http://www.technologyevaluation.comTechnology Evaluation Centers - News Analysis and Research. Technology Evaluation Centers Inc. (TEC) is the impartial advocate for end users and purchasers of enterprise software solutions. It has aided IT professionals with software selection since 1993.Copyright 2010 Technologyevaluation.com. All rights reserved.Aras Innovator is the only enterprise open source solution available on the PLM market. This product note analyzes the strengths and challenges that the solution has and makes recommendations to both the vendor and potential users.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/product-note-aras-innovator-20652/3/18/2010 11:52:00 AM This reference guide provides insight into the discrete manufacturing ERP features and functions currently available on today’s market. It will help you determine which ERP features are a high priority for your organization, and which features are a lower priority.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/reference-guide-to-discrete-manufacturing-erp-software-functions-and-features-20587/2/25/2010 2:20:00 PM Constant changes are happening in the software market, either in software delivery methods, features and functions, or software integrations with other applications. Organizations are looking for solutions which can fix problems and make business processes more cost-effective. What are these solutions?http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/comparative-analysis-are-you-still-confused-about-aps-scm-and-erp--20533/2/12/2010 11:50:00 AM Most consultants agree that there are three stages that precede a software implementation project: research, evaluation, and selection. This three-part article will describe each of them, providing tips and real life examples that will help small businesses better understand what they need and how they can find the best product and vendor for them.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/the-path-to-erp-for-small-businesses-part-the-research-20527/2/10/2010 11:43:00 AM Hundreds—even thousands—of transactions could represent a great challenge when trying to analyze data and obtain results. Every Angle is a tool that can deliver SAP data analysis from every angle.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/every-angle-for-sap-a-product-note-20522/2/9/2010 12:16:00 PM Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) vendor Consona is determined to establish a CRM “kingdom” based on Consona Enterprise CRM. Read this comprehensive analysis of Consona Enterprise CRM to find out what lies ahead for this flagship product.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/-forgotten-crm-and-erp-kingdoms-in-the-making--20494/2/5/2010 10:41:00 AM This article presents research findings on business objectives to adopt PLM based on software selection projects and surveys conducted by TEC. Drawing and product documentation management, product collaboration, and engineering change management are the top priorities that PLM buyers have.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/top-business-objectives-when-adopting-plm-20492/2/4/2010 1:02:00 PM In this Spotlight Report, David Clark examines Sage Accpac ERP. Learn about the product's history and market positioning, as well as its strengths, competitors, and challenges. Also featured in this Spotlight Report: a high-level overview of Sage Accpac ERP functionality.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/tec-spotlight-report-sage-accpac-erp-20476/1/20/2010 12:00:00 AM NGC e-PLM and e-SPS are NGC’s offerings in product lifecycle management and sourcing for the fashion industry. This product note analyzes the strengths and challenges that the solutions have and makes recommendations to both the vendor and users.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/product-note-ngc-s-fashion-plm-and-sourcing-solutions-20475/1/8/2010 12:00:00 AM Real-time data warehouses are common in some organizations. This article reviews the basic concepts of a real-time data warehouse and it will help you determine if your organization needs this type of IT solution.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/the-evolution-of-a-real-time-data-warehouse-20472/12/23/2009 12:00:00 AM While regulatory requirements to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) may be a concern for publically traded companies only, there are plenty of reasons why privately held entities will want to prepare to adopt IFRS as well.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/why-privately-held-manufacturers-should-implement-ifrs-ready-erp-solutions-20471/12/14/2009 12:00:00 AM Recession or not, innovation in HR technology continues to grow—altering the way people work. While there are many new solutions available, here are a few that we’ll be seeing more of in the year ahead.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/top-trends-in-hr-technology-20469/12/2/2009 12:00:00 AM When one company acquires another, who benefits? It seems PSI’s recent acquisition of AIS will benefit both—as well as their clients and the steel industry as a whole. The combined solution offering will address APS, MES, SCM, and more.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/leading-solution-provider-to-steel-manufacturers-gets-acquired-why--20465/11/25/2009 12:00:00 AM Companies can get the latest on supply chain management trends—from inventory management, forecasting, and sales and operations planning—at the annual APICS Conference and Expo’s seminars and presentations. A summary of the 2009 expo explains what you might have missed.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/as-the-economy-rebounds-will-your-organization-be-ready-for-new-and-increasing-demand-a-summary-of-the-apics-conference-19958/10/28/2009 12:00:00 AM To help fashion players achieve the most out of adopting PLM methodology and systems while respecting the uniqueness of fashion products and business processes, the article introduces a two-layer model to facilitate the process of selecting a fashion PLM solution.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/a-two-layer-model-for-fashion-plm-functionality-19953/10/5/2009 12:00:00 AM The food and beverage industries have very special needs, many of which are externally regulated. Read on to discover some of the unique challenges and software requirements for these industries.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/food-and-beverage-industry-overview-of-software-requirements-19952/10/2/2009 12:00:00 AM There are entire books and thorough training and certification processes devoted to lean supply chain practices. But within any manufacturing environment, there are a few relatively simple steps that will help any enterprise make its supply chain lean. In this article, we will touch on these simple measures—measures that any company can take.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/nine-ways-to-use-erp-to-make-the-manufacturing-supply-chain-lean-19951/9/30/2009 12:00:00 AM Many organizations don’t follow formalized processes for technical support evaluation. However, technical support is a vital component of any enterprise software solution. The fact is, poor technical support can have a severe impact on a solution’s total cost of ownership.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/minimizing-the-total-cost-of-technical-support-for-enterprise-applications-19949/9/28/2009 12:00:00 AM Companies and educational institutions use learning management systems (LMSs) to provide training and e-learning. With over 250 LMSs currently on the market, smaller and medium-sized enterprises are now adopting this software and using it to boost performance. Find out why.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/trends-in-lms-19947/9/21/2009 12:00:00 AM Engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing needs a high level of integration between ERP and PLM systems. This article points out that ERP and PLM solutions are moving toward each other to achieve more organic data and process connectivity.http://www.technologyevaluation.com/research/articles/the-blurry-line-between-erp-and-plm-in-engineer-to-order-eto-manufacturing-19946/9/18/2009 12:00:00 AM