Chief Information Officer Review

HKBN + ICG to Offer Big Company IT at Small Company Affordability

2010-01-22T15:10:00.000-08:00

Hong Kong Broadband Network Ltd together with The I-Consulting Group (ICG), an IT outsourcing and consultancy specialist, today announced the launch of "iCARE" Managed IT, offering big company IT capabilities at small company affordability, starting at US$641. Traditionally, only large companies can afford dedicated IT professionals to plan, build and manage IT resources that meet the every changing business needs. Essential IT services such as preventative maintenance, offsite storage, automatic software updates, customized network security, disaster recovery etc were priced beyond the means of small-to-medium enterprises. By partnering HKBN's pioneering fibre based broadband network and ICG's "iCARE" managed IT services, an integrated IT solution is now available, starting from US$641. For details on the "iCARE" service option, please kindly refer to the Appendix.

HKBN's Managing Director of Corporate Division, Mr. John Chong, said, "With the introduction of ultra high speed broadband technology, effective IT solutions is no longer a luxury, rather it is critical to corporate success. HKBN is very proud of the strategic partnership with IT consultancy expert ICG, and I am confident that both our award winning quality management standard would make a lasting impact on revolutionizing IT applications by SMEs & MNCs in Hong Kong." Mr. Andy Lau, Director of The I-Consulting Group, said, "Cutting edge IT solutions can only be effective and flourish on a speedy and reliable telecommunications network, that's why we are very excited about the partnership with HKBN, whom is well known for the speed and capacity of their fibre based network. We look very much forward to deliver, through 'iCARE,' never-before seen IT advantages to corporations across industries in Hong Kong."

IT-Commerce with Microsoft SCCM and Matrix42 IT-Commerce for SCCM

2009-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

Matrix42 launched a connector for Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). Microsoft customers benefit from effective and automated IT service provisioning and a maximum degree of cost transparency achieved through the interaction of both programs.

The Matrix42 IT-Commerce for SCCM suite uses the new customer-tested connector to leverage SCCM’s software distribution and inventory capabilities, which evolve and enhance SCCM from a systems management software solution to a complete IT-Commerce solution. The Matrix42 suite allows customers to present their IT services in a unique, web-based Service Catalog. It accepts users' orders, takes care of the approval process and initiates delivery, directly interacting with SCCM and achieving 100 percent IT business automation, from requests to subsequent cost allocation, with only minor configuration.

SCCM provides the Matrix42 solution with the necessary data for corporate compliance. Inventory data flows seamlessly into the Matrix42 license management system, providing a high degree of visibility on licenses, assets, contracts and costs. IT executives know which licenses are actually required and where they can leverage additional savings. Automatic notifications inform the responsible decision maker on contract data and license violations in a timely manner.

Informatica Report Reveals Five Golden Opportunities to Optimize IT Budgets

2009-10-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

Informatica Corporation today announced the availability of a new report by Ventana Research outlining five key opportunities for IT organizations to significantly reduce their "Keep The Lights On" budget through efficient data management and thus free up funds for more strategic IT activities. According to the industry white paper, entitled Reducing the Cost of Keeping the Lights On: Golden Rules for Optimizing the KTLO Budget, seizing some or all of these opportunities can result in annual savings ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to tens of millions while maximizing IT's ability to provide value to the business.

Reduce Costs with Data Archiving across Systems
Automate Data and Application Interfaces to Streamline IT
Retire Outdated Applications with Information Lifecycle Management -
Find Value and Integrate Legacy Systems Efficiently
Simplify IT and Reduce Coding through Data Integration

"In good economic times as well as bad, IT needs to find ways to reduce its costs while delivering increased business value, and among the areas of focus for cost reduction and optimization should be data and information management," said Mark Smith, CEO and executive vice president of research, Ventana Research. "A huge percentage of IT budgets and resources go to managing data-related operations and to maintaining the data integration and data synchronization infrastructure underlying an organization's applications and systems. By using a common technology to automate its data-related infrastructure activities, IT can take a substantial bite out of KTLO costs and release already allocated funds for innovation." Download this new white paper via Informatica's web site

New IBM Study Shows that Analytics and Self Service Top the List for Midmarket CIOs

2009-10-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

A new global study of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) by IBM reveals that the top technologies for enhancing competitiveness over the next five years at high-growth midsize organizations are business intelligence and analytics and self service portals. Eighty-six percent of midmarket CIOs identified business intelligence and analytics - the ability to see patterns in vast amounts of data and extract actionable insights - and three-quarters chose self service portals.

