Cloud buzzword of the day: PaaS - platform as a service. With so many so-called best-of-breed software solutions floating around, it feels like we are back in the siloed ‘90s. Industry futurists say that PaaS can tie them all together.

Cloud buzzword of the day: PaaS - platform as a service. With so many so-called best-of-breed software solutions floating around, it feels like we are back in the siloed ‘90s. Industry futurists say that PaaS can tie them all together. So, are you ready to boost your company’s status from mere-mortal best-in-class to first-mover advantage and beyond? Our experts speak: Chris Horak: “Technology is king. Content is King Kong.” Frank Scavo: “You don't get a pass just because you're SaaS." Jon...

The cloud. Shopping for cloud solutions based solely on price? Look deeper, say the experts.

The cloud. Shopping for cloud solutions based solely on price? Look deeper, say the experts. Jeff Anders: “Nearly everyone is under the gun to save money and looking for that ‘silver bullet’ to solve their problem, but even the most skilled hunter can shoot himself in the foot sometimes. Cost is only one factor when trying to decide between public, private and hybrid cloud solutions.” Allan Krans: “It may be time to rethink everything you know about private cloud. Current stereotypes of...

Business Intelligence (BI). In 1989, Howard Dresser proposed BI to describe “concepts and methods to improve business decision making by using fact-based support systems.

Business Intelligence (BI). In 1989, Howard Dresser proposed BI to describe “concepts and methods to improve business decision making by using fact-based support systems.” Yes, your company needs BI to survive, but now you have to choose between on-premise BI – inflexible, complex – and cloud or SaaS BI – more agile, affordable, accessible. And if you opt for cloud, is it mature or trustworthy enough yet? The experts debate. Cindi Howson: “Cloud BI promises to make on-premise installations...

Mobile Moments. According to Mary Meeker’s 2012 annual Internet trends report, 2.3 billion people are globally connected by the Internet, almost 3 % of all US adults own a tablet, and mobile is the source of 8% of all e-commerce.

Mobile Moments. According to Mary Meeker’s 2012 annual Internet trends report, 2.3 billion people are globally connected by the Internet, almost 3 % of all US adults own a tablet, and mobile is the source of 8% of all e-commerce. These trends can mean opportunity or catastrophe for your business. Which will it be? Our experts weigh in:

Women in IT. True or false: Gender diversity in the information technology workforce enables better decision making, increased creativity, and innovative performance? We’ll ask the experts.

Women in IT. True or false: Gender diversity in the information technology workforce enables better decision making, increased creativity, and innovative performance? We’ll ask the experts. Emily Jasper: “When you talk about women in IT, two different conversations are going on: women in computing roles versus women in leadership. Solutions that address one area may actually hinder the other.” Marilyn Kibler-Colón: “Women are excellent leaders because they understand the business issues and...

Shadow IT. Rogue IT. Call it what you will, it’s still a force lurking outside traditional IT.

Shadow IT. Rogue IT. Call it what you will, it’s still a force lurking outside traditional IT. Our June 14 panel had so much to say that we’re continuing the discussion around these experts’ insights: Steve Romero: “If the business fulfilled its obligation to govern IT, there would be no Shadow IT.” Judson Wickham: “If Shadow IT can provide dashboards and charts that executives can twirl around on their iPad, they don’t care about the source of the information.” Jeff Kaplan: “CIOs are no...

HR globalization. An inevitable challenge as your marketplace changes and new opportunities arise, perhaps in maturing countries.

HR globalization. An inevitable challenge as your marketplace changes and new opportunities arise, perhaps in maturing countries. But are you and your employees ready to venture out of your home base comfort zone, to do business among other cultures around the globe? The experts have a lot to say. Emily Jasper: “Globalization is centralizing how we do business, bringing us to a new universal model. Comparative advantage will go to those with emphasis on great talent and innovation, not on...

Start-ups. A bad time to launch one? Not! Technology is helping start-ups disrupt the status quo and become real economic game-changers.

Start-ups. A bad time to launch one? Not! Technology is helping start-ups disrupt the status quo and become real economic game-changers. Louis Leporace, Next Principles: “Companies that fail to successfully incorporate social media, analytics, and big data into their business today will be the dinosaurs of their industry in three to five years.” Joe Hyland, Taulia: “We can make real time funding decisions, all within the cloud, by analyzing millions of buyer-supplier relationships in a...

Cloud. More than just another delivery mechanism for same-old enterprise software, the cloud facilitates peer2peer collaboration at new altitudes, with surprising benefits. The experts discuss this important game-changer.

Cloud. More than just another delivery mechanism for same-old enterprise software, the cloud facilitates peer2peer collaboration at new altitudes, with surprising benefits. The experts discuss this important game-changer. Michael Krigsman: “Cloud embodies new relationships and the promise of business and IT finally getting their act together for working in alignment and toward common goals. The cloud brings a technology shift, but also a change in mindset and culture.” Kare Anderson: “To...

Cloud. A handful of applications may give you fast growth, cost-effective innovation, new agility - but siloed, disconnected clouds and on-premise databases won’t talk to each other or to you.

Cloud. A handful of applications may give you fast growth, cost-effective innovation, new agility - but siloed, disconnected clouds and on-premise databases won’t talk to each other or to you. What to do? Lauren Nelson / Forrester: “For most enterprises today, cloud environments remain isolated from other cloud and non-cloud environments due primarily to a lack of standards. Looking forward, it will be a combination of vendors, open source initiatives, and standards bodies that will enable...

True or False: Your company is too large - or too small - for cloud computing.

True or False: Your company is too large - or too small - for cloud computing. Answer: False! Learn why from our panelists: Sina Moatamed: “Enterprises that are willing transform into lean, agile, and highly competitive organizations will understand and embrace the cloud regardless of their size or industry. Cloud will finally weave IT into the fabric of business.” David Sweetman: “The scalability, affordability, consistency and accessibility of cloud solutions is good for large and small...

Is your company culture ‘social’ yet? It’s the new game-changer in business and we hope you’re not missing out. Dr. Natalie Petouhoff: “What if your CEO said, ‘I don’t want employees talking to each other.

Is your company culture ‘social’ yet? It’s the new game-changer in business and we hope you’re not missing out. Dr. Natalie Petouhoff: “What if your CEO said, ‘I don’t want employees talking to each other. I want people to work by themselves and not collaborate. I don’t care about what customers say. We should be insular and not take any feedback from employees or customers! That’s how we will beat the competition!’?...Unfortunately, many businesses – while not saying this – are explicitly...