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Can Linux Save the Mainframe
The decision to consolidate open servers onto a single mainframe comes down to a total cost of ownership (TCO) issue. Is it more cost-effective to support server environments virtually on the mainframe versus on Intel based servers?
January, 2004
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2004 IT Salary Report
The 2004 IT Salary Report is one of the most accurate studies on technology compensation levels in the industry. This report details the current base salary for over 70 IT disciplines and covers every state, as well as the major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. Salary information is broken out by industry size to help better target the salary levels within specific industries. This comprehensive data is based on surveys and interviews with hundreds of professionals across several industries, and it provides the most current information available on IT salaries.
January, 2004
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Is IT Process Management the Key To Business Alignment?
IT organizations have been hearing a lot these days about the importance of IT and Business Alignment. However, despite the prophesized benefits of this management concept, the majority of organizations that have engaged in a âformalâ alignment project have achieved only mediocre results.
January, 2004
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Escaping the ROI Trap
Determining the ROI of a new IT system or initiative is often a critical step in the decision making process, yet executives often donât trust the data because of subtle biases in perceived risks.
January, 2004
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SQL Server Moves Up to the Enterprise
Microsoftâs SQL Server has a controversial reputation with both notable successes to its credit and serious failures that have impacted operations in some organizations. But SQL Server is increasingly taking on enterprise-level processing, and the question of whether SQL Server is scalable clearly has been answered.
January, 2004
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Database Software Acquisition Plans in Large Organizations
During the period from 2000 through 2002 the number of large IT organizations acquiring new database software steadily declined, mirroring the belt-tightening realities of the past few years. However, that trend reversed in 2003, according to research from Computer Economics' annual Information Systems Spending study. The annual study defines large organizations as having revenues over $750 million.
January, 2004
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Projections for 2004 Show Strong E-Commerce Growth
The rising US economy is just one source of good news for e-commerce prospects in 2004. Contrary to many opinions, e-commerce has led the US recovery. Even before general spending rose following the tax cuts, e-commerce was responsible for higher productivity and revenues.
December, 2003
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Voice Over IP Gains Ground
While VoIP started as a nerdy means for avoiding paying long distance phone charges, today it rapidly is moving into commercial networks. The payoffs from making this move are considerably lower operating expenses. Investigating how well VoIP might fit into your organization should include evaluations of not only the returns that VoIP can potentially deliver but also the risks and impacts on existing network usage.
December, 2003
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B2B Is Hot, Outsourcing… Not
Evans Data Corp, a software development market research firm, is reporting two interesting statistics in its Fall 2003 Enterprise Development Survey.
December, 2003
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Regulatory Issues Drive Long-Term Security Strategies, While Recent Incidents Spike Spending
A recent study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers' Security and Privacy Solutions concluded that the top reason that organizations have increased their security spending in 2003 is to satisfy the requirements of new legislation, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, versus the fear of a major security incident.
December, 2003
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How To Factor Hewlett-Packard’s Grid Strategy Into Your Business Plan
Hewlett-Packard has announced several new ventures aimed at moving grid computing into the enterprise. The timetable for accommodating grid technologies into your HP architecture is going to be a lengthy one. The realities of grid computing are that standards still need to be developed, and despite the vendor hype, no grid systems are operating in the real world today.
December, 2003
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Epicor and Scala Merger–Hope for Epicor’s Future?
Epicor announced last week that it is merging with Netherlands-based ERP vendor Scala Business Solutions. Scala had about $70M in revenue last year, compared to Epicor's $143M for the trailing 12 months. The parties expect the merger to be effective in the first quarter of 2004.
November, 2003
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Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Enterprises today must look realistically at the potential impact of a catastrophic disaster thatâthrough a loss of the IT infrastructureâcould cripple their ability to meet customer needs, fulfill functions in the service or public sectors, or create a large financial loss.
November, 2003
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Optimize Your Mobile Workforce IT Strategy
The mobile workforce is a growing trend across industry sectors. The primary driver of this trend is economic. Savings are partially a result of the elimination of costly real estate, but the primary value of a mobile workforce is the resultant boost in productivity.
November, 2003