These results and other findings are detailed in the Midmarket Executive Summary, which is part of the 2009 Global Chief Information Officer Study, the largest face-to-face survey of CIOs ever conducted. The study, titled "The New Voice of the CIO," represents the insights and vision of more than 2,500 CIOs worldwide, including 158 CIOs in 31 countries employed at midsize organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees. The Midmarket Executive Summary illustrates the increasingly strategic organizational roles that CIOs play in areas such as setting strategy, enabling flexibility and change, and solving business problems.

As part of the research, the study looked at the difference between the responses of CIOs from organizations with high growth in profits before tax and CIOs from organizations with low growth. The findings revealed that all CIOs must juggle several complementary, yet sometimes conflicting, roles, but that CIOs at high-growth midsize organizations are especially proactive about championing innovation and co-creating business strategy. Visit IBM's pres room for complete survey findings

Green Computing Sector to Reach $223.7 Billion in 2013 (NextGen Research)

2009-09-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

A green computer/server is one that is built from eco-friendly materials, features low power consumption and Computer Power Management (CPM) capabilities, has fewer and smaller component parts and generates less heat than previous models, and ultimately is responsible for the emission of less C02 into the atmosphere. A wholly green product will be packaged in recyclable materials and, at the end of its useful life cycle, will be traded in to the manufacturer or to another organization that will reuse and/or recycle the equipment, rather than dumping it into a landfill.

The goal of producing a 100% wholly-green-from-inception-to-production-to-end-of-lifecycle PC, notebook computer, monitor and server hardware is not fully realized, and will not be for years to come, according to the NextGen Research study “Green Computing: Reducing the Environmental Impact of PCs, Servers By Using Safer Materials, Slashing Power Needs”. However, computer and server vendors are working to make their products increasingly energy-efficient and environmentally benign, in order to tap into a market for green computing equipment that will grow from about $47 billion in 2009 to $223.7 billion in 2013.

The study’s author, Laura DiDio, notes that all the hardware vendors competing in the computing equipment sectors share the common philosophy that “green desktop and server hardware is good for the planet, and what’s good for the planet is good for business.” They’re also motivated by a lengthening list of legislative initiatives that regulate everything from component materials, manufacturing guidelines, green building codes, and carbon emissions to disposal and recycling efforts. Review the abstract or order this report via the NextGen Research portal

Dell acquisition of Perot Systems target's IBM & HP data center and storage services

2009-09-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Dell and Perot Systems have entered a definitive agreement for Dell to acquire Perot Systems in a transaction valued at approximately $3.9 billion. Terms of the agreement were approved yesterday by the boards of directors of both companies. Dell and Perot Systems share several key characteristics and our products, services and structures are overwhelmingly complementary. They have similarly strong, relationship-based business cultures. People in both organizations are recognized for helping customers thrive by using IT for greater effectiveness and productivity. The combination also provides some compelling opportunities for improved efficiency, which will benefit our customers even further.

Dell’s global commercial customer base spans large corporations, government agencies, health-care providers, educational institutions, and small and medium enterprises (SME). The company’s large existing services business includes breakthroughs in the concept and delivery of modular services, as well as expertise in infrastructure consulting and software-as-a-service. Dell is a leader in computer systems, including standards-based network servers, and in the fast-growing segment of data-storage hardware.

Perot Systems provides world-class services, including in applications, technology, infrastructure, business processes and consulting. The company is a leading provider to clients in health-care, government and other commercial segments, from SMEs to the largest global institutions. Perot Systems has a large and growing base of customers and service-delivery capabilities in North America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Asia.Visit Dell's press room for full acquisition details

Gov 3.0: Ushering the USA into the Digital Age

2009-08-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Aneesh Chopra is the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer (CTO). His role is to harness the power and potential of technology to advance presidential priorities. In this exclusive interview, Mr. Chopra talks about President Obama’s open access policy, cyber security, private sector innovation and the future of technology in America. Business Trends Quarterly: President Obama has promised unprecedented access to government information through open and transparent channels. How would your office promote technology practices that allow citizens to see their government in action and “digitally” modernize the federal government?

