SIIA Software SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/edzICfbwoceXivsVJyOJ

December 31, 2012

News for software and services professionals

Today's Software Buzz

A forecast on health IT
Software-as-a-service, bring-your-own device policies and telehealth applications are likely to drive health IT innovations and create headaches around data security and patient privacy, Brian Horowitz writes. "The tools available to manage those devices and ensure that they meet compliance and security requirements will become much better in 2013," says Dennis Schmuland of Microsoft. eWeek (12/28)

Cloud Computing

Checking on Big Data's progress
It's time to assess whether Big Data is being used to its full potential, Steve Lohr writes, citing gains in several industries but also challenges including hiring and a potential industry bubble. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (12/29)

Study cites shortfall of agile software developers
Agile software developers are in demand, according to a study based on CareerBuilder data that indicates there is one qualified candidate for every 4.6 jobs. eWeek (12/30)

Mobile & Wireless

Analysis: Line between mobile and desktop devices is fading
Microsoft's Windows 8 is designed to blend the mobile and desktop user experience, providing greater competition for Android and iOS, Devindra Hardawar writes. Tablets are likely to become more like desktop devices while desktops become more versatile, Hardawar writes. The convergence may be particularly difficult for Google since it has been slow to adapt to tablets, he writes. VentureBeat (12/28)

Subway Time app offers NYC riders a limited train schedule
New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released an iPhone application that offers information on when subway trains will arrive at stations on seven of the city's 24 lines. The tool relies on signal technology deployed during the past 11 years. Early reviewers say the app isn't fully accurate and that its interface needs improvement. Bloomberg (12/28) , The Wall Street Journal (12/28)

Security & Privacy

Microsoft tackles newly discovered IE security exploit
Microsoft says it's working to plug a vulnerability in older versions of its Internet Explorer browser. The bug could enable hackers to infiltrate the PCs of Windows users who visited an infected third-party site. The "watering hole" attacks may have used an existing Flash exploit to affect users who visited the website of the Council on Foreign Relations on or after Dec. 21. Computerworld (12/29)

Government IT

Mich. law bans requests for social media logins
Students and potential employees in Michigan will be protected by a new law that prohibits educational institutions and employers from seeking social media login information. Rejecting a job applicant or disciplining a student for refusing to divulge such information will be treated as a misdemeanor, carrying a fine of as much as $1,000. Delaware and California also passed similar legislation. VentureBeat (12/30)

SIIA News

Save the Date for Premier Government IT Conference, CloudGOV 2013
Save the dates and plan to join us at next year's CloudGOV conference on Feb. 12 in Washington, D.C. Learn how Cloud First, FedRAMP, data center consolidation, and mobile strategies will influence agency procurement going forward and see the latest innovations from service providers. Take advantage of leftover budget by considering a sponsorship or saving with early-bird registration.

Join our Roundtable Breakfast on Enterprise Cloud Adoption for Success
Join us Feb. 8 in Palo Alto, Calif., to share your ideas on how to respond to enterprise demands and accelerate your prospect's decision to sign up with you versus "the other guys." Whether it's making your service delivery more transparent without compromising security, business outcome based SLAs, consumption based dynamic billing, or performance measurement by third party providers, cloud service providers are coming up with innovative ways to satisfy enterprise demand for more transparency & manageability of cloud services. Space is limited so register today.

Learn more about SIIA ->

Join SIIA | Resource Center | Member Services
Events & Conferences | Blog | Contact Us

Editor's Note

SmartBrief will not publish Tuesday
In observance of New Year's Day, SmartBrief will not publish Tuesday. Publication will resume Wednesday. Enjoy the holiday!

SmartQuote

Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty."

--John Selden,
English jurist and scholar

Subscriber Tools

Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy