Abstract:

Abstract: While Oracle's declining revenue and profit continue across main businesses, SAP and Siebel have been extending their leads in respective enterprise application markets, while PeopleSoft has been anticipating turning on the overtaking flashing indicators.

Abstract: It appears that instead of a direct intra-market consolidation, some smaller, but profitable, undercapitalized, and undervalued warehouse management and supply chain execution vendors have lately found a shelter under wealthy, more visible parent companies with complementary products.

Abstract: MAPICS remains a customer-focused organization with the mantra of helping customers in select verticals become world-class manufacturers.

Abstract: Procurement organizations have been running electronic reverse auctions for years. Nevertheless, the use of auctions has not yet reached full potential. We’ve all heard the objections—and every objection stems from valid concerns. However, if your goal is to conduct fair and open competition among your supply base, reverse auctions can be an effective tool for bringing transparency to sourcing.

Abstract: While Made2Manage's decision to go private under a wealthy Battery Ventures' wing, which was supposedly committed to invest in the acquired technology was prudent at the time of announcement; subsequent events might be showing us a different side of the buyout medal. Although the draconic exodus of former executives and subsequent layoffs may at the end of the day result with some benefits for the customers (e.g., the vendor's stability and improved delivery of product functionality and quality) albeit within the vendor's future sweet spot. While the target market remains small and midsize manufacturers, that more granular sweet spot is yet to be determined and vocally unveiled by the new management.

Abstract: In addition to products' rationalization, the integration at sales and cultural levels will be challenging. In general, existing customers of involved merging vendors should be alert, but they should still look at these events as positive.

Abstract: Saltare.com offers a sound value proposition for companies who want to manage important events in their supply chains in real-time.

Abstract: On one hand, some archrivals (e.g., Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle) are becoming strange bedfellows, while, on the other hand, the others (e.g., Microsoft and Sun) remain set on irreconcilable differences between their technology camps. What are users to do when torn between the hype/promise of Web services and the fear of being outrun by events?

Abstract: Because the supply chains of most manufacturers have become complex, global networks, managing these systems requires enterprise applications that enable collaboration, visibility, demand-sensing, and quick response to unplanned and unexpected events. But from where will such solutions come?

Abstract: Oracle has long moved in the direction of blurring the line between applications and infrastructure. It has leveraged the system of record elements in application suites by applying infrastructure technologies to correlate real-time events for improved decision-making.

Abstract: In 2003, Exact Software announced the general availability of Macola Enterprise Suite (ES), the latest version of the company's ERP solution, which goes beyond traditional ERP solutions’ scope by allowing its users to define business rules, workflow, and exception alerts and events. Also, Exact Event Manager addresses the challenge of not knowing about existing and potential business problems or of learning of them too late by providing a way for organizations to define and respond to critical, time-sensitive data across the entire enterprise.

Abstract: Supply chain planning vendors have moved beyond enterprise planning to solutions that encompass the whole supply chain. Companies like Kinaxis are using enterprise response management to manage events and responses as they occur and align results at the point-of-action.

Abstract: Enterprises that have manufacturing or plant-level intelligence systems can be guided through the forking paths of exception-based decision-making. Not only will they be better prepared for unplanned events, but they will also know how their responses will impact the company.

Abstract: This note is intended to provoke thought regarding some of the dramatic incidents that occurred in the field of asset management in 2003, as well as address some of their more immediate consequences and ramifications of changing societal attitudes regarding the failure of physical assets. In particular it examines the impact of these events on issues such as the selection and implementation of enterprise management software, the use of call centers and the outsourcing of asset management functions. There is also an overview of the evolution of asset management throughout the world that has brought us to this point.

Abstract: The CMS Software-XKO Software merger into Solarsoft Business Solutions offers proof that smaller enterprise resource planning vendors are not extinct yet. Perhaps in the grand scheme of things, no one should really care about such events, but these less well-known vendors haven’t said their last words yet.

Abstract: While Geac’s balance sheet was boosted by recent events, a more positive sign is the company’s intent to become a true software-developing vendor, not simply a software collector and dealer.

Abstract: Rhodes College, with about 1,700 students and a large support staff, wanted to optimize use of campus facilities to address a community need for meeting rooms. A single resource calendar was needed to merge curriculum schedules with other meetings and events. Discover how a schedule managing solution helped the college organize meetings from various departments and offices—and reduce overhead with a self-service tool.