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ETF Preview: Mixed Tech Earnings Dent Related Funds

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:09:01 GMT

Major market ETFs, including the SPY, DIA, UYG and others, are flat to lower in step with the broader market. The PowerShares QQQ (QQQQ), which tracks the technology-studded Nasdaq Composite, is down 0.1%.[More...]

Where’s The Value?

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The summer of 2009 is drawing to a close and as a number of us return from holidays and vacations our attention can once again be directed towards the stock market, our investment portfolios and the prospects of investing over the remainder of the year. The problem so far in 2009 is that despite a huge amount of volatility earlier in the year the rest has been...well...pretty dry. Stocks, corporate bonds and mutual funds have all appreciated off their lows and a lot of investors are scratching their heads wondering where the value is in this current environment. When you look at most measures of quantitative value such as price to earnings (P/E), price to book (P/B) or dividend yield there are a lot of stocks that don’t appear cheap and the ones that are cheap are inexpensive for a very good reason; a poor investment. It’s at times like this that I look towards my discipline of investing in Enduring Value for[More...]

IBM's Footprint Strong In India

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:44:57 GMT

IBM's (IBM) broad product and services portfolio delivers value to clients through a combination of services, hardware and software. The key verticals for IBM in the Indian market are infrastructure, such as construction and steel; telecom; industrial; energy and utilities. It also witnesses growth in the insurance and banking, travel and transportation, and the government spaces. We therefore favor IBM for its wide range of products and large international exposure. IBM generates over a billion dollars in revenue from the Indian market. Revenue at IBM was driven by double-digit growth in markets such as India and China, which were up 10.0% in 2008. IBM expects these growing markets to drive revenue and increase growth beyond 2009. In comparison to the slowing U.S. markets and weak IT spending, the Indian market is still relatively healthy[More...]

Spotlight On: Software And Programming

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:14:00 GMT

Spotlight On: Software and Programming The software industry is ever changing and subject to new mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and strategic alliances between vendors. The industry can be fairly described as consisting of tiers. Tier I vendors serve the upper end of the market. Their products are for the Fortune 500, multi-location, and multi-national companies. These companies have complex needs and rely upon ERP systems. The major Tier I players are SAP and Oracle. Tier II vendors focus on companies that are fairly complex and large and require significant work but are not as large as the the Fortune 500. This may be the sweet spot of the software industry. The market is fairly large and the customers require fairly sophisticated product and support. Leaders in this market are Lawson, Infor, and[More...]

How To Analyze Tech Stocks: 7 Factors That Must Be Considered

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:10:16 GMT

There are a number of measures that are especially pertinent to tech stocks. Do you know what they are and how to interpret them? Earnings season is in full swing. This post will attempt to provide a few guidelines for drawing your own conclusions when reading tech stock results. This is not to say that standard measures of revenue and income are not important; they are. The point of this post is that there are areas to examine that will allow you[More...]

Software Sector - Zacks Analyst Interviews

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:02:34 GMT

Global markets appear to be shaking off the recent unprecedented withering of the financial system and are looking for an upturn. But is it sustainable or is it a short-term event?[More...]

Software Sector - Industry Outlook

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:20:27 GMT

Global markets appear to be shaking off the recent unprecedented withering of the financial system and are looking for an upturn. But is it sustainable or is it a short-term event? So far, a string of drastic actions by the Federal Reserve and both the Bush and Obama administrations has yet to turn around a bunker mentality. Banks fear lending money to each other and to their customers. Businesses are reluctant to hire and boost capital investments. Consumers have hunkered down. All the economy's problems are feeding off each other, creating a vicious cycle that Washington policymakers are finding difficult to break. Even if the turmoil gripping Wall Street were to let up and badly shaken confidence in the banking system were fully restored, a "broader economic recovery will not happen right away." Obviously, the[More...]

