Tech Accelerator

Tech Accelerator is a learning resource for cybersecurity, storage, AI, data analytics, DevOps, networking, customer experience management, HR, and related business topics.

What is data preparation? An in-depth guide

Data preparation is the process of gathering, combining, structuring and organizing data for use in business intelligence, analytics and data science applications, as explained in this guide.
AI in healthcare: A guide to improving patient care with AI

AI is permeating critical healthcare practices, from interpreting mammograms to discovering life-saving drugs, while surgically transforming hospital workflows.
The 10 best generative AI courses in 2025

These wide-ranging courses help users of all skill levels learn the ins and outs of GenAI, offer advice and training on tools, and keep users updated regarding trends.
What is quantum computing? How it works and examples

Quantum computing is an emerging area of computer science focused on building computers based on the principles of quantum theory to dramatically increase computation speeds.
Guide to building and executing an MSP business model

This managed service guide provides an overview of the business model, covers the basics of building a service provider business and discusses how to manage a maturing operation.
What is ransomware? Definition and complete guide

Ransomware is malware that locks and encrypts a victim's data, files, devices or systems, rendering them inaccessible and unusable until the attacker receives a ransom payment.
What is APM? Application performance monitoring guide

Application performance monitoring is a technology-driven process to ensure business applications perform as expected through real-time performance tracking and trend analysis.
ChatGPT vs. GPT: How are they different?

Although the terms ChatGPT and GPT are both used to talk about generative pre-trained transformers, there are significant technical differences to consider.
What is IT automation? A complete guide for IT teams

IT automation is the use of instructions to create a clear, consistent and repeatable process that replaces an IT professional's manual work in data centers and cloud deployments.
What is GenAI? Generative AI explained

Generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, uses sophisticated algorithms to organize large, complex data sets into meaningful clusters of information in order to create new content, including text, images and audio, in response to a query or prompt.
How to choose an HR software system in 2025: A complete guide

Buying the right HR tools is more critical than ever. This step-by-step guide to HR software will help you identify your needs and pinpoint the features that matter most.
SAP S/4HANA migration: A definitive guide

Moving a business to S/4HANA comes with major risks, yet it is also a real opportunity for digital transformation. Here's the information and best practices to ensure success.
Data storage management: What is it and why is it important?

Effective data storage management is more important than ever, as security and regulatory compliance have become even more challenging and complex over time.
The history of cloud computing explained

Get a clear view of cloud's historical milestones, how it evolved into the juggernaut it is today and transformed the commercial and working worlds for businesses and consumers.
Best IoT conferences and events to attend in 2025

Major IoT conferences in 2025 cover the latest news and developments on IoT platforms, systems design, integration, applications, security, AI and emerging trends.
What is network management?

Network management is a multifaceted discipline that provides network administrators with the tools, protocols and processes to maintain and optimize network operations.
What is business intelligence (BI)? A detailed guide

Business intelligence, or BI, is a technology-driven data analysis process that helps an organization's executives, managers and workers make informed business decisions.
What is identity and access management? Guide to IAM

No longer just a good idea, IAM is a crucial piece of the cybersecurity puzzle. It's how an organization regulates access to information and meets its compliance obligations.
How to detect AI-generated content

AI- or human-generated? To test their reliability, six popular generative AI detectors were asked to judge three pieces of content. The one they got wrong may surprise you.
What is public cloud? A definition and in-depth guide

A public cloud is a third-party managed platform that uses the standard cloud computing model to make resources, applications and services available on demand to remote users around the world.
How to build a business case for cloud migration

Successful cloud migrations start with a solid business plan that details the costs, benefits, risks and challenges to key stakeholders and decision-makers.
Big data analytics and business intelligence: A comparison

BI and big data analytics support different types of analytics applications and using them in complementary ways enables a comprehensive data analysis strategy.
A state-by-state guide to AI laws in the U.S.

