Abstract: Seagate Software has announced a new chapter in its corporate history by changing its name to Crystal Decisions. Crystal Decisions is an information infrastructure company that is a market leader in business intelligence, specifically for query and reporting tools. The new name reflects that of its flagship product, Crystal Reports.

Abstract: Most decisions on technology investments, like decisions in other business areas, are tied to expected benefits. Typically, these benefits are identified as cost savings, greater efficiencies, 'best practices,' or more sales. But too often the value promised by adopting new technology is misinterpreted or misunderstood by the business. The result: mismanaged expectations, or worse, business decisions made with faulty information.

Abstract: Most enterprises have accumulated a surfeit of workforce and employee data. Only leading-edge companies are making extensive use of data to drive human capital management (HCM) decisions the way most companies use financial and marketing data to make strategic business decisions. Learn more about why—and how—you should be making fact-based workforce planning decisions that will help you survive the current recession.

Abstract: High-level strategic decisions often have multiple, cascading cost impacts. The reaction of the costs to changes in the supply chain system is not predictable in a simple relationship that is based on current standard costs, because strategic changes often involve step changes in costs that alter the balance of fixed and variable costs.

Abstract: And you can find out how in the tec report seeing the big picture: a corporate guide to better decisions through it.

Abstract: Executives at small and midsize companies make critical decisions every day, based on the information available to them. While that information comes from many sources—peers, personal intuition, internal or external business data—it rarely creates an accurate, actionable, 360-degree view of the enterprise. Learn how to get timely, accurate information, and use it to allocate your company’s resources for maximum effect.

Abstract: The trade-off between best-of-breed functionality and ease of integration is no longer so simple. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software continues to expand, blurring the boundaries of core ERP functionality. The three essential factors to consider in ERP versus best-of-breed decisions are functionality, integration, and the ability to upgrade. Find out the questions you need to ask when considering an ERP extension.

Abstract: Driving sustainable growth requires profitability-focused planning and performance management. Most companies have some type of profitability reporting—but many are investing a lot of effort to produce this information. And the limitations to the information companies currently compile may have a significant impact on decision making. Learn how automating profitability reporting can help your company improve decisions.

Abstract: To make timely, well-informed decisions, you need just that: time and information. This means having fast access to accurate information from every department in your company, and time away from fighting fires to focus on priorities, problem solving, and marketing strategy. We examine how you can gain reliable, accessible information from efficient, integrated IT systems—and use that information to make faster, smarter decisions.

Abstract: Payroll is a vital yet meticulous component of operating a business, and it involves much more than just paying employees. Some large businesses have a separate department handling payroll duties, but many small to medium businesses outsource their payroll needs. No matter what option works for you, the best decisions are informed decisions, and this how-to guide can help you manage all your payroll needs.

Abstract: Executives and management consultants agree that effective business process management involves placing the day-to-day decisions into the hands of business operations managers. By applying operational business intelligence (BI)—which assembles data from the business as it happens, reports on it, and analyzes it—companies gain the necessary information and tools needed to make decisions and improve business performance.

Abstract: The ability to extract and present information meaningfully is vital for business management. Indeed, business intelligence tools enable companies to make better decisions, by providing the right information to the right people at the right time. Moreover, employees increasingly suffer from information overload, and require solutions that make informed decisions a more natural part of the everyday work experience.

Abstract: Since our research-driven beginnings, Johnson & Johnson Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP) has continually improved the new product development (NPD) process. Detailed process mapping has revealed three tiers of business metrics, starting with drivers and moving up through execution metrics to business performance metrics. When driver metrics improves, so does business performance. Six Sigma tools helps identify specific metrics at all tiers and the causality linkages among them. Each NPD process step at ASP results in a deliverable, and each deliverable relates to a trade-off triangle (cost-time-resources) and, ultimately, to investment dollars. To track performance, ASP calculates how actual NPD decisions and what-if scenarios affect deliverables, alter investment triangles, and thereby influence business results. ASP uses similar process and tools, including the investment triangles and Six Sigma QFD, to make idea management decisions. The IDweb real-time software environment enables both the NPD and idea management processes at ASP. By deploying the strategic planning, idea management, portfolio and pipeline management, process management, and resource management modules of IDweb, ASP has increased throughput by 20 percent and reduced cycle time by 40 percent.

Abstract: All employees in your company are responsible for making sound decisions, and they must base their decisions on relevant and timely information. When users encounter difficulties accessing key business data, it can have a lasting impact on the organization’s performance and bottom line. Learn about a business intelligence (BI) solution that can help you bring BI to all information workers and reduce the burden on IT.

Abstract: Companies already use business intelligence (BI) to help them make decisions. But now they’re discovering that they can make better decisions by coupling BI with a predictive analytics solution. Predictive analytics can help companies solve problems, achieve business goals, uncover patterns not easily identifiable through reports or dashboards, and share all that information with decision-makers. Find out how.

Abstract: In both retail and consumer goods sectors, the gap between winners and losers widens every day. What is it about the winners that make them more and more successful, extending their lead every quarter?

Abstract: Find out how to get the information you needwhen you need itin the sap white paper how instant, accurate information can drive your competitive edge.

Abstract: There remains no shortage of experts and solutions that purport to have the keys to improving your supply chain. However, executives who bear bottom line responsibility for the performance of the enterprise would do well to evaluate every potential new program from the perspective outlined here.