The prospect of a hardware upgrade is an appealing one now that the GFC is behind us and economies are steadily recovering. Before you make the decision, however, it's important to consider the overall impact of an upgrade on your business, and how you might be able to manage the switch cost-effectively. Finding your ideal upgrade solution A 2008 Gartner report titled To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade: That is the Question recommends any upgrade or replacement decision be examined from four viewpoints: 1. Business value: Ensure the upgrade provides … more »

If there's one thing you can count on in technology, it's that every ‘next big thing' is overhyped before we actually discover what it is really good for. Technology research and analysis firm Gartner regularly generates a graph that aims to chart just how hyped a technology has become. Their 2009 report was released in August, and for smart business owners it can offer some interesting advice on which technologies are ready for prime time, and what currently promises more than it offers. Since 1995, Gartner's Hype Cycle offers an … more »