Computing articles from June 2008

Computing archives from June 2008

Under new management.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Linda More Under new management In the first of our four-part guide to service management, Linda More looks at how IT departments are using the discipline to streamline their processes and achieve more with less...

Five startups that could change your approach to service management.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Linda More Five startups that could change your approach to service management Tideway A UK company providing dependency mapping, Tideway continuously maps any application's relationship to its physical and virtual...

Five service management trends to look out for.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Linda More Five service management trends to look out for Complex event processing Complex event processing (CEP) can be applied to extracting and analysing information from any kind of distributed message-based...

Five best practice tips for service management.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Natalie Petouhoff Five best practice tips for service management by Natalie Petouhoff, Forrester Research z Most business leaders pay close attention to service management, funding technology and making process ...

Vodafone enjoys the calm before the storm.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Vodafone enjoys the calm before the storm Mobile operator should make the most of high mobile data revenue while conditions are favourable Martin Courtney z Vodafone faces a series of challenges if its...

Setting a standard to drive change.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Bryan Glick Setting a standard to drive change Early adopters of software standardisation are sharing their experiences, opening the door for a widespread rollout, writes Bryan Glick z For many years, the two leading...

ID card critics query competitiveness of bidding process.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Tom Young ID card critics query competitiveness of bidding process Government keeps options open as opposition mounts, reports Tom Young z Last month's announcement that all five remaining suppliers bidding for...

Tesco speeds up with its next-generation network.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin Tesco speeds up with its next-generation network Supermarket giant to consolidate number of datacentres via [pounds sterling]100m IP network infrastructure, and raise store-level capacity to 2Mbit/s...

From the warehouse... ...to the shelves.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin From the warehouse......to the shelves z Logistics management is a key issue for a retailer operating at Tesco's scale. In its UK home market the firm operates 1,800 stores supplied by 42 distribution...

NHS IT may face additional delays after Fujitsu is ditched.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin NHS IT may face additional delays after Fujitsu is ditched Despite reassurance from the NHS, experts fear further problems Tom Young z Experts have expressed concern that the firing of Fujitsu from the...

Spar sets store in new electronic till system to counter economic challenges.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Spar sets store in new electronic till system to counter economic challenges Angelica Mari z Convenience store chain Spar has started a large-scale IP network project that will be the backbone of a...

Police agency secures handhelds.(Brief article)
June 5, 2008... Byline: Tom Young Police agency secures handhelds Tom Young z Police forces are insisting that the 10,000 mobile data devices to be rolled out to officers on the beat will be secure. The National Policing Improvement Agency...

Google facing court battles on copyright.
June 5, 2008... Byline: janie davies Google facing court battles on copyright Following claims from Viacom that copyright has been massively infringed, Google has defended its services and will challenge the complaint in court Janie Davies z...

Google battle sparks debate.(Brief article)
June 5, 2008... Byline: janie davies Google battle sparks debate z Google could lose its right to cache copyrighted content if its current legal battles were ever to take place in UK courts. "The exceptions under copyright law that would protect...

Call centres limited by IT hold-ups.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Call centres limited by IT hold-ups Dealing with computer systems issues is hurting productivity Neon Kelly z One in four calls handled by contact centre workers are delayed by computer-related issues,...

Child system set to move on.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Janie Davies Child system set to move on The government discusses next stage of child welfare IT Janie Davies z The government is talking directly to suppliers about the next stage of enhancements to...

The two sides of government IT.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Computing The two sides of government IT z Is there anything new to be said about government and IT? This week has provided plenty of familiar old chestnuts to discuss. First A- supplier relations. After years of being told...

DWP upgrade drives i?1/21.5bn energy savings.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Tom Young DWP upgrade drives [pounds sterling]1.5bn energy savings Tom Young z The Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) IT upgrade will save [pounds sterling]1.5bn in energy costs by the end of 2010. Server...

IT industry raps government.
June 5, 2008... Byline: Tom Young IT industry raps government Dissatisfaction with tax policies at root of grievances, says survey Tom Young z Senior UK IT leaders have hit out at government tax policies, claiming they do not support IT...

A sea change for IT.(Maritime and Coastguard Agency )
June 12, 2008... Byline: Lisa Kelly A sea change for IT In the second of our four-part guide to service management, Lisa Kelly looks at how organisations are benefiting from a change of approach to providing best practice IT services ...

Internal service reviews at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Lisa Kelly Internal service reviews at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency z The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is looking to review services internally and wants to buy software to support change control and configuration...

