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Tape Archiving Sees Upturn, Helped by Big Data By Drew Robb | Data Storage Article Published November 9, 2011 Rumors of the demise of tape-based archiving have been greatly exaggerated. What's fueling the renaissance in tape? Cloud Computing CRM Buying Guide: Top Players By Drew Robb | Applications Article Published November 3, 2011 The cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) sector features sharp competition from all the big names -- SAP, Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle and many others. Server Virtualization Tips for Small Firms By Drew Robb | Data Center Article Published October 12, 2011 Key facts to consider as your small or medium-sized firm gets on board the virtualization train. Buyer's Guide: Microsoft ERP Systems By Drew Robb | Applications Article Published October 12, 2011 The sheer range of Microsoft ERP offerings might be confusing for some enterprise IT managers. What's the best choice for your company? Deduplication: 8 Top Product Picks By Drew Robb | Data Storage Article Published October 4, 2011 Depuplication has come a long way in the last few years, with all the big vendors (and the not so big, too) now offering a deduplication solution. Are ERP Apps Too Hard to Implement? By Drew Robb | Data Center Article Published September 28, 2011 Enterprise resource planning software can give businesses a major competitive advantage -- if a firm's staffers can successfully deploy and implement the application. HP Data Storage: Buying Tips By Drew Robb | Data Storage Article Published September 27, 2011 HP is clearly a contender among the big enterprise data storage vendors. Drew Robb details HP's extensive storage portfolio. Business Intelligence Software for SMB: Buying Guide By Drew Robb | Applications Article Published August 24, 2011 Business intelligence software has historically been a tool used by large enterprises. Yet more and more small- and medium-size businesses are now getting on the BI bandwagon. Drew Robb details some choices. How to Select a Dell Server By Drew Robb | Data Center Article Published August 24, 2011 An overview of the many choices Dell offers in its broad line of computer servers. Choosing an Enterprise CRM Tool: The Top CRM Solutions By Drew Robb | Applications Article Published July 28, 2011 Enterprise decision makers selecting a CRM solution face a bewildering array of choices. The following overview of CRM platforms provides some context for various types of scenarios -- there is no "one size fits all" CRM solution. Data Storage Startups Focus on Cloud, Virtualization By Drew Robb | Data Storage Article Published July 8, 2011 Few factors reveal the direction of an IT sector like what strategies its startups are deploying. Drew Robb looks at the hot new movers and shakers in data storage. Cloud Control to Major Tom By Drew Robb | Cloud Article Published April 28, 2011 Cloud computing offers significant advantages, yet how does your business stay in control as it heads for the cloud? Battle of the Server Vendors: Do Buyers Notice? By Drew Robb | Data Center Article Published April 12, 2011 Despite massive PR, server vendors’ competing claims about power efficiency may be merely confusing buyers. Has Virtualization Adoption Peaked? By Drew Robb | Cloud Article Published March 25, 2011 While virtualization continues to be popular in the data center, some users are grumbling about virtualization management solutions. White Box Servers Struggle for Toehold By Drew Robb | Article Published January 13, 2011 The name brand server vendors -- HP, IBM, Dell, and others –- leave only a small sliver for white box servers. Top Ten ERP Trends: CRM, BI Lead the Way By Drew Robb | Article Published January 11, 2011 While ERP enjoys less hype than in earlier years, its status as a critical tool remains solid. Predictive Analytics Boost Enterprise Networks By Drew Robb | Article Published December 16, 2010 Due to virtualization and cloud computing, predictive analytics is seeing an expanded role. Unified Storage on the Rise By Drew Robb | Article Published December 9, 2010 Big storage vendors have unveiled a number of unified storage platforms. We take a look at how they are faring in the real world. Data Center Case Study: Efficiency and Consolidation By Drew Robb | Article Published December 7, 2010 In an effort to lower energy costs, a midwestern data center is working towards consolidating its infrastructure. Supercomputers Getting Faster - At Faster Rate By Drew Robb | Article Published November 22, 2010 The supercomputer that was in the No. 1 spot just 18 months ago is now a relative laggard, having fallen to a lowly No. 7. Selecting an IBM Power Systems Server By Drew Robb | Article Published November 8, 2010 Tips on choosing an IBM Power Systems box that works best for your company's data center. Cutting Data Storage Costs: 10 Tips By Drew Robb | Article Published October 22, 2010 The good news is that storage is less expensive then it once was. And with the right strategies, it can be cheaper still. Tips on Selecting an IBM System z Mainframe By Drew Robb | Article Published October 11, 2010 While mainframes don't get a lot of headlines, these hulking units continue to comprise a major piece of the high-end server market. Private Cloud Computing Deployment at a National Lab By Drew Robb | Article Published September 27, 2010 The Los Alamos National Laboratory deployed a private cloud computing infrastructure for greater security and more rapid scale-up. Oracle OpenWorld: Top Ten Trends By Drew Robb | Article Published September 24, 2010 Oracle OpenWorld showcased developments in Exadata, the ZFS file system,T3 