The most recent Special Reports from Incisive Media

Joined-up thinking: A Computing & Financial Director special report

Computing & FD — 2009-07-08T19:00:00.000Z

Computing & FD, Computing, Wednesday 8 July 2009 at 19:00:00

We look at the challenges for IT managers and finance directors working together to make the most of technology

Computing & Financial Director magazines have teamed up to analyse the key challenges facing mid-sized organisations in maximising their investment in business software.

Click on the headlines below to read all the articles from our special report.

Achieving more together

A joined-up approach to IT and business provides opportunities to leapfrog competitors.

Collaboration adds value

Working together brings out the best of every part of the business.

Strength through unity

The friction that has traditionally characterised relations between finance and IT has no place in today’s business landscape.

A smarter way to use BI

Getting the most from business intelligence systems requires not only careful management on the part of IT leaders, but also the committed involvement of decision-makers across the organisation.

Quenching a thirst for IT modernisation

A substantial restructure at soft drink supplier Nichols - purveyor of Vimto - led the company to update its software to Sage 1000 to replace its in-house application. This resulted in the streamlining of the IT department and an opportunity to customise the system.

We are all in this together

To achieve effective business-IT alignment, senior decision-makers must first suppress their territorial instincts.

This special report was produced in association with Sage

CRN Web Seminar: The managed IT Services lifeline

Sara Yirrell — 2009-07-06T15:09:00.000Z

Sara Yirrell, CRN, Monday 6 July 2009 at 15:09:00

What are managed services? How do you incorporate these services into your business model? What will it cost you? What will you get out of it? These questions and more are answered in this web seminar, commissioned by Kaseya

This exclusive web seminar entitled: Surviving the economic downturn, the managed IT services lifeline is hosted by CRN editor Sara Yirrell and includes a panel of experts such as Gary Pica, president of TruMethods, who transformed his business from a struggling break-fix provider to an IT services behemoth. See our panel of experts give advice on the best way to convert your business to a services based model and answer hard-hitting questions from viewers.

To register for and view the seminar, click here

CRN 6 July 2009

CRN team — 2009-07-06T10:38:00.000Z

CRN team, CRN, Monday 6 July 2009 at 10:38:00

Articles from the 06-07-2009 issue of CRN - Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN:

E-commerce

Gareth Morgan — 2009-07-01T15:04:00.000Z

Gareth Morgan, Computing, Wednesday 1 July 2009 at 15:04:00

Online systems are increasingly important for enterprises, as they hunt for ways to establish a competitive advantage

Set your sites higher

IT leaders at the cutting edge of e-commerce talk about the strategies and technologies they are using to beat the recession by forging stronger bonds with customers and opening up new business opportunities

Best practice: Five steps to achieving your e-commerce goals

Brian Walker of Forrester Research gives his top tips for ensuring e-commerce success

A vision fulfilled: Retail growth through e-commerce

UK-based online retailer Glasses Direct is enjoying double-digit growth thanks to an e-commerce strategy that is innovative, forward looking – and highly cost effective

E-commerce case study: Agent Provocateur

Lingerie firm gets intimate with its customers

Case study: Evans Cycles races to web success

Enhanced search engine helps Evans to peddle more bikes

CRN 22 June 2009

Sara Yirrell — 2009-06-22T11:47:00.000Z

Sara Yirrell, CRN, Monday 22 June 2009 at 11:47:00

Articles from the 22-06-2009 issue of CRN - Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN:

The Top 50 +50 survey 2009

Accountancy Age — 2009-06-18T23:54:00.000Z

Accountancy Age, Accountancy Age, Thursday 18 June 2009 at 23:54:00

All the news, views and analysis on our 2009 Top 50 and +50 survey

The recession and the credit crunch have taken their toll. Of this year's Top 50, 39 firms, or 78%, have seen their growth rates squashed, while nine of those have seen their revenues enter negative growth. The economic crisis is punishing practice. But we extended this year's survey to 100 firms to produce a second list, the +50. Here things are equally difficult with almost half the firms booking growth rates below 5%, with a significant portion of those either flat or in negative territory.

This special report features all the coverage of this year's Top 50 and +50 survey. Click on the links below to view the articles.

View the entire Top 50 survey in pdf format

News

3,000 jobs lost in top 50 firms as recession hits financial services

Features

Top 50 survey: the pursuit of happiness

Top 50 survey: putting the pieces together

Top 50 survey: up and coming

Analysis

Overview: Frank Hirth, rising star

Comment

On the money with Gavin Hinks

Mergers loom as firms struggle to grow

Fit to fight your way out of the recession

Blogs

Insi der:Economy is hurting the Top 50

Video

Top 50 firms feel the pinch

CRN 15 June 2009

CRN staff — 2009-06-15T15:26:00.000Z

CRN staff, CRN, Monday 15 June 2009 at 15:26:00

Articles from the 15-06-2009 issue of CRN - Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN

ITACS blasts Microsoft over repairs debacle

Big Blue hails partner development

Distribution hit hard by downturn, says GTDC

Credit insurer heaps praise on channel

ISI puts Sun in the spotlight

PC Disposals set to ease channel's WEEE misery

VARs all set for vertical take-off

CRN 8 June 2009

Sara Yirrell — 2009-06-08T13:05:00.000Z

Sara Yirrell, CRN, Monday 8 June 2009 at 13:05:00

Articles from the 08-06-2009 issue of CRN - Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN:

IT architecture

Gareth Morgan — 2009-06-04T01:00:00.000Z

Gareth Morgan, Computing, Thursday 4 June 2009 at 01:00:00

The need to deliver agile IT systems that can adapt to rapid changes in business requirements has never been more pressing

Back to the drawing board for IT architects?

