Networking & Communications

Amazon EC2 Cloud Data Center Loses Power

December 10, 2009 | Operations in Amazon's Northern Virginia cloud computing data center were disrupted during a five-hour period Wednesday. The problem refocuses attention on cloud computing reliability concerns.
By Charles Babcock, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Polycom Gives SMBs Videoconferencing On A Budget

December 5, 2009 | InformationWeek tests three video communications systems for small and midsize businesses.
Courtesy of InformationWeek

Ask Steve: Nortel And Avaya: A Match Made In Heaven? Or Somewhere Else?

December 2, 2009 | As mergers and acquisitions begin to heat up again, analyst Steve Hilton tackles a $900 million question about Nortel and Avaya.
By Steve Hilton, Courtesy of Yankee Group

Cisco Keeps Working To Make Its Case To Small Businesses

December 1, 2009 | One year after forming its Small Business Technology group, Cisco is still trying to erase perceptions that the networking giant cares only for large enterprises. New products and services debuting today are intended to help make the case -- to channel partners as well as small businesses themselves.
By Fredric Paul

RIM Updates BlackBerry Server, Media Software

November 30, 2009 | The BlackBerry maker added multiple features to its BlackBerry Enterprise Server and Media Sync software.
By Marin Perez, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Video Conferencing Shakeup Poses Challenges And Offers Opportunities For SMBs

November 23, 2009 | Long term, consolidation in the video conferencing market promises more powerful, less-expensive solutions for smaller companies. But in the meantime, SMBs need to be aware that their preferred video conferencing suppliers could be just about to change course.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Cisco Teaming With EMC: Another Sign Of The Times

November 19, 2009 | It's not just the HP-3Com deal. The recent Cisco-EMC joint venture also signals continuing market consolidation in the computer equipment market. SMBs need to have a backup plan in case their preferred vendors abruptly decide to change course.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Toshiba Launches Unified Messaging For Small Businesses

November 18, 2009 | The Linux appliance is designed to provide affordable messaging to small and medium-sized businesses, with 400 mailboxes and 300 hours of storage.
By Antone Gonsalves, Courtesy of InformationWeek

HP Pitches Thin Computing To SMBS -- But Are They Interested?

November 17, 2009 | HP rolls out a raft of new thin client terminals -- some expected to cost less than $100 -- bolstered by new servers, new software, and new services. Will it be enough to convince SMBs that the time is finally right for thin computing to go mainstream in smaller companies?
By Fredric Paul

Avaya-Nortel Acquisition Gets OK

November 12, 2009 | Amidst a flurry of networking mergers and acquisitions, U.S. and Canadian regulatory agencies have signed off on the $900 million acquisition of Nortel's enterprise solutions unit.
By W. David Gardner, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Logitech To Acquire LifeSize Video Communications Vendor

November 11, 2009 | The $405 million purchase of LifeSize would give Logitech entry into the growing corporate videoconferencing market, with a focus on SMBs.
By Antone Gonsalves, Courtesy of InformationWeek

HP To Acquire 3Com In $2.7 Billion Deal

November 11, 2009 | The battle to control the virtualized data center of the future heated up, as Hewlett-Packard announced a deal to purchase 3Com for $2.7 billion.
By Alexander Wolfe, Courtesy of InformationWeek

How HP Plans To Rule The SMB World

November 11, 2009 | Vowing to overcome past problems, HP unveils its latest not-so-secret plan for worldwide SMB domination. There's lots to like, but low prices don't seem to be the company's top priority.
By Fredric Paul

Microsoft Releases Exchange 2010

November 9, 2009 | The e-mail server includes better storage optimization, voicemail integration, archiving, and potentially big cost savings, says the software giant.
By J. Nicholas Hoover, Courtesy of InformationWeek

The Tech-Savvy SMB's Software Toolbox

October 30, 2009 | One small business owner shows how she uses technology to run her business -- and her life -- in the real world. What collection of technology tools and services do you use?
By Azita Arvan

Extreme Networks Teams Up With Motorola On Fixed Wireless Convergence

October 29, 2009 | As networking equipment market consolidates, network switching vendor Extreme Networks will work with WLAN leader Motorola to develop converged network devices. SMBs need to watch carefully when making buying decisions.
By Paul Korzeniowski

It's Official: Microsoft Launches Windows 7

October 22, 2009 | New operating system is designed to make PC use faster and more efficient.
By Paul McDougall, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Opinion: Municipal Wi-Fi Should Stay Dead

October 22, 2009 | Federal stimulus dollars are promising to revive failed attempts to build city-wide Wi-Fi networks. But this bMighty columnist believes the money would be better spent on technologies that are better suited to creating wide area networks.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Tandberg Bolsters HD Videoconferencing Line

October 20, 2009 | New teleconferencing products may help up the ante in the wake of a $3 billion acquisition bid by Cisco. The Profile 42" is targeted at the SMB market
By W. David Gardner, Courtesy of InformationWeek

Point/Counterpoint: 6 Ways Microsoft Pitches Windows 7 To SMBs

October 20, 2009 | There are lots of good of reasons for small and midsize companies to jump on Windows 7 as soon as it's available. But there are good reasons to be cautious as well. From ease of use to standardizing on the Microsoft "platform," bMighty looks at both sides of Window 7.
By Fredric Paul

Brocade's Motorola Deal Obscures Its Long Term Plan

October 19, 2009 | Even as it puts itself up for sale, Brocade signs a wireless networking deal with Motorola. What does that tell us about the company's plans, and what should small and midsize Brocade customers do to protect themselves?
By Paul Korzeniowski

The Oprah Effect: How SMBs Can Gear Up To Cope With Sudden Success

October 15, 2009 | Be careful what you wish for... you might get it. Tips on how small companies can use the cloud to deal with large spikes in online demand.
By Fredric Paul

Cellular Networks Open Up, Just a Little Bit

October 12, 2009 | Verizon and AT&T are making it a bit simpler for small and midsize businesses to mix and match devices and applications on their cellular networks.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Ongoing Broadband Adoption Presents Opportunities -- And Challenges -- For SMBs

October 7, 2009 | Small and midsize businesses can increasingly expect to find high-speed connections whenever they need them, but they still need to accommodate the still-significant group of customers stuck with slower-speed lines.
By Paul Korzeniowski

Cisco Buying Tandberg, Broadening Videoconferencing Footprint

October 1, 2009 | The $3 billion acquisition could increase availability of affordable teleconferencing options for companies of all sizes.
By W. David Gardner, Courtesy of InformationWeek