Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Oracle completes Siebel acquisition - Internet Software - Computer Software - Technology, Software - Internet - Software - Company Announcements - M&A
Oracle completes Siebel acquisition - Internet Software - Computer Software - Technology, Software - Internet - Software - Company Announcements - M&A: "'Oracle is now the undisputed leader in customer relationship management software,' said Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison in a statement.
Combining Siebel's business with its own would catapult Oracle to tie with SAP, (DE:716460: news, chart, profile) of Walldorf, Germany, in the software segment, worth over $11 billion, according to industry tracker AMR Research.
AMR estimated that Oracle's share of revenue in 2005 -- including that from license, maintenance and services -- would have been 15%, tying it with its German rival. The estimate included results from Oracle, Siebel and earlier acquisition PeopleSoft Inc."
Combining Siebel's business with its own would catapult Oracle to tie with SAP, (DE:716460: news, chart, profile) of Walldorf, Germany, in the software segment, worth over $11 billion, according to industry tracker AMR Research.
AMR estimated that Oracle's share of revenue in 2005 -- including that from license, maintenance and services -- would have been 15%, tying it with its German rival. The estimate included results from Oracle, Siebel and earlier acquisition PeopleSoft Inc."
Monday, January 30, 2006
"Calling All Nerds" � a Managing Automation� article
"Calling All Nerds" � a Managing Automation� article: "Just when manufacturing companies need all the technical nerds they can get, they appear to be in short supply.
That's a bad thing because the new wave of software coming at manufacturers, called service-oriented architecture (SOA), will require the nerdiest nerds of all to help companies make wise decisions about this business-altering technology."
That's a bad thing because the new wave of software coming at manufacturers, called service-oriented architecture (SOA), will require the nerdiest nerds of all to help companies make wise decisions about this business-altering technology."
Oracle Walks a Fine Line | IT Business Edge
Oracle Walks a Fine Line IT Business Edge:
"Question: A lot has been written about the PeopleSoft merger and the ongoing integration of PeopleSoft apps with Fusion and E-Business Suite. What can you say to PeopleSoft users to keep them in the Oracle fold until the newest Fusion comes out in 2008?
Studer: We are continuing to invest in and enhance PeopleSoft applications, and customers have a lot to look forward to in these applications. Our Lifetime Support policy gives customers breathing room to initiate upgrades when they see a strong business case, and when they are ready. When customers are ready, they can realize added benefits by uptaking the current release or through incremental investments in technologies that extend the value of their existing deployments."
"Question: A lot has been written about the PeopleSoft merger and the ongoing integration of PeopleSoft apps with Fusion and E-Business Suite. What can you say to PeopleSoft users to keep them in the Oracle fold until the newest Fusion comes out in 2008?
Studer: We are continuing to invest in and enhance PeopleSoft applications, and customers have a lot to look forward to in these applications. Our Lifetime Support policy gives customers breathing room to initiate upgrades when they see a strong business case, and when they are ready. When customers are ready, they can realize added benefits by uptaking the current release or through incremental investments in technologies that extend the value of their existing deployments."
Indian programmers priced out of the market, says Germany's SAP
Indian programmers priced out of the market, says Germany's SAP: "SAP, the world's third-biggest software company and the dominant force in programmes to run big corporations, is running down its recruitment of Indian experts because they are too expensive, its head said in an interview released Sunday.
With Indians pricing themselves out of the market, SAP preferred to recruit in China and low-cost eastern European nations.
'India is getting too dear,' said SAP chief executive Henning Kagermann in the interview with the Financial Times to be published Monday. 'We've decided to only recruit a certain number"
With Indians pricing themselves out of the market, SAP preferred to recruit in China and low-cost eastern European nations.
'India is getting too dear,' said SAP chief executive Henning Kagermann in the interview with the Financial Times to be published Monday. 'We've decided to only recruit a certain number"
SAP to expand in China, eastern Europe
SAP to expand in China, eastern Europe: "German software maker SAP plans to significantly expand development capacities in China and eastern Europe as a result of increasing costs in India, its chief executive was quoted as saying in a newspaper.
'India is starting to get expensive,' Henning Kagermann told the Financial Times Deutschland. 'We've decided to hire only a certain number of employees there and then to look around for other locations.'
'One reason we don't have so much development in China is obviously that protection of intellectual property is not like in other countries,' Kagermann added, but said that this would not stop SAP from doing more in the country.
He said that the number of employees SAP had working in development in China was in the low hundreds, but could easily rise to the thousands depending on the changing environment. "
'India is starting to get expensive,' Henning Kagermann told the Financial Times Deutschland. 'We've decided to hire only a certain number of employees there and then to look around for other locations.'
'One reason we don't have so much development in China is obviously that protection of intellectual property is not like in other countries,' Kagermann added, but said that this would not stop SAP from doing more in the country.
He said that the number of employees SAP had working in development in China was in the low hundreds, but could easily rise to the thousands depending on the changing environment. "
�Considering our growth, if you�re a rival you should be concerned�
�Considering our growth, if you�re a rival you should be concerned�: "The world�s second largest software company, Oracle Corp, has created turbulence in the market with its aggressive acquisition deals such as i-Flex ($593 million), Siebel ($5.8 billion) and PeopleSoft ($10.3 billion). At the Oracle Open World held recently in Mumbai, i-Flex CEO Rajesh Hukku said that his company will continue to work independently despite the Oracle acquisition. Harsimran Singh and Rouhan Sharma caught up with Keith Budge, senior vice-president, Geographies, Oracle Corp, Asia Pacific, to talk about the i-Flex deal, rival SAP, their Pakistan strategy and the upcoming acquisitions. Excerpts: "
Computerworld > Oracle offers Fusion road map
Computerworld > Oracle offers Fusion road map: "At a presentation earlier this month to report on progress on Oracle's Fusion project, Oracle president Charles Phillips led a two-and-a-half hour deep dive into the technology behind Fusion, hoping to put to rest continuing confusion over its project.
Phillips' talk to an audience of approximately 1,000 customers, partners and media centered on dispelling what he called the 'myths' surrounding Fusion."
Phillips' talk to an audience of approximately 1,000 customers, partners and media centered on dispelling what he called the 'myths' surrounding Fusion."
AMR Research: Oracle Places a Few More Signposts on the Roadmap to Fusion
AMR Research: Oracle Places a Few More Signposts on the Roadmap to Fusion: "Marking the first anniversary of its announcement, Oracle used beautiful San Francisco City Hall as the venue to update analysts and customers on the progress towards Fusion. Key Oracle executives were on hand to present and demonstrate the Fusion Architecture and toolset. They also unveiled a few more signposts on the road toward Fusion Applications, but the roadmap is still a work in progress.
Charles Phillips began the event by announcing that Oracle is �halfway to Fusion.� Since the full suite of Fusion Applications will not be delivered until 2008, one might ask how Oracle can be halfway to the goal line in January 2006. Whether you agree with the �halfway to Fusion� argument depends on whether you measure completion based on time or on milestones (percentage completed). Oracle made three key points in favor of its halfway argument."
Charles Phillips began the event by announcing that Oracle is �halfway to Fusion.� Since the full suite of Fusion Applications will not be delivered until 2008, one might ask how Oracle can be halfway to the goal line in January 2006. Whether you agree with the �halfway to Fusion� argument depends on whether you measure completion based on time or on milestones (percentage completed). Oracle made three key points in favor of its halfway argument."
CIOL : News : Satyam to implement mySAP ERP Suite in Oman
CIOL : News : Satyam to implement mySAP ERP Suite in Oman: "Satyam Computer Services Ltd has entered into an agreement with Oman Polypropylene to implement mySAP ERP Suite.
Satyam is executing more than ten SAP implementations in the Middle East. "
Satyam is executing more than ten SAP implementations in the Middle East. "
SAP set to launch hosted CRM
SAP set to launch hosted CRM: "SAP CEO Henning Kagermann this week said his company is preparing a launch into the hosted CRM market. Details of the product remain vague, but Kagermann said an announcement is imminent.
'in February we will announce what SAP will do in the on-demand segment; CRM on demand,' Kagermann said during a presentation to financial analysts Wednesday at the company headquarters in Waldorf, Germany. 'We will deliver in 2006 more than we originally planned.'"
'in February we will announce what SAP will do in the on-demand segment; CRM on demand,' Kagermann said during a presentation to financial analysts Wednesday at the company headquarters in Waldorf, Germany. 'We will deliver in 2006 more than we originally planned.'"
SAP rolls out new support option
SAP rolls out new support option: "SAP is launching a new mid-tier support package aimed at customers who need heightened levels of responsiveness and individual attention, but not the high end services offered to the largest customers.
It's near the same price point that Oracle charges for maintenance, but SAP has a higher service level associated with the support offering.
Paul Hamerman, vice president of enterprise applications, Forrester Research Inc.
The new level called SAP Premium Support, is a step above SAP's standard support package and is offered at 22% of the annual net license fee. SAP said the new package was launched after customer research revealed a gap in its support offerings between standard and high end support.
With the new package, SAP is looking to generate more support revenue by selling a level of service at a price point similar to rival Oracle Corp., said Paul Hamerman, vice president of enterprise applications at Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester Research Inc. "
It's near the same price point that Oracle charges for maintenance, but SAP has a higher service level associated with the support offering.
Paul Hamerman, vice president of enterprise applications, Forrester Research Inc.
The new level called SAP Premium Support, is a step above SAP's standard support package and is offered at 22% of the annual net license fee. SAP said the new package was launched after customer research revealed a gap in its support offerings between standard and high end support.
With the new package, SAP is looking to generate more support revenue by selling a level of service at a price point similar to rival Oracle Corp., said Paul Hamerman, vice president of enterprise applications at Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester Research Inc. "
Friday, January 27, 2006
destinationCRM.com: SAP's On-Demand CRM Valentine
destinationCRM.com: SAP's On-Demand CRM Valentine: "SAP announced this week that it will launch a hosted-CRM application in February, which the company hopes will allow it to compete further with Salesforce.com. CEO Henning Kagermann made the announcement during SAP's 2005 fiscal earnings briefing on Wednesday morning. Bill Wohl, spokesman for SAP, confirmed the news today. 'Our view is that existing on-demand products are very niche, and do not really meet customers' CRM requirements,' Wohl says. 'There has been a move away from best-of-breed CRM software vendors towards companies like SAP that offer companies suites integrating CRM with other enterprise applications.'"
ZDNet India > News > business >
ZDNet India > News > business >: "Projected licence revenues are getting better all the time for SAP as it prepares to fight off an engorged Oracle.
German software maker SAP gave a more optimistic outlook for 2006 than expected for both profitability and licence sales, boosting its shares by more than 9 percent on Wednesday.
SAP said it would increase licence sales, crucial for its future maintenance and service business, by 15 to 17 percent, against the 13 percent expected by analysts polled by Reuters."
German software maker SAP gave a more optimistic outlook for 2006 than expected for both profitability and licence sales, boosting its shares by more than 9 percent on Wednesday.
SAP said it would increase licence sales, crucial for its future maintenance and service business, by 15 to 17 percent, against the 13 percent expected by analysts polled by Reuters."
SAP sets sights on ISVs with recruitment drive - CRN
SAP sets sights on ISVs with recruitment drive - CRN: "German software vendor SAP is embarking on an ISV recruitment drive following the launch of its Business One integration certification.
