Job titles are odd things. They indicate what you do for a living, but they can also limit the way others perceive the real value you deliver. No role exemplifies this problem more than Chief Information Officer (CIO). As we all know, those with the CIO title have always been responsible for a lot more than “information”. They have been the backbone of the organization, assuring the efficiency of workflow and business processes. “Business decisions”…  MORE

IT departments always shift how they work based on changing company initiatives, new business processes, and current market conditions. But COVID-19 forced CIOs to adapt like they never had to before. What were probably viewed as “temporary” adjustments to the pandemic have now become permanent practices and methodologies. For starters, let’s look at the need for business agility. While the ability to adjust used to be more of a reactionary behavior, enterprises now see agility…  MORE

If you haven’t met your daily requirement of learning exactly what a new acronym means, here’s one for you: OTT, which stands for Over-the-top media services. Wikipedia provides a clear definition: “An over-the-top (OTT) media service is a streaming media service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms, the companies that traditionally act as a controller or distributor of such content.” All which is a complicated way…  MORE

They say that whatever happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. But no matter what one experiences in America’s gambling capitol, today’s technology will soon create memories much different than in years past. At least, the memories of when people go to casinos. That’s because casinos have to adjust their business model to adapt to new clientele. Slot machines, for example, have long been a driver of a high profit margin (as much as…  MORE

For decades, retail executives made business strategy decisions based on current trends, industry experience, and pure instincts. But Retail 4.0 has completely altered that approach. Everything is different. Now, consumers demand personalized service and customized offerings based on their past shopping behavior. The reality of omnichannel means consumers expect an exceptional experience anywhere they shop, be it in the store or through a device. On top of that, retailers must contend with consumers that have…  MORE

Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. With the coronavirus pandemic affecting every human being and business on the planet, we’re seeing changes to how we work that will surely outlast this health crisis. For example, these days, instead of new hires being walked over to their desks, many are being handed laptops and instructions for accessing VPN and videoconferencing systems from home. In some cases, the new employees get the laptops and instructions sent to…  MORE

Networks are the lifeblood every 21st century enterprise. Networks connect cloud applications, data, IoT (Internet of things) solutions, ecommerce systems, digital marketing mechanisms, employees, customers, and all of all other elements that comprise today’s business landscape. But often the needs of networks exceed what the traditional networking model can supply. The truth is that networks, ironically, can stall innovation rather than foster it the way they are intended. As an example, look at the ever-growing…  MORE

Humans and machines have co-existed in offices for decades. Typewriters, computers, refrigerators, fax machines, clocks, printers, heaters, the list goes on and on. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking our workplace relationship with machines to a new level. In fact, we’re already interacting with machines each day, and due to the proliferation of AI and their associated chatbots, technology has become inherently part of almost everything we do in the office. Just look at how technology…  MORE