How to block the Windows 10 November 2019 Update, version 1909, from installing
True to its trend toward simpler, less in-your-face updates, Windows 10 version 1909 presents a very genteel face — an invitation to install, rather than a “gotcha” grab for your PC. If you want to take control of your computer and upgrade to version 1909 when you feel ready, here’s how to get the ducks lined up. Microsoft / Thinkstock While Windows 10 version 1909 reminds me of an old-fashioned Service Pack — an update that squashes lots of bugs while tying together…
Top 6 agile tools for project management
Keep your projects humming with these tools geared for teams committed to agile practices and workflows. Getty Images Today’s top stories 7 steps to turning around an inherited… IT pros go back to school to advance… 7 tips for improving IT-marketing… IT-as-a-business is dead. Long live… Top 6 agile tools for project management SHOW MORE Much has changed since the Agile Manifesto first appeared. At the time, programmers were revolting against the tyranny of the specs document and…
In 2020, businesses likely to shift blockchain focus to integration, interoperability
As the hype around blockchain cools and enterprises continue to cut their tech teeth on the distributed ledger, non-technical challenges and interoperability hurdles are emerging. Ismagilov / Getty Images After several years of proofs of concept testing, followed by pilot programs, enterprises deploying blockchain should turn their focus toward integrating the distributed ledger technology (DLT) with legacy data systems and making sure they can communicate with other external blockchains. That advice is part of Forrester Research’s 2020 Predictions, which highlight several upcoming…
7 steps to turning around an inherited IT department
Congratulations, you’ve just inherited your predecessor’s IT dumpster fire. Now, it’s up to you to get essential operations back on track. Here’s how to get started. Elijah O’Donnell / Unsplash / Modified by IDG Comm. (CC0) It may be the toughest job in IT — and perhaps the most rewarding. Taking on a troubled IT department isn’t a job for the faint of heart. Repairing damage and putting things back in order will require a great deal of time and…
Word for Office 365 cheat sheet
Are you getting the most from Microsoft Word for Office 365 in Windows? Learn to use the best new features. Microsoft Word has always been the workhorse app of the Microsoft Office suite. Nearly everyone who uses Office ends up using Word at some point, whether it be for writing memos, typing up agendas, creating reports, crafting business correspondence or any of a thousand other uses. Microsoft sells Office under two models: Individuals and businesses can pay for…
7 tips for improving IT-marketing collaboration
A strong relationship between IT and marketing correlates with improved business growth. Here’s how to bury past frictions and build a better business-focused, cross-functional team. Ilyast / Violka08 / Getty Images In many organizations, CMOs now spend more on technology than CIOs. Marketing budgets amount to 11.2 percent of company revenue, according to the 2018-19 Gartner CMO Spend survey. In fact, technology is now the single biggest area of investment for marketing, according to the report. As data…
Facebook won’t launch cryptocurrency until U.S. regulators approve
Growing pressure from regulators prompted Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to say his company will not back a global financial network based on a cryptocurrency without government okay. Facebook In a prepared statement to a House oversight committee, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said plans to launch a global payments system will remain on hold until U.S. regulators approve it. The comments end speculation Libra coin could go live in nations where there is no government pushback. The statement, published today, will be part of…
As African enterprises embrace emerging tech, coders are hard to find
Competition with global firms for developers puts pressure on African businesses; flexible work environments and tech hubs can help. Christina Morillo (CC0) As an increasing number of African enterprises look to adopt emerging technology, the market for developers has become tighter than ever, with companies scrambling to figure out where to find programming talent, and how best to attract and retain IT staff. Nearly 80% of private enterprises report that lack of skilled technical staff undercuts revenue, according to PwC’s Africa…