Last week the software vendor awarded ISVs Invu and Cindercone Business One integration certificates, enabling them to provide end-users with a fully integrated software suite covering all of Business One�s capabilities, such as finance and manufacturing. It also revealed plans to appoint a further 18 ISVs by the end of the year."
Last week the software vendor awarded ISVs Invu and Cindercone Business One integration certificates, enabling them to provide end-users with a fully integrated software suite covering all of Business One�s capabilities, such as finance and manufacturing. It also revealed plans to appoint a further 18 ISVs by the end of the year."
AMR Research: SAP Tops the $10B Mark, Eyes $70B Market
AMR Research: SAP Tops the $10B Mark, Eyes $70B Market: "On Wednesday morning, SAP posted its financial results for the year ending December 31. Total revenue came in at Euro 8.51B, or $10.47B (based on $1.23/Euro exchange rate). This is a 12% gain from last year. Software revenue was Euro 2.78B ($3.42B), up 15% in constant currencies.
The United States continues to be a critical market, accounting for more than $1B in software revenue, up 28% in constant currencies. Total revenue for the United States exceeded $3B for the year. As you might expect, Wall Street reacted very favorably to the news, pushing the stock up 10% to set a new 52-week high: it hit $49.82 in early trading.
In the earnings press release, SAP CEO Henning Kagermann described 2006 as a �cornerstone year for SAP� as it prepares for a software market that is expected to more than double by the end of the decade. He described the �addressable� market as expanding to $70B by 2010 from $30B today. �Addressable� refers to those segments where SAP feels it can compete. This includes the infrastructure/platform market and small and midsize businesses."
The United States continues to be a critical market, accounting for more than $1B in software revenue, up 28% in constant currencies. Total revenue for the United States exceeded $3B for the year. As you might expect, Wall Street reacted very favorably to the news, pushing the stock up 10% to set a new 52-week high: it hit $49.82 in early trading.
In the earnings press release, SAP CEO Henning Kagermann described 2006 as a �cornerstone year for SAP� as it prepares for a software market that is expected to more than double by the end of the decade. He described the �addressable� market as expanding to $70B by 2010 from $30B today. �Addressable� refers to those segments where SAP feels it can compete. This includes the infrastructure/platform market and small and midsize businesses."
ITworld.com - SAP reports one of its best years ever
ITworld.com - SAP reports one of its best years ever: "SAP AG, the world's largest supplier of business application software, is letting the numbers speak for themselves: eight consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, record-breaking fourth quarter sales, higher profits and more employees. The figures the company presented Wednesday at a news conference in Frankfurt are among the company's best ever.
Advertisement
On this topic
SAP: 2006 software revenue to increase up to 17 percent
Texas Instruments Q4 rises, but disappoints
Tokyo Stock Exchange mulls earlier system upgrade
Self Service Opportunities in the Modern Contact Center
Moving Toward a Direct Revenue Model: Relationship-based Value Management in Banks
IT Insights. Sign up Now!
wireless.itworld.com. Sign up Now!
ITworld.com Today. Sign up Now!
Net income for the quarter was �619 million (US$733 as of Dec. 31, the last day in the period being reported), up 14 percent from the fourth quarter of 2004. Full-year net income in 2005 was �1.50 billion, or �4.83 per share, compared with �1.31 billion, or �4.22 per share, the year before."
Advertisement
On this topic
SAP: 2006 software revenue to increase up to 17 percent
Texas Instruments Q4 rises, but disappoints
Tokyo Stock Exchange mulls earlier system upgrade
Self Service Opportunities in the Modern Contact Center
Moving Toward a Direct Revenue Model: Relationship-based Value Management in Banks
IT Insights. Sign up Now!
wireless.itworld.com. Sign up Now!
ITworld.com Today. Sign up Now!
Net income for the quarter was �619 million (US$733 as of Dec. 31, the last day in the period being reported), up 14 percent from the fourth quarter of 2004. Full-year net income in 2005 was �1.50 billion, or �4.83 per share, compared with �1.31 billion, or �4.22 per share, the year before."
Bloomberg.com: Europe
Bloomberg.com: Europe: "SAP AG, the world's largest maker of business-management software, forecast client defections from companies acquired by main competitor Oracle Corp. will rise this year as users are concerned about the future of their products, board member Leo Apotheker said in an interview.
Walldorf, Germany-based company SAP will this year win more than the 220 clients it gained in 2005 with a program targeting customers of companies bought by Oracle, Apotheker said today in Frankfurt. He didn't provide a specific number.
``We are in a unique position, and the window of opportunity is ours to grab,'' Apotheker, who heads SAP's global sales force, said. ``The program is exceptional, and the dynamics are bigger now than they were three to four months ago.'' "
Walldorf, Germany-based company SAP will this year win more than the 220 clients it gained in 2005 with a program targeting customers of companies bought by Oracle, Apotheker said today in Frankfurt. He didn't provide a specific number.
``We are in a unique position, and the window of opportunity is ours to grab,'' Apotheker, who heads SAP's global sales force, said. ``The program is exceptional, and the dynamics are bigger now than they were three to four months ago.'' "
SAP reports one of its best years ever
SAP reports one of its best years ever: "SAP, the world's largest supplier of business application software, is letting the numbers speak for themselves: eight consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, record-breaking fourth quarter sales, higher profits, and more employees. The figures the company presented Wednesday at a news conference in Frankfurt are among the company's best ever.
Net income for the quarter was 619 million ($733 as of Dec. 31, the last day in the period being reported), up 14 percent from the fourth quarter of 2004. Full-year net income in 2005 was 1.50 billion, or 4.83 per share, compared with 1.31 billion, or 4.22 per share, the year before."
Net income for the quarter was 619 million ($733 as of Dec. 31, the last day in the period being reported), up 14 percent from the fourth quarter of 2004. Full-year net income in 2005 was 1.50 billion, or 4.83 per share, compared with 1.31 billion, or 4.22 per share, the year before."
FT.com / By industry / IT - SAP expects to double revenues in four years
FT.com / By industry / IT - SAP expects to double revenues in four years: "SAP, the world�s largest business software maker, expects products scheduled for launch in the next two years to more than double core revenues from software sales and maintenance contracts by 2010.
Henning Kagermann, chief executive, said expansion from business management software into middleware, which connects existing programs such as databases, would enlarge the market open to SAP from 30bn to 70bn ($37bn-$86bn). "
Henning Kagermann, chief executive, said expansion from business management software into middleware, which connects existing programs such as databases, would enlarge the market open to SAP from 30bn to 70bn ($37bn-$86bn). "
Bullish outlook from SAP - The Manufacturer.com - Promoting best practices in manufacturing
Bullish outlook from SAP - The Manufacturer.com - Promoting best practices in manufacturing: "Software revenues for the Waldorf-based German software provider were �2.78 billion (�1.91bn) for 2005, up 18 per cent on 2004�s �2.36 billion (�1.62bn) and exceeding the company�s 2005 software revenue guidance of an increase in a range of 12-14 per cent. They helped lift total revenues for 2005 to �8.51 billion (2004: �7.51 billion), which was an increase of 13 per cent compared to 2004.
�2005 was an excellent year for SAP,� said CEO Henning Kagermann, adding that SAP had �accelerated peer group share gains� over rivals like Microsoft and Oracle � the latter trying to steal SAP�s clothes when it comes to targeting big business applications. "
�2005 was an excellent year for SAP,� said CEO Henning Kagermann, adding that SAP had �accelerated peer group share gains� over rivals like Microsoft and Oracle � the latter trying to steal SAP�s clothes when it comes to targeting big business applications. "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG, the world's largest maker of business management software, forecast software license sales will rise as much as 17 percent this year, beating analyst estimates, after fourth-quarter profit rose because of U.S. demand.
SAP predicted 2006 software license sales, a key measure of future sales from software maintenance and consulting fees, to rise between 15 and 17 percent, SAP today said in a PRNewswire statement. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News had projected 13 percent growth. Fourth-quarter net income rose to 619 million euros ($760 million) from 542 million euros. "
SAP predicted 2006 software license sales, a key measure of future sales from software maintenance and consulting fees, to rise between 15 and 17 percent, SAP today said in a PRNewswire statement. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News had projected 13 percent growth. Fourth-quarter net income rose to 619 million euros ($760 million) from 542 million euros. "
CRM Today: Avaya Moves Forward with SAP to Provide Intelligent Communications Software for Businesses
CRM Today: Avaya Moves Forward with SAP to Provide Intelligent Communications Software for Businesses: "Avaya, a global provider of business communications applications, systems and services announced the next three steps in their strategic alliance agreement with SAP America, Inc. to jointly market mySAP� Customer Relationship Management (mySAP� CRM) with Avaya Interaction Center software.
Initially, both companies will be working with select customers to build awareness of the relationship and the intrinsic value of Intelligent Communications that will result from the joint solutions that are being developed. This combination of Avaya intelligent routing within the context of information from mySAP CRM will get the right customer to the right business associate more efficiently, reducing holding times, delays and call backs for customers while optimizing company resources."
Initially, both companies will be working with select customers to build awareness of the relationship and the intrinsic value of Intelligent Communications that will result from the joint solutions that are being developed. This combination of Avaya intelligent routing within the context of information from mySAP CRM will get the right customer to the right business associate more efficiently, reducing holding times, delays and call backs for customers while optimizing company resources."
RED HERRING | SAP Plans On-Demand Product
RED HERRING SAP Plans On-Demand Product: "Seeking to counter fast-moving competitors, German software giant SAP is expected to announce plans next week to make its customer relationship management software products available over the Internet.
The move is significant because SAP had been reluctant to adopt the on-demand software model due to concerns it could cannibalize its traditional packaged software business in which software is installed from packaged CDs.
Shai Agassi, a member of SAP�s executive board, is scheduled to hold an event at SAP�s Palo Alto, California, labs on February 2 to discuss the company�s strategy in on-demand software, the company said. "
The move is significant because SAP had been reluctant to adopt the on-demand software model due to concerns it could cannibalize its traditional packaged software business in which software is installed from packaged CDs.
Shai Agassi, a member of SAP�s executive board, is scheduled to hold an event at SAP�s Palo Alto, California, labs on February 2 to discuss the company�s strategy in on-demand software, the company said. "
SAP battles Oracle for software maintenance dollars - Jan. 27, 2006
SAP battles Oracle for software maintenance dollars - Jan. 27, 2006: " Buying software often isn't nearly as expensive as maintaining it. And that reality is making a long-building rivalry in the tech world ever bloodier.
SAP and Oracle are the two largest sellers of so-called enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, the complex applications large businesses use to run their operations. If you're a Fortune 500 company, you can't run your payroll or report earnings without it.
More from Business 2.0
101 dumbest moments in business
The big guns' next target: eBay
Does Yahoo dig Digg?
Fastest Growing Tech Companies
Current Issue
Subscribe to Business2.0
Buying this software can cost millions of dollars. But in addition to the initial license fee, Oracle (Research) and SAP (Research) charge customers additional money every year for technical support, bug fixes, and software upgrades. These maintenance fees can cost more than a fifth of the initial software license. (SAP's maintenance fees are a bit lower than Oracle's, on average.)"
SAP and Oracle are the two largest sellers of so-called enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, the complex applications large businesses use to run their operations. If you're a Fortune 500 company, you can't run your payroll or report earnings without it.
More from Business 2.0
101 dumbest moments in business
The big guns' next target: eBay
Does Yahoo dig Digg?
