INDUSTRY INSIGHTS YOUR PEERS ARE READING
Bruce Cleveland, who many readers may remember from his Siebel days is now an investor and has a new book out, Traversing the Traction Gap. I had a long ranging conversation with him about the book and also about trends. MORE
I have heard Zoho talk about doing business in UAE and Nigeria. That is so different from other cloud vendors which tend to mostly focus on N. America and Europe. Over the last decade, their US revenues have steadily declined. Cloud Computing, SaaS Globalization and Technology MORE
Most conversations about the Future of Work that we hear in professional circles are similar to those in this Cognizant webinar and report. The comments tend to be tough, but fair. In mainstream media, however, I am seeing increasingly hostile. Future of Work MORE
I kept thinking of Southwest Airlines while I was at the Workday Innovation Summit in CA this week. I had read this tribute to the legendary founder, Herb Kelleher on the flight over and it reminded me how revered he. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP MORE
John Sumser, aka HR Examiner, has been focusing on "intelligent technology" including AI and machine learning as it morphs the HCM function. Trends in that function are a forerunner of what we will see across the enterprise. I recently caught. Analytics, Big Data Cloud Computing, SaaS MORE
Many vendors talk about the "Future of Work". It's usually in the future tense. They forget that the future is already here. The BLS adds many brand new occupations in its listings every few years. We glibly talk about the. Cloud Computing, SaaS MORE
I don't mean to pick on NetSuite but it is one of the oldest cloud apps vendors - born as it was in 1998. Over 21 years, you would think it would have a fuller global footprint. Especially since it. Cloud Computing, SaaS Global and Vertical extensions Industry Commentary MORE
I recently read an article which said "AI will not replace accountants and auditors, but accountants and auditors that use AI can replace those that don’t." I predict that will also be true of implementation consultants in the next few. Outsourcing (IBM, Accenture, EDS MORE
I was excited when Charles Phillips and his team arrived at Infor in 2010. I looked forward to them executing to their vision they would focus on various verticals like healthcare and hospitality. Over the last few years I have. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP MORE
Alan Alper, VP and Editorial Director, has his fingerprints on most Cognizant marketing publications and events. He has been involved in the planning of Cognizant's presence and pitches at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum for the last. Globalization and Technology Industry Commentary MORE
Let's face it - industry events are increasingly formulaic. Most vendor conferences are predictable - keynotes and product futures, rock bands, large partner booths. Most research firm events tend to be siloed around their category definitions and what currently excites. Industry Commentary MORE
A recent visit to an Amazon Fulfillment Center was eye-opening. They have completely redefined the old warehouse pick, pack, ship mindset. It's now stow, pick, pack, verify, and in their lingo, SLAM and "chaotic storage". Kiva robots and miles of. Business Process "Angioplasty" Cloud Computing, SaaS Industry Commentary MORE
200 Tom Bogan is CEO of Adaptive Insights, a company whose business planning cloud automates previously manual planning tasks—for finance, sales, and workforce planning—and supplements those capabilities with enterprise-scale reporting and analytics. Tom joined Adaptive Insights when it was at $40 MORE
I read the Leander Kahney book on Tim Cook on the long Emirates flights to and from India. In India, I had a conversation with an Apple consumer like me (not really that knowledgeable about the operations of the company). Industry Commentary MORE
Geoff Scott, CEO of ASUG, wrote this in his foreword to SAP Nation 3.0 "For For many years, licensing was a “third rail” topic: look at it, discuss it among yourselves but don’t ever collectively — as a customer contingent —. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP MORE
My first exposure to a software “platform” was back in 1983 when McCormack and Dodge introduced Millennium and started to migrate all its modules to have the same look and feel, extensibility, queries and other features. I was part of. MORE
I find Frank Scavo a great sounding board. He has a way of simplifying things and pushing back when things are buzzword-y. I have quoted him in several books. He has introduced me to case studies I have profiled in. Industry Commentary MORE
I have been reading Marc Benioff's new book and also factoring what I heard at the latest Dreamforce, Salesforce's annual conference. At times, I felt like I was re-reading Frederic Laloux's "Reinventing Organizations" and his points about companies like Patagonia. Cloud Computing, SaaS MORE
195 
Let's face it the term "future of work" has been hijacked by technology vendors and "thought leaders" of every stripe - often peddling products and one-dimensional concepts which are spray painted to cover their distant past. So, it was refreshing. Future of Work MORE
