Business applications
At the heart of enterprise software strategy are the key business applications upon which every organisation relies. From enterprise resource planning (ERP) to customer relationship management (CRM), financial and accounts software to business intelligence (BI), such applications demand high investments and can deliver high returns. We analyse the latest product developments and the news from major suppliers such as Oracle, Microsoft and SAP.
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News
30 Oct 2024
Alphabet results reveal extent of AI-powered programming
The parent company of Google is using its Gemini generative artificial intelligence tool to code a quarter of new software development initiatives Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2024
No simple replacement for digital evidence rules, says Post Office Horizon trial judge
Judge in Post Office Horizon trial says a more flexible approach to how digital evidence is used in court cases may be required as IT complexity increases Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2015
Wellcome Trust builds 1,728-core grid for DNA analysis
The Wellcome Trust Centre has deployed a high-performance computing cluster based on Fujitsu servers Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2015
Mobile banking will help the poor transform their lives, says Gates Foundation
Mobile banking can help the poor change their lives and two billion people who don’t have bank accounts store money by phone by 2030 Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2015
Case study: Hedge fund AHL Man Group uses MongoDB to feed quants with data
Hedge fund AHL Man Group replaces disparate relational databases with a single data platform built on NoSQL database MongoDB Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2015
MPs force inquiry into Post Office subpostmaster mediation scheme
MPs force inquiry into Post Office scheme to redress grievances of subpostmasters claiming to have been wrongly punished for false accounting Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2015
SAP’s Cohen on 2014 results: Europe strong north and south
SAP’s Emea president Franck Cohen optimistic about the supplier’s growth prospects in southern and northern Europe Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2015
NHS to bring two IT systems in-house away from BT
Two NHS IT systems will be moved from BT to be managed in-house by the Health and Social Care Information Centre from February 2015 Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2015
HMRC trials Gov.uk Verify in busiest month of the year
Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs is to trial the government’s Verify identity assurance scheme in its busiest month Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2015
Microsoft Azure had more downtime in 2014 than main cloud rivals
Microsoft Azure suffered more downtime than its main rivals in 2014, according to detailed analysis Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2015
Supplier relationship management lessons from the car industry
IT can learn a lot from the car industry, which has transformed supplier relationship management Continue Reading
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Photo Story
13 Jan 2015
International CES 2015: The themes at the biggest tech show of the year
This Computer Weekly photo story explores the themes of this year's 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show held by CEA in Las Vegas. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2015
User groups defend licensing, but should Oracle rethink remuneration?
Two Oracle user groups have defended Oracle's licensing policy following open letter by Campaign for Clear Licensing Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2015
Forrester: IT maintenance saps budget as tech spending increases
Technology spending is set to rise modestly, but the majority of IT spending will still go on maintaining existing systems Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2015
Sainsbury's Bank IT system problems a warning to new banks
Sainsbury's Bank has experienced IT problems that left customers unable to use their credit cards for a day Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2015
Oracle will lose out unless it changes its software licensing
In an open letter, Campaign for Clear Licensing highlights the risk to Oracle’s future earnings due to aggressive licensing Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2015
Case study: UniCredit uses Fico to apply prescriptive analytics to risk management
Italian bank UniCredit is using Fico software to apply prescriptive analytics to risk management Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2015
Deal between RBS and CA over IT failure will remain secret
The details of the financial settlement between RBS and CA Technologies in relation to a massive IT failure will remain secret Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2014
CIO interview: Mark Maddocks, Cambridge University Press
Technology has prompted unprecedented innovation and transformation in the media sector – Cambridge University Press is no exception Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2014
MP accuses Post Office of acting "duplicitously" in IT investigation
MPs claim Post Office was being "high handed" towards MPs and running a "flawed, deteriorating" accounting system Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2014
US interception in the EU faces new legal challenges
US government orders against Microsoft to hand over email data 'infringes privacy legislation' in other countries Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2014
MPs to debate subpostmaster IT injustice claims
Debate about the Post Office scheme to redress grievances of subpostmasters will be held in Westminster Hall Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Dec 2014
The state of mobile back end as a service
Common mobile application services are increasingly being hosted on central back-end servers – but what does that mean for the enterprise? Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2014
CIO interview: Sarah Leslie, CIO, Iglo Foods Group
Sarah Leslie, CIO at Birds Eye manufacturer Iglo Foods Group, is focused on delivering simplified and standardised IT systems Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Dec 2014
Dutch organisations gradually take up cloud HCM software
While organisations in the Netherlands tend to use the traditional HR modules of the large software packages, some diversity is beginning to emerge Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2014
Why MPs lost faith in the Post Office's IT investigation, but vowed to fight on
A group of 140 MPs has removed its backing for a Post Office scheme to redress subpostmasters' grievances over alleged false accounting Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2014
MPs blast Post Office over IT system investigation and remove backing
