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 2010 Technologyevaluation.com. All rights reserved.A brief introduction to Lectra, a specialized vendor in the CAD, CAM, and PLM industry, including history, product offerings, and achievements, as well as expectations and recommendations to the vendor’s future growth. http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/tec-vendor-note-lectra-a-focused-plm-player-21273/7/27/2010 10:33:00 AM The third and final part of the path to ERP for small businesses series describes the software selection stage, including the dos and don’ts during vendor product demos, how to create a shortlist, and finally selecting the vendor that provides the best product and services for your needs. http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/the-path-to-erp-for-small-businesses-part-3-selection-of-erp-software-21237/7/13/2010 5:17:00 PM Great products and a growing customer base are not enough to succeed in the SaaS marketplace. Find out whyMakana, a startup SaaS vendor, found it difficult to reach profitiability.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/a-saas-start%252Dup-cautionary-tale-the-makana-experience-or-how-you-can-create-a-great-product-and-still-hit-the-wall-21132/7/2/2010 10:22:00 AM The term “cloud computing” might be the next biggest trend in the IT industry. Jorge Garcia explains some of the basic ideas behind cloud computing—and how it may help your organization in the future. http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/a-tour-of-the-clouds-21076/6/22/2010 10:15:00 AM Daniel Burrus examines how using technology can not only help organizations lower costs and become more efficient, but how it can redefine today’s economy. Learn the ways you can redefine your business and stay profitable in this in depth report.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/how-to-use-technology-to-redefine-today-s-economy-21069/6/17/2010 5:26:00 PM In this spotlight report, David Clark examines Pronto Software. Learn all about the product’s history and marketing positioning, as well as its strengths, competitors, and challenges. Also featured in this Spotlight Report: a high-level overview of PRONTO-Xi Functionality.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/tec-spotlight-report-pronto-software-21054/6/16/2010 10:50:00 AM Free and open source software (FOSS) has become a hot topic in the business process management (BPM) market. This article discusses the relevance between BPM and FOSS, and makes suggestions for BPM seekers that prefer FOSS.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/business-process-management-in-free-and-open-source-an-overview-of-the-demand-and-the-supply-20974/6/1/2010 11:36:00 AM This article identifies the increasing requirements of system replacements in the product lifecycle management (PLM) area and recommends users rethink the implementation scope, system integration, acquisition method, and so on before strategizing their PLM migration plans. http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/plm-migration-migrate-your-mind-first-20900/5/14/2010 10:41:00 AM This guide to supply chain management (SCM) functions/features will help you determine which SCM features are a high priority for your organization. Learn about SCM functions and features for WMS, TMS, international trade logistics (ITL), supplier relationship management (SRM), demand management, supply chain analytics, order management, service parts planning, and more. http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/reference-guide-to-supply-chain-management-scm-features-and-functions-20849/5/4/2010 1:24:00 PM Companies are beginning to accept Web 2.0 as part of their communication, information sharing, and collaborating activities. Find out why this trend is being embraced by more companies.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/social-networks-that-boost-your-business-20803/4/26/2010 11:48:00 AM Manufacturers are facing pressure from regulators and customers to document their impact on the environment, including not only the simple carbon footprint, but other gas emissions, discharges to waterways, landfills, and product life cycle impacts. How can enterprise software help?http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/erp-for-green-supply-chain-management-in-manufacturing-20770/4/19/2010 10:37:00 AM If you’ve gone through the research phase while looking for ERP, the next major step is the evaluation process. At the end of it, you should have a shortlist of products that best fit your needs, which will be used in the final stage: the selection.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/the-path-to-erp-for-small-businesses-part-2-evaluation-of-erp-software-20717/4/6/2010 10:27:00 AM Entering the BI space for large companies is not a small challenge. Jaspersoft may be doing its homework to acquire more recognition and make a smooth but sure entrance into the “large scale” BI segment.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/product-note-jaspersoft-is-it-ready-for-big-enterprises-20707/3/31/2010 12:02:00 PM As human resource outsourcing (HRO) becomes an increasingly popular option for many HR organizations, they must inform themselves about the benefits and challenges outsourcing brings. Find out why outsourcing your HR activities may or may not be right for you.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/human-resources-to-outsource-or-not-to-outsource-that-is-the-question-20678/3/24/2010 12:00:00 PM Aras Innovator is the only enterprise open source solution available on the PLM market. This product note analyzes the strengths and challenges that the solution has and makes recommendations to both the vendor and potential users.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/product-note-aras-innovator-20652/3/18/2010 11:52:00 AM This reference guide provides insight into the discrete manufacturing ERP features and functions currently available on today’s market. It will help you determine which ERP features are a high priority for your organization, and which features are a lower priority.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/reference-guide-to-discrete-manufacturing-erp-software-functions-and-features-20587/2/25/2010 2:20:00 PM Constant changes are happening in the software market, either in software delivery methods, features and functions, or software integrations with other applications. Organizations are looking for solutions which can fix problems and make business processes more cost-effective. What are these solutions?http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/comparative-analysis-are-you-still-confused-about-aps-scm-and-erp-20533/2/12/2010 11:50:00 AM Most consultants agree that there are three stages that precede a software implementation project: research, evaluation, and selection. This three-part article will describe each of them, providing tips and real life examples that will help small businesses better understand what they need and how they can find the best product and vendor for them.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/the-path-to-erp-for-small-businesses-%252D-part-1-the-research-20527/2/10/2010 11:43:00 AM Hundreds—even thousands—of transactions could represent a great challenge when trying to analyze data and obtain results. Every Angle is a tool that can deliver SAP data analysis from every angle.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/every-angle-for-sap-a-product-note-20522/2/9/2010 12:16:00 PM Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) vendor Consona is determined to establish a CRM “kingdom” based on Consona Enterprise CRM. Read this comprehensive analysis of Consona Enterprise CRM to find out what lies ahead for this flagship product.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/forgotten-crm-and-erp-kingdoms-in-the-making-20494/2/5/2010 10:41:00 AM