Abstract: Today's usage of Decision Support Systems (DSS), combined with vetted EAM knowledge bases, allows organizations to save time and money, achieving better and more reliable/fully-documented decisions, a quantum improvement over the widely-used subjective process of selecting complex enterprise software...

Abstract: Although end-user companies should continue to track the financial health of their vendors to possibly discern if the vendor will be a collector or one of the collected, the latest torrid 'love triangle' affair involving Oracle, PeopleSoft and J.D. Edwards may prove that even a seemingly stable vendor can involuntarily end up being acquired. If your vendor is acquired, do meet the new owners, given their motivation in buying your vendor was the install base and that is you. Showing interest is your part in keeping the relationship the way you want it.

Abstract: The added value of both SSA Global and Infor is that existing users of relatively small and dubious ERP products should now gain the benefits of synergistic software developments from other ERP siblings.

Abstract: When one company acquires another, who benefits? It seems PSI’s recent acquisition of AIS will benefit both—as well as their clients and the steel industry as a whole. The combined solution offering will address APS, MES, SCM, and more.

Abstract: Another vendor has stated that growth and license revenues in the mainframe arena are softer than expected. Shares of Merant (NASDAQ: MRNT), the provider of PVCS, a major software configuration management product (acquired from Intersolv), in addition to other software, have dropped more than 24 percent after the company released preliminary financial estimates for its first fiscal quarter recently-ended, showing revenues likely will be about 17 percent less than the previous year due to a decline in COBOL license fees.

Abstract: IBM has announced a four-year, $200 million investment to make it more cost effective and easier for companies to manage data on IBM S/390 enterprise servers. They will attempt to compete more effectively with Computer Associates (which acquired Platinum Technology and Sterling Software), BMC, and Oracle in the lucrative database tools market.

Abstract: Great Plains announced at the Solomon Partner Conference in August, a number of new product enhancements and/or product alliances for its recently acquired division and former archrival, Solomon Software. Solomon Value Added Resellers focused on the retail industry or interested in addressing this dynamic growth sector, have been invited to partner with Ultimate Connection, a South African retail software vendor.

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: ERP giant SAP AG announced on September 1 that it had acquired nearly a 10% stake in warehouse management system (WMS) vendor, Catalyst International Inc.

Abstract: In 2004, Best Software acquired ACCPAC through its parent company The Sage Group plc and has now released a new version of its CRM product: SalesLogix 6.2. Their objective is clearly to gain as much market share as possible in the growing small and medium sized enterprise market (SME). Acquiring additional market share is a clear objective when competing in a target market that houses players such as Microsoft CRM, Salesforce.com and the mid-sized Siebel offering. It will be interesting to watch how Best Software will position its new

Abstract: While the ongoing consolidation frenzy is by no means the end of smaller vendors, the number of survivors will certainly be only a few dozen. Amid these ongoing seismic consolidation tremors, smaller application vendors are left with few choices: going private under a wealthy financial backer’s wing that is also committed to invest in the acquired technology, or snatching some prominent mid-market players within its market segment.

Abstract: Aspen Technology recently acquired Petrolsoft Corporation, a maker of software for downstream refining distribution and replenishment.

Abstract: In order to return from oblivion SSA continues with more decisive moves to put itself back on the global enterprise applications map. Renaming itself as SSA Global Technologies (SSA GT) was one of the moves. It has recently acquired MAX International, a move to expand its offerings into the small and medium enterprise market. Will the market witness another Baan-like resurrection of a fallen ERP vendor?

Abstract: Cisco Systems, Inc. has acquired a Manufacturing Facility in New Hampshire.

Abstract: End-user companies should track the financial health of their vendors to see if the vendor will be a collector or one of the collected. If the end-user company has a focused vendor, think of that vendor's health and help them become even better in your type of business. If your vendor is acquired, meet the new owners. The new owners motivation in buying your product and vendor was the install base and that's you. Showing interest is your part in keeping the relationship the way you want it.

Abstract: Harbinger has agreed to be acquired by Peregrine in a stock exchange. The merger mates an infrastructure company that has already begun feathering its nest with e-commerce offerings to an established e-commerce company. Whether the resulting egg is golden remains to be seen, but it almost surely won’t be cracked.

Abstract: As the battle for the mid-market intensifies and each Tier 1 vendor is exhibiting its bag of tricks for small-to-medium enterprises, SAP is trying a twofold strategy of promulgating its mySAP.com offering for the higher-end of the mid-market, while offering a recently acquired product to appeal to complexity-adverse smaller enterprises.

Abstract: What are the prospects of SSA GT, now that the revived ERP vendor has recently acquired interBiz with its plethora of application products from its long archrival as a Computer Associates' division? Will the

Abstract: In a $905million exchange of stock, Efficient Networks has acquired a more than efficient security solution with its acquisition of the Netscreen line of appliance firewalls. Well positioned to give firewall market leader Checkpoint a run for their money, the Netscreen line of firewalls scale to an incredible magnitude compared to anything currently out on the market.