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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Feature
19 Dec 2024
5 steps to design an effective AI pilot project
Getting employee feedback on new technology can help mitigate risks before deployment. Learn key steps to follow when implementing an AI pilot project. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Dec 2024
See what's new in Desired State Configuration v3
Avoid unexpected surprises, and learn how to bring consistency to your on-premises infrastructure and cloud resources with the overhauled configuration management tool. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Oct 2022
user experience
User experience (UX) design is the process and practice used to design and implement a product that will provide positive and relevant interactions with users. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Oct 2022
5 advantages and 6 disadvantages of open source software
Open source software is popular with both small and large organizations, and for good reason. But CIOs should understand which situations works best for this lower cost option. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2022
Gartner: IT spending to grow 5.1% amid optimization push
The market research firm said enterprise IT spending will endure in a tough economy, but noted an emphasis on optimization, productivity gains and rooting out inefficiencies. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2022
Sustainable procurement goes mainstream, influences IT buys
ESG considerations add a new dimension to IT purchasing criteria and, more broadly, could bridge the gap between business leaders and IT professionals. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2022
How to avoid common GPO backup and restore problems
Group Policy Objects help admins maintain control of the enterprise environment, but it takes some planning to understand how to properly protect and recover GPOs to avoid trouble. Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2022
Micron investment to spark chip ecosystem in New York
The $100 billion plan aims to bring businesses and thousands of workers to the Syracuse, N.Y., area -- and boost the chip supply for the IT staples and innovations CIOs pursue. Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2022
Test beds, workforce critical to U.S. technology leadership
The CHIPS and Science Act allows the U.S. to invest in critical technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Sep 2022
How to make the right business case for a tech spend
CIOs should help evaluate management goals to support long-term strategy. Learn how IT can assist business objectives and justify tech spending with a business case. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2022
Consider Azure AD group-based licensing for Office 365 users
Administrators who manage many users can go one step further toward streamlining license assignments by taking advantage of a new feature from Microsoft. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Sep 2022
Business-led IT strategy casts shadow IT in more positive light
Traditional shadow IT is giving way to business-led technology deployments that have the IT department's approval. But CIOs must manage the process to avoid problems. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Sep 2022
macrotrend
A macrotrend is a pervasive and persistent shift in the direction of some phenomenon on a global level. Continue Reading
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News
16 Sep 2022
What's old is new again as Workday aims to break down silos
At its user conference, Workday showcased tech and customer stories on bringing down the walls between HR, IT and finance. It's not a new story, but it may be newly relevant. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Sep 2022
Rich Text Format (RTF)
Rich Text Format (RTF) is a file format that lets you exchange text files between different word processors in different operating systems. Continue Reading
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News
15 Sep 2022
IT services inflation follows broader market trend
CIOs can expect to pay more for consulting and professional services as pricing in the sector continues an upward trend that first surfaced last year. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Sep 2022
How automating distributed cloud infrastructure changes IT
As IT environments become increasingly distributed and complex, organizations are exploring how automation can address their evolving IT operations and infrastructure needs. Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Sep 2022
What to consider in scaling automation for distributed cloud
Infrastructure automation accelerates IT ops, fosters innovation and creates competitive advantage -- but executive support is essential, especially in complex cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Aug 2022
Learn to monitor group memberships with PowerShell
Use PowerShell automation to build reports in local group memberships on a server and security groups in Active Directory to keep tabs on any irregular behavior. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Aug 2022
inkjet printer
An inkjet printer is a computer peripheral that produces hard copies of a text document or photo by spraying droplets of ink onto paper. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Aug 2022
ESG for IT: How CIOs can drive environmental sustainability
Sustainability as a business initiative has rocketed up the priority list as investors, consumers and legislators demand accountability from businesses. Here's how IT can help. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2022
Inflation: Server costs rise, software sells at a premium
Latest PPI data reveals a 3.1% month-over-month uptick for host computers and servers, while storage prices drop slightly and professional services stand pat. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2022
12 AI and machine learning use cases in ITSM
AI-enabled ITSM, while still maturing, promises to greatly improve the speed and quality of IT service management. Here are 12 AI and machine learning use cases in ITSM. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Aug 2022
operation (computing)
An operation, in computing, is an action that is carried out to accomplish a given task. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Aug 2022
deprecated
In information technology (IT), deprecation means that although something is available or allowed, it is not recommended or that -- in the case where something must be used -- to say it is deprecated means that its failings are recognized. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Aug 2022
The effect of digital transformation on the CIO job
Digitization and digital transformation sound similar, but they couldn't be more different in what they demand from CIOs, explains Genpact's Sanjay Srivastava. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Aug 2022
Instilling a culture of digital transformation
Communities of practice, agile methods, cross-functional teams and platform strategies rank among the methods IT leaders use to institutionalize change and create a culture of digital transformation. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 Aug 2022
Learn to perform a DNS backup and restore
DNS outages cause connectivity issues that prevent basic tasks from executing properly. Understand how to perform a restore for a DNS zone, which is not always intuitive. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Aug 2022
fuzzy search
A fuzzy search is a technique that uses search algorithms to find strings that match patterns approximately. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2022
Explore print server alternatives to avoid IT headaches
Increased difficulties related to printing have many organizations exploring their options. See what these third-party print management alternatives have to offer. Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2022
Will cloud, IT services prove recession-resistant businesses?