Fastest Growing Tech Companies
Current Issue
Subscribe to Business2.0
Buying this software can cost millions of dollars. But in addition to the initial license fee, Oracle (Research) and SAP (Research) charge customers additional money every year for technical support, bug fixes, and software upgrades. These maintenance fees can cost more than a fifth of the initial software license. (SAP's maintenance fees are a bit lower than Oracle's, on average.)"
Thursday, January 26, 2006
SCM TechPlanet
SCM TechPlanet: "New customer wins, acquisitions and staff expansion to support its expanding solution sets, and buy-in from key sectors for its Enterprise Services Architecture strategy helped SAP outperform expectations for the financial year and post 18% growth in software revenues for 2005.
Other Highlights
+ Enhanced spread of 12 new partner-developed business management applications for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), based on SAP Business One.
+ Tie-up with Siemens Financial Services to offer new financial services to meet cash-flow requirements of customers and cover costs of software, hardware, internal and external implementation services and maintenance during project installation for SAP solutions.
+ �Safe passage� programmes for customers contemplating switching CRM platforms ahead of Siebel�s pending acquisition by Oracle Corp.
The company�s guidance for the year for software growth had been in the 12 to 14 percent range. "
Other Highlights
+ Enhanced spread of 12 new partner-developed business management applications for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), based on SAP Business One.
+ Tie-up with Siemens Financial Services to offer new financial services to meet cash-flow requirements of customers and cover costs of software, hardware, internal and external implementation services and maintenance during project installation for SAP solutions.
+ �Safe passage� programmes for customers contemplating switching CRM platforms ahead of Siebel�s pending acquisition by Oracle Corp.
The company�s guidance for the year for software growth had been in the 12 to 14 percent range. "
SAP Claims Stellar Year, Readies On-Demand CRM - Customer Relations -
SAP Claims Stellar Year, Readies On-Demand CRM - Customer Relations -: "German business software vendor SAP AG said it had a stellar year in 2005, with software revenues rising by 18 percent last year to 2.78 billion euros ($3.39 billion). The firm had previously told analysts that software revenues would increase only by 12 percent to 14 percent in 2005.
SAP signed contracts with customers such as Harley Davidson, Hugo Boss, and the East Japan Railway in the fourth quarter of 2005. By the end of the year, its worldwide market share against its competitors had risen to 62 percent, according to SAP's estimates.
'SAP had its best year ever in 2005,' said Steve Bauer, SAP's vice president of global communications. 'The Americas are now the growth engine of the company.' "
SAP signed contracts with customers such as Harley Davidson, Hugo Boss, and the East Japan Railway in the fourth quarter of 2005. By the end of the year, its worldwide market share against its competitors had risen to 62 percent, according to SAP's estimates.
'SAP had its best year ever in 2005,' said Steve Bauer, SAP's vice president of global communications. 'The Americas are now the growth engine of the company.' "
Financial Mirror
Financial Mirror: "Europe's biggest software company, SAP of Germany, promised investors a boost in sales this years as a rash of new products emerge from its development teams.
SAP shares topped 160 euros on Wednesday, a gain since Tuesday of nearly 9%, on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as investors sat up and took notice. SAP makes software used by companies to track their stock and payments so that the whole enterprise can see the information. "
SAP shares topped 160 euros on Wednesday, a gain since Tuesday of nearly 9%, on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as investors sat up and took notice. SAP makes software used by companies to track their stock and payments so that the whole enterprise can see the information. "
SAP set to launch hosted CRM
SAP set to launch hosted CRM: "
SAP CEO Henning Kagermann this week said his company is preparing a launch into the hosted CRM market. Details of the product remain vague, but Kagermann said an announcement is imminent.
Salesforce.com has a reputation of low total cost of ownership and ease of use, but what SAP has going for itself is its existing customer base.
Sheryl Kingstone,
CRM program manager, Yankee Group
'in February we will announce what SAP will do in the on-demand segment; CRM on demand,' Kagermann said during a presentation to financial analysts Wednesday at the company headquarters in Waldorf, Germany. 'We will deliver in 2006 more than we originally planned.' "
SAP CEO Henning Kagermann this week said his company is preparing a launch into the hosted CRM market. Details of the product remain vague, but Kagermann said an announcement is imminent.
Salesforce.com has a reputation of low total cost of ownership and ease of use, but what SAP has going for itself is its existing customer base.
Sheryl Kingstone,
CRM program manager, Yankee Group
'in February we will announce what SAP will do in the on-demand segment; CRM on demand,' Kagermann said during a presentation to financial analysts Wednesday at the company headquarters in Waldorf, Germany. 'We will deliver in 2006 more than we originally planned.' "
SAP fills SOA language gap with Blue Titan
SAP fills SOA language gap with Blue Titan: "SAP is eliminating a common language barrier in service oriented architectures by partnering with Blue Titan Inc., a Web services management vendor that sells SOA networking software.
Blue Titan's Network Director software gained certification to run on SAP's NetWeaver platform. Blue Titan's product acts as a router in a service oriented architecture, translating XML/SOAP messages that allow programs to communicate between SAP and non-SAP systems. "
Blue Titan's Network Director software gained certification to run on SAP's NetWeaver platform. Blue Titan's product acts as a router in a service oriented architecture, translating XML/SOAP messages that allow programs to communicate between SAP and non-SAP systems. "
Oracle VP Draws Up Development Plans
Oracle VP Draws Up Development Plans: "John Wookey, senior vice president of application development at Oracle, is walking a fine line. He's charged with building out Oracle's next iterations of its E-Business, PeopleSoft Enterprise and JD Edwards EnterpriseOne suites, due next year. At the same time, he's leading the development of Oracle's next-generation suite, Fusion Applications, which brings together the best functionality from all three suites�in an entirely new product."
SAP Sketches Out Plans for the Long Haul
SAP Sketches Out Plans for the Long Haul: "Kagermann said additional acquisitions are not out of the question, but will be along the lines of those the company made in the retail sector last year�in other words, no major buys.
'Our product strategy has been very transparent for a couple of years, and for the next couple of years we�ll continue that strategy,' Kagermann said.
'We think the roadmap will give us a lead over competitors for many years. Our guidance matches our long-term strategy.'
But there are still other factors to consider in weighing SAP�s future success.
This year is a decisive one for the company, with the first wave of products on the market that supports the company�s ambitions for 2010.
'If there are any risks, I see them in execution,' said Kagermann. 'This is a long-term horizon. I hope we don�t stumble, but we don�t intend to stumble.' "
'Our product strategy has been very transparent for a couple of years, and for the next couple of years we�ll continue that strategy,' Kagermann said.
'We think the roadmap will give us a lead over competitors for many years. Our guidance matches our long-term strategy.'
But there are still other factors to consider in weighing SAP�s future success.
This year is a decisive one for the company, with the first wave of products on the market that supports the company�s ambitions for 2010.
'If there are any risks, I see them in execution,' said Kagermann. 'This is a long-term horizon. I hope we don�t stumble, but we don�t intend to stumble.' "
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Software: SAP will weitere 3500 Stellen schaffen - FAZ.NET - Newsletter
Software: SAP will weitere 3500 Stellen schaffen - FAZ.NET - Newsletter: "Europas gr�ter Softwarehersteller SAP rechnet 2006 abermals mit einem zweistelligen Wachstum beim Lizenzumsatz und operativen Gewinn. Der f�r den zuk�nftigen Gesamtumsatz wichtige Erl�s aus dem Verkauf von Softwarelizenzen solle im laufenden Jahr um 15 bis 17 Prozent zulegten, teilte das im EuroSTOXX 50 notierte Unternehmen am Mittwoch in Walldorf mit.
Mit dieser Prognose �berraschte SAP die meisten Analysten, die mit einem etwas zur�ckhaltenderem Ausblick gerechnet haben. Beim Gewinn je Aktie vor Sonderkosten prognostiziert SAP einen Anstieg auf 5,80 bis 6,00 (2005: 5,01) Euro. Die SAP-Aktien stiegen im fr�hen Handel um 7,54 Prozent auf 157,95 Euro"
Mit dieser Prognose �berraschte SAP die meisten Analysten, die mit einem etwas zur�ckhaltenderem Ausblick gerechnet haben. Beim Gewinn je Aktie vor Sonderkosten prognostiziert SAP einen Anstieg auf 5,80 bis 6,00 (2005: 5,01) Euro. Die SAP-Aktien stiegen im fr�hen Handel um 7,54 Prozent auf 157,95 Euro"
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea
Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea: "Business Software Giant Opens Seoul R&D Center
SAP Korea, the Korean office of the German enterprise software firm, opened a research and development center in Seoul on Tuesday. The opening was attended by Information and Communication Minister Chin Dae-je and ASP Asia-Pacific President Hans-Peter Klaey. "
SAP Korea, the Korean office of the German enterprise software firm, opened a research and development center in Seoul on Tuesday. The opening was attended by Information and Communication Minister Chin Dae-je and ASP Asia-Pacific President Hans-Peter Klaey. "
CRM News: CRM Systems: Users Speak Out About SAP NetWeaver
CRM News: CRM Systems: Users Speak Out About SAP NetWeaver: "Bottom Line
There's not that much of a correlation between over-the-top enthusiasm in the SAP base and NetWeaver adoption. In other words, the SAP zealots out there aren't necessarily leading the charge to NetWeaver. What is fueling the interest is the integration expertise that new customers are seeing and the ability to get clear licensing and pricing terms nailed down early in their relationships with SAP."
There's not that much of a correlation between over-the-top enthusiasm in the SAP base and NetWeaver adoption. In other words, the SAP zealots out there aren't necessarily leading the charge to NetWeaver. What is fueling the interest is the integration expertise that new customers are seeing and the ability to get clear licensing and pricing terms nailed down early in their relationships with SAP."
Line56.com: Oracle Fusion Progress
Line56.com: Oracle Fusion Progress: "Oracle is telling the marketplace that it is halfway to Project Fusion.
Fusion is a massive project, consisting as it does of an application roadmap (itself complicated by Oracle's acquisitions of PeopleSoft, Siebel, and a host of other companies, particularly in retail), middleware, and architecture.
When Fusion is complete, in 2008, Oracle's various products will be able to interact with each other more fully, developers will be able to create new functionality as needed, and interested customers will be able to complete the migration to the next-generation platform."
Fusion is a massive project, consisting as it does of an application roadmap (itself complicated by Oracle's acquisitions of PeopleSoft, Siebel, and a host of other companies, particularly in retail), middleware, and architecture.
When Fusion is complete, in 2008, Oracle's various products will be able to interact with each other more fully, developers will be able to create new functionality as needed, and interested customers will be able to complete the migration to the next-generation platform."
MercuryNews.com | 01/23/2006 | Ellison misses Fusion update because of flu
MercuryNews.com 01/23/2006 Ellison misses Fusion update because of flu: "Software giant Oracle literally rolled out the red carpet for its customers, financial analysts and the press last week when it hosted the first anniversary of its merger with PeopleSoft at San Francisco's City Hall.Under the city's beaux arts-style gilded dome, Oracle hosted more than 1,000 customers and partners, all curious for an update on Oracle's Fusion product. Fusion is Oracle's software platform and application suite that will meld its current offerings with the best attributes of the applications developed by companies it has bought in its recent spending spree.Oracle President Charles Phillips hammered home the message that ``Oracle is halfway to Fusion.'' But the complete launch will occur as previously forecast in 2008.As the event drew to a close, Phillips told a disappointed audience that Chief Executive Larry Ellison was not able to make it because he was coming down with the flu."
