Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Cloud is key to linking digital manufacturing technologies

  Traditional manufacturing systems often can't handle new customer demands, so manufacturers are building smart factories that use cloud-enabled next-gen technologies. Continue Reading

• Why some manufacturers stick with on-premises vs. cloud ERP

  Cloud ERP is key in digital manufacturing, but it's not a fit for all companies, especially those with heavy customization needs or the need to maintain control over upgrades. Continue Reading

• Software bots start taking over finance work in Arizona

  Software bots are being used in Arizona to help with some routine finance operations. These systems follow scripts to complete repetitive work, freeing employees for other work. Continue Reading

• The benefits and drawbacks of cloud ERP systems for healthcare

  Is moving to cloud ERP good for your healthcare organizations? Experts tackle just that question and weigh in on issues such as security and compliance. Continue Reading

• Resistance to all-in cloud ERP systems is large

  For many enterprises, ERP and HCM deployments may take the path of hybrid deployments, a trend that is supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise's quarterly earnings results. Continue Reading

• Postmodern ERP countered by continued appeal of single suite

  The loosely coupled enterprise applications that Gartner predicted may indeed be here, but integration and data integrity challenges make them inferior to monolithic ERP for some.Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of machine learning in supply chain optimization?

  Machine learning is being used to improve a wide array of business processes, including supply chain management functions. Here's a look at three areas it's helping the most.Continue Reading

• SMBs see vertical ERP technology vendors meeting specialty needs

  The industry-specific ERP market is thriving, which is good news for SMBs looking to cost-effectively maintain their existing ERP systems with immediate specialty feature upgrades.Continue Reading

• Pressures mount on SMBs to modernize aging ERP processes

  To upgrade or replace their old and cranky ERP systems, SMBs must consider several options, and the cloud figures prominently. But the final decision is seen shifting away from IT.Continue Reading

• Fueled by SaaS, ERP for SMBs soars into the cloud

  SaaS is making ERP accessible to more small organizations, but is there a downside? Industry insiders weigh in on the ROI of SaaS vs. on-premises and hybrid ERP.Continue Reading

• Rethinking ERP cloud migrations in the age of AI and IoT

  The flight path from your legacy ERP vendor's on-premises software to a cloud version needn't be linear. In fact, you may want to rethink the entire route.Continue Reading

• For ERP ROI, pay attention to these 12 business processes

  ERP consultant Jeff Carr explains how digitally transforming processes such as inventory and sales management, product development and forecasting can speed up the payback from ERP.Continue Reading

• How to make the single-tenant vs. multi-tenant cloud ERP choice

  Choosing between single-tenant and multi-tenant cloud requires understanding what each offers and which factors are most important for your organization. Here's a look.Continue Reading

• A complete guide to buying enterprise accounting software

  Learn more about the accounting software vendors and products that make up the enterprise accounting software market, which serves small and midsize enterprise accounting needs.Continue Reading

• The future of employee productivity begins in back office

  The technology innovations that increase employee productivity are being supported by ERP systems, and this includes embedded AI technologies.Continue Reading

• ERP's increasing role in improving employee productivity

  ERP system vendors may be playing a central role in encouraging adoption of advanced technologies. But it may be a hard sell as IT budgets stay lean.Continue Reading

• PLM platforms evolve for a role in IoT

  Integration with IoT systems can extend the possibilities for PLM platforms, but according to experts, they must first evolve technically to handle the IoT data and processes.Continue Reading

• Explore enterprise accounting software benefits and products

  Explore enterprise accounting software vendors and products for growing and complex businesses -- products which fill the large gap between full-on ERP and SMB accounting software.Continue Reading

• Can low-code development benefit supply chain management?

  The low-code/no-code movement is exploding as it puts app development into the hands of business users. One possibly overlooked area for this technology is the supply chain.Continue Reading

• Is the lack of IIoT standards holding back industrial progress?

