There’s an old saying in networking that goes something like “You’re only as good as your tools and to the degree that they are updated.” This usually comes up when we’re talking about network management. Like the rest of the IT world, innovation in networking technology is constant, which means that the processes and tools we use to run the network are constantly being improved upon and updated.

What’s worse than warranty work? Box fails. Is it the power source? A bad fan, blade or card? Either you need a new box or technical support to fix the current one. Every IT manager has been there, and every IT leader wants it fixed immediately. There may not be a more mundane workflow in IT and a bigger drain on valuable IT resources (well, maybe help desk). Every manufacturer offers some type of warranty service with software support and equipment replacement.

Many organizations have embraced software-defined innovations such as the software-defined data center and the software-defined WAN, taking advantage of programmability and automation to simplify the management of their networks and other data center resources. What’s been missing, until recently, was a way to achieve the same benefits at the access layer of the network.

5G connectivity is coming, and when it arrives, it’s going to dramatically change the landscape of wireless connectivity. The new cellular standard will be 10 to 100 times faster than 4G connectivity, opening up a whole new range of use cases for businesses. With Gigabit LTE available in many areas, it’s important for business and…

Digital transformation, customer experience and omnichannel are three of the biggest buzzwords in retail these days. Here’s one more to add to the conversation: layaway. Surprised? That’s understandable. After all, layaway is a century-old service that many retailers phased out decades ago when credit cards went mainstream. But many others still offer layaway. One reason…

If you’re looking for new and different ways to provide a great customer experience, consider the surveillance systems you already have in your stores, warehouses and even parking lots. They’re there to thwart theft, but with a little incremental investment, these systems can identify opportunities to wow customers and keep them coming back. Take checkout…