Profile of Andrew Froehlich

President & Lead Network Architect, West Gate Networks News & Commentary Posts: 134

Andrew has well over a decade of enterprise networking under his belt through his consulting practice, which specializes in enterprise network architectures and datacenter build-outs and prior experience at organizations such as State Farm Insurance, United Airlines and the University of Chicago Medical Center. Having lived and worked in South East Asia for nearly three years, Andrew possesses a unique international business and technology perspective. When he's not consulting, Andrew enjoys writing technical blogs and is the author of two Cisco certification study guides published by Sybex.

Is Bucking the Trend Key to Digital Transformation?

5/10/2019
Digital transformation isn't about making incremental improvements on the status quo but using emerging technology to be a leader.
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An IT Pro's View: Why Interop is a Unique IT Conference

5/1/2019
A returning visitor to Interop in Las Vegas outlines what sets the conference apart from so many other technology events.
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Why AI Isn't Gaining Traction in Your Enterprise

4/17/2019
For all the buzz about artificial intelligence and machine learning, there has been surprisingly little real progress with adoption in the enterprise.
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10 Fixes for When Change Brings Your Systems to Their Knees

4/1/2019
When your systems slow to a crawl it's easy to blame the technology, but some of the causes -- and fixes --may relate to how enterprises do business these days.
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IT Talent Shortages: What Businesses are Doing to Cope

3/7/2019
For organizations that are having trouble recruiting IT professionals with in-demand skills, some options have become available in the cloud and gig economy.
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Why Banking Industry Cloud Strategies Lag Behind

11/23/2018
Research shows that banks have been slow to embrace the cloud, but maybe the reasons behind their reluctance don't apply any more.
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Cloud Vendors on the Rise in 2019

11/5/2018
The largest cloud providers may be familiar names, but their offerings are changing and the cloud marketplace is rapidly evolving. Browse our list of cloud vendors to watch in 2019.
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Berners-Lee Wants to Build a Safer Internet for All

10/15/2018
Imagine an Internet where each individual has control over their own personal data and privacy. Web pioneer Tim Berners-Lee has a plan for just that approach.
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Pros and Cons of Chatbots in the IT Helpdesk

10/2/2018
As AI technology evolves it's worth a closer look at what chatbots can do to provide better end user support on help desk requests.
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Don't Be Afraid to Reboot Your Cloud Architecture

9/24/2018
It may sound radical, but one way to deal with increasing cloud complexity is a complete reboot of your cloud architecture.
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5 Bad Habits of Ineffective IT Departments

9/5/2018
The best intentions of an IT group can end up coming back to bite them, leading their projects to fall short of expectations or to fail outright.
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Tips for a True Multi-Cloud Strategy

8/16/2018
Develop a multi-cloud strategy that can genuinely benefit your organization by following these recommendations.
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Artificial Intelligence Starts in the IT Department

8/8/2018
If you need to show executives and department heads what AI can do for your company, IT automation is a great proof of concept.
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5 Signs Your IT Infrastructure is Falling Behind

7/16/2018
Sure, you want to innovate with IT, but will your organization's server, network, and software infrastructure support that initiative?
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Make the Leap from IT 'Pro' to IT 'Manager'

7/5/2018
Follow these four steps and you can better position yourself for a management role by shifting from a technology-first to a business-first perspective.
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Global IaaS Providers; Where Does Alibaba Cloud Fit?

6/13/2018
While Alibaba is on the radar as a global Infrastructure-as-a-Service player, several factors can make US companies wonder if the Chinese firm is a match for them.
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What I’m Looking Forward to at Interop ITX 2018

4/17/2018
An IT professionals maps out his tour of Interop ITX, coming up in two weeks.
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Emerging Technologies Remain a Gamble in 2018

4/5/2018
IT leaders face a tornado of vendor news and business user demands relating to emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and augmented reality. Those leaders need to put those technologies and the business need in perspective.
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Does Your IT Department Have the Proper Cloud Skills?

