This article from Harvard Business Review describes the design and implementation of a system for strategic planning, operational execution, and feedback and learning. It also presents a range of tools that managers can apply at the different stages, and options for integrating them in a system that links the management of strategy and operations.
Read More
|
Most organisations are sitting on IT equipment that is not supporting the business optimally, yet the received wisdom is to sweat the assets to gain as much perceived lifetime value from them as possible. However, IT assets have inherent value which can change significantly through each asset’s lifecycle—whether this is through its hard resale value or just through its scrap value. By applying a full IT lifecycle management (ITLM) approach to the complete IT platform, a business-optimised platform can be created—one where business value overrides the embedded concept of sweating assets.
Read More
|
This paper highlights the environmental impact of printing and discusses how a managed print service can support an organization's sustainability goals, while also lowering costs and driving business efficiency.
Read More
|
Businesses have a variety of strategies to select from when implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems across their global organizations. The choice of configuration can have a profound impact on visibility across the organization, as well the cost and complexity of implementing and supporting the solution. This white paper describes the three principal choices.
Read More
|
Now that phone systems can be delivered over a network, even smaller companies can have access to enterprise-grade calling features. Like any business-critical system, a telephony system is a major deployment that should be undertaken only after a thorough discovery of both your existing infrastructure and users’ needs. This checklist offers 10 rules to help you choose a new telephony system for your organization.
Read More
|
When it’s time to expand your business network, you must consider the current and future needs of your organization and assess the technologies that will provide the best performance for mission-critical applications. This checklist offers 10 rules for building a network that will reliably support your business as it grows.
Read More
|
With mobile device use fast growing, 2012 seems to be the ‘year of the mobile.’ As companies embrace mobility, a key issue is the mobile versus app debate, and whether there is an argument for producing a mobile application over a mobile site. This white paper looks at the pros and cons of both native apps and mobile Web, and dives into the things that companies should consider before making a choice between mobile app and Web.
Read More
|
In late 2011, SNK Canada was engaged to help a sports management client select operations, accounting, and IT management software to replace a legacy system. The client was suffering productivity losses, and the cost of the legacy software was a growing concern. Learn how Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) helped SNK Manage the complexities of the project, so SNK could quickly identify the right system for the client.
Read More
|
Information technology (IT) departments are under increased pressure to improve productivity across a broadening mobile workforce and to support the proliferation of smartphones and tablets in the workplace. The process for IT to manage mobility within the enterprise is not a single, all-encompassing capability but a series of successive competencies that define the full mobility life cycle. This paper discusses what’s important when evaluating mobility solutions.
Read More
|
Top organizations are turning to human resource information systems (HRIS) for all of their human resources (HR) needs. With an HRIS, companies can align HR strategy with business objectives to get the most out of their workforces and adapt quickly to market changes. Today’s best-in-class HRIS automate everything related to HR in a single Web-based software system This white paper was developed to help you select an HRIS.
Read More
|
Selecting the right software provider for your business can be a daunting. The last thing any person or company wants is to invest in the wrong technology and choose the wrong partnership. This white paper identifies five common mistakes distributors make when embarking on the software selection process and provides tips for keeping your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system replacement on track.
Read More
|
With the complexity of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software selection increasing in proportion to the rising number of options in an ever-changing ERP solutions market, how do you select an ERP solution that is the right fit for your business? Reduce your risk and alleviate the complexity with these 10 crucial ERP software selection tips.
Read More
|
Forecasting is changing from a top-down process to a bottom-up one. High-level targets may be useful starting points, but they must be combined with input from line management and department heads before being rolled up into enterprise-wide financial goals. Some companies find it effective to “embed” members of the finance function within other business units. Read this white paper to find out more.
Read More
|
To realize a competitive advantage, small-business leaders must address five common obstacles: inefficient operations, inability to support rapid growth or new markets, disjointed business processes, lack of visibility into daily operations, and limited resources. Read this white paper to learn how to overcoming these challenges and gain valuable insights into your business.
Read More
|
The database is an essential component of enterprise applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and enterprise asset management (EAM). This white paper outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server database platforms. How do the two compare when it comes to reliability, scalability, and total cost of ownership (TCO) when integrated with enterprise software?
Read More
|
While new technology trends are invading the business intelligence (BI) space, technology shifts and hype do not necessarily equate to the ability to exploit the best tools for enhancing business performance. To select a best-fit BI solution, an organization needs to be able to realistically assess the maturity of its BI infrastructure. This allows them to discover where they are, what their BI requirements are, and how to determine the best BI solution or strategy. Download the full report now.
Read More
|
Outsourcing of developmental activities is not new. However, the outsourcing of research activities remains relatively unexplored. Recent trends indicate greater research and development (R&D) outsourcing, with customers open to handing over complete product lifecycle responsibilities to vendors. The chief reason for this change is that companies are realizing that the benefits of R&D outsourcing extend beyond cost arbitration. Rather, it facilitates the creation of global collaborative development skills of both the provider’s and buyer’s employees through exposure to new research tools, methodologies and best practices. Learn more now.
Read More
|
If you’re looking for your first enterprise resource planning (ERP) system or looking to upgrade from an existing system, the evaluation, selection, and implementation process is a long-term strategic decision for your organization that requires careful consideration and analysis. To help you through this process, read this white paper from Solarsoft and know eight simple steps for a successful ERP system selection.
Read More
|
Organizations usually rely on historical data and transactions to determine their pricing strategy. However, this data is typically insufficient to arrive at a competitive price. Moreover, customers these days are well informed about the value of products they want to purchase. That's why organizations need to arrive at their pricing strategy only after taking into consideration external intelligence and competitive data. E-procurement systems and price comparison websites have put customers in the bargaining position with the availability of real-time information. This is the type and speed of data organizations need to obtain. Leveraging such information can help an organization counter the threats of new entrants, competitive rivalry, and substitutes with a strong pricing strategy.
Read More
|
The Toyota production system has been on one of the most important schools of thought in operations, and has spawned several spin-offs. All these approaches are based on similar principles that are collectively referred to as “lean” ideas. While a lean approach to manufacturing and services is straightforward, applying lean to knowledge work can be challenging. Find out why, and what you can do about it.
Read More
|
The scope of business process outsourcing (BPO) has moved beyond back-office functions. Outsourcing is increasingly being seen as a partnering tool for the generation of revenue and not just cost savings. In this white paper, Manish Dugar, Senior Vice President, Wipro BPO, talks to Outsourcing Center about how BPOs can transform themselves into revenue enablers and help organizations do business better.
Read More
|
As a company in the financial sector, you place extremely high demands on your call center. The complicated and sensitive nature of the calls requires an agent who is highly trained and experienced. This leads to a high cost per call. At the same time, sacrificing caller satisfaction is not an option. This creates a tough challenge: How do you decrease the cost per call, while improving the customer experience? Download this white paper to find out.
Read More
|
There are many reasons beyond purchase price that influence an enterprise application investment decision. In an exploration of JD Edwards EnterpriseOne customers that also considered Microsoft Dynamics, Nucleus found that functionality, reporting capabilities, staff skill availability, and partner and vendor support capabilities were key factors driving a decision to invest in EnterpriseOne. Download the complete results of this analysis now.
Read More
|
Grain Hill Corporation is Central America's leading rice producer and trader. It needed to replace the five platforms it had running across three countries of operations with a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Find out how Technology Evaluation Centers' (TEC's) impartial approach and best-practice software evaluation and selection methodology helped Grain Hill find the best ERP system for its needs.
Read More
|
The underlying challenge facing financial institutions is serving today’s mobile, security-conscious, and loyalty-reluctant customers. However, many financial institutions are trapped by legacy systems and islands of in-house development. How can they customize their payment platforms quickly, easily, and cost-effectively to unlock the opportunities that new market dynamics offer? Download this report to find out.
Read More
|
The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, is the first hotel in the US to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the platinum level from the U.S. Green Building Council. Combining luxury with energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, the hotel places the highest priority on guest comfort. The owner's goal is a sustainable, energy-efficient hotel that never compromises guest comfort. Learn more now.
Read More
|
Most manufacturing businesses have invested in technology to combat some of their challenges, but primarily to increase efficiency and productivity. However, many have not yet discovered the value of a Web presence—or they use the Web in a very limited way. More than simply serving a marketing role, a Web presence can boost internal efficiency, enhance customer service, and increase sales. Download this white paper to learn more.
Read More
|
As SAP and Oracle step up their efforts to attract midmarket customers, more and more of those customers are including top-tier vendors in their enterprise application evaluation process. Nucleus Research's analysts conducted in-depth interviews with a number of companies that recently went through the ERP decision process and selected EnterpriseOne instead of SAP. This research note focuses on the decision process and factors of those companies. Download the results of this analysis now.
Read More
|
When you know that a new content management system (CMS) is needed for your organization, how do you decide which one to implement? Do you decide based on size, price, ease of use, or something else? Finding the best CMS for your needs can be a challenging task. In this white paper, you'll get an inside look into the CMS selection process, including an overview of the CMS landscape, the proper approach to selecting a CMS, how to narrow and define your selection process, and additional CMS features to consider.
Read More
|
Over the past decade, the art of doing business has changed. Companies are re-shaping strategies to innovate and compete globally. “Growth Strategies for 2012 and Beyond”, a survey research by Forbes Insights, in association with Wipro Technologies, analyzes changing growth strategies through an exclusive survey of more than 300 CEOs and other C-level executives at global enterprises. Download now to see the results.
Read More
|
Mining corporations and their operating units are under constant pressure to improve financial performance. Efforts to become financially healthy are hampered by the operational profitability killers embedded in traditional processes. Find out how technology-supported collaborative decision making drives key efficiencies at all stages of the asset lifecycle, from planning and construction through production and into decommissioning.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions are large, and complex by nature, making them very difficult to evaluate and compare. So how do you select the ERP solution that’s best-suited to your firm? In this guide, Focus Experts Dana Craig, Jonathan Gross, Tim Hourigan, Michael Krigsman, Tom Rogers, Bob Swedroe, and Chintan Tyagi share their top 6 best practices for selecting ERP software.
Read More
|
Business intelligence (BI) applications analyze a company’s raw data to provide business process insights that can be leveraged for competitive advantage. Are such lofty goals realistic for small and midsized businesses (SMBs) that lack the IT talent found in a large enterprise? What capabilities should SMBs expect to find in a BI solution? And what are the “gotchas” to avoid? Find out in this report from Focus Research.
Read More
|
Business intelligence (BI) software allows businesses to gather, store, and analyze data so they can make better business decisions. But what considerations you should make before shopping for BI software? This document leverages the expertise of Focus Experts and other Focus Community members to help you identify key factors to consider when searching for a BI solution, and give you insight into the BI vendor landscape.
Read More
|
Oil and gas companies have numerous information systems, each churning through vast amounts of data to support business decisions. Successful management of these information systems is not simply a case of keeping the systems running and providing suitable backup mechanisms. It also includes the adoption of professional data management practices. Download this report to learn about effective practices for addressing data management challenges.
Read More
|
The growing adoption of laptops and other portable devices is changing the foundation of traveling and telecommuting. Laptops have overtaken desktops as the computer of choice for business users. While endpoint protection has been traditionally associated with solutions like antivirus and firewalls, these technologies don’t adequately protect data against theft, loss or unauthorized access. Learn more. Download this white paper now.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) systems have become more accessible to midsize and smaller companies. Standard features have matured, and systems have become easier to deploy and use. But some companies are struggling to support legacy ERP solutions that haven’t kept pace with new technologies. If you’re looking to make the case for an upgrade, use this checklist to sell your management on a new ERP system.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a mature segment of the software market. Most features are standard across solutions, and you can expect vendors to offer software for managing financials, supply chain and inventory, human resources (HR), and business intelligence (BI). Some vendors also offer specialized modules for vertical industries. Use this checklist to find the ERP modules that are right for your organization.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are intended to provide data to help employees make better decisions, to make your core business processes more efficient, and to help reduce costs across your organization. But implementing an ERP system for the first time is expensive, time-consuming, and requires a lot of planning. Following these 10 golden rules can help you choose the right ERP system for your organization.
Read More
|
The enterprise resource planning (ERP) market has grown to include new solutions and delivery models, adding software-a-a-service (SaaS) offerings to on-premise ERP solutions. This has prompted some companies to switch to more suitable solutions. But jumping into a “rip and replace” scenario can be trickier than installing ERP for the first time. These five steps for switching ERP vendors help ease the transition.
Read More
|
Depending on the size and type of your business, your enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution may touch every department from accounting to warehouse management (WM). That can make it difficult to select the right solution for your company. But there are three critical modules an ERP system must have in order to deliver basic ERP benefits to any company, regardless of size or industry. Find out what they are.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is notoriously complex. Horror stories abound about failed installations, unresponsive vendors, and wasted investments. But as daunting as ERP can be, many organizations can’t operate without it. Working closely with your vendor to configure a solution, choosing the right delivery model, and following this list of 10 tips can help you optimize your ERP initiative. Find out more.
Read More
|
There is an increasing trend among employees toward using their personal mobile device for fulfilment of their work commitments. While this appears to bring many benefits for the employee while, on the face of it, reducing upfront costs for employers, it does introduce significant on-going costs and risks for the organisation. However, with many appealing mobile consumer devices being offered, the trend is likely to increase. Organizations need to work out suitable strategies and policies to manage this complex and hybrid situation in the best interests of both themselves and their employees.
Read More
|
In this white paper, you’ll learn the ten most important things to consider before you embark on organizational alignment project, how to position HR in the process and what role HR professionals should play and best practices for avoiding common pitfalls, such as planning a multi-tiered rollout to help goals work their way down an organization.
Read More
|
The perception of most small to midsized business (SMB) executives is that most of the data they need to make decisions is available “in the computer system,” or at least locked away until the moment is right for it to be accessed and used. But what if your enterprise system has not been structured to track and report this information? What if this information or metric is not even defined? Download this TEC report to find out about the three keys to better data-driven decisions—and discover how an integrated enterprise system can help you jump-start a plan for accessing the right information at the right time.
Read More
|
Freight costs can represent a significant component of your supply chain—often around 5-7 percent of sales for manufacturing, retail, and wholesale/distribution companies. For many firms, this responsibility is not managed as well as it could be. This white paper shares 10 best practices in transportation management, with valuable insights from industry professionals.
Read More
|
The business models used to develop forecasts at the planning level can be relatively simple. Over time some of your products will exceed expectations, others will fail altogether. By assembling a portfolio of projects you can optimize the overall expected value of your product development process by balancing risk/reward. This white paper reviews some of the business models and analytic processes for better forecasting.
Read More
|
The right implementation partner can get your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system up and running quickly and smoothly, whereas the wrong partner can result in higher costs and considerable disruption to your business, with lasting and cumulative effects. This white paper addresses five key steps in the ERP selection and implementation process that contribute to ERP success.
Read More
|
Today’s small and midsize companies are destined to make uninformed decisions on an alarmingly regular basis. Executives simply do not have the relevant information to make the best decisions in a timely manner. Read this paper to know how gaining real-time visibility of the enterprise helps small and midsize companies leverage consistency, accuracy, and timeliness via a single data source to make better, faster decisions.
Read More
|
How can management communicate the organization’s strategy effectively and assure that the entire organization has bought into it and is aligned with it? Business performance optimization systems are an important tool for success. By using business performance optimization systems, employees are empowered to confidently make timely, strategically-aligned decisions based upon facts, not intuition or corporate politics. See how.
Read More
|
One of the biggest challenges of business software implementations is their unpredictability. Total costs and deployment time can vary wildly. Read about a new category of solutions that combines preconfigured software, predefined services, and other user-focused enablement content to provide predictable solution deployments in less than 12 weeks and at a fixed price.
Read More
|
Information technology (IT) projects tend to run late, over-budget, or do not meet planned goals. Implementation risk is a critical factor. Packaged solutions modularize the implementation process into smaller, well-defined units that are easier to manage and less expensive to deploy than traditional methods. This white paper discusses why enterprise software customers should consider packaged solutions.
Read More
|
This paper from independent analyst SMB Group considers the financial and operational challenges that global medium-sized businesses face, examines the value of achieving real-time financial consolidation, discusses the criteria they can use to evaluate solutions, and provides real-world case studies and research showing how cloud-based systems can provide global visibility and streamline consolidation and reporting needs.
Read More
|
If you have acquired businesses, added subsidiaries, and entered international markets, you probably have error-prone and time-consuming consolidation processes and poor visibility into performance at the corporate or divisional level. This kit offers strategies for multi-subsidiary and global businesses to run their organizations more efficiently, including case studies, analyst research, and best-practice insights.
Read More
|
When buying a new business phone system you are faced with a wide variety of phone features to choose from. Before you buy, make sure you don’t overlook these commonly forgotten features. This guide details such features as conferencing, auto attendant, mobile extensions, and many other valuable features.
Read More
|
Promoting band image, improving overall business performance, and keeping customers happy is a main concern of many businesses. This paper demonstrates how the Extended Enterprise platform can help specific verticals to promote and sell their products to external audiences. Know the value of the Extended Enterprise solution in financial services, insurance, government, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and associations.
Read More
|
The administration and management of printing can be time-consuming, often relying on manual processes. Many businesses are rethinking their approach to managing the print environment, by either adopting a managed service or implementing centralized print management tools. This can ensure the high availability, reliability and manageability of printing resources, while leaving IT staff free to focus on core activities.
Read More
|
Computing infrastructure today though versatile must be used wisely. Intelligent workload management (IWM) allows for efficient consumption of computing resources while ensuring business tasks are supported by all needed resources—and that this is all done securely. IWM tools support the building, management, monitoring, and securing of workloads. See how to run your cloud computing system with leading-edge technology.
