Abstract: For years, SEM Products Inc.—manufacturer of interior and exterior auto body repair and refinishing products—was managing its business with two software systems and various manual processes. As the business grew, it became clear that these systems were lacking in data accessibility and overall functionality. Learn about the enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution SEM now uses for improved order entry functionality.

Abstract: Integration projects that attempt to fuse processes with application and system interfaces are likely to fail. A more pragmatic approach involves service-oriented architecture (SOA), where integration is determined by business requirements rather than technology factors. However, SOA alone is insufficient. Composite adapter services provide a layer of abstraction between service requestors and service providers, enabling cost-effective and versatile enterprise integration.

Abstract: IT investment continues to grow, as do the solutions that are funded by it. So far, this growth has contributed more to complexity than simplification. Standardizing on enterprise solutions can help companies manage this complexity and focus on their number-one priority: enabling business intelligence (BI). The use cases presented in this whitepaper highlight ways that your company can benefit from standardization.

Abstract: It seems counterintuitive, but the process of selling, designing, and producing what appear to be

Abstract: Many companies are looking to outsource development and maintenance of their application software. Common reasons that companies outsource application software are to reduce their costs, improve quality, obtain flexible staffing levels, and obtain improved service and support so they can focus on their core competence such as, designing clothes, managing equity portfolios, or running hospitals. Choosing whether to outsource or not is a strategic decision for a company. Once a company has decided to outsource, however, it must still choose an outsourcing approach that best fits it needs. This paper will describe the many different options for application software outsourcing, including the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative.

Abstract: Many HR issues, including talent management, are common points of interest for HR (and related software) vendors. As such, many are designing their products to address these issues. Ramco HCM goes one step further by adding analytics to the mix.

Abstract: Designing processes for business process management solutions can be daunting, as all flows, rules, and exceptions have to be defined. With Adaptive Discovery from Ultimus, however, processes can be designed on a high level, and exceptions defined after deployment.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Competitive testing analysis is a vital part of designing, evaluating, and marketing hardware and software products. National Technical Systems (NTS) tested two change management systems, measuring how quickly each compares selected datasets. Find out which solution proved to be twice as fast as the other in a local area network (LAN), and almost 24 times faster in a wide area network (WAN) environment. Learn more.

Abstract: Organizations need to strike a balance between global and local reporting requirements. This is particularly challenging, as a lack of flexibility in data structures adversely impacts both business development and local reporting. Organizations must thus focus on harmonizing the global model and data structures, and assist local entities in designing for local requirements—thereby providing one data source for reporting.

Abstract: ECS Imaging, Inc., the world’s leading authorized value added reseller for LaserFiche, has been designing complex network and imaging systems since 1990. Specializing in LaserFiche’s industry-standard software, hardware, scanning services, on-site training and turnkey document imaging services selected by over 1,400 government agencies and 17,000 sites worldwide, ECS imaging helps organizations reduce costs and improve efficiency through cost-effective and innovative technological solutions.

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: Electro-mechanical design continues to gain importance, as the majority of today’s products have both electrical and mechanical components and systems. Designing and stimulating these products collaboratively across both domains is essential to producing high quality products. Learn how implementing an electro-computer-aided design (ECAD) and mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD) strategy—now—can help you later.

Abstract: Peerless Pump has been designing, engineering, and manufacturing pumps for more than 80 years. The company was basing component stock levels on historical data, as it did not have the ability to accurately forecast customer demand. But with forecasting and demand planning software that increased forecast accuracy, the company has nearly doubled its sales over the past four years, while keeping inventory levels constant.

Abstract: There’s no magic bullet for compliance success—even the most experienced organizations use a combination of reliable processes and proven technologies to get the job done. But identifying, designing, and executing the right internal controls to meet compliance standards in a large, global company can be arduous and expensive. The systems you use to support compliance efforts must be implemented well. Find out more.

Abstract: SLP InfoWare announced a product that can predict which of an ISP’s customers are likely to leave.

Abstract: As the final article in a three-part series on outsourcing security, the following article provides guidelines for selecting a dependable managed security services provider.

Abstract: The US Labor Department reported an increase in jobs in June and July ... but the manufacturing industry cut jobs for a third month in a row. We are moving from a manufacturing economy to a supply chain economy. This article gives the big picture.