Across the world, and here in SA, companies are coming to understand the consequences of poor data quality.

Every point of interaction with customers, even client complaints, should be used proactively.

The customer is king, but not all are created equal and every good customer is someone else`s prospect.

E-procurement and collaborating across the value chain is examined in the third and final column in a series on a step-by-step approach to the extended enterprise.

In the second of a series on a step-by-step approach to the extended enterprise, it is noted that a successful customer relationship management (CRM) strategy is dependent on a collaborative community.

Customer relationship management has entrenched itself in the corporate world during the last five years, but typical customer engagements are still centred on product sales, rather than on customer requirements.

Technology can free up human resource (HR) managers` time, enabling them to get back to traditional HR roles, like getting to know employees` names and needs.

The need for application service providers (ASPs) to have the highest level of security should not be underestimated, as a high profile break-in could have nasty consequences on the acceptance of the fledgling ASP model.

The Edge, an IT training company, has launched an IT project management certification programme designed to address the need for IT professionals with enterprise resource planning skills.