Aneesh Chopra There are three ways in which my office will help to advance the President’s goals. First, the President has asked for a set of policy recommendations that can really help to build these principles into the operating culture of government. As we are interviewing today, we are in the third leg of a vast experiment with the use of open technologies to help develop those recommendations. We are right now in the drafting phase, engaging with the public on what the right set of policy recommendations should be. Upon the completion of this phase, I intend to work closely with the director of the Office of Management and Budget and eventually my colleagues in the White House to establish a set of policies that will, in fact, establish the framework for the President’s goals.Secondly, I am working closely with the President’s Cabinet to identify initiatives that align to policy priorities, but take advantage of these principles of a more open and transparent government to showcase the potential of these tools in advancing our public policy. You can start to see the initial cut of those case examples on whitehouse.gov/open by clicking on our innovations gallery.

Thirdly, and perhaps the most important, I am working closely with the Office of Management and Budget, my colleague the federal Chief Information Officer (CIO), and the General Services Administration to provision a set of technology tools — for lack of a better term — that agencies could access on their own accord that will allow them to adhere to these principles in very simple ways. So if a community or an agency wishes to engage the public in a brainstorming session, we hope to have a set of brainstorming tools they could access very easily, and at low to no cost, to help them achieve their particular goal. Review the complete interview via the Business Trends Quarterly portal

visionapp Will Launch OpsQuick™ at BriForum 2009

2009-07-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

visionapp, the innovative leaders in application delivery management, has released OpsQuick™ 2009 and will make the official launch announcement at BriForum 2009 in Chicago. OpsQuick extends the power of Microsoft Windows Deployment Services (WDS, a component of Windows Server) to simplify and automate the creation, maintenance, and deployment of Windows operating systems to any physical or virtual machine platform.

Unique to this market, OpsQuick is priced at $499 per admin, instead of priced per managed node. That means that a Windows administrator could purchase OpsQuick and manage all the servers and workstations in their company, even as the organization adds PCs and servers—without paying additional licensing fees. A company with two Windows administrators and 100 nodes might pay more than $2,500 for a competitive product, but only $998 with OpsQuick. visionapp is offering OpsQuick at a special introductory rate of $299 per admin, a 40% discount, until August 31, 2009. Existing visionapp Remote Desktop (vRD) customers will receive an extra 10% discount through a special promotion.

“With OpsQuick, visionapp gives each administrator a powerful, flexible tool that leaves their options open,” said Rick Dehlinger, Chief Technology Officer at visionapp. “Regardless of which Windows version, architecture, or machine platform technologists need to work with, we’ve got them covered.” Read the complete details on the viosnapps company product page

Oppenheimer’s Annual Communications & Technology Conference (August 11-12, 2009 in Boston)

2009-07-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

Oppenheimer’s Annual Communications & Technology Conference will be held on August 11-12, 2009 at the Four Seasons in Boston. The current economic environment has created unprecedented challenges for companies across all industries and geographies. However, these difficult times have also increased the opportunity for technology solutions. Oppenheimer believes companies will need to maintain robust technology budgets despite pressures on operating margins as they strive to achieve productivity and efficiency gains.

The 2009 Oppenheimer Annual Communications & Technology Conference will offer institutional investors broad insight into 100 public and private companies that span the entire food chain from communication services, to hardware and data infrastructure, to semiconductors, electronics capital equipment, and software. See the Oppenheimer conference web site for details

Nearly Half of Organizations Cutting IT Staff This Year, According to the Computer Economics 20th Annual IT Spending and Staffing Study

2009-07-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

Mirroring the economy as a whole, layoffs among IT workers are accelerating this year, with almost half of all IT organizations reporting that they are budgeted for fewer staff members than last year, according to Computer Economics, an IT research and advisory firm.

Computer Economics 20th annual IT spending and staffing study shows that 46% of all IT organizations plan to reduce headcount this year, compared to 27% that are increasing headcount. Another 27% of IT organizations report their staffing levels will remain the same as last year. Some sectors are showing continuing growth in IT staffing. For example, nearly 63% of survey respondents in the healthcare provider sector reported they were increasing IT staff this year, while nearly 50% or organizations in the utilities and energy sector are growing staff. In those sectors, median staff levels are up 2% this year over 2008. See the Computer Economics web site for complete report findings

RampRate's Service Provider Intelligence Index (SPY Index™)

2009-06-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

RampRate's Service Provider Intelligence Index (SPY Index™) is a robust database application drawing on five key information sources - transactional data, industry research, vendor self-descriptions, customer interviews, and cultural fit assessments - to match our client with the right vendor every time. That is why over 98% of our transactions make it through to the close of the contract.

