Abstract: Business strategy, a road map telling us how the business plans to be successful, does not guarantee success. Strategy execution requires business processes that do what the strategy calls for--and do it well. In today's automated world, these business processes rely on business systems. Therefore, a direct link exists between the success of business strategy and business systems. Poor systems are a frequent reason for the failure of a business strategy.

Abstract: As more business processes exist in an electronic universe, the need to manage the IT services that enable these processes increases. Business service management does this and achieves the IT alignment with the business necessary to ensure service improvement activities are prioritized with business objectives. Business service management applies the adage that if you improve IT, you improve the business. This paper presents an overview of business service management concepts and describes how Proxima Centauri provides a solution for this. It also describes how Six Sigma can be used as an underlying quality improvement process to eliminate the associated costs of poor quality.

Abstract: Enterprises of all sizes today face common problems dealing with handling increasing business complexity while reducing costs. The solution continues to be the automation of business processes. SAP is an established leader in addressing the needs of large enterprises. Building on that performance and identified best practices, SAP built and launched SAP Business One. SAP Business One was designed to offer small and medium businesses the same business streamlining and efficiencies at a scale and scope appropriate to their needs. IDC recently interviewed a number of companies that have successfully deployed SAP Business One. The purpose of our interviews was to determine what impact the software had on their productivity and cost reduction.

Abstract: Collaboration and interoperability are critical where multiple business units reside under one larger corporation, or where there is a requirement to integrate the system into a disparate system when a business-to-business or business-to-consumer extension is part of the business model.

Abstract: Aspen Technology recently announced its e-commerce initiative, Aspen e-Business, which is the first in a planned series of business-to-business e-commerce applications. As part of the initiative, AspenTech will partner with business-to-business application vendor Extricity Software, Inc. to deliver e-commerce solutions. Though Aspen lags behind other enterprise application software vendors in e-commerce offerings, recent business restructuring efforts and its hold on the process manufacturing segment may lead to success.

Abstract: IT departments rarely know as much about a business as the business people themselves. But business users still depend on IT to deliver answers related to the information that they receive. Learn how business intelligence (BI) 2.0—also known as collaborative BI—is helping business users create and modify their own reports, share and enrich information, and provide feedback to each other and to information producers.

Abstract: More than ever, executives are looking to transform human resources (HR) from a seemingly low-priority function into a strategic part of the business. This state of the market report from TEC discusses the challenges that small to medium businesses (SMBs) face when recruiting, hiring, and managing staff. It also features information about the latest human resources information system (HRIS) offerings for the SMB market.

Abstract: Executives and management consultants agree that effective business process management involves placing the day-to-day decisions into the hands of business operations managers. By applying operational business intelligence (BI)—which assembles data from the business as it happens, reports on it, and analyzes it—companies gain the necessary information and tools needed to make decisions and improve business performance.

Abstract: Written for the IT outsourcing community, this document describes an approach for measuring the business value of IT in order to focus service provision activities on areas that are of priority to the client. It introduces a quality improvement process that can decrease the cost of service provisioning without impairing service quality. The intended audience includes those responsible for designing a solution, managers of an existing service, and people bidding for new business looking to differentiate their services. By measuring and reporting on the business value of an IT service, outsourcers' clients see the contribution being made to the success of their clients' business ventures. As a result, the outsourcers' relationships will transition from supplier to partner, they become better placed to exploit new business opportunities, and save money by focusing efforts on areas that are important to their clients.

Abstract: SPECTRUM Human Resource Systems Corporation’s human resource information system (HRIS), iVantage 5.0, is now TEC Certified. The certification seal is a valuable indicator for organizations who rely on the integrity of TEC’s research services for assistance with their software selection projects. Download this 24-page TEC report for product highlights, competitive analysis, product analysis, and in-depth analyst commentary.

Abstract: Professional services firms are not like other businesses. They have unique ways of working, unique challenges, and unique opportunities. While progressive project-based businesses have already embraced professional services automation (PSA)—achieving results and return on investment along the way—there are still many firms that have yet to fully automate their key business processes or integrate their knowledge base.

Abstract: For over a decade, organizations have struggled with a gap between IT and business due to shifts in perceptions of what business intelligence (BI) should be. Often, skilled IT workers get stuck in low-level reporting roles, while business workers can’t access and analyze information fast enough to make strategic decisions. This discussion with an industry technologist offers some ideas for bridging the IT/business gap.

Abstract: Nowadays, it’s easy to spend nearly as much time trying to make the pieces of your supply chain work together as you actually spend working. Managing disparate systems and solving communication issues create challenges that keep your business-to-business (B2B) solutions from working in sync. Find out how integrating the technology, business processes, and communication of your entire business community can help.

Abstract: In the present context of business, it is becoming essential for the business world to provide electronic commerce in addition to their good old business model. An electronic commerce application adds lot of value to business models and helps overall growth in the different areas of business, business management, tracking, and customer support. Customers find it’s much easier to access the products and services of a corporation through an e-commerce application and corporations find it easier to reach their customers.

Abstract: Business processes must be enabled across the artificial boundaries of disparate applications that must work together to support these business processes. To that end, business process management (BPM) could assist in compliance issues, can reduce training requirements, and increase the overall efficiency of a business.

Abstract: IT, the Internet, and outsourcing have changed the way business is managed by providing what business demands. Many small or large companies that adopt IT and the Internet achieve competitive differentiation, operational excellence, and the flexibility to adapt to ever-changing business conditions. The next big thing to alter the ways business is done will be mobile technology. Learn about the challenges of going mobile.

Abstract: There are potential benefits of operating business process management (BPM) side-by-side with business service management (BSM). BPM and BSM are emerging technologies: BPM is concerned with the orchestration and management of effective business processes, while BSM focuses on the operational effectiveness of the enabling IT services. These technologies are mutually beneficial to one another. This white paper is intended for managers interested in implementing robust BPM solutions in IT-dependent business scenarios or managers looking to lay down a basic foundation for effective on-demand utility computing. It addresses the partnership between Fuego and Proxima Technology, vendors in BPM and BSM solutions.

Abstract: A growing measure of business performance is financial performance management. Leveraging business intelligence (BI) to map business performance goals requires integrating and consolidating information. Systems Union is embarking on a strategy to triumph in this market.