Ray Lane, a top-notch tech executive and investor over decades, said this about my new book "Don't be fooled by the title—the book is not just about SAP. It's about drama in enterprise computing." I then used "drama" in the. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP MORE
Josh Greenbaum has a fascinating post - how Microsoft and SAP plan to take over the enterprise software market. There is much in there I agree with. All the recent executive changes - Jen, Christian, Bill, Bob - are exciting. Cloud Computing, SaaS Industry Commentary MORE
I joined Gartner in 1995. I remember clients would call and say they were getting ready for next-gen applications, but that they felt they had "enough time". The deadline in their case was, of course, the Y2K "wall". By the MORE
I had been invited to an SAP Analytics influencer summit earlier in the year. Many of the sessions were under NDA, so I had not written about it. However, my notes showed: Ambitious, exciting vision, but fragmented execution across portfolio. MORE
Kudos to Cindy Jutras for her study "Real Facts About ERP Implementation". Her survey showed that two-thirds of respondents graded their ERP implementation as "successful" or "very successful." The survey found 31% thought their ERP project was at least a. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP) Enterprise Software (other vendors) Offshoring (other vendors) Outsourcing (IBM, Accenture, EDS MORE
As part of my series of posts on vertical solutions, I had an excellent briefing this week from Neeracha Taychakhoonavudh, EVP of Industries at Salesforce. I am also impressed at the wide range of sessions by industry that are being. Cloud Computing, SaaS Vertical Markets (Banking, Retail etc MORE
In interviewing SAP customers for the upcoming book, I ended up classifying them broadly into four groups. I termed the first three: a) Risk-takers who are trying out new Leonardo ML or IoT projects, developing new functionality with its Cloud. MORE
Steve Miranda, EVP, Applications Product Development at Oracle briefed analysts about this week's co-located Modern Business Experience (MBX) and Modern Customer Experience (MCX) in Las Vegas. He also blogged about it: "we are bringing together marketing, sales, and service with. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP MORE
Vinnie’s readers might not know that he and I frequently team up on larger client projects. Yes, we’ve been arch-enemies at times but have done lots of deals and even launched a dot-com together. About two years ago, we noticed MORE
My new book is now available to buy here in print version, and for pre-order in the Kindle version. As with my earlier books, I will excerpt roughly 10% of the 400 page book in a series of posts on. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP) SAP Nation, the book MORE
Frank Scavo's Computer Economics has a nice post about the the long, winding road - the slow customer march to cloud applications. Bill Kutik pointed to similar slow movement more specific to HCM cloud applications in a recent LinkedIn post. Cloud Computing, SaaS Industry Commentary MORE
Over the last couple of weeks, as we get ready to welcome the 20s, I have been reviewing blog posts, books I have written and notes from advisory work helping clients pick vendors, negotiate contracts, review vendor performance etc from MORE
This was my sixth trip to Vegas this year. Coming from humid Florida, I have a routine for that city. Gallons of water and lotion to compensate for the heat and dryness. Gear to protect against the excess of artificial. Cloud Computing, SaaS MORE
When you think of automation on the shop floor you think robotics, IoT and AR/VR. On the other hand, when you talk to executives in white collar industries about automation, the conversation usually drifts to bots. Most SIs now have MORE
270 
This continues a series of interviews with tech executives who have seen the industry evolve over a minimum of two decades. They have helped analyze, envision, develop and take to market some of the most influential technology the world has. Tech Marathoners series MORE
It’s an annual ritual. A Workday executive does our readers a favor and shares a curtain raiser on their Rising event, which this year is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees. This time it is Barbry McGann, senior vice president MORE
Merriam-Webster defines ecology as a "branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments". If ecologists were to study today's software vendors they would be fascinated not just by how the core organism functions but by the. MORE
As SaaS vendors took off in the early 2000s, I was encouraged by their business model. They had collapsed software, hosting, application management and upgrades into one contract. But in recent years I have seen a reversal and a lot. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP MORE
I have been imploring software vendors to globalize and verticalize their applications for a while now - after two decades of cloud apps, less than 20% of the grid of applications across countries and operational processes is filled. I have. Cloud Computing, SaaS Vertical Markets (Banking, Retail etc MORE
deal architect
DECEMBER 12, 2019
I had been invited to an SAP Analytics influencer summit earlier in the year. Many of the sessions were under NDA, so I had not written about it. However, my notes showed: Ambitious, exciting vision, but fragmented execution across portfolio.