Post Office scheme to redress sub-postmaster grievances over IT system is failing, say MP group supporting alleged victims Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2014
M&S turns to predictive analytics to keep shelves stocked over Christmas
Marks & Spencer is using predictive analytics to keep shelves stocked with mince pies and turkeys over Christmas. Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2014
ABN Amro re-signs IBM for 10-year, multibillion-euro IT contract
ABN Amro has extended its multibillion-euro outsourcing deal with IBM by another 10 years Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2014
In-store retail experience evolves with the demands of tech-savvy shoppers
The increasing demands of today's "always-connected" shoppers are redefining the in-store buying experience Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2014
HP results disappoint ahead of split
HP has announced disappointing fourth-quarter earnings ahead of the company’s planned split aimed at reversing its recent decline Continue Reading
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News
25 Nov 2014
Pressure on Universal Credit’s digital service mounts as testing begins
Risks remain for Universal Credit as DWP continues its twin-track gradual roll-out of live and digital services Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2014
Home Office continues to engage with suppliers over Emergency Services Network
The Home Office is continuing its discussions with suppliers around the requirements for the new Emergency Services Network (ESN). Continue Reading
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News
17 Nov 2014
CIO success is all about winning friends and influencing people
If Gartner’s predictions are true, CIO working practices have to change to keep IT relevant Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2014
Amazon not the biggest threat to high street retailers
Competition from online-only traders does not pose the biggest threat to high street retailers, with cautious attitudes a bigger risk Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2014
What to expect from AWS re:Invent 2014
Amazon is all set to unveil new services and features at its AWS re:Invent 2014 Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2014
Drinks maker Edrington outsources SAP enterprise resource planning operation to Atos
Glasgow-based distiller Edrington outsources its ERP development, support and hosting to IT services firm Atos Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2014
Qantas puts Oracle ERP in the cloud with Tata Consultancy Services
Airline Qantas signs IT outsourcing services firm TCS to upgrade its Oracle ERP platform and move it into the cloud Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2014
Future Decoded event raises questions on digital risk
Is technology good for society or bad? This was one of the issues covered at the Future Decoded event in London Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2014
Airbus interview: research, innovation and the future of aviation
IT plays a substantial role in creating the aircraft of the future, with research and innovation at the core of the Airbus business strategy Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2014
Currency exchange business Travelex cuts HR costs by 25% with cloud IT systems
Travelex's cloud human resources (HR) project survived a budget overrun to cut costs and job recruitment times Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2014
Tackling bloatware in the age of cloud-based apps
Microsoft Office general manager Julia White on Office 365 security and making cloud apps easier for users Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2014
Government replaces Becta education IT procurement framework
Government seeks up to 20 suppliers to form a £300m procurement framework for ICT services to public-sector education organisations Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2014
Hitachi Data Systems ploughs ahead with social innovation plans
Hitachi Innovation Forum expects 16,000 delegates to share user cases on how technology is making society safer Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2014
Universal Credit digital service set for first public test in Sutton
Digital service for Universal Credit to start testing with benefit claimants in Sutton, south London, in the next two months Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2014
Finance IT group wants to push forward banks' cloud discussion
The Banking Industry Architecture Network (Bian) calls on industry to decide on the core banking systems to move to cloud platforms and share Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2014
Universal Credit digital system reaches key milestone as DWP delays roll-out
The digital system supporting the Department for Work and Pension's Universal Credit programme has passed a major development milestone Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2014
Firms lack technology for workforce of the future
European businesses will rely increasingly on freelance, geographically dispersed employees as they vie to attract the top skills to their organisations over the next 5 years. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
17 Oct 2014
Making waves at Dreamforce 2014
Love him or hate him, Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff draws a crowd. This is a cloud software company with an increasing focus on application development Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2014
B&Q launches online kitchen planning and design tool
The DIY retailer debuts its B&Q Spaces planning and design tool which allows customers to plan their kitchen, bathroom and bedroom projects online Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2014
CIOs fear poor cloud investment is making businesses uncompetitive
CIOs and CFOs fear their enterprises are missing revenue opportunities due to poor cloud strategies Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2014
SAP teams up with Birst to offer cloud analytics on Hana
SAP is working with cloud BI supplier Birst to provide “instant analytics in the cloud” on the Hana in-memory database platform Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2014
Starbucks uses cloud to manage innovation and disruptive technologies
Starbucks coffee chain innovates IT strategies to hone its competitive edge using cloud services, says IT director Robert Teagle Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2014
Engineering company rolls out talent management software across 17 countries
Meggitt is deploying cloud-based HR technology as it seeks to integrate 60 diverse business units into a multinational operation Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2014
CIO interview: Ben Hine, technology director, UKTV
UKTV director Ben Hine says every piece of the company's technology has been replaced over the last four years Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2014
