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: 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: 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: Chances are that SAP applications play a role in your enterprise. SAP’s prowess at managing large volumes of transactional data has made it the leader in enterprise resource planning (ERP). As of January 2003, SAP claims more than 56,000 installations. Yet despite their popularity, SAP applications in many organizations remain semi-isolated and untapped for the business intelligence (BI) they contain.

Abstract: Capstone Turbine Corporation, an energy innovator, needed to implement management, business model, and strategy changes. It also needed to improve product reliability, modularize configurations, and provide visibility. By using SAP products, such as SAP BI, SAP EP, and SAP Best Practices, it realized performance measures for key business activities, and improved sales and inventory management.

Abstract: Unencrypted communication between users’ workstations and the backend SAP servers is a significant vulnerability to your SAP environment. This can put the confidential data inside your SAP systems and your entire business activity at risk—and have a negative impact on your customers. Find out how to reduce business risks and improve audit results through encrypted communication and two-factor user authentication for SAP.

Abstract: Founded in 1989 in Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada), Kenilworth Publishing is a full-service media company that publishes consumer and business-to-business print magazines in diverse sectors. In 1993, Kenilworth executives decided that to continue to strengthen clients’ profiles within their respective industries, they needed to implement one of the two customer relationship management (CRM) solutions on their shortlist.

Abstract: Your product is excellent, and your customer service department is highly responsive. Your sales force is diligently acquiring new clients. You have made retaining clients a company priority. To be even more competitive, you need to continue what you’re doing, but better—while reducing the cost of doing it. Great theory. But just how are you going to accomplish the impossible?

Abstract: Enterprises should consider collaboration as a core component of their IT infrastructure, and not simply as a set of tools that facilitate translation and communication. In this white paper, learn why SAP NetWeaver is the long-term integration platform of SAP; why business to business (B2B)integration is critical to SAP implementations; and how NetWeaver and SEEBURGER solve integration issues.

Abstract: SAP's manufacturing solutions are based on thirty years' experience of the processes that drive your business. When you choose SAP, you're assured of powerful, best-in-class solutions designed specifically for midsize manufacturing companies like yours. All from a single provider. SAP provides mission-critical solutions to more than 1,400 industrial manufacturing customers around the world. If fact, we're currently the market leader, with a commanding 54 percent share of the global market, compared to just 13 percent for our next closes competitor. Gain greater visibility across your enterprise, get closer to your customers, and reduce inefficiencies.

Abstract: After a year of silence surrounding SAP’s newest enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, SAP Business ByDesign is back. During that year, many of its competitors pounced on SAP’s silence, even going so far as to spread rumors that the new product was dead. Find out what one Aberdeen analyst thought of Business ByDesign after taking it for a test drive at Sapphire 2009.

Abstract: SAP BusinessObjects XI 3.1 solutions are the next major release of business intelligence (BI) software from SAP. They include features ranging from reporting, query and analysis, and dashboards and visualization, to discovery and predictive analytics capabilities, as well as data quality and extract, transform, and load (ETL) functionality. Get a high-level overview of the new features in SAP BusinessObjects XI 3.1.

Abstract: Companies are under huge pressure to cut all SAP-related costs and are seeking every opportunity to exploit their huge investments in SAP to reduce total business expenses. A survey of 18 respondents reveals how companies are seeing the potential to squeeze further costs savings by exploiting SAP software investments, especially in enterprise resource management (ERP) and supply chain business process areas. Learn more.

Abstract: What are the common reasons for the failure of the majority of Web sites? Web development companies should focus more on the strategy behind the Web site, and on how to attract more clients and improve internal operational efficiencies through the Web. Find out tips on how you can change your Web marketing strategy to achieve high return on investment (ROI) from your Web site, with minimal effort.

Abstract: In our new “wired” world, software is no less important than other products and services in our everyday lives. But people are generally more used to buying other products and services than software. In many ways, however, selecting software is similar to selecting other products and services. Find out the key factors and criteria you should include—and what you should leave out—when you’re in the market for a new software solution.

Abstract: Predictions of the death of software are overstated. In reality, businesses are becoming more reliant on technology, not less. What’s changing, however, is the number of options available for managing, delivering, and paying for software applications. Many independent software vendors recognize the benefits of offering software as a service--a delivery alternative that can present long-term benefits for all parties.

Abstract: After dealing with the over-hype of Y2K, companies have started to reconsider the best of breed as a viable solution to satisfy their software needs. This comes as a shock to the corporate systems culture when user communities were told that fully integrated software such as ERP, SCM, and EAM were the only way to meet their software needs. After developing a level playing field, this article examines the pro’s and con’s of one alternative over the other. Read on to see if you agree with the merits of the best of breed or fully integrated software approach to software selection.

Abstract: A growing number of smart suppliers recognize the competitive high ground to be seized as they deepen their connections to retail clients in regional markets. By adding value in the replenishment process through vendor-managed inventory, small and midsized manufacturers can differentiate themselves from larger brands. Most importantly, they can develop more loyal and profitable relationships with retail clients. Learn how.

Abstract: The Delphi technique—drawing wise counsel from senior and experienced software developers—can help you prepare estimates for software development projects. With this method of software estimation, project specifications are given to a few experts, depending on their availability. Learn about the essential steps involved in this software estimation methodology for more accurate estimates of software development effort.