A Closer Look at Data Sovereignty Issues across Geographical Borders
June 25, 2012
At GigaOM.com, Barb Darrow weighs in on data sovereignty issues around the globe in her post, “Data Sovereignty Issues Still Weigh on Cloud Adoption.” Darrow points out that many large enterprises may embrace cloud computing, just not for key jobs because of restrictive regulations.
The author explains:
These laws…mandate that a company keep a customer’s data in that customer’s home country. One oft-cited reason is to prevent that data from being subpoenaed by a foreign power… Multiple regulations governing where a company can store customer data means that multinationals have to field data centers in every country where they have a presence — a trend that flies in the face of the appeal of borderless clouds.
One takeaway regarding the issue is that cloud service providers have to be able to meet regulatory obligations specific to the business sectors they address. Darrow also points out that until such hurtles are surpassed and cloud providers can provide detailed assurance where data resides, many businesses will keep residing on premise or in private clouds.
Darrow brings some good points to the discussion and highlights issues that need addressed in our global information age where data easily spans across physical borders. You may want to consider a third party solution built by experts in search and data management in the cloud with the European Union in mind. With Mindbreeze, you have options for on-premise and cloud usage:
Our information pairing technology makes you unbeatable. Information pairing unites enterprise information and Cloud information. This results in a complete overview of a company’s knowledge – the basis for your competitive advantage – allowing you to act quickly, reliably, dynamically and profitably in all business matters.
Compared to U.S. solutions, Mindbreeze seems to be on the right track. Read more about the full suite of solutions at http://www.mindbreeze.com/.
Philip West, June 25, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
More Data to Query from Carbon Monitoring
June 25, 2012
As companies become more focused on tracking and minimizing their carbon footprints to enhance their sustainability records as well as their bottom lines, carbon monitoring software has surged in popularity. Such applications have matured quickly in recent years, and numerous guides and standard calculations now exist to assist companies with assessing and benchmarking their carbon emissions and ensuring their compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Unfortunately, carbon monitoring can be difficult to standardize, as every organization has different monitoring needs based on its operations and culture. Consequently, traditional business intelligence software may collect much inaccurate and superfluous environmental data, thus compromising its utility. In light of these reliability concerns, some software makers have invested in their product portfolios to offer more comprehensive, integrated carbon monitoring capabilities. As noted in the article by William Newman and Cindy Jennings entitled “Automated Carbon Monitoring Works Best with Close Industry Fit, Integration” that recently appeared online on Search Manufacturing ERP’s site:
“Broad sustainability performance applications, including product compliance elements, are available from many enterprise resource planning (ERP) and product lifecycle management (PLM) vendors such as SAP, Dassault Systemes and PTC, as these large software vendors position themselves for growth in the carbon monitoring market.”
Inforbix, like its cutting-edge peers, offers highly customized cloud-based PLM solutions that enable its users to easily find, reuse, and share all types of product data to enhance monitoring, compliance, and profitability.
Tonya Weikel, June 25 2012
Critical Patches Fend off Microsoft Active Attacks
June 22, 2012
Internet Explorer has long been a vulnerable target to cyber attacks, malware and the like, but Microsoft has just announced a large batch of patches in order to address vulnerabilities across a wide variety of their software offerings. ComputerWorld UK provides a complete breakdown in, “Microsoft Patches 26 Bugs, Warns Users of Active Attacks.”
Giving attention to all of the vulnerabilities, the author reports on what may be the most critical update, the one in need of adoption first. He quotes Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Security:
‘Certainly, [MS12-036] makes it to the top of the worrisome list,’ said Storms. That update, also rated critical, patches just one vulnerability in the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), a Windows component that lets users remotely access a PC or server. RDP is frequently used by corporate help desks, off-site users and IT administrators to manage servers at company data centers and those the enterprise farms out to cloud-based service providers.
Implications for those organizations that use Remote Desktop Protocol in any manner in their infrastructure, but especially in their enterprise SharePoint deployment, are obvious. There is need for concern and quick action in order to plug the security gap. However, it’s also reported that oddly, the updates must be manually downloaded.
The author continues:
All of the patches must be downloaded manually from Microsoft’s Download Center. They’re not served up through the usual Windows Update service or the enterprise-grade Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) software.
It seems that such critical updates, especially for those who use ubiquitous SharePoint, would be made more readily accessible and users would receive prompt notification.