In lieu of federal regulation, U.S. states are proposing and enacting AI laws of their own. This up-to-date breakdown by state can help the C-suite keep tabs on developments.
What is Microsoft Copilot? In-depth guide to versions and uses

Microsoft Copilot is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chat service that integrates with many other Microsoft applications and services to support user efficiency and productivity.
CrowdStrike outage explained: What caused it and what’s next

A CrowdStrike update caused a massive IT outage, crashing millions of Windows systems. Critical services and business operations were disrupted, revealing tech reliance risks.
14 top multi-cloud management platforms for 2025

Dig into the benefits -- and drawbacks -- of the top tools and services designed to help enterprises manage their hybrid and multi-cloud environments
What is risk management? Importance, benefits and guide

Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling threats to an organization's capital, earnings and operations.
What is configuration management? A comprehensive guide

Configuration management, or CM, is a governance and systems engineering process used to track and control IT resources, services and applications across an enterprise.
What is cloud management? Definition, benefits and guide

Cloud management refers to the exercise of control over public, private or hybrid cloud infrastructure resources and services.
CI/CD pipelines explained: Everything you need to know

CI/CD can transform an organization, but there's a lot to consider. This comprehensive guide explains the CI/CD pipeline stages, benefits and challenges, best practices and more.
What is enterprise content management? Guide to ECM

Enterprise content management is a set of defined processes, strategies and tools that enables a business to obtain, organize, store and deliver critical information to its employees, business stakeholders and customers.
ESG strategy and management: A guide for businesses

ESG initiatives can help boost business success. This guide takes an in-depth look at creating and managing an ESG strategy to benefit a company and its various stakeholders.
What is machine learning? Guide, definition and examples

Machine learning is a branch of AI focused on building computer systems that learn from data.
The ultimate guide to contact center modernization

Advanced technologies, omnichannel support, agent performance, data security and ROI are keys to modernizing contact centers, but AI integration and customer personalization dominate.
The ultimate guide to cybersecurity planning for businesses

This in-depth cybersecurity planning guide provides information and advice to help organizations develop a successful strategy to protect their IT systems from attacks.
Top 8 enterprise content management challenges to avoid

As organizations strategize enterprise content management, challenges may arise -- like cost, security and storage. Careful planning can avoid these issues.
10 types of contact centers explained

Contact centers are the front line of communication between the enterprise and customers. But no two facilities are alike, so it's best to know which type fits business goals.
Managing unstructured data to boost performance, lower costs

Is unmanaged, unstructured data clogging up your primary storage? Get control of this costly, performance-sapping situation and start managing unstructured data cost-effectively.
Top enterprise risk management certifications to consider

Certifications are essential to many careers. Here are some useful enterprise risk management certifications for risk managers, IT professionals and other workers.
Attributes of open vs. closed AI explained

What's the difference between open vs. closed AI, and why are these approaches sparking heated debate? Here's a look at their respective benefits and limitations.
Guide to supply chain management

Wars and pandemics offer stark evidence of how global supply chains can break apart. Effective supply chain management can restore order -- and maintain it in normal times.
The complete secure access service edge (SASE) guide

SASE helps organizations manage and secure traffic across locations. But is it the best choice for your environment? Use this guide to learn about SASE architecture and providers.
CASB vs. CSPM vs. CWPP: Comparing cloud security tool types

Let's break down some cloud security alphabet soup. CASB, CSPM and CWPP overlap to an extent, but you'll want to pay close attention to how they accomplish different things.
What is data architecture? A data management blueprint

Data architecture is a discipline that documents an organization's data assets, maps how data flows through IT systems and provides a blueprint for managing data, as this guide explains.
What is cloud security management? A strategic guide

This cloud security guide explains challenges enterprises face today; best practices for securing and managing SaaS, IaaS and PaaS; and comparisons of cloud-native security tools.
What is patch management? Lifecycle, benefits and best practices

Patch management is the subset of systems management that involves identifying, acquiring, testing and installing patches, or code changes, that are intended to fix bugs, close security holes or add features.
What is data protection and why is it important?

