InformationWeek: The Business Value of Technology

Paper isn't going away in this information-intensive business. Con-way found a better way to live with it.
Chipmaker cuts back on automation and gives local managers more control over system.
A nearly $10 million project makes portal the center of employees' lives, and whatever works gets offered up as new features for customers.
Retailers test product display techniques for Kimberly-Clark's wares as well as other merchandise.
Washington Mutual's Instant Checking service has been a hit, with thousands of customers signing up each day.

Five InformationWeek 500 companies stand out for their innovative use of specific technologies. They were selected based on their work in one of the following areas: productivity, information security, supply chain, emerging technology, and customer intimacy.

Custom wireless application gives CSK Auto's on-the-go salespeople anytime, anywhere access to essential data.
Application framework automatically pulls risk and security-related information from various security systems, letting insurer quickly respond to threats while also cutting costs.
This year's Tech Standout for supply chain innovation is using XML and EDI to pull far-flung business units and logistic suppliers into a communications hub that's cutting costs while tightening the global supply chain.
The company's interactive, self-service system has dramatically improved enrollment rates during clients' retirement planning meetings.
Lowe's new returns system lets sales associates scan returned items' bar codes and validate the original invoice information, including each item purchased, its purchase price, and the payment methods used.

Get the inside scoop on this year's top companies.
Profiles of the highest-ranking IT executives at InformationWeek 500 companies
These companies' efforts make them stand out among their peers in six technology categories.
These hard-charging companies--the seven top scorers over the last five years in the InformationWeek 500--know the meaning of the words 'consistent' and 'innovation.'
Innovation is everywhere at these top users of IT. Here are some creative approaches that you might want to consider for your business.

Is Customer-Obsessed IT In Your Company's Blood?
How do your internal users, your company's paying customers, your various suppliers view your IT organization? As a can-do partner and service provider? Or as a nitpicking naysayer and excuse maker?

Research from the InformationWeek 500 provides insight into what technologies and practices are on the rise.
How InformationWeek identifies the most innovative users of technology. It's not just the biggest IT spenders -- accomplishment is what really matters.
For 19 years, the InformationWeek 500 has tracked the IT practices of the nation's most innovative IT organizations. The InformationWeek 500 report examines business and technology best practices, IT investments, and provides industry comparisons. Use these findings to benchmark your company's strategies against the nation's most innovative users of IT as identified by the 2007 InformationWeek 500.
View the listing of the top 250 companies sorted by rank or as a downloadable PDF file. View the full listing of the 2007 InformationWeek 500 sorted alphabetically, sorted by industry or as a downloadable PDF file. (note: PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.)