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States that no matter what kind of business you run you need to examine the way you sell and the way your customers like to buy, then you need to figure out how computers can help you serve your customers better. Electronic data interchange (EDI) technology that would let customers bypass paperwork and place orders through their computers; EDI's requirement of specialized software. INSETS: The state-of-the art notebook computer.;Resources..

The article presents information on the increase in the use of shingled magnetic recording (SMR) and phase-change memory (PCM) for increasing storage capacities by the companies which are based on the information technology. Information on deduplication, a process of eliminating duplicate copies of information, which also increases speed, is presented. INSET: TO THE RESCUE: Old, Slow Disk and Tape.

The article offers information on the storage orchestration software for managing cash in shops. It states that orchestration platforms are more like service catalogs that offer various service levels for different applications and use application programming interfaces (API) to storage and server management tools to deliver the services . INSETS: PORTALS: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME;6 TOUGH QUESTIONS.

The article discusses how virtualizatiion and replication technologies protect data from disaster, while keeping business services humming. As stated, several information technology (IT) shops are using technologies such as virtualizatiion and replication to make disaster recovery just another service. It states that by separating virtual servers, networks and storage capacity from physical hardware, virtualizatiion provides several choices to users in disaster recovery strategies. INSETS: Snapshots in Time;New Approaches to Data Recovery.

The article offers the author's insights on the techniques that can help reduce stored-data volume in the U.S. information technology (IT) sector. It states that reducing one's data footprint eases the pressure on networks and backup windows, aside from cutting costs for hardware, software, and data center space. It provides several techniques to reduce data volume which include deduplication, compression, and storage virtualization.

The article reports on the automation of data stores through the new technology called automated data tiering. It looks into the advantage that automation can bring to storage administrators. It notes that automation enables to detect and react to changes in data usage. Moreover, it cites the possibility of the adoption of solid-state drive (SSD) which will be helpful for administrators.

The article reports on the growth of facilities rebuilding their data centers in the U.S. It states that the move aims to save operating costs as well as enhance efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out information technology (IT) operations. Chief information officers (CIOs) and IT executives points out the significance of redesigning their data centers which will help them reduce real estate, infrastructure, cooling and electric costs. Among the facilities that plan to upgrade their data centers, include Christus Health, OhioHealth, and Newbridge Bank. INSET: Armchair Data Center Management.

The article focuses on the contribution of Rick King in the maintenance of the $3.1 billion information services business of the Thomson Corp. in the U.S. As executive vice president and chief operations officer for Thomson's North American Legal business, King has completed a 17,000 square foot upgrade of two 10-year-old data centers in May 2005. Moreover, to consolidate smaller data centers for the company's growing customer base, King plans to build a new 80,000 square foot data center that will house servers and storage for his company's growing customer database. He also aims to find and keep skilled staffers who understand the interplay of computing technology, power requirements and facilities design. INSET: Tape Tales.

The article discusses significant issues related to data security. Most companies are being practical in terms of data centers, outsourcing the management of key applications and data to be able to save money and respond to varying business conditions. A survey conducted by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals revealed that more than 90% of respondents believe that security breaches relevant to outsourcing would be harmful to their business and 45% believe that they were more concerned about data security than they were a year ago.

The article discusses issues related to efforts to build the next-generation data center in the U.S. There are several challenges facing companies in the successful management of the next-generation data center. These major challenges include the lack of storage virtualization storage and the immaturity of the technology and multitiered or service-oriented applications. Another big problem is looking deep within complex, multitiered or service-oriented applications to see what hardware or software is causing a slowdown. INSET: Data Center Technologies: What's Next?.

Talks about the projects to be tackled by information technology leaders in 2003. Efforts taken by Damien Bean, vice president of corporate systems at Hilton Hotels Corp., to get the lower cost and higher performance infrastructure; Information on the customer relationship management project managed by John Ounjian, chief information officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Discusses the development of the Semi-Automatic Business Research Environment (SABRE) reservation system by the American Airlines and IBM Corp. in the 1960s. Significance of online reservation systems to the growth of airlines; Benefits that American Airlines derived from using SABRE; Problems faced by airlines which can not be solved by information technology.

