Thursday, September 21, 2006
Oracle Posts Strong First Quarter
Oracle Posts Strong First Quarter: "Two years ago Ellison led Oracle on a multibillion-dollar spending spree, buying more than 20 companies with the end goal of gaining market share from SAP, the world's largest business applications developer.
Ellison's strategy seems to be paying off.
This is the second consecutive quarter that Oracle's new license sales for its applications has grown 80 percent or more.
In contrast, SAP's second quarter 2006 new license sales, reported July 20, grew only 8 percent."
Ellison's strategy seems to be paying off.
This is the second consecutive quarter that Oracle's new license sales for its applications has grown 80 percent or more.
In contrast, SAP's second quarter 2006 new license sales, reported July 20, grew only 8 percent."
SAP users ready upgrade plans
SAP users ready upgrade plans: "'BIA sounds interesting, but SAP should talk about ROI a bit more,' said David Pope, Sr. SAP consultant at Columbus, Ga.-based Aflac Inc. 'BI implementations in general are a pain, and you need a strong business case to justify them. It would be helpful with an honest discussion about cost return thresholds where SAP users should start considering BI.' "
[...]
Duet and SAP Enterprise Search interest Brass, but new technologies will have to wait until the core ERP backend systems are addressed and other more basic needs are met, she said.
Someone who is looking at Duet is Seck Wong at PepsiCo in Chicago, Ill. Wong said he provides high-level advisory for PepsiCo's massive $1.6 billion, seven year SAP project.
PepsiCo is making the move from old legacy systems to SAP division by division, starting small and using the lessons learned as they tackle increasingly larger undertakings, Wong said. Meanwhile, he needs to stay abreast of the SAP roadmap and keep a close eye on new technologies like Duet.
[...]
Duet and SAP Enterprise Search interest Brass, but new technologies will have to wait until the core ERP backend systems are addressed and other more basic needs are met, she said.
Someone who is looking at Duet is Seck Wong at PepsiCo in Chicago, Ill. Wong said he provides high-level advisory for PepsiCo's massive $1.6 billion, seven year SAP project.
PepsiCo is making the move from old legacy systems to SAP division by division, starting small and using the lessons learned as they tackle increasingly larger undertakings, Wong said. Meanwhile, he needs to stay abreast of the SAP roadmap and keep a close eye on new technologies like Duet.
Oracle Crows—and SAP Fights Back
Oracle Crows—and SAP Fights Back: But lurking behind all the talk about SOA are two fundamentally different approaches to software going forward. Oracle has cast its lot with the movement toward open standards and programming languages, such as Sun Microsystems' (SUNW) Java. SAP also knows how to talk the open-standards talk, but realistically, the company depends much more heavily on proprietary products."UPS THE PRESSURE." While Oracle clearly has its work cut out drawing its far-flung acquisitions together in Fusion, SAP may face the tougher challenge. The company has an enormous installed base of complex software programs that typically take years for corporate clients to fully incorporate and utilize. It must persuade these clients of the merit of shifting over to its newer software products.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Takeovers Power Oracle - Forbes.com
Takeovers Power Oracle - Forbes.com: "Analysts say Oracle is taking market share from SAP (nyse: SAP - news - people ) in the market for enterprise resource planning software, computer programs that run large chunks of corporate businesses. That validates the strategy of Oracle’s billionaire chairman, Larry Ellison, to move aggressively into specialized applications."
Thursday, September 14, 2006
SAP users, analysts, seek master data management answers
SAP users, analysts, seek master data management answers: "But SAP customers and industry analysts say SAP is still trying to build momentum around its fledgling master data management software. For companies looking to standardize on SAP, they say SAP MDM is the obvious choice, but many customers are still finding more robust features in independent MDM vendors.
Jeff W. Benton, of IBM Global Services, said he is considering putting together a consulting team around SAP Master Data Management. But a lack of information, best practices and available training from SAP has Benton waiting.
'I'm sure this is a case of a technology that needs time to mature,' Benton said. 'It's very difficult to find the customers using the software.' "
Jeff W. Benton, of IBM Global Services, said he is considering putting together a consulting team around SAP Master Data Management. But a lack of information, best practices and available training from SAP has Benton waiting.
'I'm sure this is a case of a technology that needs time to mature,' Benton said. 'It's very difficult to find the customers using the software.' "
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
SAP promises no major software release until 2010
SAP promises no major software release until 2010: "Darren Martin, a Basis Developer with Victoria British Columbia's Capitol Regional District, said that many SAP customers have been waiting patiently for SAP to service-enable its software.