Oracle integration keeps Fusion on schedule - vnunet.com
Oracle integration keeps Fusion on schedule - vnunet.com: "Oracle last week underlined the key role PeopleSoft will play in its next generation of business applications and declared that it has reached the half-way stage of its Project Fusion scheme to integrate its suites.
Speaking at a press conference in San Francisco, Oracle president Charles Phillips said integration is �ahead of schedule�, declared Fusion would no longer be referred to as a project, and insisted a full Fusion Applications suite is on target for a 2008 release."
Speaking at a press conference in San Francisco, Oracle president Charles Phillips said integration is �ahead of schedule�, declared Fusion would no longer be referred to as a project, and insisted a full Fusion Applications suite is on target for a 2008 release."
Oracle's Accuracy Woes
Oracle's Accuracy Woes: "Opinion: Within 30 days, Oracle has publicly made what appear to be at least three provably inaccurate statements about its retail business. Is it careless or orchestrated?
Catching misleading statements and half-truths in vendor news releases takes me back to my old days of covering New Jersey politics.
It was never news to say that a particular New Jersey politician was a crook. The news was when they slipped up enough to let you prove it. "
Catching misleading statements and half-truths in vendor news releases takes me back to my old days of covering New Jersey politics.
It was never news to say that a particular New Jersey politician was a crook. The news was when they slipped up enough to let you prove it. "
Monday, January 23, 2006
Oracle trumpets Fusion progress - vnunet.com
Oracle trumpets Fusion progress - vnunet.com: "Oracle has announced that it is on schedule for a 2008 unveiling of its forthcoming Fusion suite of enterprise applications.
'We are ahead of schedule mostly because we are dealing with processes that we already understand. The applications in our portfolio are already the leading applications in the industries that they compete in,' Oracle co-president Charles Philips told a gathering of partners and customers in San Francisco. "
'We are ahead of schedule mostly because we are dealing with processes that we already understand. The applications in our portfolio are already the leading applications in the industries that they compete in,' Oracle co-president Charles Philips told a gathering of partners and customers in San Francisco. "
Decoding Oracle's Latest Fusion Update
Decoding Oracle's Latest Fusion Update: "I got a call on the way to a recent Oracle Fusion briefing from Oracle analyst relations. SAP had apparently put out a bulletin in advance of the Oracle event that, in addition to offering pre-emptive rebuttals of what Oracle was going to say, offered me up as an independent analyst ready to talk, to quote the bulletin �about Oracle�s lack of progress in the applications space.�
'Did I know anything about this?' Oracle wanted to know. No, I replied, I was planning to form my opinions after the event, despite SAP�s eagerness that I do otherwise.
Sometimes being an analyst can be very entertaining. "
'Did I know anything about this?' Oracle wanted to know. No, I replied, I was planning to form my opinions after the event, despite SAP�s eagerness that I do otherwise.
Sometimes being an analyst can be very entertaining. "
Oracle Claims Fusion Is On Track - Integration -
Oracle Claims Fusion Is On Track - Integration -: "Although Oracle CEO Larry Ellison was a no-show -- he called in sick with the flu -- Charles Phillips, co-president, attempted to reassure roughly 1,700 of the company's industry partners and customers on Wednesday that its project to incorporate and update Oracle's slew of CRM applications is right on track for a 2008 debut.
At the event, held in San Francisco's City Hall, Phillips and a bevy of engineers went into excruciating detail to explain the technical specification for Oracle's next-generation enterprise suite. "
At the event, held in San Francisco's City Hall, Phillips and a bevy of engineers went into excruciating detail to explain the technical specification for Oracle's next-generation enterprise suite. "
Down, Boy!
Down, Boy!: "I�ve noted a few times that SAP has become the PR pit bull when it comes to Oracle. Last December, when Oracle announced its quarterly earnings, SAP sent out a press release within minutes of the company�s conference call refuting claims of customer wins, market share gains and the like. I asked SAP's Shai Agassi about this Wednesday morning at the AMR Research conference and he practically shrieked 'That�s because they are lying!'"
Oracle's Fusion Halfway Home
Oracle's Fusion Halfway Home: "Red carpets and champagne. Live music and appetizers. Must be the Golden Globes. Nope. It's a geeky Oracle (ORCL:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) event aimed at convincing customers that the database giant's plans to build a super suite of software products are well on track.
Charles Phillips, Oracle's co-president and the point man on the company's $19 billion acquisition binge, said that his developers are ahead of schedule and expect to roll out the Fusion application suite in 2008.
1. Google Catches Cold
2. Intel: What Went Wrong
3. 10 Hot Techs That Aren't Apple or Google
4. Intel Takes Body Blow
5. Radio Calls Out to Google
'Oracle is halfway to Fusion,' Phillips said. 'A year later, we're 50% done and that's the tough half. (We're) pretty proud of that,' he told an audience Wednesday of about 1,800 at San Francisco's City Hall.
Fusion will take what Oracle calls the best features of applications originally developed by PeopleSoft, J.D. Edwards, Retek, soon-to-be-acquired Siebel Systems (SEBL:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take), other acquisitions and Oracle itself and combine them into a unified set of applications. Pieces of the new architecture will be appearing in upgrades to three major suites as early as this year. "
Charles Phillips, Oracle's co-president and the point man on the company's $19 billion acquisition binge, said that his developers are ahead of schedule and expect to roll out the Fusion application suite in 2008.
1. Google Catches Cold
2. Intel: What Went Wrong
3. 10 Hot Techs That Aren't Apple or Google
4. Intel Takes Body Blow
5. Radio Calls Out to Google
'Oracle is halfway to Fusion,' Phillips said. 'A year later, we're 50% done and that's the tough half. (We're) pretty proud of that,' he told an audience Wednesday of about 1,800 at San Francisco's City Hall.
Fusion will take what Oracle calls the best features of applications originally developed by PeopleSoft, J.D. Edwards, Retek, soon-to-be-acquired Siebel Systems (SEBL:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take), other acquisitions and Oracle itself and combine them into a unified set of applications. Pieces of the new architecture will be appearing in upgrades to three major suites as early as this year. "
heise online - Industry joins in for new fight about software patents
heise online - Industry joins in for new fight about software patents: "Proponents for a broadening of industrial property rights in the computer sector have declared a new round in the fight about software patents in the EU opened. 'It starts again', announced G�nther Schmalz, head of SAP's software department, according to the Intellectial Property Watch online service by mid of last week on the Digital Europe meeting of the neoliberal US-american Progress & Freedom Foundation (PFF) in Prague. At the same time, the patent proponent expressed hope that his camp will be better prepared this time than during the last struggle. A 'brigde position' must be reached, which both sides could live with.
Midyear 2005 the software patent lobby met their Waterloo when the highly controversial EU directive about patents on 'computerimplemented inventions' was buried. This was due to the better lobbying of the opposition, said the SAP manager. They met the members of the EU parliament far more often and hit the parliament's nerve with their demonstrations. Schmalz complained further that industrie's representatives have been threatened personally by software patent opponents in the dispute's zenith in early summer of 2005."
Midyear 2005 the software patent lobby met their Waterloo when the highly controversial EU directive about patents on 'computerimplemented inventions' was buried. This was due to the better lobbying of the opposition, said the SAP manager. They met the members of the EU parliament far more often and hit the parliament's nerve with their demonstrations. Schmalz complained further that industrie's representatives have been threatened personally by software patent opponents in the dispute's zenith in early summer of 2005."
IT infrastructure takes EMI Music digital - Internet - www.itnews.com.au
IT infrastructure takes EMI Music digital - Internet - www.itnews.com.au: "EMI Music is building a digital infrastructure to distribute and share content globally with help from Microsoft and SAP AG, the company said Friday.
The five-year strategy is estimated to cost between US$133 million and US$176 million for software, hardware, training and education. 'We are refreshing the entire infrastructure,' said Andrew Hickey, chief technology officer at EMI Music, which represents artists from the Beatles to Coldplay to the Rolling Stones.
For Hickey, it's clear EMI Music must have an IT infrastructure that supports digital content. Today, digital content sales through websites, such as iTunes, MSN Music, Yahoo Music and RealNetwork Rhapsody, contribute a mere 5 percent to EMI Music's annual revenue. That is expected to reach 25 percent within five years. "
The five-year strategy is estimated to cost between US$133 million and US$176 million for software, hardware, training and education. 'We are refreshing the entire infrastructure,' said Andrew Hickey, chief technology officer at EMI Music, which represents artists from the Beatles to Coldplay to the Rolling Stones.
For Hickey, it's clear EMI Music must have an IT infrastructure that supports digital content. Today, digital content sales through websites, such as iTunes, MSN Music, Yahoo Music and RealNetwork Rhapsody, contribute a mere 5 percent to EMI Music's annual revenue. That is expected to reach 25 percent within five years. "
Is Oracle's Fusion Coming Together?
Is Oracle's Fusion Coming Together?: "By Sarah Lacy"
A year ago, executives from software giant Oracle (ORCL ) stood before customers, analysts, and the press to announce Project Fusion. That's the name they gave an ambitious plan aimed at stitching together Oracle's own applications with software acquired in a $19 billion spending spree on companies including PeopleSoft and J.D. Edwards (see BW Online, 1/19/05, "Oracle Lays Out Its Game Plan"). After a year of being pretty mum on details, Oracle marked the anniversary on Jan. 18 with a two-hour presentation, followed by a cocktail reception at San Francisco's City Hall. In many ways, it was characteristic of most Oracle events. There was a red carpet with the Oracle logo draped over the City Hall steps. Along walls hung banners emblazoned with effusive praise from customers about how Oracle's technology would take them into the future. And no one knew until the last minute whether Oracle's unpredictable chief executive, Larry Ellison, would show. At the very end, Oracle President Charles Phillips announced that Ellison had the flu and couldn't make it after all -- despite promises by staff just two hours earlier that he'd be there.
A year ago, executives from software giant Oracle (ORCL ) stood before customers, analysts, and the press to announce Project Fusion. That's the name they gave an ambitious plan aimed at stitching together Oracle's own applications with software acquired in a $19 billion spending spree on companies including PeopleSoft and J.D. Edwards (see BW Online, 1/19/05, "Oracle Lays Out Its Game Plan"). After a year of being pretty mum on details, Oracle marked the anniversary on Jan. 18 with a two-hour presentation, followed by a cocktail reception at San Francisco's City Hall. In many ways, it was characteristic of most Oracle events. There was a red carpet with the Oracle logo draped over the City Hall steps. Along walls hung banners emblazoned with effusive praise from customers about how Oracle's technology would take them into the future. And no one knew until the last minute whether Oracle's unpredictable chief executive, Larry Ellison, would show. At the very end, Oracle President Charles Phillips announced that Ellison had the flu and couldn't make it after all -- despite promises by staff just two hours earlier that he'd be there.
Oracle Claims Breakthrough for SOA Web Services Fusion Middleware @ SYS-CON AUSTRALIA
http://au.sys-con.com/read/173594.htm: "Oracle is saying that 2005 represented 'a breakthrough year for Oracle Fusion Middleware,' which the company is developing with the goals of simplifying application development, deployment, integration and management. In a long webcast focused on Fusion, company President Charles Phillips (pictured) outlined the company's vision and progress behind this project.
The year included a number of distinctive 'firsts,' Philiips said, including: first to market with an integrated, standards-based Application Platform Suite (APS), first APS designed for Grid, first APS to support comprehensive Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Event-driven Architecture (EDA), and first APS to integrate Enterprise Security, Identity Management and Business Intelligence."