The Problem With Software Companies

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:27:02 GMT

Phillip Longman has an article on health care information systems with the provocative title, “Code Red: How software companies could screw up Obama’s health care reform” (hat tip Ezra Klein). The argument of the article goes something like this. One, the health care cost problem is largely caused by overtreatment. Two, the answer is software: “Almost all experts agree that in order to begin to deal with these problems, the health care industry must step into the twenty-first century and become computerized.” Three, software implementation projects can go horribly, horribly wrong. Four, the solution is open-source software. I have no argument with point[More...]

Germany: Emerging Market Profit Potential, With (Only) Developed Market Risk

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:45:05 GMT

Many commentators have picked the East Asian economies of China, Korea and Taiwan to emerge the most vigorously from the ongoing global financial crisis. And with some justification, for China and the two Asian “tigers” share some alluring characteristics[More...]

Stocks To Gain On Back Of Overseas Rally, Commodities Buzz

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:25:26 GMT

Futures continue to indicate solid opening stock gains. U.S. markets look to build on the commodities-inspired gains seen in Asia and Europe.[More...]

Eastern promise flowers in what was once a broken land

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:50:00 GMT

The former East Germany is performing better than anyone expected when reunification happened after the fall of communism, writes DEREK SCALLY in Berlin
WHEN GERMANY celebrates the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Monday, even the economists will be cheering.
"If anything, we now have a bigger economic gap between areas in western Germany than between areas in the east."

[More...]

I-Many Appoints New Chief Development Officer

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:51:00 GMT

I-many, a provider of contract lifecycle management enterprise software and services, has promoted Lawrence Lindsey as its new chief development officer.
In his new role, he will drive product management, development, quality assurance, customer support and product release management for the entire I-many family of products.
Previously, Mr Lindsey served as vice president of engineering at Symantec Corporation for online platform and partner services.

[More...]

Schwarzenegger Praises Oracle's Deal for Sun

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:51:00 GMT

Oct. 15--SAN FRANCISCO -- Adding a little star power to Oracle's proposed acquisition of Sun Microsystems, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took the stage at the Moscone Center on Wednesday and congratulated CEO Larry Ellison on the deal even though it's been stalled by a European antitrust investigation.
The appearance at Oracle's annual OpenWorld conference was dubbed "Terminator meets Iron Man" by some commentators who noted that Ellison has cultivated a reputation as a swashbuckling tech CEO who favors fast cars, flies jets and races on the international yachting circuit -- somewhat like the fictional CEO who is the alter ego of the Iron Man superhero in comics and films.
But the meeting was relatively mild-mannered.

[More...]

A Natural Path to Curb Lighting Costs

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:48:00 GMT

Oct. 5--In the revenue-squeezed world of business, where the search for cost savings has left no paper clip unturned, you might say a lightbulb has gone on -- and, consequently, many others are going off.
Corporate leaders are increasingly heeding the call of the '60s hit "Let the Sunshine In," using some high-tech innovation and creative open-air designs to ensure that natural light washes across the office landscape.
The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that lighting accounts for 20 percent of commercial buildings' total energy consumption.

[More...]

A Natural Path to Curb Lighting Costs

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:47:00 GMT

Oct. 5--In the revenue-squeezed world of business, where the search for cost savings has left no paper clip unturned, you might say a lightbulb has gone on -- and, consequently, many others are going off.
Corporate leaders are increasingly heeding the call of the '60s hit "Let the Sunshine In," using some high-tech innovation and creative open-air designs to ensure that natural light washes across the office landscape.
The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that lighting accounts for 20 percent of commercial buildings' total energy consumption.

[More...]

A Natural Path to Curb Lighting Costs

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:47:00 GMT

Oct. 5--In the revenue-squeezed world of business, where the search for cost savings has left no paper clip unturned, you might say a lightbulb has gone on -- and, consequently, many others are going off.
Corporate leaders are increasingly heeding the call of the '60s hit "Let the Sunshine In," using some high-tech innovation and creative open-air designs to ensure that natural light washes across the office landscape.
The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that lighting accounts for 20 percent of commercial buildings' total energy consumption.