3/27/2018
As cloud offerings evolve and enterprise organizations look to do more in the cloud, IT professionals need to add new cloud-related skills.
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Protection from Software Publishers Ripping You Off

3/15/2018
Do you ever wonder why software licenses are so complicated, and what you can do about them?
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Cisco Report: A Story of Cloud Endings and Beginnings

2/14/2018
While some aspects of the cloud, such as migrations, are rapidly coming to a close, new avenues are beginning to open.
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Will Digital Transformation Create or Eliminate Enterprise IT Jobs?

2/5/2018
So, the question arises: Is digital transformation good for the IT professional's career?
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7 Acquisitions that Point to Cloud Maturity

1/16/2018
While strides are indeed being made in the world of cloud computing, the most recent mergers and acquisitions show a marketplace that is beginning to mature.
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Cloud Computing 2018: More of Everything

1/4/2018
Activity on the cloud adoption front throughout 2017 set the stage for some dramatic changes in how enterprises use the cloud in 2018.
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7 Skills Every IT Project Manager Needs

12/22/2017
Project managers on the IT team don't need to be the all-knowing tech expert, but there are key tech skills that help them succeed.
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Going All-In with Managed Services, the Right Way

12/5/2017
Utilizing managed services can be cost efficient for an enterprise, but be sure to look beyond cost to how you manage those managed service providers.
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9 Ways to Reduce Latency When Connecting to Public Clouds

11/28/2017
The more companies rely on cloud applications, the more important it becomes to be proactive in ensuring that latency and quality issues are kept to a minimum.
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Stay Grounded when Dealing with AI Projects

11/6/2017
Keep your organization's expectations for artificial intelligence within reason, and keep your initial AI projects manageable.
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9 Tips for Managing Cloud Services on a Budget

10/26/2017
We share 9 steps you can take to save on the cost of cloud services, with the keywords being shop around, planning, and diligence.
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Moving the Cloud Closer to the Business

10/2/2017
We will soon reach the point where connectivity to cloud resources is going to become a serious issue in terms of real-time computing functions. So, how do we bring the cloud closer to us?
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Debunking 8 Big Data and Analytics Myths

9/21/2017
As with other emerging tech concepts, big data and analytics are haunted by myths. Here are eight such myths that you will want to dispel as you advance your analytics strategy.
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The Next-Generation IT Help Desk is Achievable Today

9/14/2017
The new enterprise IT help desk features bots, cloud monitoring, and consolidated views into problems, and it can be implemented today.
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What IT Spending Forecasts Tell Us About the Future of IT

8/25/2017
IT spending patterns make it clear that we are in a software and cloud-based world.
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Serverless Architecture Could Cure DevOps Pain

8/17/2017
IT organizations struggling to transition to DevOps should take heart. Serverless architecture can provide many of the same benefits without the steep learning curve.
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9 Cloud Certifications Worth Your Time and Money

8/14/2017
For IT professionals who want to advance their careers with new skills, certifications in cloud technology and management are a good bet.
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4 Signs Your IT Strategy is Off Track

7/28/2017
Whether the cause is immature technology, outdated processes and skills, or a shift in corporate mindset, IT projects can go wrong at midstream.
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Cloud Outages: Who’s at Fault?

7/19/2017
Cloud outages do happen. So, how can you and your IT group minimize the impact on the company?
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10 Things IT Pros Should Consider (or Dread) Before the Job Hunt

7/17/2017
Think you've seen changes in your IT group over the years? Well there have been just as many changes in the job market. Here's some advice to help you find that next great job.
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Big Data in the Cloud: Reaching a Tipping Point

7/5/2017
It may be time to rethink where you want to support a big data initiative.
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Automated Tools Ease Cloud Migration

6/26/2017
With new tools appearing, automation and orchestration are having a major impact on easing the burden of moving to the cloud.
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When an On-Premises, Public Cloud Might be Right for You

6/19/2017
There are several options for those companies that want a public cloud environment but also want to keep compute gear in house.
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It’s Time CIOs Get Real About Data Security

6/6/2017
Your company's success in securing its data and network could depend on how the CIO delivers security messages to their peers in the C-suite.
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4 Steps to a Digital Transformation

5/30/2017
Digital transformation, think of it as a shift in philosophy within your organization, not just a tech project.
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Will Edge Computing Replace the Cloud?

5/23/2017
New technology breakthroughs plus the IoT are driving new interest in edge computing.
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IT Outages, Who's Really at Fault?

