In Depth

In Depth

IT operations management and IT support

• Chrome OS: Why it may be time to approach desktop IT in a different way

  The managed desktop has been running for nearly 20 years. Surely there must be a better way? We investigate  Continue Reading

• The death of the mainframe is greatly exaggerated, says CA

  With mainframe software tools forming a key part of its overall growth strategy, CA Technologies remains proud of its mainframe heritage  Continue Reading

• What ‘born in the cloud’ means for developers

  When it comes to building cloud-native apps, developers must code with an inherent appreciation for where processing, storage and analytics happens  Continue Reading

• Cloud contracts are still a minefield

  Cloud computing is maturing in the enterprise space, but the contracts that underpin cloud services have not evolved at the same pace  Continue Reading

• DevOps done right: Creating a collaborative and supportive business culture

  Cultivating a supportive and collaborative business culture is considered central to getting DevOps to take hold in an organisation. We take a look at what this entails  Continue Reading

• [email protected]: A history of IT outsourcing

  Computer Weekly looks at where and when IT outsourcing was invented and considers the changes the sector has gone through since  Continue Reading

• NoSQL offerings from Microsoft and Oracle

  Cloud and big data applications have led to a new wave of NoSQL data stores. We look at what Microsoft and Oracle have to offer  Continue Reading

• Co-ordinate outsourced services with Siam

  We look at the practical considerations of implementing an effective service integration and management strategy  Continue Reading

• How CIOs can raise their 'IT clock speed' as pressure to innovate grows

  CIOs are facing pressure from the board to roll out IT projects increasingly quickly. How can they do that without running unacceptable risks? This article, based on cutting-edge research among leading businesses, offers some answers  Continue Reading

• Case study: Philips takes agile approach to building bridges between business and IT

  Dutch technology giant talks up the success of its attempts to embrace agile IT delivery methods, and how it's shaping future customer engagements  Continue Reading

• Using SAP Hana as a data warehouse

  Enterprises are using SAP Hana for in-memory data marts and SAP Business Warehouse implementations that integrate with other data warehouses  Continue Reading

• Businesses need to equip staff with the tools to do the job

  Workforces will become frustrated if they do not have the technology they need to deliver what their organisation wants  Continue Reading

• How to make applications resilient on AWS

  Cloud services are susceptible to network and other outages. There is no silver bullet to boost the resilience of an AWS-hosted application  Continue Reading

• Microservices: How to prepare next-generation cloud applications

  A microservice architecture promotes developing and deploying applications composed of autonomous, self-contained units  Continue Reading

• Choice and ease of use: key elements of a good app store

  Companies need to focus on individual user requirements and make sure their app store delivers the right tools for the right job  Continue Reading

• What ingredients go into the successful app store?

  An enterprise app store should provide the controlled availability of apps for employees.We look at what is available for organisations to use  Continue Reading

• Big Apple revolution: How to manage Macs in the enterprise

  Apple’s products were once niche devices. Now, following a consumer-led initiative, they are widely used across the enterprise  Continue Reading

• Understanding the real value of IT and proving it to the business

  At a time when costs are being continually squeezed, there is more pressure than ever to demonstrate the business value of technology  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting datacentre management issues

  Gaining better control of the datacentre has to be a high priority to ensure high levels of performance and availability  Continue Reading

• How to monitor and improve the health of your datacentre

  Any datacentre manager looking to support the business should take an end-to-end systems management approach to keep the datacentre in shape  Continue Reading

• Wired vs wireless in the enterprise

  What are the pros and cons of wired and wireless connectivity, and what does the future hold for the corporate environment?  Continue Reading

• How to manage your assets and control business costs

  Asset lifecycle management allows the IT department to improve governance, mitigate risk and improve service quality and efficiency  Continue Reading

• Strategy Clinic: How do I exploit my social network better?

  To make the most of social networking it is important to appreciate where social media is heading, writes Puni Rajah, analyst at TechMarketView....  Continue Reading

• Strategy Clinic: How do I exploit my social networks better?

