North American Software Found to be Routinely Lacking
January 5, 2013
Does it seem like a surprise when enterprise software actually works? Apparently, it isn’t your imagination. “Software Development Failures Plague North American Enterprises: Study,” reveals eWeek. A study from data management firm CA Technologies, the article says, recently found that development constraints and failures routinely afflict our software. Writer Darryl K. Taft tells us:
“Despite the availability of a wealth of development tools and agile methodologies, an alarming 36 percent of the 200 North American organizations surveyed in a recent study found defects in new releases that had gone into production, according to CA Technologies.
“In addition, only 4 percent of those surveyed claimed that errors are never found in production releases. This means that many organizations are launching buggy applications to market and having to solve for them later with software updates and patches.”
Besides that, he adds, the North American ‘Business Benefits of Service Virtualization’ study found that common development and testing restraints often cause delays to customer-facing applications. Furthermore, seventy percent of the IT pros surveyed admitted to having released software with reduced functionality. Surely, the industry is capable of better efficiency.
The article recommends improved development and testing processes. Specifically, Taft recommends the practice of service virtualization, which is “the automated practice of capturing and simulating any system or service IT teams depend on to deliver software,” including every constraint in the software environment. That does sound more efficient.
CA Technologies, who put out the first study cited above, happens to sell service virtualization products. In fact, they offer a wide range of data management and storage solutions. The company is headquartered in Islandia, NY, and maintains offices all over the world.
Cynthia Murrell, January 05, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
PolySpot Information At Work Deepens Information Analysis and Access for Data Scientists
January 3, 2013
Much of the news and media published over the past year in relation to big data has revolved around the folks working with big data. These coveted professionals are called data scientists and they are making the headlines in Forbes again with the recent article, “Big Data News Roundup: The Where, Who, and Why of Data Scientists.”
We learned much about which industries are employing data scientists in this article. In every field from healthcare to politics, big data has landed as a necessary component of research, ROI and everyday processes.
The article hones in on one industry in particular:
Another area where data scientists will have a big impact is the utility industry which, according to a new report from GTM Research, will see analytics ROI reaching $121.8 billion compounded between this year and 2020. Predictive analytics, performance management, and customer personalization will prompt a ‘complete reinvention” of utility companies’ modes of business, says the report.’
Another big realm for employing data scientists are enterprise organizations. Companies looking to streamline business processes and connect users to the data and insights they need to access in real-time are employing solutions like Information At Work from PolySpot in addition to data scientists to get the job done.
Megan Feil, January 3, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Beyond Search.
Unified Information Access Infrastructure Component Offers Connectivity with Big Data Insights
January 1, 2013
Visualization of ideas in the form of infographics parlay a level of knowledge, so to speak. However, they usually only features curated content. We found the graphic in Database Landscape Map to be most fascinating as it aims to cover many bases of the current landscape of database technologies. Published by The 451 Group, the original version (not shown in the referenced article) was published for their “NoSQL, NewSQL and Beyond” report.
According to the article, the recently updated version is not quite as useful as the original since it lacks several players in the database space:
I’ll be honest – I’m not convinced that this is as practically useful as the original, although I believe it is more accurate and it was an exhausting interesting exercise to put it together. If anyone spots any glaring omissions or errors please keep them to yourself let us know. Additionally, the image is also available on posters, mugs, t-shirts and mouse pads, for a small fee.
The relational and the non-relational zones are the only two clear delineations that this graphic makes. We would find this much more useful if the authors included key players in all spheres of enterprise information. This would broaden the base to include vital technologies like unified information access infrastructure components.
Megan Feil, January 1, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Beyond Search.
Information Management and Accessibility Promotes Fully Connected Enterprise
December 31, 2012
The end of the year always signals a time for reflection on past trends and projections for the future. Speculation on anything and everything big data is typical throughout the year, but even this already popular subject is seeing a spike. From Computer Weekly comes a countdown in regards to big data called the Top 10 Information Management Stories of 2012.
The article points to specific themes that popped up after sifting through articles that deal big data and information management.
According to this article, some big data solutions have been tough to get off the ground and to get up and running:
Open source big data technologies seem stuck in the sand pit of experimentation in UK corporate organizations. Experts say: experiment, but keep business value in mind. Speaking at a Computer Weekly roundtable on the topic, Bob Harris, chief technology officer at Channel 4, said big data initiatives will likely require organizations to adopt new technologies.