Read More
|
Whether starting a business, setting up new office locations, or supporting employees while on the road, hosted voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) can help each situation by setting up “virtual offices.” This white paper will show examples of how a business can lower costs and increase flexibility with a new hosted VoIP solution by creating a virtual office environment.
Read More
|
To effectively transform succession planning from a manual, paper-based process to one that is systematic and technology-enabled, CEOs must focus on laying a solid foundation supported by strong executive leadership. Read this CEO guide to get five key tips to jump-start your succession planning efforts to better manage risk and ensure business continuity and to know how a strong succession strategy can impact your company.
Read More
|
This report focuses on how cloud infrastructures are being used by sales and marketing, finance, and operations in professional service organizations (PSOs). It outlines the benefits of using a cloud infrastructure to manage enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other enterprise systems. With the right solutions in place, globally dispersed project teams have unlimited accessibility to secure and reliable information.
Read More
|
Successful enterprise resource planning (ERP) deployment demands a focused examination of the professional services provided by your organization, and the most efficient infrastructure required to support them. You must provide your most important asset—your people—with effective tools that can be accessed remotely, securely, and immediately. Professional service organizations that understand this will be in a strong position to determine the best cloud-based solution for their needs.
Read More
|
Manufacturers have been slow to embrace the cloud. But the proven success of cloud-based solutions, along with the promise of a less expensive and more responsive business solution infrastructure, is prompting many manufacturers to take a closer look. This report explores how manufacturers can use cloud-based solutions to transform how they manage their supply chain and internally improve operations, leveraging the cloud to gain real-time visibility into all information across their company.
Read More
|
With acceptance of cloud-based strategies growing among manufacturers of all types and sizes, it’s easier than ever to make the business case for transitioning to the cloud. But beyond the cost savings and responsiveness of cloud solutions, this transition also provides new opportunities for the IT department to grow into a key role as strategic business advisor. This report includes advice on how IT can help manufacturers realize the full benefits of cloud-based solutions.
Read More
|
Investing in a human resource management system (HRMS) can help you tap into the wide range of business intelligence that already resides within your HR department. Read further to find out implementing an HRMS can help you streamline your administrative activities, become more efficient and productive, and find new ways to move your business forward, giving your company a competitive advantage in today’s marketplace.
Read More
|
As your company grows and faces new challenges, you must continually evaluate whether your work processes and information technology (IT) solutions can address these issues and help grow your business. Read here on how to perform a preliminary gap analysis to determine whether you need to upgrade your IT solutions and business processes to meet your current business requirements as well as adapt to future requirements.
Read More
|
Total cost of ownership (TCO) remains a significant factor influencing enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategies and decisions. But focusing exclusively on TCO runs the risk of delaying necessary ERP projects. Companies should also consider return on investment (ROI) of such projects. Find out what the average company should expect to pay for ERP and how the business can benefit from a successful implementation.
Read More
|
In the coming year, many companies will shift focus to business growth. However, continued economic volatility means that they will also need to keep costs in check to maintain healthy margins. Many small to medium businesses (SMBs) are investing in business intelligence (BI) solutions to assist with this effort. Find out what tools are necessary to provide BI and how a suite of BI tools can help SMBs improve efficiency.
Read More
|
Universities and other higher education establishments have to address the need for savings across the board. One area is expenses from faculty members and other associated with faculty. The complex mix of expense types needs a flexible yet solid means of managing spend as close as possible to the point of expense that encourages the individual to participate in the process without it being seen as an imposition. Know how.
Read More
|
Balancing employee requests for keeping mobile channels open, while getting the right level of work and commitment from them, should not be left to chance. All organizations need to fully understand their employees’ mobile usage and behaviors to be able to put appropriate policies in place to ensure business requirements are met while acceptable personal use is still enabled. Read this white paper to know how to do this.
Read More
|
The case company is rolling out new professional service concepts, addressing the customer need for services fitting the information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) framework. A centrally located team needed ITIL service knowledge and certification before training service development, consulting, and sales. Implement applied the Foundation Fasttrack concept—fast-paced, flexible learning in a familiar environment.
Read More
|
To establish optimal service and support conditions, the case company, Naviair, chose to adapt and implement information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) service support processes. During the process, Implement Consulting Group assisted with facilitation, ITIL input, and lean competences and tools. The existing procedures and instructions were combined with ITIL’s different service support areas.
Read More
|
The case company decided to carry out an information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) implementation, and in so doing hoped to make production in IT more visible, increase customer satisfaction, and maintain or increase employee satisfaction in IT. Implement Consulting Group facilitated the process selection and design and managed the requirement collection, selection, and implementation phases of the project.
Read More
|
The case company implemented an information technology services management (ITSM) system to support information technology infrastructure library (ITIL)–inspired processes. Implement Consulting Group had the project management responsibility during the entire process—from the preliminary requirement collection to selection and implementation to testing and go-live.
Read More
|
This article focuses on the development of strategic agility as a capability that is built into the design of an architecture. The capabilities, the article argues, are matured through six stages that offer different levels of strategic agility. Strategic agility, once capitalized through modular architectures, enables a company to achieve greater speed and flexibility in information technology (IT) deliveries.
Read More
|
The managed print services (MPS) market continues to evolve as vendors expand their service offerings beyond the office print environment. Today the business agenda is broader, and MPS must provide a route to business transformation as well as cost efficiency. Businesses thus must place their transformational goals on the agenda at the start of an MPS engagement. See what major MPS providers have to offer to your business.
Read More
|
Leveraging integrated human capital processes to optimize organizational success. Having a complete view of the entire employee lifecycle—enabled with a centralized, integrated HCM platform—provides executives the information and the tools they need to ensure that they have the most efficient teams in place to achieve success.
Read More
|
Operations executives are closest to the processes along the value chain, and as a result are best positioned to drive operational excellence initiatives. Collaboration with other functions is essential, but ultimately, it is the operations function that needs to be responsible for implementation. Find out what senior executives from around the world think about how to achieve operational excellence.
Read More
|
Spurred on by the increased availability of high-speed data services and wide array of smartphones, many organizations see mobile applications as a way to improve organizational efficiency, increase collaboration, and raise the speed at which business gets done. To get the most out of mobility, organizations need to rethink the technologies, the people, and the processes involved in creating a truly mobile enterprise.
Read More
|
IT is feeling the pressure to allow users to access sensitive corporate data via their personal mobile phones. Employees want the flexibility to use applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), e-mail and instant messaging not only from within the workplace, but at any time from any device. Yet, with network security and customer privacy at stake, IT has been slow to bow.
Read More
|
According to The Nielsen Company, some 150 million people in the US will be using smartphones by mid-2011 to view twitter feeds, conduct searches, consult maps and more. People are increasingly using smartphones to get work done too. As long as it’s governed appropriately, workplace use of consumer-oriented smartphones can lower spending, heighten morale and help employees get more done.
Read More
|
Not too long ago, business support of mobile workers centered on managing the use of a limited number of Windows-based laptops and BlackBerry smartphones. Today mobile phones are ubiquitous for most employees, and IT departments are being asked to provide broad access to networks, databases and critical enterprise applications while they manage, support and figure out how to protect data from theft and security breaches.
Read More
|
This paper presents a more holistic approach to software quality management. It advocates systematic monitoring and ongoing analysis with an efficient business intelligence (BI) tool instead of occasional audits, which are time-consuming and selective by nature.
Read More
|
Rich internet application (RIA) technologies in general and Adobe Flex in particular promise richness, usability and productivity exceeding those of today’s Web applications. However, little public information is available on measured results and savings achieved. This paper fills this much needed gap by providing results achieved by Verax Systems in real-life projects and is intended to provide real data.
Read More
|
Today’s leading-edge companies are making extensive use of workforce data to drive human capital management (HCM) decisions the way most companies use financial and marketing data to make strategic business decisions. Learn how these companies are making fact-based workforce planning decisions that will help them survive the current recession and position them to quickly ramp up workforce additions when the downturn ends.
Read More
|
TEC's online software comparison system, TEC Advisor, is designed to help you make sense of the massive amount of information you'll gather during your selection project. One leading enterprise software consulting firm decided to put TEC’s technology to the test, to help a client replace its legacy financials system. The result? An objectively chosen best-fit financials solution—a mere two and a half months after project kick-off.
Read More
|
Though most companies know about the benefits of enterprise resource planning (ERP), many lack awareness about how to evaluate products or when the time is right to upgrade change solutions. Moreover, they may not be up to date with the latest ERP features, market trends, and other essential information. Focus’s ERP System Market Primer offers necessary background knowledge on ERP to potential buyers and sales executives.
Read More
|
After 20-plus years in service, and with few changes to its original design, Reid and Wright’s legacy accounting system had become slow, unreliable, and expensive—requiring a variety of manual processes and custom software just to keep it running—and keep the company competitive. Find out how TEC helped Reid & Wright find a best-fit solution to support the unique requirements of the lumber industry.
Read More
|
Mature sales and operations planning (S&OP) is more than a sales forecasting or tactical planning tool. S&OP is a decision-making mechanism for aligning strategic plans with sales, operational, and financial plans. Download this TEC executive brief for pointers on selecting an S&OP system, information about how mature S&OP processes can help tackle critical business issues, and key S&OP system capabilities to look for.
Read More
|
With more repetitive manufacturing moving offshore, North American manufacturers have had to develop their roles as complex manufacturers supporting both local and global markets with sophisticated products and manufacturing processes to meet the unique needs of their clients. Learn how this kind of engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing requires specialized enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionality.
Read More
|
In Q2 2010, Forrester evaluated 18 customer relationship management (CRM) solutions—CDC Software, Chordiant Software, FrontRange Solutions, Maximizer Software, Microsoft, NetSuite, Oracle, Pegasystems, RightNow Technologies, SageCRM, Sage SalesLogix, salesforce.com, SAP CRM, SugarCRM, and Sword Ciboodle—against 516 criteria reflecting the requirements of large organizations. Learn what they discovered.
Read More
|
Every year, companies face the challenge of selecting new business software solutions. Whatever the reasons for the selection, there are basic criteria and cost considerations that companies must take into account. The goal is to compare several enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendors against each other in terms of long-term cost and software quality. Learn more in this selection guide from Abas software.
Read More
|
After realizing that the enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution it had used until 2005 could no longer keep up with its rapid growth, HOFA GmbH started looking for a new ERP and e-business solution. Learn how the company’s new system has increased transparency across the company, reduced data capture and support times by up to 50 percent, improved productivity in order entry, and reduced the error rate to zero.
Read More
|
After remarkable growth, ADA Cosmetics’ business software had reached its limits, and the company needed a replacement. Due to ADA’s broad product range, the new system had to manage batch and process manufacturing, as well as custom and small-scale production. And because ADA distributes products nationally and internationally, the system had to have multi-user features. Find out how ADA went about choosing the right replacement.
Read More
|
This systems’ monitoring and management vendor evaluation checklist from Uptime Software is designed to help IT managers and administrators as they search for the right solution. It is intended to be a generic list that can be updated, expanded, and customized depending on your exact requirements. You are welcome to edit and modify each of the items as you see fit.
Read More
|
Arias Motors is the Dominican Republic’s leading distributor of spare parts for auto wholesalers, retailers, and repair shops. It needed a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system covering all functional areas, from back-end processes to supply chain management. Learn how Arias Motors applied a best-practice approach to software selection, reduced licensing costs by 50 percent, and set a record implementation time.
Read More
|
A decade ago, about 70 percent of major software initiatives failed, and nearly a quarter were cancelled. Today, with better data management, more flexible applications, and easier launches, there are fewer failed enterprise resource planning (ERP) programs. But some companies still manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Discover seven ERP selection rules to follow before you even start looking for a vendor.
Read More
|
As your company grows, you must continually evaluate whether your work processes and IT solutions can solve your problems and help grow your business. By performing a gap analysis, you can look at where your business is headed and whether you have the right tools to get there. This white paper can help you perform a preliminary gap analysis to determine whether you need to upgrade your IT solutions and business processes.
Read More
|
This white paper features insight from the UNIT4 group about issues facing companies that need an adaptable financial system but not necessarily a full-blown enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. Also included are TEC’s suggestions for identifying financial system functionality that supports your organization’s changing processes, and a checklist for soliciting such information about enterprise software solutions.
Read More
|
It doesn’t make sense to buy software based on price alone. Selecting a specific preferred vendor or spending as little as possible is the wrong choice if people will not use the purchased product and it winds up as “shelfware,” or if it hampers productivity and is an ongoing drain on resources. Learn the five questions financial professionals should ask before choosing a financial performance management (FPM) solution.
Read More
|
Consolidation in the enterprise performance management (EPM) market has led to a glut of misleading, and sometimes overstated, vendor claims. This has served to confuse end users evaluating solutions, just at the time when an EPM strategy is so important—particularly for organizations looking to broaden their EPM strategies. Find out what you need to know before you start evaluating EPM solutions for your organization.
Read More
|
Do executives prefer to deploy business applications on premise? Hosted? In a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model? Do deployment preferences vary by software category, region, or company size? How have these preferences changed over time? What are the implications for buyers, users, and providers of business applications? Get the answers to these and other questions in this Strategic Perspective from Saugatuck Technology.
Read More
|
Do executives prefer to purchase business applications as part of an integrated suite or as part of a best-of-breed approach? Are there differences by software category? By region? By company size? How have these preferences changed over time? What are the implications for users and vendors of business applications? Get the answers to these and other questions in this Strategic Perspective from Saugatuck Technology.
Read More
|
Today, companies are facing tougher competition and increasing service level requirements, all while balancing growth with shorter phase-in/phase-out cycles for new products. To succeed, they must harness information technology to support change, secure data and process quality, and improve productivity. Discover how a warehouse management system (WMS) can help you achieve those goals, and learn what to look for in a WMS.
Read More
|
Many process manufacturers are realizing that their production, inventory control, planning, scheduling, and costing systems are no longer adequate to support their business objectives. But replacing those systems with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system can be difficult when so many ERP systems were designed for discrete, not process manufacturing. Learn how you can avoid the seven fatal flaws of ERP selection.
Read More
|
Whether you’re in the process of re-evaluating your existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) application or planning to install your first packaged system, your success depends on identifying ERP applications that have a strong process manufacturing foundation and can support your unique requirements with minimum customization. This guide links the unique operations of process manufacturing with ERP capabilities.
Read More
|
This paper from Saugatuck Technology discusses relevant criteria for evaluating SaaS solutions targeting small and midsize firms, and raises key questions that should be asked. It is important to ensure that a SaaS solution is well aligned with business requirements, and can accommodate change and growth. The paper also provides an evaluation template for executives to use in conducting evaluations of SaaS solutions.
Read More
|
Software as a service (SaaS) is known for its relative speed to implementation and low upfront costs for acquisition and deployment. As a result, SaaS is widely adopted for a variety of business and IT functions. Discover the advantages of moving to a SaaS model for improving business operations, and to better meet the challenges of growth, competition, and regulatory compliance faced by smaller and midsized businesses.
Read More
|
Evaluating software solutions usually starts out as an assessment of architecture, features and functionality, business processes and IT fit. This makes perfect sense—until business stakeholders begin assessing the vendor as a potential business partner. Learn about the risks of entering into an agreement with a vendor, and how to find out if that vendor can deliver solution that will deliver the expected results.
Read More
|
Because optimized resource planning helps to maximize business agility and revenues, the functions and applications referred to collectively as enterprise resource planning (ERP) are some of the most business-critical. Once you’ve surveyed the ERP market and prioritized your business needs, this comparison guide from Focus Research can help you craft your best possible shortlist of candidate offerings and vendors.
Read More
|
Better decision making is critical during a recession—when resources are restricted—which makes business intelligence (BI) and analytics appealing to management. But justifying large capital outlays for software is challenging unless short-term benefits can be correlated with the investment. The key is to execute each project within the long-term strategic plan of organization-wide decision management. Find out how.
Read More
|
Digital Britain is the UK government’s strategic plan for the UK’s digital economy. While social inclusion and rights protection are major themes, the plan will also have a significant impact on businesses—encouraging the distribution and virtualization of business functions, and interconnectivity between companies, customers, suppliers, and employees. Learn how to minimize any harmful impact on your business.
Read More
|
Manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software vendors range from global giants offering legacy systems to smaller companies offering only point solutions. With so many solution providers to choose from, how can an organization make an intelligent decision on who to trust with this mission-critical system? Learn 10 critical questions to ask when choosing a manufacturing ERP solution for your company.
Read More
|
Looking for the right ERP package for your small to medium business (SMB) can be a daunting task. Although a fair amount of information is available on the Internet about the actual software packages themselves, there is little advice on how to develop a good, simple strategy to evaluate and choose the right package for your company. This white paper is intended to provide some of that much-needed guidance.
Read More
|
For an increasing number of companies, the costs of owning and operating on-premise software are a burden they are no longer willing to bear. Fortunately, cloud computing is transforming the way companies use computing services by simplifying IT infrastructure, and shifting costs and risks from clients to vendors. Discover how global companies are using cloud computing to manage their financials faster and more easily.
Read More
|
Business intelligence (BI) tools are now affordable for midsize companies, and accessible to non-technical business users. Managers can use BI to analyze complex information and support their decision-making processes—combining data from many sources into an integrated, up-to-date view. Find out what midsize companies need to know to select the right BI product, the right BI vendor, and the right approach to BI.
