News

Google Apps Quick Tip: How to Work Offline

No Internet access? No worries. With Google's new offline capabilities, you can still be productive in Gmail, Docs and Calendar.

By Kristin Burnham

Aug 31, 2011 2 mins

Internet Personal Software Social Networking Apps

VMWorld 2011: The Business Case for Cloud Computing

Consona Corp. CIO Milt Volosyn explains his company's move to cloud computing and virtualization.

By Georgina Swan

Aug 30, 2011 4 mins

Mergers and Acquisitions Server Virtualization Virtualization

Summer of Google: 10 Hot New Features

Some businesses embraced the relaxed pace of summer, but not Google. Check out how Google was beating the heat and rolled out 10 new tools for shopping, tracking weather and more.

By Kristin Burnham

Aug 30, 2011 5 mins

Enterprise Applications Internet Software Development

Android Devices Exposed: 7 Ways to Thwart Hackers

Hackers are in hot pursuit of Google's popular Android OS, according to recent reports. And although mobile security threats are tiny compared to PCs, you still need to protect your smartphone, even more so if it runs Android. Here are seven tip

By Bill Snyder

Aug 30, 2011 5 mins

Malware Mobile Security Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry Bold 9930 Review: An Enterprise Evaluation

RIM's new BlackBerry Bold 9930 from Verizon Wireless has made quite an impression on CIO.com's Al Sacco; he's calling it without a doubt the best BlackBerry ever for businesspeople. But there are a few key areas in which it is lacking.

By Al Sacco

Aug 29, 2011 17 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Should Microsoft Buy Nokia? Pros and Cons

Is it wise for Microsoft go Google and buy a handset-maker like Nokia, even though its existing partnership with Finnish company provides many benefits without any of the headaches and risks of ownership? Here's a look at both sides of the argum

By Shane O'Neill

Aug 25, 2011 5 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Why RIM’s BBM Music Service is Destined to Fail

BlackBerry-maker RIM today unveiled a brand new, cloud-based music-streaming service for BlackBerry users, BBM Music. But CIO.com's Al Sacco isn't impressed and offers up five solid reasons why BBM Music may be doomed from the get-go.

By Al Sacco

Aug 25, 2011 6 mins

Private Cloud Small and Medium Business Smartphones

7 Ways to Use HP Touchpads After They Stop Working

Hewlett-Packard's announcement that it is discontinuing its Touchpad set off a $99 fire sale. But without HP's full attention and support from developers, these devices won't live long. However, they can still be useful even after they

By Shane O'Neill

Aug 25, 2011 1 min

Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business Tablets

iPad Culture Shock for IT

The iPad is unlike any other enterprise technology, delivered to market by a vendor seemingly indifferent to CIOs, and surrounded by mass media-fed confusion. How can CIOs cope?

By Tom Kaneshige

Aug 23, 2011 7 mins

Encryption Firewalls Mobile Security

Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Discounted TouchPad Tablet

Thinking of picking up one of HP's webOS-powered TouchPad tablets now that the price of the 16GB version has been cut significantly to a cool $100? CIO.com's Al Sacco warns that you should think twice before handing over your hard-earned ca

By Al Sacco

Aug 23, 2011 7 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Ultrabook

Should CFOs Get on-Board?

Research says CFO directors seem to bring firms higher earnings quality & better internal control, though there are drawbacks

By Ed Zwirn

Aug 22, 2011 3 mins

IT Leadership IT Strategy

BlackBerry 7 Compatible Apps: 10 Free Downloads

Looking for apps that are compatible with RIM's new BlackBerry 7 OS? CIO.com's Al Sacco spotlights 10 must-haves including apps for social networking, navigation, entertainment and a cool augmented reality browser.

By Al Sacco

Aug 22, 2011 6 mins

Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business Smartphones

How the Cloud Can Solve Security Problems

Jerry Archer, board member of the Cloud Security Alliance, discusses how cloud computing will make security better for everybody.

By Jim Buchanan

Aug 22, 2011 7 mins

Data Breach Encryption Firewalls

SaaS ERP is Making the Grade at Brown University

Instead of upgrading a 25-year-old mainframe ERP hodge-podge, IT leaders at Brown University decided to move to SaaS ERP for cost savings, IT simplification and better applications. Meanwhile, the City of Sanibel, Fla., is following its own SaaS ERP

By Todd R. Weiss

Aug 22, 2011 5 mins

Cloud Computing ERP Systems SaaS

Browsing and Privacy: How to Not Get Tracked

All modern browsers have built-in tools and add-ons to protect users from having their Web behavior tracked. But regardless, some sites still find ways to track you. Here are tips for taking matters into your own hands.

By Bill Snyder

Aug 22, 2011 5 mins

Browsers Enterprise Applications Internet

WebOS Developers Mourn HP’s Move but Aren’t Surprised

Developers enjoyed freedom to explore that the platform provided but knew its sales figures were disappointing

By Paul Krill

Aug 19, 2011 3 mins

Developer

HP’s Tablet Exit No Signal of IPad Immunity, Say Analysts

HP's departure from the tablet business does not mean that Apple's iPad will remain the undisputed king, analysts said today.