Data protection is the process of safeguarding data and restoring important information in the event the data is corrupted, compromised or lost due to cyberattacks, shutdowns, intentional harm or human error.
What is SD-WAN (software-defined WAN)? Ultimate guide

Software-defined WAN is a technology that uses software-defined networking concepts to distribute network traffic across a wide area network, or WAN.
What is a cloud database? An in-depth cloud DBMS guide

A cloud database is an organized and managed collection of data in an IT system that resides on a public, private or hybrid cloud computing platform.
What is IT/OT convergence? Everything you need to know

IT/OT convergence is the integration of information technology (IT) systems with operational technology (OT) systems.
What is data backup? An in-depth guide

Data backup is the process of copying data in an IT system to another location so it can be recovered if the original data is lost.
The ultimate guide to mobile device security in the workplace

Mobile devices provide connectivity for employees to access business data and communicate with colleagues, but these unique benefits come with specific security challenges for IT.
Ultimate guide on enterprise unified communications strategy

When formulating a unified communications strategy, enterprises need to consider several key elements. This step-by-step guide helps businesses plan their UC deployment.
What is the metaverse? An explanation and in-depth guide

The metaverse reached the peak of hype and has been left for dead, but make no mistake, the technologies that will power this 3D internet are firing on all cylinders.
What is server virtualization? The ultimate guide

Server virtualization is a process that creates and abstracts multiple virtual instances on a single server.
What is BCDR? Business continuity and disaster recovery guide

Business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) are closely related practices that support an organization's ability to remain operational after an adverse event.
What is data governance and why does it matter?

Data governance is the process of managing the availability, usability, integrity and security of the data in enterprise systems, based on internal standards and policies that also control data usage.
What is DevOps? Meaning, methodology and guide

The word 'DevOps' is a combination of the terms 'development' and 'operations,' meant to represent a collaborative or shared approach to the tasks performed by a company's application development and IT operations teams.
How to design and build a data center

Designing an efficient data center is no small feat. Review data center facility and infrastructure components as well as different standards and suggestions before you begin.
What is incident response? A complete guide

Incident response is an organized, strategic approach to detecting and managing cyberattacks in ways that minimize damage, recovery time and total costs.
The definitive guide to enterprise IT monitoring

This comprehensive IT monitoring guide examines strategies to track systems, from servers to software UIs, and how to choose tools for every monitoring need.
The ultimate guide to ERP

ERP is the nervous system of modern businesses. Learn how it works, understand its risks and benefits, and get tips on deployment in this wide-ranging guide.
Server hardware guide: Architecture, products and management

Today's server platforms offer a host of options for SMBs and enterprise IT buyers; it's important to learn the essentials before making any purchasing decisions.
What is hybrid cloud? The ultimate guide

A hybrid cloud is a cloud computing environment that uses a mix of on-premises, private cloud and third-party public cloud services with orchestration among these platforms.
What is hyperconverged infrastructure? Guide to HCI

Hyperconverged infrastructure is a software-centric architecture that tightly integrates compute, storage and virtualization resources in a single system that usually consists of x86 hardware.
What is business process management? A guide to BPM

Business process management (BPM) is a structured approach to improving the processes organizations use to get work done, serve their customers and generate business value.
Enterprise 5G: Guide to planning, architecture and benefits

An enterprise 5G deployment requires extensive planning. Prepare for advances in wireless technology using this 5G guide that covers use cases, architecture integration and more.
What is cyber hygiene and why is it important?

Cyber hygiene, or cybersecurity hygiene, is a set of practices individuals and organizations perform regularly to maintain the health and security of users, devices, networks and data.
Workplace learning: A complete guide for businesses

Corporate training isn't just about job skills and compliance. With the content delivery power of the web, it's becoming a daily tool for lifelong learning and development.
What is iPaaS? Guide to integration platform as a service

This guide explains all about integration platform as a service (iPaaS), a set of automated tools that integrate software applications that are deployed in different environments.
NFTs vs. cryptocurrency: Key differences and how they work

With the surge in popularity of non-fungible tokens and cryptocurrency, it's important to know the similarities between the two assets and how they vary in uniqueness and use.
What is Web 3.0 (Web3)? Definition, guide and history

Web 3.0 promises a more personalized and intelligent web that uses blockchain decentralization to give control back to users. Here's how to sort through the claims and get ready.
What is account-based marketing? A guide to ABM strategy

Companies increasingly use ABM to target high-value accounts and boost sales revenue. Here's the lowdown on the key terms and technologies, plus expert advice on getting started.
Top 7 NFT use cases for business

