News

Is the Apple iPad Unbeatable?

With all the drama of a spaghetti Western, the iPad has taken dead aim at tablet rivals. Android tablets? Stampeding toward oblivion. RIM PlayBooks? Dead on arrival.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jul 26, 2011 4 mins

Carriers Consumer Electronics Tablets

LinkedIn Quick Tip: How to Use the New Job Application Feature

LinkedIn released a new plug-in that lets you apply for jobs with your LinkedIn profile by simply clicking a button.

By Kristin Burnham

Jul 26, 2011 2 mins

IT Jobs LinkedIn Social Networking Apps

11 Best Android Tablet Apps for Newbies

Got yourself a Google Android tablet PC? Now all you need are some quality apps. Check out these 11 great tablet-compatible Android apps, all free.

By Al Sacco

Jul 26, 2011 7 mins

Internet Small and Medium Business Tablets

Verizon 4G LTE: Four Gotchas

Verizon's use of 4G LTE wireless technology makes it the speediest wireless carrier, but speed ain't everything. 4G LTE also feasts on battery life and has questionable availability, among other things. Here's how not to get burned by

By Bill Snyder

Jul 25, 2011 5 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Lawyers need social networking too. Australian firm Minter Ellison has invested big in unified communications and social networking tools to get its far-flung attorneys to collaborate, share expertise and appear as "one firm" to clients.

By Shane O'Neill

Jul 25, 2011 4 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Firms Cautious on IT Spending, but Confidence Up in Survey

Corporate and other information-technology professionals are signaling some increasing economic confidence — with a survey registering small rises in some IT spending and staffing plans — although uncertainty still seems to be the order of the da

By Roy Harris

Jul 21, 2011 3 mins

Budgeting

New SCM Deployments Help Food and Beverage Companies Streamline Business Operations

By finding efficiencies and integrating disparate supply chain systems, Tate & Lyle and Maple Leaf Foods are gaining competitive advantages. Could this help your enterprise, too?

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 21, 2011 8 mins

Enterprise Architecture Supply Chain Management Software

7 Solid Reasons to Keep the Faith in RIM, BlackBerry

Times are tough for BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM), but CIO.com's Al Sacco thinks many critics are underestimating the Canadian company. Here are seven reasons why it's still too early to count RIM out.

By Al Sacco

Jul 21, 2011 11 mins

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

Rethinking How We Learn at Work

It's time for CIOs to rethink just how workers should be equipping themselves to learn in the years ahead. The first place to look for learning innovation is the Web.

By Chris Curran, Principal, PwC

Jul 21, 2011 5 mins

CIO IT Skills Social Networking Apps

iPads in the Enterprise: 5 Price Negotiation Tactics

Did you know you can gain up to a margin point of additional discount when buying at least 1,000 iPads from an Apple reseller? Before you jump on the iPad bandwagon there are five things you need to know to ensure you get the best deal.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jul 20, 2011 5 mins

Healthcare Industry Manufacturing Industry Technology Industry

Google+ iPhone App: 5 Things You Need to Know

The first version of the Google+ iPhone app has just been released. Here are some of the app's best features, and tips for using it.

By Kristin Burnham

Jul 20, 2011 5 mins

Consumer Electronics Internet Social Networking Apps

4 Tips for Keeping Your Data Center Cool This Summer

Summer is hot but data centers need to stay cool, which can be expensive. Here's how IT groups can reduce temperatures and budgets.

By Megan Santosus

Jul 20, 2011 6 mins

Green IT Server Virtualization Servers

Extending the Private Cloud: 5 Keys to Virtualization in a Global Environment

CIOs tasked with managing virtual servers across a global environment have to clear some hurdles to effectively optimize their infrastructure.

By Patricia Brown

Jul 20, 2011 6 mins

Cloud Computing Private Cloud Virtualization

Cloud Security: Will Your Business Data Be Safe In the Cloud?

Is the cloud a safe place for your critical business data to be? Cloud security consultant Ara Trembly tells you what you need to know and consider before you decide.

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 19, 2011 6 mins

Data Breach Data and Information Security Intrusion Detection Software

iPad Apps: Is Apple Courting the Enterprise?

Apple's new volume purchase program for business seeks to solve a major problem of iOS app distribution. Just beware of the wording: Custom B2B apps in the program must go through an Apple app review process.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jul 19, 2011 5 mins

Project Management Tools Tablets iPhone

Bad News for Windows: IT Is Spending on Cloud, Not PCs

U.S. PC sales are down compared to a year ago, as enterprises put dollars toward cloud and virtualization technologies over PCs and consumers turn to smartphones and tablets and shun netbooks.

By Shane O'Neill

Jul 14, 2011 3 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Leave the Tech Behind: 5 Tips for a Gadget-Free Vacation

The best way to truly "disconnect" from your hectic professional life while on vacation is to ditch as many of those electronic gadgets as possible. CIO.com's Al Sacco offers up five tips on how to have a "techless" vacation.

