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Extreme Project Management: How to Survive Fast-Track Projects
by WatchIT
How can your organization manage its projects efficiently and effectively? Howard Rubin offers insights, as well as strategic and tactical plans that map a clear path to bringing projects in on time and on cost. He answers the following questions: ~ How can you decrease project overhead while ensuring they come in on time? ~ How can you shorten project time and decrease project cost, yet still bring projects in on deadline? ~ What are some fast-track challenges and tools used by effective project managers? ~ What are some of the pitfalls of risk management? ~ What are the benefits of formalization, standardization and business case analysis in project management? ~ How can your organization increase the business value of its IT projects? ...
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Spam, Worms and Viruses! Managing Malicious E-Mail
by WatchIT
The rising tides of unsolicited commercial e-mail – spam – and e-mail-borne security risks, such as viruses and worms, not only pose special challenges for enterprises, but also add significant costs. Ray Everett-Church, privacy consultant and author, explains how spam affects your organization and discusses tools and techniques you can use to reduce this threat. In an interview, Karl Barth, E-mail Administrator, Office of Information Resources and Technology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, describes how the university employed new solutions to combat the crippling volumes of e-mail it was receiving. Everett-Church discusses the history of spam, explains how spammers operate, and shows what spam costs your company. He points out why spam is so difficult to stop, and then describes the first generation of anti-spam solutions and their overall effectiveness. Everett-Church examines the next wave of solutions and explains how they can help IT departments reduce costs. Finally, he describes the technologies that are your best bet to solve your spam problem. ...
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Project Management Roles and Responsibilities
by WatchIT
Bob Jones, Managing Director of Answerthink's Program Management consulting practice, offers an in-depth look at the roles and responsibilities required to manage IT projects successfully. In an interview, Dan Hill, Vice President, Projects and Solutions Delivery for Exelon Business Services Company, talks about his experiences managing projects for one of the nation's largest electric utility companies. Jones discusses the competencies and processes required to be an effective project manager. He also highlights enabling tools and technologies, and outlines attributes of one successful and one unsuccessful project via two real-world case studies. ...
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Building and Maintaining an Effective Internet Presence
by WatchIT
If a friend or foe, work colleague or headhunter were to Google you today, what would they find? A positive squeaky-clean reflection of you, or damaging information, photos or even video that presents evidence of a less then stellar past? Your Internet presence is critical to your personal and professional life and it pays to be very cautious about personal information you post online, as well as keeping a close eye on what is said by others about you. In this program Ted Demopoulos, founder and principle of Demopoulos Associates, offers insights and the best practices for building and maintaining an effective Internet presence. ...
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Business Process Reengineering: Today's Battleground
by WatchIT
What should a corporation's leaders do when they realize that their company has lost its competitiveness? To regain their organization's 'edge,' management guru and best-selling author James Champy urges financial executives to become actively involved in, rather than merely support, the redesign of business processes. ...
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Are You on the Software Police's Most Wanted List?
by WatchIT
In recent years, software vendors – and their affiliated 'software police' – have stepped up their onsite audits of computer systems at U.S. businesses. Peter Vogel, a partner in the law firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell, explains why you should conduct a 'self-audit' of your company's computers to check for unlicensed software. ...
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Corporate Espionage: Spies Among Us
by WatchIT
Information-related crimes cost businesses over $300 billion per year, and sometimes, bring a successful company to its knees. Our cameras were on hand at the recent FEI Summit in San Francisco, as Ira Winkler, who made a career out of identifying the weaknesses in corporate security systems, disclosed the truth about these devastating losses and the steps you need to take to help prevent them. ...
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Legal Issues in Virtual Worlds
by WatchIT
The use of virtual worlds and 3-D environments in business, communications and e-commerce is on the rise. IT professionals and their business colleagues need to be aware of the legal questions and issues that participating in online virtual communities can bring to the enterprise. In this program Peter Vogel an attorney and technology expert from the firm of Gardere, Wynne Sewell LLP, based in Dallas, Texas discusses the legal issues and concerns that have surfaced as businesses increase their presence in virtual environments. ...
