Features

Features

• Lean methods drive IT innovation at railroad equipment maker

  Miller Ingenuity uses smartphone catalog, warehouse automation and shop-floor integration to set itself apart as a tech leader in old-line industry.  Continue Reading

• Hammond's Candies finds sweet success with move to Sage ERP from Microsoft

  When Microsoft Dynamics made an ERP upgrade unaffordable, Hammond's Candies made a bold move to Sage ERP.  Continue Reading

• Wipe out Excel tax chaos with tax provisioning software

  Using Excel spreadsheets for tax provisioning can be, well, taxing. Learn how dedicated software can simplify and improve the process.  Continue Reading

• Is consolidating disparate ERP financial systems worth it?

  While simplifying the financial systems landscape is a smart goal, experts say standardizing on one ERP system might be overkill.  Continue Reading

• Create strategy maps to align business processes with goals

  Strategy maps can help companies choose their key objectives and get every department moving in the same direction.  Continue Reading

• Intacct provides the back-office backbone for global growth at STS

  Manually converting currencies at STS International wasn't cutting it. Learn how Intacct helped in the IT service company's global expansion.  Continue Reading

• Navigate the cloud-based financial software buying process

  Workday and NetSuite users reveal how they overcame security worries and functionality snags to sign on with cloud-based financial software vendors.  Continue Reading

• ReconNET streamlines credit card reconciliation at Panera

  Trintech's ReconNET reconciliation software helped cafe chain Panera bake more visibility and efficiency into the credit card reconciliation process.  Continue Reading

• Five ways to tell if your company is ready for SaaS ERP

  An IT director explains how her Florida utility evaluated whether to replace its on-premises ERP with Software as a Service.  Continue Reading

• Clearing the roadblocks to predictive business analytics adoption

  Despite the benefits of predictive business analytics, adoption is still low due to people, processes and technology.  Continue Reading

• Q&A: Customer experience management software for manufacturing

  In this Q&A, learn why more manufacturers are focused on customer experience management software.  Continue Reading

• Medical film manufacturer finds clearer picture with Aras PLM

  Carestream Health used the Aras PLM system to standardize its processes and build a more flexible global network.  Continue Reading

• ISC eases data integration troubles with FinancialForce Accounting

  Discover how ISC solved communication challenges between Salesforce and Sage MAS by switching to FinancialForce Accounting.  Continue Reading

• Agro manufacturer sows benefits from MES software

  AGCO leveraged MES software to reduce inventory, improve quality and boost safety.  Continue Reading

• Imagem CFO advises finance professionals to hone creativity

  In this Q&A, Imagem Music US CFO Steven A. Storch explains how creative skills help him to be a better business partner and IT manager.  Continue Reading

• Consumer devices expand mobile warehouse management

  Inexpensive consumer-grade devices are gradually opening the door to new use cases for mobile warehouse management.  Continue Reading

• WMS-TMS integration brings clearer operational views

  Warehouse management and transportation management systems software can boost operational efficiency while improving customer service.  Continue Reading

• Cloud brings ease to WMS software deployments

  Cloud-based WMS software can help companies with less complex warehouse operations get up and running more quickly and cheaply.  Continue Reading

• MES-PLM integration creates clearer manufacturing visibility

  Manufacturers are using MES-PLM systems integration to get a better understanding of enterprise performance.  Continue Reading

• PwC: M&A trends present software challenges, opportunities

  In this Q&A, learn about mergers and acquisitions trends in manufacturing.  Continue Reading

• Are manufacturing execution systems still relevant?

  Manufacturing execution systems have long been the quiet workhorses. Now, they're breaking out beyond the four walls of the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Tangential financial systems seen as gateway to the cloud

  Although some finance executives aren't ready to move core accounting to the cloud, they're deploying cloud-based tangential financial systems.  Continue Reading

• SaaS core financial systems deliver results

  Experts say interest in cloud-based core financial systems is on the rise -- and with good reason.  Continue Reading

• Users sticking with their financial systems, survey says

  According to a late 2013 TechTarget survey, users aren't budging from their current financial systems this year.  Continue Reading

• Bringing more users onto financial planning software smart but costly

  While there are several benefits of giving business users access to financial planning software, technology pricing models might block the way.  Continue Reading

