Category: ERP Software

General ERP Software information

Linux a BIG hit in India

Linux is growing in the mission critical space. Here is one article that demonstrates that with a key focus on Linux in India:
Linux a BIG hit in India

Some Statistics cited in the article:
# Linux is expected to have a 15 per cent share of the ERP market by 2007 (Peerstone Research)
# 55 per cent of all companies deployed Linux by the end of 2005 (AMR Research)
# There are over 1.2 million developers with Linux skills (Evans Data Corp)
# IBM has more than 7000 services professionals working with Linux
# Robert Francis Group (IBM-sponsored research) found security levels in Linux generally exceeded those in Windows, providing a more secure and manageable environment out of the box with significantly more functionality in terms of security integration and management
# The Linux kernel programming code is better and more secure than the programming code of most proprietary software – based on a four-year analysis of the 5.7 million lines of Linux source code conducted by five Stanford University researchers

Blackberry goes ERP

Now that everyone is breathing a sigh of relief after RIM’s legal settlement:
Blackberry goes ERP
by Cliff Saran
Tuesday 7 March 2006

Research in Motion has given its Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) support for web services to enable wireless access to enterprise systems such as SAP.

The company’s aim with the 4.1 release of BES is to move Blackberry beyond push e-mail. It has introduced a development tool called MDS 4.1 to help businesses create links…Blackberry goes ERP

BI Market To Reach $2.5 Billion This Year | Gartner: BI Market To Reach $2.5 Billion This Year | February 7, 2006

New license revenue in the worldwide business intelligence software market will hit $2.5 billion in 2006, an increase of 6.2 percent over last year, according to research firm Gartner.

The Stamford, Conn.-based firm further projects ongoing growth through 2009, when license revenue is expected to reach $3 billion. The findings, based on a Gartner survey of 1,400 CIOs, indicate that business intelligence has surpassed security as the top technology priority this year.

InformationWeek | Gartner: BI Market To Reach $2.5 Billion This Year | Gartner: BI Market To Reach $2.5 Billion This Year | February 7, 2006

RFID: A Technology Overview

Here is a good tutorial on the components of RFID:

1.2 RFID System

An RFID system is an integrated collection of components that implement an RFID solution.

An RFID system consists of the following components (in singular form) from an end-to-end perspective:

* Tag. This is a mandatory component of any RFID system.
* Reader. This is a mandatory component, too.
* Reader antenna. This is another mandatory component. Some current readers available today have built-in antennas
* Controller. This is a mandatory component. However, most of the new-generation readers have this component built in to them.
* Sensor, actuator, and annunciator. These optional components are needed for external input and output of the system.
* Host and software system. Theoretically, an RFID system can function independently without this component. Practically, an RFID system is close to worthless without this component.
* Communication infrastructure. This mandatory component is a collection of both wired and wireless network and serial connection infrastructure needed to connect the previously listed components together to effectively communicate with each other.

The Entire Tutorial can be found at:
RFID: A Technology Overview

Manufacturers raid piggybanks for ERP and RFID – Applications – Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com

This is an older article, but has some good points on how RFID and ERP will be used in the coming year. The key point that it makes is that middle ware is one of the stepping stones that will link the two systems together.

Currently middle ware or the software between the RFID system and the ERP is the weakest link. This will get better but that is where the dollars are being spent to make the integration happen.

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Analyst house Datamonitor has found that by 2010, the market for radio frequency identification will top $6bn, as pharmaceutical, consumer packaged goods and automotive industries start to spend on tracking their products.

Datamonitor predicts the boom will really take off at the latter half of next year, as initial pilots are wound up, results analysed and full-scale rollouts started.

The UK and Germany will be leading the way on RFID spending at least until 2010.
Manufacturers raid piggybanks for ERP and RFID – Applications – Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
Manufacturing CIOs will be spending their budgets on RFID and ERP this year.

SAP R/3 Security in the Sarbanes OXley Era – 7 Steps for Better SOX Compliance

An interesting article on how to focus in on Sarbanes Oxley with your ERP:

7 major pointers which can help organizations towards better SAP security in the Sarbanes Oxley Era.Big4Guy – SAP R/3 Security in the Sarbanes OXley Era – 7 Steps for Better SOX Compliance

Integrated Solutions – RFID Required: LEGO’s Integrated RFID System

You’ve probably heard the stories of frustration with RFID: high overheads and little returns, constant implementation challenges, and business benefits that will be realized someday. So I’m sure you’l be as floored as I was when you hear LEGO Systems, Inc.’s story. Pat McGrath, project manager, distribution, Americas; and Gary Deets, applications manager, global IT, are so positive about RFID that you’d think they’re speaking pure conjecture, or at the very least, a bunch of marketing fluff. But, they aren’t. McGrath and Deets are speaking from real experience, from implementing an RFID solution into a LEGO DC (distribution center) to comply with both Wal-Mart’s and Target’s mandates – compliance they gained three months ahead of schedule.Integrated Solutions – RFID Required: LEGO’s Integrated RFID System