Abstract: Today's usage of Decision Support Systems (DSS), combined with vetted knowledge bases, allows organizations to save time and money, achieving better and more reliable/fully-documented decisions, a quantum improvement over the widely-used subjective process of selecting complex enterprise software...

Abstract: Microsoft’s US Partner group manages relationships between the company and its 12,000 Microsoft Certified Partners. It needed an integrated solution for partner relationship management to reduce redundancy and replace the personal spreadsheets and custom tools its account managers were using. Learn how Microsoft deployed PartnerCentral by Click Commerce and implemented a single tool to manage all aspects of Microsoft’s partner relationships.

Abstract: As pressure increases to reduce costs and improve customer service, many companies are outsourcing outside the US. Although India and Malaysia are the least expensive options, companies that want to build strong long-term partnerships with a call center—while taking quality, political climate, and cost into consideration—should look north of the border. Canada builds a solid case for any company’s outsourcing dollars.

Abstract: Consistency is a common challenge for partner and supplier managers across industries and around the world. How can companies instill common messaging, brand-identity, and quality practices across this extended enterprise? A learning management system (LMS), as part of a knowledge management strategy, can help bridge this gap. Find out how LMS can help you cut training costs and ensure partner compliance in ten steps.

Abstract: Today’s reality for service providers is about dealing with falling voice revenues—and keeping existing customers. Some providers look for alternative sources of revenue via digital content and gaming. But as this happens, the product offerings become more complex, and the role of partners more and more important. Automated partner settlement solutions can play a very crucial part in your partner strategy. Find out how.

Abstract: For many retailers, the transition to global sourcing and demand-driven inventory models creates both opportunities and challenges. Supply chains are becoming longer, with a smaller buffer for mistakes or delays. To continually improve, you need to gain visibility across your partner community. Find out how a partner performance management solution can help buyers and sellers work together to improve business processes.

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: 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: Today, visionary companies focus on building service and product platforms, and allowing third parties to add creativity, choice, and differentiation. Organizations should create channel strategies that integrate partner resources into an internal sales and marketing system. Partner relationship management (PRM) facilitates mutually beneficial partner relationships with definitive performance metrics. Learn more.

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: Mirapoint has expanded its presence in the ASP\ISP messaging community, both in terms of name recognition and product functionality and has logically implemented a partner program called MAPP.

Abstract: The number of steps involved in getting materials or products from suppliers to buyers makes inbound logistics an error-prone process. Each mistake costs you time, labor, money, customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, your competitive position in the marketplace. Learn how implementing a partner performance management program can help your company reduce the number of inbound-logistics problems, and minimize their impact.

Abstract: Channel partners are money-making sales and service arms for any vendor. Supporting partner leads can increase sales in difficult-to-reach markets, and expand customer bases in existing sectors as well. Greater revenues and larger market shares are vital to survival in today’s business world, but some simple tips can help maximize lead generation and open the door to closing more sales.

Abstract: The goal of any support function is to become a 'partner' to customer-facing business units of the enterprise. A strategic project management office is an indispensable part of the planning team. It is crucial to mature your PMO, so it can support each area of the company including governance and portfolio management, and benefits and cost management.

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: 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: 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.