There are more ERP solutions than ever before today, and here we help you pick the right one by describing the major players.

Written by John Ghrist

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is another one of those computer industry terms that seems to have different definitions, depending on who's talking. Wikipedia defines ERP as a system "intended to manage all the information and functions of a business or company from shared data sources." But as many would be quick to point out, how then do we differentiate ERP from such terms as business process management, management information systems, or even management reporting, which arguably all have that same goal?

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, "fair is foul, and foul is fair." When separating fact from fiction, Bill Shakespeare could've been a systems analyst.

Written by Steven C. Pitcher

When I began my current role about seven years ago, I joined a true-blue AS/400 shop, and I had many new ideas I wanted to bring in the door with me. At the top of my list was deploying Linux on iSeries, desktops, thin clients, or anything else because it was "free" and "open."

Electronic forms of money continue to displace paper for financial transactions. Applications that process payment card funds transfers can help your enterprise cash in.

Written by John Ghrist

As the Digital Age has progressed, electronic monetary exchanges have been increasingly displacing cash. For both businesses and individual consumers, the largest contributor to this trend has been the use of the credit card. Although the credit card started out as a device to stimulate retail trade, its ubiquitous presence in commercial transactions of all kinds today makes it a virtual requirement for businesses to accept this form of payment. The proliferation of similar devices—such as debit, loyalty, stored-value, and gift cards—has extended this trend, and such cards as a class are now called "payment cards."

The answer to the question "Which is best, consulting or training?" is clearly "Both."

Written by CJ Rhoads
Over the years, I have done thousands of training sessions and hundreds of large consulting projects. In this article, we'll go into the best practices for how and when to use these two valuable services; but first, allow me to define the difference.

Choosing an ERP solution may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

Written by George R. Goodall

Too many enterprises become blinded by a blizzard of technology features when selecting ERP products. The process can drag on, and employees and management suffer ERP exhaustion before the real work of implementation even begins. Choosing the appropriate product involves far more than comparing product features and prices. Adhere to a rigorous selection process to simplify ERP selection.