Accounting Software (ERP for SMB)
- Accounting (ERP for SMB) (109)
 The accounting and ERP for small and medium businesses (SMB) knowledge base targets functional requirements for a fully featured accounting solution. In addition to supporting accounting requirements, it is especially applicable for those researching an ERP system suitable for small and medium businesses (SMB). It includes categories such as General Ledger, A/P and A/R, Payroll, Job and Project Costing, Multinational Accounting, Manufacturing, Inventory, Technology, and much more.
Business Intelligence (BI) and Business Performance Management (BPM) How Can Business Intelligence Benefit Small to Medium Businesses? Lyndsay Wise- 6/4/2008 Research shows that the number one software solution that small to medium businesses plan to purchase in the coming year is business intelligence (BI). Download TEC’s latest podcast to find out why BI is so hot right now. How to Evaluate a Sales and Operation Planning System Anand Chatterjee- 2/1/2008 The features available in today’s sales and operations planning (SOP) systems make these systems indispensable assets for an organization. Reporting tools and graphical representations are just a couple of these key features. Find out what else to look for in an SOP system.
- Business Intelligence (BI) (20)
This business intelligence (BI) knowledge base covers a full range of BI functionality. BI applications enable real time, interactive access, analysis, and manipulation of mission-critical corporate information. BI users are able to access and leverage vast amounts of information to analyze relationships and understand trends that support business decisions. This knowledge base covers everything from data mining to analytics, querying, reporting, workflow, and in-depth analysis.
- Business Performance Management (9)
Business performance management (BPM) enables organizations to translate strategies into plans, monitor execution, and provide insight needed to manage and improve financial and operational performance. This knowledge base covers scorecards, dashboards, business activity monitoring, and more.
Business Process Management (BPM)
- Business Process Management (BPM) (25)
Business process management (BPM) defines, enables, and manages the exchange of enterprise information through the semantics of a business process view, which involves employees, customers, partners, applications, and databases.
Content Management System (CMS)
- Document Management Systems (10)
Document management systems (DMS) assist with the management, creation, workflow, and storage of documents within different departments. A DMS stores documents in a database and associates important information about the documents, to the documents (known as metadata). Most systems provide workflow engines to design and support document creation, publication, and usage. DMS solutions are often used by insurance and health care industries, government bodies, or other organizations processing high volumes of documents.
- Enterprise Content Management Systems (ECM) (15)
Content management systems enable management of web site content,internal corporate documentation and information, and group collaboration. This Enterprise Content Management (ECM) knowledge base covers requirements for content authoring, workflow, presentation, asset management, reporting, backup, and other criteria for content management processes.
- Web Content Management Systems (17)
Web content management (WCM) systems manage content creation, review, and approval processes for web site content. This may include public Web sites (Internet), or private web sites (intranet or extranet). Use a WCM solution to organize and manage documents; provide content version control, collaboration utilities, and user or document level security.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)The “Gentler” Giant’s Value Proposition to Overcome the “Little Guys’” Perception P.J. Jakovljevic- 5/23/2008 Since its launch less than a year ago, Oracle’s VAD Remarketer Program has been quite successful in recruiting new value-added distributors worldwide. But the real challenges that remain for this software giant have more to do with its image within the market than with its products. A “Gentler” Giant’s Success in Reaching Out to the “Little Guys” P.J. Jakovljevic- 5/21/2008 Until recently, the few leaders in the lower end of the technology and platform market have hardly had any viable competition. However, Oracle is determined to give these players—especially archrival Microsoft—a run for their money, starting with offerings attractive to small to medium businesses and partners alike.
- CRM for Financial and Insurance Markets (4)
This CRM knowledge base supports specialized criteria for groups engaged in the financial and insurance markets. In addition to many of the regular CRM features, the knowledge base has a range of criteria for policy tracking, agency management, investment tracking, and other areas of concern to professional service automation (PSA) groups.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) (52)
This comprehensive, customer relationship management (CRM) knowledge base covers the full range of CRM functionality. Modeled especially to help clients requiring modern B2B or B2C solutions, it covers marketing automation, sales force automation, customer service and support, partner management, contract management and creation, project and team management, Internet sales, e-mail response management, analytics, and important technical criteria.
