The potential benefits of cloud computing are overwhelming. However, attaining these benefits requires that each aspect of the cloud platform support the key design principles of the cloud model. One of the core design principles is dynamic scalability, or the ability to provision and decommission servers on demand. Unfortunately, the majority of today's database servers are incapable of satisfying this requirement.

The IJIS Institute , a nonprofit organization that focuses on mission-critical information sharing for justice, public safety, and homeland security, announces the release of a new document, NIEM Conformance for RFPs. The document is now available at http://www.ijis.org/docs/NIEM_Conformance_for_RFP_20091028.pdf.

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Only a few years ago, the term “Cloud Computing” was known only to the hyper-savvy techies of the world. Today, hardly a week goes by where technology publications and e-newsletters don’t mention the term and how it is revolutionizing the federal IT landscape. In 2009, GTRA has seen government executives go from bewilderment to general acceptance of Cloud as a viable model.

Although there is growing recognition of cloud computing’s benefits—and an ever stronger business case for achieving high performance by moving deeper into the cloud—progress is snagged on concerns about IT security. Enterprise IT leaders now must find the right balance between the risks and rewards of computing in the cloud. They can benefit by revisiting well-established IT security and enterprise risk management practices.

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This paper shows how the PRINCE2 project management method supports US Federal government project managers as they deliver IT investments while satisfying requirements of the Clinger-Cohen Act and Capital Planning and Investment Control. PRINCE2 is owned by the OGC-UK, who also own and maintain the ITIL Service Model. PRINCE2 and ITIL are excellent partners as IT investments transition from the Acquisition (DME) to O&M (steady state) phases of CPIC.

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When software emerged in the 1960s and ’70s, companies deployed masses of programmers using C, COBOL, and other specialized programming languages to build customized applications. However, in this “Build” era, custom applications could take years to complete and required highly specialized skills.

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Want to multiply the value of your IT investments to achieve increased ROI, process improvement and business innovation? With the right tools and methodologies, you can.

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How do you respond to growing pressure to improve effi ciency, facilitate real-time information sharing, and transform your agency operations? Every vendor is touting terms like “total cost of ownership” and “time to value,” but who can deliver on their promises?

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