July 2, 2004
IBM SMB One Year Later: Expressing SMB Needs
IBM’s new approach to SMBs is of significant benefit to its customers, greatly simplifying what has sometimes been a tortuous engagement process....

June 8, 2004
SAP NetWeaver Hooks Manufacturing into Supply Networks, But Isn't an Execution Platform
SAP NetWeaver for Manufacturing provides a framework to incorporate production operations into supply networks, but it isn’t a manufacturing execution platform....

May 25, 2004
MySQL Lays Path for SAP Integration
By committing itself to the functionality of MySQL and MaxDB in future releases, MySQL is letting customers choose between the two on their merits without fearing that either product will be abandoned. ...

May 18, 2004
SAP Defining Role in Plants With Portals and Vendor Working Group
Even as SAP expands its manufacturing presence with SAP Manufacturing Dashboard for the Plant Manager, it is seeking a customer-driven accommodation with production operations vendors it once thought it could replace. ...

May 10, 2004
TIBCO Acquires Staffware--Move Raises More Questions Than Answers
While TIBCO will add a set of business-centric, process-based applications from Staffware’s Business Process Management (BPM) product line to its proven Information Technology (IT)-centric message bus architecture, it’s unclear how the products will complement each other. ...

May 10, 2004
Wireless LAN Demand Up; Wired Still Vital
Wired and wireless LAN technology are complementary; wireless is not a replacement technology, and the companies that use it most effectively overlay it with wired networks for maximum flexibility and performance. ...

May 6, 2004
CRM Realities Force Siebel To Shift Leadership, Direction
Companies typically do not change leadership positions if they expect to follow the same path. Siebel must change course to remain competitive....

May 3, 2004
SAP and Federal Express Link Up To Ease Global Trade Requirements
With FedEx included, SAP GTS customers gain improved trade compliance, lower duty costs, and the ability to analyze landed cost options when sourcing. ...

May 3, 2004
salesforce.com Changes the Game Again
Salesforce.com’s latest release removes the customization barrier by supporting the tailoring of field and tab names, as well as the creation of new tabs. ...

April 29, 2004
Phase III ERP Benefits: The Art of the Formerly Impossible
Companies must go beyond streamlined back-office processes and capitalize on their full global potential by creating uniquely competitive business processes that were impossible without a newly consolidated ERP platform. ...

April 27, 2004
Oracle Internal Controls Manager Keeping Ahead of SOA Projects
Oracle’s recent update of its Internal Controls Manager (ICM) shows strong progress toward the vision of an integrated ERP compliance tool, with functionality staying ahead of the SOA deadlines....

April 15, 2004
Portal Battles Create Customer Conflict
For most companies, the notion of a unified portal framework is a worthy goal, but a single-vendor portal framework is impossible until standards mature and are wholeheartedly adopted....

April 13, 2004
Five Ideas About ERP
Most of AMR's quarterly Webcast on the “State of the Union for Technology Vendors" was on ERP, including market sizing, growth rates, power shifts, and market consolidation. The Webcast and some subsequent research can essentially be condensed into five broad ideas. ...

April 7, 2004
The Microsoft Office System: Better Software at the Cost of Choice
Microsoft’s Office System with SharePoint puts powerful software into employees’ hands, but companies must control its proliferation and set policy for use to avoid the greater cost: the ability to choose. ...

April 7, 2004
Red Hat Confuses the Linux Message on Cost
Red Hat has disavowed the goal of its Linux Operating System (OS) being cheaper than Windows, creating opportunities for IBM, Novell, and Microsoft to improve their positioning on Linux....

April 1, 2004
ERP Benefits Realization: What It Takes To See Results
Fewer than 20% of companies recently surveyed have the three critical elements necessary to ensure that their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects further the company’s top business transformation goals....

March 29, 2004
PeopleSoft Manufacturing: Innovative Products in Search of Brand Awareness
With the proven J.D. Edwards now under its wing, PeopleSoft’s manufacturing and supply chain strategies have become excellent products. However, in order to capitalize on these investments, they must begin to build global awareness and acceptance of PeopleSoft as a leading player in manufacturing. ...

March 24, 2004
SCO Starts Suing Customers
SCO has found that suing IBM is a long and arduous process, and it has not done well in the early legal maneuvering. They now also faces challenges from Novell and Red Hat, which are quickly becoming a substantial (and expensive) second front. ...

March 8, 2004
Salesforce.com Customers Talk: The News Is Good
Salesforce.com continues to build momentum across industries while increasing the average seat size; six customers profiled here give the company good marks for user adoption and ease of use....

March 5, 2004
Target Aims Suppliers at RFID
Until Target clarifies its program, CP suppliers should not drastically change their current RFID rollout plans geared toward mandates from Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense (DoD)....