Abstract: Today's usage of Decision Support Systems (DSS), combined with vetted ERP 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: Program testing and debugging is one of the most critical aspects of implementing a computer system. Without programs which properly work, the system will never process information and produce the output for which it was designed. Testing procedures should be established and testing roles should be demarcated between the programmer and the analyst. Once this is done, test data that can test the limits of the program should then be created.

Abstract: Six Sigma Quality is a popular approach to process improvement, particularly among technology driven companies such as Allied Signal, General Electric, Kodak and Texas Instruments. Its objective is to reduce output variability through process improvement, and/or to increase customer specification limits through design for producibility. I don't like the Six Sigma metric. As you'll see, it fails to pass many of the empirical tests for

Abstract: The traditional approach to network intrusion management is to detect an intrusion, analyze it, and then works toward eradicating it. By buckling down your host security, securing the input/output devices, and intercepting Trojan executables, SecureWave can prevent intrusions from happening up front.

Abstract: The metric of plant maintenance should now be in the ability of the plant to meet the strategic goals of the company beyond customarily expected cost savings, such as improved plant output, performance predictability, product quality, customer service, safety, environmental control, etc.

Abstract: International Marketing Group (IMG) was used to tall orders. And although fulfillment mistakes were rare for the third-party logistics company, any errors that did occur were extremely costly. In order to stay competitive, IMG realized that it would need to increase its fulfillment output. With its new warehouse management system (WMS), IMG’s shipping time has gone from several days to mere hours.

Abstract: The Solaris operating system has become the top choice for hosting data center applications. Sun Solaris platforms consistently exceed the reliability requirements of enterprise data centers while at the same time reducing total cost of ownership (TCO). QLogic fibre channel solutions are a perfect match for Solaris environments and successfully meet the input/output requirements of enterprise applications.

Abstract: So, you’ve made the switch from a traditional rack server to a blade server. Now, you want to maximize your blade server return on investment (ROI) and reduce your costs further. A variety of input/output (IO) products is out there, specially designed to comply with all original equipment manufacturer (OEM) blade hardware. The next step is to get the facts on how they can benefit you.

Abstract: A critical element of storage area network performance is the selection and deployment of a host bus adapter (HBA) with the right architecture. But high-performance database solutions also need to be complemented by high-performance and scalable input/output connectivity. Choosing the wrong components can result in management complexity—and severely limit an organization’s overall business agility.

Abstract: It’s common knowledge that asset downtime disrupts production and drives up both process and per-unit operating costs. However, executives often lose sight of this because they focus on output, not on the assets used to create it. The irony is that companies can use asset performance management not only to make more widgets, but to make each widget more profitably.

Abstract: The next-generation input/output interconnect standard for the PC industry arises from PCI Express and PICMG 1.3 specifications. However, as platforms change to incorporate these standards, they’re virtually eliminating space for high-end telephony boards. When building telephony solutions, vendors must be aware of the changes in these specifications so that they can better use current and future systems for communications applications.

Abstract: All companies use some form of sales and operations planning (S&OP) to synchronize market data with production output. But most practice a planning process based on logistics rather than strategy. Taking a more strategic approach, however, the S&OP process can be designed to bring together a company’s marketing, finance, sales, and operations departments to continuously monitor—and meet—customer demand.

Abstract: Retail departments enticed by software which promises to make them better and more accurate often fail to consider that they will need constant input and output of data in order for the software to work effectively. To improve the customer experience, a retail organization needs to fashion itself into an integrated enterprise that relies on a single database. But how?

Abstract: Because they are seeing fewer cost savings from other lean initiatives, many manufacturers are now seeking to optimize their workforces the way they’ve optimized other assets. In order to begin putting the workforce first, these companies are using workforce management (WFM) systems to handle human resources (HR) tasks and obligations, reduce labor costs, increase output, and make better use of in-house capabilities.

Abstract: Hearing confusing messages from your customer resource management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendors? You may be dealing with dozens of software vendors and system integrators, each one praising the benefits of his solution. Among these proposals, one claims not only to efficiently manage the entire customer life cycle, but also to take full advantage of your previous technology investments. Your incumbent ERP system vendor also has a CRM solution, and praises the benefits of the tight integration of both systems. The question then is, how do you know whether this solution is the best for you? Request your copy of Integrating CRM with ERP compliments of Baseline Consulting. The report gives you the criteria to use when formulating your strategy of integrating CRM with ERP, best practices of CRM implementation, dealing with ERP integration, and how to integrate CRM with ERP impacts the value chain.

Abstract: I'm Larry Blitz, editor of TEC’s Vendor Showdown series. With enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems being the information backbone of the organization, we decided to take a closer look at three of the more popular discrete ERP solutions for the mid-market. Using TEC's ERP Evaluation Center, we compared Infor ERP LN 6.1, Epicor Vantage, and Lawson M3 Discrete Manufacturing Solutions head-to-head, based on the most recent data supplied to us by the three vendors.

Abstract: As organizations prepare for their next ERP version upgrade, they find themselves trying to make sense of a new iteration that disrupts the traditional understanding and thinking about ERP. ERP II requires organizations to transform from a focus on internal resource optimization to a new focus on process integration and external collaboration. To help organizations make sense of this new iteration, we look at why ERP II has come about, how it differs from ERP, and how it promises to change the way organizations do business in the future.

Abstract: Compare ERP software: Discover the 8 key modules to base your selection on and tools you must use in order to save up to 85% of time and money you'd spend gathering information on your own. Beyond mere requests for proposals (RFP) templates, get every criteria already responded to by ERP software vendors, available to you right now in an Excel spreadsheet. So no need to chase vendors down, wait days, weeks, or months for their reply to compare ERP software. How to compare ERP software systems. Find your best-fit ERP software.

Abstract: The trade-off between best-of-breed functionality and ease of integration is no longer so simple. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software continues to expand, blurring the boundaries of core ERP functionality. The three essential factors to consider in ERP versus best-of-breed decisions are functionality, integration, and the ability to upgrade. Find out the questions you need to ask when considering an ERP extension.