This Week In IT: 1/18/13

This Week On Tom's IT Pro: The Ten Most Influential People in IT, 15 Ways to Improve Data Quality for Analysis, Video: M2M Communication - The Rise of the Machines, Guide to Key iPhone and iPad Data Protection Features, Slideshow: Hottest IT Certifications for 2013, and more.

• HP Memo Confirms Layoffs and New Directions at Autonomy

Repositioning Autonomy and making sense of an expensive acquisition may be one of HP's most daunting tasks.

• Ace Computer Intros Raptor 7 Portable Computer Server

This portable server packs up to a six-core Intel Core i7 or Xeon CPU, and dual GeForce GPUs in SLI mode. 

• Microsoft Improves Hybrid Cloud Management

Announces System Center 2012 Service Pack 1, and an updated version of Windows Intune, as well as Windows Azure services for Windows Server. 

A Guide to Key iPhone and iPad Data Protection Features

The latest iOS release, version 6, includes a set of more granular security and privacy permissions for users.

• From Help Desk/Admin to the Cloud: Getting There in IT

A recent graduate finds jobs scarce, but he is by no means devoid of prospects. 

• Moore’s Law In Pictures: An Illustrated History of the Microprocessor

Consider the orders of magnitude (and sheer manufacturing prowess) required to morph the very first 4-Bit microprocessors into the multicore powerhouses we use today. 

• Slideshow: Hottest IT Certifications for 2013

The names and providers of extremely interesting and potentially valuable IT certifications for professionals to ponder.

Video: M2M Communication - The Rise of the Machines

Technology that enables the communication between two devices over a cellular network to collect and analyze data and more.

• A Looming Question of Location: IT Cert Exams in the Testing Center Vs. Online

Widespread requirement that candidates travel to a test center limits the uptake of certification exams.

• iwNetworks Announces Second Gen SDN Switches

iwNetworks releases a new generation of Software Defined Network switches. 

• Tokenless, Two-Factor Authentication Coming To Google Apps, Office365, Salesforce

SecurEnvoy combining its tokenless, two-factor authentication with PasswordBank's single sign-on technology. 

Slideshow: 15 Ways to Improve Data Quality for Analysis

Analyzing business data can lead to insights about your business but poor quality data can undermine your efforts.

• Sponsored: Converged Storage Reins in Big Data

Converged storage controls explosive data growth while maintaining operational efficiency and simplicity. 

• NTT Docomo Announces Global M2M Platform

Preparing to launch a platform to enable wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) systems later this year. 

• Slideshow: Rugged Tech for the Enterprise

Here are 17 examples of toughened-up gear that can survive military field operations and office park party fouls. 

Slideshow: The Ten Most Influential People in IT

The most transformative leaders and visionaries working in enterprise technology today.

James Alan Miller is Managing Editor of Tom's IT Pro. He is a veteran technology journalist with over seventeen years of experience creating and developing magazine and online content. Founding editor of numerous business and enterprise computing sites at the internet.com network, James headed up the After Hours section at PC Magazine, as well as hardware and software sections of various Windows publications.

See here for all Tom's IT Pro articles written by James.

Recent IT Videos

VIDEO: Big Data, Big Hardware, Big Software

As data grows so must the hardware, software and access tools to give it meaning.

VIDEO: Quick Look - Intel S2600CP Motherboard

A 3D fly-through of Intel's S2600CP 

VIDEO: Quick Look - Intel S2600IP Motherboard

A 3D fly-through of Intel's S2600IP motherboard.

VIDEO: Data Center Convergence

Everything you need to know about the new data center.