- Enterprise Marketing Management (EMM) (2)
The Enterprise Marketing Management (EMM) Knowledge Base research helps determine support levels of various systems that help companies market their services or products effectively and efficiently. EMM tools help manage strategic planning and marketing resources (sometimes referred to as marketing resource management or MRM). This KB also covers rule-based techniques, pattern recognition, and other profiling features.
- Sales Force Automation (SFA) (14)
Sales Force Automation (SFA) systems help sales and marketing teams with functions related to taking orders, generating proposals or quotes, managing territories, managing partners, and maintaining contact data. Systems often include various levels of analytic and reporting capabilities.
Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)EAM versus CMMS: What's Right for Your Company Joe Strub and P.J. Jakovljevic- 6/20/2008 This article looks at where computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) end and enterprise asset management (EAM) takes over, focusing on features and functionality of EAM software. It also compares CMMS and EAM software and explores the two key differentiators. Acquisitive Vendor Expands Its Enterprise Asset Management Potential P.J. Jakovljevic- 4/18/2008 IFS has much to offer customers. Its IFS Applications suite now boasts an asset lifecycle management module for quick data retrieval. IFS also has a strong commitment to international standards, and with its acquisition of iSC, expertise in naval and marine operations.
- CMMS - EAM (38)
The EAM knowledge base is geared toward groups that need to analyze requirements for a system, which supports maintenance management tasks. Asset management systems typically enable planning, controlling, and monitoring of physical asset events. This knowledge base includes criteria for comparing general computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) functionality, fleet maintenance, workflow, reporting, and other areas that touch upon asset management practices.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)Manufacturing Software for an Integrated Steel Plant Ashfaque Ahmed- 9/10/2008 An integrated steel plant’s manufacturing processes typically encompass three distinct types of manufacturing—flow manufacturing, process manufacturing, and mill manufacturing—making such a plant a mixed-mode manufacturer. Software systems that address the diverse needs these manufacturers have cannot be emphasized more. Can ERP Speak PLM? Jim Brown- 9/5/2008 Because product lifecycle management (PLM) offers a host of benefits to manufacturers, it has become one of the fastest growing categories of enterprise applications.
But a PLM system needs to work hand-in-hand with an enterprise resource planning system, so how can an organization integrate these two enterprise applications, which "speak" in different languages?
- Discrete Manufacturing (ERP) (110)
The discrete enterprise resource planning (ERP) knowledge base addresses discrete manufacturing (distinct items such as auto parts or chairs) as well as non-manufacturing industries. Research vendors that support a range of functionality for production planning, shop floor control, and product costing. The knowledge base also provides information on financials, human resources, and other enterprise management modules.
- Engineer-to-Order (ETO ERP) (35)
The engineer-to-order (ETO) enterprise resource planning knowledge base supports the requirements of companies that manufacture products based their customers' unique engineering designs. Companies building ETO products require special processes for estimates, purchasing materials, engineering changes, cost allocation and tracking, and ongoing work with customers.
- ERP - Distribution (33)
Enterprise resource planning (ERP)—distribution software is designed for companies in the distribution and logistics industries. Traditional distribution businesses focus on moving goods through a supply chain, and the distribution software market has developed products to meet these needs. The software solutions developed for ERP for distribution includes functionality for supply chain management (SCM), distribution process management (DPM), and retail and commerce.
- ERP for Mill-based and Material Converting Environments (6)
The ERP for Mill-based and Material Converting Environments knowledge base focuses on a range of industrial activities that add value to raw materials by processing them into a form suitable for further manufacturing or for immediate end-use. These activities include traditional mills that turn grain into flour or extract sucrose from sugar cane; the spinning and weaving mills of the textiles and carpets sectors; the rolling plants of steel, aluminum, and other metals semi-fabricators; to the continuous outputs of paper and board mills.
