Mark Patterson
What problem are you trying to solve?
Here are some scenarios you may have experienced if you own a company or run IT for a company: Your sales manager comes up, points to an article in a trade magazine, and says "we must put in CRM!" Your finance manager comes in and...
Some thoughts about SaaS and cloud computing
In my last post, I mentioned that Software as a Service (SaaS) is the direction applications are going. I want to elaborate a bit. There has been a lot of discussion (and marketing push and pull) around SaaS and cloud computing over...
ByDesign Upgrade Means SAP is Serious About SaaS
SAP indicated this week that they are getting serious about Software as a Service (SaaS), and announced an upgrade to their Business ByDesign ERP package offering. They are marketing the software at their version of "mid-tier,"...
Why would SAP buy Sybase? Hint: It's not for the database.
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?" Sybase was a real contender for being the database heavyweight champion...
When a software system fails: Should it stay or should it go?
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 budgeting system is finally ready to be rolled out. The...
In-memory Databases Do Not Excuse Fat, Bloated Applications
InfoWorld reports that 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...
The Three Rules of Reports
There is a lot of information locked up in your ERP system. Your ERP usually has all your customer orders, all the POs to your vendors, your G/L, A/R and A/P, inventory information, manufacturing information, but getting to that...
Third Party Software Support: Yes or No?
In January, Oracle sued third party "software maintenance" provider Rimini Street for allegedly stealing Oracle's software and related support materials. Rimini Street charges customers about 50% of what Oracle or SAP charge for...
Palm's Business Software Legacy
On Wednesday, HP announced that they are acquiring Palm, Inc.. This is a significant milestone in mobile computing. Both HP and Palm were pioneers in the mobile device market. This is an end of an era, and also a new beginning. I...
Death by Powerpoint?
The New York Times has an article called We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint which reports on the extensive use of Microsoft's PowerPoint in the military and how some are complaining that (in the words of General James N....
Information Security Must Underlie ERP
As noted in the article Hacker conference to address emerging Web threats, the Black Hat Europe conference is underway in Barcelona this week. Black Hat conferences are one of the venues that information security pros attend to...