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
19 Nov 2024
Best project portfolio management software and tools in 2025
Project portfolio management software and tools in 2025 promote strategic management of projects and agile tactics. Read our PPM list for guidance on which tools do what. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Nov 2024
Why is cryptocurrency rising and bitcoin at an all-time high?
Bitcoin was worth $45,000 USD at the beginning of 2024. But in Nov. 2024, it reached an all-time high of $90,000 USD. Keep reading to see what is driving cryptocurrency optimism. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 May 2018
Got questions? Get them answered -- and make better data-driven business decisions
Companies today want to make data-driven business decisions, but huge volumes data could lead them astray. So could huge volumes of questions about the data. Rue La La's CTO has tips for countering ... Continue Reading
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News
31 May 2018
Equinix expands amid a flourishing data center services market
In this Q&A, Equinix exec Ryan Mallory discusses his company's moves to meet growing demand for data center services and interconnectivity. Continue Reading
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News
21 May 2018
Rue La La CTO: Don't let data poisoning impair business health
If not treated properly, data can corrupt agendas, spur endless arguments and narrow thinking, the e-commerce company's Anthony Accardi says. Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2018
Build 2018 gives the office meeting a high-tech sheen. Does it matter?
A display on the future of meetings at Microsoft's Build 2018 event was a technology tour de force. But analysts said the fanfare sort of misses the point. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Apr 2018
The need for mainframe work continues amid staff shortages
The need for mainframe work continues as important applications continue to reside on these computing machines, but staff shortages are an issue in maintaining big iron's health. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2018
Using RPA development to bridge the gap between legacy and cloud apps
RPA tech has evolved into sophisticated frameworks that automate IT tasks and rules-based processes. Now, RPA benefits are bridging the gap between legacy apps and modern ones. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2018
Computer vision, machine learning skills help fuel surge in AI jobs
A report by the world's No. 1 job site, Indeed, finds there are more AI jobs than ever, but job-seeker interest is leveling out. What accounts for the dwindling enthusiasm among job hunters? Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2018
Digital transformation for insurance: Idaho firm opts for HCI
An Idaho-based property and casualty insurance company has swapped out its VMware infrastructure and separate storage systems for hyper-converged hardware from Scale Computing. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2018
How to build end-user data literacy skills, step by step
Top-notch hospital systems are filled with smart, knowledgeable people eager to use data. But first, they must improve their data literacy, as this case study shows. Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2018
Gartner issues four-part prescription for data and analytics leaders
Fake facts, discrimination, complexity and illiteracy are four challenges CIOs and data experts must overcome to reap the value of data analytics. Also, forget about bimodal IT. Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2018
Two data scientists offer advice on breaking down siloed data
Data scientists offer insight into why the age-old problem of siloed data persists and some concrete advice to CIOs on how to break down the walls. Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2018
'Intelligent tutoring systems' use AI to boost student IQ
Intelligent tutoring systems that track how a student learns become smarter and more useful with practice, according to Carnegie Mellon University's Ken Koedinger. It's all about the data. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Mar 2018
What should companies know about sustainability software?
Sustainability is composed of social, environmental and economic pillars. That's why technologies focused on this market address different needs. Here's a narrow glimpse. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2018
Data and analytics strategy: Lessons learned from spy agencies
Analyst Jim Hare of Gartner offers five ways to turn your company's data and analytics strategy into a competitive advantage by studying what our spy agencies do. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Mar 2018
How does SAP PLM support the product validation process?
Checking and validating each step of product development helps ensure greater success and detects potential failure. Here's a look at how SAP PLM supports that process. Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2018
Neurala claims 'lifelong deep neural nets' don't forget
Boston startup Neurala says it has developed deep neural networks that can learn on the fly. Neurala's COO Heather Ames explains. Continue Reading
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Survey
02 Feb 2018
IT Priorities 2018: Network upgrades, automation, cloud make the cut
The TechTarget IT Priorities 2018 survey finds that networking, automation and cloud projects will keep IT pros busy. IoT and AI lag, but that doesn't mean they aren't happening. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Digital phenotype introduces new kinds of data to clinical setting
John Brownstein of Boston Children's Hospital explains how his team is 'putting the public back in public health' by mining troves of nonclinical data culled from social media. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Sep 2017
For Airbnb, data democratization is a strategic advantage
Home-rental site Airbnb recognized the value of data from its start. Then it built tools and developed training to democratize data, turning employees into data scientists. Continue Reading
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Guide
29 Aug 2017
Enterprise data analytics strategy: A guide for CIOs
This Essential Guide explores enterprise data analytics strategies and how to select the right infrastructure, management tactics and technologies for your organization. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Jul 2017
David vs. Goliath no more, Agile adoption is the new standard
As Agile adoption grows, companies should not be looking to specialists to support agility, says Joseph Flahiff. Make Agile coaching a standard job requirement for team managers. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jul 2017
Book excerpt: The five phases of decision architecture methodology
In this book excerpt, authors Andrew Wells and Kathy Chiang detail the decision architecture methodology, describe its five phases and explain how the strategy drives data monetization. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Mar 2017
Unclouding: How one company reversed the cloud migration process
As cloud use matures, more companies are considering scaling back and starting a reverse cloud migration process. Here is one IT officer's 'unclouding' experience. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Mar 2017
The IT value stream and the quest for 'fast flow'
Business velocity has changed the approach to service delivery and the IT value stream. Achieving 'fast flow' through optimization of IT processes can enable better, faster IT. 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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Blog Post
29 Feb 2016
The four facets of an Agile PMO
The Agile project management office (PMO) leverages the centralized portfolio management team to deliver on projects and products faster, said Michael Nir, president and founder of Sapir Consulting ... 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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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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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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Opinion
13 Oct 2015
Pixar president on why building a 'fail fast' culture is hard
The duality of failure, IBM's bet on cognitive computing, and the difference between a data officer and an analytics officer: The Data Mill reports. 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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News
10 Jul 2015
McCormick spices up food market with digital platform business
Former McCormick CIO Jerry Wolfe talks about his role as CEO of the spice company's new tech spinoff and why a digital platform is so essential to reaching today's foodies. 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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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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News
30 Sep 2014
Does your big data project need a data concierge?