Partners expect demand for their offerings to endure through economic turbulence and, to some extent, because of the unsettling times; more IT channel news. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2022
House sends CHIPS Act to Biden's desk
Congress approved the CHIPS Act and billions more for scientific research to help the U.S. better compete against China in technology markets. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2022
Technology costs rise as inflation hits hardware, services
Inflation is affecting the CIO market basket, influencing purchasing. Government data showed a sharp increase in cost for servers, which continue to face supply chain issues. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2022
Environmental sustainability considerations for IT teams
With customers, employees and investors pressuring companies to go green, IT needs to take a lead on sustainability. Learn some of the ways IT can make progress. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2022
six degrees of separation
Six degrees of separation is the theory that any person on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
15 Jul 2022
Learn how to set up Windows Server 2022 SMB compression
Microsoft added SMB compression to the new server OS to reduce bottlenecks when transferring files with Windows-based file shares. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2022
PenFed expands chatbot strategy via Salesforce platform
The credit union, one of the nation's largest, is using the Salesforce platform to deploy chatbots that can handle a growing set of customer-facing tasks as well as in-house uses. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Jul 2022
interrupt
An interrupt is a signal emitted by a device attached to a computer or from a program within the computer. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2022
Enterprise architect role reverts to tech in pandemic
The pandemic has sent many enterprises into survival mode, which altered the scope of the enterprise architect's role once again, according to a Forrester Research study. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
30 Jun 2022
Tuning enterprise architecture to cope with accelerating change
In the realm of enterprise architecture, real agility starts with architectural simplicity. Learn how businesses can reduce complexity -- and boost organizational dexterity. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2022
resource allocation
Resource allocation is the process of assigning and managing assets in a manner that supports an organization's strategic planning goals. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jun 2022
POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface)
POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) is a set of standard operating system interfaces based on the Unix operating system. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2022
security audit
A security audit is a systematic evaluation of the security of a company's information system by measuring how well it conforms to an established set of criteria. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2022
Laggards, leaders face digital transformation challenges
No one can relax in digital business: Those trailing behind must conquer the basics to get on the innovation path, while successful firms must endeavor to stay there. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2022
Do you meet all the modern authentication requirements?