Mega servers and more. Will Open Source Vyatta Challenge Cisco? By Drew Robb | Article Published September 14, 2010 Open source is moving into the networking sector, yet observers scoff at the notion that Cisco is threatened. Yet Vyatta has grown dramatically recently. WMworld 2010: 10 Key Points By Drew Robb | Article Published September 8, 2010 Virtualization, storage, cloud computing -- VMworld 2010 illustrated key trends in these emerging technologies. VMworld: Storage is Critical to Cloud Computing By Drew Robb | Article Published September 2, 2010 Making a case that few would disagree with, EMC argues that cloud computing requires a robust storage infrastructure. What's Better, Deduplication or Data Compression? By Drew Robb | Article Published August 19, 2010 Deduplication gets a lot of buzz, but data compression has plenty of upsides that make it a worthy alternative. Tips on Buying HP Servers By Drew Robb | Article Published August 16, 2010 HP is focused on systems management, specifically providing single pane management for heterogenous infrastructures. Pssst! Hot Rumors in Data Storage By Drew Robb | Article Published August 6, 2010 IBM or Oracle to buy EMC? Microsoft to buy SAP? What is chattering class speculating about? Monitoring Cloud Computing: One City's Story By Drew Robb | Article Published July 22, 2010 Denver's use of virtualization, thin clients and cloud computing have created new challenges yet the city has found ways to compensate. EMC Embraces x86 By Drew Robb | Article Published July 20, 2010 The newest iteration of EMC products is built entirely on Xeon x86 processors, a major change in strategy for the storage giant. Data Storage: 10 Hot Start-Ups By Drew Robb | Article Published July 9, 2010 There are not quite as many data storage start-ups as in recent years, yet these new firms are proving there are still plenty of good ideas. Virtualization vs. Transparent Datacenter By Drew Robb | Article Published July 2, 2010 Virtualization has its advantages, yet it can obscure the 'plumbing' that actually runs your enterprise datacenter. Combining Networks -- and Data Center Cultures By Drew Robb | Article Published June 28, 2010 When combining two enterprise networks joins diverse technologies as well as data center cultures, the challenges are numerous. How to Choose a Non-x86 Blade Server? By Drew Robb | Article Published June 25, 2010 While are are not as many non-x86 blade server options, the choices still require some background to make the most cost effective choice. Using Deduplication to Ease Virtualization's Complexity By Drew Robb | Article Published June 25, 2010 While virtualization provides great flexibility, it tends to add complexity. Deduplication can ease the data center burden. Trends in the Storage Networking Market By Drew Robb | Article Published May 28, 2010 Looking back at EMC World, a series of overriding themes emerge, particularly regarding cloud computing and the future of SSDs. Guide to IBM System x Servers By Drew Robb | Article Published May 13, 2010 Big Blue is claiming its two-socket systems can do the same work or better than the four-socket servers of its rivals. We go inside the bold claims, with a comparison chart to lay out the configurations. Continuing Migration from RISC to x86 By Drew Robb | Article Published May 10, 2010 Statistics on Unix clearly reveal that the move from RISC to x86 keeps on gaining momentum. What's behind the move? IT Budgets Stretch Server Lifespans By Drew Robb | Article Published April 30, 2010 Tight IT budgets are pushing three-year refresh cycles to five or more years in many cases, with the focus on eking more productivity and efficiency out of what is already there. Why RISC Still Tops x86 Servers By Drew Robb | Article Published April 7, 2010 The trend toward x86 seems to be overwhelming RISC, but IT managers may still want to consider the advantages to RISC. Managing Your Server Room After Sun/Oracle By Drew Robb | Article Published March 4, 2010 Over time, it's likely that the server product line will evolve into a menu of building blocks, aimed at specific verticals and packaged with Oracle databases and applications. Data Center Technologies: 10 On Endangered List By Drew Robb | Article Published March 1, 2010 Plenty of legacy data center technologies have a rock-solid hold even as emerging tools gain prominence. Other features, however, might not survive. Tips on Virtual Backup Speeds By Drew Robb | Article Published February 10, 2010 Virtualization can greatly speed up backup throughput, but the efficiency gain is far from automatic. Tips on Buying Intel Servers By Drew Robb | Article Published February 5, 2010 A discussion and side-by-side feature comparison of Intel's server offerings, spotlighting five offerings. Insider's Guide to Adding Enterprise Storage By Drew Robb | Article Published January 15, 2010 Firms add new storage for four key reasons: capacity, a technology update, performance and availability. No matter what the reason, non-optimal installation can lead to myriad problems. Linux Desktop Comparison: Red Hat, Novell, Ubuntu, Fedora By Drew Robb | Article Published January 14, 2010 For offices on a tight budget, major vendors like Red Hat, Novell, Ubuntu, and Fedora offer a variety of choices. Here's an insider's guide. Disk vs. Tape: Tape is Unbowed By Drew Robb | Article Published January 6, 2010 It appears that disks are the obvious winner in data storage, but don't think that tape is dead. Saving Money with Solid State Drives By Drew Robb | Article Published November 24, 2009 SSDs may cost a fortune, but used properly, they can actually save money in enterprise storage arrays. Data Storage for Fun and Profit