deal architect
NOVEMBER 15, 2019
As part of my series of posts on vertical solutions, I had an excellent briefing this week from Neeracha Taychakhoonavudh, EVP of Industries at Salesforce. I am also impressed at the wide range of sessions by industry that are being. Cloud Computing, SaaS Vertical Markets (Banking, Retail etc
deal architect
JANUARY 18, 2018
My first exposure to a software “platform” was back in 1983 when McCormack and Dodge introduced Millennium and started to migrate all its modules to have the same look and feel, extensibility, queries and other features. I was part of.
deal architect
NOVEMBER 9, 2019
Let's face it - industry events are increasingly formulaic. Most vendor conferences are predictable - keynotes and product futures, rock bands, large partner booths. Most research firm events tend to be siloed around their category definitions and what currently excites. Industry Commentary
deal architect
DECEMBER 6, 2019
Over the last couple of weeks, as we get ready to welcome the 20s, I have been reviewing blog posts, books I have written and notes from advisory work helping clients pick vendors, negotiate contracts, review vendor performance etc from
deal architect
DECEMBER 3, 2019
I have been reading Marc Benioff's new book and also factoring what I heard at the latest Dreamforce, Salesforce's annual conference. At times, I felt like I was re-reading Frederic Laloux's "Reinventing Organizations" and his points about companies like Patagonia. Cloud Computing, SaaS
deal architect
JUNE 7, 2019
Many vendors talk about the "Future of Work". It's usually in the future tense. They forget that the future is already here. The BLS adds many brand new occupations in its listings every few years. We glibly talk about the. Cloud Computing, SaaS
deal architect
JUNE 20, 2019
I have heard Zoho talk about doing business in UAE and Nigeria. That is so different from other cloud vendors which tend to mostly focus on N. America and Europe. Over the last decade, their US revenues have steadily declined. Cloud Computing, SaaS Globalization and Technology
deal architect
JUNE 28, 2019
Geoff Scott, CEO of ASUG, wrote this in his foreword to SAP Nation 3.0 "For For many years, licensing was a “third rail” topic: look at it, discuss it among yourselves but don’t ever collectively — as a customer contingent —. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
MAY 2, 2019
I find Frank Scavo a great sounding board. He has a way of simplifying things and pushing back when things are buzzword-y. I have quoted him in several books. He has introduced me to case studies I have profiled in. Industry Commentary
deal architect
AUGUST 19, 2019
I have analyzed Oracle applications business since the early 90s - first at PwC, then Gartner, now at Deal Architect. I have long been a Larry Ellison admirer, much less so of his company's applications. It has been a perennial, Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
DECEMBER 10, 2019
Most conversations about the Future of Work that we hear in professional circles are similar to those in this Cognizant webinar and report. The comments tend to be tough, but fair. In mainstream media, however, I am seeing increasingly hostile. Future of Work
deal architect
DECEMBER 8, 2019
Let's face it the term "future of work" has been hijacked by technology vendors and "thought leaders" of every stripe - often peddling products and one-dimensional concepts which are spray painted to cover their distant past. So, it was refreshing. Future of Work
deal architect
APRIL 25, 2019
I kept thinking of Southwest Airlines while I was at the Workday Innovation Summit in CA this week. I had read this tribute to the legendary founder, Herb Kelleher on the flight over and it reminded me how revered he. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