  Some companies are blazing forward in their efforts to implement industrial IoT, while the issue of standards causes some to hold back until there is more clarity.Continue Reading

• Key enterprise accounting software features and benefits

  To find the best enterprise accounting software, businesses must outline specific criteria and compare those criteria against accounting software features and benefits.Continue Reading

• Exploring the benefits of enterprise accounting software

  There's a sweet spot for enterprise accounting software -- products also known as financial management suites that serve the needs of companies between SMB and global enterprise.Continue Reading

• Three companies display 3D printing advances

  Take a look at three printers from Nano Dimension, XJet, and HP demonstrated at the Rapid + TCT additive manufacturing conference that are prime examples of advances in 3D printing.Continue Reading

• Counting beans: Enterprise accounting software explained

  Evolving companies often turn to enterprise accounting software, especially when they grow out of SMB software, like QuickBooks, but aren't yet ready for a complex ERP system.Continue Reading

• Why should manufacturing be investigating voice technology?

  Sophisticated versions of speech recognition technology are coming to the plant floor. Here's what that looks like and why you should be researching now.Continue Reading

• How will AI in demand forecasting help improve accuracy?

  Changing consumer demand and supply chain disruptions are just two factors that might influence demand forecasting results. Here's a look at how AI can help.Continue Reading

• Fintech automation and AI may face trust issues

  Fintech automation is gaining the ability to negotiate and execute contracts. But users will first have to learn to trust financial automation before turning on this capability.Continue Reading

• How can manufacturers begin an Industry 4.0 roadmap?

  Are you driving toward the next industrial revolution? Industry 4.0 will transform the manufacturing landscape, according to experts. Here's how to get ready.Continue Reading

• Nine critical features of budget management software

  Workflow tools, multidimensional data structures and flexible reporting are among the capabilities that ensure the budgeting process supports strategic and financial goals.Continue Reading

• Why is digital twin technology important for manufacturing's future?

  The industrial IoT landscape and the concept of Industry 4.0 both rely heavily on digital twins to push them forward. Here's some explanation of why that is.Continue Reading

• Survey says: ERP changes, more human-machine interactions coming by 2030

  A Dell survey finds strong belief that humans and machines will work as integrated teams within five years. ERP systems, especially inventory, will be top automation target.Continue Reading

• Scrutinize details when buying accounting software systems

  Two resellers and a CPA offer tips on getting into the right mindset and conducting a rigorous process that pinpoints the account package that meets your current and future needs.Continue Reading

• Manufacturer fuels growth with outcome-based services

  Saddled with an inadequate ERP field service application, PAC implemented ServiceMax to centralize field service and use service quality as a business differentiator.Continue Reading

• Voice user interfaces coming to the enterprise

  As enterprise UX becomes more critical, VUIs may usurp traditional interfaces. For now, learn from advice and experiments, such as FinancialForce's integration of Alexa.Continue Reading

• Cloud accounting software an option for scalable financials

  Organizations that outgrow their on-premises software have more choices in SaaS apps that cover most accounting and financial management needs -- without the overkill of ERP.Continue Reading

• ROI of ERP on SaaS often in easy upgrades, new opportunities

  The case has expanded beyond the upfront savings of SaaS' early days to encompass quicker, cheaper tech upgrades and new lines of business not otherwise possible.Continue Reading

• Why combining an EAM system with IoT means faster insight

  IoT technology is the next big thing in enterprise asset management and can help companies get richer insight more quickly. Here's a look at the promise -- and the challenges.Continue Reading

• How are companies solving the last-mile delivery problem?

  E-commerce has radically changed how goods are transported, and put a spotlight on the last-mile delivery problem. Learn how retailers are changing their tactics to address the issue.Continue Reading

• Critical advice on the enterprise asset management market

  Infor, SAP, Epicor and Oracle all offer EAM products. Here's a look at why you might consider one over another.Continue Reading

• EAM systems work best when well integrated with ERP

  Asset-intensive industries that rely on the effective performance of their physical assets need to start seeing EAM and ERP systems as partners, and not competitors.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between 3PL and 4PL?

  If you're unclear on what differences separate 3PL vs. 4PL providers, you'll want to read this explanation of how these two types of logistics compare to one another.Continue Reading

• Taking stock of Oracle AI application and database moves

  Holger Mueller of Constellation Research gives his take on Oracle AI developments, including the Autonomous Database, and explains why the new recruiting module in Oracle HCM Cloud is a big deal.Continue Reading

• How will self-driving vehicles affect the environment?

