If you manage IT, you’re already aware that SaaS can become a huge competitive advantage.

Software as a service (SaaS) rocks for lots of people but especially those who are somewhat allergic to costly software that generally impedes with the “modern” tech lifestyle were, among other things, several computers and platforms are used to access information and get the work done.

Throw online social networking, web-based intelligence gathering and “always on” high-speed net access to the mix and SaaS becomes even more relevant for smart IT strategists who tend to think “outside” their comparatively limited corporate realm.

So, why is SaaS so important, at this point?

Because the rise of open source programming languages like PHP and rock-solid database engines like MySQL (among others) make it possible for more people than ever to code applications which can be distributed, accessed and used from any “connected” device, as long as they’re properly authentified.

This flips the “software application” model on its head.

ERM, ERP, CRM, SFA, BAM, MRP, WMS and many more are now being offered online using the SaaS model.

A typical SaaS application required that users be properly (and securely) authentified. Then, once logged-in, different levels of “service” are made available so that work can get done… all without the need for more than a simple web browser!

From word processors, spreadsheets, email management and scheduling applications to online video games boasting expansive communities, SaaS is gaining ground so fast that it’s reached the point where being both “online” and “productive” is not only merely possible, it’s the new “standard”.

For an IT strategist looking to lay down a credible agenda towards the development of truly engaging technologies, SaaS means that users can basically access some “core application” from wherever they want, when they want it and with whatever device they prefer.

Thanks to SaaS, the IT side can (finally) focus on what’s important: the application!

As software as a service gains ground over the “software-only” solutions, IT strategists will have to think about the many opportunities that stem from this model since the online realm provides for countless inventive ways to mashup internal data with external “live trends” or, more generally, any other type of data getting generated elsewhere.

Of course, many software-based solutions still work just fine but information management and sharing sure flies online, especially within SaaS application frameworks.

As an IT strategist -but also- as a corporate manager, allow yourself to see SaaS for what it is: a fine technological opportunity to grow your business at a time when the world is moving towards much greater connectedness.

Tags: saas, software as a service, online services, online applications, software, web software, web browser, browser-based software, it, information technology, it strategists, it managers, it directors, deciding to move data online, web-based

Are you popular? Do other people have in interest for gathering data on you? Are the interested parties friendlies or otherwise utterly dangerous?

All these questions quickly come to mind for information security experts who look to secure data in all ways possible to prevent that it get leaked into the wrong hands.

The internet connects over 1.5 billion people daily, for anything ranging from email or web surfing to complex remote medical interventions — that makes for a tempting target for ill intended individuals looking to get their hands on sensitive data, which is basically why you need to protect yourself better.

What you did to protect your data a year ago probably isn’t as good today because the very nature of threats keeps shifting in sometimes unforseen territories. Regularly assessing the efficiency of your data protection will become even more critical in the future as attackers, ranging from more or less talented hackers, organized crime and even foreign governments will try their best to steal anything of value (for them) that you may have.

Your computer’s hard drive is like a proverbial safe which instantly becomes (way) more vulnerable from the moment you connect to the internet or even a home wireless network.

If you intend to have the upper hand against those determined to steal your data, you need to be one step ahead of them, namely with the following no non-sense strategies:

• Enclaves – Early on, determine what’s the most sensitive data you must protect and give it special treatment because that’s probably what the data thieves will be looking for.
• Border firewalls – Network-layer firewalls work best when combined with application-layer counterparts so be creative in protecting your “borders”.
• Strong authentication – Require strong passwords (on everything) which must be changed regularly and for more serious security needs, consider using token-based systems (physical USB key-like devices with ever changing “tokens” to access the data).
• Configuration and patch management – Make sure your (1) equipment, (2) software and (3) human resources are always “well maintained”… and up-to-date!
• Host-based firewalls – Server and workstation intrusion, virus and malware protection is still essential to weed out the unwanted stuff that somehow finds a way in (in spite of all the other protections).
• Data encryption – Make sure to especially encrypt data on mobile devices since they’re the ones likely to be lost (or stolen) when in transit — encrypt all you can.
• Awareness and training – An aggressive cybersecurity program will go a long way in efficiently protecting yourself against newer threats.