'It's good to see that they're finally moving onto the next generation of software,' Martin said. 'But by the time we get finished completely upgrading we'll be looking at another implementation.' "
'It's good to see that they're finally moving onto the next generation of software,' Martin said. 'But by the time we get finished completely upgrading we'll be looking at another implementation.' "
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
SAP to focus on business process management
SAP to focus on business process management: "The BPM Expert Community marks SAP's second user-based group. The SAP Developer Network, which serves the needs of SAP developers, has about 500,000 members. The software vendor also has several Enterprise Services Communities – several small groups tied to specific industries to open a dialogue with SAP about missing gaps in its software.
Gartner ranks SAP, IBM, Fujitsu, Microsoft, and Oracle among the 'power vendors' that have been addressing the issue of BPM over the last two years. Pure-play vendors such as Pegasystems Inc., Global 360 Inc., Lombardi Software Inc., Metastorm Inc., Savvion Inc., and Appian Corp. have launched BPM suites that integrate with company systems and go far beyond process modeling"
Gartner ranks SAP, IBM, Fujitsu, Microsoft, and Oracle among the 'power vendors' that have been addressing the issue of BPM over the last two years. Pure-play vendors such as Pegasystems Inc., Global 360 Inc., Lombardi Software Inc., Metastorm Inc., Savvion Inc., and Appian Corp. have launched BPM suites that integrate with company systems and go far beyond process modeling"
G-Log acquisition bears fruit with Oracle Transportation Management 5.5
G-Log acquisition bears fruit with Oracle Transportation Management 5.5: "G-Log also gives Oracle the chance to take on rival SAP AG on the transportation front in the U.S. market. Generally speaking, SAP has been more successful with transportation management in Europe than in the U.S., he said.
'Transportation management is becoming a priority for SAP,' Gonzalez said. 'But to date they have gone the invest-internally route, so it's still going to take them a little time to close the gap in terms of functionality.'
OTM is available as a standalone product or as part of Oracle E-Business Suite. Gittoes said the price for the software is about $14,000 per $1 million worth of freight shipped annually, or roughly 1.4%. "
'Transportation management is becoming a priority for SAP,' Gonzalez said. 'But to date they have gone the invest-internally route, so it's still going to take them a little time to close the gap in terms of functionality.'
OTM is available as a standalone product or as part of Oracle E-Business Suite. Gittoes said the price for the software is about $14,000 per $1 million worth of freight shipped annually, or roughly 1.4%. "
Friday, September 08, 2006
SAP - ERP package for mid-size enterprises
SAP - ERP package for mid-size enterprises: "There are three main components to SAP All-In-One ERP Package:
* Detailed, step-by-step implementation procedures.
* Extensive, reusable documentation for scope evaluation, project team and end-user training.
* Complete pre-configuration settings that provide everything needed to run integrated key processes."
* Detailed, step-by-step implementation procedures.
* Extensive, reusable documentation for scope evaluation, project team and end-user training.
* Complete pre-configuration settings that provide everything needed to run integrated key processes."
Thursday, September 07, 2006
SAP's Kagermann May Consider Purchase to Expand Product Line
Bloomberg.com: Europe: "SAP may also consider buying software makers whose products have become popular among SAP customers, a step that would ``consolidate some of the proven applications back into the core,'' Kagermann said.
For now, SAP is unlikely to attempt large-scale purchases as it is preoccupied with overhauling its software architecture, a task Kagermann said is ``stretching the company.'' Once this transition is complete in about two years, larger purchases that help expand SAP's focus would become an option, he said. "
For now, SAP is unlikely to attempt large-scale purchases as it is preoccupied with overhauling its software architecture, a task Kagermann said is ``stretching the company.'' Once this transition is complete in about two years, larger purchases that help expand SAP's focus would become an option, he said. "
SAP's Agassi Bets Simpler Software Will Arrest Oracle Gains
"The shares of SAP have fallen 20 percent to 150.08 euros ($192.37) since April 10. Oracle's stock is up 14 percent to $15.78 in the same period.
