This paper explores the tools Cisco provides to simplify mass deployments of the VPN Client. The two methods are discussed: the creation of an installation CD-ROM and network-based installations. I will explain how to reduce calls to the Help Desk by locking users out of advanced configuration functions in the user interface. 

This edition of BI Trends and Strategies opens with a piece by Lou Agosta on the need for data warehouses to adapt to new data types, innovation and big data. Alan R. Earls also offers advice for incorporating spreadsheets into your BI programs without problems and Richard Herschel calls for universities to step up their BI and analytics programs. 

This Gartner analyst report discusses the changing nature of data management tactics due to the demands of big data and the need for business agility in today's economy. 

This paper outlines some of the most common questions regarding BI and analytics and provides recommendations and best practices for improving your strategy. 

This paper from looks Ovum Research examines the key criteria and considerations you need to be aware of when evaluating your organizations BI and analytics strategy. 

Web chat and SMS offer ways for enterprises to broaden channel support and personalize customer service without spending on complex solutions. While both solutions offer business benefits via customer outreach and support capabilities, they are currently two separate solutions. 

In this podcast, learn how your company can successfully transition to a multi-tenant, virtual and converged data center. 

This brief paper outlines how Cognos FSR automates and streamlines the financial statement reporting (FSR) production process by gathering and connecting information from a variety of sources to construct an application database of all of your data. Learn how to overcome the challenges of scalability, process accuracy, increased workloads and more. 

Check out this white paper to discover how to set the stage for social media success - learn how to gauge risk vs. reward in social media, discover how to update your compliance strategy to include social media, receive best practices for staying on top of archiving regulations and more. 

To help simplify enterprise desktop management, Dell and VMware have created a flexible, highly scalable desktop virtualization reference architecture based on Dell PowerEdge servers, Dell EqualLogic PS Series iSCSI SAN arrays, and powerful new VMware View 4 technology. 

This brief white paper outlines information lifecycle management (ILM), a set of strategies for managing the growth, storage and retrieval of information over its useful life. Its goal is to ensure that frequently accessed data is returned as fast as possible, while controlling storage costs. 

The cloud continues to drive both rapid ROI and new ISV business models.  Beyond the cloud, expect 2010 to bring greater use of analytics, automation, and CRM, and a permanent shift in structural unemployment.  Bid auf Wiedersehen to the vendors who still haven’t gotten it.