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  • Research Bytes - ERP Choices Expand on the Salesforce.com Platform

    ERP Choices Expand on the Salesforce.com Platform

    The Salesforce.com platform is a popular framework for development of cloud-based business systems. In fact, there are now at least five providers in the AppExchange network that offer some or all of the functionality that would fall under the banner of ERP. This Research Byte provides a new update on these providers, which include FinancialForce, Rootstock, Kenandy, AscentERP, and Sage Live.

    October, 2015

  • IT Staffing - ERP Support Staffing Ratios 2015

    ERP Support Staffing Ratios 2015

    In this study, we analyze ERP support requirements by means of a simple ratio: the number of ERP users per ERP support staff member. The higher the ratio, the more productive the support personnel appear to be, all other things being equal. We assess this ratio by size of installation and sector. We also report median ratios for Oracle E-Business, SAP ERP, PeopleSoft, and JD Edwards systems vs. all others. Finally, we provide recommendations on optimizing staffing levels after assessing the influence of age of installation, number of instances, number of versions, extent of modifications, and scope of functionality. (14 pp., 5 fig.) [Research Byte]

    August, 2015

  • Research Bytes - Infor ERP Customers and the UpgradeX Roadmap

    Infor ERP Customers and the UpgradeX Roadmap

    Infor is doing interesting work in its CloudSuite initiative to offer industry-specific solutions deployed on the cloud. But it must convince a greater share of its 70,000 customers to upgrade to its latest versions, and it must have the implementation resources trained and available to support them. This post sums up the status of these initiatives with recommendations for customers.

    April, 2015

  • Research Bytes - The Maturing of ERP on the Salesforce Platform

    The Maturing of ERP on the Salesforce Platform

    Salesforce.com is not only the industry's most well-known cloud CRM system. It is also a platform for a variety of other software providers. This Research Byte outlines the latest developments with the four ERP providers building on the Salesforce platform: Kenandy, FinancialForce, Rootstock, and AscentERP. We conclude with a caveat for buyers.

    November, 2014

  • Research Bytes - Workday’s Goal: Become First Tier I Cloud ERP

    Workday’s Goal: Become First Tier I Cloud ERP

    It is becoming increasingly apparent that Workday’s ambitions go beyond human capital management and financial management systems. This Research Byte, based on briefings at a recent Workday analyst summit, discusses how Workday may become the first Tier I cloud ERP provider.

    October, 2014

  • Research Bytes - Infor’s Most Urgent Initiative

    Infor’s Most Urgent Initiative

    Infor has evolved from an ERP provider that relied on acquisitions to one that has become an innovator. At the same time, many of its customers are stuck on older versions of its acquired products. If Infor is to be successful, its most crucial initiative should be to upgrade those older customers. This Research Byte outlines how Infor is attempting to accomplish this along with recommendations for Infor customers.

    October, 2014

  • Research Bytes - ERP Customers Tilt Toward Subscription Pricing

    ERP Customers Tilt Toward Subscription Pricing

    What do ERP customers choose when they can freely choose between traditional on-premises deployment under a perpetual license and cloud deployment under a subscription agreement? How are these preferences changing? One vendor's experience shows that customers are turning more and more to cloud deployment and, especially, subscription pricing.

    September, 2014

  • Technology Trends - Understanding Cloud ERP Buyers and Providers

    Understanding Cloud ERP Buyers and Providers

    Not all ERP systems that are labeled “cloud” are the same. At the same time, vendors need to realize that not all ERP buyers are the same. The study provides an overview of ERP cloud vendors and describes the two major categories of buyers in this market: first-time buyers looking for their first ERP systems and established companies replacing their legacy systems. We also segment cloud ERP providers into two categories: cloud-only ERP providers and traditional vendors that have added cloud or hosting as deployment options. We conclude with recommendations for buyers and providers who seek to serve these markets. Two appendices provide our analysis of key ERP vendors in each category.  (32 pp., 6 fig.) [Research Byte]

