Cloud computing services
Cloud computing has been one of the most talked about IT topics of recent years, and as the technology matures the cloud has become a serious option for all IT managers. There are a range of ways to approach the cloud, from public cloud to private clouds, through services such as software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS). We examine cloud computing services and the trends and technologies that matter to IT managers.
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Opinion
23 Apr 2024
Questions for IT and cyber leaders from the CSRB Microsoft report
The US government's CSRB report on last year's state sponsored cyber attacks on Microsoft raises significant concerns for Redmond and its customers. Expert Owen Sayers outlines five key questions IT and cyber security leaders should now consider Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Apr 2024
Five reasons why – and when – cloud storage is the answer
We look at when cloud storage can be the best choice, with considerations that include performance, scalability and agility, cost, management simplicity, and security and resilience Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2012
Amazon: Gold standard of the cloud?
Amazon Web Services is the benchmark for cloud in the enterprise but can it handle the challenge of federated cloud services? Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2012
Free tool that tracks costs of AWS, Azure and Rackspace public clouds launched
Apptio has launched Cloud Express, a free tool that allows enterprises to track the utilisation rate and costs of AWS, Azure and Rackspace public clouds Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2012
Low-level tasks eat up 30% of IT departments' time, report reveals
IT departments spend 30% of their time carrying out basic tasks and are growing frustrated with the lack of time available to focus on transformational work Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2012
VMworld Europe Case Study: Bull SAS
Bull SAS collaborated with suppliers to build a private cloud platform capable of keeping sensitive data secure. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2012
VMworld Europe Case Study: DER Deutsches Reisebüro
A Germany travel agent gained control of its IT and increased its profits after implementing a desk top virtualisation project. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2012
VMWorld Case Study: Catalent Pharma Solutions
A robust virtulisation, back-up and disaster recovery plan, helped Catalent Pharma Solutions survive an earthquake, tsunami and a fire in 2011. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2012
VMworld Europe Case Study: Colt Technology
Managed service provider Colt designed and rolled out a scalable, cloud-hosted desktop virtualisation project that is reaping benefits for local councils. Continue Reading
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News
03 Dec 2012
CW Buyer's Guide: infrastructure on demand
This 10 page Computer Weekly Buyer's Guide offers advice for organisations looking at infrastructure on demand in the cloud. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2012
G-Cloud success depends on champions and a change in attitude
G-Cloud director Denise McDonagh has called for public sector champions to push forward adoption of the service. Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2012
Google pushes infrastructure-as-a-service into Europe
Google is expanding its infrastructure as a service (IaaS) cloud computing platform into Europe and cutting storage prices by 20% Continue Reading
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Photo Story
26 Nov 2012
Infrastructure as a Service on Windows Azure
Microsoft’s Azure cloud was conceived as an abstracted platform for applications. It now offers infrastructure as a service. Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2012
Cloud computing IT outsourcing contracts triple
Global IT outsourcing deals with a cloud computing element have tripled in number since 2010, according to Information Services Group (ISG) Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2012
Oracle buys cloud services provider Instantis
Oracle is buying Instantis, a cloud and on-premise project portfolio management company, to boost its cloud portfolio Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2012
Gartner Symposium: RBS emulates Amazon with private cloud
Royal Bank of Scotland has developed a private cloud to support its application development process, using Amazon best practices Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2012
Cloud HR pivotal to Direct Line share offering
Cloud HR proved pivotal to insurance group Direct Line separating from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) before it launched on the stock market Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2012
Defining End-User Requirements in an HPC Project
Without properly defined requirements, an HPC project can spiral out of control. Taking a strategic approach when defining user requirements will lead to the ultimate success of an HPC project. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2012
DevOps role continues growth: Is it here to stay?
Competition is fierce in the tech arena. The DevOps role is a coveted one, and employers will do anything to secure the position, at least for now. Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2012
Edinburgh Airport outsources IT infrastructure
Edinburgh Airport’s new owner plans to grow the business, with a multi-million pound IT outsourcing deal the first of many investments Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2012
Meg Whitman unveils HP turnaround plan
HP CEO Meg Whitman has unveiled a five-year plan for the troubled enterprise, admitting the turnaround would take longer than expected Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2012
Rolls-Royce signs outsourcing deal with HP
Rolls-Royce has awarded a five-year contract to HP to host its applications, as part of the company’s multi-vendor IT strategy. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
01 Oct 2012
What is the true definition of cloud?