  Autonomous vehicles are on track to change logistics forever. Some believe that might be a good thing for the environment.Continue Reading

• Intelligent BPM helps connect ERP with other enterprise apps

  As more enterprises seek to overlay iBPM atop ERP systems, experts recommend they target complex processes, modularize applications and avoid extensive ERP customization.Continue Reading

• How one CIO's move to cloud MES brought significant gains

  Led by Manesh Patel, Sanmina moved from an on-premises system to 42Q -- a cloud MES -- for real-time manufacturing and supply chain visibility, improved quality control and yield.Continue Reading

• How is e-commerce packaging waste an issue, and what can be done?

  As the world turns to online shopping for convenience, a pressing issue is developing -- packaging waste. Here are some considerations to get the conversation started.Continue Reading

• Intelligent business process management enables smarter insights

  As enterprises increasingly use data and analytics to sharpen decision-making, iBPM's connecting capabilities empowers them to make better decisions more quickly.Continue Reading

• New report highlights next-gen manufacturing roles in the U.S.

  Research by UI LABS and ManpowerGroup identified 165 roles that'll shape the "factory of the future," and why there couldn't be a more exciting time to be in manufacturing than now.Continue Reading

• Birmingham City University embraces Oracle ERP software

  Birmingham City University turns to Oracle ERP Cloud and HCM Cloud to revamp its IT strategy and employee-facing functions, but finds fast-paced implementation a challenge.Continue Reading

• Compare the top ERP systems and decide which best fits your business

  With a lot riding on a successful ERP implementation, it's best to know what you're getting before you buy. Here are overviews of the top ERP systems available today.Continue Reading

• AI for finance adoption affected by legal, ethical issues

  Some experts say that for the foreseeable future, machine learning algorithms and other AI technologies will require human oversight for finance services and data privacy.Continue Reading

• Digital manufacturing technologies a challenge for ERP

  As the manufacturing sector undergoes digital transformation, poorly integrated ERP systems will soon be a thing of past, driving ERP vendors to reinvent.Continue Reading

• Is your digital transformation process truly transformative?

  People confuse one-off digitization projects with real digital transformation. Here's how to tell the difference and set your strategy on the right course.Continue Reading

• Know your ERP requirements before an ERP implementation

  When considering an ERP implementation, make sure the training, scalability and vendor performance can meet your company's needs.Continue Reading

• Are supply chain risk assessment and management CFO issues?

  Supply chain disruption interrupts the flow of goods, and that means it has the potential to have a major effect on a company's financials. Here's what business leaders -- including CFOs -- should know.Continue Reading

• ERP's changing role in digital transformation strategy

  Panorama Consulting Solutions' founder, Eric Kimberling, discusses why ERP remains central to organizations' digital transformation strategy, the roadblocks ahead for ERP vendors and strategies to mitigate them.Continue Reading

• The modern approach to choosing an ERP system

  Today's ERP landscape offers more options than ever before. Here's a look at how two companies took a strategic approach to choosing the right software for their needs.Continue Reading

• Assessing Infor's new Coleman AI applications and platform

  Analyst Jon Reed says Infor AI push compares favorably to SAP and Oracle moves, especially in making enterprise apps more conversational, but on-premises ERP data presents challenges.Continue Reading

• SaaS financial software speeds transactions for warranty provider

  Moving financials to the cloud allowed The Warranty Group to use Salesforce to improve its customer experience and process payments and invoices faster.Continue Reading

• What are some reasons to use inventory optimization software?

  Knowing how much inventory to keep on hand can make or break your customer service. Here's a look at software that can help you get it right.Continue Reading

• How can production leveling help companies become lean?