5/12/2017
Systems do go down, and sometimes the cause seems obvious, but it may be too obvious. Employ root cause analysis methods to find the real cause of failure.
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5 DevOps Management Faults

5/4/2017
Sometimes the barriers to success with DevOps can't be blamed on poor tools or poor workmen, but on the managers who are in charge.
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What I Hope to Get out of Interop ITX

4/26/2017
IT consultant and blogger Andrew Froehlich outlines a full-week educational experience at the upcoming Interop ITX conference.
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Who's Afraid of the Big Bad IoT?

4/17/2017
In an atmosphere of fear about IoT security and privacy business should be aware that if an IoT project seems promising, it may be worth the risk to push on, as long as security is at the forefront.
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Is a "Cloud-First" Approach Right for your Organization?

4/6/2017
Enterprise IT needs to rethink the scope of the cloud-first mindset.
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Avoid the Telecommuting Reboot

3/30/2017
Telecommuting can be a useful concept for an organization, but you have to put the right tools in place to support remote workers.
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No Cloud is Perfect, So Be Prepared

3/24/2017
Enterprise IT managers have to accept that cloud outages will occur, and have strategies to keep core systems running.
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Analytics Can Solve Big Data Center Challenges

3/15/2017
Data centers are only getting more complex, but you can get a handle on them with the combined use of data center analytics and automation.
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Docker Shifts Toward the Enterprise

3/13/2017
With Docker having announced a more enterprise focused product line, now is the time to compare each of the Docker platform versions so you have a better sense of your options.
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How to Convince Reluctant Admins to Embrace Cloud

2/27/2017
The anti-cloud grew is still out there. Here are some helpful tips to show them how the cloud has evolved and why it might be right for your organization.
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How To Choose Between Virtual Desktop Deployment Models

2/21/2017
Many companies are turning to virtual desktops in the cloud to support end user computing, and they have multiple models to choose from.
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Your Big Data Strategy Needs DevOps

2/16/2017
Many big data analytics teams choose to not use DevOps methodologies, but there are real benefits to applying DevOps concepts to those big data initiatives.
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Is Outsourcing The Key To Data Analytics Success?

2/14/2017
If the IT group isn't up to the task of implementing analytics, it's worth checking out the possibilities of outsourced analytics.
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5 Security Considerations For The Hybrid Cloud

1/27/2017
Even though your infrastructure, applications, and data are off in the cloud, don't assume that you are off the hook when it comes to compliance. You are still responsible for that data.
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Achieve Application And Data Visibility In The Cloud

1/24/2017
IT organizations need visibility into the cloud when their applications and infrastructure are out there. Without such visibility, well, you are flying blind.
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5 Business Cases For Containers

1/19/2017
While containers offer an organization technical benefits, don't overlook their business benefits, such as cost savings and flexibility.
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3 No-brainer Uses for the Public Cloud

1/11/2017
While many enterprise needs will require the use of a private or hybrid cloud architecture, there are some uses that truly take advantage of the benefits that only the public cloud can deliver.
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5 Things That Will Keep IT Execs Up At Night In 2017

1/6/2017
The dawn of a new year brings hope of great things to come. But there also are challenges that are sure to keep IT executives awake with worry.
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Will Cloud Service Prices Go Up in 2017?

12/28/2016
Competition and price cutting might be good for cloud customers, but the glory days of low prices might not make it into 2017.
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The Cloud May Finally be Ready for Your Legacy Apps

12/21/2016
If you’ve been holding off your legacy application migration to the cloud over fear of support and migration issues, 2017 may very well be the time to look at your options.
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Multi-Cloud Management: What to Realistically Expect in 2017

12/14/2016
Learn what you should realistically expect from your multi-cloud management solution in 2017 -- and what you may have to wait for until 2018 and beyond.
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Beyond The Big 2: 10 Benefits Of Alternate IaaS Providers

8/24/2016
If you're looking at infrastructure-as-a-service options, you're already aware Gartner has declared Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure as the Big 2 in the market. And, in many cases, they're all you'll need. But sometimes, your unique business requirements will make an alternate IaaS provider a better fit for your organization. Here, we outline 10 benefits to help you decide what's right for your needs.
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9 Cloud Skills IT Pros Need Now