By Gregg Keizer

Aug 19, 2011 4 mins

Tablets

In IPad’s Shadow, HP Ditches Tablet Hopes

Considering how hot the tablet market is right now, Thursday's decision by Hewlett-Packard (HP) to stop making tablets raised a lot of eyebrows.

By Sharon Gaudin

Aug 19, 2011 3 mins

Tablets

HP Shift on PCs Could Boost Rivals

With Hewlett-Packard (HP) likely spinning off its PC manufacturing business, other major vendors will almost certainly be looking for a way to get a bigger piece of the hardware pie.

By Sharon Gaudin

Aug 19, 2011 4 mins

IT Strategy

HP’s Apotheker changes his tune on mobility

Six months after laying out his "strategic vision" for HP, CEO Leo Apotheker took the actions to realize it. And abandoned the mobile computing space.

By John Cox

Aug 19, 2011 6 mins

IT Strategy

How To Prevent IT Sabotage Inside Your Company

Recent cases of IT workers who turn against their companies and destructively shut down networks for days provide lessons for how businesses can work to prevent similar attacks.

By Todd R. Weiss

Aug 19, 2011 7 mins

IT Leadership Intrusion Detection Software Risk Management

Apple’s Spaceship Campus: What’s the Message?

Apple wants a campus that looks like a "spaceship," says Steve Jobs. A Silicon Valley designer sees mixed messages in the analogy: Is the future temporary?

By Tom Kaneshige

Aug 18, 2011 3 mins

Consumer Electronics Innovation

BlackBerry PlayBook Apps: 5 Worthy Downloads

CIO.com's Al Sacco recommends another round of great applications for BlackBerry PlayBook tablets, including apps for e-reading, social networking, keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams and scores and more.

By Al Sacco

Aug 18, 2011 4 mins

Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business Tablets

Why Microsoft Won’t Buy Hardware to Compete with Googorola

Now that Google has purchased Motorola for $12.5 billion, Microsoft is the lone smartphone player that doesn't own any hardware. And that's not likely to change, say industry analysts.

By Shane O'Neill

Aug 17, 2011 4 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Social media meets ERP, here's what it means to your business and why you should embrace these new ways of connecting with your customers.

By Todd R. Weiss

Aug 16, 2011 5 mins

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

Threat to Year in IPOs Analyzed By PwC

IPO Watch sees danger that hot first-half rate — with $24.3b of proceeds — could ice over because of market volatility.

By Roy Harris

Aug 15, 2011 4 mins

Financial Services Industry

Back to School: 6 Tips for Not Overspending on Tech

You don't have to break the bank to give your kids heading back to school the tech tools they need. From free Office alternatives to PCs at half the price of Macs, here are six tips for parents looking to spend wisely.

By Bill Snyder

Aug 15, 2011 5 mins

Laptops MacBook Small and Medium Business

RIM Developer Guru on Why You Should Believe in BlackBerry

CIO.com's Al Sacco sat down with BlackBerry-maker RIM's Director of Developer Relations, Mike Kirkup, to discuss the Canadian company's latest products, the much anticipated Android App Player for PlayBook–and when it will be released

By Al Sacco

Aug 15, 2011 8 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

If Corporations Were People…

Former Massachusetts Gov. and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney infamously said last week, "Corporations are people, my friend." We're assuming he meant tech companies, too. So what actors would play them? What would the movies be calle

By Tom Kaneshige

Aug 15, 2011 3 mins

Facebook IT Strategy Twitter

The Groans of August: CFOs Acclimate

The impact of S&P's downgrade and the market's wild ride force Corporate America to balance their views

By Karen M. Kroll

Aug 12, 2011 7 mins

IT Leadership

Overall CFO Optimism Fell in July…

…But in the U.S., the outlook for their own companies was quite strong, the FEI/Baruch survey shows.

By Roy Harris

Aug 11, 2011 5 mins

Data Center IT Leadership

Business Apps on the iPhone: Dos and Don’ts

Techies love features and functions; business users are more focused on simplicity and speed. CIOs must seek to balance both worlds when developing a business app for the iPhone.

By Tom Kaneshige

Aug 11, 2011 6 mins

Business Intelligence Retail Industry iPhone

Stress Test: Bloomberg CIO Deals with Stock Market Data Surge

During the stock market's most volatile week in years, the data throughput of Bloomberg LP's trading and financial news network has been put to the test. Here's how the company prepared for the sudden data explosion.

