Computerworld Enterprise News

Unified communications still fragmented

(Bob Violino) — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

The technology may get a big push from mobile adoption, but integration among multiple UC components is still a tough slog.

NetSuite rolls out commerce-as-a-service platform

(Chris Kanaracus) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:35:00 GMT

NetSuite is going up against vendors such as Demandware and Venda in the market for cloud-based e-commerce platforms, announcing a new product, SuiteCommerce, during the SuiteWorld conference in San Francisco on Tuesday.

SAP lays out cloud strategy post-SuccessFactors deal

(Chris Kanaracus) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:06:00 GMT

SAP announced a broad set of plans to become a player in cloud computing, spanning from a "loosely coupled suite" of business applications to data integration and PaaS (platform as a service) Tuesday during the Sapphire conference in Orlando.

SAP certifies Business All-in-One for Amazon Web Services

(Chris Kanaracus) — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:31:00 GMT

SAP has certified its Business All-in-One ERP application for cloud-based deployments on Amazon Web Services, the companies announced Friday.

Public-sector cloud computing: The good, the bad and the ugly

(Howard Baldwin) — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

From California and Utah to Ohio, Massachusetts and Maine, state and local governments are using the cloud to update antiquated systems, but the hurdles are high.

Epicor to move its apps to Microsoft's Azure cloud

(Chris Kanaracus) — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:42:00 GMT

Epicor is planning to work with Microsoft to bring Epicor's ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications to the Azure cloud service, the companies announced Tuesday during Epicor's Insights conference in Las Vegas.

Today, printers. Tomorrow, 'integrated peripherals'?

(Lamont Wood) — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Printers are evolving from passive devices as vendors cram more features into them and buyers find ways to better integrate them into the overall environment.

No big shift to the cloud for unified communications and collaboration

(Computerworld Staff) — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

The 2012 IDG Enterprise Unified Communications and Collaboration survey highlights the uptick in adoption and investments. Insider (registration required)

Half of all Macs will lack access to security updates by summer

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:50:00 GMT

Unless Apple changes its security update practice, nearly half of all Mac users will be adrift without patches sometime this summer.

Open-source cloud frameworks: A work in progress

(Robert L. Scheier) — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Here's a look at the growing list of open-source platform-as-a-service providers and how IT managers can decide where the technology fits best in their organizations.

Open source enables high-volume searches

(Stacy Collett) — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

With the explosion of unstructured data, companies are looking for more options for enterprise search. Here's a look at the benefits and limitations of open-source search-enabled applications.

Prioritizing tech projects: How managers make a short list of long demands

bstack@stackpolepartners.com (Beth Stackpole) — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

IT is under pressure to get more agile in its delivery methods and pursue flexible prioritization strategies to work with, not against, the burgeoning needs of the business.

Sage moves ERP apps to Microsoft's Azure cloud

(Chris Kanaracus) — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:58:00 GMT

Following an ongoing industry trend, Sage Group is moving a number of its ERP software products to Microsoft's Azure cloud service.

iPad in the Enterprise: IT Must Stay Ahead of the Curve

(Tom Kaneshige) — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:50:00 GMT

In a wide-ranging interview, an Apple expert shares real-world experiences about iPads in the enterprise, mobile device management and BYOD. Key takeaways for IT: Don't improvise when it comes to iPad adoption and don't get bypassed by rogue users.

IBM goes after enterprise mobility projects

(Stephen Lawson) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:55:00 GMT

IBM took steps on Monday to help enterprises go mobile, introducing a set of software and services called Mobile Foundation.

Get virtualization out of its silos

(Howard Baldwin) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

To take full advantage of virtualization's high-level benefits, companies must view the technology's capabilities across the entire IT organization. Here's some expert advice on creating a virtualization strategy that looks at the big picture. Insider (registration required)

Google Drive could be a boon -- and a headache -- for IT

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:56:00 GMT

With the launch of Google Drive this week, IT managers can look forward to a potential new productivity tool -- and some significant headaches, analysts say

SAP sees strong momentum for HANA and SuccessFactors business

(John Ribeiro, Loek Essers) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:42:00 GMT

Business software vendor SAP expects software and software-related service revenue to increase in the range of 10 to 12 percent at constant currencies during the year, largely in line with preliminary estimates that the company released earlier this month.