The year included a number of distinctive 'firsts,' Philiips said, including: first to market with an integrated, standards-based Application Platform Suite (APS), first APS designed for Grid, first APS to support comprehensive Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Event-driven Architecture (EDA), and first APS to integrate Enterprise Security, Identity Management and Business Intelligence."
SAP INFO
SAP INFO: "An enterprise has upgraded from SAP R/3 to mySAP ERP. Few or no training courses were provided for users. 'As the employees are already familiar with the SAP applications, the necessary skills will develop of their own accord,� is the official justification. When new software is implemented, key figures can be used to determine precisely the improvements in performance and the return on investment (ROI). One question remains, however: What effect does this lack of training have on users� effectiveness and thus on the enterprise figures? Without the training, are all the new functionalities used in full and the software�s potential completely exploited? Could a lack of training even lead to a negative ROI in certain areas? How would a coordinated training program positively affect the ROI?"
Adeep locks on to ERP gains - Express Computer
Adeep locks on to ERP gains - Express Computer: "Manpower blues
But finding the appropriate people to implement this project brought its own set of challenges. Manpower was in short supply. To address this issue, the company named Satyam as its System Integrator (SI) for the project. Moreover, it wanted the costing module to go live simultaneously along with six other modules namely, materials management, sales management, production planning, plant maintenance, financial (costing is a part of it) and quality management. Overall, 12 people were involved in the project and the package went live in September 2004. The cost of the package, hardware and training was Rs 1 crore. "
But finding the appropriate people to implement this project brought its own set of challenges. Manpower was in short supply. To address this issue, the company named Satyam as its System Integrator (SI) for the project. Moreover, it wanted the costing module to go live simultaneously along with six other modules namely, materials management, sales management, production planning, plant maintenance, financial (costing is a part of it) and quality management. Overall, 12 people were involved in the project and the package went live in September 2004. The cost of the package, hardware and training was Rs 1 crore. "
Kenneth Cole finds SAP a good fit
Kenneth Cole finds SAP a good fit: "New York fashion company Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. put a notch in SAP's belt this week, adding its name to the list of NetWeaver customers at a time when competition for midmarket and retail customers is fierce.
With Oracle buying [retail software maker] Retek out from under its feet, SAP is eager to show that it has legs in the retail space
Joshua Greenbaum,
principal, Enterprise Applications Consulting
The SAP decision was a major one for the company, said Harry Kubetz, vice president of operations. Since its inception 15 years ago, when the company had one store, Kenneth Cole has outsourced its back office and retail functions to a Long Island provider. With the retail chain reaching critical mass, it was time to bring those functions in-house, Kubetz said. "
With Oracle buying [retail software maker] Retek out from under its feet, SAP is eager to show that it has legs in the retail space
Joshua Greenbaum,
principal, Enterprise Applications Consulting
The SAP decision was a major one for the company, said Harry Kubetz, vice president of operations. Since its inception 15 years ago, when the company had one store, Kenneth Cole has outsourced its back office and retail functions to a Long Island provider. With the retail chain reaching critical mass, it was time to bring those functions in-house, Kubetz said. "
CXOtoday.com > News > Business > SAP's SME Offer For India
CXOtoday.com > News > Business > SAP's SME Offer For India: "Business solutions major SAP unveiled its newest offering today - an integrated business management solution made for Indian SMEs called Business One.
The offer is a platform and database independent solution that performs core operations involved in running an enterprise, such as business administration, CRM, manufacturing, banking, inventory, purchasing, sales, and distribution etc to make their interaction with customers, suppliers and employees more effective. "
The offer is a platform and database independent solution that performs core operations involved in running an enterprise, such as business administration, CRM, manufacturing, banking, inventory, purchasing, sales, and distribution etc to make their interaction with customers, suppliers and employees more effective. "
Friday, January 20, 2006
CRN | SAP, Agassi | SAP Exec Fields Queries, Zings Oracle
CRN SAP, Agassi SAP Exec Fields Queries, Zings Oracle: "Calm but determined, Shai Agassi had a message for analysts who gathered earlier this week in Las Vegas: 'The database layer as we know it will go through radical shifts.'
He was in Las Vegas to unveil updates to SAP AG's projects with Ariba Inc., Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., and others.
Agassi, president of SAP's product and technology group and a member of its executive board, also sat down with reporters, including TechWeb's Laurie Sullivan, to explain the NetWeaver platform, composite applications projects, database commoditization, and the $1-billion-per-quarter for services the German software company expects to generate."
He was in Las Vegas to unveil updates to SAP AG's projects with Ariba Inc., Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., and others.
Agassi, president of SAP's product and technology group and a member of its executive board, also sat down with reporters, including TechWeb's Laurie Sullivan, to explain the NetWeaver platform, composite applications projects, database commoditization, and the $1-billion-per-quarter for services the German software company expects to generate."
Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Journal :: News
Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Journal :: News: "Expanding its portfolio of partner-developed business management applications for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), SAP AG has announced 12 solutions from independent software vendors (ISVs) based on SAP Business One.
The new solutions certified for integration with SAP Business One are being introduced as ISVs worldwide embrace the SAP PartnerEdge channel partner program and collaborate with one another through SAP�s recently launched online channel partner solution network"
The new solutions certified for integration with SAP Business One are being introduced as ISVs worldwide embrace the SAP PartnerEdge channel partner program and collaborate with one another through SAP�s recently launched online channel partner solution network"
RED HERRING | Oracle Integration on Track
RED HERRING Oracle Integration on Track: "Oracle said it�s on track to integrate the software from the $20 billion worth of acquisitions made in the last year, assuring clients and investors that all the different products will eventually work together as one.
The company is already half-way done with its four-year-long Project Fusion and the new suite of applications will be rolled out to customers by 2008, according to company executives."
The company is already half-way done with its four-year-long Project Fusion and the new suite of applications will be rolled out to customers by 2008, according to company executives."
InfoWorld Nederland
InfoWorld Nederland: "German high-tech companies shouldn't shy away from globalization but rather take full advantage of it, Kagermann said in a speech of which IDG News Service has obtained a copy. 'We can only secure our competitiveness if we outsource individual production areas to low-cost labor countries and concentrate on 'innovation made in Germany,'' he said
But to foster innovation in Germany, 'entry barriers' must be lowered, Kagermann said, welcoming the German government's plan to reform the country's corporate tax laws and, in particular, ease the tax load on small and medium-size businesses."
But to foster innovation in Germany, 'entry barriers' must be lowered, Kagermann said, welcoming the German government's plan to reform the country's corporate tax laws and, in particular, ease the tax load on small and medium-size businesses."
Analysts Doubt Oracle's Fusion Message
Analysts Doubt Oracle's Fusion Message: "Industry analysts on Thursday questioned whether Oracle Corp. is anywhere close to reaching the halfway point in its effort to create the Fusion Applications.
Oracle executives briefed media and analysts on the company's progress in developing the data model and specifications for its Fusion Applications, at an event Wednesday at San Francisco's City Hall.
Thomas Kurian, senior vice president of Oracle Fusion Middleware Development, also disclosed that the company will add new features to its Fusion Middleware by the week's end that will enable developers to create composite applications using a visual container. "
Oracle executives briefed media and analysts on the company's progress in developing the data model and specifications for its Fusion Applications, at an event Wednesday at San Francisco's City Hall.
Thomas Kurian, senior vice president of Oracle Fusion Middleware Development, also disclosed that the company will add new features to its Fusion Middleware by the week's end that will enable developers to create composite applications using a visual container. "
Thursday, January 19, 2006
One year later, Oracle touts progress of Fusion
One year later, Oracle touts progress of Fusion: "SAP launches pre-emptive strike
Oracle has stated that one of the key goals of Fusion is to unseat SAP AG as the leader in the $50 billion market for business applications. And SAP has taken notice.
Yesterday, the German company issued a press release ahead of the event that took issue with, among other things, Oracle's focus on the middleware components of Fusion.
'The reason Oracle chose to re-brand existing middleware components as Fusion is simply based on the fact that they do not have an applications message to deliver to the market,' the statement read. 'Positioning the battle for the applications software space around middleware is pure marketing spin. In reality, the applications race should be centered on applications.'
It was a move that Phillips joked about during his speech yesterday.
'A lot of our competitors know about [this event and] they're putting out press releases,' he said. 'I'm glad they're interested in driving people to our event. Thank you, SAP.' "
Oracle has stated that one of the key goals of Fusion is to unseat SAP AG as the leader in the $50 billion market for business applications. And SAP has taken notice.
Yesterday, the German company issued a press release ahead of the event that took issue with, among other things, Oracle's focus on the middleware components of Fusion.
'The reason Oracle chose to re-brand existing middleware components as Fusion is simply based on the fact that they do not have an applications message to deliver to the market,' the statement read. 'Positioning the battle for the applications software space around middleware is pure marketing spin. In reality, the applications race should be centered on applications.'
It was a move that Phillips joked about during his speech yesterday.
'A lot of our competitors know about [this event and] they're putting out press releases,' he said. 'I'm glad they're interested in driving people to our event. Thank you, SAP.' "
Oracle further unwraps Fusion, nips at SAP
Oracle further unwraps Fusion, nips at SAP: "
Oracle Corp. dug deeper into its Fusion project this week, outlining what the company has done over the last year to launch middleware components and develop new applications using technology from its nearly $19 billion in acquisitions.
Even though the task Oracle has is more complicated in that they have to integrate applications from multiple acquisitions, they will achieve a more open kind of environment.
Paul Hamerman,
vice president of enterprise applications, Forrester Research Inc.
Oracle put nearly a dozen executives on stage during an event in San Francisco designed to give a one year update of the project. Executives described the company as making great progress, building a new set of applications called Fusion on top of its middleware infrastructure layer using the Oracle database as the foundation. The entire Fusion package would be services-enabled and allow customers tie in legacy systems and third party applications. "
Oracle Corp. dug deeper into its Fusion project this week, outlining what the company has done over the last year to launch middleware components and develop new applications using technology from its nearly $19 billion in acquisitions.
Even though the task Oracle has is more complicated in that they have to integrate applications from multiple acquisitions, they will achieve a more open kind of environment.
Paul Hamerman,
vice president of enterprise applications, Forrester Research Inc.
Oracle put nearly a dozen executives on stage during an event in San Francisco designed to give a one year update of the project. Executives described the company as making great progress, building a new set of applications called Fusion on top of its middleware infrastructure layer using the Oracle database as the foundation. The entire Fusion package would be services-enabled and allow customers tie in legacy systems and third party applications. "
SAP Executive Resource Center#advice#advice
SAP Executive Resource Center#advice#advice: "Can Oracle be unseated as a top SAP database?
by Joshua Greenbaum Return to Table of Contents
A recent analyst report out of the UK highlights that not-so-hidden secret about enterprise software: significant portions of the functionality of many implementations are underutilized (read the report here). Surprised? You shouldn't be: significant portions of every piece of software basically lie fallow. Excessive, unused features, many would say, are part of the price of using enterprise software. "
by Joshua Greenbaum Return to Table of Contents
A recent analyst report out of the UK highlights that not-so-hidden secret about enterprise software: significant portions of the functionality of many implementations are underutilized (read the report here). Surprised? You shouldn't be: significant portions of every piece of software basically lie fallow. Excessive, unused features, many would say, are part of the price of using enterprise software. "
AMR Research: Strategy 21�SOAs: The Future Is Now
AMR Research: Strategy 21�SOAs: The Future Is Now: "Strategy 21�SOAs: The Future Is Now
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Randy Weston
The future of the technology market has been divined, and all signs point to Service-Oriented Architectures (SOAs) as a massive force altering the market as we know it.