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Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems
by WatchIT
IT security professionals tasked with protecting networks from malicious attacks by hackers, malware and the occasional disgruntled employee, are finding that the antivirus software, firewalls, and user authentication controls are simply not enough to protect critical systems and networks. In response to ever-increasing threats, Intrusion Detection and Prevention systems are deployed as an additional layer of protection against an unwanted network intrusion. In this program Ted Demopoulos, founder and principal of Demopoulos Associates offers expert advices and insight into Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems and how the technology is evolving. ...
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CSLA.NET: An Introduction
by WatchIT
CSLA, or the Component-based, Scalable Logical Architecture, is an application development framework that lowers the cost of building and maintaining applications. Initiated in 1999, the .NET implementation CSLA is the result of 12 years of research and development. The expansion of CSLA continues today with the release of CSLA.NET for Silverlight and the forthcoming binding support for the ASP.NET MVC framework. In this report, Rockford Lhotka, the creator of CSLA and Principal Technology Evangelist for Boston based Magenic Technologies, introduces CSLA.NET, discuss its features, benefits and visions for the future. ...
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Optimizing IT to Meet Business Objectives
by WatchIT
How can companies ensure that IT services are directed and optimized to implement critical business objectives? Wendell Jones of Cutter Consortium helps IT managers cope with what has become one of the most difficult -- yet exciting -- jobs in any organization. The program describes techniques that will help IT managers think and communicate like business executives, build relationships with key stakeholders, manage suppliers and providers, achieve two-way alignment between IT and business, anticipate and adapt to changing business requirements, and recruit, develop and retain quality staff. ...
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Corporate Fraud: Profiling and Prevention
by WatchIT
In the aftermath of business and accounting scandals, there has been increased emphasis on – as well as new legislation devoted to – antifraud controls. In this program Peter Goldmann, publisher of "White-Collar Crime Fighter," describes how, by examining the latest fraud statistics and profiles, you can protect your organization from fraudsters. ...
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E-Mail Disclaimers: Worth the Paper They're Not Printed On?
by WatchIT
There have been several high-profile lawsuits in recent years, with multi-million dollar penalties, based on the contents of corporate e-mails. Yet, Peter Vogel, who chairs the electronic discovery team at Gardere Wynne, explains why, as a general rule, it may be counterproductive for you to append an automatic 'disclaimer' to each e-mail you send. ...
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Information Security Certifications
by WatchIT
Are you considering an Information Security certification to advance your career? Certifications are a hot commodity right now, and there is a growing need for professionals who can implement and manage network security solutions. In this report Ted Demopoulos founder and principle of Demopoulos Associates offers helpful advice to security professionals looking to expand their career through a professional certification. ...
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Communication Strategies for Global Organizations
by WatchIT
Effective communication is mission-critical for global organizations. The technology, devices, and applications that enable clear and complete communication are invaluable to business today. In this report Peter Harrison, CEO of Global Logic a Virginia based company that is a leading provider of global software product development services, offers advice and best practices to IT and business professionals on how to best utilize communication applications and tools from E-mail, and Instant Messaging to Smart Phones and Blackberrys, both efficiently and effectively. ...
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Creating Effective E-Mail Policies
by WatchIT
Michelle Drolet, Founder and CEO of of Towerwall (formerly CONQWEST), an information security company, explains how not having a written e-mail usage policy can increase the risk of lawsuits and the loss of sensitive information, and also result in lost employee productivity. Drolet discusses how an effective e-mail policy can protect your organization from these threats, while maintaining the company's good reputation, and encouraging a harmonious work environment. Drolet begins by outlining why it's essential to have a written e-mail policy, illustrating with examples how it protects the organization and its employees. Then, she examines some of the key elements that should be included in such a policy. Next, Drolet describes best-of-breed technology solutions that enable and complement an organization's e-mail policy and best practices. She continues by explaining the Four E's: Evaluate, Establish, Educate, and Enforce – the foundation of a company's e-mail policy strategy. Drolet concludes by emphasizing the need for ongoing training and education to ensure the effectiveness of the e-mail policy. ...