8/11/2016
The rise of cloud computing has been a game-changer for not only businesses, but also IT pros looking to stay relevant. Here are 9 must-have skills in different aspects of cloud technologies needed to compete.
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7 Cool Data Center Innovations

8/2/2016
We've identified seven key innovations being integrated into data centers to further expand capabilities -- or to provide vastly improved efficiencies in terms of energy consumption. Here's what you need to know.
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10 Hot SaaS Security Startups To Watch

7/13/2016
Leveraging cloud-based security services is helping to solve some major stumbling blocks when it comes to providing a robust architecture for organizations. To help you navigate your options, we're spotlighting 10 SaaS security startups whose tools are worth a look.
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8 Reasons You Need A Security Penetration Test

7/6/2016
One of the biggest challenges in IT security is determining whether the tools and configurations you have in place are giving your organization the level of security you require. Here's how penetration testing can help.
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10 SaaS Startups Every Enterprise Should Know

6/22/2016
Often thought of as a small-business tool, Software-as-a-Service offers plenty of potential for large enterprise customers, as evidenced by the 10 startups we're exploring here. Our list includes SaaS applications for big organizational challenges, such as supply-chain, payroll, sales, recruiting, and company-wide collaboration.
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7 PaaS Startups To Watch

5/31/2016
As virtualization advancements such as container technologies emerge, PaaS is hitting its stride. While you may have heard of a couple of the PaaS providers on our list, we're betting there are a few more here that aren't on your radar yet. Here's why these seven firms are worth your attention.
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7 Ways Cloud Computing Propels IT Security

5/8/2016
A spate of high-profile public and private cloud security breaches is helping to push advancements in security such as encryption. Here's a look at 7 ways the cloud may be the largest driver of IT security today.
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Cloud Provider Jobs: Pros And Cons

5/4/2016
Working for a cloud provider instead of taking a traditional enterprise IT position has its advantages. But there are plenty of pitfalls to consider. Here's a look at some pros and the cons of making the leap to a job with a cloud service.
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Google Cloud Conundrum: 7 Questions That Need Answering

4/27/2016
In an effort to gain enterprise interest, Google announced changes to its cloud platform last month that would beef up machine learning and big data capabilities. Still, many questions remain about whether Google's cloud will ever be a serious enterprise contender.
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7 Reasons The IoT Will Run On PaaS

4/6/2016
The Internet of Things is poised for exponential growth, and all that software and data has to live somewhere. Here's why we think that place will be platform-as-a-service.
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7 Reasons To Convert To A Private Cloud

3/30/2016
If you're considering -- or merely curious about -- converting your data center to a private cloud, we'll help you learn about the management, scalability, and efficiency improvements you may gain.
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10 Cloud Startups Worth Your Attention

3/17/2016
If your view of the cloud marketplace is dominated by the Amazons and Googles of the world, you may be missing out on solutions that better target your needs. Here's our list of 10 up-and-coming cloud providers worth a look.
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8 IT Projects To Prioritize When Budget's Tight

3/10/2016
If you're looking for places to cut IT spending due to the sluggish economy or other factors, here are 8 projects you need keep on your to-do list no matter what.
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8 IoT Operating Systems Powering The Future

3/1/2016
Unlike PCs and mobile devices, there's a wide variety of commercial and open source operating systems powering the IoT. Here are eight leading contenders and the best use-cases for them.
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8 Reasons Cloud Email Is A Smart Move Now

2/22/2016
If you've been dragging your feet on migrating your company's email to a cloud service, here's why it's time to reconsider.
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7 Ways PaaS Delivers Business Value

2/17/2016
Platform-as-a-Service has a bit of an identity crisis compared to the more popular SaaS and IaaS, but in the right circumstances it's the superior choice.
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7 Ways IaaS Delivers Business Value

2/10/2016
Managing a modern data center is a daunting -- and expensive -- task if you go it alone. But partnering with Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) providers can help. Here are seven ways IaaS can pay off for your organization.
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8 Ways SaaS Delivers Business Value

1/26/2016
Sure, software as a service still offers an easy point of entry for small and midsized businesses that need to upgrade their software. But today's cloud-based options offer even more for businesses of all sizes.
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8 Ways Cloud Storage Delivers Business Value