Case study: Westinghouse Rail.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Lisa Kelly Case study: Westinghouse Rail z Westinghouse Rail has adopted a service management approach that has promoted trust between IT and the business, and increased the technology department's input in decision-making. ...

Case study: South Somerset Works.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Lisa Kelly Case study: South Somerset Works z South Somerset Works (SSW) has improved field service management by equipping housing maintenance staff with mobile technology to enhance customer service, automate paper processes...

Dodgy user manuals are a waste of time and effort.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Mike Unwala Dodgy user manuals are a waste of time and effort BCS view: Why is bad documentation so common? asks Mike Unwalla z The concepts of "professionalism" and "IT as enabler" are high on the IT agenda. Dumping...

In peril? You need a pIT stop.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Bryan Glick In peril? You need a pIT stop z The pIT stop is a unique reader service hosted by Computing. In the first part of the programme, we offered four IT managers the chance to present their technology...

What UK IT must do to progress.(Viewpoint essay)
June 12, 2008... Byline: John Higgins What UK IT must do to progress John Higgins reflects on a decade of industry advance and warns that future growth must not be taken for granted z I had the pleasure of celebrating my tenth year at Intellect...

Youth charity takes the prize.(St. Basils )
June 12, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Youth charity takes the prize A charity helping young homeless people will be the beneficiary of this year's DesignIT award. Martin Courtney talks to the creator of the virtual rucksack This year's...

Those who take the risk might just win.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Mark Samuels Those who take the risk might just win While many IT executives will try to avoid risk-taking, those that tackle it head-on often get a better outcome, says Mark Samuels z How do you feel about risk? Is it...

Sun joins the solid state disk storage rush.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Sun joins the solid state disk storage rush Storage giants queuing up to offer servers and storage systems based on energy-saving flash disks Martin Courtney z Sun Microsystems last week became the...

Outsourcing evolves CIO role.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Outsourcing evolves CIO role Staying ahead of the technology curve key to supplier management Neon Kelly z Steady growth in outsourcing is changing the responsibilities of chief information officers (CIOs),...

Latest spam technique uses hosted web services.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Latest spam technique uses hosted web services Tom Young z Spammers are taking advantage of hosted web services to spread malware. Tools such as Google Docs and Microsoft SkyDrive are being used by...

Cash-free formula begins to add up.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Cash-free formula begins to add up Prepaid cards are being used to build consumer loyalty but integrated systems need a boost if the trend is to become a way of life Angelica Mari z The banking and card...

Nine in 10 women say IT sector is biased.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Nine in 10 women say IT sector is biased Ninety per cent of female workers say industry is unfair and one in three has been victim of sexism Janie Davies z Women working in technology face a wide range of...

IT chief rewrites toy story at Hamleys.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari IT chief rewrites toy story at Hamleys Former Harrods man David Oakley found technology systems "like spaghetti" at Hamleys Angelica Mari z The world of retail IT faces unique challenges. But...

Calvin Klein streamlines its supply chain.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Calvin Klein streamlines its supply chain Angelica Mari z The economic downturn taking its toll on high-street retailers has not changed the IT agenda of clothing manufacturer Calvin Klein. The business...

Network deployment may open up digital divide.(Brief article)
June 12, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Network deployment may open up digital divide Neon Kelly z The UK's move to next-generation networks will invariably create a digital divide, according to advisory body the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG)....

Club Med takes stock of IT use.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Angelica mari Club Med takes stock of IT use Holiday firm cuts down on unnecessary IT for greater efficiency Angelica Mari z Holiday resort management firm Club Med is analysing the economic validity of IT systems...

Broadband needs our full support.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Computing Broadband needs our full support z "Until high-speed connections are available, in even the remotest areas, then the benefits of broadband will be limited. We run the risk of social exclusion and the so-called digital...

System divide upsets social services strategy.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Janie Davies System divide upsets social services strategy Janie Davies z Social services departments face fundamental IT strategy problems prompted by the separation of systems for children and adults. Confusion in...

UK to pioneer quantum computing.(Brief article)
June 12, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly UK to pioneer quantum computing Neon Kelly z The rise of quantum computing could see the UK become a leading provider of secure electronic communication. Quantum key distribution is the term given to a type...

UK hacker extradition appeal reaches law Lords.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin UK hacker extradition appeal reaches law Lords ambrose mcnevin z The fate of UK hacker Gary McKinnon will be considered next week when he appears before the House of Lords on Monday (16 June). In a...

More villains turn to e-crime.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin More villains turn to e-crime Lower detection rates and ease of execution make e-crime attractive Ambrose McNevin z Drugs gangs and armed robbers are turning to e-crime, as it is much harder to detect...

