Abstract: Client relationship management (CRM) technology can help capital-markets firms streamline investment banking activities, increase brokerage trade volume, and meet compliance challenges. As a nerve center for information about clients, prospects, institutions, syndicate partners, and other contacts, the right CRM system enables capital-markets firms to share intelligence, coordinate activities, and derive advantage from an integrated body of corporate knowledge and relationships.

Abstract: Superior order management can provide you with a competitive edge across the board. To move closer to order perfection and a truly loyal customer base, you must cost-effectively eliminate the issues preventing on-time, accurate order fulfillment. This involves every process, including planning and forecasting, acquiring and creating accurate orders and contracts, handling order changes, and resolving fulfillment and post-delivery problems.

Abstract: When raw materials providers, manufacturers, and retailers work together to calculate future order needs, they can all act on the best information available. Successful order forecast collaboration requires all members to share risks if forecasts vary, and to discuss issues as they arise. Accurate order forecasts drive sales increases, inventory decreases, and better decisions. With so many benefits across the entire demand chain, shouldn’t you look into order forecast collaboration with your partners?

Abstract: In today's competitive engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing environment, procuring components on time and within budget is crucial. With rising fuel costs and increased international trade, supply chain management software can help ETO organizations get—and stay—ahead of the competition.

Abstract: Engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing needs a high level of integration between ERP and PLM systems. This article points out that ERP and PLM solutions are moving toward each other to achieve more organic data and process connectivity.

Abstract: The requirements of the engineer-to-order (ETO) environment create special challenges for capital equipment manufacturers. Traditional material requirements planning (MRP) techniques don’t account for these manufacturers’ needs. Before you invest in manufacturing software, you should carefully consider 10 questions to ensure that software vendors are focused on your business and can deliver the solution you need.

Abstract: Engineer-to-order (ETO) and project-based companies look to information technology (IT) to improve processes and gain a competitive edge. However, building complex products to exact customer specifications requires unique software. But what exactly are the software requirements of ETO and project-based manufacturers? Remember, the wrong software can cost about the same as the right software—until you try to use it!

Abstract: Adaptiveness in the manufacturing sector depends on being able to push decision making to the shop floor. But that’s often easier said than done. However, manufacturing intelligence dashboards aggregate content from the full range of manufacturing systems into a single view of operations. These role-specific dashboards thus enable employees to manage manufacturing performance, and respond quickly to changes.

Abstract: Maintaining a competitive advantage is paramount, no matter what business you operate within. Engineer-to-order (ETO) companies that produce complex products, usually in low volumes, and with project control techniques, are no exception. A lean enterprise involves the reduction or elimination of any activity that does not add value to a customer. In order to effectively utilize lean, lean concepts must be taken from the manufacturing floor and used thorough the ETO enterprise. This paper demonstrates how IFS applications supports the principles of developing a lean enterprise for ETO organizations. It demonstrates how process improvements apply equally to office-based functions, manufacturing, installation, and service activities.

Abstract: Human Capital Management (HCM) is a strategic approach to people management that focuses on the knowledge, skills, abilities and capacity to develop and innovate possessed by people in an organisation (source: "Human Capital Management [HCM]: Achieving Added Value Through People", by Angela Baron & Michael Armstrong).

Abstract: Order-driven manufacturers—those who engineer-to-order (ETO), assemble-to-order (ATO), and make-to-order (MTO)—face numerous challenges. To stay competitive, they must contend with increased competition, more demanding customers, and the need to refine business processes. Learn how enterprise resource planning (ERP) software can help your company meet marketplace challenges and create sustainable competitive advantages.

Abstract: The challenges that face the manufacturing industry today are also opportunities. Manufacturing is being revolutionized in its processes, routines, and ways of doing business through the growing emergence of order driven production methods. This shift towards demand driven manufacturing is emerging in tandem with the larger currents caused by globalization. This cross industry brief focuses on the manufacturing industry from the standpoint of a demand driven IT solution and is aimed at manufacturing and distribution businesses. It describes some major market trends and issues, provides an overview of IBS supply chain solution, and offers details on how the IBS solution for demand driven manufacturing can address current needs of the industry.

Abstract: Two-thirds of the 400 survey participants in a 2007 Aberdeen report about inventory management place a high priority on working capital optimization. Many companies are reconsidering their business strategies, including implementing appropriate technology platforms that help automate supply chain processes. Learn about cost-effective and practical ways to reduce inventory so that working capital can be released.

Abstract: In times of economic uncertainty, you need to actively seek out best practices in how to adopt practical working capital optimization to improve financial performance while maintaining customer satisfaction. Learn about the three key performance criteria that define best-in-class organizations, and how they’re making their focus within the supply chain on working capital—primarily by optimizing inventory management.

Abstract: Regardless of size or purpose, business processes within a company rely heavily on the dependability of assets for successful operations. Enterprise asset management (EAM) solutions can help companies monitor their assets, including a feature that allows documents to be attached to a work order. But printing the work order and its attachments is not always so simple. Learn how automated work order software can help.

Abstract: Learning Review's Veronica Inoue interviewed two representatives of the Interamerican Federation of Human Resource Management Associations (Federación Interamericana de Asociaciones de Gestión Humana), who attended the Human Management Conference held by la Asociación de Recursos Humanos de la Argentina.

Abstract: Although the human resources department has long been seen as a necessary evil at best, the scope of human resources management systems (HRMS) has been extended to include recruiting, competency management, training, time management, performance management, and so forth.

Abstract: An integrated steel plant’s manufacturing processes typically encompass three distinct types of manufacturing—flow manufacturing, process manufacturing, and mill manufacturing—making such a plant a mixed-mode manufacturer. Software systems that address the diverse needs these manufacturers have cannot be emphasized more.