For enterprises that are concerned about their security needs, consider a smart third party solution like Fabasoft Mindbreeze. Smaller and more agile, these companies can devote greater attention to security needs. Additionally, in the interest of being fair, Microsoft is always going to be a target for malware and viruses because of its sheer size. It is truly a huge target. However, adding Fabasoft Mindbreeze Enterprise to an existing SharePoint infrastructure will not only make the whole enterprise more secure, but also more easily accessible.
Read more about the security adherence of Fabasoft Mindbreeze, including relevant ISO standards. Just one example is as follows:
ISO 27001: The ISO standard 27001 is a worldwide recognized standard for the evaluation of the security of IT environments. For customers the certification means the adherence to clearly defined technical and security-based standards regarding all IT and business processes as well as all the company’s confidential information.
Sometimes bigger is not necessarily better, and this is one instance in which it definitely proves true. Move away from Microsoft, the major target of viruses and malware, and move toward a more agile, more secure solution. Fabasoft Mindbreeze Enterprise, and the whole suite of Mindbreeze products, can not only ease your security concerns, but also provide a more satisfying user experience.
Emily Rae Aldridge, June 22, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Traditional Approaches to Data Management No Longer Relevant
June 22, 2012
For decades now only the largest, most affluent companies in a handful of industries had access to product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions. That has slowly been changing, though, with advances in technology including cloud technology. A recent Ten Links article, “IMAGINiT Earns Autodesk PLM 360 Specialization”, announces that Autodesk PLM 360 has joined with Rand Worldwide to offer non-traditional PLM solutions, hopefully hitting a greater audience.
The article explains the goal of the union:
Traditional PLM solutions have been cumbersome, and have required expensive customization and implementation phases. Autodesk’s cloud-based PLM 360 solution creates a highly flexible platform that eliminates the challenges associated with IT infrastructure and hardware requirements.
Other companies are also pursuing non-traditional approaches to PLM. At the root of any PLM solutions is data management. Inforbix, a respected leader in the PLM solutions industry, focuses on new data management solutions when creating their software. They strive to help their customers find, reuse and share product data believing that at the heart of any PLM solution should liberate a company’s data without breaking the bank. As more companies realize the potential of PLM we expect leaders like Inforbix to increase in popularity and others to realize the benefit in thinking outside the box.
Catherine Lamsfuss, June 22, 2012
EU Data Laws Threaten Enterprise on the Cloud
June 21, 2012
Various cultures hold differing opinions on the nature of information and its implications on security. The United States has earned a reputation as increasingly difficult to deal with, as the quest for national security has led to regulations that create hardships for software developers and users alike. However, there is now talk about the implications of new European Union laws on Cloud platforms and enterprise software. IT World gives a full report in, “EU Data Laws are Latest Threat to Cloud.”
Kevin Fogerty, the author, introduces the issue:
European data-sovereignty laws requiring international companies to keep data on customers in the customer’s own country are not only causing headaches for database managers, they’re holding back adoption of cloud computing in many large companies according to a story in GigaOm yesterday. Corporate IT managers have been wary of European data-privacy laws since the early 2000s, when requirements designed to limit the degree to which corporations could move or exploit the personal data of customers came into vogue on the Continent.
Europe is clearly still struggling with the idea of national sovereignty versus sovereignty of the union. It is bleeding over into IT development and causing headaches. However, we are also told that the United States is driving some of these regulations and subsequent frustrations:
More recently, fears of U.S. prosecutors subpoenaing private data on European customers in European countries has accelerated the priority of data sovereignty laws as well.
So for multi-national companies who truly need an enterprise solution that will allow the transfer and access of data across country borders, what is to be done? For now, it may be that some of the legalities of the new regulations need time to be vetted and moderated. In the meantime, it would be wise for organizations to choose a smart third-party solution that can increase the efficiency of their SharePoint platform without running up against these regulations.
Fabasoft Mindbreeze is a great solution for organizations on either side of the Atlantic. For customers in the United States, Fabasoft Mindbreeze Enterprise guarantees the highest level of security. For European users, Mindbreeze was truly written with EU standards in mind; therefore insuring compliance without added stress or workload.
Daniel Fallmann addresses some of the concerns surrounding the use of the US Patriot Act to access international data:
During the development of Fabasoft Mindbreeze we focused 100% exclusively on European values – not one single bit of American software product is to be found. The US Patriot Act doesn’t apply. Not using US American manufactured software ensures that US authorities have no right to access European Cloud data.