Read More
|
When the economy slows, many businesses react by retrenching and cutting costs. While cost reduction is important, companies often overlook equally critical strategic decisions—opportunities to use business information to strengthen product and service offerings and emerge ahead of the competition. Find out how you can use business intelligence (BI) to avoid the most common mistakes companies make in a down economy.
Read More
|
For managed services providers (MSPs) aiming to serve small and medium-sized businesses, the ability to capture and retain lasting customer relationships is a determining factor for long-term profitability. Only by clearly and consistently communicating your value to your customer can you hope to attain the role of trusted advisor—a position that will help protect you from losing business to lower-priced competitors. Learn how an integrated, offline reporting solution can help ensure that your customers perceive your value in the ways that matter most to all managers within the customer organization.
Read More
|
A business' success delivering managed services depends on its ability to improve the delivery of effective and efficient services to its customer base. Learn about ways that managed services providers (MSPs) can develop a higher-value business by improving their ability to attract and retain high-quality customers and provide IT services in an effective manner.
Read More
|
Service companies that want to thrive need to find a better way to deliver services and run their business. Automating IT services is the answer, and it should be the immediate goal of any company that aims to stay in business as market pressures increase. Looking beyond basic automation, becoming a managed services provider (MSP) should be the long-term goal. Discover ways to ensure your service company's survival in today’s competitive IT services market.
Read More
|
To improve efficiency and reduce overall workload on financials personnel, California (US)-based utilities company South Coast Water District (SCWD) needed a new financials system with integrated human resources (HR) functionality. Find out how Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) helped SCWD define its financial and HR requirements, evaluate its short list of solutions, and shorten the software selection process.
Read More
|
For IT departments drowning in complex and expensive software maintenance chores, the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model can ease the burden. SaaS reduces complexity by outsourcing most of the infrastructure needed to run software applications, and reduces costs by charging only for what is consumed. But you can also adopt a hybrid SaaS model, in which some systems are outsourced and others are kept in-house. Learn more.
Read More
|
As you begin a customer relationship management (CRM) initiative, software selection is only one facet of a successful project. You may consider implementing your new CRM system with internal resources. But even in providing a simple CRM solution in your company, a number of steps need to take place, including requirements gathering, configuration, and more. Discover the benefits of selecting a CRM implementation partner.
Read More
|
High Concrete encountered several challenges in trying to understand its customer relationship management (CRM) data. Its CRM reporting involved lengthy and error-prone processes. After seeing a demonstration of a business intelligence (BI) application specifically designed for its Dynamics CRM system, the company knew integrating the two systems would be easy—and provide flexible reports, quickly and accurately.
Read More
|
Most companies want to use customer relationship management (CRM) applications to “supercharge” their sales forces. They want to gain some advantage with customer retention and acquisition, to manage the sales pipeline, and to have better market insight. But few companies realize these goals, often because of the way CRM is implemented. Find out where a CRM implementation can get off track—and how to ensure CRM success.
Read More
|
Sales at F.J. Westcott began to grow, placing a greater demand on its legacy enterprise resource planning (ERP) system’s inventory capabilities. Unrelieved inventory and other challenges led Westcott to seek a new ERP system—and a software evaluation and comparison methodology within the company’s budget. See how Technology Evaluation Centers’ Software Selection Services provided the resources for a confident decision.
Read More
|
For a midsized company, finding the right enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a tall order—but that’s not always a bad thing. Now, big-name vendors are aiming their solutions at small and midsized companies. With a little savvy, you can make this new market dynamic work to your advantage. Leverage the new realities of mid-market ERP by bearing in mind 10 strategies when shopping for an ERP solution. Learn more.
Read More
|
If you’re considering upgrading your traditional phone system to a premise-based private branch exchange (PBX) system, there are a few things you need to know before you start talking to vendors. Find out whether your company needs just the basic features, or if you need more advanced functions such as programmable routing and scheduling. No matter the features, a premise PBX system can help you save money—learn how.
Read More
|
No matter how effective your sales staff is, there’s always room to boost efficiency and increase sales. But how you go about doing so may be a point of contention. Sales force automation (SFA) solutions come in many flavors, but they don’t all offer the comprehensive SFA functionality you need. Find out how to avoid the pitfalls of choosing SFA software, and get help matching your needs with the right solution for you.
Read More
|
The implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to automate business processes is a strategic investment. Buying the right system and choosing the best vendor for you are critical to a successful ERP implementation. As a decision maker, you need to quickly identify your ERP requirements, effectively communicate these needs to vendors, and successfully compare various product alternatives. Learn how.
Read More
|
When times get tough, some decision makers reduce costs, and cut corners. In some situations, that doesn’t work. An economic downturn may actually be the perfect time to invest in a significant IT expansion—especially in areas where a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness. Just make sure you choose the right ERP vendor and consultant. Learn more.
Read More
|
Users implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for the first time are often intimidated by the time and cost, and want to accelerate the go-live date. Acceleration, when done with the right implementation strategy and tools, can be of tremendous benefit, including reduced costs and increased return on investment (ROI). But for some, the question is: to accelerate or not to accelerate? Learn more.
Read More
|
For midsize firms seeking more value in a shorter period of time, a rapid enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation may be the way to go. If you’re unsure this is the right choice, you need to consider some important factors. The best candidates tend to be ERP solution first-timers. Learn more about how to work closely with ERP partner vendors for a rapid—and successful—ERP implementation.
Read More
|
The idea that tier-one systems are difficult to maintain and upgrade is based on outdated notions about their complexity and flexibility. Although tier-one systems are more complex internally than tier-two or tier-three systems, tier-one systems are often easier to maintain: for one thing, one enterprise system is easier to maintain than several. Learn more about this and other reasons for upgrading to a tier-one system.
Read More
|
Sole-sourcing business intelligence (BI) software from enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendors is an alluring option for many companies. But in addition to the benefits, there are drawbacks. A study of 100 enterprises from the United States and the European Union that have deployed BI and ERP from the same vendor investigates whether customers are experiencing what sole-sourcing promised to deliver. Learn more.
Read More
|
The small to midsize market for enterprise applications is already growing. Small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are looking for practical solutions that offer full capabilities at a quick return on investment (ROI). Vendors responding to SMB requirements now offer solutions with rapid implementation, Microsoft Office integration, and mobile support. Find out more about what enterprise application vendors are offering—and what you should be looking for.
Read More
|
Many successful midsized companies reach a point when transitioning to a tier-one enterprise application system is necessary. Transitioning to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a challenge—but it may not be as complex as you think. Learn common myths about tier-one ERP systems, as well as how ERP solutions can help you manage regulatory compliance and track performance with key performance indicators.
Read More
|
Oracle’s Accelerate is a program in which Certified and Certified Advantage partners build industry-specific solutions combining Oracle enterprise applications and rapid-implementation tools with the partners’ own expertise or software. The program aims to reduce the time, complexity, and cost of deploying Oracle solutions, to make them suitable for mid-market companies and governmental organizations. Learn more.
Read More
|
Extending the capabilities and value of SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse is a concern for users. To improve data use and fact-based decision making, and reduce stranded spreadsheets, SAP users can choose a business intelligence (BI) software solution such as IBM Cognos 8, with budgeting, planning, and forecasting functions. Find out more about how you can improve your business performance management content with BI.
Read More
|
Continuous change in the retail industry is limiting retailers’ ability to plan, forecast, price, and replenish. Thus, many retailers are facing a dilemma: they need new retail technology to adapt their processes and respond more rapidly to changing markets, but they can’t afford the up-front expenditure or lengthy implementation. But advances in new software-as-a-service (SaaS) retail solutions can help. Learn how.
Read More
|
You’ll increase your chances of business intelligence (BI) project success and overcome technical and other challenges if you follow a methodology. To begin with, evaluate any BI vendor based on specific features and functionality, service offerings, support structure, and other considerations. Learn more about how to ensure you choose a BI solution that suits your company—and how to ensure a successful implementation.
Read More
|
The global march toward making products and services more sustainable is gaining breadth and speed. No manufacturer will be left untouched by this phenomenon. To thrive in this new low-carbon world, you need to have a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of your products’ environmental footprint—from raw materials to manufacturing to distribution to end of life. Learn about life cycle methodologies that can help.
Read More
|
Because today’s IT budgets are under increasing scrutiny and business requirements have become more complex, buyers of business intelligence (BI) solutions must evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO). The BI architecture can be an asset to IT departments, meeting a range of user needs while minimizing the amount of IT maintenance and administration. Learn more about how to do TCO analysis of a BI system—before you buy.
Read More
|
To reduce time to market and realize the full value of its intellectual property, Cadbury plc needed to ensure compliance with government regulations. The company launched a long-term data management strategy, which included storing all data in a central repository—a product lifecycle management (PLM) system. Find out how Cadbury not only ensured compliance but also improved its response to consumer and customer queries.
Read More
|
Process manufacturers can no longer rely on purely reactive strategies to product safety. Now, reactive strategies such as lot tracking need to be incorporated into holistic strategies that include proactive measures to assess risk and prevent costly quality assurance (QA) events like product recalls. Learn how you can develop a product safety master plan that reduces risk, protects products, and improves profitability.
Read More
|
Financial pressures can strain even the most efficient and lean company. So forward-thinking companies should now turn to the chief financial officer (CFO). The strategic CFO is equipped with the tools, plans, and fiscal philosophy that can transform the CFO’s role into a strategic business asset. Discover the processes that allow the CFO to break away from the old paradigm toward better financial and risk management.
Read More
|
As you look for ways to get the most out of your existing operating assets, enterprise asset management (EAM) and computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) solutions are key. However, when it comes to researching, selecting, and implementing the right EAM/CMMS software, you need to avoid several mistakes. Discover 10 common errors you should avoid if you’re looking for a new or replacement EAM or CMMS solution.
Read More
|
Every record that fails to meet standards of quality can lead to lost revenue or unnecessary costs. A well-executed data quality initiative isn’t difficult, but it is crucial to getting maximum value out of your data. In small companies, for which every sales lead, order, or potential customer is valuable, poor data quality isn’t an option—implementing a thorough data quality solution is key to your success. Find out how.
Read More
|
Most document security companies concern themselves solely with the prevention of unauthorized access to content. Online publishers, on the other hand, struggle to find a balance between document security and a satisfactory reader experience. A new approach to document security can give online content publishers the ability to protect their content without adding unnecessary complexity to document access. Learn more.
Read More
|
Sales and use tax compliance is serious business. To reduce your risk of facing a costly audit, you need to invest time and effort up-front by formulating a transaction tax policy. Responding effectively to audits involves knowing about your company, your operations, and your resources. Find out why a tax policy is important to your organization and how to make it part of your business process and procedures.
Read More
|
IT departments rarely have the luxury of spare capacity or sufficient knowledge of all the products and technologies that the rest of the organization expects. However, IT is an integral part of most companies, and supporting diverse or specialized technologies and understanding their impact on the business is necessary. Organizations not only need third parties—they need them to be focused and cost-effective. Learn more.
Read More
|
Too often, manufacturers implement technology for financial reporting, but overlook efficiencies that can generate cash flow and reduce costs on the shop floor. While credit won’t cure the credit crunch manufacturers are facing, automated processes that improve cash flow and keep lenders in the loop can go a long way in convincing lenders that their risk is low. Find out more about how automated systems can help you.
Read More
|
Companies performing a software evaluation and comparison want assurance that the products they’re evaluating do what the vendors say they do. Solutions certified by Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) and bearing the TEC Certified logo were analyst-verified for accuracy. Learn about a TEC Certified ERP system for distribution and discrete manufacturing that might offer the modules and functionality you need.
Read More
|
Kempe, a provider of innovative engineering solutions and services for a variety of industries, was using separate systems to manage the financial and operation aspects of the business. These systems were out of date and made accurate financial reporting almost impossible. With the help of a value-added reseller (VAR), Kepme implemented a centralized, integrated solution that stores information in real time. Learn more.
Read More
|
To survive in today’s ever-changing business environment, you need to make decisions and act quickly. To thrive, you need to do so more quickly than your competitors. Business intelligence (BI) solutions can support your ability to identify business opportunities and challenges, and to address them fast. Learn about a BI product that can help you identify challenges and opportunities and take action to capitalize on them.
Read More
|
Do you understand the differences between open source and closed source (proprietary) software? To make an informed decision when choosing between them, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of each. The main issues in the debate include cost, service and support, innovation, usability, and security. Get a closer look at open source and closed source software solutions so you know what’s right for your needs.
Read More
|
In today’s challenging economic environment, companies require effective IT executive leadership. As part of the executive team, the chief information officer (CIO) develops and executes strategies that create competitive advantages for revenue growth. But knowing which tools to use—and when and how to use them—to protect current assets is key to a CIO coach’s success. Learn more about making better IT decisions.
Read More
|
Retaining good IT staff for clients is no easy task. They face issues regarding competitive rates, contracts, benefits, liabilities, and more. So how do companies determine if they have the right model of retained staff? Or how much of a firm’s IT should be outsourced? What are the typical billing models used by service providers? Get help with these and other questions, addressed from the service provider’s perspective.
Read More
|
Currently, India’s population is approximately 1.0009 billion. The middle class is large and still growing; wages were low, but now are some of the best in various industries; many workers are well educated and speak English; and investors are optimistic and local stocks are up. Despite political turmoil, the country presses on with economic reforms. But for potential investors, there’s still cause for worry—find out why.
Read More
|
The IT field is littered with failed global software integration sagas. The many reasons for these failures include mismatched capabilities, geographical requirements, and project technical management deficiencies. Global software projects should start with in-depth analysis of features and functions, so the software’s capabilities meet corporate requirements. Find out how to avoid a failed software integration project.
Read More
|
SuperPharm, a Trinidad-based pharmacy chain, was having a problem with replenishment and risked losing customers. The problem lay in the point of sale (POS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) for distribution systems—and that users couldn’t easily access the systems’ functionalities. After TEC helped SuperPharm with a software evaluation, SuperPharm realized it already had the best systems for its needs. Find out why.
Read More
|
Pronto Software—Australian vendor of software meeting the needs of a range of vertical industries such as retail and food and beverage—wants to ensure it sustains profitable growth. To find partnerships with value-added resellers (VARs) in North America and in other markets, Pronto relies on Technology Evaluation Centers’ (TEC’s) software industry programs. Learn about the other ways Pronto benefits from using TEC.
Read More
|
A commonsense approach to defining an onboarding initiative starts with the company defining its objectives, prioritizing its goals, and carefully evaluating the options. When considering human resources technology specifically designed with the onboarding process in mind, you should focus on the flexibility of the onboarding solution options. Learn more about managing employee onboarding with an automated solution.
Read More
|
The debate over climate change is quickly coming to a close and will soon be replaced by a new debate about policy alternatives. These policies will affect business in striking ways, through end-use efficiency standards, increased energy costs, and increased prices of raw materials and components. Take the most important action: analyze and understand your direct and supply chain emissions of greenhouse gases. Learn more.
Read More
|
You can take two approaches to inventory management: assume it’s a necessary evil and implement an inventory reduction program when cash gets tight, or put an active inventory management process in place, and continually improve the business results. Learn how to view inventory as cash that can be invested in other ways: move from reactive inventory management to lean and active inventory management in six easy steps.
Read More
|
Congratulations! Your business case was approved and now you’re starting to consider implementing a warehouse management system (WMS). While you probably overcame some challenges, the next steps will be even more difficult if you are not adequately prepared. Learn four tips that will help ensure your WMS implementation moves rapidly toward a successful “go-live”—and toward a quick return on investment (ROI).
Read More
|
You rely on a warehouse management system (WMS) to maintain ongoing operations, support changing customer requirements, keep up with industry regulations, and simply get product out the door on a daily basis. But a faltering system may also be constraining your global potential. Find out how to determine if your current WMS system is hindering your ability to execute business strategies that help you grow your business.
Read More
|
Automation of human resources (HR) processes and integration across various functions can provide visibility into and analysis of the workforce. Having a single reliable source of information is key to enabling this visibility, which in turn can enable your company to align skills with business objectives. Learn more about how you can optimize your HR systems to meet your current—and future—human capital management needs.
Read More
|
Strong evidence supports the notion that a well-groomed insider is a key to sustained company performance. In an analysis of 1,800 successions, company performance was significantly better when insiders succeeded to the job of chief executive officer (CEO). Learn why CEO choice matters—and how you can work toward better corporate succession planning by choosing a high-potential executive from within your company.
Read More
|
The concepts of return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO) have been used for decades in enterprise evaluations of IT investments, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. However, with the emergence of important new technological advances, executives are now expanding these traditional formulas to account for new opportunities. Learn more about their new methods for measuring ERP value.
Read More
|
In today’s challenging economic environment, no company can afford to be rash. But can the “do nothing” approach really pass as sound business strategy? As in the best of times, companies need to understand the nature of the pressures they face and take clear action to address them head-on. Discover how to see clearly, think clearly, and act clearly—focus your energy on developing clarity and transparency in your company.
Read More
|
To many managers, the words “business process management” (BPM) conjure up images of complexity—months of planning, meetings, and more meetings. While BPM can be complex, it needn’t be. You can move quickly to implement process automation for your company. Learn what to consider and act on as you contemplate how to automate your business processes and increase competitive advantage and customer loyalty.
Read More
|
Following several acquisitions, Colombia-based ceramics manufacturer Corona found itself with multiple enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to manage. To find a single ERP solution that was suitable for all of its facilities, and would integrate with its existing business software, Corona turned to Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC). Learn how TEC’s selection methodology helped Corona choose the right ERP software.
Read More
|
Are you preparing to oversee an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation project? Are you worried about the statistics that report less-than-successful ERP implementations? While there are many reasons a given implementation project may be less than perfect, there are a few steps you and your ERP implementation team can take to increase your chances of success. Learn about the five steps to a positive outcome.