  To get value out of social networks you need to understand how people use them and what the benefit to them will be.  Continue Reading

• Shockingly easy to take down the US power grid

  Predicting how rumours and epidemics percolate through populations, or how traffic jams spread through city streets, are network analyst Jian-Wei Wang's bread and butter. But his latest findings are likely to spark worries in the US: he's worked out...  Continue Reading

• Is the time right for a mainframe renaissance?

  Every few years, industry pundits predict the death of the mainframe. But these big iron systems, represent the IT lifeblood of major enterprises. Far from being killed off, the mainframe is being re-incarnated as a modern system for internet ...  Continue Reading

• Public service IT faces budget challenges

  It is going to be a very difficult time for local government in the years ahead, writes Simon Moores, Conservative district councillor for Westgate-on Sea.

  I...

   Continue Reading

• Can the IT department survive Web 2.0?

  Risk-averse IT departments that are too cautious in their approach to Web 2.0 technologies such as social networking, online applications and cloud computing could be signing their own death warrants.  Continue Reading

• IT squares up to Transformational Government task

  The Transformational Government initiative goes back to 2005, when Tony Blair was looking for a strategy on how IT might transform public services...  Continue Reading

• Hacking for Dummies: Test your firewall rules

  Before someone else hacks your firewall, test your firewall rules during the self-hacking process to test your network's security.  Continue Reading

• AgustaWestland boosts network availability

  Helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland has installed a network comprising three Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprises platforms running over a fibre infrastructure in a bid to ensure it does not lose more than a third of its network at any one time.  Continue Reading

• Securing our network in today's world

  Minimise risks and implement effective and low-cost strategy  Continue Reading

• Laying the foundations for a successful managed service

  How to assess the pros and cons of managed services, the ins and outs of relationships with your service providers, what technology infrastructure you will likely require and how to construct a return on investment plan.  Continue Reading

• Oasis advances reliable web services messaging

  The WS-RX technical committee includes originators of two overlapping standardisation efforts - WS-Reliability and WSRM - but...  Continue Reading

• Mesh offers many routes to network gains

  An idea as old as the internet could revolutionise communications  Continue Reading

• SBC selects Scientific-Atlanta for video infrastructure

  SBC Communications has chosen a third vendor for its planned Internet Protocol television (IPTV) services. This deal shows the...  Continue Reading

• Investors to buy SunGard, Availability Unit to continue

  The sale of SunGard Data Systems should have no immediate or midterm effect on SunGard Availability Services clients, and it puts...  Continue Reading

• Getronics faces integration challenges with RedSiren

  Getronics plans to buy managed security services provider (MSSP) RedSiren, soon after buying PinkRoccade. Both RedSiren and...  Continue Reading

• SIP skills are key to internet telephony

  Salaries for networking and telecoms specialists with SIP skills are high  Continue Reading

• Italy's once-leading IT services company finds a new home

  Telecom Italia has agreed to sell control of its IT services group Finsiel to Gruppo COS, an Italian provider of call center...  Continue Reading

• HP, UK government take shared-risk approach to IT services

  A major infrastructure contract with the British government will test Hewlett-Packard's (HP's) service capabilities. The...  Continue Reading

• Core web service standard UDDI evolves with version 3.0.2

  The new version of the Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) standard, used for building registries of...  Continue Reading

• TCP/IP offers universal scalable network skills

  Web standard has been stable since 1970  Continue Reading

• Getronics and Counterpane should both benefit from alliance

  A security operations centre should help Getronics and Counterpane find takers for network and security services in Europe. Their...  Continue Reading

• GWR tunes into multicast VPN

  Radio broadcaster GWR has made converged network savings, increased flexibility and gained strategic advantage by pioneering a...  Continue Reading

• NetSec will bring MCI stronger managed security services

  The acquisition of NetSec could improve MCI’s managed security services offerings. But MCI needs to deliver integration and...  Continue Reading

• Fire brigade speeds up response

  A hosted voice and data service from BT is helping the Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service to answer emergency calls from the...  Continue Reading

• Mesh networks and nanotechnology set to become mainstream

  Consultant Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has predicted that 2005 will be the year of mesh networks and nanotechnology. Fuel cell...  Continue Reading

