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 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 Patchwork maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) systems can cost large airlines millions in duplicated effort, extra inventory, and delays. But with round-the-clock schedules to maintain, few airlines can afford to upgrade to an integrated MRO solution any time soon. Today TEC Analyst Philippe Reney looks at two ways airlines can improve their MRO capabilities without a complete IT overhaul.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/how-airlines-can-stop-getting-murdered-by-maintenance-costs-26968/5/1/2012 9:23:00 AM You may be wondering how the open-source ERP vendor xTuple operating with a workforce of only 27 can compete on the same stage with the software giants. Find out how as TEC principal analyst P.J. Jakovljevic looks at xTuple’s current ERP offerings and commercial editions, and speaks with xTuple CEO Ned Lilly on the vendor’s social capabilities, product development focus, market and competitive landscape, and future outlook.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/what-s-up-with-xtuple-and-open-source-erp-26964/4/30/2012 10:56:00 AM 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 Lean is not an overnight quick-fix; it is an unending commitment. As lean thinking has evolved and the concepts broadened, lean advocates have come to recognize that enterprise resource planning (ERP) and lean work together very well. In this paper, read about how five lean principles are supported and enhanced by comprehensive information control and the management tools that one end-to-end enterprise software suite delivers. http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26959/five-ways-erp-can-help-you-implement-lean.html4/27/2012 9:28:00 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 Logility, a global provider of collaborative supply chain software solutions, is relatively small, but its functional scope (from planning to execution) and depth of expertise is on par with or stronger than that of its competitors for the markets it serves. TEC principal analyst P.J. Jakovljevic gives an overview of Logility’s capabilities and interviews Logility’s vice president of marketing, Karen Bursa.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/logility-supply-chain-innovator-and-workhorse-26912/4/13/2012 4:47:00 PM If you're a manufacturer or distributor considering an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with an integrated customer relationship management (CRM) application, you need to find out how far the "CRM concept" really extends to other elements of the ERP system, such as order frequency, buyer habits, specific customer invoicing requirements, etc. How vendors answer the eight crucial questions in this report will tell you what you need to know.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26905/extending-crm-concepts-in-erp-systems.html4/12/2012 2:51:00 PM Download this white paper to learn the 50 must-ask questions for potential software suppliers that are critical to a successful enterprise resource planning (ERP) project. These questions will give your selection team a better understanding of ERP vendors' general business philosophies, organizational longevity, approach to ERP implementation and customer support, annual maintenance fees, software upgrades, and more.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26904/50-questions-for-every-erp-software-supplier.html4/12/2012 2:47:00 PM Cloud services will be a leading driver of productivity for manufacturers over the next decade. Businesses focused on reducing costs and improving the quality of manufacturing solutions will increasingly turn to the cloud for SaaS solutions. Read this white paper by president and CEO of inKumo, Inc., and find out how this new era of technology will dramatically improve productivity and cost savings in the industry. http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26901/manufacturing-in-the-cloud.html4/11/2012 4:12:00 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 The Dassault Systèmes vision is to enable everyone—from product designers, engineers, and suppliers to end users and their respective communities—to create, share, and experience the three-dimensional virtual world, thereby maximizing the value of their intellectual property and digital assets. In this article, TEC principal analyst P.J. Jakovljevic reports on the 3D design tools he recently saw demoed, how they enable collaboration, and their application to manufacturing and other sectors.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/dassault-syst-mes-expanding-product-development-and-the-3d-experience-26878/4/4/2012 3:58:00 PM Many ERP systems are deeply entrenched in organizations, and their core technologies are mature. And yet ERP is in a state of flux. The ERP system of the future promises to be simpler, more accessible, and easier to use, shaped by trends that only recently began taking hold. Download this concise executive brief to get an expert's take on what’s next for ERP, in clear, easy-to-read language.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26854/future-tech-where-will-erp-be-in-two-years.html3/27/2012 11:37:00 AM Businesses looking to gain an advantage over their competitors need much more than just better products—they need to be able to manage the complexity of their supply chain network and collaborate throughout the chain to promptly address major unexpected issues. In addition to an analysis of the state of the market, this buyer’s guide offers a special report on global trade management (GTM) as well as product comparisons. http://www.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/report/26849/tec-2012-supply-chain-management-buyer-s-guide.html3/23/2012 4:39:00 PM Today’s manufacturers work hard to meet customer delivery schedules with quality parts while reducing costs. Those companies that can meet these demands can reduce work-in-process inventories and minimize production costs. But many fail at this due to inefficient material handling and inventory control. See how advanced ERP systems reflect the physical reality of the material handling process and can help you reduce inventory costs. http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26844/the-power-of-inventory-control-how-integrated-serialized-inventory-tracking-delivers-a-competitive-advantage.html3/22/2012 4:45:00 PM While inventory reduction is a worthy goal for manufacturers, with less “cushion” mistakes and surprises can be costly. When looking at inventory levels and how to reduce them, it is important to understand the role that inventory plays in the dynamics of plant operations. This paper focuses on inventory inside the plant—from receipt of parts and materials to shipment of finished products—to help you safely reduce your inventory. http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26843/taking-control-improved-inventory-visibility-leads-to-lean-success.html3/22/2012 4:35:00 PM As private equity investors acquire manufacturing enterprises, it becomes increasingly important to centralize the growing mass of performance data. A new breed of ERP provides the oversight and control necessary for private equity managers to ensure resources are working toward the same goals. Download this paper for key considerations private equity-backed manufacturers need to look for when evaluating technology enablers.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26841/five-key-considerations-private-equity-needs-to-know-about-manufacturing-software.html3/22/2012 12:04:00 PM To meet their recordkeeping and lot-tracking requirements, food and beverage processors must be able to rapidly identify and track every single ingredient in their products, from receipt through processing, packaging, and shipping, to the exact customer location. For this, such companies are turning to innovative software solutions. Read about the eight features a food or beverage processor must have in its ERP software. http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26839/eight-must-have-erp-features-for-food-processors.html3/21/2012 11:35:00 AM Manufacturers have legitimate questions and concerns when contemplating a transition from a legacy, on-premise enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to a cloud ERP system. Download this white paper to find out just how cloud ERP solutions have proven their viability and superiority when compared to on-premise competitors when it comes to security, business continuity, cost and other factors.http://whitepapers.technologyevaluation.com/view_document/26820/why-the-cloud-is-more-than-hot-air-for-the-manufacturing-enterprise.html3/19/2012 10:49:00 AM