- ERP for School Districts and Municipalities (7)
The ERP knowledge base for K-12 school districts and municipalities focuses on back-office functionality, including financials, human resources (HR), and payroll. It covers important functionality for employee self-service activities, purchasing management, and inventory management.
- ERP for Services (Non-manufacturing) (22)
The enterprise resource planning (ERP) for services knowledge base is appropriate for organizations in service-oriented industries. It consists of enterprise-wide integrated information systems that manage the operations, services, and resources of non-manufacturing organizations.
- Mining Industry (ERP & CMMS) (13)
This knowledge base includes enterprise resource planning (ERP) and computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) modules geared toward the regular requirements of companies in the mining industry. While including important criteria for financials solutions and human resources, it has additional process workflow, quality management, field service, and other criteria.
- Mixed-Mode Manufacturing (ERP) (36)
The mixed-mode manufacturing ERP knowledge base addresses diverse criteria for multiple types of production environments and strategies. Companies that need to switch production without interrupting their operations may seek both discrete and process manufacturing requirements of their ERP solution. These may include mixing, separating, forming, or performing chemical reactions, as well as functionality for production planning, shop floor control, and product costing.
- Process Manufacturing (ERP) (45)
The process enterprise resource planning (ERP) knowledge base anticipates as many factors as possible to assist businesses in the process manufacturing field, which typically involves mixing, separating, forming, or performing chemical reactions (for example, paint manufacturers or refineries). The knowledge base includes criteria for determining batch control and reporting, formula and routing, and material management capabilities. It also provides information for other enterprise management modules such as human resources and financials.
Financial Software
- Financial Packages (39)
This financial software knowledge base anticipates as many factors as possible to establish your selection criteria for general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, reporting, and other bookkeeping requirements. This knowledge base in particular, offers a view on enterprise financial packages, which can complement an existing ERP system.
Human Resources Management System (HRMS)"Star Search"—Talent Management Made Simple Sherry Fox- 6/13/2008 One of the biggest challenges businesses face today in the area of human resources is the recruitment and retention of skilled talent. Combining a talent management strategy with an integrated talent management system can help ensure you have the right people in place to meet your organization’s needs. Tactical Human Resources Evolves into Strategic Human Capital Management P.J. Jakovljevic- 4/28/2008 In contrast to traditionally investing in automation technologies for better use of tangible assets, enterprises have begun to invest in optimizing human capital. Human capital management, or talent management, is a set of human resources practices focusing on the acquisition, management, and optimization of the enterprise workforce.
- Human Resources (HR) (43)
This knowledge base on human resources management systems affords clients the opportunity to rapidly determine their criteria for management and employee personnel tasks. Its extensive criteria include benefits and payroll management, employee self service, data warehousing, and health and safety requirements.
- Incentive and Compensation Management (5)
Enterprise incentive management (EIM) and employee compensation management sit between HR, CRM, Accounting, and sales force automation. These applications help sales executives gain perspective on sales performance, business operations, and manage compensation programs. EIM solutions are used to improve sales strategies.
Information Security SoftwareSecurity Risk Assessment and Management in Web Application Security Caleb Sima- 6/6/2008 Corporations are at risk because Web applications and servers make them susceptible to hackers and cyber crooks. However, companies can perform security risk assessments that mitigate risk by applying security risk management policies designed to protect a company’s data. Are You Adequately Protecting Your IT Infrastructure Components Inside the Firewall? Teresa Wingfield - 1/11/2008 Components such as applications, databases, web servers, directories, and operating systems rely mostly on built-in security features. But passwords and privileges are hardly enough, considering that many users have elevated privileges and fail to follow established corporate procedures.
- Firewall (4)
Firewalls protect enterprise computer systems from attacks by individuals wishing to crack or otherwise compromise an internal network. The firewall knowledge base addresses requirements for network interfaces and protocols, content filters, VPN capacity, and other security characteristics.