This special issue of IT in Europe looks at the true definition of cloud computing. We analyse the various different types of cloud storage and assess what they mean for IT leaders. IT security chiefs talk about the key role they will play in making the move to the cloud. We ask if the lack of standards and interoperability is hindering cloud adoption, and we examine the future of business applications in the cloud. Read the latest issue now. Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2012
EC sets out strategy for EU cloud data and standards
The European Commission (EC) has unveiled a strategy for standards and a legal framework for cloud computing in European Union (EU) states Continue Reading
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News
19 Sep 2012
Activision uses Salesforce to serve gaming community
The Call of Duty designers use the Service Cloud and Chatter Communities to solve customer queries Continue Reading
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News
18 Sep 2012
Next Generation Datacentres: The Cloud
Analysts Clive Longbottom and Bob Tarzey reveal the latest research on the deployment of cloud in the datacentre. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2012
Citrix acquires Beetil to expand cloud capabilities
Citrix has bought cloud-based service desk technology provider Beetil to expand its capabilities of its GoToAssist support product line Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2012
Salford City Council offers cloud service to local businesses
Salford City Council is to offer private cloud service to local businesses through a partnership with ANS Group Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2012
Liverpool FC moves to the cloud with Amazon Web Services
Liverpool FC has migrated its website to a public cloud using Amazon Web Services Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2012
Interview: Dave Scammell, CEO of Sohonet
We speak to the head of Sohonet, a service provider built for the film and media industry in the centre of London Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2012
CW Special report on Capgemini
This 8 page special from Computer Weekly offers a critical assessment of Capgemini, its strategy, products, services and financial performance. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2012
Buyer's Guide: Private Cloud
This Computer Weekly buyer's guide provides the facts you need to help plan and execute a private cloud strategy Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2012
SCC becomes first supplier to win G-Cloud security accreditation
IT infrastructure company SCC has become the first supplier on the government’s CloudStore to win pan-government security accreditation. Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2012
Gartner: Prepare for hybrid cloud pain
Hybrid clouds are set for a big fall as businesses feel the pain of implementation Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2012
Putting innovation on the outsourcing menu
Cliff Saran investigates what happens when systems integrators are asked to innovate Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2012
Lack of cloud standards and interoperability hinders cloud adoption
IT uses private cloud services to overcome data centre space/energy issues, but poor cloud standards lower cloud quality. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2012
Interview: Denise McDonagh, government G-cloud director
Denise McDonagh talks about the challenges of the G-cloud programme and how the government is reducing dependence on large outsourcers. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2012
Olympics media centre set to become datacentre
The Olympics media centre looks set to become a datacentre after the London 2012 Games, with technology company iCITY one of two remaining bidders Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jul 2012
Best practice in outsourcing security
The issues CIOs must consider in balancing security needs and budgetary constraints Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2012
Microsoft Office 365 for Education free for teachers
Microsoft launches Office 365 for Education, as Scottish Government commits to using the free cloud productivity suite. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
28 Jun 2012
The technology behind the Wimbledon tennis championships
We venture into the IBM bunker to see the IT operation behind the world's most famous tennis tournament. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2012
Building a hybrid cloud on SaaS, PaaS and IaaS for IT efficiencies
IT pros looking to adopt a hybrid cloud based must strategise for security, IT standards and costs to make their cloud project successful. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2012
Cambridge University turns to computer games to unlock secrets of the universe
Cambridge University is turning to technology developed for computer gaming to help it solve some of the fundamental problems of science Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2012
IT pros offer up their own cloud computing definitions
IT pros’ definition of cloud computing ranges from “a multi-tenant IT solution” to “virtualisation of virtualisation”. Here are a few from the Cloud Computing World Forum 2012. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2012
Guide: Maximizing the Value of Cloud for Small-Medium Enterprises
This guide from the Open Group, helps small and medium sized companies take advantage of cloud computing to develop their business. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2012
The cloud will move supercomputers into the mainstream
Cloud computing will move supercomputers out of the research labs into mainstream business, says Amazon Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2012
Cloud a game-changer for SMEs, says the Open Group
Cloud computing has huge potential for SMEs, but they need to look before they leap, says IT consortium the Open Group Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2012
2012: Will this be the year TPM finally comes of age?