By Al Sacco

Jul 14, 2011 8 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business iPhone

5 Google+ Tips for Advanced Users

If you've played around with Google's new social network and are ready to do more, check out these five tips to help you take a step further in Google+.

By Kristin Burnham

Jul 14, 2011 4 mins

Consumer Electronics Internet Social Networking Apps

Customize Your ERP or Adapt To It? What’s Your Strategy?

So it's time for your enterprise to do an ERP refresh or replacement. As you approach it, is it better to customize or go with what the vendors give you? There are pitfalls to both. Here are some ideas to help you decide.

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 14, 2011 8 mins

Cloud Computing Data Center ERP Systems

SharePoint Bible: Your Complete Guide to Microsoft’s Collaboration Software

Updated: From pricing questions to enterprise and cloud adoption trends to reviews of SharePoint 2010, CIO.com's SharePoint Bible covers it all. Our guide delivers expert reviews, advice on planning and rollout, and news analysis on Microsoft&#0

By Shane O'Neill

Jul 13, 2011 6 mins

Cloud Computing Microsoft Office Office Suites

Virtualization: An Easier Path to the Cloud

Is the idea of cloud computing still a bit ominous for your company? Not to worry. If you are already virtualizing some of your enterprise apps, then you've been gaining great experience that will help ease your transition, says analyst Laura Di

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 13, 2011 8 mins

Cloud Computing Server Virtualization Virtualization

Augmented Reality: Where’s the Killer App?

Mobile augmented reality apps fall short of expectations, yet Apple continues to bet heavily on the technology.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jul 13, 2011 4 mins

Innovation Social Networking Apps Tablets

U.S. Efficiency Push: Boon Or Bane for American Businesses?

Last month President Obama issued an Executive Order titled "Delivering an Efficient, Effective and Accountable Government." In it, the President promised to cut waste and streamline government operations. Among the steps identified to achi

By Karen M. Kroll

Jul 12, 2011 4 mins

Government

CIOs See Promise in Public Cloud Storage

A new survey shows that public cloud storage adoption is strong and poised for a big increase over the coming year, amid concerns over security and performance.

By James E. Bagley and Deni Connor

Jul 12, 2011 6 mins

Data Breach Data and Information Security Disaster Recovery

iPhone and iPad Security: 4 Tips to Stay Safe

While waiting for Apple to fix the Jailbreakme.com 3.0 vulnerability, follow these four practices to avoid being bitten by malware.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jul 11, 2011 2 mins

Malware Mobile Security iPhone

5 Cool Add Ons for Firefox 5

Are you a Firefox user? Do you want to make pesky ads disappear, manage your passwords better or view photos and videos in 3D? Bill Snyder of CIO.com highlights his favorite fun and free browser add ons that will work on both Firefox 5 and 4.

By Bill Snyder

Jul 11, 2011 5 mins

Browsers Internet Social Networking Apps

iPhone 5: Is a Redesign in the Cards?

Kyle Wiens of iFixit shares insights and predictions about the next-generation iPhone expected to launch this fall.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jul 11, 2011 5 mins

Computers and Peripherals Consumer Electronics iPhone

10 Google+ Tips for Beginners

You just got your hands on a Google+ invite — but what next? Check out these 10 tips to get you started on Google's new social network.

By Kristin Burnham

Jul 8, 2011 4 mins

Internet Social Networking Apps

In Pictures: The 8 Unfriendliest Cities for Teleworking

You would think in this day and age all businesses would be doing everything possible to support remote workers. But a surprising number of companies in major American cities are still behind the teleworking times, according to a recent Microsoft sur

By Shane O'Neill

Jul 8, 2011 3 mins

Careers Remote Work

A Shift to CFOs in Calling Tech Shots

Corporate finance chiefs indicate that they have an increasingly more powerful role in making technology investments — in many cases supplanting the role of the CIO — new research is showing.

By Roy Harris

Jul 7, 2011 4 mins

CIO IT Leadership

The Latest Security Tool for Your Arsenal: Whitelisting

Attacks at RSA, Sony and others point to the need to get tough with what you allow on your network. Whitelisting requires more maintenance from IT, but it is the best way to fortify your network and protect your data.

By Jim Buchanan

Jul 7, 2011 6 mins

CIO Data Breach Intrusion Detection Software

The Android How To Guide: Tutorials, Tips, and Updates

From free software downloads and expert tips and tricks, to device reviews, news and insider commentary, we offer you our guide to help master your Google Android device–updated regularly by CIO.com's mobile maestro Al Sacco.

By Al Sacco

Jul 7, 2011 6 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Indian Programmers vs. American Programmers: Whose Code Is Best?

Online career development community Gild recently compared Indian programmers' math, logic, software development and communication skills with those of American programmers.

By Meridith Levinson

Jul 6, 2011 4 mins

Certifications Developer IT Skills

Done right, Social CRM can help your company talk to your customers, but even more importantly, it can help you listen to your customers in ways you've never imagined. And that can help your business grow.

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 6, 2011 8 mins

Analytics Business Intelligence CRM Systems

Office 365: Car Dealer Revs Up for Growth with Microsoft Cloud Service

Here's a look at how and why the Hendrick Automative Group is using Microsoft's Office 365 cloud service to relieve an overburdened staff, scale the company and save money.

