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  • Research Bytes - Windows Server 2008 to Dominate Data Centers by 2010

    Windows Server 2008 to Dominate Data Centers by 2010

    Historical evidence indicates that Windows Server 2008 will eventually take over a sizeable portion of the processing load in data centers. According to a Computer Economics survey of over 200 CIOs and senior IT managers, previous versions of Windows operating systems are now handling the majority of the load, but the 2008 version of Windows Server is likely to become the primary operating system in the typical data center within three years.

    March, 2008

  • IT Best Practices - Holding IT Accountable for Energy Costs

    Holding IT Accountable for Energy Costs

    Rising energy costs are creating new pressures on IT managers to lower the amount of energy consumed by data centers. Yet, surprisingly, nearly half of IT organizations are not held accountable for energy costs in their IT budgets. This article analyzes current practices in IT budgeting for power and cooling costs, looks at two key concepts for assessing the return on investment from more energy-efficient data center technologies, and suggests ways in which IT mangers could actually benefit from having utilities charged to the IT budget. (4 pp., 4 figs.)[Executive Summary]

    March, 2008

  • Technology Trends - Features Will Push Windows Server 2008 Adoption

    Features Will Push Windows Server 2008 Adoption

    The rollout of Windows Server 2008 offers IT managers an array of new capabilities and the potential to reduce administrative burden and enhance security. This article explains the new features of Server 2008 that we predict will drive its adoption, the five flavors of the OS, and the data center roles that each of them play. We conclude with our projections for Windows Server 2008 adoption levels through 2011.  (4 pp., 5 figs.)[Executive Summary]

    March, 2008

  • Research Bytes - IT Salaries Rising Despite Economic Slowdown

    IT Salaries Rising Despite Economic Slowdown

    After several years of growing investment in technology, IT managers are now coming under pressure to restrain headcount, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of their IT operations due to the slowing economy. At the same time, there is ample evidence that investments in Web-based initiatives, database-centric business applications development, and converged voice/data networks will continue to place upward pressure on salaries for certain job functions where skills are in tight supply. This free Research Byte is an executive summary of our 2008 IT Salary Report, which provides an analysis of IT staffing and salary trends from 2001 through 2007, including our projections for 2008. It also provides extensive tables of salaries for 78 IT job positions in 78 U.S. metropolitan areas for small, medium, and large organizations at the median, 25th, and 75th percentiles.

    February, 2008

  • Technology Trends - Federated Approach to Configuration Management Database Yields Quickest Benefits

    Federated Approach to Configuration Management Database Yields Quickest Benefits

    Choosing and implementing a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) is often one of the earliest projects in an ITIL program. However, many implementations fail, because they are not clear on the needed functionality or they try to do too much before delivering business value. This report identifies the major types of CMDB applications and analyzes why a federated approach to CMDB is recommended. It also suggests an implementation approach for delivering maximum value. Finally, we provide recommendations concerning the staffing levels required for ongoing support of CMDB data management. (3 pp., 1 fig.)

    February, 2008

  • Research Bytes - CMDB Benefits: No Slam Dunk

    CMDB Benefits: No Slam Dunk

    Our study on Configuration Management Database (CMDB) systems indicates that implementing and maintaining these systems can be a daunting, resource-intensive process. CMDB solutions are still in their infancy, and the companies that have successfully deployed such systems are few. Still, while the tasks associated with CMDB maintenance can be significant, all IT managers must know the components of their IT systems in order to use, maintain, control, and improve them in a sensible manner. When properly implemented, the benefits can be significant.

    February, 2008

  • Technology Trends - Configuration Management Database ROI Requires Careful Implementation

    Configuration Management Database ROI Requires Careful Implementation

    All IT managers need up-to-date knowledge of organizational IT assets and resources. Yet, maintaining timely information on all IT assets, their configurations, and relationships can be a monumental task. One solution to this problem is the Configuration Management Database (CMDB). In this study, we examine adoption trends of CMDB solutions among small, medium, and large companies, as well as the return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO) experiences of the companies that have implemented these systems. We conclude with recommendations for companies considering implementing a CMDB solution. (4 pp., 4 figs.)[Executive Summary]

    February, 2008

  • Research Bytes - Are You Spending Enough on Business Continuity?