• End users taking big risks with SaaS management, study says

  In this Q&A, find out how users are falling behind on SaaS security management and what can be done about it.  Continue Reading

• Tidy up to get optimal value from your ERP configuration

  By tolerating maddeningly complicated enterprise resource planning systems, organizations have been cheating themselves. It's time to simplify.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturer closes door on damages with Laserfiche ECM

  One manufacturer used its Laserfiche ECM suite to develop a custom mobile app and cut its damaged shipments.  Continue Reading

• Dell moves into 3-D printing market with MakerBot

  In the wake of a new partnership between Dell and MakerBot, Dell discusses the move and where it sees the 3-D printing market headed.  Continue Reading

• MakerBot targets home 3-D printing with low prices, but is it enough?

  MakerBot's new low-cost printers are targeting the home 3-D printing market, but are smaller price tags the key?  Continue Reading

• Manufacturer moves ERP home plate to the cloud with Trek Global

  When sports collectables manufacturer Aminco wanted to hit the cloud, it chose Trek Global to send it there.  Continue Reading

• GE takes 3-D metal printing to new heights

  With a commitment to 3-D metal printing, GE is changing the way it thinks about machine parts.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturers making major 3-D printing technology investments

  3-D printing technology is helping some big manufacturing names improve their designs.  Continue Reading

• Exact Online gives small business a big boost

  One very small business found a way to easily integrate QuickBooks and ERP through Exact Online.  Continue Reading

• Tagetik's flexibility both a help and a hindrance to LS Travel

  While a user said Tagetik's performance management software is extremely customizable, it comes at a price: complexity.  Continue Reading

• 3-D printing technology poised for growth in 2014

  The year 2014 could be a big one for 3-D printing technology, but when it comes to accessibility and safety, there's still much room for improvement.  Continue Reading

• Revenue recognition software selection suffers due to unclear needs

  Although revenue recognition tools are complex, they're useful add-ons to accounting systems. But before buying, users should know their needs.  Continue Reading

• Spreadsheet governance tools make corporate finance Excel use feasible

  But be warned: A user of spreadsheet governance software clarifies that feasible isn't the same as desirable, or even good.  Continue Reading

• Case Study: Blue Clover Devices revamps business with Kenandy

  Blue Clover Devices needed an updated ERP system. With Kenandy ERP systems, it was able to consolidate order tracking and communicate internationally.  Continue Reading

• Experts predict top manufacturing trends of 2014

  From supply chain collaboration to 3-D printing, industry experts name the manufacturing trends that will make 2014.  Continue Reading

• Making sustainable production a reality

  It can be tough for manufacturers to find money to invest in sustainable production technology, but modern IT capabilities are making it easier.  Continue Reading

• Top five manufacturing IT questions of 2013

  There was a lot to question in manufacturing IT this past year, from the safety of open source 3-D printing to the impact of Microsoft Dynamics in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Distribution customer service benefits from self-service, survey says

  Self-service portals best route to improving distribution customer service, a new study shows.  Continue Reading

• Start with basic financial applications software, be an expert in no time

  There's a lot to keep in mind with financial applications software. This roundup outlines the most important topics and how they affect businesses.  Continue Reading

• Secrets to PLM implementation success

  PLM implementation has the potential for sweeping business transformation, yet practitioners advise targeting specific pain points and building on those early successes.  Continue Reading

• Cloud tackles complex PLM challenges

  While PLM in the cloud has had a slow start, proponents argue that the model will help reduce much of the PLM challenges of traditional deployment.  Continue Reading

• PLM systems still vying for seat at enterprise table

  Product lifecycle management systems are still a mystery to some C-suite executives who are unclear about its broader role in the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Is ERP technology going nowhere -- or everywhere?

