Stories by Beth Stackpole

4 ideas to steal from IT upstarts

Fast-growing companies like Square and MongoDB are driving IT innovation with leaner staffs, cloud-first computing, self-service everything and CTOs rather than CIOs.

How 4 companies use mobile apps to court customers

You don't have to look far to witness the total domination of the mobile device. Whether on the commuter rail or at the soccer field, cruising the mall or navigating a bustling city street, consumers are wedded to their smartphones and tablets to conduct the business of both their personal and professional lives.

The iPad takes on manufacturing

First it won accolades as the next <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9214339/Apple_s_iPad_2_is_the_Holy_Grail_of_computing">killer consumer device</a>. Then it slipped into the backpacks and briefcases of <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219149/Consumerization_of_IT_Lessons_for_enterprise_applications">white-collar information workers</a>, and in some cases it's becoming a corporate-sanctioned alternative to the laptop.

Taking a break from IT requires planning

Rod Masney believes it's a key part of his management role to encourage his employees to really disengage from their high-pressure IT jobs &#8212; to take a week or two at the beach or that long-awaited European tour.

IT's top five training mistakes

You just rolled out Microsoft Windows Vista companywide, only to find your help desk flooded with calls. Or you spent hours with the mobile sales group going over the basics of laptop and wireless security, only to discover team members still opening rogue e-mail attachments and stumbling over password protocols.

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