Presents the decision of the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordering Judge David Edelstein to drop his oversight of a 1956 consent decree on International Business Machines Corp.'s services operations.

Profiles Team OS/2, a grass-roots network of 2,000 enthusiasts brought together to defend the OS/2 operating system. Core membership; Observations on limits to all-volunteer approach; Motivation behind membership; Beginnings; Efforts in plugging OS/2 through the years; Reactions from IBM; Comparisons with fate of Amiga. INSET: How to attract your own following (OS support groups)..

Reports that a generation of `push' software could help sales representatives find prospects, alert field offices to sudden price changes and make it easier to distribute software. Matthew Soltis' confidence in the potential benefits of push; Better customer service; Use of push software as front end to legacy databases.

Reports on the problems being faced by companies in managing their data storage systems. Discussion of the levels of storage management; How storage management tools work; Capabilities that management storage tools must have.

Offers a look at the performance of trusted operating systems. Features to consider in a trusted operating system; Vendors that are offering trusted operating systems; How trusted operating systems split the services they offer.

Deals with the tools used by information technology (IT) managers to create a catalog of data for their customers. Data included in the catalog; Purpose of metadata in a catalog; Capabilities of the DQbroker software in making catalog; Challenges faced by IT managers in creating a catalog of data.

Offers a look on some Web sites that offer mortgage loan services. QuickenMortgage; E-Loan company; IMX Exchange; First Mortgage Network Inc. INSET: What a Web site can (and can't) do.

Interviews three prominent chief executive officers to give advice to would-be information technology executives. Barry X. Lynn of Wells Fargo Bank; Margaret McDermid of Virginia Power; Vivian Stephenson of Dayton Hudson.

Focuses on the effect of the worldwide economic crisis on the life and work of information technology (IT) employees. Factors cited by IT employees that will help ease the effect; Statistics of IT companies that have been affected by the crisis; Areas wherein IT companies made cutbacks.

Reports on the planned merger between Fleet Financial Group Inc. and Shawmut National Corp. Cost-cutting measures by Fleet vice chairman Michael Zucchini; Details of the plans to improve Shawmut's information technology.

Focuses on outsourcing programming work to programmers in developing countries. Cost savings; Incentives from the government; Rules on foreign investments; Arrangements; Interaction issues. INSETS: Wanted: Cheap OOP skills, by Aileen Crowley.;Citicorp, India: Good stuff cheap..

Features Client/Server Survival Training held in Quincy, Massachusetts. David Olson as instructor; Backgrounds of participants; Agenda. INSET: Editor hacks VB app; light damage reported..

Focuses on Microsoft Corp.'s 32-bit Windows upgrade code-named Chicago. Training, hardware, and software costs problems; Support for Plug and Play specification; Importance of pre-emptive multitasking client; Dearth of programming tools. INSETS: Developers say dearth of tools snagging.., by Mary Jo Foley.;Plug and Play will address support woes, by Michael Vizard..

Reports on Henry Bertolon's trading firm called NECX. Buying and selling of computer components without official sanction from the manufacturers; Perception of the gray market as a pirate's cove; Caution practiced by gray-market customers. INSET: Smiling and dialing in the NECX pit, by Robert L. Scheier..

Focuses on the need for early testing of critical business processes to avoid potential future problems. Percentage of time and effort believed to be taken up by testing; Testing challenge for conversion managers; Assessment of applications; Creation of test plan; Choosing tools. INSET: Who's using what..

Presents the results of `ComputerWorld' magazine's survey on 1998 information systems (IS) budgets of corporations in the United States. Increased spending on building, maintaining and managing electronic links vital to a business; Shortage of skilled IS staff; Greater willingness of companies to upgrade the infrastructures that drive client/server applications. INSET: Don't worry! We'll make it..

Discusses the results of a survey on how the Java programming language affects the lives of information systems (IS) managers. Reliance on Java's cross-platform capabilities; Effect of Java applications on system stability; Use of Java to build a system for managing Job Corps centers at various locations. INSET: Java? No thanks..

