WhatIs: Enterprise IT tips and expert advice

Using the Pivot transformation in SQL Server Integration Services

Eric Johnson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:42:00 EST

Pivoting is a useful way to transform data in SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) -- but it's hardly intuitive.

The best free virtualization tools guide

David Davis, Contributor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:40:45 EST

This best free virtualization tools guide separates the wheat from the chaff of virtualization freeware, from free command-line tools to free VM performance monitoring tools.

Microsoft drops free migration tool for Exchange 2010

Bridget Botelho, News Writer — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:38:19 EST

IBM Lotus Notes or POP/IMAP users who want to migrate to Exchange Server 2010 will have to pay for third-party tools.

A business continuity management standard would offer consistency

Steven Ross — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:22:23 EST

BCM standards by themselves may not be necessary, but compliance with a standard is -- and a globally recognized BCM standard for consistent measurement would be a good thing.

Setting Windows 7 environment variables

Que Publishing — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:12:19 EST

This chapter excerpt can teach you how to use Windows 7 environmental variables to locate your customers' system files and folders.

How to use user-agent strings as a network monitoring tool

Amy L. Kucharik — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

User-agent strings, elements of HTTP headers, can be used as a network monitoring tool to reveal information about client networks without affecting network performance or privacy. Learn more in this tip by Richard Bejtlich.

IT compliance: FAQs about IT operations, regulations and standards

SearchCompliance.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:43:28 EST

This index links to resources about the relationship between IT operations and compliance regulations and standards, including HIPAA, e-discovery, SOX and PCI.

Roadmap to mainframe application modernization

Wayne Kernochan, Contributor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:37:03 EST

A modernized mainframe environment, with Web services-enabled business-critical applications, can put your business at a competitive advantage. In this tip, an expert outlines a basic strategy for modernizing mainframe applications.

Weighing the costs and risks of mainframe application modernization

Wayne Kernochan, Contributor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:37:03 EST

The business benefits of mainframe application modernization outweigh the risks of allowing an outdated legacy application remain as-is. This tip discusses considerations for updating business-critical mainframe applications.

The mainframe's potential for Web services and cloud computing

Wayne Kernochan, Contributor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:37:03 EST

Find out how a modernized mainframe environment with applications enabled for Web services and the cloud allows for greater flexibility and lower business costs in the final tip in a three-part series on mainframe application modernization.