Of course open source big data technologies have the capabilities for continued experimentation. What else would any client want in this era of constant technological evolution? The point is that flexibility should not be interpreted as inability to operate in the current landscape. We see solutions such as PolySpot work for countless organizations in making information and insights accessible to the entire enterprise.
Megan Feil, December 31, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Beyond Search.
EA Is Just One Step Towards the Path of Enterprise Zen
December 18, 2012
EA, a revamped source promises to make sense of the enterprise. According to Toolbox’s article “EA to Empower the Wisdom of Seeing the Whole, the Power of Enterprise Knowledge and the Art of Enterprise Collaboration”, corporations have reason to pay attention to enterprise architecture. . Ironically, the article portrays enterprise architecture as a means of reaching a higher power source on an almost spiritual level of organizational empowerment, aka Enterprise Zen, but fails to mention other important factors such as the need for wisdom in choosing partners and integrators.
Some of the points, though phrased in an entertaining proverbial way, are widespread by definition and more business sense than validation:
“Wisdom comes from seeing the whole where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. However, in an organization, most people can only touch the tree without seeing the forest. Knowledge is power; EA does not only enable everyone to see the whole but also enable everyone to know the parts via enterprise knowledge management. Collaboration is more art than science. It is in every organization strategic planning goal and it is also a difficult goal to achieve.”
Enterprise architecture is one cog in the wheel of getting enterprise information out there. Using a reliable technology like Intrafind, that is backed up with a team of solution providers can provide the initial steps necessary to help you make the best of your EA investment and reach true Enterprise Zen.
Jennifer Shockley, December 18, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Using Solutions to Make Big Data Meaningful Proves to be a Competitive Advantage
December 18, 2012
While some say that big data will hurt small businesses while elevating larger enterprises to the top, we now see a different opinion emerging. The CEO of Intuit, Brad Smith believes that consumers and small businesses will benefit from the big data revolution. Read Write published the article “Intuit CEO: Big Data Can Be ‘The Great Equalizer’” on the subject that delves into more detail.
Smith’s opinions are informed by a recent study, “The New Data Democracy: How Big Data Will Revolutionize The Lives Of Small Businesses and Consumers,” which was conducted by Emergent Research. This study blends a mix of research and forecasting. The article alludes that forecasting might be more closely described as “wishful thinking.”
Steve King, partner at Emergent Research conducted the research in the study and told Read Write:
‘Big data is definitely going to kill some small businesses. Small businesses that don’t get with this will be severely disadvantaged, ‘especially firms reliant on location or opaque pricing. They’re going to get hammered. On the other hand, small companies that do manage to take advantage of big data will have an advantage compared to other small businesses, and be better positioned to compete with big businesses.’
Having the tools in place to utilize big data in meaningful ways puts a company at a huge advantage in the current market. PolySpot provides a solution in this arena that many companies look to for disseminating enriched data ready for analysts to use in churning out insights.
Megan Feil, December 18, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Sound the Alarm: Reliable Enterprise Services Are Not Free
December 14, 2012
Sound the alarms! Information Week’s article “Google Apps No Longer Free For Businesses” announced dooms day news to those looking for a free ride including perks on the Big G. After 6 years, Google is finally pushing their premium business apps by eliminating upkeep and new availability for the free version.
Google does have a heart, as they will allow existing free users to continue utilizing the bare bone services with limited customer service and no new upgrades:
“You get what you pay for because you can’t get what you didn’t pay for. That is, unless you already have it: Companies currently using the free version of Google Apps can continue to do so under the same terms. Individuals will be able to continue using Google’s Web apps, like Drive, Gmail and Docs at no cost through their Google Accounts. Businesses will be expected to pay for Google Apps for Business.”
The only surprise is that Google waited so long to push the remaining ‘free app’ businesses over to the premium side. When it comes to quality there is no such thing as free, and businesses who think they can get free, high performing enterprise solutions may be better off to invest in a tried, true and dedicated technologies. The Intrafind search technology is mature, feature rich and offers a worth return on investment – retrieving data when, where and how it is needed.
