Business Is IBM's Middle Name
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

IBM did not for one second like being criticized for not doing enough for its midmarket independent software vendors, resellers, and other partners to help them peddle hardware, software, and services to midrange shops. But Andy Monshaw, who is general manager for the cross-group Midmarket Division at Big Blue, which sits inside of its Sales and Distribution organization, has been at the company for 27 years and he knows how to handle such a situation. READ MORE >

Lennox Takes CMO Job as Zend Plans for Growth
by Alex Woodie

Elaine Lennox, the former IBM vice president of marketing for the System i platform, has been hired as the chief marketing officer of PHP tool vendor Zend Technologies, it was announced while IT Jungle was on hiatus for the holiday. The hiring of Lennox, along with appointment of a new CFO, sends a signal that Zend is getting ready for a growth spurt, particularly as it pertains to the two hottest growth areas in IT: cloud and mobile computing. READ MORE >

Gartner, IDC Boost IT Spending Outlooks For 2011
by Timothy Prickett Morgan

Contrary to how you might be feeling personally or what your boss might be telling you about there being no money for raises and bonuses or all that shiny new hardware you want for the data center, it looks like the IT departments of the world are going to be given a little bit more money to play with, according to the latest forecasts from Gartner. And IT spending growth in the United States, says IDC, is set to double-time the rate of change for gross domestic product this year, too. READ MORE >

As I See It: An Icy Place Apart
by Victor Rozek

Over the years, I've learned to avoid locations with life-threatening names. There's a reason why places like Death Valley, Cardiac Ridge, and Hammerhead Bay sound dangerous. Survival rates decline for people who frequent them. So, what am I doing pounding across a body of water known as Icy Straight in an open skiff? The craft is little more than a glorified rowboat with a large outboard motor. There's freezing wind blowing off the 45 degree ocean and rain is pelting my face, while I huddle in an orange Gumby survival suit made of rubber and foam. READ MORE >