partnership

HP to work with VMware to manage virtual servers

Paul Mah — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:22:42 -0400

HP will increase its partnership with VMware in a joint attempt to develop software to manage the top virtualization vendor's hypervisor technology. At the moment, HP's systems management software connects to VMware's systems via an external interface made available by the company. This represents a huge step forward for both companies, as ties between the respective software will now be built into the core of each product.

Sharmila Shahani, chief marketing office for HP's Business Technology Optimization unit, noted that customers can henceforth expect to perform more "dynamic capacity management" of virtual environments as well as policies that can be set in HP software and enforced in the virtual environment that places restrictions on the provisioning of new virtual servers.

For more on VMware and HP:
- check out this InformationWeek article

Microsoft may up the ante for Yahoo

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:59:59 -0400

Efforts by Microsoft and Yahoo to negotiate a merger agreement have stalled, with the two companies not even talking. But Microsoft this week could raise its bid by as much as $2 to $33 a share to get some movement. Yahoo, however, has indicated that that's not enough and wants an offer in the high 30s, according to the Wall Street Journal. If the third Microsoft bid doesn't succeed, the world's biggest software vendor may walk away or it could decide to embark on a proxy fight. Microsoft, however, is reluctant to start a hostile takeover, the Journal said. One other option according to various reports: a plan that would allow Yahoo to remain independent while signing a search advertising partnership with Google.

To read more on the battle of the titans:
- See this Financial Post 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

ALSO NOTED: NRF CIO versus "60 Minutes"; Google in transition;

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

> NRF CIO versus "60 Minutes." Article
> Google in transition. Article
> How IT can appeal to moms. Article
> The downside of the web. Article
> Charities for techies. Article
> 100 fastest growing tech companies. Article
> A partnership for Georgia CIOs. Article

And Finally... Tech talks to boomers. Article

ALSO NOTED: Google, Capgemini to announce partnership;How to support mashups in the enterprise;

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

> Google, Capgemini to announce partnership. Article

> How to support mashups in the enterprise. Article

> IT Manager faces 10 years in prison for hacking ex-employer. Article

> Microsoft to release five security bulletins. Article

> Rambus Pays $18M to settle class-action lawsuit. Article

And finally… Avid cyclists worldwide compete virtually from their own homes. Article

Microsoft seeks closer ties with China's consumers

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Microsoft last week made a $12.3 million investment in Sichuan Changhong Electric Co., giving Redmond a small stake in one of China's largest TV manufacturers. Sichuan Changhong Electric, in turn, has agreed to develop TVs and other products able to link with the Internet. It's clear from the move that Microsoft wants to get into the living rooms of China's consumers. "Microsoft and Changhong have partnered in exploring the use of digital media technologies to benefit the consumers for a better in-home networked digital entertainment experience," Microsoft said Friday in an email statement.

For more on the partnership:
- see this article in CIO Magazine

The benefits of charge-backs

Wed, 16 May 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Although business leaders see charge-backs as a way to drive down IT costs, there are other advantages, including improving capability as a business and being more in tune with IT. On the IT side, many believe cost transparency creates a closer partnership with the business; by charging back IT, you are essentially highlighting to business managers what IT is valuable to them and making them more aware of the consequences of their own IT consumption in a simple, transparent way. Charging back IT also gives business managers the information they need to make sound decisions. What's more, the practice also helps to change the perception of IT from being just an overhead or a cost center to a valuable contributor to the business. But if you're going to use charge-backs, make sure they're driven by the board and not solely by the finance or IT department. Second, the IT department must be capable of measuring usage of its own systems. And lastly, determine what level of detail IT usage should be measured in.

Read more about IT charge-backs:
- read the article at Computer Weekly

Alignment is the key to outsourcing success

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Organizations need a strategically aligned view of outsourcing to maximize business value. A strategically aligned, holistic approach to outsourcing means that it becomes a dedicated function; dedicated people, processes and infrastructure can have a positive impact. These resources should help improve outsourcing efficiency and can catalyze effectiveness throughout the organization. Secondly, an aligned outsourcing approach values partnership on several important fronts. Partnering with executive leadership provides the basis for strategic alignment and a guide for decisions since outsourcing is the means, not the end. It should also give executives a view into how outsourcing initiatives and providers help enable strategic business goals. Third, have a consultative mindset by developing a conceptual agreement around objectives, measures and value. Lastly, make sure that the sourcing function remains "plugged in" to the business case, program management and change leadership.

Read more about alignment and outsourcing:
- Read the article at CIO Update

ALSO:
- read this for why failed IT outsourcing is the result of poor management
- this for ensuring success with outside contractors
- and this for how outsourcing changes the CIO's role

Effective IT management goes beyond alignment

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Not only must business and IT be aligned to be effective, but the business side must be engaged from beginning to end. Original intent can be lost anywhere along the solution delivery cycle if IT and business aren't working as one. IT and business should forge an actual partnership. That means a CIO should understand both the technology and where the technology aligns with business, as well as what technology is relevant to the business. To ensure IT-business alignment, the IT group must not only enable the technology required to support these initiatives, but must be aware of where the business is going, tactically and strategically and must then develop technology or process capabilities that align with the business. One rule of thumb: If the project is only 20 percent completed in terms of work or investment, give some thought to deploying new technology. Otherwise, especially once you pass 50 or 60 percent, proceed with the original plan.

To learn more about effective IT:
- read the article at Wisconsin Technology Network

Related Article: Aligning IT with business. Report

ALSO NOTED: Microsoft, HP in unique partnership to push enterprise software; NYC leaders ponder ways to protect residents' priv

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:01:33 -0500

> Microsoft, HP in unique partnership to push enterprise software. Article

> NYC leaders ponder ways to protect residents' privacy and data. Article

> India-based outsourcer eyes new Egypt location. Article

> The stumbling blocks ahead for Linux mobile technology. Article

> A glimpse at next year's top tech leaders. Article

And Finally... A visit to the Holiday Hack Shop. Article