The aim of an ERP system is to provide an integrated solution to all business areas of a particular enterprise. Ideally, you have one software system that the entire company can access and work with. So, for example, all the data for finance, sales, accounting, human resources and inventory is managed in one central repository and each business group within the organization accesses only the subset of data that they need.

Ultriva Inc., a provider of software for lean manufacturing launched a free online tool that identifies potential savings that could be gained through inventory reduction. The Lean Assessment Tool helps material managers and supply chain replenishment and purchasing professionals to streamline operations, according to the company.

On a corporate level, SOPs are all about improving your business – be it striving towards continuity, or putting into action best practices for the long run. In the process of documenting and putting SOPs in place, companies may even discover better ways to complete tasks.

To discover the specific behaviors that directly impact the results you want to achieve find other work groups, departments, or companies who are succeeding where you are routinely failing. Discover what these successful folks do that separates them from you and the rest of the pack. This is the practice of uncovering positive deviants.

Not every entrepreneur wants to model his or her organization and culture on the Navy. For many entrepreneurs, indeed, that is a very unappealing concept, but that’s because they don’t really understand what makes the Navy one of the most effective organizations on the planet. Like any other successful organization, it’s about the people, not about the technology. The key is harnessing the incredible potential of every individual through inspiration, training, and teamwork.

A new study by technology research firm AMI Partners has found that most business executives feel the economy has stabilized. However, they will still focus on key priorities like finding new ways to reduce costs and increase revenue over the next year. This includes looking heavily into IT software, services and staffing options that will directly impact these key strategic priorities.

Finding the right software to meet your business needs is the easy part. Negotiating the best software and service contract can be difficult. Here are ten tips that will make software contract negotiations easier and make you more successful.

As a measure to stabilize the financial system, the US government created a “stress test” for banks. “What-if” scenarios were designed to determine whether banks could survive the possibility of worsening economic conditions and to enable them to take corrective actions if it appeared they could not. Current economic conditions have already had a material impact on revenues in the software industry. Recognizing that economic conditions will worsen, how can ISVs gauge their risk?