SOAs took center stage at AMR Research�s Strategy 21 conference this week, in the Bay Area community of Half Moon Bay. The theme is �Dateline 2010: Divining the Future of Enterprise Software.� Executives from SAP, Oracle, IBM, and Microsoft as well as up-and-comers salesforce.com, Rearden Commerce, and Workday espoused their thoughts to their partners and peers on how the next four years will play out with SOAs and on demand, and how technology will change how we work and play.
Platform wars are afoot
One thing became very clear: the next four years will be marked by fierce platform wars as enterprise application and infrastructure vendors jockey to control and own the SOA platform. Expect the biggest marketing battle between SAP and Oracle.
Shai Agassi, president of SAP�s product and technology group, squared off against Oracle�s Jesper Andersen, senior vice president of application strategy. Mr. Agassi who fired the first shot.
�We don�t believe, five years from now, anyone will buy point solutions,� Mr. Agassi said to the room filled with mostly point product vendors. �Best of breed is dead.�
He�s betting enterprise application vendors like SAP will act as the core of their customers systems, pushing standardized best practices that are incorporated into its software. This, in turn, frees up its many ecosystem partners to innovate and meet more industry-specific needs. Thus the death of best of breed, or more specifically, best of breed as it has existed.
�We can�t do e"
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Randy Weston
The future of the technology market has been divined, and all signs point to Service-Oriented Architectures (SOAs) as a massive force altering the market as we know it.
SOAs took center stage at AMR Research�s Strategy 21 conference this week, in the Bay Area community of Half Moon Bay. The theme is �Dateline 2010: Divining the Future of Enterprise Software.� Executives from SAP, Oracle, IBM, and Microsoft as well as up-and-comers salesforce.com, Rearden Commerce, and Workday espoused their thoughts to their partners and peers on how the next four years will play out with SOAs and on demand, and how technology will change how we work and play.
Platform wars are afoot
One thing became very clear: the next four years will be marked by fierce platform wars as enterprise application and infrastructure vendors jockey to control and own the SOA platform. Expect the biggest marketing battle between SAP and Oracle.
Shai Agassi, president of SAP�s product and technology group, squared off against Oracle�s Jesper Andersen, senior vice president of application strategy. Mr. Agassi who fired the first shot.
�We don�t believe, five years from now, anyone will buy point solutions,� Mr. Agassi said to the room filled with mostly point product vendors. �Best of breed is dead.�
He�s betting enterprise application vendors like SAP will act as the core of their customers systems, pushing standardized best practices that are incorporated into its software. This, in turn, frees up its many ecosystem partners to innovate and meet more industry-specific needs. Thus the death of best of breed, or more specifically, best of breed as it has existed.
�We can�t do e"
SAP exec caught praising Oracle's Larry Ellison | The Register
SAP exec caught praising Oracle's Larry Ellison The Register: "SAP's products and technology chief Shai Agassi has confirmed two things � he thinks Oracle's CEO Larry Ellison is a smart guy and his company will finally deliver its rival to Salesforce.com before March.
Agassi, speaking at AMR Research's Strategy 21 event here, admitted to admiring Ellison's intellect � a confession given the rivalry between SAP and Oracle.
.'"
Agassi, speaking at AMR Research's Strategy 21 event here, admitted to admiring Ellison's intellect � a confession given the rivalry between SAP and Oracle.
.'"
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Oracle Corporation :: Oracle(R) Marks a Year of Success, Details Milestones for Oracle Fusion Architecture and Oracle Fusion Applications
Oracle Corporation :: Oracle(R) Marks a Year of Success, Details Milestones for Oracle Fusion Architecture and Oracle Fusion Applications: "At an event today hosted by Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) CEO Larry Ellison in San Francisco's City Hall, Oracle provided a progress report and outlined the next level of detail for Oracle(R) Fusion Architecture and Oracle Fusion Applications. Executives from the world's largest enterprise software company reaffirmed their commitment to the company's diverse customer base and further defined the roadmap for new functionality that will help customers prepare for the upgrade to Oracle Fusion Applications.
'We are already halfway through the development process of Oracle Fusion Applications, and we remain on track for the 2008 target delivery of the Oracle Fusion Applications,' said Oracle President Charles Phillips. 'Our customers and partners participating on the Fusion Customer Council have been enthusiastic about the significant progress we've made in such a short period of time. We have defined Oracle Fusion Architecture, certified all Oracle applications on our world-class Oracle Fusion Middleware, which includes a set of mature tools that are being used to develop the Oracle Fusion applications. Additionally, we have defined the data model and mapped the functionality that is planned for future releases of Oracle Fusion Applications.'"
'We are already halfway through the development process of Oracle Fusion Applications, and we remain on track for the 2008 target delivery of the Oracle Fusion Applications,' said Oracle President Charles Phillips. 'Our customers and partners participating on the Fusion Customer Council have been enthusiastic about the significant progress we've made in such a short period of time. We have defined Oracle Fusion Architecture, certified all Oracle applications on our world-class Oracle Fusion Middleware, which includes a set of mature tools that are being used to develop the Oracle Fusion applications. Additionally, we have defined the data model and mapped the functionality that is planned for future releases of Oracle Fusion Applications.'"
� Oracle Fusion: A functional spec in search of applications | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com
� Oracle Fusion: A functional spec in search of applications Between the Lines ZDNet.com: "arry Ellison was a no-show�out with the flu�but Oracle President Charles Phillips led the Fusion proceedings at City Hall in San Francisco. Phillips stated that the one new headline for the event is that �Oracle is halfway to Fusion.�
He claimed that in the first year of the Fusion project (he said the �project� label has been dropped because it�s no longer exploratory) the �hard part��such as toolsets, middleware, functional requirements�has been completed. He went as far as to say that Fusion is ahead of schedule, but he didn�t say that the Fusion application suite would be available before the end of 2008, its original target date. "
He claimed that in the first year of the Fusion project (he said the �project� label has been dropped because it�s no longer exploratory) the �hard part��such as toolsets, middleware, functional requirements�has been completed. He went as far as to say that Fusion is ahead of schedule, but he didn�t say that the Fusion application suite would be available before the end of 2008, its original target date. "
TODAYonline
TODAYonline: "
SAP, the world's leading maker of business software, is to expand its German workforce again this year, chairman Henning Kagermann revealed.
.
'We want to take on more people again in 2006,' Kagermann told the DPA news agency on Wednesday.
.
Last year, the software giant already expanded its domestic workforce by 600-700.
.
As of September 30, SAP employed 35,000 people worldwide, a third of whom were based in Germany. � AF"
SAP, the world's leading maker of business software, is to expand its German workforce again this year, chairman Henning Kagermann revealed.
.
'We want to take on more people again in 2006,' Kagermann told the DPA news agency on Wednesday.
.
Last year, the software giant already expanded its domestic workforce by 600-700.
.
As of September 30, SAP employed 35,000 people worldwide, a third of whom were based in Germany. � AF"
The Hardest Job In Silicon Valley
The Hardest Job In Silicon Valley: "The Hardest Job In Silicon Valley
Oracle has been snapping up companies. Now John Wookey has to meld them together and please his boss, Larry Ellison
In the wee hours of Dec. 28, John Wookey was awakened by fire alarms at Disneyland's (DIS ) Grand Californian Hotel. A six-story plastic Christmas tree had caught fire and, as smoke filled the air, Wookey and his wife bundled up their three kids and hustled them outside. They spent three hours huddled with other guests in a theater at the darkened theme park. Says Wookey: 'We didn't know if the whole hotel was burning down.' "
Oracle has been snapping up companies. Now John Wookey has to meld them together and please his boss, Larry Ellison
In the wee hours of Dec. 28, John Wookey was awakened by fire alarms at Disneyland's (DIS ) Grand Californian Hotel. A six-story plastic Christmas tree had caught fire and, as smoke filled the air, Wookey and his wife bundled up their three kids and hustled them outside. They spent three hours huddled with other guests in a theater at the darkened theme park. Says Wookey: 'We didn't know if the whole hotel was burning down.' "
Virgin Entertainment CIO aligns IT with rapid business changes
Virgin Entertainment CIO aligns IT with rapid business changes: "Fort has had his finger on the pulse of the IT market for some time. The company financials is run on a JD Edwards system so Fort has had to steer Virgin through the uncertainties that arose when Oracle acquired the software vendor and announced plans to integrate the technology into a new Fusion product line.
But the heart of the company has been sales at its retail locations, which is managed by a merchandizing system developed by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based JDA Software Group, Inc. Seeking greater flexibility, Virgin plans to add Triversity point of sale software, allowing stores to handle a more diverse product line.
Fort said his company had been considering Triversity before it was acquired by SAP last September. SAP plans to wrap Triversity's technology into the SAP for Retail suite. But don't look for Virgin to standardize its systems on SAP anytime soon, he said. Management has to finish realigning its business processes before even considering standardizing, he said. "
But the heart of the company has been sales at its retail locations, which is managed by a merchandizing system developed by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based JDA Software Group, Inc. Seeking greater flexibility, Virgin plans to add Triversity point of sale software, allowing stores to handle a more diverse product line.
Fort said his company had been considering Triversity before it was acquired by SAP last September. SAP plans to wrap Triversity's technology into the SAP for Retail suite. But don't look for Virgin to standardize its systems on SAP anytime soon, he said. Management has to finish realigning its business processes before even considering standardizing, he said. "
Oracle adds pieces to retail suite
Oracle adds pieces to retail suite: "The war over dominance in the retail sector between Oracle Corp. and SAP AG continues in 2006, with Oracle making the first move by acquiring technology in recent weeks to bolster its industry specific suite.
This product will complement Oracle's workforce management offering by providing customers a complete suite to manage time and labor, absences, and now scheduling to meet a forecasted workload demand.
DJ Chhabra,
vice president of Human Capital Management, Oracle Corp.
Software vendors have targeted retail as a potential area for growth as retailers have been streamlining antiquated IT systems to better integrate and build customer facing functionality around core systems. License revenue in the retail industry grew 21% from 2004 to 2005, according to Boston-based AMR Research."
This product will complement Oracle's workforce management offering by providing customers a complete suite to manage time and labor, absences, and now scheduling to meet a forecasted workload demand.
DJ Chhabra,
vice president of Human Capital Management, Oracle Corp.
Software vendors have targeted retail as a potential area for growth as retailers have been streamlining antiquated IT systems to better integrate and build customer facing functionality around core systems. License revenue in the retail industry grew 21% from 2004 to 2005, according to Boston-based AMR Research."
Oracle May See Multiple Catalysts Over Next 12 Months - Forbes.com
Oracle May See Multiple Catalysts Over Next 12 Months - Forbes.com: "Oracle's new strategy, dubbed 'Fusion,' is designed to leverage Java and other open standards, and to drive down costs and enable service-oriented architecture.