While some treat data security entirely as a hit-and-miss process, experience shows that luck favors the prepared, when it comes to cybersecurity.

Forget the antiquated (but still active, alas) Nigerian bank scam threat pouring in email boxes all over the world, the newer threats tend to be socially engineered so ensuing phishing attacks are savvily aimed at the intellectual interest of the end user, making them that much harder to debunk. In other words, attacks are getting uncomfortably personal.

As you attempt, most probably armed with gear, software and knowledge, to fend off the attackers’ attempting to break open the gates to your digital kingdom, keep in mind that people are the weak link in any network security effort.

Interestingly, there’s a corollary to the “people are the problem” saying and it has to with the widely recognized fact that people are also the most effective “tool” to fight attackers.

Although you may never be perfectly secure, make an effort to prevent data thieves from succeeding in their highly illegal —and overwhelmingly stealth— attempts to steal from you.

Tags: security, cybersecurity, it, firewall, border, encryption, data theft, hard drives

There no doubt that information technology has positively reshaped the way people deal with their favorite airlines.

Online ticket purchases, personalized customer service and fidelity privileges are some of the most popular, and useful, features that airlines can offer to their clients.

Of course, all this finely orchestrated technological cloud can have a profoundly disturbing effect on the airplane flights themselves, in the event it fails —which it shouldn’t, in theory.

This past June (2007), United Airlines canceled or delayed 300 of its trips when their flight operations computer system went down. The airline was initially baffled as to the cause but according to the Chicago Sun-Times, it was revealed that an employee made an error during a routine system testing. Oups!

So that’s how any computer “expert” can ground 300 airplanes with one -wrong- click… or keystroke.

This is yet another reminder that IT is everywhere in our largely wired world and when one computer system goes down, whatever the reason, a lot of “real world” consequences can impact people’s lives.

Tags: airplanes, computer crash, united airlines, technology, it

While it’s still a common belief, among the general public, that IT companies in India are nothing more than sweatshops, the savvy Canadian business people know the reality is closer to the other end of the rainbow — the technology powerhouse side.

India is already offering IT services that compete with the world’s best and brightest. The information technology outsourcing revolution is well underway, with India being the clear winner. As if this wasn’t enough of a blow to the “local” IT job market, more outsourcing “ideas” might become viable alternatives, for all sorts of companies.

For instance, what if a company’s CEO was fired to be replaced by a tactical team of 10 Indian PhDs with complementary knowledge? Would that be a good thing, for some companies? It seems a growing number of decision makers “in the West” are considering these kinds of alternatives.

Predictably, it doesn’t stop with the CEO but it goes down to command chain as well. When the workforce pool is suddenly upped by tens of millions of university graduates, Western workers risk being evaluated to see if their job couldn’t be done “on the cheap side”. Since the outsourcing trend towards India isn’t limited to IT anymore, expansive cities like Bangalore stand to gain the most.

In today’s Indian employment marketplace, a 15,000$CA IT worker is considered the professional equivalent of a 90,000$CA worker, in Canada. Mathematically speaking, it’s easy to understand why the outsourcing for computer-related tasks has gained such momentum, over the past few years.

So here’s the big question: how can Canada stay competitive in the face of such a qualified, yet affordable, workforce?

More education and ongoing training are two smart ways to keep our workers “attractive” for the most lucrative employers. Furthermore, government policies protecting the “domestic innovators” from global threats, including the outright theft of their hard work, is another pillar we need to build up in order to survive the massive influx of talent being brought, by India, to the worldwide pool of qualified labor.

In the real world, the Canadian government is currently doing very little (if anything at all) to protect its domestic innovators from India’s clear and present “outsourcing dangers”. Some people from Canada, who are familiar with this matter, consider this to be a treason to our workforce.

Getting educated about how India is reshaping the IT industry, all over the world, should help understand what’s in store for many other lines of work, in Canada and everywhere else.

Tags: india, outsourcing, information technology, it, jobs