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Enterprise Data Architecture: Building Effective Operational Systems
by WatchIT
David von Vistauxx, of Vistauxx Ltd., explains the key concepts involved in enterprise data architecture and provides a Game Plan for designing an efficient and cost-effective data structure. In a case study, John Sullivan, chief architect of the enterprise architecture program of the Environmental Protection Agency, discusses the technical challenges involved in implementing the data architecture of a large government agency. Von Vistauxx opens the program by discussing the impact of proper data architecture on enterprise systems, such as a dramatic reduction in costs. He continues with a look at understanding the value proposition of data architecture, and how it's critical to getting a buy-in at your organization. In the next section, von Vistauxx defines “data architecture” and explains why, when done correctly, it provides all users of the data with a baseline of the meaning, timeliness, and accuracy of the data. He concludes the program with a nine-step Game Plan for designing your organization's data structure. ...
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Globalizing Software R&D: Insights & Best Practices
by WatchIT
To bring high-quality products to market quickly and cost-effectively, enterprises are increasingly turning to globally based software R&D partners. In this report Peter Harrison, CEO of Global Logic, a leading provider of global software product development services, discusses the benefits and challenges of global development projects and offers insight and advice to IT professionals considering globalizing software R&D in their organizations. ...
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Implementing Wi-Fi Enterprise-WideImplementing Wi-Fi Enterprise-Wide
by WatchIT
Damien Holloway, an instructor for Hill Associates, a leading provider of telephony, network security and data communications training, presents a step-by-step game plan for implementing a wireless solution across your enterprise. Holloway's recommendations include: identifying specific goals for wireless deployment, determining device types to be supported, drafting a site plan, performing a site survey, and finally, commissioning the network. In addition, Holloway offers several post-deployment considerations. The program also features a case study that explores how American University, in Washington, D.C., plans to become the nation's leading wireless university by supporting voice, data, and messaging over a wireless network. ...
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Implementing the Order-to-Cash Business Process
by WatchIT
There is an untapped opportunity at many companies today to improve business performance through the order-to-cash process -- a five-step process that ranges from receipt of order to receipt of cash. Millions of dollars in profit can be delivered to the bottom line by companies who treat this as a business priority. But managing the order-to-cash cycle is not easy. It's a complex process that requires interaction among multiple components -- both inside and outside the enterprise. In this program, technology writer and consultant Roger Grannis clearly explains the order-to-cash process, using practical examples that can be applied to real-world business problems. This program will enable you to understand order-to-cash as a common business process -- and a process common to all businesses -- and how to organize many different information technologies to automate order to cash. ...
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Green IT: Insights and Best Practices
by WatchIT
Across the globe both public and private organizations are working toward becoming more environmentally responsible. In this report David Howe, SVP of Strategy and Client Services at CloudBlue Inc. discusses how IT professionals can move their organizations toward greener environmental practices in a manner that reduces costs and reduces risks, related to information security and end-of-life disposition of IT infrastructure. ...
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Modern Information Systems - IT Infrastructure: Part 1
by WatchIT
Today's modern information systems are difficult for the general business person to understand because the business work is largely managed inside a 'black box.' In this program, technology writer and consultant Roger Grannis clearly explains and simplifies the inner working of modern information systems, enabling the business person to recognize the issues, ask the right questions, and have confidence in tackling IT-related problems. The purpose of the program is to make it easier to understand the economics of computing and communications and lay the foundation for understanding enterprise resource planning (ERP), which keeps track of orders, inventory, and work flow; banking applications that keep track of deposits, reserves, loans, and credit; and supply chain applications that connect the ERP systems of one enterprise with the equivalent systems of another. In Part 1 of a two-part program, Grannis explains the concept of the Information Framework, and discusses the first three of seven models used to describe aspects of an organization's business functions and processes. ...
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A Measured Perspective on ERP: Making Stone Soup Taste Good
by WatchIT
Doug Brindley, president of Software Productivity Research (SPR), uses a classic children's story to illustrate the complexity of an ERP implementation. In this program, he examines the software metrics that must be used and understood by an enterprise when taking on such a challenging project. Brindley maps out an ERP implementation, looks at average productivity statistics, and suggests a new way to estimate real costs and schedules. He begins by offering a function point primer, and then provides a bird's-eye view of an ERP implementation, including a discussion of such items as bolt-ons, middleware, interfaces, satellites, and data conversion. He also explores the historical basis for estimating the complete body of work. These estimates entail elements such as cancellations, productivity, cost overruns, staffing, cost per function point, and delivered defects. Finally, Brindley looks at how the entire culture of a company must change to accommodate this new ERP landscape. ...