Jennifer Shockley, December 14, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
An Intriguing Idea: SharePoint Search Is a Data Access Technology
December 7, 2012
Shortly after the SharePoint 2012 Conference, I had time to think about an interesting and quite intriguing view of search. The idea is that search is another “data access technology.” The idea was explained in “SharePoint Conference 2012: Prominent Role for Search in SharePoint 2013.”
Sanjeev Bhutt gave a tip of the hat to Scot HIller, who was a speaker at the conference. Mr. Bhutt reported:
In his session on building search-driven applications, Scot Hillier made the point that we should no longer think of search in the limited scope of what occurs when a user types in a search term in a search box and the corresponding results that appear. Rather, we should think of search as a data access technology, in the same vein as CAML, REST and CSOM. In fact, he went as far as to say that search is the data access technology because, as he put it, “Search knows where all the skeletons are buried.” [Emphasis in the original text.]
Since the conference, I have noticed more emphasis on the use of a traditional and faceted search interface was a way to access a wide range of data and information types. Sphinx Search, for example, provides a system which eliminates the need for command line queries for content stored in MySQL databases. Many other vendors are moving in the same direction.
Search Technologies offers a range of services related to SharePoint 2013 search. Of particular relevance is the company’s search architecture design services. The firm’s engineers provide due diligence reviews of existing systems, to the detailed planning and costing of new search applications.
If you want to make the shift from search to finding and discovery, you will want to explore a range of technical methods and engineer your SharePoint or other information solution to deliver the results that users want: Information which answers a question without guessing what key words unlock the riches in the organization’s knowledge stores.
For more information about Search Technologies, visit www.searchtechnologies.com.
Iain Fletcher, December 7, 2012
Mobile Enterprise Traffic Needs a Reliable Knowledge Road Map
December 7, 2012
Big Data and mobile devices are having a profound impact on the way today’s businesses function. This increase in mobility over the past decade has brought about a major transition for the IT industry, and there is no question that the mobile revolution will continue into the future.
The Mobile Enterprise’s article “IT’s “Third Platform”: Mobile, Cloud, Social and Big Data” talks about how IT that remains stationary and refuses to embrace the mobile movement will end up becoming stagnant within the next year:
“The IT industry as a whole is moving toward the mobile/social/cloud/big data world of the third platform much more quickly than many realize: from 2013 through 2020, these technologies will drive around 90% of all the growth in the IT market. Companies that are not putting 80% or more of their competitive energy into this new market will be trapped in the legacy portion of the market, growing even slower than global GDP. IDC expects predictive analytics will be a particular hot spot in the months to come.”
Mobile, cloud and social along with a grain or so of Big Data means an ever increasingly complex enterprise information environment. Companies wishing to keep up with the ‘enterprise mobility’ traffic will need a reliable knowledge road map. Working with solution providers like Intrafind that understand the full scope of enterprise information access needs can take a bit of the pain out of finding the right solutions.
Jennifer Shockley, December 7, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
Secure Search Solutions Meet High Enterprise Demands
December 4, 2012
The season that inspires sales is upon us and Claranet is cashing in their acquisition wish list a little early. TechCrunch’s article “Enterprise Cloud Consolidation In Europe: Claranet Buys Star (MessageLabs’ Founders’ Other Startup) For $88M” trumpets how beneficial Claranet’s recent purchase will be for all involved.
Star’s UK client base will now have access to Claranet’s resources, however Claranet benefits by expanding their services and customer base. The combined company efforts will vastly increase estimated ROI:
“This is a great opportunity to bring together the experience and resources of two great companies to deliver a broader service portfolio to benefit our customers. It’s our mission to help our customers make the most of Internet-enabled technology, and the acquisition of Star will enable us to continue to deliver on this promise. The combined company will have revenues of over £120 million, and it will have 700 staff across the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.”
Not every provider is looking to be on the acquisition wish list even if the purchaser offers ROI as a stocking stuffer, but we won’t guarantee that Intrafind won’t be caught up in this consolidation shift. However, we do have confidence that they are an established provider that is well versed in scaling secure search solutions that meet the demands of enterprises in the pharmaceutical and financial industries.
Jennifer Shockley, December 4, 2012
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
-
- Subscribe to Beyond Search
Feature archive
News archive
-
