What is the Broader Agenda for IT?
1st April 2016

Having a better appreciation of the wider strategic agenda for IT functions can lead to better communication and fewer misunderstandings. Steve Bynghall examines several areas where IT must deliver, including maintaining security and ensuring compliance, and how they deliver on organisational strategy, particularly around digital transformation, and increasingly input into strategy.

Read

How Working With IT Has Evolved
31st March 2016

Many of us have experienced the occasional challenge when working with IT. However, this article argues that although there will inevitably be issues when you work together on projects, over the years working with IT has evolved for the better. From personal experience of working with different IT professionals over 20 years, working with IT has become easier and more productive.

Read

Results from Jinfo Research into Relationships Between IS and IT Part 2 - Influence, Expertise
29th March 2016

We present the second part of analysis of Jinfo research into how information services professionals work with IT colleagues and the effectiveness of these relationships. Robin Neidorf explains what the results show about the control the IS and IT department have over projects, knowledge and skills present in information services, and how to move towards a better relationship.

Read

Product Review of Zotero (Value - Help & Training; Competitors; Development; Pricing)
28th March 2016

In the final part of her review of open source research management and citation tool Zotero, Constance Ard looks at support, development history, pricing and its competitors including EndNote, Mendeley, BibTex, RefWorks, Papers, Reference Manager and the free-to-use Diigo. She discusses how the open source business model affects customer support and training offered, and the product's development.

Note: Full review (PDF) at /go/sub/report/2645

Read

Results from Jinfo Research into Relationships Between IS and IT Part 1 - Context, Control
25th March 2016

Presenting Jinfo research into how information services professionals work with IT colleagues and the effectiveness of these relationships. In part one of the analysis Robin Neidorf looks at organisational structures, reporting lines, whether activities are outsourced, and size of staff and numbers of employees they support.

Read

How Mature is Your Relationship with the IT Department?
24th March 2016

The work of information service professionals often depends on a smooth collaboration with colleagues from the information technology department. In many organisations these two areas of expertise have often very different ways of thinking and very different objectives. Irene Koren shares insights from a recent webinar, "Shifting the Worldview around IS/IT Relationships: A First Step to Alignment" and introduces a model that helps information service professionals to better cooperate with the information technology department.

Read

Product Review of Zotero (Technology - Search & User Interface; Outputs & Alerts; Administration)
24th March 2016

Zotero is an open source research management and citation tool that allows users to bring order to their research content. In the third part of our review, Constance Ard looks at the technology. She describes installation, interface, advanced search features and outputs. She discusses the ease of use of its various features and, due to its open source nature, the rich documentation available on the website and discussion forums.

Note: Full review (PDF) at /go/sub/report/2645

Read

Product Review of Zotero (Sources - Content & Coverage)
22nd March 2016

The second part of our review looks at content and sources in Zotero, an open source research management and citation tool. Reviewer Constance Ard describes the design and functionality of Zotero's methodology for collection and storage of citation information. She explains how the free-to-use open-source system means it is community-based and has a range of active forums, and it is using these forums that allows users to get maximum value from the product.

Note: Full review (PDF) at /go/sub/report/2645

Read

Product Review of Euromonitor Competitor Analytics (Value - Help & Training; Competitors; Development; Pricing)
21st March 2016

Competitor Analytics from Euromonitor presents FMCG data with a strong focus on interrelated industry data. In the final part of our review we examine upcoming developments, and pricing and overall value offered. Other companies such as Nielsen, IRI and Canadean offer industry data - but can they be considered competitors?

Note: Full review (PDF) at /go/sub/report/2639

Read

Product Review of Zotero (Introduction; Key Advantages; Contact Details)
21st March 2016

Zotero is an open source research management and citation tool. In the first part of the review, researcher Constance Ard introduces Zotero's main functions, the formats it handles, and the operating systems it is available for. She outlines the audiences that would get most value from the product, explains why it would be a valuable resource for individual users and small groups, and its limits as far as collaboration and enterprise installations go.

Note: Full review (PDF) at /go/sub/report/2645

Read