Fusion is set to debut in 2008 and will be a combination of next-generation technology and the most current functionality from different applications, according to the analyst. "
Fusion is set to debut in 2008 and will be a combination of next-generation technology and the most current functionality from different applications, according to the analyst. "
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
SAP - Press Release
SAP - Press Release: "Amid growing evidence of its global leadership in providing solutions to the world�s premier retailers, SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced that Virgin Entertainment Group, the world�s leading multichannel music and entertainment retailer, has selected an SAP Triversity point-of-sale (POS) solution to automate and integrate the company�s Virgin Megastores in the United States. The solution will enable Virgin employees to efficiently manage inventory and pricing rules, apply new discounts, add promotions and adapt to sales tax changes without the use of custom programming. The announcement was made at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Conference, being held in New York, January 15-17"
SAP - Press Release
SAP - Press Release: "SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced that Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. (NYSE: KCP), a leading designer of apparel, shoes and accessories, will implement SAP� software to support its growth strategy and integrate its global sourcing, retail and wholesale operations. SAP for Retail, SAP Apparel and Footwear (AFS) and SAP Triversity point-of-sale (POS) solutions will provide Kenneth Cole Productions with an integrated, end-to-end view of its multiple businesses. The announcement was made at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Conference, being held in New York, January 15-17"
LogicTools Accelerates Growth in 2005 Strengthening Its Position as the Standard for Network Design and Inventory Optimization Software
LogicTools Accelerates Growth in 2005 Strengthening Its Position as the Standard for Network Design and Inventory Optimization Software: "LogicTools has been recognized as the leader in providing easy to use, high performance and high ROI supply chain planning solutions. According to an AMR report published in September 2005, 'LogicTools continues to make progress in gaining market traction on products that are reasonably priced and easy to deploy.'
Other notable achievements for 2005 include a significant increase in the number of companies purchasing the entire suite, such as Cabela's and Del Monte; continued expansion of our partnerships with consulting firms using LogicTools' products for their clients; the expansion of LogicTools' software partnership with SAP through Powered by SAP NetWeaver certification of Inventory Analyst in May 2005; the release of new versions of Inventory Analyst, LogicNet Plus and LogicChain; and finally expansion into Europe and Latin America with some major accounts. "
Other notable achievements for 2005 include a significant increase in the number of companies purchasing the entire suite, such as Cabela's and Del Monte; continued expansion of our partnerships with consulting firms using LogicTools' products for their clients; the expansion of LogicTools' software partnership with SAP through Powered by SAP NetWeaver certification of Inventory Analyst in May 2005; the release of new versions of Inventory Analyst, LogicNet Plus and LogicChain; and finally expansion into Europe and Latin America with some major accounts. "
Monday, January 16, 2006
Techworld.com - Oracle offers all-in-one SOA deployment suite
Techworld.com - Oracle offers all-in-one SOA deployment suite: "Oracle is packaging several of its Fusion middleware products together as the Oracle SOA Suite, in an attempt to meet the growing interest in SOA."
Oracle bundles SOA products - Computer Business Review
Oracle bundles SOA products - Computer Business Review: "Having built or bought the pieces over the past 12 to 18 months, Oracle Corp is now offering a services-oriented architecture suite that includes almost everything but the kitchen sink."
Oracle and Sun team up to provide .NET alternative
Oracle and Sun team up to provide .NET alternative: "Both companies have lost a lot of relevance in the modern world, where cost-effective open source software and disposable commodity hardware reign supreme. These days, Oracle is adopting Java in a major way, because they feel that it will help them to modernize. Ellison criticized Oracle rival SAP, claiming that Oracle's extensive use of Java facilitates higher quality solutions:
'SAP believes that they can modernize their applications without changing them. They keep writing programs in a language called ABAP [Advanced Business Application Programming], which is a 25-year-old proprietary language not related to Java. It has the same number of letters in its name, but it really is an old-fashioned proprietary technology.' "
'SAP believes that they can modernize their applications without changing them. They keep writing programs in a language called ABAP [Advanced Business Application Programming], which is a 25-year-old proprietary language not related to Java. It has the same number of letters in its name, but it really is an old-fashioned proprietary technology.' "
: "Oracle has come a long way from the take-no-prisoners approach it took during its pursuit of PeopleSoft before acquiring the company last year. Since then Oracle executives have worked hard to keep PeopleSoft customers in the fold, but the company has never been all that clear about just how PeopleSoft and JD Edwards applications would mesh with Oracle's.
Now, with close to 9,000 developers working on the Fusion project to deliver Oracle's next big-business app suite, Oracle executives last week provided some glimpses of what the merged applications might look like, and what pieces might be kept from the old acquired applications. On Jan. 18, Ellison and other project managers are scheduled to take a stage at San Francisco City Hall to talk more about Fusion's progress. Oracle's timetable calls for delivering the first Fusion components next year and a full Fusion suite in 2008. "
Now, with close to 9,000 developers working on the Fusion project to deliver Oracle's next big-business app suite, Oracle executives last week provided some glimpses of what the merged applications might look like, and what pieces might be kept from the old acquired applications. On Jan. 18, Ellison and other project managers are scheduled to take a stage at San Francisco City Hall to talk more about Fusion's progress. Oracle's timetable calls for delivering the first Fusion components next year and a full Fusion suite in 2008. "
CIBER Sparkles as Winner of National Jeweler's SAP(R) Solution Implementation Contract: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
CIBER Sparkles as Winner of National Jeweler's SAP(R) Solution Implementation Contract: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "CIBER Novasoft, the SAP� solution consulting division of CIBER, Inc. (NYSE: CBR - News), today announced it has been chosen by national jewelry retailer Shane Company to implement a variety of SAP solutions for the firm. CIBER will use its Rapid Retail(TM) solution, a template-based implementation approach that reduces costs, risks, and time-to-launch by up to 40%. The project is a major undertaking, and, when complete, will help Shane Company reduce costs, streamline processes, adopt industry best practices, enhance customer service, launch a customer loyalty program, and prepare for international expansion. CIBER made the announcement at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Conference, which is being held in New York City January 15 - 17."
Oracle Banks on Broad-Based Middleware SOA Suite
Oracle Banks on Broad-Based Middleware SOA Suite: "Oracle Corp. Thursday announced a set of middleware aimed at helping enterprises build service-oriented architectures.
The new Oracle SOA Suite is designed to use Oracle software components or integrate with an enterprise's existing non-Oracle middleware components.
The Oracle SOA Suite consists of components of the Oracle Fusion Middleware suite, and it supports Oracle's application server, as well as those from IBM, BEA Systems Inc. and JBoss Inc., the company said. "
The new Oracle SOA Suite is designed to use Oracle software components or integrate with an enterprise's existing non-Oracle middleware components.
The Oracle SOA Suite consists of components of the Oracle Fusion Middleware suite, and it supports Oracle's application server, as well as those from IBM, BEA Systems Inc. and JBoss Inc., the company said. "
Friday, January 13, 2006
SAP Reorganizes, Expands in Midmarket
SAP Reorganizes, Expands in Midmarket: "On the heels of preliminary 2005 fourth-quarter results that have SAP AG sailing into 2006 on increased software revenues, the company has merged its North American and Latin American business units to increase sales and market share.
SAP, headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, announced Wednesday that it had combined the two businesses to create one new unit, SAP Americas. "
SAP, headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, announced Wednesday that it had combined the two businesses to create one new unit, SAP Americas. "
Papyrus Revolution - Express Computer
Papyrus Revolution - Express Computer: "At a glance
Product implementedmySAP ERP 2004 (ECC 5.0)
Number of user licences50 concurrent user licences
Production serverHP Integrity rx2620 dual CPU Itanium 2 server with 6 GB RAM
Development serverHP Integrity rx2620 dual CPU Itanium 2 server with 6 GB RAM
DatabaseOracle 9i
Operating systemHP-UX 11i
Cost of the entire projectRs 2 crore including hardware, software, user licences and training costs
Implementation partnerAakit Technologies
About the company
N R Agarwal Group, a coated duplex board and newsprint manufacturer, exports to several countries and regions including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines, Egypt, East Africa and the Gulf. Pharmaceutical and FMCG companies buy its coated duplex board. It manufactures five qualities of newsprint for publishing houses."
Product implementedmySAP ERP 2004 (ECC 5.0)
Number of user licences50 concurrent user licences
Production serverHP Integrity rx2620 dual CPU Itanium 2 server with 6 GB RAM
Development serverHP Integrity rx2620 dual CPU Itanium 2 server with 6 GB RAM
DatabaseOracle 9i
Operating systemHP-UX 11i
Cost of the entire projectRs 2 crore including hardware, software, user licences and training costs
Implementation partnerAakit Technologies
About the company
N R Agarwal Group, a coated duplex board and newsprint manufacturer, exports to several countries and regions including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines, Egypt, East Africa and the Gulf. Pharmaceutical and FMCG companies buy its coated duplex board. It manufactures five qualities of newsprint for publishing houses."
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Microverticals Drive SAP's SME Strategy
Microverticals Drive SAP's SME Strategy: "After launching a channel initiative in 2005 to push its MySAP and Business One software into the small and midsize enterprise market, SAP AG added 590 new partners�an increase of 49 percent�and 100 new solutions in the first three quarters of that year.
The ERP (enterprise resource planning) and supply chain giant has made it a goal for its SME growth, both in and out of the channel, to more than double its enterprise-class growth, and it expects vertical and microvertical solutions driven by partners to help it achieve this goal, SAP officials said. "
The ERP (enterprise resource planning) and supply chain giant has made it a goal for its SME growth, both in and out of the channel, to more than double its enterprise-class growth, and it expects vertical and microvertical solutions driven by partners to help it achieve this goal, SAP officials said. "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "Shares of SAP AG, the world's largest maker of business-management software, dropped for a second day after preliminary earnings revealed yesterday 2005 profit growth failed to keep up with the expansion of software sales. "
SAP boasts market share gain after revenue tops forecast - Computer Business Review
SAP boasts market share gain after revenue tops forecast - Computer Business Review: "SAP AG says it has strengthened its dominant position in the enterprise software market and it expects to comfortably top its previous forecast of 12% to 14% software revenue growth for 2005, with a final figure that will show an 18% increase to 2.78bn euros ($3.36bn)."
Computerworld | Oracle offers SOA deployment suite
Computerworld Oracle offers SOA deployment suite: "Seeking to offer one-stop shopping for SOA, Oracle is packaging several of its existing Fusion middleware products together as the Oracle SOA Suite.
Products will be integrated and have both a common install and common management tools. Featuring Oracle's BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) and ESB products, the suite represents a unique approach to addressing SOA deployments, according to Rick Schultz, vice president of Oracle Fusion Middleware."
Products will be integrated and have both a common install and common management tools. Featuring Oracle's BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) and ESB products, the suite represents a unique approach to addressing SOA deployments, according to Rick Schultz, vice president of Oracle Fusion Middleware."
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Oracle and Sun tie the knot
Oracle and Sun tie the knot: "Praise for Java, criticism for SAP
During the meeting, Ellison took a moment to emphasize the importance his company places on Oracle, but the tender moment quickly turned into an opportunity to slam his firm's chief rival, Germany's SAP AG.
'We have based our entire middleware strategy on Java, [Java 2 Enterprise Edition] and Java-based portals. Our integration approach, everything is really built around Java,' Ellison said.
'SAP believes that they can modernize their applications without changing them,' Ellison continued. 'They keep writing programs in a language called ABAP [Advanced Business Application Programming], which is a 25-year-old proprietary language not related to Java. It has the same number of letters in its name, but it really is an old-fashioned proprietary technology.' "
During the meeting, Ellison took a moment to emphasize the importance his company places on Oracle, but the tender moment quickly turned into an opportunity to slam his firm's chief rival, Germany's SAP AG.
'We have based our entire middleware strategy on Java, [Java 2 Enterprise Edition] and Java-based portals. Our integration approach, everything is really built around Java,' Ellison said.
