The current landscape of the enterprise information systems sector is one with a vast selection of software vendors armed with a seemingly endless number of proprietary software applications. In the typical business model, the users of these applications are charged large sums of money for licenses to run the programs, and at times, even larger sums of money for maintenance contracts. For many, the proprietary software model works well. We have seen exponential growth in companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP to name a few.
Their enterprise software application divisions are hugely profitable and their support networks mean that long after a system is designed, configured, analyzed, tested and released, the vendors (and consultants) have been well compensated. And for good reason: the software is often times difficult to implement, extremely complicated, and typically needs proper configuration to meet the needs of most large-scale enterprises.
Note: This is in contrast to the standard application service provider (ASP) model, which can also be called SaaS or Software as a Service. In looking to the future, I believe the real evolution of software lies in cloud computing, and more information can be found here.
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by Erik on August 6, 2009
in IBM
“There has been a very significant change at IBM,” says Harvard Business School professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter, who features the company among a handful of others in her upcoming book “SuperCorp.”Rather than merely making sales calls to push computers, Ms. Kanter says, IBM is showing customers how to revamp business functions. IBM “is back,” she says.
via Wall Street Journal.
by Erik on July 3, 2009
in Alternative Energy, Asia, Business Logic, Economy, Green Tech, IBM, Jobs, Markets, New Tech, Obama, Recession, Technology, Unemployment, Weekly Roundup
For Modest Earners, Relief Repaying Student Loans – Repaying a student loan could soon be a little less painful. Starting this week, anyone with a federal student loan can apply for a program, run by the Department of Education, that caps monthly payments based on income, and forgives remaining balances after 25 years. Those choosing to work in public service could have their loans forgiven after just 10 years.
New Grads May Have Leg Up On Older Job Seekers – Recent college graduates are finding out that an economic downturn is not the best time to be searching for work. But they do have a leg up on older job hunters: It’s a lot easier for a 22-year-old — unburdened by mortgage and kids — to go to where the work is.
IBM Reinvents the 401(k) – Staffers were nervous when Big Blue replaced its pension plan with a souped-up 401(k). Now, the plan could be the new gold standard.
U.S. Job Losses Rise and Unemployment Reaches 9.5% – The American economy lost 467,000 more jobs in June, and the unemployment rate edged up to 9.5 percent in a sobering indication that the longest recession since the 1930s had yet to release its hold. “The numbers are indicative of a continued, very severe recession,” said Stuart G. Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services in Pittsburgh. “There’s nothing in here to show that the economy and the market are pulling out of the grip of recession.”
A Day With 400 Tweets Starts With Simplicity – A Comcast Social Media Associate has plenty of advice to give on using Twitter and other social networking sites, as do other always-on pros and amateurs. Their tips will help you minimize your time and effort while maximizing your social bliss.
Q&A: Rising Unemployment Clouds Outlook – The increase in the unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.5 percent doesn’t bode well for a smooth transition to economic recovery. Economists expect unemployment to continue to rise into 2010, and possibly longer. Here, a look at what some leading economists say lies ahead as the fall season approaches, when retailers typically expect a boost from back-to-school shopping.
Green Power Takes Root in the Chinese Desert – As the United States takes its first steps toward mandating that power companies generate more electricity from renewable sources, China already has a similar requirement and is investing billions to remake itself into a green energy superpower.
Economist: Stimulus Appears To Be Working – More jobs were lost last month than expected, but the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package promises to create 600,000 jobs by the end of the summer. Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com, says that without the stimulus, the numbers would be worse.
Obama Disappointed By Jobs Numbers – President Obama said Thursday he is “deeply concerned” about unemployment. The remarks to The Associated Press came after the Labor Department said U.S. businesses shed 467,000 jobs in June and that the unemployment rate increased to 9.5 percent.
Madoff Likely Won’t Be Serving Time In ‘Club Fed’ – Anyone who thinks convicted swindler Bernard Madoff will serve easy time in a “Club Fed” minimum-security prison should think again. He is unlikely to land in a cushy cellblock, and he will need to watch his back, consultants and former inmates say.
by Erik on June 29, 2009
in IBM
Ok, I don’t want to go overboard with the imagery from the IBM archives, but there is something very iconic with this photograph. The large steamer bag (I think it has a typewriter in it?), the summer weight suit, the standard IBM white-shirt with the “smart tie,” all add to the overall iconic feeling of the picture. I wonder what he’s thinking as he’s walking down the street and the classic cars are zipping by?
I can’t stop thinking there’s something surreal going on here. If anything, this picture would make Michael proud.
An IBM electric typewriter marketing representative in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1962.
[via IBM Archives]