  ERP technology is going to pieces in loosely coupled cloud apps, embedded analytics, Business Processes as a Service -- and integration headaches.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 financial technology stories of the year

  As 2013 draws to a close, read our list of the year's most popular financial technology stories.  Continue Reading

• Even with spreadsheet management, using Excel for finance isn't wise

  Although Excel 2013 has new spreadsheet management capabilities, experts say using Excel in place of financial management technology isn't smart.  Continue Reading

• Finding the ROI of a manufacturing green investment

  Manufacturers like the thought of sustainability, but is there a return on green investments?  Continue Reading

• Q&A: Understanding -- and surviving -- supply-chain security issues

  Steve Durbin of the Information Security Forum explains strategies for tackling today's toughest supply-chain security challenges.  Continue Reading

• Portrait of a green manufacturing partnership

  Security gateway manufacturer Stoke and its partner Creation Technologies focus on green manufacturing practices.  Continue Reading

• NorthStar considers non-finance users in budgeting software selection

  Ease of use was a key consideration for NorthStar in its search for new budgeting software -- for operations managers, not finance users.  Continue Reading

• NetSuite financials helps tech company leave Oracle behind

  NetSuite financials has improved data visibility at SeaChange International, but revenue-recognition capabilities leave something to be desired.  Continue Reading

• Cloud ERP software introduces business benefits, culture shock

  Moving from in-house to cloud ERP software is a major IT decision. How are companies taking on the cloud, and is it worth it?  Continue Reading

• Small manufacturer finds cloud service from Ramco ERP fits just right

  When Mexican manufacturer WLS needed cloud connectivity across international borders, it chose Ramco ERP.  Continue Reading

• IXBRL has time-saving benefits, but doesn't address larger XBRL issues

  Although Inline XBRL, also called 'iXBRL,' simplifies reporting, experts still believe XBRL's full value has not yet been unlocked.  Continue Reading

• Distributor puts product data syndication in its place with Thomas

  BDI corralled its extensive catalog of manufacturing partner product data into one database using Thomas Enterprise Solutions  Continue Reading

• Manufacturer puts its stamp on the cloud with Plex ERP

  When Principal Manufacturing wanted to untether itself from an in-house system, it turned to Plex ERP in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: M2M technology for manufacturers

  In this FAQ, learn how machine-to-machine technology is becoming a critical tool in real-time communication for manufacturers.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Back to basics with ERP 101

  In this FAQ, find answers to the most common ERP questions. Learn about different types of ERP modules, the software selection process and more.  Continue Reading

• Paving a smooth road to BI integration

  A full-blown BI integration effort may not be necessary when joining business intelligence with other manufacturing systems.  Continue Reading

• Tips for combatting M2M security risks

  M2M technology opens up a world of new corporate connectivity options -- and with it, some serious security risks.  Continue Reading

• How big data is expanding FP&A capabilities

  Steve Player explains how collecting and analyzing big data can make the financial planning and analysis (FP&A) function more agile.  Continue Reading

• Cloud M2M expands IT possibilities without emptying wallets

  Cloud M2M software can free up infrastructure and expand data networks, all for a low price tag, experts say.  Continue Reading

• M2M supply-chain connectivity is key, experts say

  The possibilities of M2M supply-chain connectivity are endless -- as long as manufacturers know where and how M2M fits into the business.  Continue Reading

• Before buying GRC tools, build framework and clear requirements

  When implementing governance, risk management and compliance tools, start small and know that GRC projects are ongoing endeavors that require upkeep.  Continue Reading

• Overcoming cultural barriers in BI initiatives

  When preparing to embark on BI initiatives, first make sure your organization is ready to accept the changes analytics will bring.  Continue Reading

• Benefits of open source 3-D printing may outweigh risks, experts say

  There's a world of possibilities for manufacturers and consumers when it comes to open source 3-D printing, but potential risks should not be ignored.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturing business intelligence tools more powerful than ever, experts say

  Better dashboards and improved performance management are making manufacturing business intelligence software more essential than ever.  Continue Reading

• Integration is key for GRC tools to provide comprehensive risk view

  Governance, risk management and compliance tools help a company compare its risk profile to its appetite, but only if you properly integrate them.  Continue Reading

• Data visualization tools bring finance data into focus for operations

  Data visualization tools can help bring data traditionally contained within finance to the rest of the business -- in a readily digestible format.  Continue Reading

• Finding seamless ERP-SCM integration

  Whether manufacturers opt for an all-in-one approach or a pair of best-of-breed packages, ERP-SCM integration is a must.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of two-tier ERP

  The right two-tier ERP approach can deliver some of the benefits of standardization without too much cost or complexity.  Continue Reading