With budgets under severe pressure, many IT leaders are having to re-evaluate their technology blueprints

Case study: Greenwich Borough Council and IT architecture

Council focuses on security and flexibility to satisfy needs of online public services

Taking the horror out of SOA

Widely misunderstood and wilfully abused, the term “service-oriented architecture” fills many IT leaders with dread, but behind the monstrous hype are some frightfully sound principles. So how should organisations go about putting them into practice?

Meeting ever-changing IT needs at Unicef

Charity Unicef UK has used proven technology to build an IT architecture that can respond quickly to changing fundraising requirements and scale easily to meet spikes in donations

Case study: Global IT architecture at Knight Frank

Cloud systems reign at the property consultancy with 196 offices in 38 countries

Five tips on implementing a new IT architecture

Architectures should be based on business capabilities

Tools of the architect's trade

Laying the IT foundations for a successful business is a challenging task at the best of times, but there are range of platforms and tools that can help

Case study: Xchanging

Process-command software provides a beneficial exchange of processing services

CRN 1 June 2009

Sara Yirrell — 2009-06-01T10:32:00.000Z

Sara Yirrell, CRN, Monday 1 June 2009 at 10:32:00

Articles from the 01-06-2009 issue of CRN - Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN:

CRN 25 May 2009

CRN staff — 2009-05-26T10:53:00.000Z

CRN staff, CRN, Tuesday 26 May 2009 at 10:53:00

A selection of articles from the 25-05-2009 issue of CRN - Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN:

CRN 18 May 2009

CRN staff — 2009-05-18T10:49:00.000Z

CRN staff, CRN, Monday 18 May 2009 at 10:49:00

Articles from the 18-05-2009 issue of CRN: Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN:

CRN 11 May 2009

Sara Yirrell — 2009-05-11T11:53:00.000Z

Sara Yirrell, CRN, Monday 11 May 2009 at 11:53:00

Articles from the 11-05-2009 issue of CRN - Computer Reseller News

Below is a selection of articles from this week's CRN:

Offshore outsourcing

Gareth Morgan — 2009-05-07T01:00:00.000Z

Gareth Morgan, Computing, Thursday 7 May 2009 at 01:00:00

Offshoring has gained a reputation as a reliable strategy for lowering operation costs while delivering high-quality services. But it is a segment undergoing momentus change.

Plotting the best course

With the offshore outsourcing market experiencing more than its fair share of turmoil recently, IT leaders can be excused for feeling just a little disoriented. But as Linda More discovers, careful planning and canny negotiating can still open up a world of opportunity

Five tips for successful offshoring

Forrester provides advice on how to make a success from offshoring

A world of difference

How organisations with contrasting business needs have taken different approaches to offshoring

Case Study: Unibet

Gambling operator Unibet knows that there is safety in numbers

Case Study: Edge IPK

The financial software developer discovers that outsourcing is all in the timing

Offshoring moves with the times

Despite the economic downturn, the offshore outsourcing market is expanding to offer both a bigger choice of locations and a wider range of services

Clause and effect – a legal guide to offshoring

A robust contract that takes a methodical approach to minimising potential risks is the bedrock for all successful offshoring relationships

Special Report: IBM Impact 2009

vnunet.com staff — 2009-05-06T13:20:00.000Z

vnunet.com staff, vnunet.com, Wednesday 6 May 2009 at 13:20:00

All the news from IBM's user event in Las Vegas

IBM's service-oriented architecture show is underway in Las Vegas, offering sessions and keynotes from industry leaders and Big Blue executives. In this special report we round up all the main stories from the show.

Weighing up the benefits of public and private clouds

IBM explains why private clouds are a better fit for the enterprise

VIDEO: IBM talks up Smarter Planet strategy

At Impact 2009, Steve Mills outlines IBM's vision for a more intelligent way of working

VIDEO: IBM unveils BPM BlueWorks

The key announcements from Impact 2009, including IBM's new cloud-based business process tool

IBM pushes social media message

Delegates encouraged to see value in Twitter, YouTube and blogging

IT/business divide needs immediate attention

Delegates urged to find ways of aligning with the business to help ride out the recession

VIDEO: Billy Crystal opens up IBM Impact 2009

Hollywood star livens up proceedings in Vegas and gives his take on the IT profession

VIDEO: IBM unveils CloudBurst

Tom Rosamilia talks up IBM's new private cloud appliance

IBM customers sing praises of SOA

Clients offer service-oriented architecture success stories at Impact user event

IBM insists that SOA is not hype

Service-oriented architecture has customer benefits at its heart, says Big Blue

IBM unveils CloudBurst SOA appliance

Big Blue pushes cloud computing with new hardware and BPM BlueWorks for process modelling