Most initial Oracle Fusion Applications customers going with cloud deployment

(Chris Kanaracus) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:02:00 GMT

Most of the 250 customers that have licensed Oracle's recently launched Fusion Applications so far have chosen a SaaS deployment model instead of running it on-premises, a senior executive said this week during the Collaborate user group conference in Las Vegas.

The upside of shadow IT

julia_king@computerworld.com (Julia King) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

As employees bypass IT and regularly subscribe to collaboration, analytic and other cloud services with the press of a button, some of the savviest CIOs are embracing and even encouraging shadow IT. Here's why.

The new help desk: Agile, educational, efficient

johnmbrandon@gmail.com (John Brandon) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Whether it's a 'teaching moment' or a system that provides more efficient ticket tracking, the help desk is getting a much-needed assist in some shops.

The Grill: SuperValu's Wayne Shurts on 'intensely business-focused IT'

markmary1@verizon.net (Mary K. Pratt) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Wayne Shurts, executive vice president and CIO at SuperValu, talks about how he's working to help the IT department at the grocery retailer better support the company's overall business. Insider (registration required)

E-discovery in the cloud? Not so easy

tharbert@comcast.net (Tam Harbert) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Companies often assume data in the cloud is inherently discoverable, but is it? Know what questions to ask your cloud vendor so you can get your data back when required.

Microsoft touts corporate tools in Windows 8 Enterprise

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Microsoft yesterday laid out the exclusive features of Windows 8 Enterprise, one of three editions of the upcoming OS and the only one limited to corporate customers.

Amazon Web Services offers one-click purchase of cloud apps from IBM, SAP, others

(Chris Kanaracus) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:06:00 GMT

Amazon Web Services on Thursday announced a new online marketplace that allows customers to buy software and services from a variety of vendors at hourly rates through its cloud infrastructure platform.

Workday update pushes it deeper into Oracle, SAP's turf

(Chris Kanaracus) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:03:00 GMT

Workday is rolling out version 16 of its cloud-based ERP (enterprise resource planning) software to customers this week, an update that includes upgrades to the financials component that could help it steal away deals with large enterprises from the likes of Oracle and SAP.

Time to de-Flash your site?

(David Weldon) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Flash is a problem for iDevices, which makes mobile access to a website problematic. Here's what smart shops are doing about it.

BYOD: 'The inmates of the asylum have control'

(Ann Bednarz) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:46:00 GMT

Mobile devices are multiplying and -- sanctioned or unsanctioned -- finding their way onto corporate networks. For IT pros, the influx of personal mobile devices to the corporate network is raising security concerns, creating management challenges, and swamping the help desk with support calls.

Should the CIO know how to code?

(Howard Baldwin) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

With IT integral to the business, an increasing number of companies are hiring CIOs who didn't rise through the ranks. Is that a good thing? Insider (registration required)

Software AG buys messaging company my-Channels

(Mikael RicknA$?s) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Software AG said Monday that it has acquired U.K. middleware company my-Channels, which develops low-latency messaging software that will be used to extend Software AG's current offerings.

SAP revenue rises 11% in first quarter, but margin shrinks

(Peter Sayer, Chris Kanaracus) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:54:00 GMT

SAP published preliminary figures for its first-quarter results on Friday, showing revenue up 11% year on year, but margins shrinking with operating profit up only 6%.

Chevron's CIO Talks Transformation and Why IT Leaders Should Smile

(John Gallant) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:56:00 GMT

In the latest installment of the CIO Interview Series, Louie Ehrlich, CIO and president of Chevron Information Technology Company, talks about the most important things he's learned leading a giant, global IT team through massive change. His answers may sound simple, but they're hard-won lessons for Ehrlich, the top tech executive for the nearly $250 billion energy company, whose transformation effort has yielded the better part of a billion dollars in payback for Chevron. Insider (registration required)

SAP lays out plans to become big player in databases, mobile

(Chris Kanaracus) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:47:00 GMT

SAP made a series of announcements on Tuesday as part of its bid to become a high-profile player in the database market alongside the likes of Oracle and IBM.

