Renee Boucher Ferguson

Enterprise software providers are answering IT managers calls to ease data exchanges between their systems and those of competitors. Siebel Systems Inc., Commerce One Inc., SAP Markets Inc. and Tibco Software Inc. have each introduced products or partnerships that they said will improve the efficiency and power of communications among enterprises along supply chains. Enabling […]

ABN Amro Holdings N.V. found off-the-shelf messaging middleware-based software integration too expensive and time-consuming, so it developed its own. The international banking company built its own integration adapter technology to help fold nearly a dozen acquisitions into its IT organization. This week, the company, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, will spin off Neogration Inc., a software […]

A brouhaha is growing over the decision by SAG AG and Commerce One Inc. to go their separate ways on e-procurement software. Although published reports have suggested that the two companies, which have had a joint development and marketing relationship since 1999, have severed relations, the facts seem to lie somewhere in the middle. The […]

Oracle Corp. used its AppsWorld show in Amsterdam this week to announce on Wednesday the latest upgrade to its E-Business Suite, version 11.5.6. Chief among 11is new features is a module called Daily Business Close that allows top management to view key business facts on a daily basis. Close information includes performance metrics, financial ratios, […]

In a surprise move Oracle Corp. Chairman and CEO Larry Ellison today announced a price reduction for the companys Oracle 11i E-Business Suite. “Effective immediately, pricing is US$4,000 per power user and US$400 per casual user,” read a statement released by the Redwood Shores, Calif., developer. Currently in the midst of its AppsWorld conference in […]

Softchain Inc. next week will introduce the next iteration of its Collaborative Planner suite of applications. Designed for product manufacturers, their customers and suppliers, Collaborative Planner 2.0 is a suite of Web-based modules that enable partners across a complex, multi-tier supply chain to interact on planning arrangements. Through the collaborative planning process, partners work to […]

Elogex Inc. next week will round out its collaborative logistics suite with the announcement of its Appointment Scheduling software. The Appointment Scheduling solution, offered as a hosted service, automates the scheduling of pickup and delivery appointments between suppliers, receivers and carriers primarily in the grocery and consumer goods industries. Currently the majority of appointments and […]

Hewlett-Packard Co. — best known for its hardware and printing solutions — is broadening its footprint in the enterprise application market. The Palo Alto, Calif., company announced Monday an alliance with Deloitte Consulting to develop collaborative software for manufacturing companies. The jointly developed software will be designed to enable manufacturers to more quickly achieve the […]

An upgrade to SolidWorks Corp.s three-dimensional catalog software gives component manufacturers a template-based tool for publishing online catalogs in days, rather than months, according to company officials. SolidWorks 3D PartStream.net 3.0, which will begin shipping this week, features enhanced content management tools that provide manufacturers more control over their online catalog content, as well as […]

As businesses integrate their systems more frequently along the supply chain, having the ability to tie customer preference into the product lifecycle is becoming more critical. Recognizing that, Parametric Technology Corp. and Siebel Systems Inc. announced an alliance today that will integrate Siebel eBusiness applications with PTCs Collaborative Product Development software. An integrated product will […]

Supply chain analytics software provider Silvon Software Inc. and Business Forecast Systems Inc. (BFS) announced an alliance this week that will combine analytics and forecasting technologies to help manufacturers better handle rapid product introduction, shorter product lifecycles and varied product configurations. BFS will combine its forecasting functionality with Silvons demand planning capabilities to upgrade the […]

SynQuest Inc. next week will begin shipping the latest upgrade to its namesake supply chain planning software. SynQuest 7.0 addresses each phase in the supply chain planning process by enabling companies to address common business goals like profitability and customer service levels, across multiple functions like sourcing, manufacturing and logistics. The upgrades Business Strategy Planning […]