Case Studies/Best Practices


Reflections on Green IT: Simple, Small Steps Add Up

Some steps to "going green" can be as simple as finding simple alternatives to paper.

Reliable and Resilient Data Centers Using Off-the-Shelf Components

Looking for methodologies that enable you to cost effectively benefit from new technologies? Consider leveraging off-the-shelf technology.

Debunking IT Process Automation Misconceptions

Due to macroeconomic conditions, nearly every vendor promotes its products as offering cost savings, but the ROI calculations for IT process automation are overwhelming and simple.

Q&A: Improving Software Quality

Moving beyond software testing to understand and measure the structural quality of the entire software system is the key to preventing software glitches.

How to Avoid NAC Pitfalls with a Standards-Based Approach

With so many benefits to reap from network access control, why aren't all IT shops on board?

For Small Firm, Dashboards Meet Big Analytics Needs

At a small market research firm, dashboard software that can work in real time and with flat files is proving highly useful.

Q&A: Getting a Handle on IT Hardware

Getting a handle on your IT servers can be difficult. We explain how one company tackled the problem.



Five Best Practices for Mitigating Insider Breaches

These five best practices will help you reduce the risk of internal data misuse and accidental data leakage.

Achieving Optimal Database Application Performance: Benchmark Tips and Techniques (Part 2 of 3)

In this second part of our three-part excerpt adapted from The Data Access Handbook, authors John Goodson and Rob Steward begin their discussion of nine guidelines that will help you create meaningful, useful benchmarks in your own organization.

Achieving Optimal Database Application Performance: Benchmark Tips and Techniques (Part 1 of 3)

In this first installment in our three-part excerpt adapted from The Data Access Handbook, authors John Goodson and Rob Steward explain why benchmarks and how your database applications fit into the picture.

Security: In Praise of Common Sense

A new report from McAfee underscores that if users are successfully initiating celebrity-themed Web searches, IT hasn’t done its job.

People and Processes Key to Faster SIEM ROI, Secure Business

These five best practices will help deliver success more rapidly and ensure increasing return on investment.

Q&A: Best Practices for Outsourcing IT Management

We look at the biggest mistakes IT makes (and how to avoid them) when outsourcing critical network and data center infrastructure monitoring and management.

Seven Best Practices for Cloud Computing

If you are a CIO, business analyst, or project manager responsible for getting your enterprise to the cloud, read these tips before diving in.

Eliminate Hidden IT Costs in Under 100 Days

Replacing error-prone deployment scripting with intelligent automation can positively impact your IT operations in no more than 100 days.

Enabling a High-Performance Organization

What does it take to achieve a performance culture that drives growth and profitability? We explore the key characteristics an enterprise needs for success.

Q&A: Best Practices for GRC

Where should an enterprise begin when undertaking a governance, risk, and compliance project, and how can IT avoid common project mistakes?

Developer Access: The Threat Within

Creating a holistic, enterprise-wide security approach is a daunting task. These tips can make it easier.

Q&A: Outsourcing E-mail Management

How IT can get out from under the crushing job of e-mail management.

Best Practices for Data Governance in SharePoint Environments

As awareness of SharePoint access control complexity grows, organizations are are focusing on security and compliance for their SharePoint deployments. We offer best practices to address these concerns.