In the first three articles in this series, I identified a maturity model for Internet technology adoption (below). This article focuses on how companies can move from Level 2 to Level 3.

The world of e-business systems is commonly associated with highly developed technical skills, ranging from Web-wizardry, graphic design ability, and HTML/XML/Java programming to knowledge of component standards such as CORBA, MTS, and EJB. The design talent to configure such systems in very short time periods also receives lots of attention.

As 1999 ends, it is time to reshape your thinking about technology and business. Consider the facts below.

This issue of the Executive Report discusses the resurgence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the next generation of decision support applications.

This issue of the Executive Report discusses the resurgence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the next generation of decision support applications.

Some of you may remember artificial intelligence (AI) as the darling technology of the 1970s and 1980s. You may also remember the early decision support systems (DSSs) that populated vertical industries in the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of these applications were fueled by complex analytical methodologies such as Bayesian statistical models and statistical optimization algorithms.

Some of you may remember artificial intelligence (AI) as the darling technology of the 1970s and 1980s. You may also remember the early decision support systems (DSSs) that populated vertical industries in the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of these applications were fueled by complex analytical methodologies such as Bayesian statistical models and statistical optimization algorithms.

As Director of Risk Management Systems, David Miller is head of the IT group that services BankBoston's Global Capital Market Systems group. In addition to maintaining current applications and developing new systems, Miller is heavily involved in the integration of BankBoston systems with those of Fleet Bank, as a result of the banks' recent merger.

The interview in this Executive Update is with the director of corporate technology at a US $700 million consumer goods company. Brought in this year to help revamp the IT department, the director talks about his struggle to move IT forward in an environment where IT is often the scapegoat for business underperformance and where business models are unclear.