While most users need not be concerned with the Patriot Act and its potential implications for unauthorized access of data, some European customers will rest assured knowing that Fabasoft Mindbreeze engineers products with EU standards in mind, ensuring fewer headaches.
Emily Rae Aldridge, June 21, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Center of Excellence to Benefit Japanese Enterprises
June 21, 2012
In an effort to introduce product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions to a larger Japanese market Geometric Limited, a PLM provider with a strong foothold in Asia, and DIPRO, a Japanese, a CAD/CAM/CAE solutions provider located in Japan, have joined forced to create a Center of Excellence (CoE). According to the article, “Geometric and DIPRO Partner to Tap the Japanese Market”, on MCAD Café, the CoE is the fruition of a long partnership with a lot of promise and possibility.
According to the article,
“Under the agreement, the two companies would jointly offer PLM, CAD/CAM/CAE, and engineering services. To further strengthen the quality of services to customers, the companies have agreed upon an exchange of human resources, whereby Geometric’s employees will take technology expertise to Japan, while DIPRO’s employees will bring in automotive domain knowledge in context of Japanese culture to the offshore centre.”
PLM providers are not only moving into new countries which traditionally have not fully utilized PLM solutions; they are also moving into non-traditional industry. Previous to the economic bust of only a few years ago PLM was reserved for a few select industries (automotive, manufacturing, etc…) and the wealthiest enterprises among the select. Thanks to economic challenges and the advent of the cloud PLM has moved to more industries, most notably healthcare and finance, and to smaller enterprises. Companies like Inforbix work hard to ensure that small and midsized enterprises are able to receive the same PLM services that once were financially impossible. Through cloud technology and a shift in expectations PLM is now available to most companies around the world.
Catherine Lamsfuss, June 21, 2012
Understanding Search Features Available in Out of the Box SharePoint
June 20, 2012
In “SharePoint 2010 Search: Relevance, Refinement, People,” Jennifer Mason takes a closer look at powerful search features available in SharePoint to help you locate and access the data and content you’ve added to the farm. Mason explains her approach to the topic:
Search is everywhere, and SharePoint is no exception. By providing your users with a way to easily find their content you are able to greatly increase the usability and user adoption within your organization. This article will highlight the specific ways that SharePoint search enhances your environment.
She also explains basic content and people search options in out-of-the-box SharePoint that can be a big help to many users. But she also points out that any advanced and higher level search functionality that can make the search and navigation experience better for your users lies in the type of licensing you have and if you choose to invest in implementing FAST Search Server for SharePoint.
Mason goes on to comment on search strategies:
In most organizations a Search strategy is developed that includes information on what content sources need to be created as well as what scopes should be implemented. A good practice is to also have a primary resource that is responsible for reviewing the Search Analytics reports and taking steps to provide continuous improvements to the overall search experience. Search is an area in SharePoint that can potentially cross many teams and require multiple resources so it is a good idea to spend some time planning to ensure that your environment is scoped appropriately.
We agree that search is always deserving of improvement and attention as it is users’ means to access and reuse valuable business knowledge. Depending on your organization, you may not want to devote the time and effort for extensive configurations and training to develop a powerful search feature. We think it would be easier to go with a simple third-party solution like Mindbreeze, cutting down on the costly man hours.
Fabasoft Mindbreeze Enterprise provides consistent and comprehensive information access to both corporate and Cloud sources and . . .
finds every scrap of information within a very short time, whether document, contract, note, e-mail or calendar entry, in intranet or internet, person- or text-related. The software solution finds all required information, regardless of source, for its users. Get a comprehensive overview of corporate knowledge in seconds without redundancy or loss of data.
The seamless Cloud solution makes sure you find the right information you need at any time. Check out the full suite of solutions at Fabasoft Mindbreeze.
Philip West, June 20, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
New Markets Thrive Thanks to Global Economic Downturn
June 20, 2012
Traditionally, product lifecycle management (PLM) providers have focused on industries such as aerospace, automobile and manufacturing for customers. With the global economic meltdown in 2008 PLM providers were forced to think outside the box and sell their wares elsewhere or cease to exist. The Control Engineering Asia article, “New Industries Driving PLM Market Growth”, explains how PLM has reinvented itself to include just about every industry imaginable.