NFT adoption remains in its infancy despite a wealth of potential applications. Knowing the most common business use cases can help in planning an NFT deployment strategy.
Ultimate IoT implementation guide for businesses

IoT can offer many benefits to the enterprise, but it can be a challenge to implement. Learn the requirements and use best practices for a successful deployment.
Flash memory guide to architecture, types and products

Flash memory, a staple of consumer electronics, is playing a wider role in enterprise storage. This guide offers an overview of flash, from current use cases to future directions.
What is UCaaS? Unified communications as a service guide

Unified communications as a service (UCaaS) is a cloud delivery model that offers a variety of communication and collaboration applications and services.
Blockchain for businesses: The ultimate enterprise guide

Despite the scary crypto headlines, enterprise blockchain is becoming more practical. Use our in-depth guide to help manage the risks and plan the best deployment for your needs.
Blockchain terminology: A glossary for beginners

Blockchain terminology can be difficult to understand, especially for those new to the technology. This glossary can help beginners learn about the basics of blockchain.
What is PowerShell and how to use it: The ultimate tutorial

PowerShell is an object-oriented automation engine and scripting language with an interactive command-line shell that Microsoft developed to help IT professionals configure systems and automate administrative tasks.
What is unified endpoint management (UEM)? A complete guide

Unified endpoint management (UEM) is an approach to securing and controlling desktop computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets in a connected, cohesive manner from a single console.
Project portfolio management: A beginner's guide

Project portfolio management is a formal approach used by organizations to identify, prioritize, coordinate and monitor projects that align with their strategy and goals.
Guide to building an effective employee experience strategy

Here's how the physical environment, culture and technology shape the employee experience -- and the steps you can take to improve it. It starts with listening.
Ultimate guide to customer service for businesses

Good customer service can make or break a business -- which is why it's more important than ever to understand customer service and develop a strategy to implement it.
What is low-code? A guide to enterprise low-code app development

Learn how low-code concepts and practices code can help enterprise developers be more efficient, create valuable apps more quickly and contribute to broader business initiatives.
What is wireless communications? Everything you need to know

Wireless communications is the transmission of voice and data without cable or wires.
What is the zero-trust security model?

The zero-trust security model is a cybersecurity approach that denies access to an enterprise's digital resources by default and grants authenticated users and devices tailored, siloed access to only the applications, data, services and systems they need to do their jobs.
What is content collaboration? An in-depth guide

Content collaboration covers the tools and processes used to work with others on content, regardless of the medium.
What is network-attached storage (NAS)? A complete guide

Network-attached storage (NAS) is dedicated file storage that enables multiple users and heterogeneous client devices to retrieve data from centralized disk capacity.
8 ways to improve your search engine ranking

Through processes such as keyword research, on-page SEO practices and ensuring a page is mobile-friendly, a website can appear higher in the search engine rankings.
Ultimate guide to recruitment and talent acquisition

It's no longer good enough to recruit for today. You need to take a long view and build a workforce for the next stage of growth. Here's how talent acquisition helps.
What is data security? The ultimate guide

Dig into the essentials of data security, from must-have tools, technologies and processes to best practices for keeping data safe.
What is observability? A beginner's guide

Observability is a management strategy focused on keeping the most relevant, important and core issues at or near the top of an operations process flow.
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.
What is network virtualization? Everything you need to know

Network virtualization is a method of combining the available resources in a network to consolidate multiple physical networks, divide a network into segments or create software networks between VMs.
What is desktop management and how does it work?

Desktop management is a comprehensive approach to managing all the computers within an organization.
What is NetOps? Everything you need to know

NetOps, also referred to as NetOps 2.0 and NetDevOps, is an approach to networking operations that uses DevOps tools and techniques to make network changes more efficiently and effectively than in the past.
The ultimate guide to big data for businesses

Big data is the fuel for today's analytics applications. This in-depth big data guide explains how businesses can benefit from it and what they need to do to use it effectively.
What is PaaS? Platform as a service definition and guide

Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools to users over the internet.
What is predictive analytics? An enterprise guide

Predictive analytics is a form of advanced analytics that uses current and historical data to forecast activity, behavior and trends.