Touted as the "next killer app" for the Internet, peer-to-peer is maturing from the file-sharing Napster model to a computing paradigm that can decimate IT costs by "unwasting" massive amounts of storage and computing capacity.

There are a number of factors to consider before taking one`s business online in an e-marketplace. This feature discusses these, and identifies new opportunities that may arise from the e-marketplace industry.

While the need to protect IT intellectual property is obvious, SA is still waiting for a precedent. But for the moment, information remains the best protection.

Customer relationship management (CRM) has become somewhat notorious for failed implementations. At the same time, most companies accept the strategic importance of CRM. How can these two facts be reconciled?

Sybase SA has entered into a skills development partnership with Sasuka Technologies, a black empowerment company which provides IT training for previously disadvantaged people.

Supply chain management, while surprisingly complex, has a few simple and obviously desirable goals at its core. These are to move more volume using fewer assets, and achieving better customer service with lower inventory.

The panoply of policy processes affecting the information and communications technology (ICT) industry have been met with approval, as well as pockets of concern and confusion. ITWeb summarises the initiatives and their potential impact.

Online advertising is an industry that`s ripened over the past two years, with new strategies and business models allowing for greater control over media campaigns. ITWeb takes a closer look at the South African market.

The idea that knowledge is a resource, an asset that should be leveraged for maximum productivity and competitive advantage, is widely accepted. However, it seems that this is easier said than done.

Community projects count among the growing investment of local IT companies. Some of them contribute substantially to closing the much-maligned digital divide. How are companies involved, and what - besides feel-good marketing - do they get out of it?

While the JET system has underscored the value of automated trading, it will soon go the way of the trading floor it replaced, which means it`s time for the JSE, its members and the investing community to move on.

The modern contact centre is packed with technology, but the people on the end of the line, be it a telephone or Internet connection, determine how successful company communications are.