Abstract: Business reporting is a priority for IT and business users at midsize companies. These companies, lean on resources, need a single reporting solution that addresses a full range of reporting requirements and users. Discover complete reporting solutions that can recognize and accommodate different kinds of users, provide complete coverage for all types of reports, and access all enterprise data, regardless of the source.

Abstract: Best practices for reporting have often been overlooked. Most of the time we focus on eye candy—such as dashboards—and overlook report generation and report production, which are crucial concepts at the heart of business intelligence (BI). Learn more about the current reporting situation, and learn about ways to use reporting tools to improve the reporting processes in your company and make them more efficient.

Abstract: Find out why ad hoc reporting has become a critical component of the business intelligence (BI) environment—and learn how easy it is to make this type of analysis possible for the everyday business user. Along with an overview of the benefits of ad hoc reporting, this white paper will show you how the New York City Health Department makes reporting easy for its users, while eliminating the backlog of report requests for IT.

Abstract: Organizations need to strike a balance between global and local reporting requirements. This is particularly challenging, as a lack of flexibility in data structures adversely impacts both business development and local reporting. Organizations must thus focus on harmonizing the global model and data structures, and assist local entities in designing for local requirements—thereby providing one data source for reporting.

Abstract: Tracking and reporting stimulus fund spending are difficult tasks for chief information officers (CIOs). The US government’s accountability demands are forcing organizations that are spending American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to analyze floods of data. Discover how automated ARRA reporting systems can help you comply with reporting requirements without excessive labor costs or data management headaches.

Abstract: Organizations cannot achieve Sarbanes-Oxley compliance without the proper tools. But once these tools have been obtained, compliance becomes an opportunity for organizations to reevaluate their business practices and grow. Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a powerful ally in compliance efforts, and can give organizations the extra controls and review tools they need to help reach compliance and improve their organizational capacity.

Abstract: As one of the very early adopters of Microsoft products and technologies, Microsoft Dynamics NAV continues to use Microsoft products and technologies to help customers increase productivity, collaboration, and business insight. Instead of wasting valuable resources on integration, partners can focus on adding more customers and developing solutions that help small and medium businesses around the world achieve business success.

Abstract: The Microsoft Dynamics NAV Rapid Implementation Methodology (RIM) automates standard processes, speeds up implementation time, and drives the sharing of best practice knowledge and solutions between partners. But in order to understand how RIM can be used in an implementation project to get implementations up and running smoothly and quickly, it is important to understand the different components of RIM.

Abstract: The hub and spoke concept refers to a parent or holding company that uses one business software system (the hub), which is integrated with the systems used by its individual subsidiaries or divisions (the spokes). We look at the hub and spoke concept with SAP R/3 at the hub, and Microsoft Dynamics NAV at the spokes.

Abstract: Testing a system well is harder than building it. In the face of new risks introduced by the ever-increasing complexity of software and hardware, test tools may be your only practical way to be confident that you've got just what you paid for. From gathering the initial requirements to supporting the system after it has been deployed, test tools are available to support all phases of a project. This article looks at the ways that test tools can be used to design, code, and (of course) test a system.

Abstract: Driving sustainable growth requires profitability-focused planning and performance management. Most companies have some type of profitability reporting—but many are investing a lot of effort to produce this information. And the limitations to the information companies currently compile may have a significant impact on decision making. Learn how automating profitability reporting can help your company improve decisions.

Abstract: Commerce One has partnered with Sagent Technology to add analytic tools to its enterprise e-purchasing application. Also, Ariba has partnered with Informatica to add analytic tools to its enterprise e-purchasing application.

Abstract: Tools under the business intelligence (BI) umbrella combine to convert data into information, and information into decisions for action. Dashboards and scorecards are two such tools. Though often confused, they have functional difference, especially in modern BI suites.

Abstract: This tutorial, part 2 of a two part series on Knowledge Based Selection, demonstrates the selection processes and capabilities of Knowledge Based Selection Methods and Tools. These tools, integrated with business decision making procedures, can arguably reduce selection risk and improve chances for success in IT projects. Given the appalling rate of IT project failures, selection can potentially help reduce risk in some 30% of cases, with an associated estimated cost of about $30B annually to industry according to some sources. In this tutorial, we illustrate a number of the procedures for rapid decision processing through the real-life selection of a PDA device. The process gave confidence to the argument to wait for the solution, while weighing risk against return.

Abstract: In going through a business decision process for complex technology selections, more and more use is being made of technologically driven processes using Decision support tools and captured knowledge. The use of these systems and the capability to drive a solution from them assumes an ability to accurately express business requirements and business value within these tools. In this article, we explore the marriage of knowledge management and decision support in forming knowledge based selection systems and procedures that can assist in reducing the current appalling record of IT project failures. This is illustrated by the process to select a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Abstract: This article continues the examination of tools that a vendor may supply that can make the implementation of an ERP package easier for your project team, end users, and IT department. Read on to see what tools you may want to have in your toolbox before proceeding with the implementation.

Abstract: Microsoft development tools will help developers and independent Microsoft software vendors integrate Microsoft Dynamics GP with existing applications. This accounting and business management system includes many features and benefits, as well as guidelines to help developers choose the right tools for various development tasks and create custom applications that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Abstract: Conventional business intelligence (BI) tools are often not available to decision makers and are typically designed for use by trained business analysts. Learn about software-as-a-service (SaaS) BI tools designed to help non-IT people who struggle with the task of mining Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and other unstructured data sources to make sales forecasts, plan for resource utilization, or service customer accounts.