Management

Don't tell your boss

Judi Hasson — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:42:17 -0400

If you want your career to prosper, it might be a good idea to know what information should be shared with your CIO, and what not to say to the boss. Computerworld asked 100 IT Leaders to talk about the kinds of messages they never want to hear from their staffers. For one, the IT leaders said they never wanted to hear their employees say they know nothing about the business. They also said they would not take kindly to a staffer saying there is only one solution to a problem. And finally, they said they don't like to hear one colleague blame another for problems or missed deadlines when teamwork, not finger pointing, is the goal.

For more on what the boss wants:
- check out this Computerworld.com article

3Com adds virtualization to its router

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:59:56 -0400

In a partnership between 3Com and LineSider Technologies, LineSider's OverDrive software will be offered on 3Com's MSR Series of Multi-Service Router under its Open Services Networking initiative. LineSider Technologies is a provider of policy-based network infrastructure control and management products, whose software enables users to deploy and manage IP-based services across a network. Two versions of the suite will be made available--OverDrive for the Enterprise and OverDrive for the Service Provider--respectively. The OverDrive software suite joins other products such as VBrick for video, Expand Networks for WAN acceleration, and even an Asterisk-based VoIP module that have flocked in to leverage on 3Com's platform.

For more on 3Com's routers:
- check out this Network World article

How to manage a successful project

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

It takes teamwork and great management skills to make sure a project is a success. And sometimes it takes much more than your regular team to make sure a major project succeeds. The project manager must be accountable for delivery and what methods and tools are needed and can always turn to the Project Management Office (PMO) where there is a pool of experts ready to make sure the job is done right.

For more on project management success:
- See this CIO Magazine article

More tech stories from the FierceCIO network:
> Google calendar, Outlook get in sync. Article
> Online video gets down to business. Article
> Intel announces Atom mobile platform. Article

Software as a service gets White House nod

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

The White House became the latest supporter of software as a service (SaaS) to make the electronic world hum instead of clang. Karen Evans, administrator of the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Electronic Government and Information Technology, said the U.S. government needs to move to a more service-oriented software model. "Our track record is clear--we are not very good at delivering our own software in the time frame set," Evans said at an SaaS/Gov conference in Washington, D.C. Some federal agencies haven't embraced the idea because they want control of software development, she said. But government agencies cannot afford to keep developing their own software without sharing with other agencies.

Software as a service has been hailed as a way for agencies to deal with budget cutbacks and to get a bigger bang for their buck. But whether software as a service is a real trend or a short-term fad is up in the air. We'd be interested in knowing what you think about this--let us know in the comments.

For more on software as a service:
- Check out this PC World article

Tax tips for busy CIOs

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

Now that tax season is almost upon us, it's a good time for CIOs and their companies to figure out how they can increase their return on investment (ROI) on technology improvements. It's certainly a wise maneuver to consult your company's tax advisors because there are plenty of federal and state R&D tax credits that can provide as much as 15 percent of the wages and contractor expenses involved in qualified activities.

It's estimated that companies will claim $1 billion in R&D credits on their 2007 tax returns--hardly chump change for any company that is growing with new products on the market and others in development. It includes credits for such endeavors as improving storage, security, VoIP and other IT applications. Not to be overlooked are credits offered by states and large cities for jobs, training and IT-type investments within their borders. In addition, other countries also provide R&D credits and it's worth your time and money to find out who they are and if you qualify. For example:

Canada offers a 20 percent credit to large companies.
China provides a 150 percent deduction without a requirement that a company's spending increase by 10 percent.
India allows a 100 percent deduction.

So this year, before a company signs off on its 2007 tax return, plow the ground, and make sure you have taken every deduction that is available for your business, and be sure to look ahead for tax break opportunities in 2008.

For more on tax tips for the CIO:
- Check out this CIO Magazine Article

New TSA guidelines for batteries on planes

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

It just got harder to pack up your computer and carry it onboard a flight. The Transportation and Security Administration imposed new rules on Jan. 1 that prohibit travelers from carrying loose lithium batteries in checked baggage. Passengers are allowed to pack two spare batteries in their carry-on bag as long as they're in clear plastic baggies. We can't even imagine how many CIOs this will impact, but since everyone travels at some point in their work cycle, we suspect it will affect everybody. So take note of this new TSA rule that applies to all travelers, regardless of where they are going and what kind of computer they are carrying. Don't worry about the batteries already installed on devices that you are carrying, however. The TSA says it's okay to check items like a laptop or iPhone that already have the batteries installed.

TSA officials hope the new rule will take care of a safety problem. Loose lithium batteries may pose a fire hazard. The National Transportation Safety Board recently said it could not rule out the possibility that lithium batteries started a fire on a plane at the Philadelphia National Airport. There are several other rules. You can only bring batteries that have up to 8 grams of lithium content. Most batteries for cell phones and laptops meet this requirement. And lithium metal batteries, whether loose or installed, are limited to 2 grams of lithium metal. So the next time you fly, be ready and prepared to comply with all the new regulations before you board a plane.

