Abstract: Thanks, in part, to the fallout from the financial scandals of Enron, WorldCom, Tyco and others, the corporate spotlight is being refocused on the audit function. However, by waiting until systems are live and in production before applying an audit regimen, you may miss an excellent opportunity to establish effective controls at the outset, when the enterprise software is being implemented. Read on to learn where and how, as an executive sponsor, project manager, or team member, you can instill audit procedures that can continue throughout the life of the software.

Abstract: GeoEye is the leading provider of map-accurate commercial imagery to the US military and intelligence community. In the past, GeoEye lived by the motto that “big problems require big machines.” However, this was presenting the company with significant—and escalating—cost and complexity issues. The solution: a self-managing and self-healing distributed computing environment that required no custom application development.

Abstract: Big revenues, big acquisitions, and a big loss. Seemingly overnight, the Dallas-based vendor has leapt from the ranks of unknown companies to be the undisputed champion of B2B supply chain management software and services.

Abstract: Big Lots, the largest closeout retailer in the United States (US), needed a way to manage vendors, and get its products to stores as quickly as possible. The company chose Inovis Partner Performance Management—an on-demand, service-oriented architecture (SOA)-based solution—as its supplier management system. Learn how this solution helped Big Lots share data with vendors, reduce errors, and improve its supply chain.

Abstract: The PeopleSoft-J.D. Edwards merger was, in great part, about retaining the big five (or big four, or big three) seat and the need to be bigger within shrinking market opportunities. The combined vendors should now a have solid foothold against SAP and Oracle, particularly because one better-performing side could, if necessary, cover up for the underachieving one.

Abstract: No matter how sophisticated your ERP solution may be, the most critical factor in its success will be how well it handles exceptions--the seemingly quixotic mission of planning for the unplanned. These issues outside your established operational parameters can include supply, operational and demand exceptions, and can have a 'butterfy effect' on your enterprise--impacting customer service, purchasing, plant scheduling, shipping and accounting. How well you respond depends on four critical factors: The speed at which you identify these exceptions; how thoroughly you communicate them within your enterprise, the business rules you have in place to handle these exceptions and how responsive your ERP system is to handling the above four factors. In this white paper, we will explore how you can manage these four factors in planning for exceptions in your enterprise.

Abstract: Most companies create a new marketing plan every 12 months. At the same time, they should audit their message strategy to stay on top of competitors’ marketing and to have confidence that they are delivering the right message to their market.

Abstract: Find out in the practical survival guide. managing transaction tax audit risk.

Abstract: An earlier article, Audit Considerations for Enterprise Software Implementations, included a brief discussion of the use of computer-based tool sets and repositories to facilitate compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Here we examine this issue in more detail. Of particular interest are the key characteristics that you should look for when selecting such tool sets. Read on to see how these tool sets can assist your company in meeting the new audit challenges facing corporate America.

Abstract: Acquiring, validating, and managing sales tax and use tax exemption certificates can be challenging. However, the appropriate exemption certificate management (ECM) strategy can help avoid sales tax audit risk while lowering audit assessments and penalties. Learn how to find the right solution for your organization.

Abstract: While today’s regulatory environment poses significant challenges to businesses, it should be looked at as an opportunity—one that turns compliance efforts into capital gains. You can accomplish this with an internal audit of your change management policies. This checklist will help your business prepare for a high-level process audit while providing tools your IT managers can use for maximum results.

Abstract: Card auditing and calculating takes a great deal of time, particularly for companies using full-time time-keepers to calculate and audit time cards. If the time cards are handwritten, it takes even more time to review, calculate, edit, and (typically) re-enter the data into a payroll system. However, automation reduces audit time by pre-processing punches against rules defined within the system.

Abstract: Implementation of a radio frequency identification system is best approached in four phases to ensure its success. Discussed here are the second and third phases, which deal with testing and validation, and the importance of setting up a pilot implementation.

Abstract: IBM's four-CPU servers, the Netfinity 5500 M20 and 7000 M10, yield top notch web-focused benchmark figures, but also very high price/performance figures for mainstream applications.

Abstract: Hewlett-Packard's four-CPU rackmount products, the NetServer LH4r and LXr 8000, are aimed at customers who want reliable, expandable server installations.

Abstract: Siebel is making a big push into the mid-market with the introduction of eBusiness 2000 MidMarket Edition. This product promises mid-size businesses a more affordable, scaled down version of Siebel’s top tier application suite.

Abstract: Here are four worst practices that can contribute to the failure of an enterprise resource planning implementation—or the implementation of any other enterprise software, for that matter. Protect your investment and prevent disaster by steering clear of these major mistakes.

Abstract: Announcing an upgrade to its online security portal, Ernst & Young, takes the lead in big 5 security services.