Will 2012 be the year that TPM finally delivers on its potential to provide a hardware-based "root of trust" for enterprise information security? Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2012
Microsoft launches support for Linux on Windows Azure
Microsoft’s cloud platform Windows Azure now supports Linux-based operating systems and languages such as Python and PHP. It includes IaaS capabilities to build hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2012
Guidebook: Oracle Cloud Services
This independent report from analysts, Nucleus Research offers a critical assessment of Oracle’s Cloud Services. Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2012
VMware updates vFabric Suite for cloud automation: News roundup
VMware ‘s launch of vFabric Suite 5.1 for cloud automation, Equinix’s acquisition of a colo service provider and UK SMEs’ cloud adoption are this week’s highlights. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2012
Cloud: Scaling to succeed in new business models
High-tech companies face challenges keeping pace with new cloud-based business models, this study from Accenture reveals. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 May 2012
Using automation, self-service provisioning to build a private cloud
IT pros that recognise cloud computing benefits want to build one behind closed doors. But a private cloud requires automation, self-service provisioning and management planning. Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 May 2012
Why the public sector is turning to multi-sourcing
Sarah Burnett explains why the public sector is moving from single sourcing to multi-sourcing, in an age of austerity. Continue Reading
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News
02 May 2012
Five trends that will affect your cloud strategy
Businesses need to keep a close eye on the evolution of cloud based services to avoid wasting money and missing out on business opportunities. Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2012
G-Cloud cost £4.93m to set up, says Maude
The government’s G-Cloud programme and CloudStore cost £4.93m to set up, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said in response to a parliamentary question. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2012
Amazon results demonstrate commitment to cloud
Amazon's AWS cloud business made $500m in sales in the first quarter of 2012, comprising 3.79% of Amazon's Q1 business Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2012
Infosec 2012: Cloud enables security expertise for SME
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) typically face the same threats as bigger organisations, but lack the same level of expertise and other security resources. Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2012
Special report on Capita
This independent report is essential reading for any organisation working with, or thinking of working with Capita. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2012
Windows Azure tutorial Part 1: Set up and manage subscriptions
Wondering how to set up a Windows Azure subscription? This Windows Azure tutorial has all the information to help you create and manage the subscription. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2012
Special Report on IBM
This special nine-page report from Computer Weekly analyses the challenges facing IBM, its financial performance, and the services it offers. Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2012
Free tool measures how 'green' your data centre is: News roundup
A free tool to measure data centre energy efficiency; Citrix’s open cloud strategy with its CloudStack platform and Dell’s acquisition of Wyse are this week’s news highlights. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2012
Facebook counter sues Yahoo in escalating patent war
Facebook is counter suing Yahoo in an escalating patent battle between the rival social networking firms Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2012
How the cloud found Mitchells & Butlers
The cloud was found to be a good fit for hospitality company Mitchells & Butlers after it approached IT providers with a set of outcomes Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2012
CW Buyer's Guide: Server Virtualisation
This Computer Weekly buyer’s guide to server virtualisation looks at the potential barriers to successful virtualisation and how they can be overcome. Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2012
Gartner: Best practices in virtualisation
Philip Dawson, Gartner VP offers best practice advice for organisations looking to virtualise their IT infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2012
Cloud and big data to drive BPO benefits
Cloud computing and business analytics are set to inject new life into the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2012
Systems integrators 'charge more in paperwork than SMEs do in delivery’
A systems integrator asked for more money from the government for an IT product proposal than an SME was able to deliver the actual service for. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2012
SAP boosts ByDesign ecosystem to support small business customisation
SAP is rolling out a partner programme for its ByDesign cloud-based product, to simplify implementation in SMEs Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2012
The cloud: time for delivery
This report clears up the confusion around cloud, which stems directly from the muddling together of two vastly different perspectives on cloud services. Continue Reading
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News
29 Feb 2012
Does the PSN need to happen before the cloud?