For more on this safety regulation:
- Check out this CNET News.com Article

The Golden state finally gets a CIO

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:59:59 -0500

It's hard to believe, but California, the largest state in the U.S., never had a CIO until now. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger created the post in August, establishing the Office of the State Chief Information Officer as a cabinet-level agency with statutory authority over technology policy. Teresa "Teri" Takai, former CIO of Michigan and the director of the Michigan Department of IT since 2003, was appointed Dec. 12. "Two years ago, I introduced my Strategic Growth Plan to rebuild and improve California's crumbling infrastructure. But, our state's infrastructure isn't limited to the physical roads, bridges and levees that need repair. We also have to expand and improve California's technology to meet our future needs," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

A lot of people would say, "It's about time." What has the Golden state been doing without a CIO? Who knows? But Takai now has a very big task of harnessing the power and authority of the state to make sure technology works properly, and there is an IT roadmap to make sure there are no detours. AeA, an industry technology group which pushed the legislation for a statewide CIO, said it is an important step for the state.

"AeA actively pursued this piece of legislation because the high-tech industry believes an empowered State CIO will have the ability to make California less risk averse where buying technology is concerned," said Roxanne Gould, senior vice president of California Government and Public Affairs. "Given the sheer size of California, and its tradition of enacting path-breaking legislation, we are very excited to have been the impetus for this milestone accomplishment."

For more on California's first statewide CIO:
- Check out this eWeek Article

How hard is it to secure your data?

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

CIOs must protect their systems from outsiders as well as insiders. A recent survey conducted last month by RSA found that one-third of those surveyed had to work around their organization's security policies to get the job done. And that means an added vulnerability to anyone's system. These insiders are just as good as outside hackers in finding data that is not secured or exploiting weak security policies. There are plenty of ways to break through security. One of them is sending email attachments with sensitive documents. Another way is accessing work email at a public computer. It's hard to believe that anyone with a technology background would do this. But don't be surprised because it happens.

The survey found that two thirds of people who were surveyed sometimes leave their workplace carrying a mobile device such as a laptop that holds sensitive information relating to their jobs. Is this a nightmare for a CIO? It sure is. Not only that, eight percent of those surveyed reported that they had lost a mobile device with company information on it. By now, every CIO should have rules of the road in place for their employees. If they don't, does that mean the CIO is derelict, too?

For more on protecting your data:
- See this CIO Magazine Article

Stock advice: Sell Dell

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Dell missed Wall Street's earnings expectations last week, according to the latest column in InfoWorld. And that's just the start of the warning signals. The report says the company that used to be known for its perfection is having trouble putting one foot in front of the other. While Dell has been making adjustments to jumpstart its earnings, the latest report shows a gross margin miss. Dell reported an 18.5 percent margin miss vs. the expected 19.1 percent, according to ATR analyst Shaw Wu. "We find this odd as (Apple) and HP experienced the opposite and our own supply chain checks indicate otherwise. Moreover, Dell's (average selling prices) were flat to up, indicating pricing pressure wasn't a big issue," he wrote in a note to his clients. So what's the reason? "Poor procurement execution." "It is interesting to note that Dell's costs may actually now be higher than HP and Apple, something that was unthinkable not that long ago," Wu said.

That's not Dell's only problem. The company had a huge battery recall not too long ago. There was evidence of deterioration in quality control and customer service. These are big headaches for a company that had been on top a few short years ago. Last Friday, the day after the results were announced, shares of Dell were off nearly 13 percent. And it's a lesson for every tech company. Customers have no tolerance for inadequacies. They will simply go somewhere else.

For more on Dell's stock roller coaster:
- See this Infoworld article

Consultants try harder to be CIOs

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:59 -0500

If you are a consultant with the ambition of one day becoming a CIO, take notice: it's not an easy transition. You may want the job, but big companies may not want you. Large companies tend to shy away from candidates with consulting backgrounds. They worry that consultants do not have the political savvy to operate with an existing IT staff or within a limited budget, according to Steve Kendrick, an executive recruiter with Spencer Stuart's global information officers practice. Kendrick says it's better to avoid recruiting firms and to market yourself to small and midsize companies if you want to become a CIO. It may be a big plus for smaller companies seeking to grow and wanting your experience working with different industries or even with other companies in the same industry.

But don't despair if you've hit a wall. There are consultants out there who have made the transition, and their stories are good ones to follow. Brian O'Connell, for example, the CIO at Hartford Life, showed that he was qualified for the job when he consulted on a project for The Hartford Financial Services Group while he worked for Accenture. A page out of any success story is one that can be an inspiration and evidence that you, too, can become a CIO.

For more on becoming a CIO:
- See this CIO Magazine story. Article