Many small and midsize retailers could benefit from using advanced analytics to understand their customers better and improve promotions but are daunted by the prospect. They are aware that advanced analytics can help retailers turn purchase data into retail excellence. However, they perceive that advanced analytics requires massive infrastructure changes, expensive software licenses, analytics expertise, long lead times and major upfront capital expenses.

This study highlights the phases of the big data journey, the objectives and challenges of midsize organizations taking the journey, and the current state of the technology that they are using to drive results. It also offers a pragmatic course of action for midsize companies to take as they dive into this new era of computing.

Putting together a business case does not rank high on the list of favorite activities for many IT executives. But given the recent emphasis on governance and fiscal responsibility, the ability to put together a compelling business case is now essential to getting new projects funded. This white paper offers guidance on how to build a business case to justify a managed file transfer initiative.

Justifying a strategic B2B initiative that reaches beyond the organization's four walls is especially critical. It encompasses integration of your major information systems to give your company the secure foundation needed to collaborate effectively with customers, partners, and suppliers. With so much at stake, the business case will come under rigorous scrutiny from senior executives and business managers at your company. Fortunately, you can significantly increase your chances of approval if you follow these nine steps.

With the growing demand for faster business applications and the rapid spread of technology trends like Big Data, computing performance has never been more important. The challenges for midsize businesses are even greater. With fewer resources, IT teams in midmarket organizations need to be able to deliver mission-critical applications at full-horsepower to employees. They also need to be able to do more with less -- more computing power with fewer servers, smaller teams and leaner budgets. This IT Managers' Journal delivers 10 ways IT managers and data center professionals in midsize organizations can deliver more computing power to meet the promises they have made. Topics covered include Linux servers, IBM Power Systems, SAP applications and business systems, a real-world case study showcasing the benefits of replacing underperforming servers, Big Data, techniques for better server management and more. Download this exclusive IT Managers' Journal and learn how to get more out of your data centers today.

"Organizations have always looked for better ways to reach, communicate, and engage seamlessly with customers, vendors, suppliers and employees. More often than not, this entails jumping from device to device in the course of a single interaction and organizations look for consistency in delivery of contents across touch points. Learn how IBM's portfolio enables leading organizations to provide a framework to build and maintain multichannel digital experiences that put them ahead of the competition".

This paper highlights the many benefits that IBM Exceptional Digital Experience, together with IBM's Marketing Optimization solution, that organizations can harness to deliver a unique and personalized digital experience. IBM Exceptional Digital Experience and IBM Marketing Optimization solution can help organizations differentiate their digital brand; reach customers and prospects across nearly any channel; deliver tailored, relevant messages; and easily launch and schedule marketing campaigns. Real-time customer insights and analytics woven into these two solutions maximize ROI for digital channels and marketing investments.

It's no secret today's IT workforce is resource constrained. Doing more with less is a mantra. In addition, IT is now expected to on-board new skills and technologies quickly. Technology professionals must be able to ship new apps and products at a breakneck pace. Using yesterday's IT strategies won't cut it anymore. Today's IT needs to be re-structured away from large teams and rigid IT stacks to a more adaptable, solutions approach. In particular, IT needs flexible and predictable patterns of expertise. By patterns, we mean recurring and repeatable solutions to standard business problems. These patterns can speed time to delivery and enable IT to move more quickly and with greater agility.
This IT Manager's Journal (ITMJ) makes the decisive business case for a patterns-based approach to IT. The paper lays out ten ways patterns can reduce time to action and create more efficiencies. Topics covered include Business Process Management (BPM), Databases and Database as a Service (Daas), IT patterns, patterns-based IT strategy, and much more. Download this exclusive ITMJ today and learn how your IT department can successfully implement a patterns-based approach today.

The enterprise database provides the critical foundation for any SAP implementation. It must deliver exceptional performance for timely decision making while controlling costs and complexity. IBM® DB2® is uniquely designed to fulfill this need. This brochure highlights: IBM® DB2® with BLU Acceleration includes new capabilities that help enhance performance, simplify management and reduce the total cost of ownership for organizations using the SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse application.

This white paper discusses how IBM InfoSphere can support the integration and governance of Big Data in insurance. The white paper reviews common Big Data use cases including Telematics and Usage-Based Insurance, Claims Fraud Analytics, Next Best Action, Catastrophe Modeling and Producer Optimization.

This white paper discusses how IBM InfoSphere can support the integration and governance of Big Data in healthcare. The white paper reviews three case studies including predictive analytics with Electronic Medical Records, time series data in a neonatal intensive care unit and predictive pathways for disease.

While many IT professionals know that a good reference architecture can improve business performance, many still aren't sure how to pick the right one. And more importantly, a section of these IT pros -- especially those in SMBs -- still don't know how the right reference architecture can speed up their crucial business processes. The best reference architectures can help IT pros deal with the constant demands to implement new workloads, expand existing ones, and keep the current. This IT Managers' Journal is designed to help IT professionals better understand the role the right reference architecture can play in their businesses -- and how they can get the most out of it. The systems profiled in this journal make it easy to meet the demands of the business, propel growth, and help your business gain a competitive edge. Download this IT Manager's Journal to learn more.