Top six free BlackBerry downloads

One of the best things about BlackBerry smartphones is their ability to download and install external applications adding new levels of value and customization to the devices. Here are six free downloads»

Of course, even better than a download, is the ability to run applications via the Web. Applications accessed via your Blackberry, won't have a security breach if the phone is lost, and customizations are always at the ready, with no need to upgrade, or redownload, giving your mobile workforce advanced solutions with which to do their job. Here's an example of one such application.

Getting to the Web can be as easy as knowing what you want.

Sometimes the most difficult step of application development is figuring out what you need in order to build what you want to build.

Here's an easy-to-follow form to help you clarify your needs».

Once you've determined the elements of your application, we can produce the application for you for free, so you can see it come to life. Or if you could use some pointers on getting started, just fill out this form and put "Request Web App Build Form" under project description.

PHP v. Java: Understanding the difference and staying relevant.

After getting caught "running in place" during a corporate consolidation, this RPG developer and iSeries author lost his job, and it caused him to take a serious look at the benefits of staying relevant, remaining marketable, and the fundamental differences between PHP and Java. From iSeries Network's latest issue, here is his take»

If you want to see just how quickly you can get up to speed, create a Java application in minutes with this quick workshop.

Surviving when there aren't enough IT workers.

Last week, 60% of CIOs surveyed said IT worker shortages are becoming a major issue. As workers shrink, it becomes increasingly important to help them focus on mission-critical projects, and to reduce the amount of time they are spending managing and tracking internal help-desk and user support issues.

Having faced similar issues in the past (on a larger support scale) we created a customer portal that allows users to report help desk/support questions, and gives us a way prioritize, track, and communicate support issues in real time.

Here's an example of what we built: Just go here. Then, sign in as: 10DKS10 as both your ID and your Password.

If you'd like to build your own support dash, let us know.

How to Bring your Business Applications to the Web

This white paper covers the techniques available for bringing your business applications to the Web, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for making long-term technology choices in today's markets.

You can download this white paper (and others) from our white paper library.

Updating your email settings: mrc Whitelists

With the new changes we recently made to how we send email comes a new method to make sure you are receiving your emails.

To ensure that you have no interruptions receiving our weekly mailings, you'll want to make sure we're on your corporate Spam Filter's white list. Here's how»

Build-A-Web-App Workshop

Creating powerful enterprise-level Web applications doesn't have to be complicated, but now you can judge that for yourself...

Here, you can create a custom, live, lightning-fast, portable and flexible database-driven Web application in just a few minutes with your current skill set.

Enter our Build-A-Web-App Workshop»

Putting application modernization losses into actual time and dollars

According to Gartner, “...it might take an enterprise 12 months and cost an average of $67,000 to retrain a COBOL developer in Java. It’s a combination of training costs, software costs and lost productivity...”

However, it goes on to say...“You can drastically impact these numbers with RAD [rapid application development] tools,” for example, Blechar says. Companies can decrease the complexity of moving to SOA in other ways, including:
1. use of architectural RAD tools,
2. purchasing some outside components of an SOA,
3. using packaged products or
4. outsourcing the most complex development aspects of a project."

Here's the full article.

Multi-member physical files and m-Power

At first glance, you might think that since there is no way to define physical file members to m-Power, that you cannot use them.

But you would be wrong. This post shows you how easy it really is.

Aging ERP gets makeover, shuts the door on outdated views.

Northwest Door, a large door manufacturer based out of Tacoma, Washington had a multi-faceted dilemma...multiple plants with multiple data servers, an aging ERP (Frontier), a need for centralized reporting and BI via the Web and a staff of developers who had no background in Web development.

Here's what they did».

Why enterprise software must be sexy

There is a raging debate among technology pundits, and it boils down to one question: Does enterprise software need to be user friendly let alone sexy?

This has become more and more a debate as growing numbers of non-technical executives are calling the shots on solutions. Some say sexiness is key. Others say that consumer software needs to be sexy and user-friendly, while enterprise software must be secure and reliable.

Why the debate? It's easy to have it both ways. Here are just a few of the easy to use (and secure and reliable) enterprise solutions available.