  Eliminating waste is an important principle in lean production. Here's a look at how heijunka, or production leveling, can help achieve that.Continue Reading

• How Mitsubishi Hitachi benefits from additive manufacturing technology

  In this Q&A, Paul Browning of Mitsubishi Hitachi explains how additive manufacturing technology helps build gas turbine parts that are more cost-effective and energy-efficient.Continue Reading

• ERP vendors doing more to support digital manufacturing technologies

  Efforts by SAP, Oracle, Infor and Epicor vary widely in their comprehensiveness and depth, as do their philosophies about whether to develop a separate digital manufacturing platform.Continue Reading

• CPQ software helps Hitachi Data Systems reduce pricing complexity

  Faced with products and services that were growing in number and complexity, Hitachi Data Systems implemented CPQ software from FPX and improved its pricing and proposal process.Continue Reading

• Supply chain finance platforms might provide 'win-win'

  Supply chain finance enables companies, such as manufacturers, to lengthen their payment terms, while simultaneously enabling suppliers to get paid early. Here's a look.Continue Reading

• Three promising IIoT platform options aim to improve manufacturing

  Given the exploding industrial internet of things market, surveying the choices can be overwhelming. To get you started, here's a look at three platforms and their focus areas.Continue Reading

• Industries turn to digital twin technology, IoT to boost profits

  From design to predictive analytics, the use of digital twins is becoming more prevalent. Here's a look at how it can help different sectors.Continue Reading

• Why Jabil is ramping up its 3D printing and additive manufacturing

  In a Q&A, John Dulchinos of Jabil, the world's third largest contract manufacturer, explains why it is increasingly using 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies.Continue Reading

• The complexity of financial systems in the postmodern ERP era

  With businesses under pressure to operate more efficiently, the finance department must provide better insight. Here's what that means in terms of ERP-related technology.Continue Reading

• Agility, scale rate highly in cloud ERP financial management systems

  By moving ERP functions to multi-tenant SaaS, companies are giving up some control but may be saving costs and benefiting from automatic and regular updates, easier use and scale.Continue Reading

• How specialized SaaS financial software can replace on-premises ERP

  Software-as-a-service financials often provide superior forecasting, analytics and financial close functions. Consultants share advice on choosing the right tool.Continue Reading

• Business budgeting software boosts productivity for real estate broker

  By subscribing to cloud-based Vena, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices retains the familiarity of spreadsheets and gains major advantages in speed, accuracy and productivity.Continue Reading

• Consultancy shares lessons from its own Oracle ERP Cloud deployment

  Peloton Group CEO says consolidating multiple ERPs on one cloud system provided finer control of projects and company financials.Continue Reading

• Get smarter about supply chain visibility tools, benefits

  As technology-like sensors, IoT and analytics become more common, supply chain visibility systems can help mitigate disruptions, improve demand sensing and ensure product quality.Continue Reading

• ERP functionality now often attained piecemeal in cloud applications

  More organizations are foregoing monolithic ERP systems for easy-to-deploy cloud applications that do most of what they need in nimble microservices and access to customer data.Continue Reading

• Intelligent ERP poised to transform business as we know it

  Intelligent ERP systems are inevitable, according to IDC analyst Mickey North Rizza, so organizations need to plan how they will adopt them and prepare employees.Continue Reading

• Why passing on cyber-risk insurance could be a big mistake

  Insurance that covers data breaches and risk to consumers' personally identifiable information has been slow to catch on in the manufacturing sector. Here's why you might still need it.Continue Reading

• What the CFO must know about EAM software -- and why it matters

  Enterprise asset management is both a strategy and software. Here's what it is, why it matters to your company's success and how it's different from closely related technologies.Continue Reading

• Q&A: IDC's Simon Ellis on the supply chain software market

  In this Q&A, supply chain expert Simon Ellis of IDC discusses the supply chain software market, why it has been slower to embrace the cloud and why this may be changing.Continue Reading

• Cloud ERP move requires grasp of different types of cloud computing

  'Cloud' is such a marketing buzzword that it can obscure the type of infrastructure you'll get with a new ERP system. Here's a primer on the different types of cloud computing.Continue Reading

• CFOs turning to risk analytics software to spot financial, operational threats

  Regulatory compliance, loan covenants and currency risk are common targets, as organizations sift through ERP and other data looking for patterns that might give early warning.Continue Reading

• Supply chain, logistics and inventory go 3D with additive manufacturing

  Additive manufacturing -- popularly known as 3D printing -- has been touted as the next big thing in manufacturing, but its impact will soon be seen in supply chain management.Continue Reading

• For CFOs, the time to deploy procure-to-pay software is now

  Procurement software from cloud-based vendors such as Coupa and Taulia can save money and reduce errors, but executives need to develop a strategy before purchasing these tools.Continue Reading

• Should your company consider a dual-sourcing strategy?

