Abstract: i2’s decision to integrate Hyperion Essbase into its TradeMatrix™ applications is a welcome event for users.

Abstract: I'm Lyndsay Wise, senior research analyst at Technology Evaluation Centers. Welcome to another in TEC's series of enterprise software Showdowns. Today's Showdown pits three of the top business performance management (BPM) vendors against each other in a head-to-head contest: Hyperion System 9 vs. OutlookSoft vs. Cartesis Suite! We hope you find this Showdown helpful and informative, and invite your comments and questions.

Abstract: More and more students in classes at a senior high school were using USB drives to bring applications into the classroom. Because allowing unauthorized programs to run on workstations presents a number of serious challenges to teachers, the school needed to find a way to stop this behavior. Learn about the solution the school used to block distractive software and ensure its computers were used for their intended purpose.

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: Although the recent spate of acquisitions in the business intelligence market, especially marked with Business Object’s acquisition of Crystal, Hyperion’s acquisition of Brio, and Actuate’s acquisition of Nimble, may bear resemblance to the raging consolidation in the ERP market, the underlying reasons for the first one are not that simplistic.

Abstract: Small to medium businesses (SMBs) often face the same challenges as large businesses—just on a smaller scale. One such challenge is finding a business solution that manages expansion and addresses complex reporting and compliance issues. Many SMBs are now adopting enterprise performance management (EPM) solutions—complete with tools to help them meet the current and future needs of their growing business.

Abstract: Planning is a crucial management discipline that enables organizations to optimally allocate their finite resources, and achieve maximum potential. The more intelligently these resources are allocated in response to changing conditions and objectives, the better the business will perform. Indeed, improved business performance is why so many companies are aggressively evolving their planning processes and embracing planning best practices.

Abstract: Today’s business users require more from their business performance management systems. From dashboards to scorecards, production reporting, ad hoc analysis, financial applications, and key performance indicators, it’s clear that businesses need one system that offers broad, diverse functionality. They want the interface to be intuitive and easy to use, and they want the system to integrate with their productivity tools.

Abstract: Word processing software was introduced to improve employee performance, and has become an integral tool for every business. In much the same way, dashboards and scorecards will become the tools for improving business performance management and strategy execution. That’s why its essential for managers to gain an overview of dashboards and scorecards, including their benefits, strengths, and integration.

Abstract: Effective planning is integral to the success of a bank. It helps define and ensure the achievement of the organization’s objectives. Understanding and implementing the planning cycle, which leverages forecasting, operational metrics, and multidimensional analyses can help management determine the feasibility of a strategy. An enterprise-wide, integrated planning and forecasting environment that reaches business units, products, customer segments, and geographies can align non-financial performance targets with high-level financial targets and help banks meet their goals.

Abstract: Companies invest in information technology (IT) because they believe it will maximize their performance. The more a company knows about its customers, markets, supply chains, and internal operations, the more effectively it can pursue growth and profitability while avoiding risk and regulatory exposure. Unifying disparate systems with business intelligence (BI) systems, however, is not enough. For companies to truly differentiate themselves, they need to transform BI into business performance management (BPM) systems to leverage information discovered by BI and use it externally.

Abstract: I'm Sherry Fox, human resources (HR) research analyst and manager of Technology Evaluation Centers’ Research Analyst Group. Welcome to this month’s enterprise software Showdown! Today's Showdown compares Lawson S3 Human Capital Management and Vista HRMS from PDS, head-to-head. We hope you find these Showdowns helpful and informative, and invite your comments and questions at asktheexperts@technologyevaluation.com.

Abstract: I'm Dylan Persaud, senior analyst at Technology Evaluation Centers. Welcome to another in our ongoing series of enterprise software Showdowns. Today's Showdown pits three of the top ERP - Distribution solutions against each other in a head-to-head contest: Microsoft Dynamics vs.Retalix vs. Epicor Enterprise! We hope you find this Showdown helpful and informative, and invite your comments and questions.

Abstract: I'm Larry Blitz, editor of Technology Evaluation Centers’ (TEC) Vendor Showdown series. Welcome to our latest: ERP - Distribution Showdown. You’ll notice this one has a broader focus than Showdowns we’ve done in the past. Again we’ll be comparing three vendor solutions head-to-head, but not just on functionality. This time we’ll also look at the industries these solutions support, how well they cover different portions of the mid-market segment, and how their installed bases break out geographically. Of course, functionality is again a key component of this Showdown, broken down into four main distribution areas and 13 subareas. We hope you find today’s Showdown helpful and informative, and invite your comments and questions at showdown@technologyevaluation.com.

Abstract: I’m Larry Blitz, editor of TEC’s Vendor Showdown series. Today’s Showdown compares two popular mid-market CRM solutions, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and NetSuite CRM+, head-to-head. I hope you find this showdown helpful and informative. I invite your comments and questions at showdown@technologyevaluation.com.

Abstract: I’m Larry Blitz, editor of TEC’s Vendor Showdown series. Today’s Showdown pits two major learning management system vendors against each other, head-to-head: Saba Software and SumTotal Systems. I hope you find this LMS Showdown helpful and informative. I welcome all your comments and questions at showdown@technologyevaluation.com.

Abstract: Virtual data centers must enable increased physical server use and central management of virtual machine infrastructure. A clustered file system, with a virtual machine manager (VMM), can add critical new management and migration capability to current virtual servers. Before installing and configuring VMM, find out the hardware and software required for migration and integration, and helpful “how-to” pointers.

Abstract: Most research shows that offshoring and outsourcing are clearly the next wave of improvement initiatives for delivery of support services, but how do you decide whether outsourcing or offshoring are right for your organization? It may be helpful to examine the lessons learned from companies who have already made the internal build versus external outsource, and onshore versus offshore decisions.