The SPY Index™ captures real-time data and analyzes historical information from five separate categories:

1. RampRate's Historical Data: More than 240 multi-quote transactions in 3 years & RFP responses
2. Analyst 'Research-View': Industry trends, best practices, and vendor ratings
3. Vendor Capabilities: Services data, list prices and actual quotes
4. Customer Experience: Primary research on customer satisfaction
5. Cultural Compatibility: Cultural fit matching of clients and vendors

See RampRate's web site for complete solution and best practice details

The 2009 CIO 100 Winners: Driving Future Business Growth with Technology Innovation

2009-06-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

CIO magazine has annou;ced its 2009 CIO 100 list of companies. The 2009 CIO 100 Awards honor 100 companies that are creating new business value by innovating with technology. Find out more about these IT leaders and the technologies that are critical to their success.

Learn about the 2009 CIO 100 Award winners and their winning projects, and find the companies that interest you the most, with this interactive chart. Click on the tabs to sort the data according to location, industry or revenue as well as project type (the main technology used for the project), the primary business function it benefits and its impact. Click on the company name to get more details, including a description of the winning project and more about the technologies used. Under the Project Type tab, follow the links to find more CIO.com articles about each technology listed. See the CIO 100 web site for the complete list of 100 companies receiving this distinguished award

US White House Cybersecurity Policy Announcement - Securing Our Digital Future

2009-05-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Melissa Hathaway, Cybersecurity Chief at the National Security Council, discusses securing the nation's digital future:

The globally-interconnected digital information and communications infrastructure known as cyberspace underpins almost every facet of modern society and provides critical support for the U.S. economy, civil infrastructure, public safety and national security. The United States is one of the global leaders on embedding technology into our daily lives and this technology adoption has transformed the global economy and connected people in ways never imagined. My boys are 8 and 9 and use the Internet daily to do homework, blog with their friends and teacher, and email their mom; it is second nature to them. My mom and dad can read the newspapers about their daughter on-line and can reach me anywhere in the world from their cell phone to mine. And people all over the world can post and watch videos and read our blogs within minutes of completion. I can’t imagine my world without this connectivity and I would bet that you cannot either. Now consider that the same networks that provide this connectively also increasingly help control our critical infrastructure. These networks deliver power and water to our households and businesses, they enable us to access our bank accounts from almost any city in the world, and they are transforming the way our doctors provide healthcare. For all of these reasons, we need a safe Internet with a strong network infrastructure and we as a nation need to take prompt action to protect cyberspace for what we use it for today and will need in the future. See the US White House web site for full details of this announcement

Information Week's Global CIO Top 50 Report

2009-05-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Information Week identified 50 of the top CIOs from around the world and profiled them and the strategic contributions they're making to their companies. We selected CIOs and their companies based on market leadership, innovative IT-enabled business practices and results, and the achievement and impact of the individual CIOs. See the complete CIO list and profiles at InformationWeek.com

Gartner Business Intelligence & Information Management Summit

2009-05-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Strategy of Information Utilization to Maximize Business Performance. Information Management has come up as the effective way to survive this uncertain economic environment, for business expansion and for profit improvement. However, with the increase in information, the diversification of technology and higher goal are making it more difficult to get expected results. In this conference, we are advising how to make information into resources to use, from a global perspective. See Gartner.com for conference details

Five Tactical Ways to Control Costs

2009-05-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here are five more ways to identify and cut specific costs within your organization. As an added bonus, some of these suggestions will also help to reduce your overall carbon footprint.

Eliminate unnecessary, legacy services
Identify and eliminate unnecessary hard copy reports
Evaluate your third party contracts
Evaluate your capacity management strategy
Understand and manage the cost of changes

See CIOUpdate for complete details

India Moves to Boost Engineering Prowess

2009-05-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

IEEE, an association of technical professionals, plans to launch a training and certification program in India in tandem with industry and educational institutions, to get around the problem of falling standards at the country's engineering colleges. Only 26 percent of engineers that graduate in the country can be directly employed for technology services by India's outsourcing industry, according to a joint study by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) and management consulting firm, McKinsey & Co. See the CIO.com article for the details