It seems trite to say one should choose a database according to the purpose it is meant for, yet this is the educated viewpoint, and it makes for far more interesting choices than going on brand or features.

South Africans can soon access a wide range of information via the Government Gateway, a one-stop site and call centre covering life events from the womb to the tomb. But serious concerns are being voiced about the success of the local e-government initiative as a whole.

While business process management (BPM) may be the way forward for managing and improving business processes, the difficulties that created a stigma around workflow are of equal concern to those wanting to implement BPM.

It is projected that HIV/AIDS will cause a decline in South African GDP of up to 6% annually over the next 10 years. As the pandemic spreads, companies are stepping in to try and stem the tide.

Biotechnology is a word that immediately conjures up images reminiscent of science fiction and although the truth is somewhat more mundane, it is still a subject that has almost as many facets as a diamond, and could be as valuable to the future economy.

Basel II can be seen as the banking sector`s Y2K as it is an immense project with global scope, significant technology implications and a strict deadline. So how do South African banks plan to meet the challenge?

Computing was never meant to be difficult or worrisome. Utility computing proposes customers forget all about the infrastructure, and instead pay only for its use, as they do with electricity. But Nirvana is some way off.

Many industry pundits say mobile technology is "the next big thing" and SA businesses appear to be getting ready to catch the wireless wave. The "trick", as always, will be to choose the right technology for the task.

The channel faces increasing vendor disintermediation, a continuing credit squeeze, customer manipulation and value dilution from other resellers, while being expected to deliver clear and immediate value.

Now marketers can track, profile and reach any consumer, any time, anywhere. Digital marketing is everywhere, but not on the scale you`d expect.

Business process outsourcing (BPO) is gaining ground in SA as outsourcing service providers look for new revenue streams and corporates continue to cut costs.

Over-hyped, misunderstood and misrepresented, Web services are nevertheless starting to gain ground. But until many of the key standards are formalised, Web services are destined to remain behind the firewall and within trusted relationships.