Announcing new email methods

As of this mailing, mrc has changed its methods for sending out emails.

To ensure that your emails are getting to you week in and week out, we have (as of today) hired an outside resource to help us with this.

This change should mean that you consistently receive the emails you have requested, and you can more easily maintain your own accounts.

Please let us know what you think if you have any issues at all, or questions about these new emails, or problems clicking through. We'd love your input.

Web Application Tip: Must-haves for your online order system and shopping cart.

For those of you who want to make it easier for your current customers to spend their money with you...one way is to create a well-designed online order-entry system and shopping cart. Here are the top must-haves to include.

You may also find that creating your own custom order system or a shopping cart may actually be faster, easier, and much less expensive than going with a package "bolt-on" solution.(As counter-intuitive as that may seem.) Just consider this story»

IT spending directly affects your productivity: Get the facts.

According to a recent report from the London School of Economics, studying the productivity of US-multinational companies, and non-US multinationals, there is robust evidence that it is IT capital that has contributed the most to US-multinational gains.

This is even the case comparing US firms in the UK who consistently got more productivity out of their IT than other comparable firms in the UK.

And, this finding holds in the cross section when including fixed effects and even when examining a sample of companies taken over by US businesses. The data remains consistent. So what does this mean for your business?

Read the abstract and and conclusion of this paper»

Read the full academic paper»

B2B Mashup: New (and better) ways to pull together business data

One hurdle often mentioned by frustrated executives and IT managers alike is the problem of pulling together various data resources, particularly when it means including data from smaller "mom and pop" systems into a working database. Here are two ways to overcome this:

1) Create applications that simultaneously pull data from multiple data sources together side-by-side simultaneously in one dashboard view or portal.

2) Create BI applications that can analyze data from various databases behind the scenes, and present it in one report.

Many companies manage problems rather than solve them. How does yours stack up?

I read the most fascinating comment recently on System i News in response to one of their articles: “In many companies, managers want to manage problems, not solve them. It makes them look more important if they have many issues before them.”

Do you feel that that is the case in your organization? Are your managers encouraging problem-solving, or do they look to simply manage the problems that are there? What are the challenges you face? Share your experience here and see what some of your peers and colleagues are facing.

(Just sign in as Marcy/Marcy if you wish to remain anonymous.)

7 steps to a highly effective mobile strategy

In a recent interview on wireless in the enterprise, a number of CIOs said securing the data on wireless devices was the biggest challenge. "Nothing can get on [wireless devices] unless we put it on," said one executive. "We lock it all down and keep it inside the enterprise and decide what goes out."

Of course, this puts a limit on the whole notion of the freedom wireless provides. And what happens if you lose the device with all that crucial data on it? Or it's stolen?

Here are 7 steps to a highly effective mobile strategy.

And here's Emhart Glass's Alan Batchelor's practical and effective solution he achieved with m-Power.

Widget Explosion--Gadget Flurry

A widget is a tiny software program that allows for collaborative information sharing, and can be as useful as photo data-sharing and as silly as throwing a sheep at someone on Facebook.

But, if you think these techniques are flashes in the pan...think again. Here's a great article on the widget boom. According to this article "corporations are viewing widgets less as frivolous gadgets, and more as business tools to boost traffic and ad revenue on their sites."

And here's an article on quickly making your applications into gadgets to work in a B2B setting.

Gartner predicts Top IT Technology in 2008

Note the "real world web" entry as well as Web applications on the list:

'Real world Web' uses the comparison between printing out directions from a Web site and going on a trip, and using a GPS device. The printed out directions can't change based on construction or traffic. The GPS device is live, and therefore can. The same applies to your business.

Being able to access your data, as it changes and evolves, and provide snapshots of that data to your employees, is crucial. And, providing these types of solutions using your current system is not as difficult as you might think. Let us know what your ideal application is and we'll show you how to build it.

How to get your creative juices flowing. What haven't you thought of yet?

You know you have to modernize. That isn’t the question. The question is, where do you start?

We may be able to help you find the path that makes sense to you. Just fill out this form and tell us some areas where things need to change, but you're not sure where to begin.

And, if you’d like to get your creative juices going, see what you can build here»