http://www.technologyevaluation.comTechnology Evaluation Centers - News Analysis and Research. Technology Evaluation Centers Inc. (TEC) is the impartial advocate for end users and purchasers of enterprise software solutions. It has aided IT professionals with software selection since 1993.Copyright 2012 Technologyevaluation.com. All rights reserved.ERP for services solutions are changing the way professional services companies do business by combining powerful project- and resource-management tools with essential back-office functionality. Learn all about these solutions in TEC's 2012 ERP for Services Buyer's Guide. Plus get detailed product comparisons, a comprehensive vendor directory, customer success stories, and thought leadership from industry experts.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/report/33309/tec-2012-erp-for-services-buyer-s-guide.html5/24/2012 3:43:00 PM FinancialForce.com, the offspring of an established best-of-breed provider of accounting and project-based applications and a cloud computing pioneer, aims to help companies align finance, sales, and service for profitable growth through its accounting, billing, and professional services automation (PSA) applications. Tom Brennan, FinancialForce.com’s vice president of product marketing, discusses the company’s successes.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/assessing-financialforce%2ecom-s-early-years-33287/5/18/2012 4:20:00 PM A global survey of IT leaders shows that most organizations find it challenging to convert high volumes of fresh transactional data into knowledge that business users can efficiently access, understand, and act on. SAP and HP are tackling this challenge head-on. Download this article to learn more.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33265/transactional-data-driving-real%2dtime-business.html5/16/2012 2:37:00 PM Download this white paper to find out how in-memory computing can change the way you manage business intelligence, and the value your business can derive from the technology. For business and IT executives, this paper furnishes information and business examples about what changes they can look forward to and how those changes can catalyze their strategic initiatives.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33264/sap-in%2dmemory-computing-technology-changing-the-way-business-intelligence-is-managed.html5/16/2012 2:35:00 PM What is SAP HANA? And how does it work? Download this primer on SAP HANA to get clear answers to these and other questions.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33262/sap-hana-demystified.html5/16/2012 2:31:00 PM To be successful in the data-driven economy, companies must leverage intelligence instantly and take immediate action. At the same time, they must ensure their decisions are based on proper data and analysis. So how are today's executives responding? To explore these issues, Oxford Economics surveyed 525 executives in March 2011. Download this report for full analysis of the results.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33261/real%2dtime-business-playing-to-win-in-the-new-global-marketplace.html5/16/2012 2:30:00 PM For business leaders facing the radical, disruptive change represented by in-memory analytics, the response may range from enthusiasm and advocacy to apprehension and fear. Regardless of your particular posture, the smart company needs to understand how in-memory works and what it represents, and craft a purposeful roadmap for their in-memory future. Download this primer on in-memory analytics to learn what it all means for you.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33260/prepare-for-the-quantum-leap-in-real%2dtime-analytics-how-in%2dmemory-analytics-is-going-to-change-everything-about-your-enterprise.html5/16/2012 2:29:00 PM 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.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33258/mastering-the-management-system.html5/16/2012 2:26:00 PM Over the course of several months in 2011, IDC conducted a research study to identify the opportunities and challenges to adoption of a new technology that changes the way in which traditional business solutions are implemented and used. Download this white paper for full results.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33257/faster-higher-stronger-in%2dmemory-computing-disruption-and-what-sap-hana-means-for-your-organization.html5/16/2012 2:24:00 PM This Aberdeen Research brief hones in on the critical time element of a best-in-class business intelligence (BI) strategy. The research shows that top performer are leveraging real-time of near real-time analytics to proactively manage their business and drive substantial performance improvements. Download this report for full details.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33256/business-answers-at-your-fingertips-the-real%2dtime-value-of-bi.html5/16/2012 2:23:00 PM While terabytes used to be synonymous with big data warehouses, now it’s petabytes, and the rate of growth in data volumes continues to escalate as organizations seek to store and analyze greater levels of transaction details, as well as Web- and machine-generated data, to gain a better understanding of customer behavior and drivers. This report examines the rise of "big data" and the use of analytics to mine that data.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33255/big-data-analytics-profiling-the-use-of-analytical-platforms-in-user-organizations.html5/16/2012 2:21:00 PM In today's global marketplace, transaction data is running 24x7x365, and midsize companies that want to leverage that information must be able to analyze it in a very short time. Next-generation business intelligence (BI) tools deliver this critical functionality. This white paper discusses the benefits of in-memory analytics technology for speeding BI and explores SAP solutions based on its High Performance Analytics Appliance (HANA).http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/33254/analytics-at-the-speed-of-business-for-midsize-organizations.html5/16/2012 2:17:00 PM In today’s business climate, enterprise performance management (EPM) systems have risen from the status of “nice-to-have” to “must have” for midsize companies, particularly those that experienced substantial growth prior to the current economic downturn. This paper discusses some of the ways the new unpredictability of external market forces has escalated the value of precise internal forecasts and quick decision-making for these companies.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/27010/enterprise-performance-management-key-to-rapid-response-for-today-s-successful-midsize-companies.html5/9/2012 11:02:00 AM 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.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/27006/don-t-sweat-assets-liberate-them.html5/9/2012 7:15:00 AM Ability 585 is TEC Certified for online evaluation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) for manufacturing (SMB) solutions in the ERP Evaluation Center. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations relying on the integrity of TEC research for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/report/26976/ability-585-for-erp-for-manufacturing-smb-certification-report.html5/1/2012 2:03:00 PM Most manufacturing enterprises use enterprise resource planning (ERP) as their main business system. It has always been assumed is that companies strive to have one single ERP system to unify all their parts and processes, but a survey shows that the average manufacturing company has 1.9 separate and distinct systems. This paper looks at how overall ERP strategy relates to companies’ performance.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26960/erp-in-manufacturing-2011-defining-the-erp-strategy.html4/27/2012 10:11:00 AM New business analytics solutions are bringing large-enterprise solutions and benefits down to the medium-size business’s level. They are exceptionally comprehensive but exceptionally customizable to the needs of the individual business, easy to upgrade to target new strategic initiatives, and in tune with customer trends such as social media use. This paper discusses one such effective business analytics solution.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26930/business-analytics-new-opportunities-for-the-medium%2dsize-business.html4/19/2012 10:40:00 AM Moving away from the relentless acquisitions of the past, Infor is waking up to a brand new day, marked by innovative product development that will change the way work is done. TEC principal analyst P.J. Jakovljevic looks at how the vendor has become a formidable opponent to SAP and Oracle, and examines all the components of Infor10, a new generation of enterprise software that allows the seamless execution of business processes.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/waking-up-to-a-new-day-at-infor-26919/4/16/2012 2:58:00 PM Social media is adding new value to cloud-based supply chain management for companies of all sizes. Internal social media (via Intranet) and external sites like Facebook and Twitter are being increasingly used in a new, flexible supply chain cycle. Read this article to learn how two very different companies are taking advantage of the unique contribution social media can make to the dynamic supply and demand loop.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/social-media-in-your-supply-chain-keeps-everyone-in-the-loop-26900/4/11/2012 4:09:00 PM Educational institutions are being driven by new technologies and changing student demographics to dramatically change the way they deliver their services. And growth in enrolment requires the proper management of student information, curricula, finances, and human resources. TEC product manager Rahim Kaba reviews TEC market data for a glimpse into the types of enterprise software systems that educational institutions are considering, and the top functional priorities they seek.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/a-portrait-of-the-enterprise-software-user-in-the-education-industry-26840/3/21/2012 2:45:00 PM