The Grill: Melissa P. Dodd

markmary1@verizon.net (Mary K. Pratt) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Melissa P. Dodd, CIO of the Boston Public Schools, shares her ideas on running a large school system's IT department. Insider (registration required)

Data analytics driving medical breakthroughs

(Esther Shein) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Big data and other technologies are poised to start saving lives and enhancing quality of life for sick patients.

Hitachi releases first enterprise-class 4TB hard drive

lmearian@computerworld.com (Lucas Mearian) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:10:00 GMT

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies today announced its first enterprise-class 4TB desktop hard drive, which offers one-third more capacity than its predecessor.

5 annoying help desk calls -- and how to banish them

markmary1@verizon.net (Mary K. Pratt) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

A few simple changes can eliminate many of the irritating calls that drive users and call-center staffers alike up the wall.

Watchdog agency report shows beleaguered state of US military software projects

(Chris Kanaracus) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:04:00 GMT

Public-sector ERP (enterprise resource planning) software projects historically have experienced some of the industry's most dramatic cost overruns and delays, a fact that a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office brings into sharp relief.

Life after IT: When CIOs leave at the top of their game

trwhouse@comcast.net (Todd R. Weiss) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

You work, you strive, you reach the top of your profession -- and then you leave? Sure, say these ex-CIOs. Read their take on life after IT. Insider (registration required)

California scraps massive courts software project

(Chris Kanaracus) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:30:00 GMT

California's Judicial Council has put the brakes on a long-running, massive software project that was supposed to modernize the state's trial courts case-management systems, saying the software is viable but that there's simply no money to continue installing it.

How CIOs Can Help Facilitate Systems of Engagement

(Michael Friedenberg) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:28:00 GMT

The CEO community is turning to CIOs to help accelerate revenue growth and deepen engagement with customers.

The future of the PC

(Kevin Fogarty) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Columnist Kevin Fogarty says when users can buy sophisticated data services to support not only gadgets, but applications, too, that changes the role and goals of IT.

How to wrangle your virtual machines

(Robert L. Scheier) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMT

While vendors continue to work toward a single console, or "single pane of glass" tools, customers must choose from products that manage only parts of their environments or focus on specific problems such as the sprawl of unused virtual machines, security or backup.

13 Common ERP Mistakes and How to Avoid Making Them

(Jennifer Lonoff Schiff) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:47:00 GMT

Implementing an ERP system is among the most expensive, time-consuming and complicated tasks an IT department can take on. The potential for delays and unexpected expenses lurk around every corner. To help you avoid costly mistakes, CIO.com asked IT executives, ERP vendors and technology consultants to provide advice on how to avoid becoming an ERP horror story.

Enterprise social tools need to be highly mobile

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:40:00 GMT

Executives at AstraZeneca, a global pharmaceutical company, know that it's not enough to provide social collaboration tools for their employees. Those tools need to be highly mobile.

IT Must Provide Enterprise Collaboration Tools Employees Will Use

(Thor Olavsrud) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:14:00 GMT

Businesses are under pressure to enable collaboration beyond the corporate firewall as workers increasingly need to connect with remote colleagues as well as business partners, suppliers and consultants. The challenge to IT departments is that many employees are turning to email and consumer-grade file-sharing services to get their work done and exposing the enterprise to risk in the process.

Bull seeks to move Cobol and C apps to Java

(Peter Sayer) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:07:00 GMT

Bull has unveiled a new transaction processing application platform, Libert TP, which it says will allow businesses to move legacy applications from Cobol or C to a Java environment at their own pace.

More companies are OK with employees using Facebook at work

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:22:00 GMT

Workers at AT Kearney connect with their friends on Facebook now and then when they're on the job, and that's just fine with executives there.

Disaster recovery on double duty

(Robert L. Scheier) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMT

More and more IT shops are using technologies such as virtualization and replication to make disaster recovery just another service, sometimes using the same servers, network and storage that run order entry, email, application development or other services.

Who holds the encryption keys?

(Stacy Collett) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Experts and IT leaders offer strategies for getting the most from the latest encryption and digital rights management technologies.