Abstract: On September 13, Business Objects and Brio Technology announced that they had settled a patent infringement suit. Brio technology will be forced to pay an undisclosed sum to Business Objects, and to acknowledge the validity of Business Objects' U.S. patent.

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: Viador Inc.™ announced it has completed the initial integration of Business Objects client/server and web-based products into the Viador E-Portal Suite™. Viador is expected to supply the ability to create personalized 'portlets', via their customization API’s, and Business Objects will supply their InfoView open portal initiative for business intelligence.

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: Spreadsheets are here to stay. You depend on them to analyze data, to perform rapid calculations, and to easily model and format information. But they can be costly to maintain, and can compromise data integrity and security. You need the ability to provide an accurate and secure snapshot of critical business information, with the ease-of-use and familiarity offered by spreadsheets.

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: As a consequence of the acquisition of Business Objects, SAP has shifted its SAP business warehouse (BW) strategy to a more open data warehousing approach and is now focusing on the former Business Objects portfolio. This guide is designed to help existing SAP BW customers to plan to move to the new business intelligence (BI) environment, and outlines most important architecture options for a data warehouse strategy.

Abstract: Business Objects, a leading vendor in the business intelligence space, has announced WebIntelligence« Extranet Edition, which has been designed for customers building extranets to link suppliers, customers, and partners with their internal databases.

Abstract: Business Objects and TopTier Software have teamed to provide a unified enterprise portal to unite ERP, CRM, and supply chain information with business intelligence. Given that the market for analytical applications is estimated to mushroom at a compound annual growth rate of 28 percent to more than $6 billion in 2004 (source: IDC), these vendors are in the right place at the right time (and so is everybody else).

Abstract: Some managers have concluded that strategic planning is nothing more than an exercise in futility, to be taken out and dusted off at annual meetings. However, strategic planning can still help direct your company and improve earnings. The trick is strategizing well—which means having all the information you need, when you need it. Find out how to hone your competitive edge with integrated business planning capabilities.

Abstract: Dynamic efficiencies can help companies combat margin erosion and cope with compressed product lifecycles. By shifting from advanced planning to adaptive planning, enterprises can increase their top and bottom line. Integrating the demand planning network, optimizing the supply chain network, and strengthening execution planning will help this move to adaptive planning and eliminate pockets of waste.

Abstract: Supply chain planning involves functions such as demand forecasting and planning, distribution inventory planning, and plant capacity planning and scheduling. The right mix of strategy, education, and systems can have a very high impact on a manufacturer’s overall operations—and ultimately its bottom line. Understand how supply chain functions such as demand and inventory planning can positively impact your company.

Abstract: Regardless of their functional or departmental roles, people participate in multiple planning activities. The objective of integrated business planning is to bring together and improve the accuracy of the disparate strands of forward-looking activities across a corporation in order to foster internal alignment and enhance agility. Discover what you can do to improve your company’s planning and budgeting activities.

Abstract: Information management software from Business Objects, an SAP company, can be used for SAP data migration projects—either for upgrades from one version of SAP to a newer one, or from other environments to SAP. In practice, many considerations that apply to SAP migrations are the same as those pertaining to non-SAP environments. But a few requirements are particular to an SAP implementation. Find out what they are.

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: To retain the integrity and availability of your key operational data, your server infrastructure must provide effective data backup and recovery. When used with a storage area network (SAN), a data protection manager (DPM) can help increase your storage space, reduce time needed to create backup, and allow for quick recovery of data when disaster strikes. Learn more about this scalable and cost-effective solution.

Abstract: Virtual data centers must enable increased physical server use and central management of virtual machine infrastructure. A clustered file system, with a virtual machine manager (VMM), can add critical new management and migration capability to current virtual servers. Before installing and configuring VMM, find out the hardware and software required for migration and integration, and helpful “how-to” pointers.

Abstract: Companies still struggle to close the gap between strategy and day-to-day operational decisions, particularly when they over-complicate planning with practices delving too deeply into their business. A key issue is thus the consolidation of actuals into planning, and the visibility of details for specific plans and assumptions. This points to a need for more strategically aligned “planning and performance” approaches.