APRIL 14, 2019
Ray Lane, a top-notch tech executive and investor over decades, said this about my new book "Don't be fooled by the title—the book is not just about SAP. It's about drama in enterprise computing." I then used "drama" in the. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
JUNE 17, 2019
When you think of automation on the shop floor you think robotics, IoT and AR/VR. On the other hand, when you talk to executives in white collar industries about automation, the conversation usually drifts to bots. Most SIs now have
deal architect
OCTOBER 15, 2018
John Sumser, aka HR Examiner, has been focusing on "intelligent technology" including AI and machine learning as it morphs the HCM function. Trends in that function are a forerunner of what we will see across the enterprise. I recently caught. Analytics, Big Data Cloud Computing, SaaS
deal architect
OCTOBER 31, 2018
This continues a series of interviews with tech executives who have seen the industry evolve over a minimum of two decades. They have helped analyze, envision, develop and take to market some of the most influential technology the world has. Tech Marathoners series
deal architect
OCTOBER 6, 2018
This was my sixth trip to Vegas this year. Coming from humid Florida, I have a routine for that city. Gallons of water and lotion to compensate for the heat and dryness. Gear to protect against the excess of artificial. Cloud Computing, SaaS
deal architect
NOVEMBER 11, 2019
Josh Greenbaum has a fascinating post - how Microsoft and SAP plan to take over the enterprise software market. There is much in there I agree with. All the recent executive changes - Jen, Christian, Bill, Bob - are exciting. Cloud Computing, SaaS Industry Commentary
deal architect
SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
It’s an annual ritual. A Workday executive does our readers a favor and shares a curtain raiser on their Rising event, which this year is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees. This time it is Barbry McGann, senior vice president
deal architect
APRIL 7, 2019
Tom Bogan is CEO of Adaptive Insights, a company whose business planning cloud automates previously manual planning tasks—for finance, sales, and workforce planning—and supplements those capabilities with enterprise-scale reporting and analytics. Tom joined Adaptive Insights when it was at $40
deal architect
JANUARY 11, 2019
I was in Shanghai, China recently. As I have told my friends, I ended paying a “tourist tax” everywhere. Moneychangers, gypsy taxi drivers, tour guides who took me to pearl and silk stores where I am sure they got a
deal architect
MARCH 20, 2019
Merriam-Webster defines ecology as a "branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments". If ecologists were to study today's software vendors they would be fascinated not just by how the core organism functions but by the.
deal architect
JULY 22, 2019
I read the Leander Kahney book on Tim Cook on the long Emirates flights to and from India. In India, I had a conversation with an Apple consumer like me (not really that knowledgeable about the operations of the company). Industry Commentary
deal architect
NOVEMBER 10, 2019
I have been imploring software vendors to globalize and verticalize their applications for a while now - after two decades of cloud apps, less than 20% of the grid of applications across countries and operational processes is filled. I have. Cloud Computing, SaaS Vertical Markets (Banking, Retail etc
deal architect
APRIL 1, 2019
Bruce Cleveland, who many readers may remember from his Siebel days is now an investor and has a new book out, Traversing the Traction Gap. I had a long ranging conversation with him about the book and also about trends.