By Drew Robb | Article Published July 31, 2009 Tools that drive effectiveness, such as dedupe and virtualization, can directly deliver money to an organization's bottom line. Taking a Second Look at Apple Xserve By Drew Robb | Article Published July 9, 2009 Apple's line of servers don't get a lot of press, yet Apple has bee working on its server products. Data Storage Industry: "Intense Vendor Jockeying" By Drew Robb | Article Published June 25, 2009 A look inside the turbulence churning through the once staid data storage industry. IT Gets More Scrutiny (and More Headaches) By Drew Robb | Article Published May 21, 2009 Long ago, IT existed in a ivory silo that wasn't visited much. Not anymore. Career and Staffing Flying Solo, A How-to Guide for Turning Job Loss Into Opportunity By Drew Robb | Article Published February 2, 2009 Laid-off? There may be no better time than the present to develop that product you've been daydreaming about or launch that consulting firm. Here are some tips to get you started. Pivot3 Introduces Serverless Computing By Drew Robb | Article Published January 26, 2009 Hard-Core Hardware: To quote REM, it's the end of the (server) world as we know it. Or, perhaps not. Some Bright Spots in Storage Market Outlook By Drew Robb | Article Published January 25, 2009 Dedupe, iSCSI and cloud storage are likely to be big this year as cost-cutting measures, but the rise of solid state drives could buck the trend toward frugality. Go Beyond the Technical Interview Acid Test By Drew Robb | Article Published January 19, 2009 The key to acing -- not just surviving -- the technical interview isn't so much what you know but how you convey it. Cost-Cutting Storage Strategies for Small Businesses By Drew Robb | Article Published January 15, 2009 As data relentlessly accumulates, small businesses need to find ways to store and protect. We take a look at cost-saving strategies and new technology on the immediate horizon. Heading Toward HAL, Creating a Single Compute Fabric By Drew Robb | Article Published January 5, 2009 With virtualization coming into the data center at warp speed, vendors are moving toward integrating all data center components into a single structure. 2008 Tech Trends Worth Watching By Drew Robb | Article Published December 22, 2008 Hard-Core Hardware: Virtualization and SSDs have taken hold amid doom and gloom. What will the coming year and beyond look like? Make Your IT Job Layoff-Resistant By Drew Robb | Article Published December 15, 2008 Sometimes ensuring employment (or finding a new job) is as straight-forward as broadening your skill set -- think adding Linux to your Unix arsenal. Other times, it pays to look at growth areas outside the box, like sales. The Big Chill: How to Cool a Small Server Room By Drew Robb | Article Published December 12, 2008 Servers don't like it hot. These tips will help you keep your cool and get the most out of your tech investment. Emerson Network Power Keeps Server Rooms Chill By Drew Robb | Article Published December 8, 2008 Hard-Core Hardware: Emerson Network Power, parent company of Liebert Precision Cooling Brand, has product designed to cool every server room -- from those that can fit into a closet to large data centers. More Bang for Your Buck, Tips for Recession-Savvy IT Hiring By Drew Robb | Article Published November 24, 2008 Career and Staffing: Good news for those with unfilled headcount -- it's an employer's market out there. Learn how to make the most of it. Power and Cooling Savings From the Ground Up By Drew Robb | Article Published November 18, 2008 Hard-Core Hardware: Every watt saved at the server component level increases three-fold as it it works its way back through the power and cooling infrastructure. This step-by-step guide runs the numbers and shows you how to shave nearly 30 percent off your power and cooling costs without impacting processes. 3 Job Hunting Makeovers That Won't Cost a Dime By Drew Robb | Article Published November 10, 2008 Career and Staffing: Job search coming up short? It may be time for an employability makeover. See More Trends... Does Hardware Matter? By Drew Robb | Article Published November 1, 2008 Faster, bigger, cheaper, greener -- Does anyone care what's inside the box anymore, or is server room hardware going the way of the television and telephone? Sun and Fujitsu's T5440 Goes Out on a Limb By Drew Robb | Article Published October 27, 2008 Inefficiency has long been considered synonymous with the midrange server space. Sun and Fujitsu are looking to change this with the release of the jointly developed SPARC Enterprise T5440. Fujitsu Beefs Up Storage Blades By Drew Robb | Article Published October 6, 2008 Hard-Core Hardware: With the release of its newest blade offering, the Primergy SX650, Fujitsu aims to shake up the storage blade market and boost its blade presence. EMC Celerra NS20: Economical, Not Economy Class Storage By Drew Robb | Article Published September 29, 2008 Company's unified storage gear makes headway thanks to ease of use, multi-protocol flexibility and an abundance of features. IT Outsourcing for Small Business By Drew Robb | Article Published September 19, 2008 Outsourcing your IT needs isn't just for the big guys anymore. Going beyond the company walls, and even across the sea, can save you money on custom software applications. Mozy.com Expands Its Scope By Drew Robb | Article Published September 12, 2008 Brought into EMC's fold, Mozy's online storage options widen. Recession, What Recession? By Drew Robb | Article Published September 2, 2008 Hard-Core Hardware: Why can't Bill Gates get a mortgage, and you can't get a PO Approved? Is the economy really that bad? Not if you're in IT -- maybe. |
