Abstract: Limited resources dictate that most midsize companies must support
business continuity at the lowest cost and without putting additional pressure on scarce IT resources. But
business continuity is more of a critical success factor than ever before. Customers won’t tolerate a lack of service availability. Midsize companies must find a way to ensure maximum
business continuity, and reduce downtime—and costs. Learn more.
PubDate: 4/21/2009 3:08:00 PM
Abstract: Business strategy, a road map telling us how the business plans to be successful, does not guarantee success. Strategy execution requires business processes that do what the strategy calls for--and do it well. In today's automated world, these business processes rely on business systems. Therefore, a direct link exists between the success of business strategy and business systems. Poor systems are a frequent reason for the failure of a business strategy.
Abstract: For disaster recovery, remote replication is a simpler alternative to traditional servers. However, simple replication in a virtual server can affect the consistency of files or applications and create longer recovery cycles. Find out how two virtual machine (VM) solutions can overcome these limitations to deliver consistent replication and fast recovery of stored data for uninterrupted processes and business continuity.
Abstract: It’s not enough to develop a strategy for your enterprise; real success comes from effective execution of that strategy. Prioritization, improvement, and control are the key steps involved in enterprise strategy execution. But before leaping right into deployment, you might need a few more details. Learn how planning your objectives and fixing performance gaps gives you control of improvement gains—now and in the future.
Abstract: Unplanned e-mail outages or even routine maintenance can cause huge disruption, not only to your business, but also to your customers and partners. What issues do organizations face regarding e-mail outages? Learn about the different e-mail continuity solutions available and how a hosted e-mail continuity service can provide a cost-effective, high-availability e-mail solution with minimal deployment efforts required.
Abstract: The divide between strategy development and strategy execution can be overcome by creating balanced scorecards. Prioritize your objectives to determine which are most critical. Then cascade objectives and metrics down and across the organization, creating linked and related—but not identical—scorecards for each critical area. These and five other tips for scorecarding success will move you in the right direction.
Abstract: Oracle's vision of a complete collaborative e-Business solution requires a database strategy, an application server strategy, and an e-business strategy. Will users buy into this vision?
Abstract: SSA Global's Client Forum has reinforced our impression that the vendor's product strategy is an effective strategy that addresses the realities of today's market. However, the execution is not without challenges. Although we found confusion on the part of a few, customers appeared supportive of the SSA strategy.
Abstract: For years, Catalyst International was a leading public WMS/SCE vendor before missteps by its previous management team caused serious problems in strategy and execution. Over the past few years Catalyst's turnaround strategy has returned it to growth and profitability. As a result, it has recently been acquired by ComVest, a wealthy, private investment firm. This development may indicate private equity investors' renewed interest in this market and might validate the company's turnaround strategy that began in late 2001. Still, the question remains whether the anticipated infusion of capital from ComVest will enable Catalyst to become a consolidator and rejoin its mightier direct competitors in the industry's upper echelon.
Abstract: As marketing budgets shrink and companies in the corporate services industry aim to leverage their Web sites as less expensive alternatives to traditional marketing tools, Web-site strategy is becoming more important. Web-site strategy must focus on enhancing credibility, strengthening existing relationships, generating leads, and more. Get tips on how to create a Web-site strategy that will help you achieve these goals.
Abstract: Once reserved for the upper echelons of senior management, succession planning is being redefined as a key component of board-level strategy. But if succession planning was easy, everyone would be doing it. The problem that exists today is that succession planning is barely automated, let alone optimized. This chief executive officer (CEO) guide provides five key tips for jump-starting your succession planning efforts.
Abstract: In these challenging times, midsized businesses need to simplify IT infrastructure and reduce costs. Yet, with diverse storage, server, and network requirements—as well as limited physical space to store and manage systems—they have few options. Discover how virtualization can offer small and midsized businesses significant benefits—not simply in server consolidation, but also with affordable business continuity.
Abstract: Custom application development is a trusted, tested strategy to ensure effective application of resources for business advancement and continuity, with minimal risk and solid return on investment (ROI). What’s that, you say? High cost? Low dependability? Long timelines? The custom application development model is plagued by myths. Find out why they’re all wrong.
Abstract: IT initiatives driven within silos, where each department maintain its own project management office, inhibits the overall cohesiveness and effectiveness of corporate strategy. This document outlines best practices to centralize and deliver a scalable and robust project management framework strategy.
Abstract: A customer relationship management (CRM) system is inherently valuable for supporting customer acquisition and retention by gathering data from each contact with customers and prospects. Collecting data, however, cannot be isolated from a strategy for actually using that data. Here is an overview of how to evolve the focus of a data strategy to specifically suit both the acquisition and retention phases.
Abstract: One of the best starting points for determining a web site strategy is to understand both the market that your company operates in and the needs of your key stakeholders. But most companies today are highly complex and political, making the identification and prioritization of stakeholders a difficult task. Discover the three key broad stakeholder groups that you need to factor into your web strategy planning.
Abstract: To gain a competitive advantage, manufacturing companies that sell complex products are implementing a configurability strategy that provides more options using fewer resources. Learn about the two interrelated phases of a configurability strategy: developing the product—which emphasizes the essential functionality of a product configurator—and executing the lead-to-order (LTO) process in a lean manufacturing environment.
Abstract: For many organizations, there is a disconnect between strategy and day-to-day activities. Strategy, resources, and risks are discussed at the executive level, but day-to-day activities and performance metrics are not connected to them. As a result, organizations can measure performance, but can’t manage it. The key to breakthrough performance management is tying performance metrics, resources, and risks to strategic objectives.
Abstract: Companies face stiff competition driving products toward commoditization, resulting in prices being squeezed. To fight this trend, sales and marketing want to offer more products. The downside of this strategy is that higher costs associated with product proliferation heavily erode the bottom line. However, there is a strategy that lets companies resolve this dilemma, and it’s called attribute-based product management.