    August, 2014

  • IT Staffing - ERP Support Staffing Ratios 2014

    ERP Support Staffing Ratios 2014

    In this study, we analyze ERP support requirements by means of a simple ratio: the number of ERP users per ERP support staff member. We call this the ERP support staffing ratio. The higher the ratio, the more productive the support personnel appear to be, all other things being equal. We assess this ratio by size of installation and sector. We also report median ratios for Oracle E-Business, SAP ERP, and JD Edwards systems. Finally, we provide recommendations on optimizing staffing levels after assessing the influence of age of installation, number of instances, number of versions, extent of modifications, and scope of functionality.  (13 pp., 5 fig.) [Research Byte]

    March, 2014

  • Research Bytes - The Cloud ERP Land Rush is On

    The Cloud ERP Land Rush is On

    Like the Oklahoma land rush of 1889, cloud vendors today are rushing into new territory to stake their claims. One provider that has joined the land rush is FinancialForce.com, which recently announced new branding to signal its claim in cloud ERP. This Research Byte provides an overview of the cloud ERP landscape and the latest vendor to stake a claim.

    March, 2014

  • Research Bytes - Drilling Deep into Healthcare ERP

    Drilling Deep into Healthcare ERP

    Most enterprise software providers today claim to target certain industry sectors, but when you scratch below the surface you find that their so-called industry focus is not much more than a market strategy. In this Research Byte, we show how Infor is putting some weight behind its industry strategy, most recently in the healthcare.

    February, 2014

  • Technology Trends - Four Cloud ERP Providers on the Salesforce Platform

    Four Cloud ERP Providers on the Salesforce Platform

    Customers of Salesforce.com that are looking for new ERP capabilities now have four cloud ERP systems to choose from on the Salesforce platform, Salesforce1. These are FinancialForce, Kenandy, Rootstock, and AscentERP. This report gives a brief description of the Salesforce1 development platform and why it is attractive to developers. We then describe each of these four ERP providers, along with their strengths and target customers. We conclude with recommendations for qualifying cloud ERP providers. (8 pages, 1 fig.) [Research Byte]

    February, 2014

  • Research Bytes - Cloud ERP Vendor NetSuite Enhances Manufacturing Functionality

    Cloud ERP Vendor NetSuite Enhances Manufacturing Functionality

    At its annual user conference in May, cloud ERP provider NetSuite promoted enhanced functionality for manufacturing companies. As manufacturing firms are increasingly open to cloud solutions, NetSuite is at the right place at the right time. Nevertheless, there are a number of decision points for NetSuite as it continues to build out its manufacturing footprint.

    May, 2013

  • Technology Trends - Choosing Between Cloud and Hosted ERP, and Why It Matters (2012)

    Choosing Between Cloud and Hosted ERP, and Why It Matters (2012)

    Cloud-based applications are storming the last fortress of on-premises applications—ERP—and some traditional ERP vendors are responding to this threat with hosted versions of their on-premises systems. While hosted ERP delivers some of the same benefits, potential customers need to appreciate the significant differences with cloud ERP systems. This report aids enterprises in understanding the differences so that they can choose the best option. It explores the five essential characteristics of cloud computing, the emerging benefits of ERP in the cloud, and market acceptance of cloud ERP. It concludes with practical recommendations for buyers considering cloud or hosted ERP. [Research Byte]

    April, 2012

  • IT Staffing - ERP Support Staffing Ratios 2011

    ERP Support Staffing Ratios 2011

    ERP systems can be major investments requiring substantial effort for implementation. Yet many organizations do not realize that the total cost of ownership of an ERP system is composed largely of ongoing support. While initial license fees and consulting services required to implement the system are one-time investments, the cost of support personnel recurs year after year. This study presents the number of ERP users per ERP support staff member by size of installation, software vendor, and age of installation. It also assesses factors that impact the productivity of ERP support staff and makes recommendations for optimizing ERP support staffing. (15 pp., 5 figs.) [Research Byte]

    November, 2011