- Information Security Selection (14)
Based on a wide range of security-related issues, the Information Security Knowledge Base covers both solution suites and individual software packages. Organizations can evaluate the capabilities of different vendors' firewall, intrusion detection, anti-virus, virtual private network, public key infrastructure, cryptography, and other enterprise security solutions.
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Learning Management System (LMS)6 Specialists, 6 Industry Domains: Trends for 2008 and 2009 Verónica Inoue- 12/31/2007 In a survey on upcoming trends in employee management, the Learning Review asked six experts in six major industry domains one simple question: what do you think the main trends in [domain] will be for 2008 and 2009? Here are their answers. Improving Human Performance by Identifying the Gaps Verónica Inoue- 7/16/2007 Mariano Bernárdez, expert in performance improvement, was interviewed in Buenos Aires (Argentina) by Learning Review's Verónica Inoue. Inoue asked Bernardez about his new book, Tecnología del Desempeño Humano (Human Performance Technology), and how this issue affects the Latin-American market.
- Learning Management Suite (20)
The Learning Management Knowledge Base will help you select learning content and management systems. It covers the required tools for effective training, e-learning and virtual classroom, course management, competency management, and other criteria.
Linux, FOSS, and IT Services
- Open Source and Linux, IT Services (25)
The model of IT services for Free and Open Source software (FOSS) helps identify the characteristics clients require from consultants, integrators, resellers, etc. to develop, support, migrate, and implement enterprise solutions or services that are based on, or are themselves, FOSS. In addition, it supports standard criteria important to enterprise Linux rollouts or migrations.
OutsourcingHuman Resources for Small to Medium Businesses Jeff Spitzer- 1/17/2008 When small to medium businesses shop around for a human resources (HR) solution, their main considerations are whether to go for a hosted or non-hosted solution, or to simply outsource HR functions altogether. It’s important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each before making a selection. The Challenges that Remain for One Aspiring Global Sourcing Vendor P.J. Jakovljevic- 10/26/2007 In the long term, Eqos’s current stature and means may not be enough to maintain its competitive position against current and potential competitors, especially those with significantly greater financial resources, name recognition, and other resources.
- Outsourcing, Applications Software (50)
The outsourcing application software knowledge base criteria are appropriate for selecting outsource providers in the area of business software development. It includes all activities performed by outsource providers including software development; software maintenance; software reengineering or rearchitecting; porting software to a new platform; and more.
- Outsourcing, IT Infrastructure (8)
The IT Infrastructure Outsourcing knowledge base focuses on the selection of companies who provide outsource services in the areas of information technology (IT) infrastructure. The typical types of activities that these providers perform include data center operations; network operations; backup/recovery services, data storage management services; system administration services; end user support of desktop PCs, laptops, and handheld devices; web site, or application hosting, etc.
Product Information ManagementAudit Your Message Strategy by Answering Three Questions Lawson Abinanti- 1/4/2008 Most companies create a new marketing plan every 12 months. At the same time, they should audit their message strategy to stay on top of competitors’ marketing and to have confidence that they are delivering the right message to their market. The Seven Deadly Sins of Software Marketing Joseph J. Strub- 10/1/2007 Huge amounts of money are spent on marketing collateral—you need to ensure that you get your money's worth. This article discusses seven common mistakes made when developing software marketing collateral. Read on to see if you need to repent.
- Product Information Management (PIM) (5)
Product information management (PIM) provides a common, central repository to manage all types of information about finished products. It integrates with back office systems and provides additional workflow management.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)Yet Another Branding Debacle (This Time, It's ERP for Services) Jane Affleck- 6/25/2008 Organizations providing billable services to their clients can benefit from an enterprise resource planning solution. But what makes ERP for services different from solutions known as product portfolio management for professional services automation? And which is best for your organization? Yet Another Branding Debacle (This Time, It’s ERP for Services) Jane Affleck- 3/3/2008 Organizations providing billable services to their clients can benefit from an enterprise resource planning solution. But what makes ERP for services different from solutions known as product portfolio management for professional services automation? And which is best for your organization?