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Effective Website Privacy Policies
by WatchIT
Protecting the privacy of customer information is mission-critical for any online organization or business. Published website privacy policies need to clearly document how information is collected, stored and used. Site visitors need assurance that their private information is valued and well guarded. In this program Peter Vogel an attorney and technology expert from the firm of Gardere, Wynne Sewell LLP, based in Dallas, Texas, discusses the key elements of effective website privacy policies and the role of IT in there design and enforcement. ...
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Application Security Principles
by WatchIT
Businesses depend on robust, reliable, and secure software to ensure their continued operation. But with a lot of software, security is cobbled on as an afterthought. According to consultant Ted Demopoulos, security needs to be part of the system design, because adding it later can be difficult, if not impossible. In this program, he explains the principles for developing reliable and secure software, noting that they don't depend on the underlying operating system, networking, or development language. Demopoulos opens the program with an introduction to application security principles, explaining that there is a lot more involved than simply writing good code. Next, he looks at security issues in development, focusing on balancing security requirements and practical considerations. Demopoulos continues by exploring threats, vulnerabilities, and risks, and paying special attention to threat modeling techniques. He also examines secure programming concepts and implementation issues. Demopoulos concludes with a look at security testing and code reviews. ...
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Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
by WatchIT
Most businesses think of disaster recovery as strictly a technology issue when, in fact, it's first a business and people issue -- and technology follows from there. Consequently, this program is intended for business managers at all levels, not just technicians. In this program, Bill Abram, president of technology consulting company Pragmatix, discusses the key elements of business continuity and disaster recovery, and provides important information and concepts you can immediately put to use in your business. First, Abram explains why business continuity and disaster recovery planning are important. Next, he covers the two critical factors that drive your business continuity planning: Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO). Abram continues by describing the four simple elements of a disaster recovery plan. He then discusses what you need to know to implement a solution. Abram concludes the program by examining some lessons learned -- typical issues that have been encountered by clients as they've built and executed their own business continuity and disaster recovery plans. ...
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Business Intelligence: Best Practices for Successful Project Management
by WatchIT
Managing a business intelligence (BI) project is more involved than managing other types of IT projects. For this reason, BI project management requires different techniques and methods to succeed. This program discusses best practices for organizing and managing a BI project. David Sterling, CEO and principal consultant for Sterling International Consulting Group in North Carolina, explains the differences between managing a BI project and an ordinary IT project. He covers the products, vendor offerings, hardware and software requirements. Sterling then details the management phases of a BI project, from getting the original buy-in to project maintenance. This program shows how to make the most of a BI project investment by picking the right tools, effectively leveraging your resources, using effective staffing and training procedures, and avoiding common pitfalls. The program also looks at case studies of successfully and unsuccessfully managed BI projects. In an interview, Alan Parker, CEO of APower Solutions in Atlanta, GA adds his perspectives on BI project management. ...
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Developing World Class BI, DW and BPM Solutions
by WatchIT
Using appropriate business intelligence, data warehousing and business performance management technologies enables individuals to access relevant, timely, and accurate information for monitoring, analysis, reporting, and decision-making purposes. In this program, Jonathan Wu, Senior Principal of Knightsbridge Solutions, shows business executives how to use these technologies to gain greater insight into their operations and obtain the information they need to enact change within their organizations. Wu looks at the four common characteristics of world-class solutions. He explores best practices used to create these solutions, specifically, development methodology and project team approach. Wu walks the viewer through the phases of development, and details the structure and responsibilities of the project team. ...
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Disaster Recovery Planning: Insights & Best Practices
by WatchIT
Modern organizations are growing increasingly dependent on information technology to run their day-to-day operations. Disasters such as those caused by fires, floods, hackers, computer viruses or terrorism can cripple IT, leaving an organization virtually dead in the water. In order to quickly restore IT services and minimize business interruptions, it is imperative that enterprises have an effective disaster recovery plan in place, tested, and ready to go. In this program Don Norbeck, Director of Product Development for SunGard Availability Services, provides IT professionals with up-to-date insights and best practices they must be considered when creating new or updating existing disaster recovery plans. ...
