IBM retains slim lead among patent-winners; IBM Q4 results boosted by exchange rates

IBM Alert NetworkWorld.com | Network Management Research Center | Update Your Profile SPONSORED BY SILVER PEAK WAN Optimization and Disaster Recovery Is your WAN link the weak link in your data protection plans? Leading analysts from ESG discuss how WAN optimization can overcome many challenges that hamper data replication, backup, and disaster recovery. Learn how WAN optimization can improve business continuity in this informative webcast. SPOTLIGHT STORY IBM retains slim lead among patent-winners; Samsung, Microsoft gain ground By Jon Brodkin IBM secured 3,148 patents in 2007, besting all other competitors for the 15th consecutive year, but Big Blue's lead is getting slimmer. Read full story RELATED NEWS: Cognos ships BI update on eve of IBM buyout, 01/15/2008 Cognos shipped the latest version of its business intelligence platform on Tuesday, in what could be the last update before the company's sale to ... IBM Q4 results boosted by exchange rates, 01/14/2008 IBM on Monday said fourth-quarter revenue, aided by exchange rates and sales outside the U.S., stood at $28.9 billion, an increase of 10 percent ... Mergers and acquisitions on the management front, Part 1, 01/09/08 Whether it is EMC buying BMC or HP setting its sights on Symantec, the rumor mill is ripe with talk of a major acquisition involving one or more of the big four management vendors in 2008. Mergers and acquisitions on the management front, Part 2, 01/16/08 Management industry insiders are buzzing about the potential of a big buyout that could unseat one of the top four management software makers - BMC, CA, HP and IBM - and land other familiar technology names at the top ... WORTHWHILE WEB SITES For both work and pleasure, here are 20 useful sites for IT professionals. ASK THE MAGIC '08 BALL Take a look at the eight hottest technologies for 2008. SPONSORED BY SILVER PEAK WAN Optimization and Disaster Recovery Is your WAN link the weak link in your data protection plans? Leading analysts from ESG discuss how WAN optimization can overcome many challenges that hamper data replication, backup, and disaster recovery. Learn how WAN optimization can improve business continuity in this informative webcast. Featured Webcast for Newsletter Subscribers Improve App Performance with Web Acceleration. Find out how to improve the delivery of Web applications to geographically dispersed users with Web acceleration tools. Learn how to shop for these products and find out what the best and worst applications are. http://www.accelacomm.com/jlp/PSA2_80162151/7/80162151/ Featured reader resource 90% of IT Managers are leaving their company at risk for a DNS ATTACK. Get the tools and resources you need to keep your DNS healthy and secure. Run a DNSreport on your domain today - 56 critical tests run in 8 seconds. Visit www.dnssfuff.com to learn more. (apply coupon NWW2007NLA for a 25% membership discount)   01/17/08 TODAY'S MOST-READ STORIES: Eight hot technologies for 2008 Sun to acquire MySQL for $1 billion 20 useful Web sites for IT professionals Oracle to buy BEA Systems for $8.5 billion Trojan intercepts online banking information Young IT workers disillusioned Microsoft's response to Xbox's wireless signal How much do big-name CIOs make? Is Cisco worth the premium? Workplace reality vs. fantasy for IT pros FEATURED BUYER'S GUIDE: Client Management Executive Guide: The road to optimization Discover how to create a more efficient, flexible and manageable IT infrastructure with this Executive Guide from Network World. Learn how to optimize your IT environment with tips and advice from real-world users in this compilation of informative articles from your trusted source for IT news. Learn more today. Download this Executive Guide now. IT Buyer's Guides Compare products, get advice, and check out tests and reviews from the experts at Network World. Over 70 categories. Visit now.   To continue receiving NetworkWorld's IBM Alert newsletter, please add @nwfnews.com to your white list. COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE As a NW newsletter subscriber you are eligible to receive 50 issues of Network World Magazine, in print or electronic format, free of charge. Sign up for your subscription today: Apply here. International subscribers,click here.   SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. Terms of Service/Privacy Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2008