Read More
|
As time passes, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems drift further and further into misalignment with enterprise goals, strategies, and tactics. Eventually your legacy ERP system begins to interfere with your company’s ability to operate efficiently. Examine ERP evaluation criteria and techniques, and equip yourself with the tools and knowledge you need to measure your current ERP system’s effectiveness.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems offer great value to companies, but choosing the right ERP system can be overwhelming. To choose the system and vendor that can best meet your needs, you need the tools that can help you address the business goals of your enterprise and mitigate the risks involved in a selection project. You can apply these concepts to a variety of ERP selection processes. Learn more.
Read More
|
Choosing the right sales and product configurator is daunting. Complex products, services, and processes can contain hundreds of thousands of possibilities. To be effective, your sales and product configurator solution needs to have at least four key characteristics, including the flexibility to model your products and processes. Discover how to get the best configurator vendor and how to make the most of implementation.
Read More
|
Survey data shows that companies want to improve their strategic business partnerships. Reflecting on lessons learned from past business relationships, 60 percent of respondents say that in future they’ll place more emphasis on developing personal relationships and setting expectations with business partners. Find out how these companies are creating collaborative networks that include business partners and consumers.
Read More
|
IT has long been one of the best ways to address business challenges. Yet significant obstacles at the level of IT infrastructure stand in the way. Siloed IT operations and rigid IT management processes can impede business agility. When IT partners with the business to act less as a technology provider and more as a service provider, business objectives can be achieved more efficiently and cost-effectively. Find out how.
Read More
|
During a downturn economy, the IT department is often among the first to be hit with senior executives’ cost-cutting initiatives. Yet in some instances, IT investments deliver more value to a company’s top and bottom lines—by creating new efficiencies and increasing revenues—than any savings gained from traditional IT cost-cutting. Discover the other reasons why your IT spending can actually save money in the long run.
Read More
|
The Meridian Knowledge Solutions product Meridian Global LMS 2011 is now TEC Certified for online evaluation of learning management solutions in the Human Capital Management Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator to help organizations with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.
Read More
|
Many small to medium businesses (SMBs) do not have experience with software as a service (SaaS), but are looking to adopt SaaS solutions soon. According to studies, 2009 will be the tipping point, with a majority of companies aiming to adopt SaaS this year. But these companies must be cautious, as the old rules for on-premise software analysis and purchase don’t apply. Discover the new rigorous criteria you should use.
Read More
|
Business process management (BPM) software implementations are now moving into the mainstream. Many early adopters are already using BPM to foster business innovation. You can benefit from the knowledge gained by BPM leaders and innovators, and their prerequisites for BPM success. These findings can serve as best-practice guidelines for your BPM initiative, so you can derive maximum value from your BPM investment.
Read More
|
For years, utilities have seen a growing need to enable a smarter electric grid, promote cleaner power sources, and replace aging structures. These issues came into sharper focus when US President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This legislation provides funding for many energy initiatives—however, strict compliance guidelines come with the stimulus plan. Find out more.
Read More
|
You needn’t be a seer or sage to perceive risk—it’s as predictable and devastating as a Florida hurricane and as far-reaching as a corporate scandal. But you do need to be a visionary to see the underside of the risk coin. This side represents opportunity, competitiveness, and growth. Find out why insight into managing two types of risk, rewarded and unrewarded, can help you explore opportunities for growth and profit.
Read More
|
The old approaches for collecting, assimilating, and delivering business intelligence (BI) data have not kept pace with today’s increasing demand for rapid decision making. Many companies use static reports and ad hoc queries, but fewer companies use dashboards and portals—which often lack the interactivity required for navigation and visualization of business data. Learn how a next-generation dashboard solution can help.
Read More
|
Given the dramatic events in the capital markets, everyone is wondering what will happen next—and what the implications are for the wider economy. Learn about the crisis both in the capital markets and the wider economy; explore likely future economic scenarios and the challenges facing companies outside the financial sector—and discover the actions your company should take in order to respond to these challenges.
Read More
|
Driving sustainable growth requires profitability-focused planning and performance management. Most companies have some type of profitability reporting—but many are investing a lot of effort to produce this information. And the limitations to the information companies currently compile may have a significant impact on decision making. Learn how automating profitability reporting can help your company improve decisions.
Read More
|
The current global economic instability means firms have to quickly adapt to business conditions. This uncertainty may increase companies’ reliance on business alliances to provide as-needed skills, services, and products. To optimize these alliances, finance should enter the discussion as early as possible. Find out where finance’s true value lies when realigning strategic objectives to include business collaboration.
Read More
|
Once you decide it’s time to upgrade the enterprise resource planning (ERP) for accounting system, the next question is: “How much does it cost?” However, many variables factor into the total project price—and software is only a fraction of that. Discover 16 insider tips that can help you save money, as well as 30 specific questions to ask your software vendor, so you can avoid hidden costs and understand the total quote.
Read More
|
Do you know what evaluation criteria you should consider when making a customer relationship management (CRM) purchase? Before embarking on the process of making this critical business decision, learn more about the 10 fundamental functional areas to consider, including acquiring new sales, improving customer satisfaction, getting a consistent view of the customer, and improving renewal, up-sell, and cross-sell.
Read More
|
Sustaining profitability in a landscape of volatile prices and exchange rates is difficult for even the best-run companies. One key challenge is to understand the real economic costs in your business and of your products so you can make accurate decisions about sourcing, substitutions, pricing, and logistics. Find out how to use the right costing methodology and have the right information—and the right analytical tools.
Read More
|
Growth—whether organic or acquisitive—is challenging executives today from a strategic as well as an operational perspective. Studies estimate that 50 to 80 percent of deals fail to reach their projected results. Discover the challenges inherent in three common growth models, and find out how to implement a solid, flexible, and adaptive foundation that can support your company’s corporate growth strategies.
Read More
|
Making a list and checking it twice is a particularly good practice when picking a finance and accounting software solution. If you don’t find the right product for your company, you’ll just pay for the mistakes on the back end. But first you need to know which features your small to midsize business must have and which you don’t want. Get some tips that will help you create your finance and accounting checklist.
Read More
|
Often, enterprise applications such as document management software (DMS) don’t gain wide use within a company or provide full return on investment. For these elements to be realized, you must complete the puzzle by integrating with third-party applications such as accounting, personnel management, or other software products. Discover some integration points and the value-add of integrating business applications with DMS.
Read More
|
Many business intelligence (BI) tools are designed for professional analysts and not business users. As a result, executives find they still don’t have the information they need to make decisions quickly and effectively. In order to maximize your potential in BI, you must embed it into the daily routine of your entire company. Find out about a BI solution that can help you, with functionality like interactive reporting.
Read More
|
The key to enterprise performance management is to identity a company’s value drivers, focus on them, and align the company to drive results. But there are many management methodologies—such as the balanced scorecard, performance prism, and five forces. What is the right framework for your business? Find out about six management processes and the tools that can help you asses which metrics framework will work for you.
Read More
|
Companies are recognizing the value of an enterprise data warehouse (EDW) that provides a single 360-degree view of the business. But to ensure that your EDW performs and scales well, you need to get three things right: the hardware configuration, the data model, and the data loading process. Learn how designing these three things correctly can help you scale your EDW without constantly tuning or tweaking the system.
Read More
|
IT spending is often an issue for companies, but in difficult economic times it’s even more important to see what benefit IT can bring to the business. But IT investments are most effective when they improve business performance. Find out the degree to which organizations in the United Kingdom (UK) understand what IT is doing for their businesses, and in particular how some companies measure this and benefit from it.
Read More
|
Monitoring, measuring, and reporting on the financial health of a company is a basic need that requires effective tools and processes to optimize the end result. Underpinning this is the requirement for planning capabilities, using scenario and what-if analysis with simulations and other forward-looking capabilities. The new primary research presented in this report shows that most organizations still have much to do.
Read More
|
The automation of traditional paper-based processes with technology can lead to unnecessary complexity. This leads to increased costs and other challenges which can be avoided if solutions are simple and fit closely to the business task in hand.
Read More
|
Project portfolio management (PPM) software can provide a dynamic decision-making process for assessing projects such as portfolios, prioritizing projects, and allocating limited resources to meet key organizational objectives. Using PPM can also help you better align and manage your people, projects, and processes—giving you the ability to react quickly to change and minimize risk in the current declining market.
Read More
|
There are two basic approaches available for organizations to offer their team members collaboration, communication, and intranet functionality: the in-house model (also known as “on premise”), and the outsourced model (also known as “on demand”). Learn more about these approaches, with a particular focus on their cost considerations, with a comparison of collaboration tools from HyperOffice and Microsoft Exchange.
Read More
|
Historically, growing companies have been prevented from leveraging communications and collaboration technologies, as many collaboration solutions were crafted with big business—and big budgets—in mind. Compare HyperOffice with Microsoft Exchange to examine how their functionalities can meet your needs, and which collaboration system will cost you more—both in terms of licensing costs and long-term maintenance.
Read More
|
In our new “wired” world, software is no less important than other products and services in our everyday lives. But people are generally more used to buying other products and services than software. In many ways, however, selecting software is similar to selecting other products and services. Find out the key factors and criteria you should include—and what you should leave out—when you’re in the market for a new software solution.
Read More
|
As global economies become more uncertain, companies face increasing pressure to remain competitive. While an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system can help, it’s only as effective as the effort placed in the implementation. By being aware of the reasons implementations fail and knowing what best practices to use to help ensure success, you can save valuable time and money—and have a higher return on investment (ROI).
Read More
|
For a company that has grown to the point where an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is the logical next step, there are enormous benefits to be realized, such as centralizing key business data. ERP helps to alleviate pressures on the company by integrating all data and processes. Find out about the critical components of selecting and implementing an ERP system, so you can get the data management tools you need.
Read More
|
When implementing a new business management system, you need to consider many factors. With advances in Web technologies and growth in broadband across the Internet, alternative deployment methods have emerged. Nowadays, you often must include the question of whether to implement the solution on premise or on demand. Find out more about these options and how your choice can impact the overall success of your solution.
Read More
|
In hard economic times, IT organizations can maintain operational excellence and sustain service quality while still reducing costs. Achieving this objective involves at least three aspects of application management: managing change, managing technical performance, and managing user performance. Learn more about managing the change process in your PeopleSoft environment, and the value of an integrated change solution.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) should provide all employees with information that helps them perform their jobs. But process manufacturing is very complicated, so your ERP software must be robust enough to support your information needs. While no packaged ERP can meet everyone’s needs perfectly, finding the best fit for your needs is key. Learn seven things not to do during your ERP software selection project.
Read More
|
Automating finance processes—such as closing the books, reporting, and other labor-intensive processes—reduces finance costs. By streamlining financial processes, you can spend more time on higher-value responsibilities and help ensure your company has a competitive advantage. Find out about the financial solutions many financial managers are implementing to automate their financial processes and financial transactions.
Read More
|
In 2005, Nu-West Construction Products was executing a rapid expansion plan that included three new distribution facilities in Western Canada. Believing it had outgrown its existing solutions, Nu-West conducted a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) software evaluation project to find a replacement. Learn how the chosen solution, TGI’s Enterprise 21 ERP, helped Nu-West meet its unique distribution needs.
Read More
|
There are three types of web security solutions: software-based, appliance-based, and managed services. Each needs to be evaluated against several key buying criteria, including the accuracy of threat protection, ease of installation and use, and total cost of ownership (TCO). Learn about the benefits of each category, and how they deal with all manner of web-borne security threats, including inappropriate use of the Web.
Read More
|
As you evaluate systems to manage your distribution operations, you’ll want to know everything you can to make the search process better. It’s a small project to evaluate, select, and implement a warehouse management system (WMS). These tasks require diligence, time, and an understanding of your business goals. Uncover five secrets you should know before you purchase a WMS—for long-term success and competitive advantage.
Read More
|
Despite the consensus that warehouse management systems (WMS) offer many benefits, getting approval for a new system is challenging. You need to get key decision makers in operations, IT, and finance—as well as the executive team and the board of directors—to see value in the proposed WMS. But how can you improve your chances of getting management approval? Discover five strategies for information-gathering and approval.
Read More
|
Server-based computing has been seen at best as a way to provide those within highly task-based environments with a controlled desktop environment. However, changes in software, hardware, security, and management systems are driving the shift toward server-based computing being suitable for a larger proportion of a company’s user base. Learn how client-side computing can be more tightly controlled yet provide flexibility.
Read More
|
Network-centric operations (NCO) provide the ability to leverage information networks to generate a more dynamic and agile decision-making space. A fundamental enabler is service-orientated architecture (SOA). The use of industry-standard IT architectures helps ensure that systems can be provisioned rapidly, shared as appropriate, and give the flexibility and response times needed within such challenging environments.
Read More
|
Given today’s economic climate, companies are looking to create more value by reducing risk and saving costs. As companies increasingly rely on data networks encompassing an ever-growing range and number of internet protocol (IP)-enabled devices and applications, they need to more effectively administer and manage these assets—they can no longer take the management of their IP networks for granted.
Read More
|
Requirements management (RM) is about bringing products to market faster, improving team efficiency, and catching requirements defects earlier. But you need to dig deeper into the return on investment (ROI). What’s the tangible cost savings an RM solution can deliver to your company? What’s the difference if you just use spreadsheets to manage requirements? Get answers to these and other questions with this ROI analysis.
Read More
|
The question constantly being asked by Microsoft® customers is, “How can Microsoft® help our company save money?” Customers want an integrated, adaptable business management solution that works well with, and is similar to, familiar Microsoft® software. Find out about the solutions Microsoft® believes are the best for helping its customers save money, to gain a competitive advantage and fuel business productivity.
Read More
|
Data center electrical efficiency is rarely planned or managed. The unfortunate result is that most data centers waste substantial amounts of electricity. Today, it is both possible and prudent to plan and measure data center efficiency. In addition to reducing electrical consumption, efficiency improvements can bring higher IT power densities. Learn how to describe, measure, and evaluate data center efficiency.
Read More
|
Business intelligence (BI) and business performance management (BPM) are two disciplines that become critical as companies progress through the midsize stage. BI and BPM provide key capabilities that every midsize company should have, to answer fundamental questions about performance, now and in the future. Learn how your operations are affected by specific challenges—and how a BI/BPM solution can help address them.
Read More
|
Most companies are facing a number of pressures, thanks to a stormy economic climate. To help control costs and resources, many small to medium businesses (SMBs) are looking at implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. But you also need to control the costs and the time frame of your ERP implementation. Discover how partnering with a value-added reseller (VAR) can help you with your ERP selection process.
Read More
|
Getting the right content management system (CMS) to fit your needs is essential to the successful delivery of online communications and information management. Sadly, companies often find themselves with a CMS product that fails to meet objectives set for it. Don’t lose your way during the CMS solution procurement process—discover the seven cardinal sins of choosing CMS software and how to avoid committing them.
Read More
|
The demand for content management systems (CMSs) is undisputed, as businesses wrestle with the exponential growth of data flowing in and out of various storage devices. Swift and easy access to content is essential in nearly every aspect of business today. However, many enterprise content management (ECM) systems are not deployed properly. Find out how to choose an ECM system that your employees will find easy to use.
Read More
|
In today’s Web-connected era of business, the quest for new ideas that boost competitive edge and deliver new sources of profitability is no longer a solitary activity. The Web has become a source of breakthrough innovation—enterprises no longer have to invest in expensive tools and skills to spark and manage innovation. Get tips on how you can best deploy the Web for better innovation management and profit enhancement.
Read More
|
Swiss financial services company Global Refund needed to replace its antiquated customer relationship management (CRM) system. To find a mobile-enabled, user-friendly solution that could handle the company’s 15 million yearly transactions, Global Refund turned to TEC. Learn how TEC helped Global Refund turn its long-list of 40 vendors into a short-list of four, and shave two months off the selection process.
Read More
|
Today’s rigorous reporting requirements suggest there’s a crisis of trust among companies’ stakeholders. But scrambling reactively to implement one-off responses to each new set of compliance regulations won’t rebuild stakeholder trust—such short-sighted solutions just cost a lot of money. An integrated approach to governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) offers a path to better decision making. Learn how.
Read More
|
Chief financial officers (CFOs) are under greater pressure, scrutiny, and accountability at companies large and small. An ideal CFO is a steward of decision-support information, cost controller, and more. With data supplied by some of the world’s most successful CFOs, get insight into what CFO responsibilities should be today to achieve extraordinary results, and how they should change to meet future challenges.
Read More
|
Decision making is at the core of all business activity, as executives set strategy and manage operations by weighing a vast array of factors to arrive at the desired balance of risk and reward. But enormous growth in a company’s size and operations adds complexity to decision-making processes. Learn about the five ingredients of good decision making, according to the responses of 154 executives in a global survey.
Read More
|
Guardian Management had a clear vision for its business: shift emphasis from real-estate management to real-estate investment, and expand throughout the western United States. But Guardian’s technology infrastructure didn’t support these goals, so the company embarked on comprehensive infrastructure optimization. Discover why the new infrastructure is more available and reliable—and how it’s fueling business productivity.
Read More
|
To replace its 15-year-old, custom-developed enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, The International Group chose the Microsoft® Dynamics-NAV-based Tectura Process Manufacturing solution as a replacement system. Find out how this solution helped The International Group increase margins and profitability, boost employee productivity, make more timely decisions, and gain real-time visibility into critical business data.
