Abstract: What does customer relationship management (CRM) mean to you? What is its value? Thousands of companies have ventured down the CRM path—many successfully, and others not. The reason may lie in the
fact that CRM is sometimes viewed incorrectly, or may in
fact be misunderstood. We provide some insights about the value of CRM in defining customers, increasing customer loyalty, and increasing your profits.
PubDate: 9/13/2007 4:41:00 PM
Abstract: When evaluating a data integration tool, you need to ask whether it handles dimension and fact transformations in a robust manner. You also need to determine how it handles error processing, and captures changes to dimensional data across time. Does it include reusable objects? What late-arriving fact functionality does it provide? And which data stores does it actually connect to?
Abstract: Although ASA seems to have obtained an intriguing complementary product offering and a modest client base for almost next-to-nothing cost, it has to quickly articulate a clear and assuring message to the market that it can and will execute a strategy for enhancing PowerCerv product lines for a foreseeable future.
Abstract: PowerCerv, a long languishing mid-market enterprise applications vendor, having been unsuccessful in its repeated attempt to revitalize itself under own steam, has eventually resorted to bailout by a more financially stable adopted parent.
Abstract: On September 27, Oracle took a major step towards providing a fully integrated front and back office applications suite by launching Oracle Applications 11i at its Applications' User Group conference in Orlando, Florida.
Abstract: On September 27, a group of vendors including Oracle, IBM, Unisys, NCR, and Hyperion Solutions announced the submission of a metadata interchange standard to the OMG standards body. A common approach to metadata would allow products from different vendors to interact, a problem that has vexed customers for years. But will all the major vendors adopt the standard?
Abstract: On August 23, MAPICS, Inc., one of the leading mid-market ERP vendors, announced that it is taking steps to reduce costs through a restructuring plan. Earlier, on July 27, MAPICS reported results for the third quarter of its fiscal 2000.
Abstract: On June 27, Great Plains Software, Inc., a leading mid-market provider of back-office and e-business solutions, announced financial results for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended May 31, 2000. Despite continued growth and profitability, the market reacted to the company’s results that were below analysts’ expectations by almost halving its market capitalization in a day!
Abstract: On April 27, Epicor Software Corporation reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2000. Net loss for the quarter was $8.9 million or $0.22 per share, compared with a net income for the same period last year of $2.1 million or $0.05 per share.
Abstract: On October 27, MAPICS, Inc. reported revenues and net income for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 1999. For fiscal 1999, total revenues amounted to $134.7 million compared with $129.7 million in fiscal 1998. Net income for the year totaled $13.2 million, or $0.62 per share (diluted), compared with $18.7 million, or $0.81 per share (diluted) in the prior year.
Abstract: On October 19, SAP announced its results for Q3 2000, in which revenues rose 27% and net income increased 96% over the same period last year. However, bear in mind that SAP’s export figures have been bloated to a degree by currency effects, namely a recent favorable exchange rate between dollars and Euros . Even without that effect, 17% revenue growth in the US is much less compared to recent reports from its direct competitors, which should indicate a possible loss of market share.
Abstract: While on the surface, there are few economic or strategic reasons for organizations to persist with electronic data interchange (EDI), many seem reluctant to adopt the alternative at this stage. In fact, there has been almost negligible growth in the number of organizations replacing their EDI-based systems with XML.
Abstract: Many organizations don’t follow formalized processes for technical support evaluation. However, technical support is a vital component of any enterprise software solution. The fact is, poor technical support can have a severe impact on a solution’s total cost of ownership.
Abstract: It is not unusual to use the metaphor of war to construct theories of business competition—substituting competing vendors for the mortal enemy. But what about the enemy within? And what if it is in fact a company's strongest resource?
Abstract: Business practices have changed dramatically through the years, but credit and collections is still handled like it was back in the 1950s. Fact is, it’s way past due to re-think this vital business function given today’s business realities.
Abstract: ERP systems, in fact, are devised to operate by codifying a set of business processes and employees have to learn the whys, wheres and whos of the business process (workflows) rather than hows of the software screens.
Abstract: Given Epicor's ordeal of the past and the fact that divesting several lateral products in 2001 will have greatly helped it achieve some much needed stability nowadays, one could wonder about the wisdom of the renewed Epicor’s appetite for acquisitions.
Abstract: The many challenges and risks that retailers face when sourcing globally could be mitigated with the right software tools. Yet the sad fact is that few information technology systems fully support the complexities and unique requirements of global trade.
Abstract: The fact that the size does not necessarily mean everything in the enterprise applications space might be proven by Provia, which certainly still continues to differentiate its value proposition despite its smaller stature and quieter nature compared to most of its adversaries. Most recently, it would be its early embrace of RFID through two offerings for different levels of RFID needs: 1) ViaWare WMS--RFID compliant product, for intrinsic RFID enablement of many processes within the supply chain, and 2) the RFIDware add-on module, for achieving outbound RFID tag application only.