Big data needs better questions; local data concierges might be the next information governance trend; and the downside of data: The Data Mill reports. 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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Opinion
21 Jul 2014
IT leaders explain how to assign a value to your data assets
In the latest CIO Decisions, CIOs and IT experts share their thoughts on infonomics -- placing a value on data assets -- and other of-the-moment IT concerns. 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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Guide
06 Nov 2013
Strategic business intelligence for a mobile future
Gathering, analyzing and providing easy access to data is central to strategic business intelligence programs. Learn more in this CIO Essential Guide. 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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Guide
01 Aug 2013
IT services management and best practices: An enterprise CIO guide
In this Essential Guide, leaders share their IT services management triumphs -- and failures – as well as ITSM advice and best practices. 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
02 Jan 2013
Data storage strategy: Pre- and post-cloud computing
CIO Niel Nickolaisen lays out how the cloud has simplified his data storage strategy … and satisfied his company's data dumping resistance. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Sep 2012
Making a business case for data storage and backup
CIO Niel Nickolaisen lays out how he gets the business to invest in storage and backup technologies starting with a business case for the value of data. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Aug 2012
Free IT service catalog templates for the CIO
Creating and updating an IT service catalog can keep your business running smoothly. Check out these free IT service catalog templates on the Web. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2012
CIO's green technology solutions cut money, time, carbon footprint
Green technology solutions are a vital part of Janet Claggett's CIO role. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Jul 2012
PICK chart (Possible, Implement, Challenge and Kill chart)
A PICK chart (Possible, Implement, Challenge and Kill chart) is a visual tool for organizing ideas. The purpose of a PICK chart is to identify which ideas can be implemented easily and have a high payoff. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2012
Yammer
Yammer is a private microblogging and collaboration platform for enterprise social networking. Unlike public social media platforms such as Twitter,Yammer only allows members to connect with other members who belong to the same email domain. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2012
Eliminating change management process chokeholds
Learn which aspects of the change management process cause bottlenecks, as well as ways to get around them. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Jan 2012
Shared services are the next generation of IT
Last week I wrote about the transformation of banking services into products. This week I want to discuss different types of services--shared services. One of the first technology news stories I ... Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2011
GE's journey from waterfall to Agile practices
General Electric Co. turned to Agile practices to revamp software development in its Energy division. Now Agile is making its way across the company. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2011
Agile project management helps overcome IT obstacles
Traditional project management can ruin the best-intentioned IT efforts. It's time to get flexible and interact with stakeholders using Agile methods. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
12 Jan 2011
Policies, tools and best practices guide for virtualization management
A guide to developing a virtualization management strategy with tips on policies to set, tools to select and best practices for optimizing your virtual environment. Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2009
Pros and cons of IT outsourcing in popular Asian countries
The benefits and challenges of IT outsourcing in India, China, the Philippines and Vietnam range from pricing to intellectual property barriers. Learn more here. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 May 2009
spoliation
Spoliation is the destruction, alteration, or mutilation of evidence that may pertain to legal action. (Continued) Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Mar 2009
Cost reduction tips for your strategic sourcing contracts
CIOs should revisit their strategic sourcing contracts and work closely with their suppliers to analyze current spending and achieve maximum cost reductions. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jan 2008
Data warehouses: Tips for building a disaster recovery plan
Data warehouses are more mission critical now. Read these tips to find out how to build them into a disaster recovery plan. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jun 2007
Laptop security best practices
Laptops can free employees to work remotely, allowing them to telecommute and travel easily. But that freedom comes with security perils. Continue Reading