SAP, whose software is used to run tasks such as billing, accounting and inventory management, is betting its new version will attract customers as a boom in mergers forces companies to integrate disparate software systems. Companies in industries such as banking and retail also are moving away from homegrown systems and buying products from SAP or Oracle. "
SAP, whose software is used to run tasks such as billing, accounting and inventory management, is betting its new version will attract customers as a boom in mergers forces companies to integrate disparate software systems. Companies in industries such as banking and retail also are moving away from homegrown systems and buying products from SAP or Oracle. "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG (SAP GY): Henning Kagermann, Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest maker of business-management software, said SAP may make an acquisition that expands its offerings beyond business-management programs after completing a product overhaul in two years.
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG (SAP GY): Henning Kagermann, Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest maker of business-management software, said SAP may make an acquisition that expands its offerings beyond business-management programs after completing a product overhaul in two years.
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG (SAP GY): Henning Kagermann, Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest maker of business-management software, said SAP may make an acquisition that expands its offerings beyond business-management programs after completing a product overhaul in two years.
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG (SAP GY): Henning Kagermann, Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest maker of business-management software, said SAP may make an acquisition that expands its offerings beyond business-management programs after completing a product overhaul in two years.
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG (SAP GY): Henning Kagermann, Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest maker of business-management software, said SAP may make an acquisition that expands its offerings beyond business-management programs after completing a product overhaul in two years.
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
``I would not go for something that would just help us get more clients,'' Kagermann said in an interview in New York yesterday. ``We are trying to enlarge our product portfolio.'' The shares dropped 2.86 euros, or 1.9 percent, to 147.13 euros. "
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
i2 Technologies files lawsuit against SAP
i2 Technologies files lawsuit against SAP: "Supply chain management vendor i2 Technologies Inc. filed a lawsuit today alleging that SAP infringed on seven of its software patents.
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
The lawsuit names seven patents awarded to Dallas-based i2 between June 9, 1998, and August 1, 2006. The patents cover a model for process planning in a supply chain network. The patents also were awarded for managing factory planning systems, tools for negotiating and tracking the sale of goods, software for allocating manufactured products to sellers, and methods for managing and allocating manufactured products to sellers. "
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
The lawsuit names seven patents awarded to Dallas-based i2 between June 9, 1998, and August 1, 2006. The patents cover a model for process planning in a supply chain network. The patents also were awarded for managing factory planning systems, tools for negotiating and tracking the sale of goods, software for allocating manufactured products to sellers, and methods for managing and allocating manufactured products to sellers. "
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Oneida chooses SAP, iSeries to improve fiscal health
Oneida chooses SAP, iSeries to improve fiscal health: "At Oneida, the selection involved finding ERP software that met its new operating model, Hack said. The company took an accelerated path to its selection process, looking at software from Chicago-based SSA Global Technologies and SAP. Oracle was ruled out, Hack said, because of uncertainty around its various acquisitions.
'Oracle acquired a bunch of key companies, and we felt that if we went down that path we could be staring at a reimplementation at some point in time,' he said.
Speed was of the essence, Hack said, because streamlining Oneida's IT systems is a large part of getting a handle on the company's overall financial health. "
'Oracle acquired a bunch of key companies, and we felt that if we went down that path we could be staring at a reimplementation at some point in time,' he said.
Speed was of the essence, Hack said, because streamlining Oneida's IT systems is a large part of getting a handle on the company's overall financial health. "
SAP driving SOA adoption with composite apps
GER.SAP driving SOA adoption with composite apps: "In an Aberdeen survey of more than 160 companies, about 60% of survey respondents said they are creating composite applications that support Web services. SAP is responding by certifying independent software vendor products as xApps as well as creating an environment for its customer base to build composite applications, Kastner said. "
Managing Automation :: The SAP vs. Oracle Applications Battle: Is Market Momentum Starting to Shift?
Managing Automation :: The SAP vs. Oracle Applications Battle: Is Market Momentum Starting to Shift?: "SAP, on the other hand, reported lower-than-expected results during its quarter, ended June 30. Blaming a failure to translate a number of booked orders into revenue, SAP reported that overall revenue for the quarter grew by 9% and software revenue was up just 8% compared to the year-earlier quarter. Those figures fell well short of SAP's recent strong performance. During the quarter ended March 31, for example, SAP reported that software revenues were up 22% and total revenues had surged 18%."
SAP deployments: Pain for gain
SAP deployments: Pain for gain: "Certain IT initiatives fall into the 'bet the company' category. Setting up an ERP system from SAP AG is one such choice. These complex undertakings carry both greater opportunities and greater risks than other enterprise software projects. Done right, an SAP deployment can transform an organization by streamlining operations, cutting costs and opening up new business opportunities. Done wrong, it can become a multiyear nightmare. "