By Shane O'Neill

Aug 11, 2011 5 mins

CIO Disaster Recovery IT Strategy

Survey of Finance Execs Shows Uptick, but Still Worries

A survey of U.S. finance executives by CFO services provider Tatum was suggesting a slight upturn in corporate-finance conditions in the days before the nation's debt ceiling was raised, and before the Standard & Poor's downgrade of the

By Roy Harris

Aug 10, 2011 5 mins

IT Leadership IT Strategy

Windows 7 Migrations: Don’t Get Distracted by XP, Windows 8

The world of Windows is becoming a crowded place. But between Windows XP's death and Windows 8's birth stands Windows 7, and it's the only version enterprise IT should care about, according to analysts and consultants.

By Shane O'Neill

Aug 9, 2011 4 mins

Small and Medium Business Virtualization Windows

Using Renewable Energy in the Data Center

You know eco-friendly IT efforts can save budget dollars, but unless you've investigated solar, wind and other renewable energy options you may be leaving money on the table.

By John Soat

Aug 9, 2011 6 mins

Data Center Green IT

The New Pressures on Executive Comp

While the value of CEOs' pay packages jumped in 2010 — the median value among S&P 500 companies surged 20%, to $10.6 million, according to ISS Corporate Services — the increase may not be the most significant change in executive compensati

By Karen M. Kroll

Aug 8, 2011 6 mins

IT Leadership

Hyper-V & Virtual PCs: How to Handle Virtual Disks

Choosing the right format for the right scenario is critical when it comes to performance and management of virtual hard disks (VHDs). We'll look at the pros and cons of the three methods — fixed, pass-through and dynamic disks — and highlight

By Sandro Villinger

Aug 8, 2011 7 mins

Virtualization

Desktop Search: Free and Paid Apps for Finding Your Data

Finding "stuff" on our PC can be a drag. If you do basic searches, there are plenty of free search apps, but if you're a digital pack rat like Bill Snyder of CIO.com, you may need a more advanced paid desktop search app.

By Bill Snyder

Aug 8, 2011 4 mins

Internet Small and Medium Business Windows

Fear of Change Impedes Cloud Adoption for Many Companies

A new study concludes that internal attitudes have to change for cloud projects to succeed. Here are some tips for how to encourage that inside your company.

By Todd R. Weiss

Aug 4, 2011 5 mins

Cloud Computing IT Skills Virtualization

Building Applications in the Cloud: a Tour of the Tools

There's cloud development, and then there's cloud development.

By Brian Proffitt

Aug 4, 2011 7 mins

Cloud Computing Developer Enterprise Applications

RIM Unveils New BlackBerrys: 5 Facts You Need to Know

CIO.com's BlackBerry black belt Al Sacco breaks down RIM's latest BlackBerry smartphones, three of which were made official today–the BlackBerry Torch 9810, Torch 9850 and Torch 9860–and offers up notable features and facts about each of

By Al Sacco

Aug 3, 2011 9 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Apple Gets Serious About iPad Security, Is It Enough?

Can you send encrypted email from your iPad? Not yet. As iPads pour into the enterprise, CIOs hope Apple can help solve this and other security problems.

By Tom Kaneshige

Aug 3, 2011 5 mins

Compliance Consumer Electronics Tablets

Emerging ERP Apps Stores Could Change the Way Enterprises Buy ERP

Imagine shopping for ERP applications for your business the same way you buy apps for your smartphone. . ERP app stores are indeed popping up, and they offer IT departments the opportunity to try out a variety of enterprise apps and add-ons, accordin

By Todd R. Weiss

Aug 1, 2011 6 mins

ERP Systems Enterprise Applications IT Strategy

5 Ways to Lower your ‘VMware Tax’ with vSphere 5

Outraged VMware customers can take steps to minimize their costs under the company's controversial new licensing model.n

By Kevin Fogarty

Jul 29, 2011 9 mins

Server Virtualization System Management Virtualization

Software License Audits: How to Avoid SAP, Rent-A-Center Brouhaha

Keeping track of enterprise software license usage is critical so there are no costly surprises later. It's a lesson Rent-A-Center is learning the hard way as a recent SAP license audit found them owing $9 million in fees for excess use. Here ar

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 29, 2011 6 mins

Business Intelligence CRM Systems ERP Systems

15 Incredibly Useful (and Free) Microsoft Tools for IT Pros

We've dug through the jungle that is Microsoft Downloads and found 15 of the best free tools you've probably never heard of.

By Sandro Villinger, IT World

Jul 28, 2011 7 mins

Project Management Tools Small and Medium Business Windows

Leadership Lessons from Apple CEO Steve Jobs

What can CIOs learn about leadership from Apple CEO Steve Jobs? Plenty. Executive leadership guru Paul David Walker says tech execs should take cues from his marketing savvy and confidence. But leave the arrogance at home.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jul 28, 2011 5 mins

CIO Innovation iPhone

ENIAC Still Influencing Enterprise IT 68 Years Later

What does the world's first electronic computer contribute to today's enterprise IT environment, almost seven decades after its first parts were being assembled? Plenty, including many of the foundations we still use today, says a Universit

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 28, 2011 6 mins

Data Center Enterprise Architecture Innovation