Oracle OpenWorld 2014: Lloyd's Register goes mobile with Oracle
Lloyd’s Register Group tells delegates at the Oracle OpenWorld 2014 conference how it developed a mobile working application for clients and staff Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2014
Microsoft readies Windows 10 Technical Preview
Microsoft is today releasing a preview of Windows 10, the next version of the Windows desktop operating system Continue Reading
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Photo Story
01 Oct 2014
Oracle Openworld 2014
Every September, San Francisco plays host to Oracle’s user conference, where customers, users and developers descend on the city to learn the latest on the supplier’s products and services. Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2014
Oracle OpenWorld 2014: Xerox aligns business and IT in streamlining applications
Xerox's IT division has been working with the business to standardise its HR management on a global basis Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2014
Oracle OpenWorld 2014: Toms expands global e-commerce
Footwear retailer Toms relaunches e-commerce websites with Oracle platform to grow and improve customer experience Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2014
Oracle releases OpenStack Support for Oracle Linux and Oracle VM
Oracle has made its Oracle OpenStack for Oracle Linux distribution generally available to support customers Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Sep 2014
Q&A: MarkLogic CEO Gary Bloom talks strategy
Gary Bloom, CEO of NoSQL database supplier MarkLogic, talks to Computer Weekly about strategy Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Sep 2014
The digital CIO: Why embrace digital innovation?
Having the right digital strategy can make or break an organisation Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Sep 2014
Demystifying Kubernetes: the tool to manage Google-scale workloads in the cloud
We are witnessing a new technology wave in the form of immutable infrastructure and micro-services Continue Reading
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News
19 Sep 2014
SAP acquires Concur to build cloud-based expense management
SAP has agreed to acquire online travel and expense management SaaS provider Concur Technologies for $8bn Continue Reading
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Photo Story
19 Sep 2014
Larry Ellison: Of plane, sails and zen
After 35 years at the helm, Larry Ellison has stepped down as Oracle's CEO Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2014
KPMG: IoT, 3D printing and healthcare IT to have most impact
Internet of things (IoT), 3D printing and biotech or healthcare IT are among the IT trends that will change the way people work and live Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2014
Claims against Post Office IT system approach completion
Investigation into sub-postmaster claims against the Post Office over problems with its Horizon accounting system coming to an end Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2014
Accenture: 48% of UK survey respondents fail to find big data talent
An Accenture survey has found that nearly half of UK respondents are struggling to find enough skilled data management professional Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2014
Fresh questions raised over Post Office IT system's role in fraud cases
A leaked report has revealed more details about the role of the Horizon accounting system in sub-postmaster fraud cases Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Sep 2014
Sweden’s Klarna and Spotify design big data architectures to aid business growth
Many organisations still don't know how to capitalise on big data. Swedish firms Klarna and Spotify are making use of its possibilities Continue Reading
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News
08 Sep 2014
BP spends £2m developing apps to train business leaders
BP is scrapping online courses in favour of apps and portals that can deliver bite-sized information and training when it's needed Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Sep 2014
How cloud is saving lives
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at how the power of public cloud is helping scientists to tackle diseases such as cancer and malaria. Big banks are turning to tech startups for innovation – we ask why. And our latest buyer’s guide examines micro-datacentre technologies. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2014
Barclays bank launches biometric authentication
Barclays bank plans to launch biometric readers that read users' finger veins to authenticate customers Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2014
Morgan Motor Company swaps Sage for integrated IFS
Morgan Motor Company is replacing its Sage 500 accounting system with IFS Applications Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Sep 2014
Watermelon SLAs – making sense of green and red alerts
Often IT SLAs don’t reflect the real service and service experience of users. They also aren’t focused enough on the business results Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Sep 2014
Define a software delivery strategy for business innovation – four key steps
As software takes a central role in modern business models, application delivery capability has become the key enabler of disruption Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2014
Tesco to reduce IT spend in a bid to cut costs
Supermarket giant Tesco has announced that it will be cutting costs from its IT budget to save money Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2014
Ocado’s technology under fire, causing share price to fall
Ocado’s IT has come under fire in a financial analyst's report that claims the market has over-valued the retailer's automation technology Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2014
Surface Pro 3: An enterprise IT review
The latest version of Microsoft's Surface Pro tablet is the company's most compelling alternative to Apple. But how does it fit into corporate IT? Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Aug 2014
Choice and ease of use: key elements of a good app store
Companies need to focus on individual user requirements and make sure their app store delivers the right tools for the right job Continue Reading
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E-Zine
26 Aug 2014
Can national security and privacy co-exist?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to NSA whistleblower Bill Binney about the often-conflicting needs of security and privacy. We find out how Google is using artificial intelligence to improve datacentre energy efficiency. And we look at a project to use wearable technology and big data to help tackle Parkinson’s disease. Read the issue now Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Aug 2014
The internet of things is coming: Is your datacentre ready?