The deployment of public services networks (PSN) will need to happen before widespread uptake of CloudStore services occur, IT heads said at a roundtable meeting. Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2012
Podcast interview: Stephen Glen, WorkIT on hosting and private clouds
Stephen Glen, software architecture engineer at retail intelligence firm WorkIT, discusses hosting and cloud computing. Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2012
Trust and security in the cloud
Increasing interest from IT management in SaaS is focusing the spotlight once again on cloud security. This study investigates those concerns. Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2012
Government launches CloudStore and names G-Cloud suppliers
The government has launched its CloudStore, a catalogue of 1,700 cloud-based, pre-approved IT services now available for the public sector to buy. Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2012
CIO interview: Rob Fraser, IT director, Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s IT chief talks about why in-house IT works better than outsourcing and how to double revenue without doubling IT spend. Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2012
Buyer's Guide: Optimising networks for cloud computing and virtualisation
This six-page Computer Weekly Buyer's Guide to cloud networking highlights the factors CIOs need to consider for their networking strategies. Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2012
Buyer's Guide: CRM
This nine-page Buyer's Guide to customer relationship management (CRM) is essential reading for CIOs and senior IT professionals. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
01 Feb 2012
How to build an internal, private cloud
Once a company decides to take the plunge into cloud territory, it must decide if a private/internal cloud is the way to go and then build a business case to sell it to other decision makers in the organisation. In this e-zine, we report on the benefits of adopting a private cloud model and the trade-offs involved such as management issues. We will also cover self-service provisioning and capacity management in a private cloud; measuring the ROI of the private cloud; choosing a service provider and how to read an SLA (service-level agreement); private cloud best practices; and how to share resources. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2012
Website launched to monitor cloud computing suppliers
A website has been launched that will monitor the performance of specialist cloud computing suppliers and compare them against traditional IT suppliers. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2012
Service-Oriented Cloud Computing Infrastructure (SOCCI) Framework
Download the Service-Oriented Cloud Computing Infrastructure (SOCCI) Framework from the Open Group. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2012
Microsoft puts Blackberry service on Office365
Businesses running Microsoft Office 365 can now access Exchange Online on their BlackBerry smartphones. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
27 Jan 2012
Cloud Expo Europe 2012
As cloud computing moves higher up the IT professional's agenda, Cloud Expo Europe is becoming increasingly popular. Here are photos from 2012's Expo. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2012
Honda deploys hybrid cloud for car launches
Honda UK is using hybrid cloud computing within its IT infrastructure to support the growth of the company's websites. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2012
UK IT budgets under pressure in 2012
UK IT budgets will remain flat in 2012, a worldwide survey of more than 2,500 IT professionals has revealed. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2012
Accenture Technology Vision
Download this report from Accenture to discover the 6 IT technology trends that will impact CIOs in 2012. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2012
Cloud solves IT innovation and maintenance imbalance
CIOs can rebalance the scenario of spending 80% of their budget on maintenance and 20% on innovation if they harness cloud computing. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jan 2012
Ramnit worm steals 45,000 Facebook passwords
A computer worm has begun targeting Facebook accounts and has stolen at least 45,000 login credentials from users, say security researchers. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jan 2012
The impact of cloud on IT
This research report from Freeform Dynamics assesses the impact of the cloud on the IT department and its operations. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jan 2012
IT in the UK SMB sector
This report from Knowledge Peers and Pierre Audoin Consultants, reveals how leaders of small and medium-sized businesses are using IT strategically. Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2011
Virtualisation technologies: hits and misses of 2011
Amid a slew of virtualisation products and management suites that emerged in 2011, some products such as Spring platform impressed users, while others such as VMware MVP didn’t. Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2011
How open data creates new opportunities for the UK
The use of open data could be a critical factor in determining the success or failure of the UK’s growth agenda this report from the business advisory firm Deloitte reveals. Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2011
Collaboration in the Cloud: everything to everyone, or too good to be true?
IT decision-makers are already looking to the cloud to support new IT delivery models - such as software-as-a-service (SaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS) and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2011
CIOs believe cloud, SaaS, consumerisation and mobility increase risk
Business models such as cloud computing and trends such as the consumerisation of IT, social media and mobility are exposing performance blind spots in IT management, a CIO survey has revealed. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2011
The reality behind the hype: Government cloud computing
This article from Gartner offers advice to public sector organisations thinking of deploying cloud computing and assess the progress made by governments in their use of the cloud. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2011
Do CIOs have more clarity about cloud computing?
This research shows that while there is still a lack of clarity and a reluctance to fully commit to the cloud, CIOs accept it offers benefits. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2011
Cloud leaves many firewalls wanting – but could automation prove the silver bullet?
Most companies rely on firewalls, but the IT landscape is changing and so must approaches to security. Is there a silver bullet? Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2011
Quocirca: The market landscape for print security
This report by Quocirca analyst Louella Fernandes provides an overview of the inherent risks when operating an insecure print environment, best practice and the current market. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2011
Do CIOs have more clarity about cloud computing?
This research shows that while there is still a lack of clarity and a reluctance to fully commit to the cloud, CIOs accept it offers benefits. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2011
Collaboration in the cloud: too good to be true?
IT decision-makers are looking to the cloud to support new IT delivery models such as software, platform and infrastructure as a service Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Dec 2011
IT matters again
This report from Deloitte argues that businesses are again investing in IT to help them compete with rivals despite the downturn. Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2011
The reality behind the hype: Government cloud computing
This article from Gartner offers advice to public sector organisations thinking of deploying cloud computing and assess the progress made by governments in their use of the cloud. Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2011
Smart Organisations
How can businesses enhance their competitive position without excessive expenditure or taking on excessive risk? Continue Reading