FREE FSN Weekly Newswire click here to register   NEW FSN FEATURE SAP Configurator takes the pain out of ERP selection 5th May 2008 Selecting a new ERP system is a gruelling exercise, particularly for mid-market companies that are often economically constrained and resource bound. Choosing the ‘right' system, identifying any hidden costs and properly identifying implementation timescales are just a few of the typical concerns that loom large when assessing a new system. Mindful of the strains of the traditional selection process, SAP is offering a different approach based on its recently developed SAP Business All-in-One Configurator. Gary Simon FSN's managing editor looks at this novel approach which is designed to take the cost, stress and time out of ERP selection. (more) LATEST NEWS • Bank of America selects SAP • Asset-Recovery business chooses Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM Online • Trintech to Acquire Movaris, Inc. • COA Solutions signs £750,000 contract with Virgin Trains for financial management system • JPMorgan commits $30 million to implement treasury management and liquidity services solutions • Plastics group saves £25,000 per annum with Version One document management integrated to Sage Managing the Reporting Supply Chain Embedding best practice generally means using a variety of technical and non-technical approaches. ERP software buyers stay put Despite higher implementation costs mid-market companies would rather stay with the ERP vendor they know than change horses. FSN Test Drives the SAP Business All-in-One Configurator. To view the webinar recording click here. Tightening your belt? Are you making the most out of your forecasting systems? Arbitrary cost cutting rarely fails to deliver a desirable outcome. Bridging the cultural divide Why is it that companies still have problems when it comes to mergers and acquisitions? Mark Dye, FSNs contributing editor, reports. Why do 60- 80 percent of organisations still use spreadsheets for planning and forecasting? Gary Simon , FSN's managing editor looks at the reasons. FSN “Expert” Series Webinars (30 minutes of lively discussion and expert content) Are hosted accounting systems the way forward for the mid-market? Join us on Wednesday May 14; 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (BST); 12:00 (ET), 9:00 AM (PT) To register for this FREE webinar click here Strategy to Execution – transforming the process Join us on Wednesday June 4; 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (BST); 12:00 (ET), 9:00 AM (PT) To register for this FREE webinar click here EDITOR'S COMMENT The notion that all ERP software is the same is an understandable point of view. At first glance many of the packages from the leading vendors such as Microsoft, SAP and Oracle look very similar and are of course designed to fulfil the same broad ERP functions. But closer inspection reveals rich detail that is significantly different and modern ERP design, with its tight integration with Microsoft Office has considerably more to offer than the packages designed in the eighties and nineties. The coalescence of the ubiquitous Microsoft Office environment with ERP transaction engines and CRM applications has forged a new way of doing things which better reflects the way that people actually perform their work. The net result is that modern systems which harness fully the capability of Office and ERP applications lead to better productivity, improved competitiveness and enhanced organisational effectiveness. Despite such advances, a recent IDC report suggests that most businesses will remain loyal to their existing software supplier even though the decision may act as a brake on progress and prove to be be very costly in the medium term. This week's feature looks at the reasons behind customer inertia and suggests that less conservative approach could pay dividends.   Most popular pages this month FSN Product Review - Cognos 8 “Performance Management fit for the whole organisation” Marks and Spencer's environmental plan – has it paid off? Reporting HR key performance indicators, (KPI's), under the Companies Act 2006 Why do 60- 80 percent of organisations still use spreadsheets for planning and forecasting? How automating the ‘Procure-to-Pay' process delivers business advantage ENTER FSN BOOKSTORE ENTER FSN BOOKSTORE The Director's Handbook Your Duties, Responsibilities and Liabilities By Institute of Directors, Pinsent MASONS Fast Close to the MAX By Author: Gary Simon How to accelerate the group financial and management reporting process The New Boss The New Boss How to Survive the First 100 Days By Peter FISCHER BI, BPM & CPM • Performance management – have we got it inside-out? • Clarity Systems chosen by five airlines to improve corporate performance management • Clarity Systems launches budgeting, planning and reporting for Lawyers KPI /ENVIRONMENT • XBRL extended into environmental reporting • TCA – Capturing environmental costs and savings in investment appraisal • Marks and Spencer's environmental plan – has it paid off? FINANCIAL REPORTING • United We Stand: Integrating GRC Systems • Companies struggle to comply with latest reporting requirements • Financial data quality – the lynchpin of dependable reporting ENTERPRISE FINANCIALS • Getting the most out of IT in the Credit Crunch • Greggs plc the bakers purchases CODA software • American Greetings selects SAP MID-RANGE ACCOUNTING • UK charity chooses COA Solutions • The Institute of Directors and Microsoft combine to provide hosted CRM & Email in the UK • Mid-Market ERP Implementation requires hard work – there is no escape OUTSOURCING • Northrop Grumman wins $30m contract to consolidate and protect U.S. Army's IT Networks in Europe • Atos Origin chooses Infor HCM Workforce Management for rail companies • BP extends contract with Atos Origin for transaction processing services DOCUMENT/IMAGE MANAGEMENT • Version One Document management to be used in finance by all Scottish Health Boards • Basware Launches E-Invoicing Solution to automate invoice processing and deliver cost savings • Document management is one of the few constants in a rapidly changing ERP market. FSN WHITEPAPERS • Delivering Strategic Advantage using Business Intelligence • How pre-packaged HR Analytics can accelerate the delivery of strategic advantage • An Excel based approach to delivering Business Intelligence (BI) over the web . FSN MARKET ANALYSIS • Is SAP's “On-line configurator” a way forward for mid-market ERP? • $3.3 billion Oracle-Hyperion takeover will create “Big 3” of BPM vendors • Could Microsoft PerformancePoint take market share in the enterprise BPM market? FSN PRODUCT REVIEWS • Cartesis Planning • Clarity 6 CPM Software - A Single Unified Solution for all Corporate Performance Management Applications • Mid market ERP software - a world-wide exclusive review of Microsoft Dynamics NAV version 5.0. FSN CEO INTERVIEWS • Mark Thompson, CEO of COA Solutions • Bernard Liautaud Chairman Business Objects • Paul White, Director of Microsoft Dynamics ( UK )   WWW WWW.FSN.CO.UK     About Us Privacy Policy Contact Us Customer Service Returns Delivery Policy Copyright © 2006 FSN Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use.