There may be no single approach to solving the most vexing problems in IT – even for those with big, deep and flexible budgets. Yet there are methodologies, strategies or proven approaches that not only help clarify issues and priorities, but can set you on the path toward solving them for your unique environment. Read more about them, and how the new Information Server for System z can help. 

Denise A. Hamilton
Editor

                   Feature articles

		Avoiding master data pitfalls with a multi-form approach Adding a master data management strategy can help you gain control of all your data, and make that information available to all your people and processes to help your company be more productive and gain competitive edge. Adopting a more flexible multi-entity or “multi-form” approach to the technology can help you sidestep many of the problems that often come with these implementations. Read more
		Make the move to improve your business by modeling your business processes Forward-thinking companies are taking a close look at service-oriented architecture (SOA) and business process management (BPM) for IT flexibility and business agility, and many are already SOA-enabled. Yet regardless of your current SOA status, you can use business process modeling to understand how the complete BPM life cycle can benefit your business. And through modeling, you can get a good read on where your business processes stand today — and you can start transforming your business operations for a better tomorrow. Read more
		A three-pronged approach to information management can help you gain competitive advantage Today’s companies struggle with an explosion of data. By gaining control in three major areas of information management, you can harness your data and content, make it available for employees and business applications, and take the approach further to mine real-time data to see unseen trends and potential business opportunities. Read more
		IBM Information Server for System z: Reeling in your enterprise data for a valuable catch Data integration isn’t always pretty, when complex, heterogeneous data is spread far and wide across multiple enterprise systems. But now, streamlined, end-to-end data integration is possible on IBM System z™ – where you can transform information from mainframe and distributed data sources for better decision making and improved operational efficiencies, and without adding z/OS® operational costs. Read more
		Pulse 2008 conference announces Service Management on the mainframe Pulse 2008, IBM’s first-ever global conference, swept through Orlando, Fla., in mid May with an industry intensive look at service management. For System z users, the big news included announcement of the release of the Service Management Center for System z which provides an end-to-end service management platform for the mainframe environment. It also helps users simplify and save money by consolidating all related management functions – whether the software runs on mainframe or distributed systems – to a central, mainframe hub. Read more