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Ensuring Data Quality in Your Enterprise
by WatchIT
Claudia Imhoff, President of Intelligent Solutions, explains why data quality management is the most critical initiative you can implement in your organization. Included in this program is an interview with Chad Wright, Applications Manager, Information Systems, for Avid Systems Inc., who explains how his organization has derived significant business benefits from its data quality management processes. Imhoff begins the program by answering the question: What is data quality management? She then covers some of the challenges your organization faces when beginning to implement data quality management functions. Imhoff then explains in greater detail the elements of successful data quality management. Using the Corporate Information Factory model, she demonstrates where data quality management processes should be implemented. Imhoff concludes by explaining how to get started with your data quality management initiative. ...
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Measuring Corporate Information Productivity
by WatchIT
Paul Strassmann, publisher and CEO of The Information Economics Press, New Canaan, Conn., and author of seven books on information economics, provides formulas for calculating the productivity of IT investments. Strassmann first defines productivity. He then discusses the economics of information management, defines information productivity and describes how to increase it. Strassmann also provides a case study from the public sector. According to Strassmann, information productivity rather than capital productivity is the choice measure for the CIO. He also stresses that IT is effective only if information productivity improves. ...
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Effective Presentation Skills for IT Professionals
by WatchIT
Marjorie Brody, founder of Brody Communications, Ltd., shows IT professionals how to explain technology, influence others, and get buy-in for their ideas and services. She begins by outlining her speech-planning techniques, the first of which is to define your PAL™: Purpose, Audience, and Logistics. Brody then explains how to create a brief overall objective, and how to make the body of the presentation come alive with such techniques as humor, stories and visual aids. She also details how to shape the other important elements of a presentation, such as the introduction and conclusion, as well as the preview. Brody explains how to prepare a user-friendly final draft, and offers some pointers for practicing aloud. She then delves into the dynamics of delivering the actual presentation, including how to control the three types of signals a speaker sends: visual, vocal, and verbal. Next, Brody presents and analyzes three different speaking scenarios, and offers tips and pointers for conducting software demonstrations. Finally, Brody discusses how to handle the question-and-answer period; this section details eight general rules to make sure that this critical session stays on track. ...
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Effective Techniques for the Balanced Scorecard
by WatchIT
Howard Rohm, vice president of the Balanced Scorecard Institute and president of Howard Rohm Associates, LLC, shares his experience with balanced scorecard performance systems, and offers practical tips and advice to help you decide if a balanced scorecard system is right for your organization. In an interview, Paul Arveson, director and founder of the Balanced Scorecard Institute, gives further insights into developing a successful balanced scorecard system. In this program, Rohm provides an overview of balanced scorecard systems and how they are built and implemented. He then discusses how to develop a scorecard system within an IT organization. The program also includes helpful suggestions on how to start a scorecard program, and provides some lessons learned and best practices. Also included in this program is a case study of Booz Allen Hamilton's balanced scorecard system. ...
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Implementing Business Intelligence Technologies
by WatchIT
Larissa Moss, President, Method Focus Inc., describes the challenges of providing a cross-organizational business intelligence (BI) solution, and outlines a practical implementation plan. In addition, you'll also hear from Len Dubois, Vice President of Marketing for the Trillium Software division of Harte-Hanks, a Texas-based BI solutions provider. Although all BI initiatives are different, there are some common, critical success factors, and this program delves into these factors to help guide you in your BI implementation efforts. Moss begins by discussing key considerations that will help you avoid common mistakes. She then outlines a step-by-step game plan for effectively implementing BI applications. These steps include: evaluating the enterprise infrastructure; business analyses and systems analyses; database design; the extract, transform and load (ETL) design process; access and analysis application design; the metadata repository; and deploying your BI application. ...