Focuses on Texaco Inc.'s data management strategy which involved the development of a grassroots network of internal customers and creation of local databases that can solve business problems. Disadvantages of conventional data warehousing; Benefits of using three-dimensional visualization tools. INSETS: Michael Zeitlin: Corporate guerilla.;Two views..

Reports that money is not the most important factor in weighing job offers according to the results of a survey of 200 information systems professionals in the United States. Opportunities to learn new technologies; Quality of bosses as a top-ranking issue when making job decisions; Importance of base salary with younger employees.

Discusses the vulnerability of corporate data to computer security problems caused by hacking. Tendency of information systems professionals to ignore basic problems in fighting electronic threats; Case of a hospital in the Southwest which has been exposed to sloppy procedures for information handling; Security threats arising from physical access to power supplies, modems and network cables. INSET: A mixed diagnosis..

Presents the major decisions that companies should be making to prepare for the millennium and some suggestions on how to make those decisions. Getting the support of the chief executive officer and the board; Achieving the 2000 year fix; Date field expansion; Considering outsourcing project management. INSET: Year 2000 scoreboard..

Presents the key strengths to look for in value-added resellers (VAR) and system integrators as information technology managers look for help in planning technology purchases and implementation in 1998. Factors which will offer customers and partners opportunities in information technology; How in-house information technology experts provide return on investment; Why there is an increase demand for VAR.

The article focuses on knowing the universal serial bus (USB) flash drive with quality. There are no industry standards to judge a USB 2.0 flash drive. However, there is one factor in USB drive performance is whether it contains one of two types of memory such as single-level cell (SLC) or multilevel cell (MLC). It is suggested that users would know the greatest performance difference between SLC and MLC, if they were carrying out many operations involving small files. Aside from the price, the Windows ReadyBoost log indicating that the flash drive can be used to supplement system random access memory (RAM), is another way to judge the quality of a drive.

The article focuses on web-based storage systems. It discusses the growing niche of the service in the information resource management industry, as well as its implication to other non-Web-based storage systems. It mentions the technologies composing the service, including open-source software, distributed storage and the World Wide Web. The author explains the storage system's probable threat to hardware vendors, like International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) and Hitachi Data Systems Corp. He also names some of the firms offering the service, like Cleversafe and Planet.com.

The article reports on the factors that need to be considered inn achieving successful management of storage virtualization technology. It states that storage virtualization does not only perform data migration but is a significant tool in carrying out capacity management, load-balancing as well as information management which works in inexpensive storage devices. The author stresses that evaluating the performance of virtual machine (VM) and eliminating those virtual servers that are not in use can help save costs. Furthermore, measuring and testing hardware for VM as well as understanding the server running in virtual machines should also be considered.

The article focuses on the factors that influenced the computer software industry to build data centers near inexpensive hydroelectric power sources. Lower electricity costs were a primary driver in Ask.com's decision to develop a new data center in Moses Lake, Washington, with its environmentally friendly and comparatively low-cost hydropower. Other factors that data center managers must consider include, availability and cost of land, cost and risk in moving existing systems, and the need for a separate disaster recovery sites.

The article discusses ways on how to protect corporate databases. The protection of databases involves the implementation of key defenses such as access control and authentication, vulnerability scanners, data access monitors and encryption. One of the key drivers is the Payment Card Industry which specifies some requirements for all companies which are receiving credit cards including logical access control, periodic network scans, encrypted transmission of cardholder data, and activity monitoring and logging.

The article looks into the development of 64-bit computing with the emergence of 64-bit Windows servers for its growing number of users. Significantly, a 64-bit processor and software can process more data and can use larger amounts of memory than a 32-bit environment. Microsoft Corp. has released its Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. unveiled its mainstream 64-bit x86-compatible microprocessors. Several companies have planned to shift to 64-bit computing. However, experts have agreed that there is no guarantee of whether all existing 32-bit applications will work in a 64-bit operating environment. INSETS: Boost Memory First;More Room for Virtualization.