• Specialty billing software helps manufacturer tackle B2C billing

  When Generac rolled out a cellular remote monitoring program, it adopted specialty billing software to ease complexity and cater to customers.  Continue Reading

• ERP system integration poses ongoing challenges

  Despite improvements on the technical front, ERP system integration faces new obstacles, such as cloud and mobility.  Continue Reading

• Plan ahead to sidestep treasury management system implementation snags

  A treasury management system won't be effective if it isn't implemented correctly. Learn how to do it the right way to avoid problems down the road.  Continue Reading

• Aromatherapy company sniffs out improved file sharing with Infor SyteLine

  Caldrea is using Infor SyteLine ERP to improve its data and file sharing across its partner network.  Continue Reading

• FAQ: Building a customer experience management strategy in a social world

  In this FAQ, learn the basics of creating a customer experience management strategy and improving social media interactions.  Continue Reading

• Metal manufacturer elevates communication with Epicor Express cloud ERP

  When metal-stamping manufacturer Chirch wanted to ditch its outdated in-house ERP and shoot for the stars, it adopted Epicor Express cloud ERP.  Continue Reading

• Q&A: Change agents lead the charge for enterprise software initiatives

  In this Q&A, industry expert Steven Phillips explains the role of change agents in business technology initiatives.  Continue Reading

• GT Nexus cloud supply chain platform irons wrinkles for clothing maker

  When Peruvian manufacturer Aventura SAC needed faster access to its supply chain data, it turned to the cloud platform from GT Nexus.  Continue Reading

• Batch scheduling and demand-driven manufacturing can coexist, experts say

  By understanding the benefits -- and limitations -- of demand-driven manufacturing and batch scheduling, manufacturers can optimize both.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for adopting demand-driven technologies

  Getting the most out of demand-driven technologies means understanding the needs of both business and customers.  Continue Reading

• Companies respond to customer needs with demand-driven manufacturing

  Demand-driven manufacturing can help companies react to rapid market changes -- and save money in the process.  Continue Reading

• Focus on revenue recognition leads gaming company to Intacct

  Instead of stressing about core capabilities, CrowdStar's finance team zeroed in where the company was truly unique -- revenue recognition.  Continue Reading

• Foodmaker spices up data accessibility with QlikView BI dashboard

  When seasonings manufacturer Illes needed to bring business data on the road, it chose the QlikView dashboard.  Continue Reading

• Mobility fuels next wave of M2M technology adoption

  While wireless technologies are opening the door to new M2M supply chain and logistics applications, challenges remain.  Continue Reading

• Treasury management software primer: How and why to buy

  Get three key areas to evaluate when assessing treasury management software, and learn why it's critical to automate.  Continue Reading

• Chad Autry brings futuristic global view to supply chain research

  Keeping his focus on the big picture, Prof. Chad Autry says supply chain research should address social issues such as hunger and disease.  Continue Reading

• Using the cloud for rapid deployment of FP&A technology

  Steve Player explains five key advantages to using cloud applications in financial planning and analysis and dispels two common objections.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for adopting M2M services

  Having a clear understanding of the business case will go a long way in helping to clear hurdles around M2M rollouts.  Continue Reading

• Manufacturers blaze slow, steady trail to M2M applications

  Manufacturers are working through M2M hurdles surrounding complexity, cost and ROI.  Continue Reading

• IFRS deadline still unclear, but companies should prepare IT systems

  Experts recommend U.S. companies start prepping IT systems for the switch despite not knowing when that will happen.  Continue Reading

• Proformative CEO aims to foster Yelp-like hub for finance tech

  A four-time CFO, John Kogan now heads the online community Proformative where finance executives can read technology reviews penned by peers.  Continue Reading

• 3-D printing technology in manufacturing: Hype vs. reality

  Manufacturing IT experts wade through the fact and fiction around 3-D printing technology.  Continue Reading

• Mobility moves FP&A function to the front lines

  Steve Player explains why mobile capabilities are useful in the financial planning and analysis function, and provides four FP&A best practices.  Continue Reading

• Three BPM best practices for CFOs

  These tips from experts and users can help finance executives successfully select and implement BPM tools.  Continue Reading

• Canfor speeds data replication with Zerto disaster recovery software

  One forestry products manufacturer turned to Zerto to update its data recovery and replication strategy.  Continue Reading