecommunications tools such as email, phone, chat and video apps. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2023
Cloud repatriation vs. multi-cloud: IT seeks cost relief
Amid fiscal worries, IT orgs reassess cloud investments. Whether they go back on-premises or expand to multi-cloud, they face similar distributed computing management challenges. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2023
The promises and risks of AI in software development
Incorporating AI into software development could be transformative, but it raises ethical and practical concerns. What does AI-generated code mean for the tech sector's future? Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2023
KubeCon highlights open source to combat climate change
Addressing climate change takes a community. At KubeCon Europe 2023, experts discussed how open source practices and projects can foster sustainability. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Apr 2023
systems operator (sysop)
In IT, a systems operator (sysop) is a person who runs computer servers and other devices on a daily basis in a data center. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Apr 2023
Build, operate, transfer (BOT)
Build, operate, transfer (BOT) is a project management technique where a company hires a third-party firm to create a new subsidiary or product. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2023
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification that was offered by Microsoft for IT professionals who demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and administering Windows server infrastructure, as well as other Microsoft technologies. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Apr 2023
Apache
In computers, the Apache Software Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining many open source software projects. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Apr 2023
mutation testing
Mutation testing, also known as code mutation testing, is a form of white box testing in which testers change specific components of an application's source code to ensure a software test suite can detect the changes. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Apr 2023
reactance
Reactance is a form of opposition generated by components in an electric circuit when alternating current (AC) passes through it. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2023
Platform engineering vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
Platform engineering and DevOps both contribute to successful software development, but it's important to understand the nuances between the two functions in an IT organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Apr 2023
How tech leaders can develop an IT sustainability plan
Sustainability is on many tech leaders' minds, but knowing where to start can be daunting. CIO Niklas Sundberg shares his experience building an IT sustainability plan. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2023
6 ways to overcome data center staffing shortages
Retirements, skills gaps and tight budgets are all factors in recent data center staffing shortages. Focus on recruitment, training and other areas to attract more candidates. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2023
How to avoid remote software engineer burnout
Software developer burnout is real. Here are some strategies programmers can use to avoid it. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2023
Who profits from open source maintainers' work?
Open source is critical to the tech industry, but nearly half of maintainers work unpaid -- and the situation is becoming untenable amid rising corporate use and security concerns. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Mar 2023
IT performance management
IT performance management is the supervision of an organization's IT infrastructure to ensure key performance indicators, service levels and budgets comply with the organization's goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Mar 2023
How to choose IT operations metrics that deliver real value
The sheer volume of data collected in today's IT environments can be overwhelming. But by focusing on the user experience, IT ops teams can pinpoint the metrics that matter most. Continue Reading