Many IT executive view cloud computing as an attractive platform for data backup. They know cloud can help protect business-critical data and provide near-ubiquitous information access. But while having a cloud-based solution is valuable, developing one in-house is tricky. That's why many organizations want to contract with a third-party cloud provider for cloud-based data backup. Read this buyer's guide to learn how to choose a provider to suit your business needs.

Spreadsheets are widely used for statistical analysis; and while they are incredibly useful tools, they are useful only to a certain point. When used for a task they're not designed to perform, or for a task at or beyond the limit of their capabilities, spreadsheets can actually be dangerous. This paper presents some points you should consider if you use, or plan to use, a spreadsheet to perform statistical analysis. It also describes an alternative that in many cases will be more suitable.

Plaform as a Service (PaaS) is the hottest topic in cloud computing. This IBM-sponsored, Frost & Sullivan IBM white paper examines definitions of PaaS, discusses how it fits into the SaaS development and delivery ecosystem, and looks at approaches that cloud leaders are taking to integrate PaaS into their portfolios.

The cloud holds the power to transform and redefine development and operations—a process that is becoming known as DevOps. This IBM-sponsored, Frost & Sullivan IBM executive brief defines DevOps and examines how the new process can benefit IT operations by streamlining the end-to-end process and ongoing management of applications.

Developing a roadmap for your cloud strategy doesn't have to be daunting. It just takes a little planning, homework and collaboration. Read this IBM-sponsored white paper from Frost & Sullivan to learn about the steps involved in building a cloud roadmap and the value provided by IBM and its partners.

Businesses today have more raw information than ever before. But many lack the analytics to make good use of it. Read this report from Ventana Research for practical recommendations on how to implement business analytics to improve performance.

While many large enterprises have adopted analytics technologies such as business intelligence (BI), performance management (PM), and predictive analytics, misperceptions about costs and risk have caused small and midsize companies to embrace these technologies far more slowly. See how investing in analytics tools can improve operating results by enabling managers to make decisions that are more fact based and data driven.

Large enterprises have long had access to Business Intelligence (BI) in various forms – analytics software integrated with accounting, process automation, sales force management, and other systems, that provide reporting to stakeholders appropriate to each function. Until recently, BI solutions for the midmarket were stymied by economics: enterprise solutions were too cost-intensive and required too much lengthy and difficult integration with companion systems and data-sources. Worse, as use of these systems evolved, it often turned out that valuable IT resources were required to maintain BI systems and their integrations, and create a myriad of custom reports needed by all the key stakeholders.

This paper provides a strategic, customer-centric approach to managing your organization’s file transfer infrastructure via the realignment of file transfer technology and support organizations into an MFT COE.

Data security for file-based data movement is finally getting the attention it deserves. What was once a concern only in the financial services sector is now being treated seriously by all industries as they wake up to the liability and risk associated with the unsecured movement of files.

The cloud has recently come of age as a reliable, secure and cost-effective alternative for achieving a truly resilient business. But developing a cloud-based business continuity and resiliency plan can be challenging. Read this white paper to learn the steps organizations can take now to begin implementing a plan for cloud-based business resiliency.