'SAP believes that they can modernize their applications without changing them,' Ellison continued. 'They keep writing programs in a language called ABAP [Advanced Business Application Programming], which is a 25-year-old proprietary language not related to Java. It has the same number of letters in its name, but it really is an old-fashioned proprietary technology.' "
RED HERRING | SAP Boasts a Strong Q4
RED HERRING SAP Boasts a Strong Q4: "SAP said Tuesday its fourth-quarter revenue will exceed its prior forecasts thanks in large part to an 18 percent rise in software sales over the year-earlier quarter.
The quarter�s revenue will rise to �2.75 billion ($3.32 billion) from �2.4 billion. Financial analysts had expected revenue of just �2.64 billion in the quarter. "
The quarter�s revenue will rise to �2.75 billion ($3.32 billion) from �2.4 billion. Financial analysts had expected revenue of just �2.64 billion in the quarter. "
SAP, Oracle make public services push
AP, Oracle make public services push: "With more than 5,000 residents migrating to Clark County, Nevada, each month, the burgeoning Las Vegas area community was putting too much stress on municipal IT systems.
The trend we're seeing is that they're realizing that more is not always better ... If something goes bad for government, it's bad for SAP.
Tim McCormick,
vice president of state and local government, SAP Public Services Inc.
Court case management systems began to break down, causing a back log in the county's court system. Services that normally could be handled routinely, such as paying a parking fine or registering a dog, became a source of frustration for residents, whose concerns were not being addressed in a timely manner."
The trend we're seeing is that they're realizing that more is not always better ... If something goes bad for government, it's bad for SAP.
Tim McCormick,
vice president of state and local government, SAP Public Services Inc.
Court case management systems began to break down, causing a back log in the county's court system. Services that normally could be handled routinely, such as paying a parking fine or registering a dog, became a source of frustration for residents, whose concerns were not being addressed in a timely manner."
Breakthrough Year for Oracle Fusion Middleware @ SOA WEB SERVICES JOURNAL
http://webservices.sys-con.com/read/167637.htm: "Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 2005 represented a breakthrough year for Oracle(R) Fusion Middleware, Oracle's highly popular family of middleware software that simplifies the development, deployment, integration and management of applications. The year included a number of distinctive 'firsts,' including: first to market with an integrated, standards-based Application Platform Suite (APS), first APS designed for Grid, first APS to support comprehensive Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Event-driven Architecture (EDA), and first APS to integrate Enterprise Security, Identity Management and Business Intelligence. In addition, Oracle Fusion Middleware was rated the best selling middleware suite in units and the fastest growing middleware suite in revenues and units -- growing 24 percent on a trailing 12-month basis."
ITP.net {News: Saudi health group installs Oracle ERP}
ITP.net {News: Saudi health group installs Oracle ERP}: "An organisation which runs four hospitals and 60 health centres in Saudi Arabia, has completed a two-year project to build an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system based on Oracle�s E-business suite.
National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA) � which provides healthcare to National Guard employees and their families as well as to Saudi nationals � has spent nearly US$2million building the system, which includes financial services, logistics, HR and Payroll modules."
National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA) � which provides healthcare to National Guard employees and their families as well as to Saudi nationals � has spent nearly US$2million building the system, which includes financial services, logistics, HR and Payroll modules."
Technology News: Business : SAP's Agassi Denies Bashing Open Source
Technology News: Business : SAP's Agassi Denies Bashing Open Source: "At the Churchill Club event Shai Agassi said that the ability for users to see the source code was nice for debugging purposes but that the company had learnt in the past 30 years that adapting the code didn't provided users any benefits. Custom code is generally considered to be more expensive than so-called shrink wrapped software."
SAP's next challenge: The ROI of composite apps
SAP's next challenge: The ROI of composite apps: "SAP has an opportunity to show how service architectures and composite applications will lower costs and improve innovation, according to Joshua Greenbaum, a market research analyst and consultant at Enterprise Applications Consulting. "
SAP - Press Release
SAP - Press Release: "Continuing to expand its offering of business management software solutions designed to meet the resource and industry requirements of small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today introduced 39 qualified mySAP� All-in-One partner solutions. The solutions were developed and delivered by SAP partners in countries including Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Hungary, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each offering includes built-in best practices for managing business processes within a specific industry, giving the new solutions the ability to address diverse industries ranging from biotechnology, plant construction and transportation services to aviation and fashion retailing. The latest additions to the world�s largest portfolio of micro-vertical solutions for SMEs, the 39 new offerings are part of more than 100 new solutions introduced in the last 12 months and nearly 600 qualified mySAP All-in-One partner solutions available in more than 50 countries and used by more than 7,100 customers worldwide."
SAP - Press Release
SAP - Press Release: "SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) announced today that after a preliminary review of its 2005 fourth quarter results, it expects full-year 2005 software revenues to be approximately �2,780 million, representing an increase of 18% (15% at constant currencies1) compared to full-year 2004 software revenues of �2,361 million. The expected 2005 software revenue growth of 18% exceeds the Company�s previously published guidance of a range of 12% - 14% growth."
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG, the world's largest maker of business-management software, said software license sales in the fourth quarter rose 18 percent as the U.S. business expanded at more than four times the pace of the European region"
SAP - SAP Business Community - Executive Blogs
SAP - SAP Business Community - Executive Blogs: "Taking ESA from concept to reality, part two
Think of your IT landscape as a city that has grown down the years. Many of the 'buildings' were acquired as your city expanded and evolved. Some of them are old and derelict, some are abandoned, or have quite simply outlived their usefulness. But they all cost you money to maintain-lots and lots of money."
Think of your IT landscape as a city that has grown down the years. Many of the 'buildings' were acquired as your city expanded and evolved. Some of them are old and derelict, some are abandoned, or have quite simply outlived their usefulness. But they all cost you money to maintain-lots and lots of money."
ERP at a pharma company - Express Pharma
ERP at a pharma company - Express Pharma: "After Kemwell decided to go in for an ERP package, it picked mySAP. Explains Subhash Bagaria, Kemwell's Managing Director, 'A standardised package requires a large investment. We needed a solution which would gel with our systems and was customisable.' The choice of mySAP did not come easily as many packages were evaluated before they decided on mySAP. Nanaiah says, 'We evaluated packages from vendors like JD Edwards and Oracle. I personally went and researched a number of ERP installations at different companies, and found mySAP to be the best as far as meeting our requirements was concerned.' Kemwell representatives saw the successful running of SAP ERP at Balsara Home Products, Dystar India and Bilag Industries. Nanaiah adds, 'mySAP has a proven track record in the pharma industry, and complies with good manufacturing practice. It is also compliant with the USFDA standards.' "
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
SAP INFO
SAP INFO: "Supporting Transformation for Defense Organizations
Today, armed forces need a high level of system integration to enable the timely transfer of information which is critical to 'net-centric' warefare. With SAP for Defense & Security based on mySAP ERP 2005 all the main prerequisites to support the logistics and administrative processes carried out by armed forces, including those in a distributed system landscape, are available."
Today, armed forces need a high level of system integration to enable the timely transfer of information which is critical to 'net-centric' warefare. With SAP for Defense & Security based on mySAP ERP 2005 all the main prerequisites to support the logistics and administrative processes carried out by armed forces, including those in a distributed system landscape, are available."
Konami uses SAP to sell direct to gamers
Konami uses SAP to sell direct to gamers: "Gamers seeking the latest version of Dance Dance Revolution, Coded Arms and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, can purchase the titles straight from game maker, Konami Digital Entertainment, which is selling the games directly to customers for the first time.
Experience functionality and then expand rather than go with a big-bang approach.
Srini Katta,
CTO, iServiceGlobe Inc.
Dozens of Konami's video game titles are being sold directly to gamers after the company completed an SAP project to launch a new Web site in time for the holidays. The site went live in November after only eight weeks, said Daniel Laskowski, director of IT at Konami."
Experience functionality and then expand rather than go with a big-bang approach.
Srini Katta,
CTO, iServiceGlobe Inc.
Dozens of Konami's video game titles are being sold directly to gamers after the company completed an SAP project to launch a new Web site in time for the holidays. The site went live in November after only eight weeks, said Daniel Laskowski, director of IT at Konami."
SAP - Press Release
SAP - Press Release: "SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced a number of organizational changes that will enhance the company�s ability to deliver value to customers in North America and Latin America and accelerate its growth in these regions.
The SAP North America (U.S. and Canada) and SAP Latin America (South America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean) business units will merge to form one organization, SAP Americas, led by Bill McDermott, 44, who previously headed the company�s North America business."
The SAP North America (U.S. and Canada) and SAP Latin America (South America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean) business units will merge to form one organization, SAP Americas, led by Bill McDermott, 44, who previously headed the company�s North America business."
Monday, January 09, 2006
Oracle's Fusion Still Facing Hurdles - -
Oracle's Fusion Still Facing Hurdles - -: "To hear tell from Oracle higher-ups, there was a lot to be happy about in the software giant's second-quarter results. Excluding costs mostly related to the multibillion-dollar acquisition of PeopleSoft, earnings met Wall Street expectations. Chief Executive Larry Ellison crowed that his outfit was ahead of a plan to increase profit by 20% a year for five years, and Oracle beat analysts' predictions in sales of applications, the programs that handle business tasks. "
IT vendors churn out solutions for SMBs - Newindpress.com
IT vendors churn out solutions for SMBs - Newindpress.com: "With the SMB segment expected to account for a major chunk of the IT spend in the country, big IT vendors are focusing on providing custom-made solutions for this growing sector."
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Breakthrough Year for Oracle Fusion Middleware @ SOA WEB SERVICES JOURNAL
http://webservices.sys-con.com/read/167637.htm: "Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 2005 represented a breakthrough year for Oracle(R) Fusion Middleware, Oracle's highly popular family of middleware software that simplifies the development, deployment, integration and management of applications. The year included a number of distinctive 'firsts,' including: first to market with an integrated, standards-based Application Platform Suite (APS), first APS designed for Grid, first APS to support comprehensive Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Event-driven Architecture (EDA), and first APS to integrate Enterprise Security, Identity Management and Business Intelligence. In addition, Oracle Fusion Middleware was rated the best selling middleware suite in units and the fastest growing middleware suite in revenues and units -- growing 24 percent on a trailing 12-month basis."
Thursday, January 05, 2006
What Are Your Competitors Telling You? A case study - SAP's new advertising campaign
What Are Your Competitors Telling You? A case study - SAP's new advertising campaign: "What Is SAP Telling Its Competitors?
Let's use SAP's massive new marketing campaign as an example. In print and television ads, SAP now claims that companies that 'run SAP are 32% more profitable than those that don't.' Of course, there's a qualifier. A tiny footnote in the ads running in major business and information technology (IT) publications says that the claim is based on an 'analysis of publicly available fiscal results of all non-financial companies listed on NASDAQ and NYSE.' As you can see, it's important for competitors and buyers to read footnotes, disclaimers, or any other qualifier. "
Let's use SAP's massive new marketing campaign as an example. In print and television ads, SAP now claims that companies that 'run SAP are 32% more profitable than those that don't.' Of course, there's a qualifier. A tiny footnote in the ads running in major business and information technology (IT) publications says that the claim is based on an 'analysis of publicly available fiscal results of all non-financial companies listed on NASDAQ and NYSE.' As you can see, it's important for competitors and buyers to read footnotes, disclaimers, or any other qualifier. "
