Whether you're an SMB or an ISV, IBM Smart Business can make application purchases and deployment easier, allowing you to focus on your company's business.

By Marilyn Dukart, Heidi Saufferer, and Sue Schmidt

In November, IBM announced the availability of IBM Smart Business, a radically simple way for SMBs to acquire, use, and manage technology. This new methodology provides great benefit for both the SMBs that use the software as well as the ISVs that develop the software.

IBM Smart Business offers a Web-based marketplace that allows SMBs to acquire new business applications. It then delivers those pre-integrated ISV solutions with all the required fundamental technology so that implementation is seamless.

Best of all, there's a single point of contact for service and support: IBM.

If you have never tried a virtual desktop, you may find it's not only more comfortable to work in, but also adds a little fun and variety to your regular routine.

By Chris Smith

I like to think of myself as a sort of 3D kind of guy. I believe it was because the first movie I ever saw was a 3D version of The House of Wax, a horror movie starring Vincent Price. At the tender age of seven, I was so scared at the end of it that for the next two years I would fall asleep every night with my eyes glued to my bedroom window, terrified that someone was going to steal into my room upon sundown. After that experience, no regular movie could ever satisfy me.

I'm still waiting for 3D movies to come back, and the technology is currently available to allow it to happen. So what are they waiting for?

If you implement minimal testing practices, you can only expect minimal testing results.

By Ryan Lloyd

Many organizations are motivated to conduct testing and employ test professionals only because testing is a necessary part of software engineering. Acting out of necessity, organizations also tend to lean quite heavily on the de facto standard ways of performing testing activities, often relying on practices that have been in place and unchallenged for years. The problem with testing motivated by necessity and the enforcement of generic practices and standards is that many testing practices simply do not align with modern development methodologies or an organization's culture.

Follow these seven critical steps for successful technology implementations.

When considering a technology solution for your business, something as simple as patience can make all the difference in ensuring a successful implementation. In the rush to solve legitimate business issues, many companies needlessly struggle through technology deployments because key steps in the planning process were hurried, broad-brushed, or missed.

In fact, solving business issues is less about the technology and more about clearly understanding the problem, the impact a change makes across the organization, and the way any implementation will interact with current systems. If you're ready to solve a specific business issue with a technology solution, the best advice is to allow adequate time to follow proven business design development steps, the majority of which happen well before seeking out a specific software or hardware solution.