- Core PLM for Discrete Industries (18)
Core PLM and Product Data Management (PDM) for Discrete Industries covers the base foundation of PLM for the discrete manufacturing industries such as automotive, electronics, aerospace and defense, medical devices, complex machinery and others. It covers design and product-related aspects of PLM including management of material specifications, product structures, production processes, design tools, document management, and design collaboration.
- Core PLM for Process Industries (5)
Core PLM, Product Specification and Recipe Management (PDM and RM) for Process Industries covers the base foundation of PLM for the process (or recipe-based) manufacturing industries such as food & beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical and others. It covers design and product-related aspects of PLM including management of material specifications, recipes, formulas, production processes, design tools, document management and collaboration.
- Product Development and Portfolio Management (7)
The Product Development and Portfolio Management Knowledge Base covers the execution processes of new product development projects and programs, including phase-gate processes. It also addresses Product Portfolio Management (PPM), including the evaluation processes of new and existing products and product portfolios to provide the most valuable, balanced, and well aligned portfolio of products.
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) (18)
This comprehensive product lifecycle management (PLM) knowledge base models modern product and design-related aspects of PLM for both discrete and process industries. It details product development and portfolio management, manufacturing process management, ideation and requirements management, service data, and regulatory and compliance criteria. This comprehensive knowledge base incorporates the criteria of TEC's other PLM knowledge bases.
- Regulatory and Compliance (8)
The Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge Base covers the requirements for ensuring products and their associated materials comply with both external and intenal rules and regulations. It covers regulatory and requirements needs, as well as product related components of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S).
Project Portfolio Management (PPM)
- PPM for Internal Departments (12)
A business practice that assists organizations to align their portfolio of projects with their business strategy. Typically IT departments employ an IT governance framework to ensure that their PPM strategy is put into action. With the increasing demand of IT departments to justify their project investments, PPM software has risen in popularity as the tool of choice. It allows both executives and IT decision makers to gain insight into their IT portfolios. PPM software allows IT managers to prioritize projects, allocate resources where needed, and gain financial insight into their portfolio investments.
- PPM for Professional Services Automation (9)
A business practice that assists organizations to align their portfolio of projects with their business strategy. Professional services automation (PSA) refers to a system designed to streamline and track resources, projects, portfolios, revenues, and the costs of professional services organizations (PSOs), which provide billable services to their clients. Consequently, PPM for PSA provides both the high-level monitoring of project portfolios as business investments and automates the project-specific functionality of time, billing, expense reporting, opportunity management, and resource management, linking back office functionality with the PSO’s portfolio of projects.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) System
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) (4)
The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Evaluation Center covers criteria for tags and storage devices, readers, wireless hubs and servers, and the middleware necessary for evaluating an RFID system deployment. RFID systems are used in different situations that require the tracking of unique items. RFID tags, in the context of enterprise resource planning and supply chain management, make items visible from manufacturing through distribution. RFID tags may be used to carry basic information such as an address, to more complex information used at different stages of an assembly line.
Retail SystemRetail Merchandising Showdown! Lawson Software vs. Epicor vs. Aldata Solution TEC Analysts- 2/15/2008 Using our Merchandising Evaluation Center, we compared Lawson Retail Operations Management, Epicor CRS Merchandising, and Aldata G.O.L.D. head on. For the overall rankings portion, we looked at these vendor solutions in two basic configurations: with and without POS functionality. To eliminate any chance of bias, and to ensure a level playing field, all 3,072 criteria comprising all the modules and submodules in the merchandising request for information (RFI) were given equal weight and priority… Social Networks: How They're Turning CRM Upside Down Wayne Thompson- 10/24/2007 Social networking has collided with customer relationship management, and it's turning the relationship between businesses and their customers upside down. Today, businesses are using social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace or, as is the case with Procter & Gamble, developing their own social networks, to …
- Merchandising Systems (7)
Merchandising systems are the enterprise back and front-office software solutions upon which the majority of retailers rely to manage and support their daily tasks. These systems typically record product performance, which allows buyers to purchase merchandise according to that information and to make accurate merchandise decisions. Moreover, retail systems have capabilities for tracking inventory, capturing sales data, and managing retail prices.