    Are You Spending Enough on Business Continuity?

    Business continuity planning and disaster recovery capabilities can be a tough sell because they do not contribute to the bottom line. Spending on business continuity preparedness can be an open-ended proposition--there is always more that could be done to better prepare the organization. Therefore, IT managers must assess how much spending is appropriate for the level of risk an organization is willing to accept.  

    February, 2008

  • Research Bytes - IT Salaries to Rise Despite Economic Slowdown

    IT Salaries to Rise Despite Economic Slowdown

    (IRVINE, Calif.) Despite signs economic slowdown, IT salaries will rise an average of 3.7% this year, according to the Computer Economics 2008 IT Salary Report.

    February, 2008

  • IT Best Practices - Business Continuity Spending: How Much Is Enough?

    Business Continuity Spending: How Much Is Enough?

    How much business continuity spending is appropriate for the level of risk an organization is willing to accept? In this study, we look at average spending on business continuity as a percentage of the IT budget. Because risks and compliance issues can vary widely from sector to sector, we break down spending by industry to provide more targeted metrics. We also analyze spending by organizational size and look at the change in spending levels from 2006 to 2007. Finally, we investigate how organizations rank disaster recovery improvements as a budgetary priority. (4 pp., 5 figs.)[Executive Summary]

    February, 2008

  • IT Salaries - 2008 IT Salary Report

    2008 IT Salary Report

    This edition of our annual salary report provides 2008 salary ranges for 78 specific IT job positions in 78 U.S. metropolitan areas along with high-level job descriptions for each position. Salary ranges are further broken down by organizational size for each job position within each metropolitan area. Organizational sizes are defined as small (annual revenues less than $250 million), medium ($250-750 million), and large (over $750 million). To aid in analysis, all salary statistics are provided at the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. (322 pp., 84 figs.) [Detailed Description of this Report]

    January, 2008

  • Research Bytes - Companies Spending 27% of IT Budget on New Initiatives

    Companies Spending 27% of IT Budget on New Initiatives

    (IRVINE, Calif.) The average company allocated 27% of its IT budget to spending on new initiatives last year, indicating that companies were investing in emerging technologies, infrastructure improvements, and new business applications at a healthy level, according to Computer Economics.

    January, 2008

  • Research Bytes - VoIP Adoption to Surpass 50% Mark This Year

    VoIP Adoption to Surpass 50% Mark This Year

    (IRVINE, Calif.) About 43% of all organizations have already adopted some form of Voice over IP (VoIP) technology, and adoption rates should surpass the 50% mark for the first time in 2008, according to a Computer Economics survey.

    January, 2008

  • IT Spending Benchmarks - IT Spending For New Initiatives: Key Measure of Efficiency, Competitiveness

    IT Spending For New Initiatives: Key Measure of Efficiency, Competitiveness

    Tracking the ratio of ongoing IT support costs to new-initiative spending can be critical for maintaining a proper level of investment in IT infrastructure. In this study, we look at the percentage of the IT budget currently allocated to new initiatives, establish a benchmark for an appropriate ratio of spending on new initiatives versus ongoing support, assess current practices on tracking new-initiative spending, and discuss advantages for establishing systems to track this important ratio. The study is based on interviews with IT executives and a survey conducted in October and November 2007 on IT budgeting. The study analyzes responses from 112 IT executives representing companies with annual sales between $30 million and $100 billion. (3 pp., 4 figs.)[Executive Summary]

    January, 2008

  • Technology Trends - VoIP Usage Ramps, But ROI Sometimes Illusive

    VoIP Usage Ramps, But ROI Sometimes Illusive

    Over the last several years, enterprises of all sizes have evolved from merely piloting voice over IP (VoIP) technology to enacting full-scale deployments. This year, Computer Economics research indicates that, for the first time, the majority of businesses will have implemented some form of VoIP technology. In this study, we examine adoption trends by small, midsize, and large organizations. We also look at return on investment (ROI) and the predictability of total cost of ownership (TCO), and we conclude with a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of IP telephony systems. This analysis is based on our annual survey of CIOs and senior IT managers. (4 pp., 5 figs.)[Executive Summary]

    January, 2008