IBM guarantees ERP performance with Baan

IBM has announced a performance-warranty programme for customers who install its hardware and Baan`s enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. The two-year, no-charge programme provides performance safeguards for first-time ERP customers who buy IBM`s Unix-based, mid-range RS/6000 server line. Industry analysts said the bundling of hardware, software and a performance warranty was "a competitive missile launch", giving IBM an immediate advantage over direct competitors, Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems.

JBA wins top awards at UK`s CIM `98 Exhibition

During the Computers in Manufacturing Exhibition (CIM) that ran from 10 to 12 November in the UK, JBA was the "Winner of the Best Integrated Campaign Award at CIM `98" and achieved second place in the "Best Management System" category.

US govt extends Worldtalk`s e-mail encryption licence

The US government has granted Worldtalk a licence to export WorldSecure Server and Client with 128-bit encryption to banks and financial institutions throughout most of the world. [Local rep: Server Tools]

Oracle, Walker embed financial offerings

Walker and Oracle have announced the Performance Management Suite, an integrated offering from Walker that embeds Oracle Express and Oracle Financial Analyser with Walker Financial Consolidation software to help customers manage company performance. [Local rep for Walker Horizon: The IBD Group]

Sqribe tackles Web-based reporting for PeopleSoft

Sqribe Technologies has announced the ReportMart for PeopleSoft Integration Programme, a professional services initiative focused on helping companies deploy Web-based delivery of PeopleSoft reports across the enterprise. [Local rep: Abraxas Software]

Analytic app vendors back Sagent

Sagent Technology recently announced a number of partnerships with leading analytic application vendors, which strengthen Sagent`s position in the business intelligence solutions market. [Local rep: 360 Solutions]

Zergo, Unisys set security sights on large firms

Zergo, a global provider of cryptographic information security products and services, and Unisys have announced an agreement to develop a Europe-wide strategic marketing partnership to jointly market their security product portfolios. [Local rep: Usko Communications]

Unisys gift enables Penn State to conduct first advanced research on Microsoft Windows NT

Driving electronic business applications

A lack of viable software tools has stymied real growth in the area of electronic commerce believes Dr Erwin Königs, chairman and CEO of Software AG. Königs was speaking at yesterday`s South African launch of Software AG`s Bolero, which the company says is the first integrated environment for building and deploying robust component-based electronic business applications to the Java platform. [Local rep: SPL, part of JSE-listed Dimension Data.]

Sterling Software improves business, data modelling

Sterling Software`s Application Development Division has announced the availability of COOL:Biz 4.0, the latest release of the company`s enterprise-scale business and application modelling tool.

Dealing with radical business change within ERP systems

SAP has launched a portfolio of conversion services to assist companies facing radical internal or external changes to make major modifications to their systems without any disruption to business.

Lotus is well ahead of schedule

Lotus Development says its 3Q sales of Lotus Notes and Domino, in which more than three million seats were licensed, indicates the company is well ahead of schedule to achieve its aggressive goal of 12 million new seats in 1998.

EOH enters ERP arena

Enterprise Outsourcing Holdings (EOH), an IT investment holding company, formally launched into the ERP arena at the Baan user conference which took place at Sun City last week.