Read More
|
Office supplies manufacturer Esselte Corporation was the first company to implement Microsoft® Dynamics AX across four continents. About a third of the way through the implementation, the company had already begun seeing a high return on investment (ROI). Find out how Esselte and its global implementation partner, Tectura, managed this large-scale and complex, global enterprise resource planning (ERP) project.
Read More
|
Brazilian health care cooperative Assefaz wanted to change its health care plan administration system, as it didn’t offer enough options to create business rules and specific procedures. The new system it chose offers new modules, including Medical Audits. Find out how the co-op divided up the implementation, and how the new solution has streamlined numerous processes related to its administrative health care services.
Read More
|
Because sustaining a strong relationship with customers is essential for future growth, the most successful companies work hard to ensure that their customers don’t feel shortchanged. But the benefits of customer satisfaction extend beyond gaining more business with a single account. Find out how to get a better understanding of your customer information, such as customer spending, for more reliable sales growth.
Read More
|
To select a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) turned to Gibson Consulting Group to manage the project’s complexities. Gibson partnered with TEC, taking advantage of the eBestMatch decision support system (DSS). Find out how TEC and Gibson helped Katy ISD reduce the cost and duration of the selection project, and deliver a compelling business case to stakeholders.
Read More
|
Best practices in technology can help manufacturers of complex products and equipment get their offerings to market more quickly and profitably by enabling them to become more cost effective and efficient. But there are still challenges to be overcome, due to product life cycle complexity. Discover the best practices that can help you make the product and make it right, on time, and within budget—while making a profit.
Read More
|
Business intelligence (BI) is not a new concept. What’s new is that BI tools are now accessible for midsize companies. Managers can use BI to analyze complex information to support their decision-making processes, combining data from a variety of sources to get an integrated, 360-degree view of the company. Find out how to select the right BI software, the right vendor, and the right approach to implementing BI.
Read More
|
The wave of e-sourcing that began a decade ago resembled a “crash diet:” it had an immediate and noticeable effect on enterprises. Today’s challenge is to develop new programs that can sustain the benefits of e-sourcing and “keep the weight off.” Find out how employing advanced sourcing strategies can help you positively impact product development cycles, build stronger supplier relationships, and make better decisions.
Read More
|
A producer of whole milk powder for the chocolate industry, VernDale Products wanted to replace its existing manual system with automated, fully integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. The company, aided by technology consultants, found an ERP software system that was the best functional fit—reducing the time needed to perform routine office tasks and improving accuracy in financial statements. Learn more.
Read More
|
Because business processes are often communicated in an ad hoc and unregulated manner, it can be difficult to standardize processes across organizations, particularly larger ones. TEC analyst PJ Jakovljevic takes you on a guided tour through workflow automation—or business process management (BPM)—and shows how these solutions can help ensure standardized adoption of processes, with highlights on several key BPM vendors.
Read More
|
In the corporate world, the word “excellence” is used a lot, but what does it really mean? One way to answer that question is to examine what companies that are considered to be excellent have in common. Learn the common characteristics that allow excellent companies to lead in their markets while continuing to innovate, and find out how your company can measure, achieve, and sustain organizational excellence.
Read More
|
Choosing a solution for vulnerability management (VM) is a critical step toward protecting your organization’s network and data. Without proven, automated technology for precise detection and remediation, no network can withstand the daily deluge of new vulnerabilities that threaten security. This 12-point short list of considerations can help you determine what solutions will work best for your organization.
Read More
|
To get around the limitations of their existing payroll systems, many companies are still using spreadsheets and homegrown applications for compensation management. Human resources (HR) system providers have responded by offering compensation administration functionality as part of their integrated HR solutions. Discover 10 critical things to look for when considering a compensation administration tool for your company.
Read More
|
Virtualization software reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) in server environments and provides almost immediate return on investment (ROI). TCO analysis should take a holistic view of all software and hardware costs, giving a better view of technology purchases and where new efficiencies can be made. Learn how to apply a TCO model to virtualization projects, and reduce the costs of operating a server environment.
Read More
|
In today's market, companies need to make investments that really count. In this webcast, you will learn why investing in the right technologies and gaining more value out of IT assets already in place should be an important focus for small and midsized companies.
Read More
|
Before you commit to a web conferencing solution, you should answer several questions about what your organization wants to accomplish with an online collaboration tool. It’s equally important to understand your company’s requirements—from features and functions, to pricing, deployment, and support. Following the steps on this checklist can help you choose the web conferencing solution that delivers the greatest value.
Read More
|
It’s no secret that winning and retaining customers is the key to growth and success. But that’s no small feat, with ever-increasing customer demands, as well as the difficulty of implementing and enforcing processes to support your interactions with prospects, customers, and partners. Eight proven customer relationship management (CRM) best practices can help you create a customer retention strategy. Learn more.
Read More
|
By automating and optimizing business processes, companies gain the efficiency, clarity, and flexibility they need to support the creative development of products and services. Employees in such an environment spend less time on mundane business tasks, focusing instead on generating new ideas and innovative products. Learn how integrated software solutions can help you invest and innovate to sustain your company’s growth.
Read More
|
You can leverage economies of scale to increase production by using existing equipment and people, lowering cost per unit, and increasing profit margins. The same applies to providers of services. Using the talented personnel you have and expanding the quality and distribution of services and support are much easier than starting from scratch. Find out how you can take advantage of economies of scale for profitable growth and gains in market share.
Read More
|
Many organizations do a poor job of measuring the business value of their IT investments. Simple financial metrics are not good enough. But there are a number of consistent, repeatable, and credible measurement methodologies that hold both business users and IT departments accountable. Compare four methodologies, and learn how adding one of them to your overall governance framework can improve your IT investment returns.
Read More
|
No doubt you’ve heard of such tongue-in-cheek expressions as "Keep it simple, stupid!" and "It’s the economy, stupid!" However, today, the appropriate mantra for those who belong to social networks should be, "Virtual organize it, stupid!" Find out how you can apply the principles and best practices of virtual organization management to any level of organizational structure, in combination with social networking tools.
Read More
|
Data center commissioning requires tight coordination between vendors, facilities, IT departments, engineers, the commissioning agent, and others. Managed properly, commissioning can deliver an unbiased evaluation of whether a new data center will succeed or not. Managed poorly, it can lead to problematic data center performance issues. Learn 10 common data center commissioning mistakes, and find out how to avoid them.
Read More
|
The need to share information is greater than ever, with increasingly complex company-wide processes. The movement of digital data, both within a company and across its porous boundaries, carries more and more risk as regulations for data protection and personal privacy are tightened. Discover how to stay ahead of the competition by putting the technology in place that allows you to share content widely, but safely.
Read More
|
Companies initiating layoffs in response to market problems tend to focus on retaining “high-potential” people. Unfortunately, human resources (HR) departments’ definition of “high-potential” often leaves out a company’s best problem solvers. A better approach is to put your most talented employees to work solving the problems facing your company. Find out how to identify your best problem solvers and help them thrive.
Read More
|
This white paper highlights the key challenges facing the financial services industry, and discusses how the 2007 Microsoft® Office system can help financial institutions affect business performance with innovative and powerful enterprise capabilities that extend far beyond improving personal productivity.
Read More
|
When considering major purchases, most people ask, “Why rent when you can buy?” But with IT systems, the reverse may be true. Software as a service (SaaS) offers many advantages over traditional software, especially in terms of the on-going costs of maintaining and upgrading systems. Learn how passing those burdens on to a SaaS vendor can help your company focus on optimizing efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Read More
|
Your old solution provided the basic bookkeeping capabilities you needed to start your company. But now, you have more customers. More employees. More complexity. What do you do when your small business is no longer so small? Before you make the move to a more powerful accounting solution, you should gather the facts and compare solutions. Get started with 37 tips for finding the accounting solution that fits your needs.
Read More
|
Looking for the right enterprise resource planning (ERP) package for your small to medium business (SMB) can be a daunting task. A fair amount of information is available about the actual software packages, but there is little advice on how to choose the right one. Learn strategies for a successful software selection—from initial requirements gathering, to evaluation, selection, and final implementation.
Read More
|
When looking at extended enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management (SCM), or customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, some companies get distracted by details of the technology and miss the bigger picture. Learn how to choose an operating platform capable of supporting your business needs, today and in the foreseeable future, and ensure that your suppliers will be around when you need them.
Read More
|
When Microsoft researched nearly 200 companies with more than 250 PCs using applications in the Microsoft Dynamics line of business management solutions, the common issue was the need for modern systems. These companies wanted to avoid mistakes caused by manual processes, integration problems with other systems, and more. Explore these companies’ experience with using Microsoft Dynamics to update business processes.
Read More
|
IT groups aspire to standardize on common integration platforms, but the pressure to integrate with business partners quickly often forces companies to favor expediency over strategy. With so many technology choices, it’s important to understand the role each can play when building an overall business-to-business (B2B) strategy. Learn about the four points you should consider when evaluating vendors and service providers.
Read More
|
E-mail marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways of reaching audiences. But it’s only effective if it reaches inboxes. As Internet service providers (ISPs) develop increasingly stringent rules to fight spam, spoofing, and phishing, many legitimate messages are getting blocked. Find out how to cope with the constantly changing deliverability landscape and learn key strategies for improving e-mail marketing results.
Read More
|
Midsize companies seeking high annual growth rates rarely have the resources to pursue risky new businesses or markets. Instead, they must start by protecting their existing businesses and further penetrating existing markets, while keeping an eye out for possible product diversification or extension into new markets. Find out how your company can avoid disaster by properly preparing for new products and markets.
Read More
|
Organizations preparing to meet globalization head on face a complex set of business and technology challenges—from the supply chain complexity of entering new markets to the need for global visibility and standardized business processes. Learn how globally implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and integrated business processes are helping companies exploit new markets and lower manufacturing costs.
Read More
|
With products increasingly becoming commodities, chief executive officers (CEOs) recognize that first-rate customer service is key to enhancing customer satisfaction. While revenue is flattening for many product businesses, service income is increasing. Find out how integrating business processes and customer relationship management (CRM) data can help you deliver new service offerings and improve the customer experience.
Read More
|
Oil company Energen wrestles with volatile energy prices and their effect on operations. Energen’s key challenges included reducing operating costs and improving efficiency. Many tasks related to plant maintenance and purchasing were done manually—both cumbersome and limited in analysis abilities. After an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, Energen has a system that is integrated and automated. Learn more.
Read More
|
The practice of human resources (HR) management has evolved dramatically over the past 10 years. Some might argue that those changes are sufficient to satisfy today’s business requirements. But will they be enough to meet the critical challenges of tomorrow? Find out how effectively first-generation HR initiatives dealt with strategic issues, and what you’ll need to focus on for a successful response to future changes.
Read More
|
Chief financial officers (CFOs) are moving beyond administrative and transactional tasks and becoming catalysts to improve business performance. In collaboration with business units, they are developing the metrics and data required to track and meet business goals. Find out how they’re capturing and disseminating the information needed to make operating and management decisions, and provide decision support to finance.
Read More
|
Some executives say the greatest risk to any large company is IT failure. IT applications routinely support critical processes throughout a business: customer service, invoicing, payroll, regulatory compliance, and more. With so much depending on IT, any disruption can be ruinous. But amazingly, many companies don’t have sound IT risk management processes in place. Find out how investing in IT reduces your security risk.
Read More
|
As financial resources become scarcer, maximizing return on assets (ROA) is becoming a key corporate strategy. Unfortunately, metrics governing asset performance are not always available in real time, and are often of low or mixed reliability. Improving visibility into asset performance can help management streamline processes and make better decisions that can ultimately deliver superior corporate results. Find out more.
Read More
|
With the frenetic pace of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) showing no sign of abating, nearly every chief information officer (CIO) today must at some point grapple with the enormous challenges of integrating acquired companies. But too often success eludes the merged companies—with IT getting part of the blame. Find out how to avoid common M&A pitfalls and achieve rapid, highly effective post-merger integration.
Read More
|
In today’s economy, competitive advantage can be short-lived. Companies recognize that continued investments in IT infrastructure are required to stay ahead. Executives in all industries must understand how IT drives value and competitive advantage. Explore the relationship between IT investment and gains in performance and productivity, and find out how leading companies are maximizing their returns on IT investments.
Read More
|
One of the riskiest moves company stakeholders can make is to acquire and merge with another company or to divest themselves of company assets. Despite the best of intentions, many mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures produce results far below expectations. Learn why failure happens, and how to prevent it by following the overriding best practice in successful acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures: preparedness.
Read More
|
Voice over Internet provider (VoIP) solutions are appealing for companies, but many haven’t yet discovered the perks of IP phones. Price is one factor in this hesitation—IP phones are often the highest cost component in migrating from a traditional system to VoIP. Learn how to identify the key features of IP phones and to ensure your employees can make proper use of them, so your employees’ working lives can be improved.
Read More
|
Signing up for a hosted IP PBX provider is like signing up for cable TV; providers want to lock you into a long-term contract at terms that give them the most profit, while you just want to get the service and features you need at the lowest possible price. The key to avoiding a contract with more—or less—service than you need? Ask the right questions. Find out what you should ask before signing on the dotted line.
Read More
|
Long-term cost savings and extensive feature sets make voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) phone systems an attractive option for many businesses. But with prices for a single VoIP phone ranging from $150 to $700 (USD) or more, switching to VoIP can be an expensive proposition. Find out what to look for in a VoIP phone system, how to buy, what you can expect to pay, and how to get the most out of your investment.
Read More
|
Companies can reduce operating costs and improve the ways they do business by using customer relationship management (CRM) systems that support real-time decision making. But you must ensure you deploy applications that can leverage industry best practices while retaining the competitive differentiation from a well-honed business process and strategy. Learn about the benefits of using CRM with industry best practices.
Read More
|
Even an advanced customer database system can have a troublesome implementation. Company culture clashes and fear of change often play larger roles in the failure of new customer relationship management (CRM) tools than the quality of the tools themselves. According to leading sales software experts, company leaders can insulate sales software projects from failure by following seven crucial steps. Find out what they are.
Read More
|
Since the last recession in 2001, customer relationship management (CRM) systems have gained greater acceptance. Though CRM systems haven’t been widely tested under adverse business conditions, results achieved by CRM strategies indicate that businesses with an effective CRM approach will have a vital competitive advantage in recessionary conditions. Discover three key strategies to using CRM as a tool against a recession.
Read More
|
As companies come to grips with current fiscal realities, choices may result more from reaction than the use of sound judgment. Removing vital resources and reducing services can create an even lower return on investment (ROI) than existed before downsizing. Outsourcing may offer a solution. Learn about the effects that the present financial situation will have on the outsourcing community, including buyers and suppliers.
Read More
|
Whatever you offer as a service provider, success depends on how well you manage key accounts to ensure long-term relationships and the highest possible margins. But with today’s challenges, it’s difficult to maintain market share, let alone grow. SAP’s All-in-One fast-start program offers a solution that can help you maximize client and service-line profitability by supporting industry best practices. Learn more.
Read More
|
A failed software implementation can cost companies millions in wasted time and money. To ensure your software selection project isn’t a sorry statistic, use the right metrics to gauge your success. Time, budget, and functionality aren’t enough--focus your efforts on requirements analysis and definition. Take measures to ensure your software meets your needs, and discover how to perform accurate requirements analysis.
Read More
|
IT departments in midsize companies are expected to improve the service quality to PC users, cut IT support costs, and increase business flexibility. But midsize companies often worry about tight IT budgets and few IT resources. Deploying the Windows Vista operating system can help. Find out what 73 midsize companies have to say about how Windows Vista has offered not only cost savings, but security benefits and more.
Read More
|
Lower IT costs, faster return on investment (ROI), and better security—just a few of the promises the software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model makes. SaaS can help small-to-medium businesses manage customer service and support cost-effectively. But there are a few concerns to consider if you’re thinking of an on-demand service. A vendor that offers the best of both on-demand and on-premise solutions may be the answer.
Read More
|
Many companies consider customer relationship management (CRM) the new frontier in marketing. But many are also trying to adapt new CRM applications, or to choose systems that best align with their business needs. But some companies have stumbled and been forced to re-evaluate their strategies to avoid repeat mistakes. Read about six problem areas in CRM software strategy and learn from others’ mistakes, not your own.
Read More
|
Many companies approach customer relationship management (CRM) software as an opportunity to save money via automation. While most CRM solutions offer powerful infrastructure benefits, approaching your new CRM tool with a focus on customer loyalty can earn you more repeat business. Learn about six ways your CRM solution can help your service agents personalize customer service—and maintain customer loyalty.
Read More
|
Recent EquaTerra market research finds a consensus among western business leaders that increased globalization is inevitable—and that it will generally be beneficial. Quickly and efficiently leveraging opportunities created by globalization is the best way to avoid being overwhelmed by its challenges. Learn how to compare buyer and service provider data and get insight into developing a responsive global strategy.
Read More
|
Here's an all-too typical scenario. Management at a multinational company decides to implement a standardized enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. Everyone expects to cut costs and improve core end-to-end processes. But 13 months later, vital key performance indicators (KPIs) don’t improve as planned. Discover how a company focused on user performance to bring its ERP reality back into alignment with its vision.
Read More
|
The constant launch of new telecommunications products creates stiff competition, and to manage increasingly complex product portfolios, you should ensure your processes are optimized, your data is accurate, and your solutions are integrated. The first business area you should focus on is order management. Find out how you can better address the challenges of the order-to-cash cycle, decomposition, provisioning, and more.
Read More
|
Ping Identity provides software for the computer security and identity management industry. Ping wanted to facilitate rapid, high-end development and accelerate time to market for its leading Web security product. When its first outsourcing choice didn’t offer enough Agile development expertise, Ping found another solution that helped reduce costs by 46 percent and doubled in-house performance in key areas. Learn more.