• Stop hackers using search engines to steal your data

  Hackers can use simple Google searches to uncover many unsecured Web-enabled devices, such as network cameras. But there are...  Continue Reading

• eBay stance on Passport magnifies digital identity challenge

  eBay’s departure from Passport underscores the importance of approaching user identification as an authentication service, rather...  Continue Reading

• Deploy Microsoft Windows XP SP2 in 2005

  The number of clients asking when to deploy XP service pack 2 has increased recently as they enter their planning and budgeting...  Continue Reading

• Financial services providers must better report cybercrime

  The recent US Secret Service arrest of alleged cybercriminals shows why financial service companies must proactively disclose...  Continue Reading

• Electronics outsourcing industry forecast, October

  The electronics outsourcing industry, which includes both electronics manufacturing services(EMS) companies and original design...  Continue Reading

• Vonage’s virtual UK numbers confirm industry trend

  Vonage will let UK callers call North American customers at local rates. Expect more such services, though regulatory and other...  Continue Reading

• Xansa’s deal with UK health service needs strong support

  A joint venture between Xansa and the Department of Health will offer accounting services to UK healthcare organisations. But...  Continue Reading

• WS-Management’s success depends on wide, deep vendor support

  Microsoft is pushing a new version of its Web Services for Management Extension (WMX) standard. But more work and industry...  Continue Reading

• Tablet PC update provides new features but still lacks some

  Microsoft’s Tablet PC update improves the handwriting interface for forms input and offers Service Pack 2’s (SP2’s) additional...  Continue Reading

• IDF - Ultra-wide band teams to battle it out

  Backers of two different types of ultra-wide band (UWB) networks will next week announce moves toward consumer products that use...  Continue Reading

• Insider threat study shows the need for risk analysis

  A new study confirms Gartner’s view that insiders pose a serious threat to financial service providers’ systems and data. Begin...  Continue Reading

• Novell NetWare opens up

  Novell has promised, by YE04, a product supporting traditional NetWare services running on a NetWare kernel or a Linux kernel....  Continue Reading

• Orange launches integrated UK 2.5G/3G network

  Orange’s new network will provide seamless integration between third-generation (3G) and 2.5G technologies. Flat-rate tariffs,...  Continue Reading

• TCS IPO will have a significant impact on global sourcing

  Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the largest Indian IT services provider, will launch an initial public offering (IPO). If TCS...  Continue Reading

• Akamai attack stresses need for DNS contingency plans

  A denial-of-service attack on Akamai Technologies left some of its customers’ Web sites inaccessible to some users for about two...  Continue Reading

• VoIP networks need serious security review

  Internet protocol-based voice networks may be the wave of the future, but they will require a whole new approach to security,...  Continue Reading

• Windows XP SP2 is more than your average service pack

  Service Pack 2 is a critical upgrade for Windows XP users, including important security improvements. However, enterprises should...  Continue Reading

• WS-I security profile an important step, but needs SAML

  The Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I) Basic Security Profile moves web services closer to secure...  Continue Reading

• NHS selects health language to deliver standard terminology

  Health Language’s deal to supply its language engine to the National Health Service (NHS) in England shows that standard...  Continue Reading

• A basic flaw undermines enterprise internet security

  A major security flaw represents a serious risk for Internet service providers and many other enterprises. The greatest risk is...  Continue Reading

• Web services security advances with approval of key standard

  The formal approval of a widely accepted standard is a significant step forward for web services security. Enterprises should...  Continue Reading

• Clean up your act, US students told

  Protecting the network without stifling studies.  Continue Reading

• CeBIT round-up

  News of products and services from the show in Hannover.  Continue Reading

• Data spine to be tested this month

  A representative of the Capital Care Consortium, the BT-led consortium which has been appointed the local service provider for...  Continue Reading

• Matching service can help you use your IT skills to help good causes

  IT professionals wanting to volunteer their expertise to local charities and communities needing IT help now have a national...  Continue Reading

• MCI’s denial-of-service response offer may start a trend

  A new service-level agreement (SLA) from MCI aims to fight denial-of-service attacks. The offering isn’t perfect, but it should...  Continue Reading