The article goes into detail about how PLM providers turned their attentions beyond their traditional customers:
“These mainstay discrete industries that retreated during the economic downturn of ‘08 and ‘09 gave more impetus to PLM suppliers to look to non-traditional industries. Solutions are now being readily adopted by a set of industrial verticals such as medical devices, CPG, consumer goods, retail, ship building, energy generation & utilities, and AEC; and the adoption growth rates in these sectors reflect this trend. PLM suppliers are looking for growth in these sectors to fuel revenues as their business growth in the discrete industries matures.”
Smart PLM providers quickly understood that expanding PLM to new markets was necessary for survival. Now that a few years have passed affordable cloud based PLM solutions are readily available for every size enterprise. Some of our favorites, like Inforbix, focus on new data management solutions to help companies derive the most meaning from their data and as a result reduce waste and duplication.
Catherine Lamsfuss, June 20, 2012
Richard Paterson Assesses Mobile Access Options for your SharePoint Site
June 19, 2012
Mobile access is no doubt becoming the ubiquitous and a go-to source for users as the office extends well beyond physical office walls. In “SharePoint on Mobile Devices: The Options,” Richard Paterson takes a look at ways to expose SharePoint portals on mobile devices, including out-of-the-box mobile SharePoint views, Responsive Design, Mobile Web Apps, and native apps.
Paterson points out that mobile views are not ‘one size fits all,’ rather the delivery style you choose depends on your target audience, target device, and site content. While an out-of-the-box SharePoint mobile view is simple to implement, it gives you only basic navigation around sites, lists, and document libraries.
Paterson has this to say about a framework solution:
A framework such as Mobile Entrée can provide a richer experience than the out of the box views and will normally provide an API to code against, making extensibility and customization of the functionality intuitive. They will normally operate on templates which allows for powerful front end customization. Views can be made available for different devices, e.g. you might want a two column layout on a tablet, whereas on a phone you would want just one. Frameworks will make form building simpler and also presenting back graphs and tables often used in Business Intelligence easy and more cost effective to implement.
If your site is geared toward news, marketing, or communication, Paterson suggests that a Responsive Design may be best, but it is lacking if you need forms or functional parts. A native device app can give you big results for the user experience, but Paterson explains it also requires the largest investment.
Paterson’s reviews are not comprehensive, but definitely provide a good introduction to mobile options. You may consider the read if you’re looking to beef up your site’s mobile experience. You may also consider adding a third party solution as a means to expand mobile offerings while also saving valuable time and investment resources. We like the feedback we’ve seen about Fabasoft Mindbreeze Mobile.
Here you can read about the Mobile Search solution from Mindbreeze:
Smartphones and tablets are constant companions, indispensable in the business world. Information needs to be able to be exchanged at all times and wherever you are. Easily. Quickly. Securely. Fabasoft Mindbreeze Mobile makes company data available on all mobile devices. Regardless of whether you have a BlackBerry®, iPhone®, Windows Phone or Android™ Smartphone or a tablet such as the Apple iPad, Samsung Chromebook/GalaxyTab or Blackberry Playbook, you can act independently and freely – yet always securely. Irrespective of what format the data is in. Full functionality: the display of the search results is homogenous to the tried and tested web client in terms of clear design and intuitive navigation.
Read more about the Fabasoft Mindbreeze Search Solutions that easily integrate into your SharePoint farm at http://www.mindbreeze.com/.
Philip West, June 19, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
Connecting CAD and CAE with Data Management
June 19, 2012
One of the biggest challenges facing designers and analysts across industries is the lack of fluidity between CAD, CAE and other programs. The difficulties experienced related to this disconnect causes roadblocks that are both costly and time consuming according to the article, “Fixing the CAD/CAE Disconnect”, on Design World.
The article explains the problem in detail:
“The disconnect has to do with the data flows between design and analysis tools. CAD and CAE models are distinct and different things. Only in the simplest of cases can a CAE model be derived automatically, or with minimal work, from a CAD model. In most cases, you start with the product definition geometry, massage it to create the geometry for building analytical models, then tune and optimize that data for analysis…Too often, even minor design changes can break the linkages used to synchronize analysis models to design geometry.”
Although there isn’t a perfect answer for this problem of communicating through data between departments but the article suggests that if an answer is to be found it will be through product lifecycle management (PLM). PLM providers like Siemens PLM and Inforbix specialize in helping companies manage data including CAD files. The solution for many disconnect problems, as the article defines it, lay in finding, reusing and sharing data efficiently.
Catherine Lamsfuss, June 19, 2012
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