Microsoft's push to a more secure method for user authentication and authorization could catch some enterprises flat-footed if IT hasn't done its homework. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Jun 2022
distributed applications (distributed apps)
Distributed applications (distributed apps) are applications or software that run on multiple computers within a network at the same time and can be stored on servers or cloud computing platforms. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Jun 2022
How to set up Exchange Online modern authentication
Microsoft plans to tighten up security on its hosted email platform to prevent attackers from gaining access to user credentials. Is your organization ready? Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Jun 2022
data latency
Data latency is the time it takes for data packets to be stored or retrieved. In business intelligence (BI), data latency is how long it takes for a business user to retrieve source data from a data warehouse or BI dashboard. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Jun 2022
chief data officer (CDO)
A chief data officer (CDO) in many organizations is a C-level executive whose position has evolved into a range of strategic data management responsibilities related to the business to derive maximum value from the data available to the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Report
24 Jun 2022
The evolving CIO role: From IT operator to business strategist
This in-depth guide to the role of the CIO traces the job's evolution, explains what is required of the position today and why it has become so important to businesses. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2022
Eli Lilly data strategy paves way for AI in drug discovery
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has embarked on an enterprise data initiative that paves the way for greater AI use. Read about the company's strategy. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Jun 2022
information technology (IT) director
An information technology (IT) director is the person in charge of technology within an organization. IT directors manage technology resources and employees to ensure that IT operations run smoothly. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2022
CIOs share advice on leading through disruption
Discover how a focus on three areas -- cybersecurity, employee experience and proactive management -- can help CIOs plan for and better manage disruptions. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jun 2022
How to set up automated log collection with PowerShell
Gathering logs from on-premises Windows Server systems or Office 365 cloud services is a necessary but tedious job. Try a PowerShell script to ease the pain. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2022
Microsoft fixes Follina zero-day for June Patch Tuesday
A Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool flaw disclosed on May 30 and exploited in the wild gets resolved in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2022
Alternative data, multimodal AI tech produce new insights
AI fuels the delivery of new sources of investment and corporate information, such as satellite imagery, contact center audio logs, employee sentiment and social media data. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2022
15 tips for delivering a successful presentation to the board
What do you do when everyone thinks they're the smartest person in the room, and all of them are counting on you for answers? Here's how to give a presentation to the board. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Jun 2022
calculator
A calculator is a device that performs arithmetic operations on numbers. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Jun 2022
round robin
A round robin is an arrangement of choosing all elements in a group equally in some rational order, usually from the top to the bottom of a list and then starting again at the top of the list and so on. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2022
Should your digital transformation include gamified apps?
Gamification means more than adding AI or video to apps, or even offering badges and prizes. See how behavioral psychology can engage, motivate and help your audience learn. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2022
Liberty Mutual CIO tackles digital transformation complexity
Liberty Mutual's CIO discusses the difficulty of moving the global insurer to the cloud, shares why a focus on ethical AI is important and weighs in on workplace flexibility. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jun 2022
What is IT-business alignment and why is it important?
It's more important than ever that IT and the business operate from the same playbook. So why do so many organizations struggle to achieve IT-business alignment? Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Jun 2022
conservation of angular momentum
Conservation of angular momentum is a physical property of a spinning system such that its spin remains constant unless it is acted upon by an external torque; put another way, the speed of rotation is constant as long as net torque is zero. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 May 2022
How IT leaders can drive digital innovation
More CEOs want their CIOs and CDOs to think strategically and help transform their organizations' products and services. Learn how some top IT leaders are tackling this challenge. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 May 2022
Key enterprise software-buying team roles, responsibilities
The enterprise software team has critical tasks to achieve for your organization's success. This guide explains each person's role and area of influence and offers tips for success. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2022
MIT Sloan panelists urge cyber resilience focus
Enterprises must prepare for cyber-adversity, think beyond protection, establish lines of communication -- and learn to take a punch, according to security executives. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 May 2022
CIO career path: How to become a CIO
The career path to becoming a CIO has evolved as the role has become increasingly critical to business success. Find out how to become a CIO and what the job entails. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 May 2022
Learn to work with the Office 365 unified audit log
Administrators who need to check on suspicious activities in the Office 365 platform can perform a unified audit log search to help with their investigation. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 May 2022
e-business (electronic business)
E-business (electronic business) is the conduct of business processes on the internet. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2022
Ukrainian startup offers financial cloud, business advice
Fuel offers early-stage companies a mix of cloud-based financial products, working with domestic clients and diversifying into European and U.S. markets. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2022
8 free IT strategic planning templates and examples for CIOs
As technology becomes a business differentiator, a well-thought-out IT strategy plan is more crucial than ever. These IT strategy templates help CIOs make IT a business driver. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 May 2022
multiprogramming
Multiprogramming is a rudimentary form of parallel processing in which several programs run at the same time on a uniprocessor system. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2022
Query event logs with PowerShell to find malicious activity
Every action on a Windows Server system gets recorded, so don't get caught by an avoidable security incident. Learn how to find potential security problems in event logs. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2022