Read More
|
The requirements of the engineer-to-order (ETO) environment create special challenges for capital equipment manufacturers. Traditional material requirements planning (MRP) techniques don’t account for these manufacturers’ needs. Before you invest in manufacturing software, you should carefully consider 10 questions to ensure that software vendors are focused on your business and can deliver the solution you need.
Read More
|
The one thing you can count on today in business is change, whether it’s customers, business models, or the pace of business. To manage change, companies rely on technology. But the most effective management control and optimization of company performance can be achieved only if you have the right systems. Discover how an integrated system can help you manage data and make better decisions, for a more successful company.
Read More
|
Software manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) needing to embed business intelligence (BI) modules into their solutions are familiar with the “build versus buy” question. Learn about the factors you should take into consideration when making this decision, including cost, time to market, and the module’s quality and ability to be embedded—as well as the best practices.
Read More
|
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is often criticized for being complex and difficult to use—which puts up a barrier to receiving potential benefits. Systems with integrated search functionality and Web-like interfaces can make ERP solutions easier to use. Learn how to evaluate ERP software for its usability, so you can avoid investing in platforms that aren’t evolved toward usable and efficient interfaces.
Read More
|
Big-name vendors are competing with those that have long catered to midsized enterprises. With a little savvy, midsize companies can make the dynamic enterprise resource planning (ERP) market work to their advantage. Learn the industry’s top 10 strategies to grow your company and revenue by upgrading from an out-of-the-box finance solution to one that better connects systems and processes throughout your business.
Read More
|
For large organizations, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems promise big gains by helping grow revenue and increase productivity. But can ERP benefit small to medium businesses (SMBs) in the same way? This step-by-step guide includes important decision-making considerations, such as benefits and costs, across some of the top finance and accounting solution providers for small to midsize companies.
Read More
|
When conducting a mid-market enterprise resource planning (ERP) system comparison, there are several key questions that you should ask: How much should ERP software cost? What IT resources will be needed to implement it? But don’t stop there. The seas of ERP are vast, and navigating through the current market is not simple. Equip yourself with these questions before evaluating and interviewing vendors.
Read More
|
Enterprise e-mail solutions are vital to successfully doing business. However, they’re also increasingly expensive and complex, and e-mail servers are regularly subject to malicious attacks and other issues. Successful risk management begins by creating a policy for the entire messaging infrastructure. Learn how to build on that foundation to mitigate risk, so your organization is free to focus on growth and innovation.
Read More
|
One way to streamline the increasing amount of data related to the employees, clients, products, services, and functions of your organization is to implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Businesses without a central ERP system waste time performing redundant tasks and reconciling duplicate data. Learn about a step-by-step process that can help you ease into ERP implementation, including training your staff.
Read More
|
Making a robust business case to convince management how a software solution can make a valuable contribution to your business isn’t easy. To build a successful case, you need a set of practical examples of what the software does and the benefits it can provide. Examine the strategies and problems associated with achieving your manufacturing objectives, and what the Lighthouse Systems’ solution can do to address them.
Read More
|
Before you talk to a payroll services provider, you need to ask yourself several important questions about the current situation of your organization, and to consider its budget, expected growth, and more. Here’s a checklist of some of those questions so you can make the most of your consultation with potential services providers. Get organized and know your requirements before you commit to buying a payroll solution.
Read More
|
Emerging technologies promise the possibility of big benefits. But real success comes only when a technology’s strengths outweigh its limitations. In the field of learning management, this often means user support must be among the solution’s strengths if it is to thrive. Discover how users have influenced today’s top five e-learning learning trends, and how you can use them to unlock your organization’s full potential.
Read More
|
Implementing a digital signature solution can secure business operations, reduce costs, advance business processes, and improve your competitive advantage. However, implementing an incompatible digital signature solution could end up costing thousands—if not hundreds of thousands of dollars more than necessary. Before you invest, get an overview of the options and their associated costs and different value propositions.
Read More
|
In today’s changing, competitive world, companies must adopt a continuous improvement methodology to support sustainable and profitable business models. Processes must be seen as a lever for analyzing and optimizing the way firms works. Before you initiate any project involving process automation and management, discover five key points that can help you make continuous improvements in the life cycles of your processes.
Read More
|
IT organizations struggle with the challenges of shrinking budgets, ever-changing technology, compliance pressures, and more. For greater efficiency, many IT organizations are turning to information technology service management (ITSM) to help improve processes. But there’s still too much focus on technology and not enough on business outcomes. Learn key strategies for changing your approach to delivering IT services.
Read More
|
Corporate leaders must look carefully at how their companies are organized and staffed, and keep the “right” people. But who must be kept and who can you afford to let go? If you don’t know how to re-engineer your staff, you might not be saving as much as you think. Discover methods and technologies that can help you avoid the pitfalls inherent in any reduction in workforce—to save money while you retain the best talent.
Read More
|
Managers of learning and talent already know a learning management system (LMS) can help companies cut costs or improve profits. But how do you show that return on investment (ROI) to others? Learn more about the benefits, as well as how to assess the ways an LMS can positively effect your business and to calculate an LMS’s real cost of ownership, whether as a software-as-a-service solution or a traditional purchase model.
Read More
|
Nucleus Research reports that NetSuite, a leading integrated Web-based business software suite, can deliver a positive return on investment (ROI) in fewer than nine months, by automating processes, boosting sales, increasing productivity, reducing or avoiding headcount, increasing data visibility, and retiring costly legacy systems. Learn how NetSuite business management software provides a positive ROI to businesses.
Read More
|
Many companies don’t place a high enough value on the importance of learning and development. How can you convince the rest of your organization to get on board? You need to build a business case that involves more than a return on investment (ROI) document or static business plan. Find out ten steps that can help you address immediate problems, build alliances throughout the company, and make a successful business case.
Read More
|
With the economy in India growing like never before, India’s small to medium businesses (SMBs) are in a position to market their products globally. But to succeed, SMBs need the right information about the business solutions market and the benefits of ERP implementation. This guide explains how Indian SMBs can find the solutions that are adaptable to their requirements and that can enable maximum growth at the lowest cost.
Read More
|
For large organizations, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems promise big gains by helping grow revenue and increase productivity. But can ERP benefit small to medium businesses (SMBs) in the same way? With the increasing number of SMBs, tailored mid-market ERP solutions are now emerging. To reap the full benefit of ERP, however, SMBs must be ready to use it to its fullest capabilities. Find out how.
Read More
|
Before you commit to an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, you should answer several questions about what your company needs and wants to accomplish with its ERP strategy. The answers can help you determine which applications and what kind of functionality you need from your ERP solution—which goes a long way toward easing the implementation process. Discover the key questions now with this convenient checklist.
Read More
|
Small and medium businesses (SMBs) often don’t know how to engage and manage outsourcing initiatives. Both outsourcing provider and seeker should together address several questions when starting a project to outsource business or technology processes. What’s the cost benefit? What are the risks involved? Find out the customer and the vendor perspectives, and how to achieve cost savings and service-level improvements.
Read More
|
Software-as-a-service (SaaS), also called on-demand software, can be a convenient and profitable business model for vendors. And for clients, SaaS can provide greater processing efficiencies than a company’s own internal systems. As a result, human resources, customer relationship management, or accounting process costs decrease when handled by an SaaS vendor. Learn about the benefits—but also the challenges—of SaaS.
Read More
|
A hosted Internet protocol private branch exchange (IP PBX) system can provide an easy way for small to medium businesses (SMBs) to move to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and get a new range of features and capabilities. While there are several IP PBX options, hosted applications are usually quicker and cheaper to install. Discover the critical features and services your SMB needs in a new hosted phone system.
Read More
|
If you’ve already implemented Sage Saleslogix for your customer relationship management (CRM) process and CRM analytics needs, this guidebook can help you achieve more value. And if you’re considering Saleslogix for your new CRM solution, you’ll learn best practices, including how to integrate and customize; how to move from sales to support, service, and marketing; and how to think strategically about training.
Read More
|
For many companies, a challenging business event or critical business pain precipitates a conversation about business intelligence (BI). But don’t wait until you introduce new products, upgrade your IT environment, or notice that your inventory is increasing but not your sales. Find out how to build a return on investment (ROI) for your BI applications and projects, so you can leverage your own data before it’s too late.
Read More
|
Multichannel retailers need visibility into data metrics in order to bring all channels, products, and customer segments together. For true visibility, you need retail software that integrates all the information from disparate systems for the most detailed data analysis possible. Discover the top six factors to consider when evaluating multichannel business software, so you can optimize your business performance.
Read More
|
Customer relationship management (CRM) solutions can help you achieve success by managing your company’s customer-facing processes and implementing a customer-centric vision. But to make the most of CRM’s benefits, you should weigh and consider the options by answering key questions about your processes and CRM solutions’ capabilities. Find out key CRM principles, and how to best mitigate the cost of CRM implementation.
Read More
|
During a period of rapid growth, MSI—an IT solutions provider—found its business software applications couldn’t keep up with the amount and diversity of information pouring into the company. The lack of a centralized customer relationship management (CRM) system also caused problems with MSI’s partners. Learn how MSI found a solution that integrated its CRM and enterprise resource planning (ERP) processes and information.
Read More
|
Why bother measuring your recruiting performance? The simple answer is, if you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it. Unfortunately, human resources (HR) is great at working with people, but not always so successful at driving strategic value. Turn touchy-feely comments like “our hiring managers are very happy” into hard metrics, and accurately measure your recruiting performance by following a simple six-step process.
Read More
|
Buying a software solution that doesn’t closely fit your business processes significantly impacts the time and money your company needs to make it work. There are particular challenges in using a generic enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for the printing and packaging industry. Read about the functional gaps to consider when choosing an ERP system, and how to use it to lower your total cost of ownership (TCO).
Read More
|
While the concept of lean manufacturing is well established in traditional manufacturing industries, its adoption in printing and packaging has been slow. Many companies have yet to fully realize the benefits of a holistic implementation. Find out how and when you should implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for a faster transition to lean processes—and improve efficiency and quality while reducing waste.
Read More
|
Internet protocol (IP) and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) systems allow inexpensive transport, cheap phone calls, and simple management of a single network. But the true value is in the new applications IP enables, such as unified communications (UC). How can you use UC to further decrease costs, enhance productivity, and improve customer service? Learn how to go beyond messaging for real-time call control and more.
Read More
|
You’re probably already familiar with the role of a warehouse management system (WMS). But a warehouse control system (WCS)? In your warehouse, a WCS can play the role of a conductor by ensuring the individual pieces of material-handling equipment—such as conveyors and sorters—perform with harmony, precision, and efficiency. Find out how implementing a WCS execution system can complement your WMS’s planning abilities.
Read More
|
Human resources (HR) payroll solutions can foster greater efficiency and accuracy while cutting labor costs and bolstering employee morale. But getting the right payroll software for you isn’t easy. Is enterprise resource planning (ERP) with a payroll module what you need? Or best-of-breed HR payroll software? Find out what to look for, how to buy, and other tips to getting the most value from your payroll solution.
Read More
|
Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) can exponentially multiply the possibilities for business telecommunications. But getting the phone system that meets your needs depends on your company’s size, structure, business model, industry, and budget. There are three main decisions to make as you explore your options. Find out how to choose a VoIP network, equipment, and type of service contract—for the best solution for you.
Read More
|
Even if your company is facing budget cutbacks in other areas, you should consider how a well -implemented sales force automation (SFA) suite can significantly improve both customer satisfaction and your revenues. When looking to update your SFA suite, focus on five critical areas of functionality, including workflows, communication tools, and storage capacity. Find out how to reduce your SFA total cost of ownership (TCO).
Read More
|
Streamline telecommunications and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO)—can it be done effectively? Yes. How? With voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). Whether you choose to implement a hosted service or invest in a licensed solution, the many benefits of VoIP, including lower start-up and maintenance costs, might prove to be the best way phase out your legacy phone equipment and boost the performance of your business.
Read More
|
To maintain a leadership position in the high-tech complex equipment industry, electronic equipment manufacturers need reliable solutions to improve order accuracy, optimize fulfillment, and increase revenue for value-added services. Does your solution quickly commercialize new technology, integrate software with systems, and differentiate those systems with value-added services? Find out about what you might be missing.
Read More
|
To stay ahead of the competition, medical device manufacturers must find ways to speed product development, create manufacturing efficiencies, and increase the effectiveness of sales and marketing investments—while addressing product safety and regulatory compliance. Read about a solution that incorporates best practices while maintaining the flexibility to support the evolving needs of your growing medical device company.
Read More
|
Efficient procurement and sourcing. Storing and moving inventories. Attracting and retaining customers. Such challenges have an impact on wholesale distributors’ revenues, competitiveness, and profits. To make timely and informed decisions that can impact your business, you need answers to questions like “How can I offer value-added services to improve customer loyalty?” Get the answers to this and other key questions.
Read More
|
Web 2.0 and social networking tools and trends are having a huge impact on business today. But to realize the benefits of social networking, you need to understand the roles and expectations of your customers, and how to use those tools to position your company appropriately. Get tips on how to empower your customer engagement with Web 2.0 and customer relationship management (CRM) 2.0 social networking tools.
Read More
|
The number of mid-market manufacturers and other businesses using electronic data interchange (EDI) is expanding—and with it, the need to integrate EDI data with in-house enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting systems. Unfortunately, over 80 percent of data integration projects fail. Don’t let your company join that statistic. Learn about five key steps to buying and implementing EDI to ERP integration software.
Read More
|
Statistics show that nearly one-fifth of IT projects make it to the finish line—so project planners need to be aware of the primary factors that can ruin a project, and how to prevent them from happening. One of the biggest obstacles is poor team communication, even when you have the best talent and a good work environment. Learn about the top three techniques that can help you get your people working together as a team.
Read More
|
According to a major IT research firm, less than 20 percent of IT projects are completed on time and on budget. Project management (PM) experts agree that internal resistance is one of the factors that can ruin a project. What does it take to get your people to say “yea” instead of “nay”? Find out other common causes of project failure, and how to encourage your team members to embrace change and communicate better.
Read More
|
Structured planning can make all the difference to your business’s growth. But are you using the right tools? Spreadsheets may not be meeting your financial management and budget planning needs. Find out the risks of using spreadsheets as a planning tool, and how enterprise performance management can help consolidate your departments’ financial information and budgets to give you real-time views of business performance.
Read More
|
When buying a job scheduling solution, you should gather as much information as possible to make an objective comparison of competitive products’ key capabilities. Seek out customer references, analyst recommendations, and press articles to supplement vendor marketing materials. And to make sure you don’t miss any important evaluation criteria, benchmark the functions of job-scheduling software with a detailed checklist.
Read More
|
Spreadsheets have boosted the productivity of the financial reporting supply chain for nearly two decades. But in the current age of compliance and legislation, it’s necessary to create controls around the sharing of information—and so spreadsheets can be a liability. How can you control formal, important documents while allowing them to be easily changed and shared? Treat spreadsheets as a software product. Find out how.
Read More
|
Simulation software can give you valuable insights into the forecasted outcomes of your business processes and decision making. But if you don’t have the type of simulation software than can develop and analyze the types of models made for your particular industry or service offering, you won’t get insights that really help. With this concise list, learn about the functions of three types of computer simulation software.
Read More
|
Successful strategic planning relies on your ability to develop and evaluate alternative strategies to identify the most viable approach. But when the outcomes are dependent on complex systems that are difficult to predict, you might conclude that the unknowns are insurmountable. Avoid making decisions based on intuition—develop models using computer simulation for clearer pictures of the outcomes of your strategies.
Read More
|
Three problems are common to most complex environmental modeling efforts: they’re uncertain, multifaceted, and hard to communicate. Overcoming these challenges is especially important when modeling the performance of proposed and existing radioactive waste management facilities. Graphical simulation tools can help represent uncertainties, integrate all aspects of the system, and ease the presentation of complex models.
Read More
|
Identifying and managing the risks associated with water resource projects is a challenge due to the variables of water systems. To overcome this challenge, you need to compile all available information into a framework that can be used to predict the outcome of alternatives. Find out how a computer simulation model can help water resource engineers improve the financial and environmental performance of their operations.
Read More
|
According to an IAG survey, 70 percent of companies lack the fundamental competencies within business requirements discovery to consistently bring in projects on time and on budget. Why do so many fall short in properly diagnosing their requirements failures? Discover how placing a greater focus on the combined aspects of business requirements—people, process, and tools—can provide better project outcomes.
Read More
|
To accurately assess the impact that requirements have on businesses, IAG surveyed over 100 companies. What they found was that less than one-third were properly equipped to define their software requirements, and that suboptimal requirements consumed around 41.5 percent of the IT development budget. Find out what it takes to ensure your organization doesn’t fall on the wrong side of this business requirements equation.
Read More
|
To keep your IT infrastructure healthy, strong operational processes are essential to managing changes—both planned and unexpected. A streamlined, integrated approach that incorporates hardware and software assets is a key foundation for meeting regulatory compliance requirements. Find out how you can benefit from applications that enable continuous compliance with operational processes and tools—and reduce your business risk.
Read More
|
A common misconception when considering a Web content management solution (CMS) is that open source software will save you time and money. Just because you don’t have to pay subscription fees or shell out for licensing doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden costs with open source implementation. Find out the questions you should ask before choosing open source—and how to best evaluate and compare your CMS options.
Read More
|
The evolution of interfaces to web content has changed the way companies manage their web sites. On one hand, it's easier than ever to manage digital content. But on the other, with the advent of Web 2.0, there's still a lot you need to know to maximize your web content—and your sales and customer relationships. Learn how software-as-a-service (SaaS) can play an important role in your web content management strategies.