1/20/2016
Today's cloud storage is more than simply a low-cost alternative to on-premises options. In many ways, the cloud delivers business value that can't be matched with comparable in-house solutions. Here's how.
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IT Change Control: 8 Ways To Improve Your Processes

1/18/2016
The words "change control" may seem like an oxymoron, but that is exactly what IT is charged with doing each time the business asks for a new application, service, or device. But IT change control processes are often mired in an outdated culture that's not in line with today's business technology reality. Here's what you can do to bring your IT change control processes up to date.
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IT Infrastructure Trends: 5 Worth Watching

1/18/2016
Any infrastructure projects that can either cut costs or improve data protection should be tops on your list. Here, we look at five infrastructure trends that will help CIOs determine the best places to invest their budget dollars wisely in the next 12 months.
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When To Upgrade PCs: 4 Tips For A Smart IT Strategy

1/15/2016
Figuring out a corporate-wide PC upgrade timetable has never been easy for enterprise IT managers. These days, cloud-based applications and evolving Bring Your Own Device policies are among the factors complicating your decision-making process. Here are four tips to help you determine the best PC refresh strategy for your enterprise users.
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4 Data Security Tips For CIOs

1/11/2016
Security challenges facing CIOs will continue to escalate because the payoffs are high for perpetrators, and risks are relatively low. Here are four tips to help turn your organization -- and your data -- into less appealing targets for the bad guys.
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Windows 10 Migration: 4 Tips To Help IT Prepare

1/8/2016
IT professionals have a lot to consider when contemplating a migration to Windows 10. These four tips will help make upgrading as smooth as possible for yourself, and your enterprise end users.
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Encryption Debate: 8 Things CIOs Should Know

1/4/2016
Governments want access to encrypted communications to prevent terrorist attacks, but IT professionals and tech vendors say any weakening of encryption is a threat to privacy and data security.
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8 Cloud Computing Predictions For 2016

12/23/2015
While 2015 marked the moment when cloud became the go-to platform for enterprise applications and data, there's still plenty of maturing to go. Here's what we expect to see from cloud computing in 2016.
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Amazon EC2 Dedicated Hosts: Pros And Cons

12/16/2015
If you're a bit confused by what a dedicated host cloud service can do for you, rest assured you're not alone. We'll help you figure out when your IT department should choose to deploy dedicated hosts.
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7 PC Alternatives For Work: Tablets, 2-in-1s, Ultraportables

12/1/2015
A recent spate of enterprise-class tablets -- and a significant increase in the ability to create content on tablets -- could change how enterprise users view the devices.
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Insider Threats: 10 Ways To Protect Your Data

11/18/2015
While IT focuses on outside threats, danger lurks from within -- your employees. Whether intentional or unintentional, data breaches resulting from workers mishandling data can be prevented. Here's a look at 10 ways it can be done effectively.
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Cloud Vs. On-Premises: 6 Benefits Of Keeping Data Private

11/11/2015
We can think of at least six reasons why you would want to store your data in a privately controlled data center rather than use a public cloud service. Let’s gain an understanding of the on-premises vs. cloud debate, and see why some tech leaders advocate a hybrid model where both coexist.
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10 iPhone Apps Only An IT Pro Could Love

10/21/2015
The Apple iTunes store is chock-full of apps that are equally useful to IT and business users. Here, we're focusing on 10 iPhone apps that only IT professionals could love. See what we've uncovered.
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Hybrid Cloud: 7 Ways It's The Best Of Both Worlds

10/20/2015
When choosing which flavor of cloud to go with for your organization, you'll find that a hybrid architecture has some distinct advantages over public and private cloud models. Here's a look at seven benefits of going hybrid.
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Should IT Go Agile? The Pros And Cons

10/6/2015
Agile methodology has produced faster software development and better outcomes for users. Could it do the same for IT infrastructure projects?
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8 Epic Software Fails: From Volkswagen To IRS

9/29/2015
While Volkswagen's recent software scandal raises serious ethical concerns, it's certainly not the only remarkable software failure this year. Here's a rundown of what can happen when good software goes bad. As we head into fourth quarter 2015, we can't help but wonder what's next.
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