[More...]

SUPPLY CHAIN STANDARD: Enterprising Technology

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:49:00 GMT

With globalisation we have gone beyond basic ERP.
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are playing a greater role in supply chain operations as systems become more sophisticated and easier to integrate with other software.
With a central database, an ERP system offers the prospect of consistent data throughout an organisation and enables companies to develop processes that run across departments.

[More...]

SAP to Pay Versata $139m in Patent Lawsuit

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:49:00 GMT

A US federal court has ordered enterprises software provider SAP to pay $138.6m to Texas-based Versata Software for violating five patents of Versata.
In its complaint, filed in April 2007, Versata (formerly known as Trilogy Software) maintained that SAP's Business Suite products and related services infringed on the patents.
The company is still seeking a permanent injunction preventing SAP from infringing on its patents.

[More...]

IBM Betting on Sensors, Trackers

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:50:00 GMT

Aug. 25--Software developed at IBM's Research Triangle Park campus is being used to help ensure food safety and freshness and prevent counterfeit prescription drugs from reaching consumers.
Last week, IBM's sensor software business unveiled a product that is the culmination of years of work with hundreds of customers, including Airbus and Volks wagen.
Its WebSphere Sensor Events software can be used by many industries.

[More...]

Software for Business: When Not to Buy

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:57:00 GMT

There are some things we all wish we had never purchased.
I'm also betting that Joe, a client of mine, will one day wish he never bought the software I just sold him.
True story: Earlier this month we sold one of our customer relationship management [CRM] applications to someone I'll call Joe, who owns a 20-person company that makes specialty equipment parts.

[More...]

I-Many Promotes Lawrence Lindsey to Chief Development Officer

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:52:00 GMT

I-many, Inc., the leading provider of Contract Lifecycle Management enterprise software and services, announced today its promotion of Lawrence Lindsey to Chief Development Officer at I-many.
In his new role, Mr. Lindsey will drive product management, development, quality assurance, customer support and product release management for the entire I-many family of products.
Mr. Lindsey brings 19 years of senior management and enterprise software development experience with extensive experience in contract and revenue management, CRM, life science and other enterprise applications.

[More...]

Rimini Street Announces Delivery of 2009-E Tax and Regulatory Updates

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Rimini Street, Inc., the leading third-party maintenance and support provider for enterprise software, including Oracle Corporation's (NASDAQ: ORCL) Siebel, PeopleSoft, and JD Edwards software and SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) software, today announced delivery of its Tax Update 2009-E containing critical tax and regulatory updates.
Like all previously delivered tax and regulatory updates, Rimini Street delivered its 2009-E updates ahead of the software vendor's own planned release date for its equivalent tax and regulatory updates.
This proven process for managing tax and regulatory updates is a key advantage of Rimini Street's third-party support program."

[More...]

Plex Online ERP Software Successfully Launched at 14 Inteva Locations

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:54:00 GMT

Plex Systems, Inc., provider of the No.
1 rated ERP software for manufacturers, today announced that global automotive supplier Inteva Products, LLC has completed the launch of Plex Online at 14 of its global locations, including sites spanning two continents, four countries and four U.S. states.
Inteva, a tier one supplier of interior systems, cockpits, closure systems, and window lift systems, selected Plex Online to replace SAP as its enterprise resource planning (ERP) manufacturing solution provider following a competitive global search.

[More...]

Industry Packages From SAP Hit the 'Fast Track' to Provide Targeted Business Results

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:55:00 GMT

SAP America, a subsidiary of SAP AG has introduced service offerings in North America specifically designed to help companies in the apparel and footwear, retail and wholesale distribution industries leverage IT for maximum value in the current economic climate. Bundled with a customer's software license agreement, fast-track implementation services from SAP reduce implementation time by 30 to 40 percent and overall cost of implementation by 20 to 30 percent, and provide best practices and expert consulting for retail, point-of-sale, manufacturing and wholesale distribution.[More...]

