Abstract: The latest Pulse surveys reflect business process outsourcing (BPO) and information technology outsourcing (ITO) market activity during the first quarter of 2008 and projections for the future. If you’re considering BPO or ITO, the surveys’ results can inform you on demand and buying patterns, deal scope, sales cycles and ramp-up time, as well as outsourcing’s role in making human resources more strategic. Learn more.

Abstract: IT plays a critical role in any business process outsourcing (BPO) effort—it’s the backbone that supports the transactional operations of outsourced business processes, as well as analysis, tracking, and quality control efforts. Given the importance of IT, organizations pursuing BPO must ensure that they take the time to adequately assess their skills and IT options—before committing to a service provider.

Abstract: Many different factors contribute to the cost of a business process outsourcing (BPO) engagement. Among them, IT, especially software, is a key cost determinant that is often underestimated. A diligent assessment of BPO needs to address several cost components that are not included in the provider’s total contract value (TCV)—components which are often overlooked by buyers.

Abstract: Being number two in the advanced planning and scheduling (APS) software market is becoming a coveted prize for old guard ERP vendors.

Abstract: Use a professional company profile template to write your company profile for your proposal or bid. FREE Company Profile Template.

Abstract: When the first Kenneth David Apparel store opened in 1992, the company could manage operations with an accounting solution alone. But as new stores opened, the company needed software to scale with growth—not only on the retail side, but design and manufacture too. Its new solution has e-commerce and point-of-sale features, and allows the company more insight for more effective management. Read more about the benefits.

Abstract: The Washington Post Company (WPC) needed a system to manage tax and asset depreciation from 25 companies, while allowing each company to independently add fixed assets and generate reports. With more than 100,000 fixed assets throughout the company, this was no minor task. But with the new Web-hosted fixed assets management solution, WPC accesses all data in real time, saving time and ensuring accuracy. Find out how.

Abstract: With 10 remote office locations spread across nine states, Amerisure was in need of a communications platform that would enable the company to enhance the distribution of information to employees. Employees located in satellite offices, with no direct access to the home office, can feel disconnected from corporate headquarters’ operations and activities. Amerisure needed to communicate to employees in a timely manner that would allow the flow of accurate, important information, whether that data be employee-specific, such as salary, job, or benefit information, or company news and updates. In addition to a centralized communication platform, the company wanted heightened management of its workforce through the use of business intelligence tools that would allow it to track trends and have improved monitoring capabilities for each location.

Abstract: Qwest Cyber.Solutions unveiled a new product portfolio for sector specific ASP solutions. The QCS Enterprise Freedom™ product suite is designed to offer flexible, fast, reliable platform solutions. The company has packaged their ASP products, to serve as the foundation for solutions offered to the finance, communications, healthcare and services sectors.

Abstract: Consider the case of two hypothetical companies—Company A and Company Z—each using an identical enterprise software package delivering identical core functionality. Company A has the same number of users, but the total cost of ownership (TCO) experienced by Company Z is about twice the TCO enjoyed by Company A. Why? We explain.

Abstract: Today’s data transmission departments are battling for budget and relevance. Moving files and ensuring delivery is getting tougher every day. To successfully deliver data to an increasing number of target platforms and meet rising customer expectations, leading companies are adopting service-oriented architectures (SOAs) and upgrading their file transfer departments into data transmission services. Find out more.

Abstract: Haynes Wire Company produces wire for structural and welding applications as well as medical. The company’s existing homegrown system was increasingly unable to manage and provide access to the information needed to operate the growing business, such as per-order costs. Find out how an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system helped by enhancing knowledge of costs, with increased control, visibility, and profitability.

Abstract: With over 25,000 customers, Holland Bulb Farms of Wisconsin (US) needed a more efficient way to sell and market its gardening items on the Web. The company wanted an integrated system to keep track of its growing number of transactions, expenses, and purchases. With Everest, the company found the all-in-one solution it needed—and within the first month of going live, saw a 300-percent return on investment. Learn more.

Abstract: Desserts of Distinction was using too many ingredients to take care of its key business activities. Storing recipes, controlling inventory, and tracking orders required various accounting software applications, spreadsheets, and databases. As a result, simple processes were time-consuming and manually intensive. Find out how BatchMaster addressed a number of needs, including inventory accuracy and traceability.

Abstract: The US Bioterrorism Act aims to counter terrorist attacks on the nation’s food supply. But what does it mean for your company? Can your company access and present documentation within twenty-four hours of the FDA’s request for any set of records? If not, a fully integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is mandatory unless you are the smallest of businesses.

Abstract: After expanding its product lines and accelerating product roll-outs, the Campbell Soup Company needed to align demand forecasting and supply chain planning with its new, more dynamic business model. Learn how the company’s new solution helped it improve inventory forecasting, adapt to day-to-day changes in demand, enhance long-range production planning and risk management, and spend more time on strategic activities.

Abstract: Specialty Products needed to address several warehouse and manufacturing management issues, including real-time inventory tracking. As it looked for a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, the company also wanted one-step order processing. Learn how the new ERP system, featuring a virtual shop front and electronic data interchange (EDI) capabilities, meets the company’s business and warehouse operating needs.

Abstract: Outsourcing is a very diverse market, and there are many different outsourcing options and outsourcing service providers to choose from. This part examines the four broad outsourcing categories: application software, information technology infrastructure, business process outsourcing (BPO), and manufacturing.