Gartner estimates the IoT will see 26 billion units installed by 2020 – channelling huge volumes of data traffic into datacentres Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2014
Bayern Munich teams up with SAP to hit sporting and commercial goals
FC Bayern Munich and SAP today cemented a sports analytics and enterprise software partnership at the club’s Allianz Arena Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Aug 2014
What ingredients go into the successful app store?
An enterprise app store should provide the controlled availability of apps for employees.We look at what is available for organisations to use Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2014
Home Office pours £3.8m into shared service for biometric cards
The Home Office has awarded a £3.8m contract to Thales for a service to support the production of Biometric Residence Permit cards Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2014
Government breaks grip of IT oligopoly
Figures for public sector software and IT services investments reveal a dwindling share for IT giants, but can the oligopoly be removed? Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2014
Sacked BBC CTO wins unfair dismissal case
Former BBC chief technology officer John Linwood has won his case for unfair dismissal against the broadcaster Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2014
AstraZeneca rolls out IT self service using ServiceNow
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has rolled out ServiceNow self service IT to 51,500 staff globally in four months Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2014
Why digitisation transforms supplier relationships
As the economy moves forward, CEOs are looking for the next wave of innovation to fuel growth. But are IT service providers ready? Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Aug 2014
Wearable technology will up the game for sports data analytics
Wearable technology is a big industry thanks to the ‘quantified self’ movement. It’s now giving a boost to professional sports data analytics professionals Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2014
Lack of coding skills may lead to skills shortage in Europe
European Commission urges people to learn coding, warning that a lack of coding skills could see Europe facing skills shortage by 2020 Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2014
Oracle in-memory option creates licensing pain and audit risk
A former Oracle employee has highlighted a major issue in the way the new Oracle Database 12c Release 12.1.0.2 is licensed Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2014
Bank of America: When software relationships turn sour
Tibco has filed a lawsuit alleging the Merrill Lynch division of Bank of America illegally used $300m of its software for a major IT project Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2014
Citrix SaaS revenue rises 12% while overall revenue grows 7% YoY
Citrix has reported a 7% revenue increase in its second quarter of fiscal year 2014 . But it reported double-digit revenue growth in SaaS Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2014
NAO reveals Home Office spent £347m on failed ICW programme
The Home Office spent £347m closing its Immigration Case Work programme, which was supposed to replace legacy databases Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2014
IFS reports 13% increase in first half software licence revenue
IFS, the Sweden-based ERP company has reported half-year licence revenue growth of 13% Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2014
Diageo puts ServiceNow fizz in IT service desk
Diageo has gone live with an implementation of ServiceNow to automate IT services as part of a global transformation Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2014
The billion-customer challenge of ITC CIO VVR Babu
ITC CIO VVR Babu explains the challenges for a business that targets over one billion consumers with its goods Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jul 2014
Big Apple revolution: How to manage Macs in the enterprise
Apple’s products were once niche devices. Now, following a consumer-led initiative, they are widely used across the enterprise Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2014
SAP helps Germany lift the World Cup
Germany-based software company SAP played its part in the national football team's victory over Argentina in the World Cup final in Brazil Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jul 2014
A guide to smart home automation
Unless it is a new build, the challenge in creating a smart home is that technology must work irrespective of the age of the property Continue Reading