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Ensuring High Quality Software Metrics
by WatchIT
Doug Brindley, President of Software Productivity Research, identifies the software metrics that best-in-class organizations collect, and explains how even well-intentioned metrics programs can become dysfunctional. He also presents a straightforward technique for ensuring that your organization both collects and uses high-quality software metrics. Joining Brindley in an interview is Stan Rifkin, founder of Master Systems Incorporated and a noted process improvement and change management expert. Brindley begins the program by making the case for software measurement, and describes the metrics most commonly collected and analyzed. Then, he discusses what he calls “evil-twin” concepts: “Measurement Noise” and “Dysfunctional Metrics.” Next, from a classic case of dysfunctional metrics, Brindley outlines how the efforts of an employment office measurement program worked against its goals by “penalizing the truth” and reinforcing subversive behavior and record keeping. Finally, he examines the goal/question/metric (GQM) paradigm. This is a powerful technique that helps ensure metrics are functional because the paradigm is based on two important assumptions: that measurement programs should be goal-based, and that goals and metrics are defined and customized to the individual organization's needs. ...
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MEMS: Making Technology Think Small
by WatchIT
Roger Grace, president of Roger Grace Associates, a San Francisco-based marketing consulting firm specializing in high technology, and Dr. Ken Wise, a leading MEMS researcher at the University of Michigan, discuss MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) - a science of huge potential dealing with the smallest of subjects. MEMS are microscopic machines and components such as valves, pumps, switches, sensors and actuators. An outgrowth of the same technological revolution that gave us integrated circuits, or ICs, MEMS carries the IC concept to the next level. This program explains the potential future applications for MEMS, as well as the current state of standards in the industry - and why standardization is so important to the future of MEMS development. It also looks at how devices that use MEMS technology will help IT become more efficient and possibly make your company more profitable. ...
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IT Organizational Strategies, Roles and Responsibilities
by WatchIT
Because IT functions as a service to the business, and not a line of business, many strategies exist for organizing this function to best serve the enterprise. But which strategy makes the most sense for different companies and varying business situations? In this program, Gig Graham from WatchIT presents four possible models for organizing IT, including patterns of how certain models have worked in different business situations. He discusses reporting structures, roles and responsibilities of key IT leaders, and the types of information that enable these leaders to carry out their assignments more effectively. The program includes case studies of the IT organizations of prominent companies. In addition, Tony Hai, director of project Services at National City Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, discusses IT roles and strategies, and the models that apply to his IT organization. ...
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Just What Is Enterprise Business Intelligence?
by WatchIT
Organizations typically approach business intelligence from many different perspectives. According to Chris Silbernagel, Managing Principal for the BI consultancy Exigent Partners, it's useful to talk about BI from an information, technology, and problem perspective. From an information perspective, it's necessary to understand three different points of view: the data's, the user's, and the corporation's. From the data context, enterprise BI is about access and security. To a user, BI means a single interface. For a company, BI means a single version of the “truth.” From a technology perspective, BI is viewed as a single interface, vendor, or methodology. From a problem perspective, BI revolves around database size, performance, security, and user acceptance. After outlining these basic concepts of BI, Silbernagel answers some of the key questions organizations have when considering a BI initiative: What is its value? Why should the company make the investment? And how is BI better than what the company already has? Silbernagel concludes by looking at the first steps an organization can take for implementing enterprise business intelligence. ...
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Knowledge Transfer Supporting Business Intelligence Initiative
by WatchIT
Chris Silbernagel, Managing Principal for Exigent Partners, explains how to preserve the experience gained during a business intelligence initiative. In an interview, Don Gerundo, also a Principal at Exigent, talks about the difficulties and timeframes of recruiting qualified BI resources. Silbernagel begins with a brief definition of business intelligence. He continues by discussing the three common approaches, or myths, of knowledge transfer: we can learn it on our own; someone can teach us; or we can hire the experience and knowledge. Then, Silbernagel explains why these approaches fail. He examines how each approach can be made to work, and then outlines an alternative approach that he claims will yield improved results. ...
