When data goes "wrong," it's time to mount a strategy.

Written by Thomas M. Stockwell

Where is the truth in numbers? Who is responsible when data discrepancy occurs? How can upper management be certain that what they see reflected in their reports accurately represents the truth of what is found in any particular manufacturing process, inventory shelf, sales achievement, or future projection?

These questions are particularly important as organizations use business intelligence (BI) applications to pull together the data generated by separate software packages into a global picture of the enterprise as a whole. And until these questions are addressed through data governance, no one can vouch that the numbers they are using represent a picture of the reality that your management can believe.

The amount of information available in the audit journal is impressive, but the AJ also is one of the system's best-kept secrets.

Written by Carol Woodbury

The following is taken from the white paper "Ways to Use the IBM i Audit Journal," available for download free from the MC White Paper Center.

One of my favorite integrated features of IBM i (iSeries) is auditing. The system can be configured to audit security-relevant actions of every profile on the system or just a handful. Or it can be configured to audit the use of objects.

The amount of information available in the audit journal is really quite amazing. Unfortunately, it's one of the system's best-kept secrets!

You'd like to have your staff build and maintain your Web site, but where are they going to learn the necessary skills?

Written by Dr. William A. Hansen

Suppose you decide to buy a new widget. If you are like most people, the first thing you will do is to look up "widgets" on the Web. The harsh reality of today's marketplace is that, if a company is not on the Web, it does not exist to most potential customers. As a result, it is now almost impossible to find an organization that does not have at least a basic Web presence.