In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine exclusive research into the investment priorities of UK IT decision-makers, which shows virtualisation, Windows 7 and security as the top areas for spending this year. We analyse the changing nature of database architecture; and the BBC’s Chief Technology Officer talks about IT plans for the broadcaster. 

Juniper Research defines a mobile ticketing user as “someone who stores a ticket on their mobile phone for later redemption” at the point of travel, the music venue, the cinema etc. 

With customer centricity the rallying cry for today’s retailers, retail organizations must create systems that support highly personalized and targeted decisions across multiple channels. Learn how successful retail organizations are using business rules management for marketing and merchandising operations programs to achieve customer centricity. 

Timely access to information is something retailers need to satisfy consumer needs and wants. HP’s Converged Infrastructure can improve customer service and give retailers a competitive advantage. Learn how, through the use of HP’s Converged Infrastructure, retail businesses can streamline/standardize equipment, and advance their technology. 

As an alternative to big vendor messaging solutions, open source software presents an entirely different cost model and more flexibility in deployment options that suit the needs of retail perfectly. Read this paper to learn more about open source software and why it is the optimal approach to integrated messaging for large retail enterprises. 

Retail, like virtually all other industries, is awash with stories about the emergence of cloud computing. Much hasbeen written about the ability to remove cost or to greatly speed up implementations. 

European consumers' growing use digital channels as part of their shopping experience is driving retailers’ focus on delivering efficient online, cross-border operations in Europe, this research report from Accenture reveals. 

Competition has never been so strong and retail organisations are finding they cannot afford to stand still. 

This white paper details how one company in the retail industry significantly reduced running costs while maintaining its high system availability with high performance server technology. 

In this week's issue of Computer Weekly, we look at the key technologies that retailers are turning to for IT-enabling customers' Christmas shopping. We examine research revealing the huge cost of application software that fails to meet requirements; and we talk to one of the pioneers of agile software development. Download the new issue now. 

This perspective paper covers the forces that are driving the m-commerce market, the benefits available, and the kinds of business models and partnerships that are seeking to achieve that credible scale over time. 

This case study explains how one retail giant improved business support services by rehosting its mainframe applications to HP integrity servers. Learn how they were able to overcome the integration difficulties connected to mainframe-based management, maximize use of open technologies, and much more. 

Read this brief article to discover how this growing retail chain of "island fashion" utilizes their loyal customers and their information to keep their business going through the recession and beyond.