Abstract: Most companies recognize that business intelligence (BI) is critical to business process improvement and decision making, because these BI tools turn data into actionable information. However, many companies fail to put BI tools into the hands of users who would most benefit from them. Find out how IT executives can leverage today’s less complex BI tools to empower your company from top to bottom.

Abstract: Commerce One has partnered with Sagent Technology to add analytic tools to its enterprise e-purchasing application. Also, Ariba has partnered with Informatica to add analytic tools to its enterprise e-purchasing application.

Abstract: Tools under the business intelligence (BI) umbrella combine to convert data into information, and information into decisions for action. Dashboards and scorecards are two such tools. Though often confused, they have functional difference, especially in modern BI suites.

Abstract: This tutorial, part 2 of a two part series on Knowledge Based Selection, demonstrates the selection processes and capabilities of Knowledge Based Selection Methods and Tools. These tools, integrated with business decision making procedures, can arguably reduce selection risk and improve chances for success in IT projects. Given the appalling rate of IT project failures, selection can potentially help reduce risk in some 30% of cases, with an associated estimated cost of about $30B annually to industry according to some sources. In this tutorial, we illustrate a number of the procedures for rapid decision processing through the real-life selection of a PDA device. The process gave confidence to the argument to wait for the solution, while weighing risk against return.

Abstract: In going through a business decision process for complex technology selections, more and more use is being made of technologically driven processes using Decision support tools and captured knowledge. The use of these systems and the capability to drive a solution from them assumes an ability to accurately express business requirements and business value within these tools. In this article, we explore the marriage of knowledge management and decision support in forming knowledge based selection systems and procedures that can assist in reducing the current appalling record of IT project failures. This is illustrated by the process to select a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Abstract: This article continues the examination of tools that a vendor may supply that can make the implementation of an ERP package easier for your project team, end users, and IT department. Read on to see what tools you may want to have in your toolbox before proceeding with the implementation.

Abstract: Microsoft development tools will help developers and independent Microsoft software vendors integrate Microsoft Dynamics GP with existing applications. This accounting and business management system includes many features and benefits, as well as guidelines to help developers choose the right tools for various development tasks and create custom applications that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Abstract: Conventional business intelligence (BI) tools are often not available to decision makers and are typically designed for use by trained business analysts. Learn about software-as-a-service (SaaS) BI tools designed to help non-IT people who struggle with the task of mining Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and other unstructured data sources to make sales forecasts, plan for resource utilization, or service customer accounts.

Abstract: Workers spend on average close to 80 percent of their workday with some combination of enterprise applications and desktop tools. Best-in-class companies have already found ways to improve productivity. Learn more about the convergence of enterprise applications with desktop tools, and the role it plays in providing visibility to enterprise data, improving communication, and facilitating real-time decision making.

Abstract: With business intelligence (BI), decision-makers can feel the organization’s pulse, evaluate the performance of key business functions, and take action based on their analysis. However, many organizations invest time, money, and resources in BI processes, only to waste their newfound capabilities. Why? And, more importantly, how do you ensure that your BI solution won’t be one of them?

Abstract: Today’s knowledge workers spend more time sorting though a huge amount of information and less time adding value to it. Enterprises have responded by moving to a self-service business intelligence (BI) model. But that often conflicts with efforts to control, secure, centralize, and optimize their BI environments. Learn how you can get the right data now, while maintaining information quality and operational security.

Abstract: If you’re not on top of the range of business intelligence (BI) functionality that has evolved over the past 15 years, this framework can help. There’s a fundamental shortcoming in most BI tools today, as a single architecture cannot support the full range of BI functionality—leading to excessive costs, delays, and user dissatisfaction. Learn about a solution that covers the five different styles of BI functionality.

Abstract: SAP has gained connectivity to virtually any source on the plant floor and analytical functionality through its acquisition of Lighthammer's products for plant intelligence. SAP users in the process of evaluating plant intelligence solutions should seriously consider Lighthammer.

Abstract: Sterling Software, Inc. (NYSE: SSW) announced general availability today of its new EUREKA:Intelligence product, a 100% Java, Web-Based Integrated, Query, Analysis and Reporting tool that allows users to easily query, manipulate and format data for personal or shared use. EUREKA:Intelligence is suited for large, distributed organizations that require general purpose analyses reporting requirements for a large portion of business users.

Abstract: Despite significant investments in data collection and integration, few companies can redeploy accumulated data to drive business performance. To succeed, they need new business intelligence (BI) tools that can integrate and analyze huge amounts of internal and external data. Learn how such tools can help your company understand customer needs, identify trends, and use the resulting lead time to seize opportunities.

Abstract: Given that virtually all small and midsized businesses can benefit from business intelligence (BI) tools, the real question is how much of this technology constitutes a good investment of time and energy? Your need to determine what BI tools you really require to drill down and extract the key performance data that will make your company more efficient and profitable.

Abstract: Increased global competition, pricing pressure, and the need to rationalize resources have made business and operational measurement vital on all organizational levels. That’s why business intelligence and data warehousing tools are no longer only for the exclusive use of financial controllers. Instead, they are everyday tools across company divisions, giving relevant and efficient information overviews of all areas of responsibility.

Abstract: There is a presumption that enterprise performance management and business intelligence initiatives must be supported by data warehouses. Conceptually, the data warehouse provides a central point where a copy of data from multiple locations is stored and optimized for reporting. In practice, however, it is possible to access powerful business intelligence, analytics, and reporting, without relying on a data warehouse.