Read More
|
As with any project, implementing a new content management system (CMS) for your web site must start with a set of ideas outlining the types of services, capabilities, and desired outcomes you wish to have. Choosing the right Web CMS will undoubtedly take some time, but with the proper guidance—and this handy system pocket guide—you’ll be on your way to a successful implementation and a number of new opportunities.
Read More
|
Before you decide if you need to update your financial management software, you should ask some questions about five key areas of your operations. For example, does your current system generate the types of reports you need? And does it allow your processes to support your policies? Evaluate all the challenges you face with your current financial management software—and find out how you can overcome them with an upgrade.
Read More
|
Some managers have concluded that strategic planning is nothing more than an exercise in futility, to be taken out and dusted off at annual meetings. However, strategic planning can still help direct your company and improve earnings. The trick is strategizing well—which means having all the information you need, when you need it. Find out how to hone your competitive edge with integrated business planning capabilities.
Read More
|
Over 80 percent of consultants in service organizations consider spreadsheet-based business plan modeling inadequate. Weak client–partner relationships reflect this inadequacy. An integrated business planning and modeling platform can provide deeper insight into a range of strategic and operational issues. Find out how this can result in enhanced decision making and optimized long-term client engagement and satisfaction.
Read More
|
Choosing a business phone system requires more than just a comparison of feature lists and usage plans. If you want the best business phone solution for your company, you need to ask the right questions about reliability, scalability, and security that go far beyond the perfunctory. Not sure exactly what to ask? Consider this list of questions in case communication with your phone system vendors starts to break down.
Read More
|
You've settled on a service plan and chosen the hardware for your new business phone system with voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). But without careful and informed bargaining, you can leave behind valuable discounts and vital service level agreements (SLAs). Before you commit to a contract, whether or not you're implementing VoIP, find out five tips that can help you get the most out of your business phone contract.
Read More
|
Choosing between a business VoIP business phone system and other types of system requires an analysis of users needs and a view of your company s long-term goals. Your decision-making process should include four major considerations. For one thing, your company s calling pattern impacts your phone system needs. Find out why, and learn about the other three considerations before you replace or upgrade your phone system.
Read More
|
Although information technology service management (ITSM) is not a new discipline, many organizations have yet to adopt it as a part of their IT service improvement strategy. To be successful, businesses must start by building a custom road map. Read about how focusing on long-term, strategic objectives—including a realized return on investment (ROI)—can greatly improve your IT service delivery and support.
Read More
|
In the public sector, where it’s often more about process than the business case, recompeting a current outsourcing relationship doesn’t always make the most sense for ensuring continued value. Due to the cost and time investment in the recompete process, it can often cause more problems than solutions. In many cases, outsourcing agreements simply need to be updated to meet changing business requirements. Find out how.
Read More
|
In the past 10 years, business process and IT outsourcing markets have become globalized, raising some key issues for outsourcing buyers. How can you develop a service delivery model for your business that fully exploits global sourcing opportunities while supporting overall corporate strategies, goals, and principles? By developing a set of integrated capabilities and processes as part of your core competency.
Read More
|
Empirical evidence demonstrates that the benefits of a distributed IT services model are considerable—yet many companies still resist the change. If IT professionals took the time to fully understand the positive impact of distributed services models on both cost and value, they’d be better equipped to fight organizational resistance and develop a road map for successful change. Find out how you can build yours today.
Read More
|
A contact center is a mission-critical component of any organization’s operations—regardless of who they service. Yet stakeholders often remain dissatisfied with its performance. In the past, contact centers benefited from advances in information and technologies, yet many companies struggled to determine how they could take advantage of these benefits. Find out how embracing both old and new technologies today can work.
Read More
|
For many organizations, undertaking IT and business process outsourcing involves everything from finding and assessing providers, to selecting locations, to determining which services are required. But the hardest part of outsourcing occurs after the deal is done. To help businesses ensure consistency in outsourcing governance, there are nine critical factors to keep in mind that can help guarantee its success.
Read More
|
When buying customer relationship management (CRM) software, it s important to know what functionalities are offered in the wide range of solutions available. But just as important is your need to define your company's requirements in sales force management, marketing management, customer support, and analytics. Find out how to match vendor offerings with your needs with this concise guide to CRM essentials.
Read More
|
Senior finance executives in all industries recognize the long-term benefits of transaction-processing automation on resource allocation. Transaction automation frees time and resources that can be allocated for decision support and financial planning and analysis. The result: sustained, profitable top-line growth and risk reduction. Find out other benefits of improving your back-office processes through automation.
Read More
|
With the number of vehicles worldwide expected to triple in the next few decades, the toll collection market will need to adapt to meet demand. Increasing traffic will make the use of conventional toll plazas unfeasible. Electronic toll collection (ETC) systems can help by supporting multilane, free-flow tolling that can be tailored to specific standards and processes. Find out what you need to know, before ETC passes you by.
Read More
|
In today’s Internet-connected global economy, the market doesn’t allow for companies to sit back and relax into a comfortable niche. Customer loyalty is ever harder to maintain, and you risk losing your business to competition if you can’t respond quickly to market change. Before you lose any more ground, find out how to replace your disconnected, redundant business processes with flexible and efficient ones integrated by IT.
Read More
|
To make timely, well-informed decisions, you need just that: time and information. This means having fast access to accurate information from every department in your company, and time away from fighting fires to focus on priorities, problem solving, and marketing strategy. We examine how you can gain reliable, accessible information from efficient, integrated IT systems—and use that information to make faster, smarter decisions.
Read More
|
Developing business acumen isn’t easy, but it is fundamental to business alignment. What does that mean exactly? It means understanding what it takes for a business to make money, and it involves the financial literacy of how strategies, decisions, and actions impact the bottom line. Through classroom-based training, your managers and employees can learn how these connections are made to the business. Find out more.
Read More
|
The rules for success in today’s fiercely competitive market are constantly changing. Through service delivery innovation, a company can differentiate itself. But how do you change your service delivery methods to keep existing clients and entice new ones? A networked organization is one of six characteristics of successful service delivery innovation. Find out how you can put them into practice and attain the benefits.
Read More
|
As one of the largest gear manufacturers in India, Sona Koyo knew that in order to retain its competitive edge, changes to its legacy systems would be required. On average, Sona’s employees were wasting 5 percent of their time redoing paperwork and tracking activities. Since integrating a business process management (BPM) system, Sona’s employees have cut down their tracking time down to zero hours with minimal efforts.
Read More
|
Purchasing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is a huge investment for any business—and knowing whether or not you’re buying the right system for the best price isn’t easy. Before meeting with your ERP vendor to negotiate the contract, there are a few important things you should take into account. Discover ten tips that can help you reach an agreement on pricing and service levels quickly and painlessly.
Read More
|
Customer relationship management (CRM) is being adopted by businesses worldwide. But the key question for many executives as they create their CRM strategy: how can they gain strategic advantage if their competitors are implementing these same CRM systems? The answer: through integration. Find out how leveraging your existing information assets can turn CRM from a tactical project into a key strategic initiative.
Read More
|
Although enterprise resource planning (ERP) software industry consolidation is nothing new, the constantly changing market dynamic affects product lifecycles, supportability, and ERP return on investment. In fact, you could say that it both creates new potential and contributes to old problems. Get a handle on what this changing market means for you, with this overview of industry consolidation pros and cons.
Read More
|
You probably already know that a human resources information system (HRIS) should track all information on current and former employees, and reduce your HR staff’s workload. Not sure what lies beyond that? There are a few things you should know before selecting an HRIS. Find out how to identify your HR needs, so your HRIS can help you reach your business objectives—and give you a quick return on investment (ROI).
Read More
|
Getting CFO or CEO approval to purchase a new software system is often a challenge—but more so if that system is for human resources (HR), as HR is not traditionally considered a profit center. You need a business plan to gain management buy-in for your proposed HR project. Not sure what your plan should address? Find out the key components of a persuasive and detailed business case, so you can get support for your initiative.
Read More
|
The US energy sector has experienced recent loss of counterparty confidence. To offset this, managing credit risk has become paramount. Knowing what the risks are is just the start—risk mitigation methods must be used to reduce overall credit risk exposure and to free up capital resources. Find out three key ways to mitigate risk, and how a clearing, novation, and release agreement (CNRA) can help guarantee collateral.
Read More
|
Why choose on-demand when there are so many integrated software solutions on the market? Because on-demand packages provide a number of benefits that can help IT focus on innovation and creating true business value, rather than dealing with network headaches. But along with the benefits there are a number of challenges. Read more about these challenges and how you can manage your on-demand implementation project.
Read More
|
In today’s business environment, companies that used to compete with each other routinely form alliances to attain their business objectives. Find out how PMOLink, a business consulting firm, managed an enterprise resource planning (ERP) selection project for a client by joining forces with Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC). The end result: a best-match ERP system for the client—nine months ahead of schedule.
Read More
|
Kelly-Moore Paints, the largest employee-owned paint company in the US, was looking to consolidate all business activities into one company-wide platform. The challenge: it had only 10 months in which to complete the project—including requirements-gathering, evaluation and selection, and implementation. Find out how Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC) helped Kelly-Moore take control of its software selection project.
Read More
|
Businesses today are increasingly committed to Web-enabled applications as a cost-effective way of delivering critical business solutions. But as more and more businesses follow suit, it becomes increasingly apparent that better performance and availability across the Internet must be realized by the early movers in order to maintain their lead. With the deployment of advanced products and services, this can be achieved.
Read More
|
Blade computing is a new computing architecture that provides a highly dense, scalable, and powerful flexible platform to support businesses’ software needs. Blade architecture was once used for simple server consolidation, but it has now become a way of managing IT assets, which provides significant business benefits. Find out how a blade system can benefit your company while optimizing your existing infrastructure.
Read More
|
What kind of tangible return on investment (ROI) can you expect from your enterprise resource planning (ERP) software? The answer: a lot more than you might expect. Purchasing ERP software represents a significant financial commitment, but in most cases, the software pays for itself within the first year—and will continue to generate cost savings for many years after. Where do these cost savings come from? Find out here.
Read More
|
Every company faces different challenges and has different needs in regard to enterprise resource planning (ERP). Choosing the right ERP system can be difficult because there is really no one-size-fits-all ERP solution. However, there are certain basic principles that apply to nearly every company’s situation. Find out what they are, and learn how you can increase your chances of a successful ERP implementation.
Read More
|
The first step in any enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation involves bringing together the team that will plan and implement the project—your ERP task force. But who should be a part of this task force and why? Selecting the right people is imperative and can play a major role in determining the success or failure of your ERP effort. Find out about what you should beware of when assembling your team.
Read More
|
If you’ve ever been involved in an enterprise software implementation, you already know how challenging it can be to get it done on time and under budget. With literally thousands of technical details to keep track of, there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong. In the case of product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions, enterprise implementations can be even tougher. Find out how to get it done right.
Read More
|
To keep your growing business competitive, your data center must be secure, protected against disaster, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But if managing IT is not your core competence, what are your options? A managed service provider (MSP) can help. Learn about the benefits of outsourcing data center management, and make sure your crucial business applications are always available when you need them.
Read More
|
For small businesses with limited budgets and IT support, customer relationship management (CRM) has been out of reach. Until now, these small companies have missed out on the benefits provided by CRM because most applications were built for larger companies. New technology, however, has now emerged that levels the playing field for these smaller businesses by providing a fully customizable and affordable CRM system.
Read More
|
Today’s IT professionals are often challenged by unrelenting changes in the enterprise, increased data growth and compliance regulations, and geographic distribution of assets, to name a few. Keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) over Internet protocol (IP) can help by providing an effective tool that can remotely manage servers—regardless of their physical location. When looking for a KVM over IP solution, you should consider some basic requirements first.
Read More
|
Is it possible to easily migrate from legacy tape devices to encrypting tape drives and still keep costs to a minimum? The answer is yes. With a comprehensive key management storage security system, a manageable and affordable migration process is achievable with a simple 3-step process. This process includes many benefits, such as a complete feature set that enhances system auditability and minimizes operational costs.
Read More
|
What can a managed Subversion solution do to help .NET businesses solve their integration problems? Subversion meets the challenge of software development by allowing teams to use branching and tagging methods that help them work better with their QA organizations. It also saves .NET businesses a lot of money over setting up and maintaining a development infrastructure in house, which keeps the cost of ownership manageable.
Read More
|
Software development best practices can save you money and make your team more productive. When software development teams don’t invest in a solid development platform, it makes their work harder and often ends up costing them more money over time. A hosted platform, however, provides a level of convenience and savings that makes it the obvious choice for today’s IT development, management, and consulting organizations.
Read More
|
Creating a give-and-take relationship with a software vendor will help you get the most from any application. If your organization does not use a request for proposal (RFP) tool, use this checklist to help you with your software selection process. Make this solution-provider checklist work for you: your best-fit vendor and the software tailored to your business needs are easier to find than you think.
Read More
|
Today’s complex enterprise networks present unique challenges to those whose task it is to manage and secure them. Existing security measures that worked yesterday may not be sufficient tomorrow. But by combining Configuresoft’s Enterprise Configuration Manager (ECM) with Microsoft’s System Center 2007, businesses can secure their data, protect their bottom lines from costly downtime, and meet regulatory standards.
Read More
|
Manufacturers’ business needs have changed significantly over the past few years, evolving the roles that technology plays within the manufacturing process. Two key technologies—enterprise resource planning (ERP) and product lifecycle management (PLM)—have developed into key success factors for manufacturers and when combined, provide a collaborative environment that adds value and helps in maintaining a competitive edge.
Read More
|
Why is Vyatta’s open source networking approach so successful? Because it is in touch with today’s users needs. By eliminating the reliance on specialized hardware, Vyatta’s open source, Linux-based approach to networking is changing the way networks are being purchased and deployed. With its strong community of users, Vyatta is challenging even proprietary networking vendors like Cisco. We challenge you to find out more.
Read More
|
Environmental concerns are a focal point for businesses wanting to “go green,” and they are looking at every aspect of their operations, including their printers. Replacing even a portion of energy-inefficient printers with environmentally friendly ones will have a positive impact on the environment, helping to conserve energy and reduce waste. Saving energy is not only good for the planet; it’s also good for business.
Read More
|
Lost sight of your bottom line? Product pricing not in step with your actual costs? So busy trying to stay on top of cost behavior that you can’t keep your costs under control? Cost and pricing models, as part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, can help you better understand your costs. Put corrective measures into motion before problems occur—and save your food and beverage enterprise time and money.
Read More
|
Worldwide, various standards have been created to provide some form of structure with respect to delivering products and services. Over time, however, the adoption of industry compliance guidelines has seen many pitfalls, specifically with the advent of technology. Developing a sound compliance strategy requires a unified solution—one that includes all the necessary components, but also keeps the business users in mind.
Read More
|
Joshen Paper & Packaging needed to update its enterprise resource planning (ERP) distribution system. Joshen partnered with Vormittag Associates Inc. (VAI) and found a solution that consolidates its financial reporting and provides its sales team with real-time inventory information access. The result: faster inventory turnaround and order fulfillment—and to date, about 100 new clients in its customer base.
Read More
|
If you base your selection of an outsourcing partner on a service provider’s strengths, it can be difficult to make an apples-to-apples comparison among the various models. The best way to make a comparison in a thoughtful and effective manner is to develop individual specifications matching buyer needs with service provider strengths in order to make an enduring match. Find out how.
Read More
|
Out of 100 IT projects, 94 will start over again at least once. Before your company launches its next package implementation or upgrade, make sure you don’t cripple the project from the start. Make sure your company has a clear understanding of how important the requirements definition stage is, and carries it out properly. Most importantly, find out about tools and ideas you can put into practice immediately.
Read More
|
There is a high demand for economical and efficient enterprise applications. The Internet and open source software are creating opportunities for software vendors to deliver their software as a service. By transforming your own applications, you give your clients access to your solutions on the Web, on a per-use, per-project, or subscription basis—giving them the inexpensive, accessible service they want.
Read More
|
Implementing IT solutions that fulfill all corporate requirements requires exhaustive research and analysis. But the reality is that most organizations have neither the time nor the resources to do all this. Indeed, such an approach is largely impractical, since by the time you’ve built your perfect solution, it may already be out of date. So what are your real options? Three words: Business. Process. Integration.
Read More
|
Many small companies have limited resources to devote to the implementation and maintenance of enterprise resource planning (ERP). Fortunately, the price performance of ERP and the underlying infrastructure supporting it have improved steadily and significantly over the past two decades. In fact, solutions that were once beyond the reach of these small companies are now well within their grasp.
Read More
|
Today more than ever, retailers are faced with the challenges of selling locally while competing globally. To be successful, they must provide a shopping experience that inspires customer loyalty. Retailers that understand their customers’ shopping habits can build strategic global supply chains that anticipate demand. One way to achieve this is with a scalable technology platform based on industry standards.
Read More
|
Benchmarking is a process where companies compare their performance over time against their competition. In doing so, they can identify where their strengths lie and where improvement may be needed. The point of benchmarking is to focus on areas that will yield the best return. For companies to succeed in their benchmarking efforts and gain a sustained competitive advantage, five key steps should be considered.
Read More
|
Why do some customer relationship management (CRM) implementations fail? The answer: companies’ lack of understanding of their current CRM environments, and of what areas need modification or improvement. Companies with a clear understanding of what they need from a CRM solution—as well as of what CRM means to their business—are more likely to succeed. To clinch that success, some key elements should be assessed first.