City IT staff feel credit crunch.
June 12, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari City IT staff feel credit crunch In-house IT costs too much, but senior staff are in higher demand Angelica Mari z The combined effects of outsourcing, offshoring and the credit crunch may translate to...

Iti?1/2s time to nominate your best industrial relations.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Mark Samuels It's time to nominate your best industrial relations Be in IT to win it: We're seeking contenders for the industry awards categories in this year's Computing Awards for Excellence z This year's Computing Awards...

Framework for change.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Framework for change In the third part of our definitive guide to service management, Martin Courtney looks at the skills IT professionals will need to keep up with the fast pace of change in the business...

Case study: Sussex Health Informatics Service.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Case study: Sussex Health Informatics Service z The Sussex Health Informatics Service (HIS) provides IT and associated services to NHS member organisations across the county. It is the largest HIS in the UK,...

The leading IT service management industries.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney The leading IT service management industries z Experts argue it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify specific industries that lead ITSM adoption, while vendors selling framework platforms report...

The most popular IT service management approaches.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney The most popular IT service management approaches ITIL z The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is the most in-demand ITSM methodology among both suppliers and customers. Popularity has continued...

Panic must give way to planning.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Alastair Dryburgh Panic must give way to planning Your business can prosper in a downturn, provided you keep a cool head, says Alastair Dryburgh z There is no longer a debate about whether we are heading for an economic...

Smart firms take the flexible route.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Mark Samuels Smart firms take the flexible route Allowing staff the freedom to work from home could increase productivity but also introduce an aura of trust, writes Mark Samuels z A cheeky lie-in, a cup of tea in bed, a...

Big ideas in store at EMC.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Big ideas in store at EMC Martin Courtney talks to Joe Tucci about his transformation of EMC into something bigger than a hardware heavy As chairman and chief executive of storage giant EMC, Joe Tucci...

His greatest success.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney His greatest success z When asked to name the project he is most proud of implementing, Tucci singles out the transformation of EMC from a hardware company focusing on high-end storage to a business...

Smartphone use adds to pressure on IT.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Smartphone use adds to pressure on IT Latest iPhone will increase the mobile device integration headaches for technology departments Martin Courtney z The release of Apple's second generation iPhone in...

CIOs forced to face stark career choices.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney CIOs forced to face stark career choices Some believe chief executives must choose between innovation and traditional IT, others think both is possible Neon Kelly in lisbon z The parallel...

Bracknell rolls out remote working.(Bracknell Forest Borough Council)(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Byline: Janie Davies Bracknell rolls out remote working Janie Davies z Bracknell Forest Borough Council is running a flexible working study as it prepares for the development of new premises based around innovative working...

Green IT raises universitiesi?1/2 profile.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Janie Davies Green IT raises universities' profile Technology can offer competitive edge to higher education Janie Davies z Universities capable of running advanced technology could enjoy a competitive edge as students...

Mosaic group gives acquired IT systems a uniform style.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Mosaic group gives acquired IT systems a uniform style Shared services model will replace Rubicon's supply chain technology Angelica Mari z Retail and clothing group Mosaic Fashions is consolidating its...

Experts to debate internet future.(Discussion)(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Experts to debate internet future Neon Kelly z Government ministers from 40 countries will meet with technology experts this week to debate the principles that will govern the future of the internet economy. ...

Technology leaders must keep minds open z Chief information officers (CIOs) must listen to free thinkers if business innovation is to be boosted, according to the head of IT at Warner Music Group. i?1/2There is a vast array of good ideas both inside and outs.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Technology leaders must keep minds open z Chief information officers (CIOs) must listen to free thinkers if business innovation is to be boosted, according to the head of IT at Warner Music Group. "There is a vast...

The view from the industry.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin The view from the industry z There has never been a project brief that included power consumption, said Tim Turquand, consultant at integrator Morse. "I've never come across a customer where they are looking...

How will IT manage the rising energy bills?
June 19, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari How will IT manage the rising energy bills? As soaring oil prices force IT decision-makers to consider ways of cutting power consumption, industry experts discuss the action plans required Angelica...

Expert view.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari The cost of utilities is only going up and anything you do to reduce costs, particularly in the current economic environment, has to be a good thing. Pressures from senior management to run financially...

Queen honours IT leaders.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Queen honours IT leaders Department of Work and Pensions CIO awarded CBE in Birthday Honours List Neon Kelly z The chief information officer (CIO) for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is among the...

