Category: Managing IT

Cloud computing: The evolution of software as a service

The next big upgrade to your corporate systems department may be something you will use but never see — "cloud computing," the next step in the evolution of SaaS technology. As with SaaS, cloud-computing customers tap into computing resources off-site and hosted by another company. The difference is scale. Cloud computing represents a "much larger-scale implementation," says Haluk Demirkan, professor of information systems at the W. P. Carey School of Business. "Now we’re talking about thousands of computers" linked together via the Internet or some other network, he explains.

Implementing collaborative communities: Three case studies

Collaboration is not a new concept, and companies have no trouble imagining the gains to be had from collaborating within the firm, with suppliers and with customers: creativity, productivity, profits. The technology tools already exist to make it happen. But how do you get started? Three case studies from "Achieving Innovation through Collaboration," a symposium hosted by the W. P. Carey School’s Center for Advancing Business through Information Technology, highlight collaboration technologies that are transforming how individuals, organizations and industries operate.

Podcast: Digital management solutions are basic competitive necessity

Digital universe. Exabytes. Data fluidity value. Master data management solutions. This is the language of the future of business. As the amount of data companies attain and store grows, so too must the ability to deal effectively with this digital avalanche. Michael Goul is a professor of information systems at the W. P. Carey School of Business. Here, he discusses how businesses will have to learn to manage unprecedented amounts of data as a means of gaining a competitive edge.

Video: Industry leaders discuss what’s on the horizon for collaboration

Collaborative technology is continuing to evolve — fostering innovation, connecting experts and creating relationships, between companies and their customers. At the "Achieving Innovation through Collaboration" symposium, hosted by the Center for Advancing Business through Information Technology at the W. P. Carey School of Business, Knowledge@W. P. Carey talked to presenters about the most exciting developments on the horizon for collaboration.

Security and governance: Balancing collaboration and control

In late 2006, hackers stole information concerning 45.7 million debit and credit cards from the parent company of discount retailers T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. In another security breach last year, the confidential information of some 1.3 million job seekers was stolen from the website of Monster.com, the online job forum. The two incidents show the importance of governance and compliance, and illustrate the sticky problem of balancing collaboration and control — topics discussed by a panel of experts at the "Achieving Innovation through Collaboration" symposium, hosted recently by the Center for Advancing Business through Information Technology at the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Hospitals and doctors work together to improve patient care and the bottom line

Banner Health System saved $5 million and saw misdiagnosis claims from patient lawsuits drop 58 percent in just a year thanks to an insightful collaboration between hospitals and doctors determined to change the status quo. Before the hugely successful collaboration began in 2004, the hospital and its physicians, even when sued jointly, fought patient allegations separately. Each party had its own insurance coverage, claims administration process and attorneys. It was an inefficient and even adversarial strategy, said Dale Schultz, system vice president of business health at Banner. Schultz’ presentation was part of the "Achieving Innovation through Collaboration" symposium hosted by the Center for Advancing Business through Information Technology at the W. P. Carey School of Business.