- Point of Sale (POS) Systems (13)
A point of sale (POS) system helps retailers automate transactions. POS solutions are used in retail stores where sales associates must enter sales, refunds, layaways, transfers, etc. TEC's model of POS systems facilitates the selection process with research on vendors that support inventory management, register management, price management, transaction management, and other capabilities.
Software Test ToolsHow to Measure Customer Satisfaction Murali Chemuturi- 4/30/2008 Organizations often rely on surveys and questionnaires to determine customer satisfaction ratings, but such methods merely offer a perceived customer rating. Obtaining a realistic measure of customer satisfaction involves computing a metric based on a composite customer satisfaction rating system. Quality Reassurance: How To Get What You Need from Acceptance Testing James Lyndsay- 7/4/2006 Integrating a new system with your organization places new opportunities, and new risks, at the heart of your business. We look at the thinking and negotiation that shape acceptance testing, and how it influences your assessment of the new system.
- Software Test Tools (11)
Tools exist to support software testing at all stages of a project. Some vendors offer an integrated suite that will support testing and development throughout a project's life, from gathering requirements to supporting the live system. Some vendors concentrate on a single part of that life cycle. The software test tools knowledge base provides functional criteria you might expect from a testing tool, the infrastructure that supports the tool, and an idea of the market position of the vendor.
Supply Chain Management (SCM)Warehouse Management for Manufacturers: Why Extended ERP Might Be the Right Choice David Barks- 6/16/2008 As a provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) integrated workforce productivity solutions, we have seen many approaches to distribution automation. Adding a warehouse management system is a logical option for many manufacturers, but this article provides insight into another option: extending ERP distribution capabilities to take advantage of a single receiving, inventory, shipping database. Transportation Management Systems: The Glue of the Supply Chain David Bourque- 5/30/2008 With manufacturing now a global industry, moving product throughout complex supply chains remains a challenge for most organizations. But transportation management systems are spearheading the way to help solve the dilemmas of today’s manufacturers, offering functionality that eases the transfer of goods from place to place.
- Demand Management (26)
If your business primarily needs forecasting, marketing, merchandising, simulating, and planning support, you will find vendors in the demand management knowledge base offer solutions focused on these issues.
- Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) (6)
Criteria in this knowledge base pertain to managing supplier, manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, and customer business processes. Addressing demand management, warehouse management, international trade logistics, transportation execution, and many other issues for a complete solution, this knowledge base will support your evaluation of an SCM suite.
- Supply Chain Event Management (10)
Supply chain event management or supply chain network systems are a class of solutions designed to monitor, notify, analyze, measure, and control business process and execution types of activities.
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) (59)
Criteria in this knowledge base pertain to managing supplier, manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, and customer business processes. Addressing demand management, warehouse management, international trade logistics, transportation execution, and many other issues for a complete solution, this knowledge base will support your evaluation of an SCM suite.
- Supply Chain Optimization (9)
Supply chain optimization modules allow organizations to design the best-fit (optimal) supply chain by time, cost, and other factors--to create responsive and lean supply chains.
- Transportation Management Systems (18)
Transportation management systems should provide the basic components of a shared information system to support collaboration, rates, routes, roles, transaction sets, documents, and information exchanged to facilitate the booking, execution, and settlement of transportation movements.
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) (18)
A warehouse management system (WMS) should provide database and user-level tools in order for a company to optimize its storage facilities while at the same time providing user level task direction and activity support. The WMS should enable warehouse operators to optimize pick, put-away, and replenishment functions by employing powerful system logic to select the best locations and sequences.
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