chief procurement officer (CPO)
The chief procurement officer, or CPO, leads an organization's procurement department and oversees the acquisitions of goods and services made by the organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 May 2022
replenishment
Replenishment is the controlled and regular movement of inventory from an upstream point on the supply chain to a downstream location that requires sufficient stock to cover demand. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2022
MIT-CIO event explores pandemic's effect on digital ecosystems
Allan Tate, executive chair of the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, lays out the big idea of the 2022 conference and explains how the event itself reflects its relevance. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 May 2022
CIO vs. CTO: Key differences in roles and responsibilities
CIOs and CTOs both play a valuable role in a company's technology strategy, but their focus and responsibilities are different. Learn more. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 May 2022
troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is a systematic approach to problem-solving that is often used to find and correct issues with complex machines, electronics, computers and software systems. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 May 2022
consumerization of IT
The consumerization of IT refers to how software and hardware products designed for personal use migrated into the enterprise and were used for work purposes. Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2022
MIT Sloan innovation startups pursue AI at scale
Modzy and Snowplow are among the early-stage companies aiming to move AI from science project to enterprise asset. Success will let businesses reap the benefits of the technology. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2022
Microsoft corrects Windows zero-day for May Patch Tuesday
Administrators should plan on extra testing after deploying this month's patches due to the heavy concentration of fixes in three distinct areas of the Windows OS. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
4 types of information technology cultures explained
How the CEO and other top leadership view the IT department has a major impact on how CIOs should make their business cases for new technology. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
Microsoft modern authentication deadline looms over Exchange
Support for basic authentication will end this year, giving administrators who haven't switched to a newer authentication method little time to prepare for a smooth transition. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 May 2022
Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven approach to improving efficiency, customer satisfaction and profits. Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2022
Cal Poly Pomona pursues digital student experience
The public university's digital experience initiative, which builds upon its use of ServiceNow, aims to help students focus on their education rather than administrative tasks. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Apr 2022
business transformation
Business transformation is a term used to describe what happens when a company makes fundamental changes to how it operates. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Apr 2022
Cloud-first strategy forces big shift on IT infrastructure, skills
More and more, IT infrastructure is in the cloud. As organizations adopt cloud-first strategies, forward-looking CIOs are refocusing their teams on new roles and tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Apr 2022
Bolstered BPMN standard is core of new BPM+ ecosystem
BPMN, now part of the expansive BPM+ ecosystem, has been updated with new capabilities to handle complex business processes and the use of advanced technologies. Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2022
Ukrainian company offers lesson in IT resilience
Keiki, a product development company, uses remote collaboration tools and cloud resources to continue operations and keep its educational apps in the hands of children. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2022
IT asset management (ITAM)
IT asset management (ITAM) is a set of business practices that combines financial, inventory and contractual functions to optimize spending and support lifecycle management and strategic decision-making within the IT environment. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Apr 2022
Sound business process architecture requires key traits
Business processes require a coherent enterprise-level architecture. In this excerpt from his new book, Roger Burlton identifies key traits business processes should share. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2022
Microsoft plugs Windows zero-day on April Patch Tuesday
Microsoft issues corrections for 117 unique vulnerabilities this month with a significant number of security updates resolving printer spooler and DNS server problems. Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2022
DOD official asks for faster commercial technology adoption
Michael Brown, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, said the lack of an effective approach to adopting commercial technology is a 'glaring weakness' in modernizing the DOD. Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2022
Gartner IT spending forecast cites higher service prices
CIOs can expect a rate hike as service providers offer their employees more competitive salaries amid talent shortages, higher attrition and soaring utilization rates. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2022
SD-WAN project covers security, latency and cloud
PM Pediatrics, an urgent care provider, hired service provider Vandis to improve branch security, but the project transformed into something much broader. Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2022
Tech companies in Ukraine open economic front in Russian war
Developers and engineers serve as an economic bulwark in the country's battle for survival. The regional reshuffling of talent, meanwhile, could spell higher costs for IT buyers. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Mar 2022
multisourcing (multi-sourcing)
Multisourcing (multi-sourcing) is an approach to outsourcing in which IT operations and technology infrastructure are contracted to a number of vendors, usually in combination with some internally provided elements of information technology. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
Metaverse platforms offer opportunity and risk for CIOs
Accenture's recent Technology Vision event underscored the transformational possibilities of virtual worlds, but also pointed to security and safety challenges. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Mar 2022
The CIO's key role in environmental sustainability
With climate concerns growing by the day, technology leaders are critical to driving sustainability initiatives. Here's advice on getting those started and aligning with the business. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Mar 2022
supply chain visibility (SCV)
Supply chain visibility (SCV) is the ability of parts, components or products in transit to be tracked from manufacturer to final destination. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Mar 2022
Digital transformation projects rekindle innovation, for now
IT leaders began the year with the wind at their backs, building on investments made during the pandemic and focusing anew on innovation. Can it last amid the fog of war? Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Mar 2022
Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Flash Player is software used to stream and view video, audio, multimedia and Rich Internet Applications on a computer or supported mobile device. Continue Reading