STRATEGIES

SaaS Advice from the Experts
Industry experts talk about important issues to consider when licensing software via the SaaS model. (Aug 23, 2007)

SOA and The Third Conversation
The problem isn't business/IT alignment, it's language, according to guest columnist Jason Bloomberg of ZapThink. (Aug 21, 2007)

The Road to SaaS: 10 Tips for a Successful Transition
If you run a software company and are contemplating a move to SaaS, welcome to the club. But before you jump in headfirst, it's important to understand the pivotal differences between the on-premise and hosted models. Guest columnist Luis Rivera offers ten helpful tips for planning and ensuring a successful transition to SaaS. (Aug 13, 2007)

SOA Goes to Jail
The fifth-largest correctional system in the U.S. intends to make SOA the prevailing user experience. (Aug 8, 2007)

Web Service Testing in a Service-Oriented Architecture
Our latest SOA Developers article addresses how SOA adds value and exposure to businesses at the cost of complexity. Learn the important aspects of testing new Web services, the interoperability and quality of those services, and recovery in case of a service disruption. (Jul 25, 2007)

Reaping the Benefits of the ITSM/SOA Connection
With SOA deployments on the rise, the need to jump right in may seem too pressing to pass up. But as guest columnists Ken Hamilton and Mark LaJeunesse of HP contend, a tandem implementation with ITSM can make SOA much stronger and more manageable, saving you from many a headache over the long run. (Jul 12, 2007)

Getting a Headstart with SOA Quality Management
Quality management in SOA is not defined as how many defects per line of code you find, but rather how well the service meets the business requirements. Save yourself some headaches down the road with guest columnist Scott Hebner's headstart on SOA quality management. (Jul 10, 2007)

Office Live Review: Microsoft's Ambitious Online Suite Makes Its Official Debut
Microsoft Office Live comes out of beta with new features and a wide range of functionality. For business owners comfortable with the online model, it's worth a look. (Dec 6, 2006)

Web 2.0 Translates to Free Hosted Office Apps
Web-based office applications provide mobility and online collaboration, and best of all, you don't have to pay for most of them. (Oct 26, 2006)

The Hidden Dangers of Web Services
The security concerns of SOA are similar to those that arose with the Internet, writes guest columnist Herb Thompson of Security Innovation. (Sep 7, 2006)

Java Middleware and SOA: Wrong Together?
New startup claims it's got a better SOA mousetrap with an open source middleware stack. (Jun 21, 2006)

The CRM Conundrum
So, you finally realized you need a CRM solution? Well, your decisions are just beginning. A range of hosted and on-premise choices vie for your dollars. Here's what you need to know to make an informed choice. (Apr 24, 2006)

ASP Connects CRM with BlackBerry, Windows Mobile
Eagency offers BlackBerry Enterprises Server-like capability and more to smaller companies with Nice Office's customer relationship management system. (Apr 19, 2006)

Do You Know Where (and What) Your Software Is?
Keeping tabs on software usage is increasingly becoming the purview of network managers. The good news is that inventory software is helping to automate the process -- and may even save your company money in the process. (Apr 19, 2004)

IBB Moves From Ad Hoc to Enterprise IM
strategy — In what is becoming a familiar refrain, engineers at the International Broadcasting Bureau came to rely on instant messaging on an informal basis. When IT caught on and blocked the application, a potential conflict was averted by going with a hosted enterprise IM service. (Aug 12, 2003)

Onyx Looks for Edge With Embedded CRM
strategy — Turning to the benefits of a Net-native architecture and Web services technology, Onyx Software sees its future pinned to its partners using Embedded CRM as an integration platform. (May 16, 2003)

Web Native ASPs Come Full Circle
trends — Early ASPs discovered — sometimes the hard way — that large customers wanted customization and integration. Today's crop of ASPs are now able to offer those efficiently thanks to Web-native architecture and Web services technology. (Apr 25, 2003)

Analysts Weigh Strategies of On-Demand 'Hydra'
strategy — Although most utility computing platforms remain years away from reaching full fruition, Summit Strategies analysts discuss how HP, IBM, and Sun Microsystems stack up now. (Apr 23, 2003)

It's HP By a Nose in the 'On-Demand' Race
trends — HP has the edge over IBM in offering utility-like computing services; but IBM has the chops to eventually dominate the trend, according to recent research reports. (Apr 18, 2003)

A New Day for the SLA
strategy — Service level agreements have been a fact of ASP life for years, but the focus is shifting from 'five nines' availability to a more business-oriented approach that delivers measurable return on investment. (Apr 4, 2003)