By Shane O'Neill

Jul 6, 2011 5 mins

Disaster Recovery Microsoft Office Office Suites

Google+ Privacy: 5 Settings You Need to Know

Whether you're lurking around Google's new social network or are already actively using it, knowing your Google+ privacy and security settings is essential. From disabling email notifications to ditching your Google+ account, check out thes

By Kristin Burnham

Jul 6, 2011 5 mins

Consumer Electronics Internet Social Networking Apps

If Disaster Strikes Will Your Critical Enterprise Apps Be Ready To Get You Back in Business?

You certainly have a disaster recovery plan for your company's IT systems and applications, right? But are you testing it to be sure it will work as planned in an emergency? If not, trouble could be lurking.

By Todd R. Weiss

Jul 5, 2011 7 mins

Data Management Disaster Recovery Enterprise Applications

Follow the Money: Worldcom to ‘Whitey’

When Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger recently was captured in California after 16 years on the lam, investigators found him to be living comfortably, at least in the financial sense, with $800,000 in cash stashed in his rent-controlled

By Ed Zwirn

Jul 5, 2011 5 mins

Legal

Email Clutter: Cleaning it Up on Your Own Terms

You don't have to be constantly tidying up your messy email inbox, writes CIO.com's Bill Snyder. Today's email clients such as Gmail and Mozilla Thunderbird have plenty of storage space and advanced search and tagging features. But the

By Bill Snyder

Jul 5, 2011 5 mins

Cloud Computing Internet Malware

As CFOs ‘Venture’ Forward

At companies that have weathered the recession, CFOs are finding opportunities galore to lead their firms in the transition from survival into the growth mode.

By Lisa Yoon

Jul 1, 2011 8 mins

IT Leadership

Trials of iPad Enterprise Adoption

Apple iPad enterprise adoption is not easy, but a prestigious law firm makes the case for why it is worth the effort.

By Tom Kaneshige

Jun 30, 2011 8 mins

Desktop Virtualization Laptops Microsoft Office

Best BlackBerry PlayBook Cases: Protect Your Tablet in Style

CIO.com's mobile maestro Al Sacco handpicks seven great-looking and functional BlackBerry PlayBook cases to help protect your shiny new tablet, add comfort and features–and give you some extra style points in the process.

By Al Sacco

Jun 30, 2011 5 mins

Small and Medium Business Smartphones Tablets

LinkedIn Quick Tip: How to Listen to Today’s Top Headlines

LinkedIn's new feature for browsers and iPhones, "SpeechIn," uses text-to-speech to read you the day's top news headlines — a great feature for people on the go, with some tweaks.

By Kristin Burnham

Jun 30, 2011 2 mins

LinkedIn Social Networking Apps

Is Your CRM System Meeting Your Enterprise’s Needs?

Your customer needs have been changing. Is your CRM system keeping pace? If you deployed your system 10 years ago, chances are that it's probably not.

By Todd R. Weiss

Jun 29, 2011 5 mins

CRM Systems Cloud Computing Enterprise Architecture

Office 365: It’s Not Just for SMBs

Microsoft's focus at the Office 365 launch event in New York City was on small and midsize businesses. For enterprises, however, moving to Office 365 is more complicated, but benefits await those big businesses that plan accordingly.

By Shane O'Neill

Jun 29, 2011 5 mins

Internet SaaS Servers

Five New Android Apps You Don’t Want to Miss

This latest batch of apps for your Google Android smartphone lets you stream your favorite TV shows and films, pay for your morning caffeine fix or just kill some time…and maybe a few zombies too.

By Al Sacco

Jun 28, 2011 4 mins

Internet Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Notable Shift: Enterprise Customer Interest in ERP Gaining Some Steam at Mid-Year

Last fall, a Forrester Research study found that most had no interest in investing in ERP. New information, however, is showing a renewed enthusiasm for ERP.

By Todd R. Weiss

Jun 27, 2011 6 mins

CRM Systems ERP Systems Enterprise Applications

Mobile Payments: Don’t Buy into It

Hackers are counting on all of us to use our smartphones for purchases, so don't buy into this ill-equipped technology, writes Bill Snyder of CIO.com. Mobile phones are simply not secure enough yet to be used like a credit card.

By Bill Snyder

Jun 27, 2011 5 mins

Carriers Data Breach Small and Medium Business

Bankers See Regulatory Reforms Spurring M&a

Banks may well turn to dealmaking as a result of the pressure they're getting from regulatory reforms, a survey of bank executives indicates.

By Roy Harris

Jun 23, 2011 4 mins

Financial Services Industry Mergers and Acquisitions Regulation

CFOs Seek Greater Skills for Managing Financial Risk

The role of the corporate finance department is moving more deeply into the areas of financial risk management, performance management, and enhanced nonfinancial and statistical reporting, according to new survey titled the "Finance Capabilities

By Roy Harris

Jun 23, 2011 4 mins

Careers IT Leadership Risk Management