John McCormick

Critical business papers floating through the New York air. Documents stored on PCs lost in smoke and rubble. Information-laden storage devices crushed under mountains of concrete and steel. How corporate data was input, stored and backed up wasnt the first thing on peoples minds in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. We were […]

A few years ago, I worked for a publisher launching a new magazine to cover emerging Net software developments. The editor, a bright 28-year-old with a computer science background, needed some tech-savvy writers. I offered the name of someone we both knew and expected a positive reaction, but his dismissal was matter-of-fact: “What does he […]

“The person who does not worry about the future will shortly have worries about the present.” — Chinese proverb Yes, its difficult to think about the future. Todays executives, used to working up three- and five-year business plans, now look no further than the next quarter. And, as the events of the last few weeks […]

Its time to do a lot of thinking. Since Sept. 11, plenty has been written about public networks and their ability — or inability — to withstand attacks. Our cover story this week, however, takes a deeper look, revealing those areas where the nations communications infrastructure is most vulnerable. Its a chilling reminder of just […]

Almost lost in last weeks tragic events were the efforts of some Internet, computer and communications companies to help victims and assist various relief efforts. We should recognize the many companies — some notable tech giants, as well as some smaller players interested in reaching out — that put people over profits. Verizon Communications, the […]

I wasnt surprised to read in this weeks ISP/ASP Customer Satisfaction Survey that something like 70,000 people per week sign up for Internet access. In fact, I just joined them. But it was slow going to the Internets fast lane. Day 1: I take my modem out of the box. I follow the installation instructions […]

Do e-commerce profits really matter? I-managers are being asked that central question once again. We now know that the early e-business gospel that market share mattered more than profits damned many e-commerce companies to oblivion. But the new mantra is that the overall return on a Web investment is more important than whether a company […]

There are all kinds of competitive-edge technologies being deployed by businesses today. Many technologies — such as Web–based supply chain management software, which we wrote about last week — may be difficult to deploy. But hard-pressed companies have beaten the odds and successfully implemented SCM systems. Then there are other technologies — such as some […]

Here you are — the business/technology manager in charge of your companys Internet strategy. Youve been told to watch spending. You look around, and see that supply chain automation effort the companys been planning. Does the company really need that, you wonder. The hit is going to be big, in terms of time and dollars. […]

Theyre wrong. As this weeks special report points out, there are a lot of myths surrounding wireless, most of which have to do with universal deployment. But there are others. The one that really gets me is the belief in a “killer app.” I dont take exception when people say a super application may be […]