Business Software Soup

RSS Link

The Business Software Soup blog is written for business people and IT professionals who want to successfully deploy and manage business software, including ERP, CRM, Financials, and their supporting systems. It covers the full lifecycle of business software systems from the initial recognition of need all the way through to the software's eventual retirement. It provides tips and techniques drawn from real-life deployments, and discusses industry news and trends and how they could affect your business.

by Mark Patterson

I am a technologist and writer located on the West Coast. For over twenty years, I have been developing software, implementing applications, and running IT shops.

I maintain the "Business Software Soup" blog here on ITworld.com, where I discuss issues and information about ERP, CRM, Financials and other business software. Business Software Soup's URL is http://www.itworld.com/blog/6124

My professional blog, http://techcleaner.wordpress.com, is where I make comments about general technology trends and provide advice about Information Technology and productivity.

Back to basics: The difference between SaaS and Cloud Computing

Posted May 27, 2010 - 03:39 pm

If you run your servers, Cloud Computing is for you. If not, you'll get more out of SaaS.
- 5 comments
- Like
  
  2
- Tweet
- Software, Saas
What problem are you trying to solve?

Posted May 25, 2010 - 07:00 am

Your sales manager comes up, points to an article in a trade magazine, and says "we must put in CRM!" What do you do?
- Like
  
  1
- Tweet
- Software, budgeting, CRM
Some thoughts about SaaS and cloud computing

Posted May 24, 2010 - 10:09 am

Why would you ever have your own data center? Why would you ever have on hand database specialists? Network specialists? Security specialists? Programmers? Why would you ever have a mail server anywhere near your coffee maker? Why would you ever have a SAN? Because, until recently, there was no realistic way to have it somewhere else.
- 1 comment
- Like
  
  2
- Tweet
- Business, software
ByDesign Upgrade Means SAP is Serious About SaaS

Posted May 20, 2010 - 09:07 am

If you're doing an ERP software selection between Oracle and SAP, you really need to look at ByDesign.
- Like
  
  1
- Tweet
- Software, Business ByDesign, SAP
Why would SAP buy Sybase? Hint: It's not for the database.

Posted May 13, 2010 - 05:54 pm

I have to admit that when I heard that SAP announced their proposed acquisition of Sybase, my first reaction was: "Why?" followed by "Sybase is still around?" It turns out Sybase has been very busy in the mobility world these last few years.
- Like
  
  1
- Tweet
- Software, Business Objects, database
When a software system fails: Should it stay or should it go?

Posted May 12, 2010 - 11:42 am

Everyone was excited about the roll out. Expectations were high - all the users were trained, the consultants were happy, and after months of work and a pile of money, the app is finally ready to be rolled out. The executive who was pushing and pushing for completion finally smiled. Total cost: $3 Million.
- Like
  
  1
- Tweet
- Software, project management
In-memory Databases Do Not Excuse Fat, Bloated Applications

Posted May 07, 2010 - 08:23 am

Hasso Plattner, SAP's CEO, is going to push for increased adoption and use of in-memory databases. He states that using in-memory databases will create a revolution in new applications, especially in the area of business analytics. But, with new developments in faster technology comes application bloat, as the developers no longer have to work around speed limitations. The challenge is to increase usable functionality (as Plattner is suggesting) without also introducing fat, bloated code. Give us performance, but please, don't give us bloat!
- 2 comments
- Like
- Tweet
- Software, database, in-memory database
The Three Rules of Reports

Posted May 06, 2010 - 08:42 am

They must be accurate, sufficiently detailed, and ... pretty?
- Like
  
  1
- Tweet
- Software, creating reports
Third Party Software Support: Yes or No?

Posted May 05, 2010 - 09:08 am

Software maintenance from SAP and Oracle range from 18-22% of the license fee per year, which means that you effectively re-buy the software every four to five years. A company that is happy with their version and who does not want to upgrade, or who expects to phase out the package in several years, could see third party support as a good bargain.
- 3 comments
- Like
  
  1
- Tweet
- Software, maintenance contract, Oracle
Palm's Business Software Legacy

Posted Apr 29, 2010 - 01:05 pm

HP and Palm are pioneers that spearheaded the current mobile computing revolution. How fitting that they combine forces!
- 4 comments
- Like
  
  1
- Tweet
- Mobile & Wireless, HP, Palm

February is...
Open Source Month

FEATURE: Spotlight on open source
CAREER: What to Include in Your Open Source Resume
WIN THIS BOOK: Ubuntu Unleashed, 2012 Edition
TIP: 9 useful Android keyboard shortcuts
REVIEW: Mint is fun, client-focused Linux distro

SOPA replacement uses child porn as excuse to spy on 99.7 percent of Americans

4 comments
Can an Android phone run without Google?

3 comments
Please God, kill me now before Pinterest spams me again

3 comments
PlayBook 2.0 update is here, and does it really matter?

3 comments
Where are all the Linux professionals?

2 comments

White Papers & Webcasts

Webcast On Demand

Virtualization KnowledgeVault

Virtualization initiatives are underway at most small and midsize businesses, but some unexpected challenges have prevented many organizations from achieving original goals. This virtualization Knowledge Vault has expert resources to move past the most common obstacles.

White Paper

ESG: Defining Tier One Storage in the Modern Data Center

This report defines "tier-1" storage in the modern IT world and in the data centers and services that support it. What was a simple environment just a few years ago with mainframes or a few large servers to be supported has evolved into a complex web of virtual machines, clouds, and expanding user expectations -- factors which demand and create flexibility, but do so in a way that pushes a lack of predictability upon the storage infrastructure. Learn what your criteria should be for tier-1 storage.

White Paper

ESG: Using HP's Converged Storage to Develop/Enhance Business Resiliency in VMware Environments

In this report, Enterprise Strategy Group reviews how HP's portfolio of hardware, software, and services can provide the foundational support for VMware environments. When it comes to business continuity, HP Converged Storage streamlines virtualization initiatives, accelerating realization of the business benefits that contribute to IT's ability to maintain high service levels and customer satisfaction.

White Paper

HP 3PAR Storage Systems Designed for Mission Critical High Availability

In this technical whitepaper, learn how HP 3PAR Storage Systems have been designed to deliver 99.999% and greater availability, bringing new possibilities to storage thinking outside the realms of what has been achievable in a traditional SAN environment.

White Paper

Utility Storage - the Ideal Platform for Virtual and Cloud Computing

Server virtualization has transformed corporate IT -- companies have enjoyed major cost savings and have gained flexibility and efficiency. But this has also led to a proliferation of virtual machines and servers that threaten to overwhelm data movement and storage technologies. In this IDG Tech Dossier, learn how utility storage makes for massive consolidation, flexibility and scalability, so IT departments can reduce storage infrastructure and lower costs while improving their ability to respond to fast-changing needs of business units.

See more White Papers | Webcasts