• Act now to help shape web services security scenarios

  The Web Services Interoperability Organization’s (WS-I’s) draft security scenarios are an important step forward for web services...  Continue Reading

• Web services event standards take big step forward

  Web services have lacked a standard for event notification. Now, two proposals for just such a standard have emerged within the...  Continue Reading

• SeeBeyond’s future looks brighter after major NHS contract

  SeeBeyond will provide part of the infrastructure for the National Health Service national data spine. The deal dispels doubts...  Continue Reading

• Limit Orange's voice messaging till costs are clear

  Enterprises can consider Orange’s Talk Now push-to-talk (PTT) service for limited rollout until the costs become clear. Its...  Continue Reading

• Network managers must look beyond simply increasing capacity, say analysts

  With further growth in the UK's use of websites and online services expected in 2004, users will need more networking equipment,...  Continue Reading

• The day of the smartcard is at hand

  With national identity cards moving closer, the day of the smartcard is at hand. Bob Walder director of network security...  Continue Reading

• High-bandwidth functions move closer to reality for wide area corporate networks

  For Metro Ethernet to succeed, the industry needs to prove the technology can work alongside the existing internet...  Continue Reading

• Users warned to audit Linux and Unix after 'high-risk' vulnerability

  Users have been advised to audit Unix and Linux networks following an advisory warning of a "high-risk" flaw in the systems.  Continue Reading

• UPS tests Wi-Fi at retail stores

  United Parcel Service (UPS) is to test public access W-Fiat 66 of its retail packaging and shipping stores in the Chicago area.  Continue Reading

• Simulators give students an opportunity to experience network problems at first hand

  Playpen network provides fail-safe interactive training.  Continue Reading

• Thought for the day: Look after your network

  Setting up security guidelines alone will not ensure your company is secure. The key to implementing them successfully is to test...  Continue Reading

• Thought for the day: Shield your Windows from tresspassers

  Most of us are rather lackadaisical when it comes to protecting our PCs and networks against viruses. Simon Moores hopes some...  Continue Reading

• In-house or out: how to start building a PKI

  In the second of our two-part series, Bob Walder, director of network security specialist the NSS Group, asks whether an in-house...  Continue Reading

• Thought for the day: Are you paying too much for telecoms?

  Do you think you're charged too much for telecoms services? Don't worry, help is at hand , says Pete Smith.  Continue Reading

• Thought for the day: IT will drive the future

  Technology such as global navigation systems, electronic toll schemes and better network information for public transport can...  Continue Reading

• Sprint moves to packet-switch network

  Sprint is to change its entire circuit-switched telephone network to packet technology in an attempt to keep up with customer...  Continue Reading

• Is intrusion prevention better than cure?

  Bob Walder, director of independent network security testing specialist the NSS Group, assesses the benefits and limitations of...  Continue Reading

• Competition: Win an Apple G4 Powerbook

  Has your company has used its IP network in an innovative, quirky or unusual way? Computer Weekly has teamed up with managed IP...  Continue Reading

• B2B services offer travel information to all

  An online interface into the Galileo airline reservation system promises to open up flight information to a raft of new travel...  Continue Reading

• How effective are gigabit intrusion detection systems?

  In the first of a series of articles looking at the strengths and weaknesses of network technologies, Bob Walder, director of...  Continue Reading

• Ways into the Web services arena (2)

  Butler Group examines the importance of Sun ONE to the development of Web services.  Continue Reading

• What to do when ISP spells trouble

  With Europe's biggest data network provider KPNQwest in administration and struggling from day to day, we look at what you need...  Continue Reading

• Networking: Strip back to the bare bones

  Before you go investing in your network, take a long hard look at what you have already got. In this special report we look at...  Continue Reading

• Are you really prepared for an ISP collapse?

  The crisis gripping global telecoms giant WorldCom and the slow death of Europe's biggest data network provider KPNQwest is...  Continue Reading

• Special Report: Networks

  In last month's networks special report, we looked at how IT managers could optimise network efficiency yet keep cost down and...  Continue Reading

• IT lessons: Teachers get science news via SMS

  A new text message service is helping science teachers keep up with new discoveries, writes Ross Bentley  Continue Reading