News (14)

Microsoft planning add-on to SQL Server

Microsoft wants SQL Server to scale new heights, and it is hoping an add-on code-named Kilimanjaro will help. Read more »

IBM may open source DB2

IBM is considering releasing its DB2 database-management software under an open-source licence. Read more »

Australian Wi-Fi usage doubles

Wi-Fi usage in Australia has almost doubled, with 190 percent growth on last year, but Europe and South America are moving ahead faster on wireless take-up. Read more »

Will a US recession demolish global IT budgets in 2008?

The US sub-prime mortgage lending crisis could lead to economic losses totaling between US$150bn and US$400bn, according to The Wall Street Journal. While this dwarfs the effect of previous disasters such as the dot com bust, analysts remain optimistic that its effect on IT budgets will be flat, rather than disastrous. Read more »

IBM's $5bn Cognos takeover approved

IBM takeover of Business Intelligence specialist Cognos is expected to close before the end of this quarter, after Cognos shareholders voted their approval of the deal on Monday. Read more »

Skills shortage driving BI demand

Australian companies are keen to deploy business intelligence (BI) software because it reduces the need for as many skilled workers, according to Business Objects. Read more »

OpenOffice gets business intelligence boost

Business intelligence software from Pentaho is to be integrated into the next version of OpenOffice, the open-source application suite. Read more »

Sydney Water taps BI specialist

Sydney Water has called for help with its burgeoning business intelligence (BI) program, with data associated with the utility's water quality and hydraulics monitoring operations identified as an early project priority. Read more »

Sample virus targets Windows and Linux

Virus writers have crafted another example of malicious software that can infect computers running Windows or Linux. Read more »

Business intelligence lies beyond IT: Dresner

"Business intelligence" has been perverted over time by vendors trying to find new ways to market their products, according to the man who coined the term. Read more »

Features (15)

Uncloaking 'invisible' Flash Web content

Adobe announced yesterday that it was providing optimised Adobe Flash Player technology to Google and Yahoo to help them better index dynamic Web content and RIAs that include SWFs. It sounds exciting, but what exactly does it mean for Web searchers, Web masters, and Flash creators? CNET News.com asked Adobe, Google, and Yahoo and got some answers. Read more »

How to import an Excel file into SQL Server 2005 using Integration Services

Integration Services, which replaces Data Transformation Services (DTS) in SQL Server 2005, is a tool for extracting, transforming, and loading data. Read more »

Data driven transformations: list comprehensions

List comprehensions give you a different way to code in Python that allows you to focus on the data you're transforming, rather than the functions you use. Nick Gibson shows how you can use list comprehensions to make your Python code cleaner, clearer and faster. Read more »

Backing up an entire hard drive under UNIX

Backing up an entire disk under any operating system is a necessary evil. Justin James walks you through the process needed to create an identical copy of an entire disk under UNIX. Read more »

Crystal Vision Server: BI for mid-market

The new Crystal Vision product line combines technology from Crystal Reports, Crystal Xcelsius and Business Object's Live Office -- aimed at the mid-market segment in Australia. Read more »

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 uncovered

SQL Server 2005 has finally hit the market and brought with it significant new features and changes from previous versions. We'll explain the various editions of SQL Server 2005 take a look at the new management console. Read more »

Manage small projects more informally

It stands to reason that smaller projects don't need the same level of project management discipline as larger projects. Read these tips from Tom Mochal. Read more »

Advantages of the new PIVOT operators in Yukon

The next version of Microsoft's SQL Server, code named Yukon, will include new PIVOT operators. See what PIVOT operators can do for your next database project. Read more »

Tactical data access and analysis should be your BI design drivers

The implementation of a business information data warehouse can have a profound impact on an enterprise's decision making processes. A BI warehouse transforms data into a tactical tool, increasing efficiency and enabling better decisions. Read more »

ROI on IT projects: Project manager's friend or foe?

Whether you are engaging a client on a solution proposal or simply kicking off your project exploration phase, clients are today deeply interested in ROI. Here's how to make that pay off for project managers. Read more »

Blog (2)

Drop in on Builder AU at Open CeBiT 2008

Staff [blogs:syslog] -- Got a question on open source you need answered? Need a way to help convince your boss that open source is the way to go? Or just curious to learn what all the fuss is about? Then drop in to the Builder AU Open Source Afternoon on Wednesday May 21. Read more »

Service Pack or Market Attack?

David McAmis [blogs:theneteffect] -- I will give it to Microsoft. When they want to capture a particular market, they go hard or not at all. And with SQL Server 2005, they have their sights set firmly on the Business Intelligence market. And their strategy makes sense—they are moving to become the "one stop shop" for database servers, data management tools, reporting and analysis, eliminating the need to spend more money on third-party tools. Read more »

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