deal architect
MAY 7, 2019
Said Hasso Plattner as we were wrapping up our annual Sapphire meeting with him. He told us he thought Bill McDermott's keynote this morning was the best he has delivered (I had walked up to Bill a few hours earlier. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
Alan Alper, VP and Editorial Director, has his fingerprints on most Cognizant marketing publications and events. He has been involved in the planning of Cognizant's presence and pitches at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum for the last. Globalization and Technology Industry Commentary
deal architect
FEBRUARY 8, 2019
As SaaS vendors took off in the early 2000s, I was encouraged by their business model. They had collapsed software, hosting, application management and upgrades into one contract. But in recent years I have seen a reversal and a lot. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
JULY 24, 2019
Frank Scavo's Computer Economics has a nice post about the the long, winding road - the slow customer march to cloud applications. Bill Kutik pointed to similar slow movement more specific to HCM cloud applications in a recent LinkedIn post. Cloud Computing, SaaS Industry Commentary
deal architect
AUGUST 7, 2019
I don't mean to pick on NetSuite but it is one of the oldest cloud apps vendors - born as it was in 1998. Over 21 years, you would think it would have a fuller global footprint. Especially since it. Cloud Computing, SaaS Global and Vertical extensions Industry Commentary
deal architect
MARCH 25, 2019
My new book is now available to buy here in print version, and for pre-order in the Kindle version. As with my earlier books, I will excerpt roughly 10% of the 400 page book in a series of posts on. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP) SAP Nation, the book
deal architect
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
No, this does not have much to do with Oracle’s recent quarter. Nor is it about intrigue and gossip so many analysts use to compare Oracle to the Trumpian White House. It has more to do with two decades of. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
OCTOBER 4, 2019
As I was filing our quarterly Form 941 last week, it hit me that we have entered the last quarter of this decade. As I flew into LaGuardia on Monday, it took me back two decades to my time at. Cloud Computing, SaaS Industry Commentary Outsourcing (IBM, Accenture, EDS
deal architect
FEBRUARY 8, 2019
I recently read an article which said "AI will not replace accountants and auditors, but accountants and auditors that use AI can replace those that don’t." I predict that will also be true of implementation consultants in the next few. Outsourcing (IBM, Accenture, EDS
deal architect
AUGUST 15, 2019
A recent visit to an Amazon Fulfillment Center was eye-opening. They have completely redefined the old warehouse pick, pack, ship mindset. It's now stow, pick, pack, verify, and in their lingo, SLAM and "chaotic storage". Kiva robots and miles of. Business Process "Angioplasty" Cloud Computing, SaaS Industry Commentary
deal architect
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
I joined Gartner in 1995. I remember clients would call and say they were getting ready for next-gen applications, but that they felt they had "enough time". The deadline in their case was, of course, the Y2K "wall". By the
deal architect
MARCH 17, 2019
Steve Miranda, EVP, Applications Product Development at Oracle briefed analysts about this week's co-located Modern Business Experience (MBX) and Modern Customer Experience (MCX) in Las Vegas. He also blogged about it: "we are bringing together marketing, sales, and service with. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
APRIL 28, 2019
My new book is now available to buy here in print version, and in the Kindle eBook version. As with my earlier books, I am excerpting roughly 10% of the 400 page book in a series of posts on my. SAP Nation, the book
deal architect
MARCH 28, 2019
Vinnie’s readers might not know that he and I frequently team up on larger client projects. Yes, we’ve been arch-enemies at times but have done lots of deals and even launched a dot-com together. About two years ago, we noticed
deal architect
AUGUST 14, 2019
I was excited when Charles Phillips and his team arrived at Infor in 2010. I looked forward to them executing to their vision they would focus on various verticals like healthcare and hospitality. Over the last few years I have. Cloud Computing, SaaS Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP
deal architect
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
Kudos to Cindy Jutras for her study "Real Facts About ERP Implementation". Her survey showed that two-thirds of respondents graded their ERP implementation as "successful" or "very successful." The survey found 31% thought their ERP project was at least a. Enterprise Software (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP) Enterprise Software (other vendors) Offshoring (other vendors) Outsourcing (IBM, Accenture, EDS
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