  Turning to more than one supplier can be critical in a business landscape marked by disruption and complexity. Here's what you should know.Continue Reading

• The top five supply chain trends companies must address now

  Your company's supply chain is essential to making your customer happy -- and to making sure your company doesn't get left behind. Here's what you should know to ensure both.Continue Reading

• Why benefits of 3D printing are attracting more manufacturers

  Manufacturing companies are looking into more and more ways to incorporate additive manufacturing. Here's a look at some of the reasons and ways 3D printing use is evolving.Continue Reading

• 3D printing company Carbon selects Oracle Cloud ERP

  Carbon, a young company with an innovative new 3D printing technology, says using Oracle Cloud ERP for its business applications will help to ensure long-term platform stability.Continue Reading

• Driverless vehicles to rev up supply chain management

  If self-driving forklifts and fleets of trucks guided by technology sound like science fiction, think again. Here's a look at what's happening today -- and what's coming tomorrow.Continue Reading

• How do digital manufacturing and the PLM process connect?

  Both digital manufacturing and product lifecycle management are concerned with connections, but the two concepts are not the same thing. Here's a look at how these concepts differ.Continue Reading

• How lean production systems cut the fat out of manufacturing, ERP

  From its introduction, the lean approach has influenced manufacturing efficiency, and ERP systems have incorporated its concepts to a greater and greater degree. Here's a look at how lean and ERP have grown increasingly intertwined.Continue Reading

• Which hybrid ERP business processes should you move to the cloud?

  Hybrid ERP -- a mix of cloud and on-premises applications -- will be the reality for many companies for years to come. Here's one manufacturer's experience, as well as advice from experts.Continue Reading

• Six keys to creating strong data-security measures

  The rush to embrace digital technologies can put organizations at extreme risk. Here are six foundations for creating an information-security strategy that will keep your data safe.Continue Reading

• Plex cloud ERP system proves to be mobility catalyst for manufacturer

  Quatro Composites knew easy, widespread access to production and customer data was at the core of its vision for ERP. A cloud ERP system was the logical route.Continue Reading

• Procurement management software cuts costs, improves transparency

  Procurement software from cloud-based vendors such as Coupa and Taulia can save money and reduce errors, but executives need to develop a strategy before purchasing these tools.Continue Reading

• Pleading the business case for Oracle cloud products

  Oracle Senior VP Reggie Bradford says the game-changing nature of the cloud means companies can't sit on the sidelines and expect to survive.Continue Reading

• CFO calls Oracle ERP Cloud move a clear win over legacy Sage system

  Ex-Marriott and Rand McNally CFO John Harris uses Oracle ERP Cloud to streamline accounting and financial planning at progressive-minded San Francisco company.Continue Reading

• How do the three main OSes compare for rugged mobile computers?

  Apple iOS is losing ground to its competitors for good reason, but the rise of mobility management tools and HTML5 make the device OS choice less crucial than in the past.Continue Reading

• Financial management tool scores performance at burger restaurants

  Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews uses cloud-based Anaplan for calculating scorecards on business metrics at restaurants and for giving operators access to budgets and forecasts.Continue Reading

• Blockchain not a panacea for supply chain traceability, transparency

  Many in manufacturing are excited about blockchain's ability to verify goods moving through the supply chain. Unfortunately, the technology's readiness might not be what it seems.Continue Reading

• Procure-to-pay software becoming a sophisticated tool for CFOs

  Most companies start out with P2P systems just to automate invoicing and procurement, but the savviest ones know how to tap them as working capital and cash-flow engines.Continue Reading