Systems hamper mergers.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Systems hamper mergers Angelica Mari z Ineffective due diligence in technology can hinder corporate merger and acquisition (M&A) projects when potential buyers cannot see the clear picture of a...

IT must lead the privacy debate.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Computing IT must lead the privacy debate z Who would have thought that one of the country's highest-profile politicians would resign over concerns about the way technology is affecting our civil liberties? There has been...

Surge in oil prices hits IT.
June 19, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin Surge in oil prices hits IT IT departments threatened with rising energy bills forced to rethink strategies ambrose mcneVin z The dramatic rise in oil prices is causing a rethink of IT strategies, as...

Mobile devices double emails.(Brief article)
June 19, 2008... Byline: Neon Kely Mobile devices double emails Neon Kelly z The growing popularity of mobile devices has doubled email traffic at insurance provider Lloyd's over the past year, according to the firm's chief information...

Signed, sealed and delivered.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Myles Blewett and Belinda Bell Signed, sealed and delivered In the final part of our definitive guide to service management, Myles Blewett and Belinda Bell look at the legal implications facing IT decision-makers z...

When in Rome, consider privacy regulations.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Emma Leith When in Rome, consider privacy regulations BCS view: Amendments to the Rome 1 legislation put data privacy back into the limelight, says Emma Leith z A proposed new "Rome 1" European Union (EU) legislation...

Going on active service requires a team effort.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Martin Atherton Going on active service requires a team effort Service management is something that should fall to everyone in a business, not just the IT department, says Martin Atherton z To avoid confusion and...

Imagine a new global leader.(Company overview)
June 26, 2008... Byline: Phil Woolas Imagine a new global leader The UK is crackling with energy and spirit that will be a driving force for the future of IT, says Phil Woolas z I recently attended the UK final of Microsoft's Imagine Cup, and was...

Big changes in outsourcing.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Duncan Aitchison Big changes in outsourcing IT managers will place greater emphasis on better value, predicts Duncan Aitchison The outsourcing industry has experienced considerable change during the past few years. At a...

The future of outsourcing.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Duncan Aitchison The future of outsourcing z Outsourcing advisory firm TPI has identified cost, capability and capacity as the factors that will have the greatest influence on the market in the coming years. Organisations...

Outsourcing in summary.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Duncan Aitchison Outsourcing in summary z The outsourcing industry is evolving from the early days of "lift and shift" towards a model of defined services. Companies will increasingly look beyond the traditional focus on labour...

Declining desktop sales force vendor action.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Martin Courtney Declining desktop sales force vendor action Stagnant desktop PC sales and notebook price pressure force strategy rethink among big suppliers Martin Courtney z UK PC vendors face some tough strategy...

Fair play is affected by social networks.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Mark Samuels Fair play is affected by social networks Entrepreneurial IT professionals need to tread carefully as they collaborate with business contacts, says Mark Samuels z Who says crazy dot com valuations are...

Tesco gears up for fuel-saving drive.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Angelica Mari Tesco gears up for fuel-saving drive Supermarket giant brings in fuel optimisation software to cut costs and improve service levels Angelica Mari z Tesco.com has invested in software to optimise the fuel...

Lloydi?1/2s faces up to threat of e-crime.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Lloyd's faces up to threat of e-crime Lloyd's of London tackles 60 severe attacks each day by upping defences and aligning IT resources Neon Kelly z The growing trend of organised gangs turning to e-crime...

Development tools.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Tom Young Development tools z Microsoft's professional application development platforms have been under threat recently from open source programming tools. The firm owns the Visual range of developer tools and languages,...

After Gates: what the future holds for Microsoft.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Ambrose McNevin After Gates: what the future holds for Microsoft As the iconic leader departs tomorrow, the software giant is defending its position z Almost 10 years ago Bill Gates said in an interview that one...

Cloud computing.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Tom Young Cloud computing z Cloud computing services are central to Microsoft's strategy as it diversifies its revenue models. It already offers services online under the "Windows Live" banner. For consumers, there is...

Technology can keep airlines flying.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Janie Davies Technology can keep airlines flying Airlines are depending on IT for survival and it will become even more critical Janie Davies z Technology will be the key to survival as the air transport industry...

Retail.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly Retail z At the start of June Microsoft opened online stores serving UK and Germany, the first in a wave of e-retail outlets. While the company maintains that it will still work with third-party vendors, the new...

The internet.
June 26, 2008... Byline: Neon Kelly The internet z Microsoft's attempts to boost its presence in the search engine market by buying Yahoo apparently ended this month, when its quarry announced a renewed advertising partnership with Google. ...