Modernization

Finding new ways to manage in a virtual desktop world

Virtual desktops have gone from an interesting idea to a technology agencies embrace in increasingly large deployments. To move to virtual machines, however, requires a fresh look at security, standardization and the skills of your IT employees.

People

Mobile usability: Targeting the tool to the audience

Agencies are ramping up efforts to reach the public via mobile technology, and finding that the endeavor is not as simple as it might look. Questions such as which mobile platform is best suited for the job are important to answer correctly.

Cybersecurity

Next year's models

Some core building blocks of federal IT are primed for radical improvement.

People

The promise of ITSM

IT service management establishes a consistent core set of automated processes for managing the delivery of IT services. That helps organizations trim expenses while potentially improving system security and availability. Standardizing IT delivery tasks should, at least in principle, ratchet up the level of quality. The big question is whether to trust ITSM to the cloud.

Modernization

Storage optimization: Flash finds some government niches

For high-end applications and virtualization projects that depend on reliable storage, flash technology offers a tantalizing solution. The technology's speed and performance come at a price, though. Read about the trade-offs and some places in government where flash storage is proving useful.

People

Continuity plans sport a new look

Telework, cloud computing and BYOD policies are strengthening continuity-of-operations plans. They come with some hurdles to jump, but agencies are starting to see success.

Acquisition

Cloud brokers: Simplifying complexity

Buying cloud services can be tricky, with complicated problems and unexpected puzzles. Cloud brokers create a buffer between buyer and seller to make it easier. Serving as intermediaries between vendors and customers, they can provide a single point of contact and a way to develop customized solutions tailored to unique environments.

People

Videoconferencing: From novelty to necessity

Video conferencing was once a curiosity for many and a bane for the camera-shy. Today, it's a handy and economical way to communicate.

Modernization

Cloud security: A closer look at FedRAMP

A status check a few months after launch shows that GSA's FedRAMP is gathering momentum. But will it be enough to overcome the security concerns that slow government's move to cloud computing?

Acquisition

12 hot companies to watch

In an era of federal streamlining and cost-cutting, these companies are thriving by helping agencies get the most out of their data and dollars.

Modernization

Is open government open enough?

Federal agencies have released mountains of data since 2009. Now the push is to encourage broader use of all that data -- and to create real value and impact.

Modernization

Take the pain out of website management

Here’s why the Obama administration’s new digital strategy directs agencies to adopt a content management system sooner rather than later.

Acquisition

Mis-measuring Networx progress

Some say the General Services Administration has the wrong number when it comes to assessing agencies’ speed in moving to the Networx telecom program.

Modernization

Virtualization: A first step to the cloud

Tackling the cultural and technical changes required for the virtualization of IT can make a future transition to a cloud environment much easier.

People

Digital strategy launches great mobility build-out

The government's new digital strategy has ambitious plans for managing the rollout of mobile technology -- some say too ambitious.

Modernization

Tougher sledding ahead for data-center consolidation

Now that they’ve closed many of their smaller data centers, agencies are moving on to bigger operations and challenges.

Modernization

How cloud storage could catch up with big data

Erasure coding is emerging as a cost-effective way to safely maintain vast amounts of data in the cloud.

Modernization

Time to move on desktop virtualization?

As smart phones and tablet PCs redefine personal computing, desktop virtualization deserves a fresh look.

Modernization

A fast lane to the cloud

As cloud traffic grows, wide-area network optimization could help keep users happily cruising along.

People

Take the struggle out of search

Users are having a hard time finding government information on the Web. Remedying the situation requires a mix of technical and information design skills.