Posts tagged with "business applications"

Today I want to talk about the rise of the SaaS model, but also discuss its inherent limitations in the context of supply chain management. I also ask what will be the next big trend after SaaS? The software as a service (SaaS) model has definitely entered the mainstream. A wide variety of companies are now allowing SaaS vendors to manage an increasing number of functions formerly reserved for locally installed software. Gartner estimated a 15.8 percent compound annual growth rate through 2014 for SaaS enterprise application markets, versus a total application market growth rate of 5.3 percent. By 2015, worldwide ... READ MORE

While the security issues surrounding cloud computing have garnered much attention in recent years, many companies have fallen victim to dangers of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend they adopted more readily. Oddly enough, adopting BYOD means vicarious integration of cloud computing, though BYOD is where security fails rather than the cloud vendors themselves. According to an August 2012 Trend Micro study, "Security breaches have been experienced by nearly half of all companies that allow BYOD and immediate changes to security protocols typically follows such breaches, with data access right restrictions (45 percent) or security software installation (42.9 percent) ... READ MORE

Businesses must be innovative and unique in order to succeed in today's market, and this is just as true for resource tracking and planning as it is for marketing and product strategy. This, of course, means taking advantage of the latest technology, in this case Microsoft Dynamics ERP and other powerful tools. But technology alone isn't enough. Companies must blend new software solutions with company culture and organizational strategy in order to outcompete their adversaries. Twenty-five real-world examples of how this can be done are shared in a white paper recently published by the ERP Software Blog. Here are a few ... READ MORE

The tech world is buzzing with news of the new Pebble watch, which is using e-paper technology to make not just a watch, but a whole new device. You can easily customize and program the Pebble watch with the use of an iPhone or Android app to send you alerts, use for activities like running and bicycling, and even link to your phone for caller ID and SMS alerts. It goes beyond just making a better watch—Pebble could actually usher in a new era of  devices that keep us connected even better than our smartphones and tablets can. By now, we're all ... READ MORE

You lay lazily, your scruffy hair half submerged in the marshmallow-like curvature of your pillow, lethargically following the steadfast progression of a solitary ant along the windowsill. You’re sprawled across your arm; it’s numb. But the mere thought of moving is too much. After all, it’s Sunday, and you’d need a good reason to disentangle yourself from the bed sheets. Without motivation, it’s pretty easy to just let the day pass by in an unproductive haze. I think many companies have a similar disposition towards embedded Business Intelligence (BI) – the integration of a reporting and analytics module within an existing software ... READ MORE

The story of how acclaimed business enterprise software developer Atlassian got its start strikes some similar notes to those of many a Silicon Valley success story: two college dropouts, an aversion to corporatized software development, and a self-funded enterprise, working out of a repurposed garage. The only difference is that Atlassian isn’t from the Silicon Valley, or even the United States. Based out of Sydney, the company has quickly gained worldwide popularity and adoption for its suite of solutions geared towards the needs of software development teams. In 2002 co-founders Mike Cannon-Brooks and Scott Farquhar started their company in a ... READ MORE

The iPad is rapidly securing its reputation as the ultimate business device. Its applications and on-the-go capabilities make it ideal for business users who travel and need to access their business files frequently. The iPad is particularly useful for small and medium businesses (SMBs) who do not need extremely complex software. Here are the top 10 best iPad applications for SMBs. 1. GoToMeeting (FREE) Citrix' GoToMeeting is an iPad app that allows users to attend online meetings. The iPad's high quality camera software also enables video chat. Users can view presentations, reports, mock ups, and whatever the presenter decides to share. Attend ... READ MORE