Exploiting enterprise applications

Out of 60 organisations surveyed, the report states that:

* None used more than 50% of the licensed enterprise application functionality. (Source: West Trax Applications)
* A significant proportion of unused code is customised, unnecessarily prolonging upgrade cycles.
* This also indicates standardised functionality is a myth, with many organisations paying too much for enterprise applications.
* To exploit the value from enterprise applications, the IT department must ensure it is fully integrated with objectives, business processes, management and infrastructure.
* Investment in enterprise applications must be directed by organisation objectives, not by a me-too policy or solely cost-saving considerations.
* Enterprises must deploy an architectural approach that includes linking business processes with enterprise applications.
* Effective management of enterprise applications and the quality of service provided can be important differentiators, leading to improved performance.
* Real competitive advantage can be achieved by making use of intelligence capability now found in enterprise applications and easily integrated third-party solutions.
* To meet regulatory pressures, there is a need to provide greater visibility into enterprise applications, with improved analysis and readily available audit trails.
* Access to enterprise applications needs to be independent of software type, communication channel, client device and physical location, enabling improved utilisation.

(Research: Butler Group's Exploiting Enterprise Applications: Maximising the Return on Existing ERP and CRM Investments - courtesy of Marketworks.)