Abstract: Andersen Consulting has had a running battle with Arthur Andersen and Andersen Worldwide over Arthur Andersen's encroachment on the management and technology consulting firm's space. The win on August 7 releases Andersen Consulting from all its obligations, turning it into an independent company, with the slight stipulation of a name change.

Abstract: A major consulting firm recently unveiled an E-Procurement selection tool that helps its clients select technologies that enable their business objectives. The tool combines the consulting firm’s knowledge of various E-Procurement solutions with TEC’s decision support technologies.

Abstract: French integrator Cap Gemini has announced that it may buy the business consulting division of Big 5 firm, Ernst & Young. The deal would create an $8.5 billion global consulting giant.

Abstract: Andersen Consulting has announced plans to deploy $1 billion of its privately-held wealth for the purpose of providing venture capital to Internet start-ups.

Abstract: In compliance with the August arbitrator’s report on the conflict between Arthur Andersen and Andersen Consulting, the consulting firm has announced its new name to be Accenture. It wants this new identity to fully brand it in the marketplace, a task we think will be harder than Accenture admits.

Abstract: Accenture has moved from its former identity Andersen Consulting to a new mark and strategy aligned to its competitors in the market place. Since the arbitrators ruling in August, 2000, Accenture’s transformation has rapidly moved the organization from being centered around four competencies to a group of Service Lines.

Abstract: Recent findings by the SEC prompted global management consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to dismiss a number of its consultants, including five partners, and discipline a larger group from its U.S.-based staff of 39,000 consultants.

Abstract: To select a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) turned to Gibson Consulting Group to manage the project’s complexities. Gibson partnered with TEC, taking advantage of the eBestMatch decision support system (DSS). Find out how TEC and Gibson helped Katy ISD reduce the cost and duration of the selection project, and deliver a compelling business case to stakeholders.

Abstract: There continues to be a wide variety of different approaches to building a solid data management solution for your organization, and just as many consulting firms across the globe willing to help you build them. However, it’s imperative for each data management solution to specialize to the unique needs of your organization’s business users, across varying functional areas.

Abstract: Hearing confusing messages from your customer resource management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendors? You may be dealing with dozens of software vendors and system integrators, each one praising the benefits of his solution. Among these proposals, one claims not only to efficiently manage the entire customer life cycle, but also to take full advantage of your previous technology investments. Your incumbent ERP system vendor also has a CRM solution, and praises the benefits of the tight integration of both systems. The question then is, how do you know whether this solution is the best for you? Request your copy of Integrating CRM with ERP compliments of Baseline Consulting. The report gives you the criteria to use when formulating your strategy of integrating CRM with ERP, best practices of CRM implementation, dealing with ERP integration, and how to integrate CRM with ERP impacts the value chain.

Abstract: You can blame your sales people all you want, but if the lead data is bad, they’re not going to bring in business. You can blame your product managers for ineffective promotions, but if the target lists are redundant, the pitches fall on deaf ears. You can blame your customer service representatives for low satisfaction scores, but if customer data is missing, then no wonder the complaint resolution pipeline is backed up. Think it’s your customer resource management (CRM) system? Think again. It’s bad data, and it’s costing you millions. Request your copy of The Bottom Line on Bad Customer Data that delivers detailed advice from Jill Dyche, partner and co-founder of Baseline Consulting, about what you can do to address the impact of bad data on your company. The report gives you insight into how bad data is impacting your company and what you can do about it. How to identify where the bad data is and quantify its impact, and different approaches to determine the sources and causes of bad data are all offered in this paper.

Abstract: Midsize businesses are learning the hard way that most enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications are not truly on-demand, but instead require consulting and specialized customer support services. Learn about the critical consulting and support services required to select, deploy, and fully utilize SaaS solutions to achieve your business objectives and safeguard your mission-critical applications and data.

Abstract: PeopleSoft has been on a quest to dramatically improve its customer service & support by weeding out its 3rd-party consulting partners. PeopleSoft also has a new platform, a new set of products and a new surprising attitude of lambasting competition. Further, its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2000 are upbeat.

Abstract: SAP AG has seemingly crossed a strategy chasm, from a strict, stodgy, Not-Invented-Here (NIH) approach to software development and delivery, to a seemingly quite open approach of broad development alliances, company acquisitions, Internet portals development, and a deep, new relationship with IBM for both technology sharing as well as bolstering IBM Consulting’s support for SAP’s new multiple mySAP.com™ initiatives. 'Collaborative' and 'SAP' were not two words you might have ever seen in the same article. You’re seeing it now.

Abstract: There has been noise in the US public sector about a strong federal (Feds) interest in ERP applications. This, coupled with the Feds customary huge purchasing appetite for goods and services ranging from consulting to purchasing military devices and components, building, many businesses that have previously competed only in the commercial sector are tempted to feed the Feds. However, the Feds' peculiar and idiosyncratic regulatory requirements provide high barriers to entry, and novice companies that are not already offering the functionality for the sector will likely not be able to tap the recent surge in Defense and other federal markets.

Abstract: Customer relationship management (CRM) is rapidly morphing from a customer management model to one of customer engagement. Social networks, podcasts, blogs, and wikis are enabling customers to become advocates, and not simply the targets they were in the traditional CRM process. The same techniques are also being used within the CRM industry itself to create a content-rich, social media environment for CRM professionals. Find out what these sweeping changes mean to businesses and CRM professionals alike, as TEC's director of research Wayne Thompson sits down with Paul Greenberg and Bruce Culbert of BPT Partners, a leading CRM consulting firm.

Abstract: The major factors of success in business applications for the mid-market segment have traditionally been--flexible pricing, packaging and deployment options; speed of implementation; vertical focus; interconnectivity to other applications and legacy systems; product scalability and scope expandability; Internet and wireless device accessibility; low cost business-to-business (B2B) electronic connectivity; and a single point of contact possibly with a local consulting and implementation support. PeopleSoft seems to have captured (or at least tackled) most of these.

Abstract: In the past year the traditional consulting houses have executed major initiatives to counter the challenges of the pure play and fringe market invaders. Being big doesn't mean being slow, as these Behemoths have demonstrated – once they tuned in to the new market realities.