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Limiting Liability Exposure for the IT Manager
by WatchIT
Peter Vogel, partner at law firm Gardere Wynne Sewell, answers liability questions regarding IT breaches and management accountability, and discusses whether directors and officers are protected. He also describes actions to take when breaches are discovered. In separate interviews, David Nicastro, Rafael Gorgal and Stephen Burau of SecureSource add their insights into preventing major IT liability problems, and handling them when they arise. Vogel opens the program with an overview of liability issues. He continues by explaining potential IT liabilities, identifying conditions to look for, discussing analysis and remediation of IT security problems, and describing the basics of liability insurance coverage. Vogel also details several case studies involving IT liability drawn from his professional experience. The case studies include the destruction of an e-mail server, a failed ERP implementation, and a poorly planned development project. In a section that will give the IT manager guidelines that can be put into practice, Vogel presents a manager's checklist that outlines where to start, how to hire, how to use the results of a security analysis, with whom to share those results, and the role of the risk manager. ...
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Managing External Service Providers
by WatchIT
Relationship management continues to gain in importance as a crucial skill for IT leaders. Companies in the e-business economy are faced with intense and growing global competition for price, quality, and service responsiveness in a highly volatile business environment. Today's IT operations usually include contracting with service providers for many core networking functions. In this presentation, Dr. Wendell Jones, cofounder of IT consulting firm GrayHare Partners, examines the best practices for managing external service providers. Jones explains how to identify and select the best service provider for a business, negotiate sound contracts, and manage the relationship. He reviews some principles of effective relationship management, explains how to develop the people who will be managing the relationship on a regular basis, and discusses how to manage people issues such as cultural and time zone differences. Jones also covers how to devise the appropriate performance criteria for effective measurement of external relationships and service level agreements (SLAs). Finally, the program details how to end the relationship when necessary. ...
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Modern Information Systems - IT Infrastructure: Part 2
by WatchIT
Continuing the discussion begun in Part 1 of this two-part program, technology writer and consultant Roger Grannis clearly explains and simplifies the inner working of modern information systems, enabling the business person to recognize the issues, ask the right questions, and have confidence in tackling IT-related problems. The purpose of the program is to make it easier to understand the economics of computing and communications and lay the foundation for understanding enterprise resource planning (ERP), which keeps track of orders, inventory, and work flow; banking applications that keep track of deposits, reserves, loans, and credit; and supply chain applications that connect the ERP systems of one enterprise with the equivalent systems of another. In Part 2, Grannis discusses the last four of seven models used to describe aspects of an organization's business functions and processes, and details the architecture of the IT infrastructure. ...
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Offshore Development: Why Projects Fail and How to Make Them Succeed
by WatchIT
Peter Harrison, CEO of Induslogic, discusses the inherent risks involved in offshore development projects. He examines why these projects often fail, tells how to keep them on track, and explores reasons behind this megatrend. In an interview, Gene Bedell, CEO of Engenia Incorporated and a veteran of offshore development, describes his experiences with outsourcing, and looks at the key reasons outsourcing often falls short of an organization's objectives. Bedell also explains how to pick an outsourcing firm, specifies the benefits of outsourcing (besides the financial ones), and outlines the problems companies have in setting unrealistic expectations. Harrison begins with a review of recent trends in offshore development, and then details his top ten reasons why offshore development fails, including wrong partners, projects, and teams, as well as mismatched infrastructures and the all-important ‘human factor.' Next, he provides specific guidelines for success, such as investing in knowledge transfer, implementing standard processes, and systematic communication. Finally, Harrison delves into the impact of outsourcing on the IT department. ...
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Aligning Human Potential With Resources
by WatchIT
Has your organization restructured, downsized, upsized, matrixed, aligned functionally, or streamlined strategically, but to no avail? According to Hellen Davis, President and CEO of Indaba, you don't need to constantly restructure. Instead, you need stability and consistency to propel your organization into the future. To build trust and empower employees, you need a solid foundation, so keep your current structure. In this program, Davis, a corporate strategist, executive consultant, and motivational speaker, describes and explains the advantages of the RA2 Interface, an organizational model for responsibility, accountability, and authority. She discusses why responsibility includes choice, explains how to determine accountability, and describes how authority grows out of the responsibility and accountability components of the RA2 Interface. Davis continues by discussing how the RA2 Interface handles the challenge of successfully integrating business objectives into an organization. She then outlines the importance of cooperation and stability, and describes how the double solid lines diagram creates chaos in an organization. Davis concludes by detailing how managers and employees must work together to prioritize the individual's workload. ...