SAP(R) BusinessObjects(TM) Business Intelligence Solutions Provide Makosi Consultants With Insight to Improve Efficiency and Client Service

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:56:00 GMT

SAP AG today announced that Makosi, an international project management firm, is using SAP BusinessObjects business intelligence solutions to provide better visibility into its work with global financial institutions. Makosi uses Xcelsius software, the SAP dashboarding and data visualization solution, to help its clients identify trading compliance risks and flag those that are most immediate and severe. In doing so, it has helped large broker-dealers reduce their exposure to billions of dollars of liabilities and comply with federal electronic-filing regulations. Xcelsius helped enable Makosi to better manage its own teams of consultants, prioritize tasks, cut back on manual processes and increase productivity.[More...]

SAP Reports Expansion and Improvements for Its Partner Program

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:55:00 GMT

SAP AG today announced that it has successfully transitioned all software solution partners to the SAP PartnerEdge program, and is now leveraging the company's partner program framework to provide an array of innovative business services and tools to additional partner types that make up the SAP partner ecosystem. Launched in May 2005 , the award-winning SAP PartnerEdge program is a comprehensive business framework that provides exceptional business-enabling tools, resources and program benefits to help ensure a productive partnership and consistent service quality for a broad array of SAP partner types. Following the successful transition of the SAP software solution partners into SAP PartnerEdge PartnerEdge'), the program is now also being extended to SAP BusinessObjects solution resellers that are authorized to resell software from the SAP BusinessObjects portfolio.[More...]

SAP Launches New Social Media Tools for SAP Community Network

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:56:00 GMT

Recently named one of the top-10 'most engaged brands on the Web' for its engagement with customers and partners through its social media channel, the SAP community network, as well as through Facebook, Twitter, wikis and blogs, SAP AG continues to add new services and features to the SAP community network to enhance the user experience for its more than 1.7 million global members.[More...]

iCONECTnXT Works With SQL Server

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:50:00 GMT

iCONECT Development, LLC's international web-based hosting and review platform, iCONECTnXT, now includes a Microsoft SQL Server Connector that enables application service providers, law firms and corporations to add worldwide document review and collaboration capability to their existing SQL Server infrastructure.
nXT has a proven track record with over 10 billion pages hosted worldwide, and is used by Fortune 500 companies, prestigious Am Law 100 firms, Magic Circle firms (top-tier law firms in the United Kingdom) and branches of federal and state governments for litigation support, mergers and acquisitions, and multi-party international projects.
"We are excited to provide the legal community with another collaborative hosting option and a way to leverage their existing technology and resources to optimize workflow and save costs," said Cynthia Williams, CEO of iCONECT Development, LLC. "With the addition of the SQL Server Connector, iCONECT will be able to expand its presence in the top 1,000 law firm market."

[More...]

SAP Connects Midmarket Channel Partners to LinkedIn to Support Recruiting Efforts

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:55:00 GMT

SAP Connects Midmarket Channel Partners to LinkedIn to Support Recruiting Efforts[More...]

SAP Ranked Leader in the Combined Performance Management and Analytic Applications Market for Second Consecutive Year by Leading Analyst Firm

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:33:00 GMT

SAP AG today announced that IDC has reported SAP as the market leader in performance management and analytic applications, based on software license and maintenance revenue. The aggregate performance management and analytic applications market includes financial performance and strategy management and various other analytic applications such as customer relationship management , supply chain, workforce and service operations analytics. This market, which SAP terms enterprise performance management , represents $8.37 billion out of the total $24.1 billion business analytics software market. The market analysis, titled 'Worldwide Business Analytics Software 2009-2013 Forecast and 2008 Vendor Shares,' found that SAP leads in the performance management and analytic applications market, with a 20.3 percent share of the market.[More...]