software developer

Is your web project over budget?

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

CIOs beware: If you are developing new web projects in-house or outsourcing the work, be ready to deal with cost overruns and delays. A new study conducted by software developer New Bamboo found a quarter of web projects do not meet their budgets, and 31 percent are delivered late. The reason: Frequently changing requirements, too many stakeholders with conflicting visions and not enough money or time allocated to the projects.

For more insight into web project problems:
- see this CIO.com article

Sharing desktops

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

There may be an easy way for CIOs to save money. CrossLoop, a desktop sharing software developer, announced Tuesday that it raised $3 million for its business, which markets software that lets computer users gain access to a colleague's computer. "Our focus is the individual consumer who doesn't have access to a large corporate help desk," CrossLoop CEO Lisa Alderson said. It certainly is a tool that CIOs can use at a small company. Desktop sharing software is becoming more popular with IT professionals. It is an easy way to supply technical support from remote locations, share data and collaborate with others remotely. It means you do not have to fund an IT Help desk in your office. And that surely will save you plenty of money at a time when you are trying to cut costs.

The California company has already logged more than 10 million "help minutes" by at least 300,000 users since the company launched last November. The program is gaining popularity. It's being used in more than 150 countries and is available in 21 languages. It's an idea that is so simple that you have to wonder why no one else thought about it. But it does pose the usual security traps when you open up a desktop to multiple users. That's one reason why the company has a secure, encrypted environment. Will sharing desktops work for your company? We're interested in finding out what you think, and if it is a workable deal for you.

For software technology to share desktops:
- See this Red Herring Article

Is $6.7 Billion enough for BEA?

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:59 -0400

Oracle wants to buy BEA for $6.7 Billion, but does BEA really want to sell at that price, just to be gobbled up by the third largest software company in the world? It's unclear, even though offering price is a hefty negotiating tool in a software industry that continues to consolidate and fight over market share. "Oracle has been chasing Microsoft and IBM for years trying to catch up," said Zeus Kerravala, an analyst at the Yankee Group. And Oracle's acquisition of BEA would make them stronger to complete against the two giants. This would not be the first big step for Oracle: the company bought Siebel for about $6 billion in 2006. Earlier this year, Oracle also purchased Hyperion Solutions, a business software developer, for more than $3 billion.

For more on this:
- read the article in CIO-Today

Oracle Takes Wraps Off of "11g"

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:01:39 -0400

This week, Oracle announced the new release of its core database software. Dubbed "11g," the latest code is designed to support fast-moving businesses and the hundreds of terabytes of data that they accumulate. Company officials say that it supports rapid application deployment and is more efficient at using storage than previous releases. The company expects the new drivers for database sales to include the widespread use of imaging--maps, medical images, photos and videos--along with the storage and management of RFID data. But will Oracle's customers make the transition? The main Oracle user group released a survey that shows that 35 percent of the software developer's customer base plans to upgrade within a year of 11g's release, while 53 percent plan to wait "a few years" before they upgrade.

For more on Oracle 11g:
- get the whole picture in this Cnet article

Survey: Lack of Web 2.0 experience is a weak link

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Web 2.0 technologies offer many capabilities to organizations that know how to exploit them, but a lack of Web 2.0 experience by the IT staff can hold them back. A survey by search software developer Fast found that despite a high level of commitment from IT managers, skills often aren't at the point where these technologies can be implemented effectively. And even when skills exist, more than one-third of those surveyed said there aren't enough to go around. In the long term, IT departments will be the key to making Web 2.0 successful, although it may take a while.

Read more about Web 2.0 in the enterprise:
- read the article at The Register

ALSO:
- read this on making Web 2.0 work for you
- this on Web 2.0 for the enterprise
- this on Web 2.0 as a competitive maneuver
- and this on reasons to jump on the Web 2.0 bandwagon

Mixing up ROI metrics

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 20:01:36 -0400

The days of determining the return-on-investment by dividing gain into cost are over. Tech leaders today look at a wide range of ROI aspects when researching the actual benefit of a new technology--from improved customer service levels to what software developer teams are providing. As one CIO explains, he's now looking at the number of sales calls that IT staffers go on and is plugging in new tools that provide an instant look at network security. The new strategy with ROI is all about understanding how IT hooks into and boosts business operations.

For more on the new ROI strategy:
- read this article at InformationWeek

Porting to wireless poses unique challenges

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 20:01:35 -0400

As wireless technologies saturate the enterprise, users are demanding more mobile applications and functionalities. That brings some unique challenges to IT leaders and software developer teams that might not have the required skills or ability to deploy PC apps over to the PDA or other handheld devices. Many companies are looking at off-the-shelf options, but even those typically need a great deal of tweaking to meet a company's IT needs. Even if you standardize on a device, there are some other hurdles to clear, such as pulling in necessary middleware and getting good training for staff developers. All in all, porting wireless apps can be a daunting prospect.

For more on going wireless with applications:
- read this article at InformationWeek