The article provides an overview on different methods to facilitate and manage backup systems. The technologies that are being usually used to reduce the amount of data that needs backing up and are stored in the active archives include disk-base storage, incremental backup, data compression or reduction, and wide area network optimization. Disk-based backup systems utilize different software in order to capture incremental backups for frequently altered data. Meanwhile, WAN optimization technologies speed backup traffic over wide area networks. Wide- area file systems, on the other hand, use caching, compression and other methods to consolidate file servers that used to reside in branch offices and data center. INSET: A Comeback for Managed Storage Services?.

The article focuses on the installation of Senforce Technologies Inc.'s Endpoint Security Suite in the personal computers of the employees of Woolpert Inc., an architectural and engineering firm in Dayton, Ohio. The experience shows how endpoint security can benefit both the employers and the employees. More protection to endpoints are added by companies for fear from privacy regulations to malicious insiders. Endpoint security protects critical data without putting the squeeze on the productivity of the users or the overloaded schedules of information technology managers. The ubiquitous mobile computer with a wireless connection is the most obvious threat.

This article focuses on network components and management tools that support Ethernet quality-of-service standards for prioritizing voice over Internet protocol traffic. he first requirement for any network management tool is that it must support quality-of-service standards. The second requirement is the ability to perform real-time traffic monitoring so administrators can troubleshoot short-lived problems that cripple voice quality. Another common and useful feature is the ability to see the condition of the network at the point in time when the user reported a problem. Network managers also need a tool that can monitor all of the network components along the call path that might affect voice quality. Sources of management tools include the vendors that make network components such as switches and routers, as well as the manufacturers of Internet protocol telephony systems. And many voice over Internet protocol tool vendors are working to combine voice over Internet protocol functions with their data management products, or with those from other vendors, in order to provide a single view of both voice and data traffic on the converged network. This reduces the number of management consoles customers must buy and monitor and makes it easier to find and fix problems

This article presents tips on the upgrading and replacement of personal computers in the U.S. CIO Tim Link has replaced computers with one of three standard configurations from Dell Inc. He has carefully planned hot to minimize the number of configurations he must support as he replaces one-third of his systems each year. He is reluctant to go to a four-year life cycle for computers because although that would reduce computer purchase costs, it would mean more individual models. Trying to open files from different versions of applications running on various versions of Windows is a huge headache for users and information technology managers and can be a prime driver for an upgrade. Gartner Inc. analyst Mark Margevicius suggests that if system fails, after the standard three-year warranty period, it is better to replace it than spend time to fix it. For notebooks, Margevicius suggests sticking to the traditional three-year replacement cycle. He also says that adding memory is about the only work worth doing on an older machine. CIO Don Allen says rather than buy new systems whenever they find the money or download software from the Internet, users must accept getting hardware and software upgrades in a departmentwide schedule. INSET: THE THIN-CLIENT ALTERNATIVE.

Presents three case studies on computer storage device virtualization. Benefits of virtualization to storage management; Information on the terabyte problem of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Inc. which was solved by virtualization; Discussion of the Internet protocol storage area network solution from Lefthand Networks Inc. used by the Denver Health Medical Center.

Discusses the provisions of the storage-intensive regulations, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as of November 2003. Industries affected by the two regulations; Compliance deadline; Overview of the two regulations.

Explains that the increase of users of XML and the expansion of XML contents are signs that XML is maturing. Reasons information technology (IT) organizations are using XML; Importance of good data management application in XML; Advantages of integration tools for users of XML database and SQL database; Approach to adopting XML.

Explains that computer server configuration tools without solid how-to policy guides will hinder server management. Details on the problems encountered by George Geddis, a business analyst at Time Warner Cable Inc. with server configuration; Necessity of compromise in server configuration; Applications for server configuration.

Discusses the application of business-process management (BPM) software in business enterprise systems. Benefits offered by BPM software; Basic applications of BPM software; Vendors of BPM software.

Gives advice on managing computer software upgrades for companies. Advantages of managing an upgrade; Obstacles to successful upgrades; Factors to consider when encouraging users to evaluate potential software purchases; Approach used in reducing risk of failure and culture shock involved in software upgrades.