WRAL Tech Wire

 Tech groups partner to discuss 'cloud computing'

Kip Turco, who heads data center operations for Windstream Hosted Solutions, will lead a panel discussion about what's real and what's hype in tech's hottest space.

 Why are IT costs for small and medium businesses so high?

Executive Insight: A lot of these dismal IT spending statistics are being driven by SMB executives who do not understand the true value proposition of using independent, unbiased IT consultants across a range of strategy, assessment or due diligence processes or the resulting return on investment that pays dividends overtime.

 How do you maintain an in-depth understanding and control over IT expenditures? Here are some suggestions.

Executive Insight: How do you maintain an in-depth understanding and control over IT expenditures? Study industry metrics and trends, measure your return on investment – and don’t panic. Stick to your plan.

 Handling those e-mails to the president - The Agile way

Executive Insight: Agile software development refers to a group of software development methodologies based on iterative development. Product requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing cross-functional teams. Does it work? Yes. The Agile process has transformed our business. Unlike typical “waterfall” development, it has brought us closer to our customers, increased employee productivity and engaged our employees.

 Maximize your technology ROI and create superior IT performance

Executive Insight: There is no silver bullet for best-in-class technology ROI for your company. There are, however, some well-understood and time-tested steps that can make a major difference in preparing your IT organization to be a leader within your company, take advantage of the economic recovery and to meet the demands of today’s global, fast-paced business environment.

 Open source software license enforcement actions on the rise

Executive Insight: Be forewarned – Free Software Foundation, Software Freedom Law Center and other licensors have recently taken a more active approach to enforcement of open source software licenses, leading to a host of enforcement actions against companies that incorporate open source software into their products.

 Technology leadership – Focusing beyond just the newest tools, breakthroughs

Executive Insight: Today more than ever, it is essential that technology leaders ensure an increasingly greater value and return from the investment made in technology, whether it is through IT or product software.

 Tech veteran Jeff Kramer joins Hosted Solutions

Moving from Lulu.com, Kramer will be responsible for overseeing architecture and product strategy across the organization.

 From nation's founding to today: Let's define 'entrepreneur'

Executive Insight: Entrepreneurs have played an essential role in founding our nation, building its wealth and enabling significant contributions to the human condition. The entrepreneurial spirit thrives on innovation and will withstand hardships and risks.

 IT cost cutting in a recession - are you now at greater risk?

Executive Insight: The old adage “pay me a little now, or a lot later” may be more appropriate during times of economic turmoil than at times of stability. Stressed companies can ill afford IT disruption – competition is high, and incidents considered minor a year ago could put a company out of business today.

 Building championship IT teams -Talent, a plan, one ego

Executive Insight: Most teams have a good game plan and skilled players, but the unbeatable teams have a team ego as opposed to an individual need for recognition.

 Adventures in ‘Intrapreneurship’: Looking inward for new opportunities

Executive Insight: Intrapreneurship means adopting the principles of entrepreneurs, but within a corporate environment, usually within a small venture group. Intrapreneurship relies on the resources and assets of a company to create new ideas and products.

 Triangle emerges as hotbed of advanced analytics

Executive Insight: Advanced analytics -- an umbrella term used to describe an expanding collection of software tools, analytical methods and applications -- has emerged in recent years to address head-on the challenges we face in managing and analyzing the data we collect. With the growing demand for advanced analytics, the Triangle is poised to become the world’s leading center for analytics software, expertise and education.

Data analytics grows in RTP

 Triangle Technology Executives Council benefit golf tournament is Oct. 6.

 Mentoring for success – Triangle tech executives seek to give back

Executive Insight: Triangle Technology Executives Council’s mentoring program gives students a unique opportunity to gain guidance and advice from experienced executives in the technology industry. The program helps students prepare for successful starts in their careers.

 Networking that works: Using LinkedIn and Twitter to amplify professional networking

Executive Insight: Social media tools are neither substitutes for building relationships, nor are they the next wave in networking. Instead, LinkedIn and Twitter are powerful tools to supplement and amplify the process of keeping network links fresh while revealing opportunities to make them stronger.

 Triangle Technology Executives Council – Building success together

Executive Insight: In just over a year, TTEC has exploded in growth to more than 190 members. Members exchange ideas and advice while discussing problems with a bottom line goal of helping each other grow. In future columns, TTEC will offer insight to Local Tech Wire readers as well.