Abstract: Business strategy, a road map telling us how the business plans to be successful, does not guarantee success. Strategy execution requires business processes that do what the strategy calls for--and do it well. In today's automated world, these business processes rely on business systems. Therefore, a direct link exists between the success of business strategy and business systems. Poor systems are a frequent reason for the failure of a business strategy.

Abstract: In evaluating the relative merits of storage vendors, one important consideration is system availability in the event of a drive failure. And because of the potential for data loss, the time during which a drive is being rebuilt onto a hot spare is critical. Demartek compared drive rebuild times for the Pillar Data Systems Axiom 500, EMC CX3-40, and Network Appliance FAS3050c. Find out which product performed the fastest.

Abstract: Enterprises of all sizes today face common problems dealing with handling increasing business complexity while reducing costs. The solution continues to be the automation of business processes. SAP is an established leader in addressing the needs of large enterprises. Building on that performance and identified best practices, SAP built and launched SAP Business One. SAP Business One was designed to offer small and medium businesses the same business streamlining and efficiencies at a scale and scope appropriate to their needs. IDC recently interviewed a number of companies that have successfully deployed SAP Business One. The purpose of our interviews was to determine what impact the software had on their productivity and cost reduction.

Abstract: Tape drives and tape drive backups are expensive, time-consuming, and unreliable. Tape drives can cost from $350 to thousands of dollars (and the tapes aren’t free either). Plus, tapes are notoriously failure-prone and vulnerable to environmental degradation—and tape drive installation is expensive. Find out the other reasons why your tape backup system might not be an effective data storage and security strategy.

Abstract: As more business processes exist in an electronic universe, the need to manage the IT services that enable these processes increases. Business service management does this and achieves the IT alignment with the business necessary to ensure service improvement activities are prioritized with business objectives. Business service management applies the adage that if you improve IT, you improve the business. This paper presents an overview of business service management concepts and describes how Proxima Centauri provides a solution for this. It also describes how Six Sigma can be used as an underlying quality improvement process to eliminate the associated costs of poor quality.

Abstract: Aspen Technology recently announced its e-commerce initiative, Aspen e-Business, which is the first in a planned series of business-to-business e-commerce applications. As part of the initiative, AspenTech will partner with business-to-business application vendor Extricity Software, Inc. to deliver e-commerce solutions. Though Aspen lags behind other enterprise application software vendors in e-commerce offerings, recent business restructuring efforts and its hold on the process manufacturing segment may lead to success.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: For over a decade, organizations have struggled with a gap between IT and business due to shifts in perceptions of what business intelligence (BI) should be. Often, skilled IT workers get stuck in low-level reporting roles, while business workers can’t access and analyze information fast enough to make strategic decisions. This discussion with an industry technologist offers some ideas for bridging the IT/business gap.

Abstract: Nowadays, it’s easy to spend nearly as much time trying to make the pieces of your supply chain work together as you actually spend working. Managing disparate systems and solving communication issues create challenges that keep your business-to-business (B2B) solutions from working in sync. Find out how integrating the technology, business processes, and communication of your entire business community can help.

Abstract: When one company acquires another, who benefits? It seems PSI’s recent acquisition of AIS will benefit both—as well as their clients and the steel industry as a whole. The combined solution offering will address APS, MES, SCM, and more.

Abstract: Written for the IT outsourcing community, this document describes an approach for measuring the business value of IT in order to focus service provision activities on areas that are of priority to the client. It introduces a quality improvement process that can decrease the cost of service provisioning without impairing service quality. The intended audience includes those responsible for designing a solution, managers of an existing service, and people bidding for new business looking to differentiate their services. By measuring and reporting on the business value of an IT service, outsourcers' clients see the contribution being made to the success of their clients' business ventures. As a result, the outsourcers' relationships will transition from supplier to partner, they become better placed to exploit new business opportunities, and save money by focusing efforts on areas that are important to their clients.

Abstract: In the present context of business, it is becoming essential for the business world to provide electronic commerce in addition to their good old business model. An electronic commerce application adds lot of value to business models and helps overall growth in the different areas of business, business management, tracking, and customer support. Customers find it’s much easier to access the products and services of a corporation through an e-commerce application and corporations find it easier to reach their customers.

Abstract: To drive improvements in operating profit and customer service, you need to use business intelligence (BI) dashboard tools both tactically for operational visibility—and strategically for more forward-looking analysis. But you also need to ensure the use of BI is pervasive across the enterprise. Get insight into three discrete datasets that can help you examine the value of pervasive BI and drive business improvement.

Abstract: Progress Software offers customers the opportunity to test drive applications via the Internet.

Abstract: Realizing that they need to serve external audiences, an increasing number of companies are interested in using learning to drive revenue and help customers and partners understand their learning options and find what they want. Discover technologies that can help you deliver training, certification programs, and knowledge assets to your company’s networks of partners, suppliers, resellers, distributors, and customers.

Abstract: In the current economic climate, business process management (BPM) projects need to return to basics to meet the needs of today’s dynamic enterprise. They need to quickly deliver the benefits that organizations need or require, without the barriers of cost, time, complexity, and staffing that have built up around BPM over the years. Learn how applying nimble BPM strategies can help you drive business change.

Abstract: A growing measure of business performance is financial performance management. Leveraging business intelligence (BI) to map business performance goals requires integrating and consolidating information. Systems Union is embarking on a strategy to triumph in this market.

Abstract: Business changes constantly in small ways and large. It is rare to find an application product that can change once it is implemented. This gap is a reality leading to dissatisfaction and the application being a drag on the business. This gap, the lack of the ability to change, costs the business dearly. Software needs to be the agent of change, not the enemy of change.