Stories by Julia King

IT's winning (and losing) job titles

Sure, there are still some Cobol systems on their last legs in the deep recesses of just about every large IT organization. But they are most assuredly on their way out -- as are the programmers who coded them.

When IT gets to play: Skunk works projects deliver value

It's called the technology petting zoo. Stocked with the latest high-tech gadgets, games, systems and software that could potentially be of business value, it's a place where engineers and other IT users at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory can try out the steady stream of hot, new consumer technologies and imagine the possibilities.

IT workers with heart

At first glance, you might think Steve Kranson, who works at Comerica Bank in Auburn Hills, Mich., is your average IT manager. But he's been known to put in some time dressed as the Easter Bunny, to the delight of local kids.

Talent wars: Are your IT staffers being poached?

Dan Herrington says his first inkling of a brewing IT talent war came early this spring, when he noticed that "college kids weren't accepting our offers on the spot."

The grill: Frank Wander

"In my experience, the best creative work is never done when one is unhappy."

Beyond CRM: SaaS slips into the mainstream

Customer relationship management applications are still the largest segment of the ballooning software-as-a-service market.

1

Gotcha! Pursuing software pirates

You might not realize it, but two out of every 10 of your co-workers might be using pirated software, according to industry statistics. You might be, too, for that matter, particularly if you work in manufacturing or at a small or midsize company with 100 to 500 PCs. You just might not know it.

Open source, Web 2.0 gain appeal as IT budgets shrink

CPS Energy, the largest municipality-owned gas and electric company in America, needed to get a better grip on its budget and its budgeting process. Since CPS Energy was an enterprise SAP user, more SAP AG software was the obvious and lowest-risk way for CIO Christopher Barron to go.

Layoff backlash: Five steps to protect your business from angry ex-employees

A senior corporate executive leaves the company, taking with him his framed family photographs, his prized gold pen-and-pencil set -- and the passwords of several hundred employees.

Becoming an IT consultant: Do's, don'ts, disasters to avoid

As companies continue to cut costs, consolidate staffs and eviscerate executive salaries, more and more senior-level IT professionals are eyeing corporate exits -- or being shown them against their will.

Can Web 2.0 Save BI?

Chief Jon Greiner recently expanded his staff of crime analysts from one to 11 without hiring a single new officer at the Ogden Police Department in Utah.

2

Girl power! US summer camp grooms tomorrow's techies

It's 10 o'clock on a sunny April morning in Balboa Park. In a spacious Girl Scout cabin tucked away amid lush green palm trees, 20 girls ranging in age from 11 to 14, most wearing jeans and pigtails, are gearing up for today's camp activities. But there are no sit-upons or s'mores, potholders or paper crafts -- just 21 laptops, two color printers, 10 digital cameras, two scanners and a palpable abundance of preadolescent energy and creative enthusiasm.

4 things your remote staff should know about your company's data security

No matter their job title, business department, industry knowledge, computer savvy and/or exposure to security training, end users are the second-weakest spot in every organization's security fence. They are bested only by one subgroup of employees -- remote workers.

3 things your facilities group should know about your company's data security

Here are two facts from security experts: First, physical access always trumps technical savvy; and second, facilities and maintenance staffers make soft targets.

IT career paths you never dreamed of

Think you want to be a CIO or CTO? Think again. What you might really want is to be a chief delivery officer or chief process officer.