Read More
|
When deploying any new system, preparation is key—and Internet protocol telephony (IPT) systems are no exception. Part 3 of this 4-part e-book series provides some basic steps you can take to successfully deploy voice and data network services. A complete capabilities inventory has been included to help you ensure that every feature of your current system will be considered for inclusion in your new system.
Read More
|
By some estimates, there are over 8,000 sales taxing jurisdictions in the US—and they implement from 900 to more than 3,000 rate and tax-rule changes every year. Understandably, the accountants who try to guide small to medium businesses (SMBs) through the intricacies of tax compliance are having a hard time of it. However, solutions are emerging that are uniquely suited to SMB needs for sales tax compliance.
Read More
|
In order to stay competitive, growing organizations need technology that allows them to react quickly to changing industry. According to recent polls, nearly 40 percent of midsized businesses are getting that technology through customer relationship management (CRM). With a rapidly growing market of choices, it’s important to look within your company to assess its needs and goals—before you commit to a CRM solution.
Read More
|
If you could have a 360-degree view of your business, wouldn’t you want to take a peek? Most companies would say yes, but no business could benefit more from this panoramic view than large enterprises. Today, they’re getting that view—and more, from customer relationship management (CRM) technology. For large enterprises, CRM represents a powerful opportunity for positive change—and you ignore it at your own risk.
Read More
|
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has retailers talking. The reason: RFID helps reduce labor and improves the ability to gather data. Retailers can use this data to make positive changes to business processes, which can be tremendously advantageous for them. With careful planning, an RFID system can provide immediate benefits, as well as long-term competitive and total cost of ownership advantages.
Read More
|
Small to medium businesses (SMBs) often face the same challenges as large businesses—just on a smaller scale. One such challenge is finding a business solution that manages expansion and addresses complex reporting and compliance issues. Many SMBs are now adopting enterprise performance management (EPM) solutions—complete with tools to help them meet the current and future needs of their growing business.
Read More
|
How can a budget administrator, burdened with the task of gathering data from hundreds of spreadsheets from all over the organization, manage this monumental undertaking? Additionally, how to avoid using a costly packaged budget application that doesn’t take the organization’s business rules into consideration? The solution: a spreadsheet automation tool that easily adapts to the organization’s unique corporate processes.
Read More
|
Industry today demands more quality of manufacturers, and as such, ISO 9001—the yardstick by which quality products and services are measured—is forcing more and more companies to become ISO-certified. However, companies can use a browser-based tool to help bridge any information gaps they may encounter during the process—and to give them the head start they need to intelligently manage their ISO certification.
Read More
|
Many companies believe their employees are their most important asset—and spend significant amounts of money every year on their training and development. But how can these companies quantify what this investment will do to their bottom line? With the right tools, decision makers can gain the critical business intelligence they’ll need to confidently invest in their human capital, and measure and report on its impact.
Read More
|
For a lot of companies, making the decision to replace an existing business software system can be a difficult one. The process can be so unpleasant that many organizations may be reluctant to even get started, coming up with a number of reasons why they could probably get by with the systems they already have. If your company is struggling with this tough decision, you may want to ask yourself these ten basic questions.
Read More
|
Choosing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) package that’s right for your business can be difficult and time consuming. Finding a software provider and discovering what doing business with them will be like is as important as the overall functionality of the software itself. Before committing to a long-term relationship with any potential software provider, there are some really tough questions you need to ask them.
Read More
|
Small to medium businesses (SMBs) need technology to survive in a competitive business environment. However, regardless of the business type, size, or industry, incorporating technology into existing frameworks involves risk—to productivity, customer service, operations, and the bottom line! The key to reducing risk and increasing productivity is thus the selection of technologies that will accommodate change in your business.
Read More
|
Engineer-to-order (ETO) and project-based companies look to information technology (IT) to improve processes and gain a competitive edge. However, building complex products to exact customer specifications requires unique software. But what exactly are the software requirements of ETO and project-based manufacturers? Remember, the wrong software can cost about the same as the right software—until you try to use it!
Read More
|
Keeping track of your key business indicators is the difference between a thriving business concern and a business on life support. But even with this knowledge, one-third of chief executive officers (CEOs) feel they don’t spend enough time reviewing financial and operating numbers. But is spending more time agonizing over piles of data really the best solution?
Read More
|
When businesses commit to implementing customer relationship management (CRM), they commit to realigning their entire organizations around the customer. More specifically, they commit to collecting the right data—and using it the right way at the right time. But if you’re the manager championing CRM in your organization, how do you create the CRM buzz and obtain executive buy-in?
Read More
|
The road to implementing customer relationship management (CRM) systems is fraught with risk and littered with failure. Paradoxically, reams have been written by industry practitioners explaining why CRM projects fail, yet the same patterns and mistakes are repeated—over and over again. While there is no magic bullet, following some simple guidelines can help assure CRM success for your organization.
Read More
|
Selecting a new enterprise customer relationship management (CRM) solution is an undertaking that requires careful planning and managed execution. And in fact, there are a number of common mistakes that organizations make. Failing to execute the selection process in an objective and structured fashion can be an expensive financial mistake—as well as a fatal hit to your professional reputation.
Read More
|
Organizations that implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system should evaluate software with an eye to the must-have features of the application. However, choosing the right software is just part of the solution. Businesses that intend to grow and compete must create an environment that encourages people at all levels of a company to take customer service seriously.
Read More
|
It can be a real problem keeping prices competitive when manufacturing costs are soaring. Over-pack and giveaway can be a huge drain on company profits. However, real-time weight control software can pay tremendous dividends if implemented properly. Integrating a weight control database into an existing system can reduce errors, “fool-proof” data collection, and shift the system from reactive to proactive.
Read More
|
Understanding process variation is vital—not only in manufacturing industries, but in transactional environments as well. That’s why the tools you use to understand the root cause of common cause variations need to be both powerful and easy to use, whether you’re measuring variations in sales performance, wait times in hospital emergency rooms, or cycle times for order fulfillment.
Read More
|
Most people recognize that a robust control phase is the key practice separating Six Sigma from other process control methodologies. Unfortunately, many Six Sigma programs do not practice a robust control phase—with the result that old habits take over, and improvements gradually degrade. Worse, nobody even knows it happened! Why would well-intentioned people allow this to happen?
Read More
|
Most articles about the pitfalls of software implementation projects highlight the mistakes made during implementation. Examples include poor project management, scope creep, uncommitted users, or lack of an executive sponsor. All of these areas of focus are valid, but often we forget that before starting the implementation, somehow we had to choose a package and sign a contract.
Read More
|
How can you ensure that you make the right choice when purchasing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software? The answer: take all the critical components into consideration. ERP selection is not just about what different people in your organization want or don't want, it's about getting what you need for now and the future. Remember, you're not just buying software; you're buying into a vendor and its company culture.
Read More
|
For most companies, changing accounting software is a daunting challenge. Not only is transitioning the accounting function to a new software package tricky in itself, but it is usually catalyzed by one or more business challenges that are (hopefully) solved by the new system. Knowing that, how can you minimize the risks involved in selecting a new accounting application?
Read More
|
The benefits of e-learning have been amply demonstrated and extensively documented. However, less attention has been paid to the business benefits of implementing learning management systems (LMS). The misconception is that LMS and e-learning are irrevocably linked. But that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, an LMS can provide real benefits, in the broadest—and most critical—business sense.
Read More
|
With so many different enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications on the market, selecting the right solution can be extremely time-consuming and daunting. In fact, according to a recent study, nearly three-quarters of manufacturers are dissatisfied with their current systems. However, following a clearly defined selection process—and learning from the mistakes of others—can drastically improve your chances of success.
Read More
|
Most decisions on technology investments, like decisions in other business areas, are tied to expected benefits. Typically, these benefits are identified as cost savings, greater efficiencies, "best practices," or more sales. But too often the value promised by adopting new technology is misinterpreted or misunderstood by the business. The result: mismanaged expectations, or worse, business decisions made with faulty information.
Read More
|
When choosing a payroll software vendor, there are numerous considerations that must be taken into account when narrowing down the choices. Obviously, you have to decide on a software that meets your needs within budget. However, it’s just as important to consider the other factors that can make a huge impact on the overall success of your payroll software selection.
Read More
|
La abstracción es el ejercicio de comprender una serie de problemas a la vista heterogéneos y darles comprensión homogénea. Una de las principales abstracciones del mercado actual de las entidades es la administración, motivo por el cual se anunció el Microsoft Business Framework, el cual afectará el ERP clásico de las supuestas Best Practices.
Read More
|
Many technology sales cycles get bogged down in the IT department. But while it is unlikely that a sale will get anywhere without IT management buy-in, IT approval is no guarantee of success. Getting a “yes” requires accessing and influencing other decision-makers, especially in the finance department. And along the way, there are plenty of others who can say “no.”
Read More
|
The importance of resource selection is undervalued in the software industry. But in fact, the resource selection process is directly related to software development mission success. The in-house interview process typically fails to achieve comprehensive in-depth skills assessment, and is not cost-effective. However, you can improve matters by integrating external technical skills assessment expertise into the hiring process.
Read More
|
Steinway & Sons is a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments, and the year 2003 marked 150 years of their business success. Steinway & Sons received national attention for the rigorous, textbook approach they used in their mid-90s search for an alternative to their old home-grown accounting system. Ultimately, Steinway chose the Navision solution.
Read More
|
Even though business operations have consistently moved towards packaged applications, some still consider building their own solutions. This is sometimes the case even for such standard operations as sales commission calculations. But it is clear that in the case of most applications—and sales commission applications in particular—buying a packaged application is a much better decision than the alternative.
Read More
|
To simplify and greatly improve their BI shortlist selection processes, companies should focus on the business value and ongoing expenses that different solutions create—measured across a few key variables. This paper outlines key criteria that companies should consider when creating their business intelligence shortlists—and when making their ultimate selections.
Read More
|
We have all heard the phrase: “garbage in, garbage out.” When any company evaluates a customer relationship management (CRM) system, this is always one of the first expressions to come up. And yet we see company after company for which this is the exact problem. How can you make sure that this doesn’t happen to you?
Read More
|
Making the leap to customer relationship management (CRM) doesn’t have to be a difficult process. But many companies have difficulty knowing how to get their CRM initiative off to the right start. There is, however, a simple, step-by-step process which will help guide your CRM implementation project in the right direction, even if you’ve never implemented a CRM system before.
Read More
|
Your company has just selected a new customer relationship management (CRM) system for your company. Congratulations should be in order. However, your work has really just begun. You know that in order for your CRM initiative to be successful, you’ll need buy-in from your users. What steps do you need to take to ensure buy-in and achieve real implementation success?
Read More
|
It may come as a surprise to you, but every organization that brings a product to market already has a product lifecycle management (PLM) system in place. And the choices as to which software tools or system an organization should employ in its initiatives should be entirely based on the review and assessment of its current PLM system.
Read More
|
Mission-critical operations are often “business-critical,” that is, essential to the financial success of the business. Software systems have become mission-critical in this sense, and frequently provide critical competitive advantage, for example by improving decision making. What sort of rule-based reasoning capabilities are required by software applications to drive business-critical results? And what are the core characteristics of these applications?
Read More
|
When selecting or implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) solution, a mistake or error in judgment can be extremely costly. That’s why you should be aware of the ten basic steps to a successful CRM implementation. Even if you’ve already identified the reasons why your organization needs a CRM system, where do you go from there?
Read More
|
Customer relationship management (CRM) solutions can range from simple contact managers (for a few hundred dollars) to multimillion-dollar enterprise applications that take years to implement. This is why over-buying a CRM system can be one of the most costly mistakes a company can make. But where should you start your research? And what steps should you take after that?
Read More
|
Functionality comparisons for different enterprise resource planning (ERP) modules from different vendors often leads to unbalanced disparities among their approaches, which in turn makes it hard to properly evaluate the solution. On the other hand, a process-oriented ERP system is much easier to evaluate, and its degree of match with company needs is visible from the beginning.
Read More
|
When Newport Corporation needed an integrated business system, it enlisted CSCG to help evaluate existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions. CSCG leveraged innovative software assessment tools to help make a selection decision at a savings of $50,000 in project costs, mitigating risk by delivering key reporting capabilities based on impartial data. This case study shows how it was done.
Read More
|
Too often, project-driven organizations are faced with a difficult choice: they can choose best-of-breed business applications and integrate them at great cost, or choose a fully integrated solution that lacks functional depth in key areas. Success management of your business and its projects requires integrated tools that also provide deep functionality.
Read More
|
Retail software vendors face the challenge of how to provide an “out-of-the-box” solution that satisfies the unique requirements of a wide spectrum of organizations. So the real question retail IT executives face when making package selection decisions is this: do I change my business processes to fit the software solution, or change the software solution to fit my business processes?
Read More
|
Consider the case of two hypothetical companies—Company A and Company Z—each using an identical enterprise software package delivering identical core functionality. Company A has the same number of users, but the total cost of ownership (TCO) experienced by Company Z is about twice the TCO enjoyed by Company A. Why? We explain.
Read More
|
Any enterprise suite will pay for itself faster if you work diligently to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO). Those who interact with companies on implementing and maintaining their systems know that some project owners are very good at keeping the cost of their enterprise applications as low as possible. We’ll look at their TCO secrets.
Read More
|
If you’re evaluating customer relationship management or sales force automation software, this Forrester report is a must-read. Featuring ratings on eight leading vendors based on over 150 criteria, the report is valued at over $795 (USD). Get your free copy from Maximizer Software, top-ranked in Forrester’s “current offerings” in areas such as product functionality breadth, setup, usability, integration, and cost.
Read More
|
NexPress, a mid-sized company specializing in print solutions and services, needed to integrate its business processes across its supply chain. It also wanted to increase inventory visibility, and control and eliminate redundant data maintenance. By implementing mySAP and SAP SI s MaxValu, it reduced its operating costs by more than $1 million (USD) in just sixteen weeks.
Read More
|
Universal Instruments Corporation, a leading capital equipment manufacturer, needed a flexible business solution to meet the challenges of globalization, and had to replace its legacy system. It used SAP for Industrial Machinery and Component, which is an integrated scalable solution and was able to enable global processes consistently throughout its geographical locations.
Read More
|
When it comes to customer relationship management (CRM), it’s important to understand all the benefits of an integrated CRM system before beginning your selection process. This guide is designed to help you build the business case for a CRM system, form an effective project team, ask the right questions, identify the challenges involved and much more.
Read More
|
Before beginning your selection process for a customer relationship management (CRM) system, it’s important to understand all the benefits of an integrated CRM system. These 17 “rules of the road” for CRM were collected from executives, managers, employees and consultants and provide useful information when choosing a CRM system.
Read More
|
Implementing standard enterprise resource planning (ERP) products and other enterprise applications is risky. Industry statistics show that more than 60 percent of implementations fail. A common reason for failure is that the purchased software does not support one or more critical business processes. However, a change-on-demand system ensures that incomplete or changing business requirements are met through adjustments in the application model.
Read More
|
Small and medium businesses (SMB) can benefit from SAP’s dominance. By staying with its core competence, business applications, and offering a low cost alternative, that is more than a light version of its platform, SAP will be able to help SMBs compete with larger companies. SAP Business One flexible solution designed to meet the business needs of SMBs.
Read More
|
Choosing an on-demand customer relationship management (CRM) vendor can be a daunting task, especially for the price conscious consumer who lacks the budget for intensive research. A true CRM vendor should have pre-integrated sales, marketing, and customer support. Look for easy access to software free trials, and beware of hidden fees. Ultimately, researching the alternatives can save your company up to 50 percent of a solution’s total cost of ownership.
Read More
|
Business process management (BPM) is not another form of automation, or another rocket science, or a revolutionary new philosophy. It helps discover what we do, and then manages the lifecycle of improvement and optimization in a way that translates into operations. Based on a solid mathematical foundation, the BPM breakthrough is for business people.
Read More
|
Every supply chain professional must consider certain factors when comparing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and best-of-breed warehouse management system (WMS) solutions for warehouse management. Effective management of warehouse, fulfillment, and distribution operations is key to business success. With so much riding on your decision, you need to thoroughly compare ERP warehouse modules and best-of-breed WMS.
Read More
|
Business intelligence (BI) capabilities transform vast amounts of data into relevant information that organizations rely on to make decisions and manage performance. Most companies have some form of BI, and most are familiar with its benefits. However, in order to extract maximum advantage from BI initiatives, it is necessary to be aware of—and avoid—their seven “fatal flaws.”
Read More
|
Every corporation needs to make decisions about the selection and implementation if new IT solutions on a regular basis. However, an industrial manufacturer or retailer cannot see this as being one of their core competencies. In most cases such a selection process is seen as a necessary evil rather than a challenge that uncovers new potentials within the company. Only the ones that are able to fully understand and control this process in conjunction with all internally and externally involved parties will be more successful then others. The implementation of new IT solutions can be a chance to increase efficiency, but only if the right goals are defined, the right solutions and partners selected, and results are being monitored on a continual basis. This white paper was designed to deliver you many hints on what to consider and help you reach your goals in your IT selection process faster.
Read More
|
Implementing the proper business system can be as strategic and important to your bottomline as expanding your warehouse or bringing on new product lines. However, implementing the wrong solution or choosing an inexperienced solution provider can have serious negative effects on your business—-from lost opportunities and late orders to bankruptcy in some extreme cases. Consequently, it is imperative that wholesale distributors take time to clearly define their business processes and objectives before they start their search for new business software. This guide is designed to help wholesale distributors manage the entire software evaluation cycle, from needs analysis and budget planning through software selection and implementation.
Read More
|