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Managing Mobility: Options for Supporting Telecommuters
by WatchIT
Jeff Pompeo, chief technology officer of Netifice Communications, a leading managed VPN and IP services company, explores the best strategies for managing and supporting telecommuters in the most secure, productive, and cost-effective manner. Also, Bill Regehr, chief information officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, presents a case study of a successful managed VPN telecommuting project. In only a few years, telecommuting has gone from being a cutting-edge concept to an attractive and standard practice. However, a successful program takes a lot of effort and planning. Pompeo begins the program with an overview of telecommuting and discusses why it's important for today's enterprises. He also looks into typical practices and trends as well as the management phases of telecommuting, such as planning, implementation and deployment, and maintenance. Cost, of course, is one of the most important reasons to consider a telecommuting project, and Pompeo illustrates a scenario that includes one-time and monthly costs. He compares these costs to those associated with maintaining a traditional office. Finally, he details key technical issues that will impact the project and organization, such as network design, hardware requirements, value-added applications, and build-versus-buy decisions. ...
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Facilitation Methods to Improve Business/IT Decision Making
by WatchIT
Gig Graham of WatchIT, teaches IT managers and enterprise executives how to use facilitation workshops and other events to make better decisions. Senior executives and IT managers are paid to make decisions, and are usually judged and held accountable for the effectiveness of their decisions. Those decisions have an impact on hundreds of people -- including staff and customers -- and on the performance of the enterprise, on the company's shareholders, and, in the case of government workers, on constituents and taxpayers. Because of the high rate of technological change and shortened business cycles, managers' decisions are made at a faster rate than ever before. In addition, managers often must deal with unfamiliar subjects. In this program, Graham explains how workshops and other decision-making exercises can help executives and managers define business problems and employ consensus-building processes. ...
$59.98
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E-Discovery Investigations: What IT Professionals Need to Know!
by WatchIT
A recent survey of litigation trends finds that US companies are coping with an average of 300 to 500 lawsuits per year. In many of these cases, email and other electronic documents are called into play as trial evidence. CIOs, IT managers and corporate legal departments must have effective policies and procedures in place for the management, storage and purging of electronic data well before any legal challenges are presented. In this program, attorney Peter Vogel combines his technical and business background with his legal expertise to help IT professionals be better prepared for electronic discovery investigations conducted in their organizations. ...
$59.98
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Due Diligence and Don't Be Sorry
by WatchIT
Peter Vogel, partner and chair of the Computer Technology Practice Group at the Dallas-based law firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, discusses the issues IT managers should negotiate with vendors to improve working relationships and avoid disputes. In addition, he offers solutions to specific IT contract concerns that should help prevent performance problems that frequently lead to lawsuits. Vogel makes his points through real-world scenarios that highlight problems his clients have encountered over the years. In addition, Gary Williams, chairman of The Harbour Group, a business and technology consulting firm also based in Dallas, describes situations he has faced while managing large-scale IT projects for Fortune 500 companies. ...
$59.98
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Linux at Work: Case Studies and Perspectives
by WatchIT
To demonstrate the broad-based appeal and versatility of Linux, Scott Helmers of Harvard Computing presents case studies of successful Linux implementations in different industries. First, the program describes how Boeing Space & Communications uses Linux on a PC cluster to perform the complex calculations involved in the design of the next-generation launch vehicle, the Delta IV rocket. Then, the program examines how Pacific Northwest National Laboratory uses a massively parallel computer to solve molecular science computational problems that pertain to environmental or biological research. ...
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Click Stream Analysis: Capture and Retain Customers in Your Web
by WatchIT
Claudia Imhoff, president of business intelligence consultants Intelligent Solutions, reveals how to leverage click stream data to improve Web site performance. When properly analyzed, click stream data can tell organizations: how visitors arrive at their site; where they spend most of their time at the site; what percentage of visits results in sales; what may cause visitors to leave without buying; and what kinds of information or products visitors are searching for. Imhoff looks at trends in e-business, and then defines click stream data. In addition, she details the architecture of a successful e-business, and examines the process flow behind the architecture - including personalization and customization of content for customers. Imhoff concludes by explaining five common mistakes organizations make in their Web CRM initiatives. ...
$59.98
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